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.
Psalm 17:6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.
Emily
Potomac, MD
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 (NET)
Jesus replied ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)
Diane – Spring: “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14) the NET Bible
Cheryl in Fairhope – “Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Oh Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19: 13-14 (NIV)
Psalm 25: 1-2 NIV To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
Mary
Houston
SSMT # 10- “The secret sources of the ocean are exposed, the hidden depths of earth lie uncovered the moment you roar in protest, let loose your hurricane anger. ” Psalm 18: 15 The MSG
And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautifil are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15 NIV
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 ESV
Melissa, Castle Rock CO
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.
2 Peter 1:3 NIV
In honor of my second home, Tuscaloosa Alabama
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” II Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV
Barb from Lino Lakes, MN
Psalm 86: 3-7 (NIV)
Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. In the day of trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.
Diane – Roswell, GA
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
Crystie, Rock Hill, SC
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10: 35-36
Jean, Gloucester
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth
Worship the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful songs
Know that the Lord is God
It is he who made us, we are his people
The sheep of His pasture!
Ps. 100: 1-4 (NIV)
Anita, Chattanooga “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 NET
I like this one, Beth – thanks!
Jane, Houston. “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Sorry if this is a second post.. Cant find my from APril 15, 2011..
Ps. 27:14 Rely on the Lord!!! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord…
Melissa, Detroit, MI
“don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”. Romans 12:9-10 NLT
Rebecca, Greenwood, IN
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 NIV
Lori, Lexington, KY
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Lisa; Dalton
“I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.” Ezekiel 34:26 NIV
Kinney, Oxford, MS
“Rely on the Lord! Be stong and confident! Rely on the Lord! (NET Bible)
Psalm 27:14
Victoria, Conway AR
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Penne, Spokane, WA
“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” Psalms 119:18 NIV
Linda, Collinsville,OK
“and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” NKJ Philippians 4:7
Suzanne – Galion, Ohio
Psalm 84:12 (NAS)
O Lord of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in Thee.
Ack! I forgot to do this yesterday!
Chris Floyd
Kokomo, IN
Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
Pam, Oregon.
“Rely on the Lord!
Be strong and confident!
Rely on the Lord!:
NET
“Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.:
NIV
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 NIV (1984)
Sarah, Port St. Joe, FL
Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.
Romans 12:12 HCSB
Allison, Kalamazoo, MI
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)
Jennifer in Houston:
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Romans 12:9 NLT
Shawn from Whitesboro
Exodus 33:21-23 (NIV)
Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord. Psalm 27:14. Thanks for this verse Beth. Clinging to it this week!
Jennifer, Florida “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3
Poorna, Indianapolis: “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
I am a day late because we were out of town to go to my daughter’s graduation from college yesterday!!!
But Thou, O Lord, are a shield for me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Psalm 3:3
KJ
Amy, Washington DC. “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
I love you too Beth!
Susanne, El Paso, TX
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 NIV (1984)
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 (NET Bible)
Rebecca, Kilgore,TX
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19, KJV
Susan \ Maple Grove
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Psalm 51:11 NIV
Leanne, Mississippi
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:18 NIV
For the Lord’s portion is his people (ME!), Jacob his alloted inheritance.
Deut. 32:9
Michele
North Oaks, MN
Wendy, Cody, Wyoming NAS Isaiah 43:13 “Even from eternity I am He, And there is none who can deliver out of My hand, “I act and who can reverse it?”
Sherry Nowata ,OK
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release darkness for the prisoners…
Isaiah 61:1
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Amber Marie from Hernando, MS- No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV