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.
Beth. Stillwater. Galatians 5:16-17 NIV. “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of your flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”
Sara, Great Bend,Kansas
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 over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Dwynne, Chapman KS
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Kim, Salem, OR:
Psalm 27:14 NET – Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Eph. 4:1-2 NIV
Karen
Tallahassee, FL
Patty Pierce
Searcy Ar
Hebrews 11:6
NIV
And without faith it is impossivle to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him
Kayra, Hazlehurst MS
1 Peter 5: 10 (NLT)
“In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.”
Wendy, Vero Beach
“Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.”
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22. (NIV)
Diane, Mississippi – love and need that verse this week
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Joy
Charlotte, NC
The LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
Psalm 37:40
NIV
Ruth, Shawnee, KS
Psalm 27:14 (NET) —
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
Sue R, Magalia CA
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! Ps 27:14 NET
Sheryl,Rocky Mount,NC II Samuel 22:33(NIV) God is my strong Fortress: He guides the blameless in His way and sets him free.
Leigh Anne, Sylacauga, AL
Your verse couldn’t be more appropriate right now.
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 NET
Celeste, Anaheim Hills, CA
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7 NIV
Cheryl, Vancouver, BC. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NIV)
Proverbs 2:6 (NIV)
For the LORD gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Susan from Vilonia:
“He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” Psalm 91:4 KJV
Jen, Shreveport
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Beth, Mullica Hill, NJ
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14,NET
Thank you for this one!!
Annette, Smithfield, UT
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Jaime
Fort Collins, CO
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
1 Peter 5:10 ESV
Beth, Mt. Holly, NC
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV)
Kristen, Austin, Th
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. THose who look to him are radiant: their faces are never covered with shame. Psalm 34:4-5 NIV (Take 2 on this verse)
Pam, Hotchkiss, CO
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Philipians 4:12-13 NIV
Melissa, GLasgow, KY.–
“Trust ye in the LORD forever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:” — Isaiah 26:4, KJV
Jennifer H. Jonesboro, AR
Isaiah 44:6-8 NASB
Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and His Redeemer, the Lord of hosts. “I am the first and I am the last and there is no other God besides Me. Who is like me? Let him proclaim and declare it. From the time I established the ancient nation. Yes, let him recount it to Me in order. Let them declare to them the things that are coming and the events that are going to take place. Do not tremble and do not be afraid. Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides Me? Or is there any other Rock? I know of none.
Becky from Wixom, MI
“For the Creator will be your husband; the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is His name! He is your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the God of all the earth.” Isaiah 54:4 NLT
Wendy Raleigh NC
For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6 NIV
Holly, Prairie City, IA: I Peter 5:6-7 (my same verse as last time, but haven’t quite gotten in down)!
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.
Katie, Crawford, Texas – “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” (Proverbs 3:3, NIV)
Jennifer, Highlands Ranch, CO
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 (ESV)
“Be still and know that I am God!” Psalm 46:10. I definitely need to be still, stop trying to do God’s job, and trust. He hasn’t let me down so far but I keep trying to know what’s best instead of “Father Knows Best.” I will definitely be praying for you this week 🙂 I spoke for 10 minutes a couple of weeks ago in front of about 30 women and nearly hyperventilated, so I can’t imagine doing what you do!
Tisha Nazareth TX
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace and be thankful! Col 3:15 NIV
Jennifer Monroe, GA
Matthew 9:35 NIV
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.”
Anne, Simpsonville,SC, “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Berni, Albuquerque
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4 NIV
Psalm 30:2 (NIV) O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.
Deborah – Topeka, KS: “For I the Lord they GOd will hold they right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:13 (KJV)
Laura, Tracy, CA: 1 Timothy 6:8 “So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.” NLT
Diane, Rockford, MI
Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.
Ps. 141:3 NIV
Laura, Littleton CO
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! Romans 11:33
Jeanie, Arkansas
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
Jeremiah 29:11-12 NIV
Jill- Plano,TX
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Tiffany, Anaheim CA
“The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.” Psalm 103:19 NIV
Nancy,Denton,Md
I will say of the Lord,He is my refuge, and my fortress, my God, in him I trust. Psalm 91:2 KJV
Hannah R. | Norman, OK
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”
Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Laura, Nebraska
Proverbs 31:15-16 NKJV
She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
Lynn, Lake Villa, IL
Ephesians 6:12 NIV
For our struggle is not with 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.
Priscilla, Denton, TX. “When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I will trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4 NIV