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.
Ellen from Bad Axe
in Michigan’s Thumb
When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty. Jeremiah 15:16. NIV
Melanie and Kara, Nampa, Idaho
M: Eph 1:11 NLT – Furtherrmore, because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us from the beginning, and all things happen just as he decided long ago.
K: Ps 03:9 – He won’t keep bringing charges against us. He won’t stay angry with us forever.
II Peter 1:10-11 (NIV)
Therefore my brothers be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things you will never fall and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
Jennifer, San Antonio: 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. Hebrews 12:1
“This is what The Sovereign Lord, The Holy One of Israel says “In repentence and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” Isaiah 30:15 NIV
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.”
HEbrews 10:35 NIV
Lezlie, Prince George, VA. “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
candifer, sd: “the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.” isaiah 61:1
Marina, Kansas City
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy and with my song I praise him.” Psalm 28:7 NIV
Gayle, Salinas CA
Timely advice is lovely like golden apples in a silver basket. Proverbs 25:11 NLT
Salina, Hindman, Ky “I constantly trust in the Lord; because he is at my right hand, I will not be upended.” Psalm 16:8 NET
Tisha, Pilot Mtn, NC
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:6 KJV
Betty from Brown City, MI Jer. 15:16 “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty”
Carmen, Knoxville
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 NIV
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
Psalm 40:1 NIV
Colima, Klamath Falls, OR
Alyson – Tallahassee
2 Chronicles 20:15 NLT – He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Jeannie, Vero Beach, Fl.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
John 1:1-5 NIV
Stephanie, Sparta, TN
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”
Psalm 103:8 NIV
Sherry
Indianapolis
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 (NIV)
Ellen, Sevierville: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
Darcy, Northern VA. He brought me out into a spacious place; – he rescued me because he delighted in me. Psalm 18:19 NIV
Tami, Michigan: “Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should.” Psalm 90:12 TLB
Cathy
Umatilla, FL
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Faith
Eau Claire, WI
Phil 4:6-7 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Rhonda, SC,
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. Proverbs 15:1 NIV
Cindy from Yakima
Psalm 27:14 NET
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm. Proverbs 13:20
Margot, Round Rock, TX
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives for the prisoners. Isaiah 61:1 (NIV)
Elaine – New Orleans, LA
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1b
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Ephesians 3: 16 NIV
Kate, Ottawa area, Ontario, Canada
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Dawn, Dubuque, IA
“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
Rene, Abilene, TX “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Carol
Albuquerque,,NM
Colossians 4:6 Niv
6-Let your conversation be always full of grace seasoned with salt so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Carol
Colossians 4:6 NIV
Melanie – Lebanon, KS
James 1:21 (amp)
So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness and in a humble spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted in your heart contains the power to save your souls.
Becky, Scottdale, AZ
“Dear brothers & sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” James 1:2&3 NLT
Cindy, Gold Canyon, AZ “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Judy, Ridgecrest CA
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Cathy,Rhinebeck.”Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.” NIV
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Susan, Dalton GA
Romans8:38-39 (NIV)
Do not let your heart be troubled ; believe in God, believe also in Me. John 14:1 (NAS)
Chrissy
San Tan Valley, Arizona
Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”?
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;
But they who wait for 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 40:27-31 ESV
Dagmar, Tyler TX
Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
or like vinegar poured on a wound,
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Proverbs 20:25 NIV
Joyce, Wahpeton ND
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 NIV
Cheri, Lubbock TX
Command those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment.
1 Timothy 6:17 (NET)
Leverett, MA
For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him.
Romans 6:9 NIV
Linda/Augusta
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the ALmighty.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust. Psalms 91:2 NKJ
Laurie-Eureka, Missouri
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven
Ecclesiates 3:1
Kerry, Apple Creek, OH
James 4:7-8 AMP
So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realized that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”, Psalm 27:14, NET
Donna, Sarnia, Ontario
“This is what the Lord says:
Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.”
Jerm 6:16 NIV