Hey, you mighty warriors!
By the time you get this SSMT post, I will be on my way to Nashville for the videotaping of James: Mercy Triumphs. It almost makes me cry to see the actual (recently settled-upon) title in print. So much time and focus and prayer and frustration and second-guessing and bewilderment and wonderment – and learning and thrilling and growing and wallowing – go into the whole process of a Bible study journey. Many tears. Healthy laughs. Big eye-openers. Rich conversations. Moments of, “What on earth was I thinking??” Above all, so much desperation for Jesus. If God doesn’t pour His Spirit into it, it will fall flat like a collapsed pup-tent. That’s the God’s-honest truth. After 14 journeys similar to this one, I know just enough in advance to be dangerous. Enough to start shaking (not with anointing but mostly with anxiety) when the outline first goes on paper. I know now how life’s going to go on in the middle of it and how all sorts of unplanned ups and downs, woes and joys will mark its pages. I know now how I’m going to end up writing about things in my life and family that haven’t even happened yet. Some of them will be wonderful. Others will be painful. It’s kind of like starting a new journal. There is a certain amount of trepidation because you simply can’t guess what will fill those pages. It’s a stomach-knotting blend of anticipation and raw fear. But what I forget sometimes in that anxious moment when I know there’s no turning back is the grace. The goodness of God. The fact that I’m invited to believe He was the initiator of it, as He is in all things faith (Hebrews 12:1-3) and that I don’t have to assume complete control over it. I’m invited to remember what life the Scripture has and how much this woman has to learn.
Good grief. I’m sitting in a salon chair about to bawl my head off. (Writing this to you on Friday.) I’ll try to rein this one in and quit being so dramatic. This is no time to wear you guys out about the James Bible study because Melissa and I still need you to pray us through until the complete manuscript is turned in at the end of summer. The beauty of all the studies prior to Esther is that they were pre-blog and I didn’t gnaw you like a bone throughout the whole ordeal. It’s too late now.
Make no mistake. The studio audience, the LifeWay video crew, and I need your prayers like crazy this week. Yes, pray for us during the day when preparation is taking place but especially pray for us in the evenings on Monday (tomorrow) through Thursday. That’s when the actual sessions will be taped, two per night, back-to-back. And pray big things for the participants, too! They are so incredibly important in the process. Pray for them to get totally caught up in the Scriptures and in what God is speaking into their lives and be oblivious to the cameras. Pray for them to experience a powerful encounter with Christ through His Word and for Him to do something utterly remarkable in each life. THEN, pray for that anointing to also transfer just that heavily to the women who will one day watch the series on the other side of the screen. I requested a smaller group of participants this time (like I have at Life Today – the perfect size!) but that means the cameras will be much more obvious to all the ladies in the audience. Pray also for us to bond in the Spirit right from the beginning.
Thank you so, so much.
I won’t get a chance to blog much (if at all) while I’m in Nashville but Amanda and Melissa will chime in. I will try to get on Twitter a time or two a day perhaps so, for those of you who like that, we’ll stay in touch that way. (@BethMooreLPM – writing that kind of thing always makes me want to throw up in my mouth.)
After the sessions are complete, the video team and I will spend all day Friday doing some additional taping that won’t require an audience. Later in May they will come to Houston and we will do yet more taping. At that time (later in May), I’ll do the intros to the session and also an on-camera dialogue with Melissa over the project. She has been a huge part of this journey. In fact, she was the first of the two of us who felt drawn to this book of the Bible. She is not a camera hog and won’t let me add her name on the cover but it would be a crying shame for the women not to get a chance to connect with her on screen. She has zero interest in entertaining but she has a huge interest in studying. That’s enough to make her push past her discomfort and get on the screen. In case you’re not up to date on her part of the project, she is writing extra study portions 2-3 times per week of Bible study for the student that wants to go deeper.
I am always reluctant (as both my daughters are) to mention two of us instead of three. Amanda, Melissa and I are, as my people would say, thick as mud and we don’t like to pair off. As I mention Melissa often in this process, rest assured Amanda is cheering us on and praying for us every step of our way. She is not actively participating this time in the editorial process (I miss her so much) because her focus and energies need to be on her family but we three women are together continually.
SO, did you think I’d forgotten what we’re doing on here today???? No ma’am. I most certainly did not. All I’ve just told you led to the Scripture I’ve chosen as my ninth verse.
