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.
Siobhan, Austin, AR “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD” Jer. 17:7 ESV
Annette, Maplewood, MN
1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Bridget in Phoenix. Isaiah 30:21 ESV
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
Thanks to the siestas that have been praying for me. Your prayers have helped so much Siestas have meant a lot to me.Please Keep Praying for me and my 25 year old daughter Beth.
My verse:
But if anyone attacks you, don’t suppose for one moment he came from me.
Isaiah 54:14 The Message Nancy Waits
Tyler, Texas
Annmarie, California. “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Jill, Fort Ashby, WV
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
emi, white house. “I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:7-8 NIV
Erica, Houston
Luke 12:6-7 NIV
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows
Barb – Chiang Mai, Thailand
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”
Psalm 27:14 (The NET Bible)
Patti, Ft. Walton Beach, FL; Psalm 27:13-14 “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” NIV
Erin Foster Northville, MI
“For our light and MOMENTARY troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
2 Corinthians 4:17
Janie, Lubbock, Tx: ‘Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)
He is the rock, his works are perfect and his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
Deuteronomy 32:4
Elise–Newark
from the NIV (:
Carissa, Houston, Texas
James 1:17 TNIV
“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
Odessa, TX
“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:1-5 NIV
Peggy, Indianapolis
John 15:5 NIV
I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in Him, He will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Karen, Columbia, MO
Isaiah 55:2 NIV
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.
Nita, Corinth
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
Mark 12:30 Today’s New International Version
Nancy, Denver
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”
Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Michele-Lubbock
Proverbs 18:21 Dealth and Life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
KJV
Hannah Knoxville, TN. “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:14 NIV
miss now mrs in 42 days 🙂
Stacey- heb 11:1 niv
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and
Certain of what we do not know.
Laura, Hoyt, KS Philippians 2:14-16a “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe…” (NIV)
MaryKaren, Charlotte, “Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand.” Psalm 73:23 NIV
Col.4:6
“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” (NASB)
oops forgot to say Laurie, Spokane
“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”
Isaiah 7:9b NIV
Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? NIV Rom.2.4
Correction: NASB
Sarah M. Vancouver WA: “You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.” Psalm 63:5 (NLT)
Crissy Wright Jay, OK. “Be ready for service and have your lamps lit.” Luke 12:35 (HCSB)
Dee Dee, San Antonio, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. Job 19:25
Belleville, On
I, the Lord your God holds your right hand and says to you, “Don’t be afraid, I will help you”.
Is 41:13 God’s Word bible
Jodi, Springfield, MO
“We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abondoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.
2 Cor 4:8-9 HCSB
Julia, Schaumburg, IL
Psalm 27:14 “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” The NET Bible
Missy (34) & Mackenzie (11), Tulare, CA
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Jesica, Seattle, WA: “Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him. Deut.” 13:4 (NLT)
Heidi, Anchorage, AK
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. NIV
Lora, Round Rock
….as you hold out the word of life–in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. Philippians 2:16 NIV
Dayna~Ontario,Calif. The Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your soul in drought and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. NKJV
Amos 3:3, The Message: “Do two people walk together hand in hand if they aren’t going to the same place?” and from NLT “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?”
Heather, Hot Springs, AR, Revelation 17:14, Amplified,
They will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them; for He is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings- and those with Him and on His side are chosen and called and loyal and faithful followers.
I’ll be doing the Revelation study with a group of friends starting in June and thought now would be a great time ti memorize the theme verse!
Brandi, Roseburg, OR, With you Beth….
Psalm 27:14
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident!
Rely on the LORD!
Psalm 27:14 NET
Celeste, Land O Lakes, FL “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Camille – Keller, TX:
“We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” Romans 3:22-24 (NLT)
Leah, Houston.
“For your Maker is your husband —
the LORD Almighty is His name —
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
He is called the God of all the earth.”
Isaiah 54:5
Jana, Fresno
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 NET
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV
Kristi, Scottsdale, AZ
Colossians 2:12-14 NIV
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Kristi, Scottsdale, AZ
oops…I mean Colossians 3:12-14
Kind words are like honey—
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Proverbs 16:24 NLT
Heather P, Vancouver WA
Jeri B., Battlefield, MO
He holds success in store for the upright,
He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
for He guards the course of the just
and protects the way of His faithful ones.
Proverbs 2:7,8 NIV