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.
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16 NASB
Mandy, Lexington
Becky, Whitehall, “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
Becky,
thats a great verse… where is it found?
1Timonthy 4:7-9
love it!
allyson
Suzy, Wheelersburg, Oh, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” II Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV
Janice
Arcanum,OH
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”
John 6:35 NASB
Tammy, Paducah, Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalm 27:14
Just what I needed to hear!!
Charli, Hoover, AL.
“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 125:2 (ESV)
Sedrone, Arp, Texas
“I have loved you with an everlasting love” declares the LORD. Jer 31:3 NIV
Gracen- Floyds Knobs, IN
“He will not let your foot slip- He who watches over you will not slumber;” Psalm 121:3
– NIV
Kathy, Princeton TX. Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. Psalm 119:133
Michelle, Bossier City
James 1:4
“Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (NIV)
Lisa, Enterprise, AL
~ Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
— 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)
Darla, Tampa,Florida
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
Christy, Greeley, CO: “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:4 NET
Linda (Mom & Nana): “Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'” Lamentations 2:22-24 NIV
Josie (age 11): “His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.” Psalm 97:4 NIV
Isabel (age 8): “…let us love one another, for love comes from God.” 1 John 4:8a NIV
Melissa, Houston
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
“Rely on the LORD! Be strong and confident! Rely on the LORD!” -Psalm 27:14 (NET Bible)
Lexington KY
Lisa, Brazoria, TX “I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD, is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.” Psalm 18:1-3
NIV Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Mary, Springfield, MO
“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Proverbs 12:18 (ESV)
Erin, Lolo, MT “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19 NIV
Abby, Warrenton – For the fruit of the Spirit is love joy peace patience kindness goodness faithfulness gentleness and self control. Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
AmyLu, Evansville
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16 (NIV)
Here’s the verse from last time that I never got posted:
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origins in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20-21 (NIV)
John 1:17 NLT For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.
Carol, Warrenton – For the fruit of the Spirit is love joy peace patience kindness goodness faithfulness gentleness and self control. Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Beth S. Mankato, MN
So I will praise You as long as I live;
at Your name, I will lift up my hands.
You satisfy me as with rich food;
my mouth will praise You with joyful lips.
Psalm 63:4-5 HCSB
Te bendeciré mientras viva, y alzando mis manos te invocaré. Mi alma quedará satisfecha como de un suculento banquete, y con labios jubilosos te alabará mi boca.
Salmos 63:4-5 NVI
Jennifer from Little Rock, AR
But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
2Timothy 4:5 NIV
Jamie, Raytown:
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Eva,Knoxville: Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone. Zechariah 10:1(NIV)
Shelly, Rochester, MN
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14 NIV
Judy, Spokane, WA
“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:19 NASV
Judy, Montgomery
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”
Ps 27:14 NET
Perfect Beth! Enjoy Nashville. Eat at SATCo or Baja Burrito. Curious to know what a Texan thinks of those places 🙂 {I can not tell you how much queso I consumed at SATCo during grad school!}
Julie,Texarkana- Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. Isaiah 26:4 NLT
Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV)
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
Samantha ~ Menomonie:
(NAS)
Joshua 24:15*edited*-
…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Christy, Katy TX: “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor. 10:5, NIV
Sue C., Middletown, IN
“…The LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless”
(Psalm 84:11, NIV)
Dawn -Owensboro,Ky
“Be still and know that I am God”
Psalm 46:10 NIV
Kelly, West Richland,
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12
Kristin, Jacksonville, AL
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Debbie, Hattiesburg, MS
“Rely on the Lord!
Be strong and confident!
Rely on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Tracy, East Petersburg, PA “Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us is better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.” Galatians 5:25-26 The Message
Courtney, Houma LA
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10: 22-23
Susan, Atlanta, GA
These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:19b-20 NASB
Rosalie, Cincinnati “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night nor for the arrow that flieth by day. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” Psalm 91:5, 11 KJV
Lee’s Summit, MO
Psalm 27:14 (ESV)
“Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!”
Mandy, Idabel, OK
“I have loved you with an everlasting love” declares the LORD. Jer 31:3 NIV
Karina, Recife – Brazil
It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (The Message)
Phillipians 4:13 NIV
“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
Anne, Squamish BC Canada
But I am like an loive tree flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.
Psalm 52:8 NIV
Olive!