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 ā and learning and thrilling and growing and wallowing ā go into the whole process of a Bible study journey. Many tears. Healthy laughs. Big eye-openers. Rich conversations. Moments of, āWhat on earth was I thinking??ā Above all, so much desperation for Jesus. If God doesnāt pour His Spirit into it, it will fall flat like a collapsed pup-tent. Thatās the Godās-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 lifeās 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 Iām going to end up writing about things in my life and family that havenāt even happened yet. Some of them will be wonderful. Others will be painful. Itās kind of like starting a new journal. There is a certain amount of trepidation because you simply canāt guess what will fill those pages. Itās a stomach-knotting blend of anticipation and raw fear. But what I forget sometimes in that anxious moment when I know thereās no turning back is the grace. The goodness of God. The fact that Iām invited to believe He was the initiator of it, as He is in all things faith (Hebrews 12:1-3) and that I donāt have to assume complete control over it. Iām invited to remember what life the Scripture has and how much this woman has to learn.
Good grief. Iām sitting in a salon chair about to bawl my head off. (Writing this to you on Friday.) Iāll 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 didnāt gnaw you like a bone throughout the whole ordeal. Itās 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. Thatās 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 ā 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 wonāt get a chance to blog much (if at all) while Iām 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, weāll stay in touch that way. (@BethMooreLPM ā 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 wonāt require an audience. Later in May they will come to Houston and we will do yet more taping. At that time (later in May), Iāll 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 wonāt 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. Thatās enough to make her push past her discomfort and get on the screen. In case youāre 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 donāt 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 Iād forgotten what weāre doing on here today???? No maāam. I most certainly did not. All Iāve just told you led to the Scripture Iāve chosen as my ninth verse.
Beth, Houston. āRely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!ā Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Yes, Sir! If this selection resonates with you, join me with it! Iād 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??? DONāT YOU DARE QUIT!!!!!
I love you to pieces.
Janice, Bakersfield, CA
Open my eyes to see
the miracles in your teachings.
Help me understand, so I can keep your teachings,
obeying them with all my heart.
Psalm 119;18, 34
Psalms 30: 4-5 NIV
“Sing to the Lord, you saints of his; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
Shelly, Pittsburgh, PA
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!ā Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Once again I borrow from Beth š
Lorraine M. Surrey BC Canada
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” [Heb. 12: 14] NKJV
Michelle from Concord, CA
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37 (NIV)
Heather, Dadeville, AL
“I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1 NKJV
Elaine, Nanaimo BC Canada: “The righteous face many troubles, but the LORD rescues them from each and every one.” Psalm 34:19
Jeni Majors, Prescott AZ:
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29 ESV
Amy- Vacaville, CA
‘Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!’ Psalm 27:14 NET
Forgot to do a verse last time, so here it is…
‘Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.’ Psalm 51:10 NIV
Rachel Fallston, Maryland
2 Corinthains 10:4 NIV
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of this world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Linde, Dallas
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” psalm 27:14 NET
Melissa, Fresno, CA Salmos 121:1-4 (NVI)
A las montanas levanto mis ojos; ?de donde ha de venir mi ayuda? Mi ayuda proviene del SENOR, creador del cielo y de la tierra. No permitira que tu pie resbale; jamas duerme el que te cuida. Jamas duerme ni se adormece el que cuida de Israel.
Tara, Monett MO
I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.~Galations 5:16 NKJV
Christine
Wichita, KS
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”
Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
As I pray for all mine and my husband’s families in AL, I will be praying this verse for all the tornado survivors.
ā”You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past. You’ll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again.” Isaiah 58:12 The Message
Show me Your ways, Oh Lord, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Saviour and my hope is in You all day long. Ps. 25:4-5
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 NIV
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14
Kathy Jo, Dayton, Nevada
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ~Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Sharon, Pasadena, Texas
But those who wait on 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 40:31
New King James version
Charlotte, Worsley, AB.
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!ā Psalm 27:14 NET Bible
Brandy, Kingwood, TX
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
I really needed this one tonight! Cindy from Ohio: āRely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!ā Psalm 27:14 (The NET Bible)
Kelli, Anaheim
Deep in my heart I say, The Lord is all I need; I can depend on him!” Lamentations 3:24 (CEV)
Darbi
Saltillo, MS
“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:22 NIV
I lift up my eyes to the mountains ā where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip he who watches over you will not slumber, indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalm 121:1-4
(NIV)
Delores, Shoreline, WA
For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at His tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
Psalm 27:5-6 NIV 1984
Melissa, Spokane
Isaiah 64:4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. (NIV)
Kay from Modesto, CA: Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. (Romans 6:12)
Abbie – Omaha, NE
“For he has rescued us for the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14 (NIV)
Amanda, White Rock, BC ‘Wait on the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait on the Lord’ Psalm 27:14 NIV
Oh, Ms. Beth! I’m so honored to be memorizing it alongside you, and not quit.
Karina, Victoria/Vancouver, BC CANADA:
āRely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!ā Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Laura Beth, Frisco
But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Psalm 5:11, NIV
Valerie, Portland, OR
Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.
1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1&2 NKJ
Vanessa / Florence, SC:
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.”
Psalm 51:12 (NLT)
“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 hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 2:3-5
NIV
Kristen, Denver: ”Ā Lord, listen from your home in heaven, forgive and reward us: āØĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā reward each life and circumstance, āØFor you know each life from the inside, (you’re the only one with such inside knowledge!), āØĀ So they’ll live before you in lifelong reverence and believing āØobedience on this land you gave our ancestors.”
2 Chronicles 6:30-31 ,The Message
Still working on Colossians…
In him you were also circumcised,
in the putting off of the sinful nature,
not with a circumcision done by the hands of men,
but with the circumcision done by Christ,
having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God,
who raised him from the dead.
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature,
God made you alive with Christ.
Colossians 2:11-13a (NIV)
Maggie, Mesilla Park
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” – Jeremiah 31:3 (ESV)
Jo from Fremont, CA
“Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength”
Isaiah 26:4 King James Version
(The for “ever” instead of “forever” hit me!)
Carrie, Logan. “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Christy, Talking Rock, Georgia.
Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefitsā who forgives all your sin and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagleās.
Psalm 103: 1-5 (NIV)
Mary, North Richland Hills, TX: And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen
I Peter 5: 10-11 (NIV)
Isaiah 65:17, 18 (ESV)
17: For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth,
and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.
18: But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness.
Leslie, Clinton, UT
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.(NIV)
And because I was in Spain for the April 15th verse I am going to include it here…(hope thats okay)
Isaiah 44:20
Such people feed on ashes, a deluded heart misleads them; they cannot save themselves, or say “is not this thing in my right hand a lie.” (NIV)
Brittany, Las Vegas, NV:
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 John 5:4-5
Jennifer, Denver
Luke 6:45 “Good people bring good things out of the good stored up in their heart, and evil people bring evil things out of the evil stored up in their heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” TNIV
Cindy, Newton Tony England,
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devilās schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers,
against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world
and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV