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.
Kelly, Charlotte, NC
Psalm 16:7-8 ESV
I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Amy, Columbus OH: “Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” Psalm 95:2
Stephanie
Corvallis Or
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. NIV
Andrea, Louisville, KY
“Wait for the LORD, be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD” Psalm 27:14 NIV
Ephesians 3:20 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
20 Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think —according to the power that works in you—
Lori, Velma, OK
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Atlanta
Elizabeth, Rocky Mount, NC.
Galatians 6:14 (NIV): May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world./
Janelle C (Malakoff, TX) – in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.
Colossians 2:3-4
Glenda, Tualatin
God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go! This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike, “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirit and confirms who we really are. We know who He is, and we know who we are: Father and children.
Romans 8:14-16 Msg
Hannah, Perry, MI
Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re My dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.
Luke 12:31-32, The Message
Donna
Eldorado, Texas
For I am the Lord,your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13
Lisha, Texas: “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Katherine,St.Johns,FL
“Rely on the Lord!Be strong and confident!Rely on the Lord!”
Psalm 27:14 NET
Yolanda
Ulysses, KS.
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
**Rely hits so much harder for me than “wait” from the NIV. Not only must I wait on Him, but I must rely on Him.
Rosie, Tacoma Word
The Lord lives!
Blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation be exalted.
Psalm 18:46 NKJV
Beverly in Des Moines
“Keep me safe my God, for in you I take refuge.”
Psalm 16:1 NIV
Jonah 2:2 NKJV
I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, and He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And you heard my voice.
Psalms 27.14 NLT
Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.
I know I am using the same one, but it also applies what for is going on in my life today. Thank you Beth and I am praying for you like so many others. God’s Blessing on you.
Bonnie–Huntington, WV
2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
Marie
Orange, TX
Mt 24:36,42 NIV
36)No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, not the Son,but only the Father.
42)Therefore keep watch,because you do not know on what day the Lord will come.
Vanessa from Victoria, TX
“The LORD is my light and my salvation-
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life-
of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1 NIV
Terrie, Birmingham
“For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”
Matthew 18:20
NIV
Laura, Helena, AR
Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we ask of you, you have made known to us the dream of the King. Daniel 2:20-23, NIV
Kerry, Nederland, Texas
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
Proverbs 3:24
Deb, Pelzer, SC
Psalm 119:76 “May Your unfailing love be my comfort, according to Your promise to Your servant.” (NIV)
Laura K, Spearfish, SD
Psalm 57:1 ESV
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in You my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.
Tiffany, ATL
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand is pleasures forevermore.” ~ Ps. 16:11 ESV
Janell, Denver, CO – Jeremiah 29:11-13, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. NIV
Chris, Seattle, WA
Isaiah 53:6 NIV
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Joelle, Abilene, TX
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7
Judy from Lake Charles, LA-“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Phil. 4:6 (NIV)
Linda and girls, Pauls Valley, OK II Tim. 1:7 “For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (NKJV)
Missi- Walker, LA:
The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.Â
Romans 8:6 (NIV)Â
Michelle, Houston, “Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you O Lord my God with all my heart, I will glorify your name forever.” Psalm 86:11-12 NIV (1984)
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He enables me to stand on the heights. Psalm 18: 32-33 (NIV)
Kristine, La Crescent, MN: Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalm 27:14
Janet, Georgia: “Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.” –Psalm 85:9 (NIV)
Vicki from Colleyville, “God, who does not lie, promised.” Titus 1:2
DeAnne, Talmage
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
Sarah, New Palestine, Indiana
Ephesians 5:2 (NIV)
… walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Patty, Granite Bay, Ca Psalm 27:14 NIV “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
Troy, Ohio
2Peter 1:3-4 NIV
His divine power has given us everything we need
for life and godliness through our knowledge of him
who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Through these he has given us his very great and
precious promises, so that through them you may
participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Notes in my bible define godliness as “a genuine reverence toward God that governs one’s attitude toward every aspect of life.” love that!
Jennifer J. – Texarkana, AR
“Then call on me when you are in trouble,
and I will rescue you,
and you will give me glory.” Psalm 50:15 NLT
Jan, Topeka, KS
Isaiah 46:4 NLT
I will be your God throughout your lifetime- until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.
Audrey Rockwall, TX
Luke 6:31 NIV Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Becky, Temecula, CA
Proverbs 16:24 NIV
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb. Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Richelle, Kingston, “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” Revelation 3:11 (NIV)
Rena, Tulsa. “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” Proverbs 4:18 NIV
Deidra – Waynesboro
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how you ought to answer every man.
Colossians 4:6 KJV
Angela, Oil City, LA: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Marilyn, Amarillo: He is your constant source of stability. Is. 33:6a NET
Who can by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Luke 12:25 NIV
I need both of these verses!
God Bless you ALL
Beckie, Washington DC: “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people.”-Jeremiah 32:4 (NIV)