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.
Diane, Hemet, CA
2 Timothy 1:12 NKJ
“I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”
Vickie, Louisville, “For He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones.” Proverbs 2:8
Lisa, Olympia, WA
Psalm 34:4 “I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” (NIV)
Michelle, Spokane, WA
2 Thessalonians 3:3-
But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
Jennifer Nichols, Nashville “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His wonderful light.”
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
Cheryl, Peoria, AZ “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:9-12 NIV
For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,”
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10 ESV
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14. The NET Bible
Corinne in Chehalis, Washington
Patti, Colorado
“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice with you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Though an army besiege me,my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. Psalm 27:3 NIV
Darl, Bakersfield, CA “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14
Hope, Northport, AL
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Sammie, Flagstaff “For the mountains may be removed and teh hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,” says the LORD who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 NASB
Julie, Sheffield, UK I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Karie, Glen Allen, VA Psalm 27:14 “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
Emily, Olympia, Washington
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14 NIV
Jennifer, Beaverton, OR Psalm 27:14
Carol, Santa Maria, Psalm 86:11, “Teach me Your way O LORD, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.”
Brittney. Olympia,Washington
“You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by annointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely Your goodness & unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:5-6 (NLT)
Kathryn, Tempe: Proverbs 16:23-24 NIV
A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Natalie, Olympia, Washington
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
Luke 12:32 NIV
Myra, Lisbon, Portugal
II Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Nancy, Kiwoko He is before all things and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 NIV
audree faith
honolulu, hi
“In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.”
Ephesians 5:28 (NIV)
Bev, Bayou Vista, TX
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
myung, South Korea
John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. (NIV)
Jocelyn, California: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 NIV
My first time, Amanda, Adana, Turkey… Matthew 12:40 “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (NIV)
Welcome!
Psalm 119:73 The Message: “With your very own hands you formed me; now breathe your wisdom over me so I can understand you.”
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Robin, Aberdeen, “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
KJV Psalm 27:14
“Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall Strengthen thine heart: WAIT, I say on the LORD”
Jessica~ Jacksonville, Florida
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”
1 Corinthians 13:6 ~NIV
Lanie, Perry, GA I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.” Lamentations 3:24
Lisa, Cumming, GA – Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy, and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
I think I posted on the wrong section so this may be twice.
Dawn Lafayette, LA
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 NIV
1 Samuel 25:41 NIV
She bowed down with her face to the ground and said, “here is your maidservant, ready to serve you and wash the feet of my Master’s servants.
Kim, Monroe NC
I meant to do this before I went to be and I fell asleep! Pls. don’t let it be too late! Yikes!
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Pam in Texas using The New Living Translation
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10
“Blessed are you who are hungry now because you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now because you will laugh.” Luke 6:21 (Holman Christian Study Bible)
I’ll have to remember that verse and add it to my list of possibilities that I have in the back of my spiral! I live near Nashville and wish I could be a part of the audience this week! My hubby works at LifeWay, maybe you could have lunch with him. HaHa! He’s a computer guy there.
Anyhow, after much thinking and praying, I have decided on:
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NIV
Melissa, Thompsons Station, TN.
Catherine, St Paul
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
1 Peter 3:15 NIV
“Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, so that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”
Psalm 90:14 NIV
Melody
Myrtle Beach, SC
“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25 (NIV)
Melissa, Scarborough, ME: “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Proverbs 25:28 ESV
Romans 12:2 (New International Version )
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Barbara, North Olmsted
Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD. Ps 27:14 NASB
Kathi, Jacksonville, Fl
“and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of dispair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”-Isaiah 61:3 NIV