Beth, Houston. “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Yes, Sir! If this selection resonates with you, join me with it! I’d be honored to memorize with you. I will say it over and over this week. Maybe you will, too, and He will hear us each time and find joy in it. I pray with all my sappy heart that the Spirit of God loves to hover over this community.
OK, so what are your verses, Sisters??? DON’T YOU DARE QUIT!!!!!
I love you to pieces.
Danville, KY
Love others well, and don’t hide behind a mask; love authentically. Despise evil; pursue what is good as if your life depends on it.
Romans 13:9 The Voice
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Cathy S., Terra Ceia, Florida
Philippians 4:6 (The Message)
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
Psalms 63:4-5 NIV
“Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11 (NLT)
Wendy, Houston TX
Psalm 27:14 – Rely on the Lord, be stron and confident. Rely on the Lord. (NET)
Kristi, North Webster, IN
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Alli, College Station, Phi Lamb
Revelation 21:3, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.'” (NIV)
Julie, Goodyear. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 NIV
Kaycee, Cabot: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Beth from Emmalena, KY
“Above all, love each other dfeeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 4:8 NIV
Joy, Salina, KS
“…we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…”
Colossians 1:9b-10 NIV
Marie, Albuquerque, nm “therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. For our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV
Julie dk in Casper, WY
The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18 NIV
Linda – Boulder CO
He came to his own home, and his own people received Him not.
John 1:11 RSV
Kelli, Moss Point, MS: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Vickie, Poplar Bluff, MO:
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 NIV
Beth, thank you for your encouraging words. My flesh doesn’t want to keep this commitment but my spirit is fighting hard, in Jesus name.
Christy from Lancaster, PA:
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”
Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)
Kathy – Cumberland, RI – And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Luke 6:31, 36 KJV
Gina – Kingwood, Tx.
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 (The NET Bible)
“Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.” 2 Corinthians 5:14 NLT
Cindy, Rock Hill, SC
Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them. Psalm 69:34 (NAS)
Heather, Tallahassee Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear, then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Isaiah 58:8 NIV
Michelle, Seattle: “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
Lynette, Nashville
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. Psalm 119:18 NIV
Barb, Prescott Valley, AZ
Psalm 27:14 “Rely on the Lord. Be strong & confident. Rely on the Lord.” (NET) (resonates loud & clear!)
mitzi, Brandon,MS
Oh God, here I am, your servant. I am your servant: set me free for your service!
Psalm 116:16 Message
Aimee, North Aurora, IL
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7, NIV
Nancy Tucson, AZ
“Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Ps. 25:4-5 NIV
Natalie- Jacksonville, Florida- Ephesians 5:1(NIV) Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children
Matthew 7:7-8 NIV
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Stacie, Livonia, MI
Psalm 32:8 NIV
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40;31 NKJ
Joy, Alpharetta. “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Catherine Morningstar in Fresno, CA
Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Kathi
Lexington, OH
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Psalm 23:5
Teri in Corpus Christi, TX~ Matthew 5:5
“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.” (MSG)
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (NIV)
Sheryl, PA – Zeph. 3:17 NIV
The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
Dayla, Springfield, MO
I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is filled with joy, and my mouth shouts his praises! My body rests in safety. Psalm 16:8-9 (New Living Translation)
Beth, I am sharing yours this time!
Tanya R. Sierra Vista, AZ
Rely on the Lord! Be Strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalm 27:14 (NET)
Marie, Post Falls, Idaho –
“But the LORD replied, ‘Is it right for you to be angry?'”
– Jonah 4:4, NIV
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you unity among yourselves as you follow Jesus Christ so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5 NIV
Suzann Benson
Kingwood, WV
Martha, Clearwater,FL
“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days”.
psalm 90:14 NIV
Wendy
Glendora, CA
Psalms 27:14 NET Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident. Rely on theLord!
Ephesians 1:3 ESV
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.”
Jamie in Katy, TX
Lori, Pelham, NH: “If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,” PS 139:9 KJV
Dana, Blue Ridge, TX
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes – I and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
Job 19:25-27
Isiah 30:18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
Stacey-Morocco,in
2 Corinthians 10:3 (Amplified Bible)
3For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons
Betty, Soddy Daisy, TN
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or stow in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Matthew 6:26 NIV