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.
Sue, Texarkana, Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” NIV
Bridget D Smith ~ Bloomington, Illinois
Therefore as God’s CHOSEN people , holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12
Melissa, Rochester, NY
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Larissa Simpson, Benbrook, Tx
“But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7 (NIV)
Tracey, Knightdale, NC:
so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky Philippians 2:15 NIV
Alyson Lung; Longmont, CO
He renews my strength, He guides me along the right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Psalm 23:3 NLT
Kadie, Tinley Park
But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord: in you I take refuge-do not give me over to death.
Psalm 141:8
Holly, Glendale, AZ:
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
James 1:19-20 NIV
Devanee, Ulysses You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. Luke 6:36 NLT
Mobile, AL
1Cor.13:6
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. NIV
Rachele Posey, Saginaw, TX
Ephesians 4:1-3, ” 1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Ephesians 4:1-3 NIV 1984 (c)
Stacey, Albuquerque Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Sharon
South Charleston, Ohio
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. ~ Psalm 73:25-26 (NIV)
Kristen, Oklahoma City, OK
“Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught.” Colossians 2:7 (Living Bible)
Renita~Prattville, Al.
For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 NIV
Helen, Broxton, GA
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”. Psalm 27:14
See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15 NIV
Sue, VA
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.
Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Suzanne; Pasadena, Texas
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalms 16:11 NKJV
Hebrews 13.2- “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels”.
Stacie, Memphis TN
Psalm 139:14 NIV I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well
Julie, Goldfield, IA
Psalm 27:14 (NAS)
Wait for the LORD, Be strong, and let your heart take courage: Yes, wait for the LORD.
Emily, Blacksburg, VA
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Martha / Albertville, AL / 4 You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done.Psalm 92:4 (New Living Translation)
Priscilla, Mesa, Arizona
As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
John 15:9 NIV
Marion, Royse City, TX
Matthew 18:20 (NIV, ©2011)
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Sue, Kingsport, TN. “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET
Trust in teh Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Prov. 3:5-6
Ola Mae, Cedar Park TX Psalm 118:8 NIV
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.
this verse is even more meaningful since the breaking news right this moment – of Bin Laden being dead. Praise God:
Ps. 117 NIRV
All you nations, praise the Lord. All you people on earth, praise him. Great is his love for us. The Lord is faithful forever.
Anniston, Al
Psalms 119:10-11
10. I seek you with all my heart, do not let me stray
from your commands.
11. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not
sin against you.
Dallas, “When you call on me, I will answer. I will be with you in your trouble and I will rescue you.” Ps 91:15 NLT
The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with is love. He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Rachel – Nashville, TN
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”
-Psalm 27:14 (The NET Bible)
Lily, Oklahoma –
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 NIV
Deborah – Nashville, TN
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”
-Psalm 27:14 (The NET Bible)
Megan, Charlotte, NC.
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Psalm 30:5 KJV
Tara N.,Frederick, MD
“Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.” 2 Timothy 2:22 NLT
Robbyn, Dickinson, ND
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Kerry, Houston
“… Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
James 1:19-20 (NIV)
Jackie
Cypress TX
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”
Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Erin, Denver
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Psalm 62: 1-2 (NIV)
Ashley, Atlanta, GA
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
James 1:17 NIV
Nitsa, Eugene, OR
“My heart overflows with a good theme…. my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” Psalm 45:1 NAS
Kathy, Broken Arrow, OK
Therefore, prepare your minds for action,keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:13 (NASV)
Lauren-Plano, TX
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,
Ephesians 6:7 NIV
Deuteronomy 13:4 NIV “It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.”
Sarah, Johnstown, PA
“I have loved you with an everlasting love.”
Jeremiah 31:3 NIV
Sarah, Christina and Esther May: Wenatchee
May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. II Thessalonians 3:5 NIV
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his son. He who had the Son has life; he who does not have the Son does not have life.
1 John 5:11-12 NIV