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.
Because your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise you. Psalm 63:3
Susan, Portland, OR
“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.”
Proverbs 27:19, TNIV
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1 ESV
Kristi, Puyallup: Ephesians 1:8-9 (NIV)
With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
Linda ,Westport
Cast your burden on the Lord, and He willn support you; He will never allow the rightous to be shaken.
Psalm 55:22
Amanda in Dover, TN
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.
2 Samuel 22:2 (NIV)
God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you (2 Thessalonians 1:6, NIV) Anita/Hartsville,TN
Jeremiah 32:17
Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
Letha. Mountain Home, Arkansas. “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Linda, Holts Summit, MO
Didn’t flip my calendar until today so am a little late.
Loved Beth’s verse.
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident. Rely on the Lord! The NET Bible Psalm 27:14
May the Lord bless you and your team in a new way as you tape “James” for all of us waiting to get started on it.
Tuscaloosa, AL
Isaiah 61:1-2 NIV
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from the darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion.
Debra, Meadville, MS
Hebrews 13:6 (KJV) …The LORD is my Helper; and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Psalm 27:14 (NET)
Rely on the LORD! Be stong and confident! Rely on the Lord.
Praying this for you and the team today!
Jenifer from Sunnyside, WA –
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.
Psalm 145:18-19 (ESV)
Marissa-San Dimas, CA Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4 NIV
Elizabeth – Norfolk, NE
“Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Kelly, Appleton, WI
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints
Ephesians 1:18 NIV
Stacey – Houston
“But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 NASB
Psalm 54:4 (NIV)
“Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.”
As I read your May 1st blog, it was if I could have written it. The “outside the box” ministry outreach my husband & I are beginning is overwhelming, humbling, scary, and cRAzY…but never, have I been more in awe of God’s provision. He is teaching me to be fearless & faith-full…rather than the other way around (fear-full & faithless). Your Psalm 27:14 resonates too! I will be praying.
Dianne, Florida
Isaiah 43-18-19
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Brandy- Prattville, AL. And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 NIV
Charity – Durham, NC
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
– Psalm 27:14, NET
Janet, Holmes Beach, FL
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.
Romans 12:1
Midland, TX
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace Ephesians 1:7 (NIV)
Every Word of God is flawless(NIV), tested(NASB), proves true(MSG), pure(NKJ); He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Proverbs 30:5
Suzanne, Arizona
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19 NIV
Jen, Prairie Grove, Arkansas
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord
Romans 12:19, NIV
I cannot take joy in the death of anyone, even Osama bin Laden. But I do hope that this somehow provides peace to survivors, families and friends of those who lost their lives, our military, families of our military.
Pam- Hatton, MO
2 Timothy 1:7 (King James Version)
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
MaryLisa, Glenwood, MN: James 3:17 (NIV) But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. James 1:26
Jody, Mission Viejo,
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14, The NET Bible
Kristie
Sandia, Tx
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)
Lea Ann, Norman, OK
And into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade–kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:4-5
Marcie, Frisco.TX
2 Cor 5:14
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
Do not get drunk on wine ,which Leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms,hymns,and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Eph 5:18,19&20
Loveland, CO
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give your rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV
Jill in Trussville, Alabama
Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills removed,
yet my unfailing love for you
will not be shaken…
“afflicted city, lashed by storms
and not comforted, I will rebuild you…”
Isaiah 54:10, 11a
Leslie, Decatur Texas
Such is the destiny of all who forget God; the hope of the Godless will perish. His source of confidence is fragile; what he trust in is a spiders web. He leans on his web, but it doesn’t stand firm. He grabs it, but it does not hold up. Job 8:13-15
sharon, marion, illinois
In HIM lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Col. 2:3 nlt
Kim-Wylie TX
There’s no need to fear for I am your God. I’ll
give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you
steady, keep a firm grip on you.
ISA 41:10
The Message
Jennifer, Garland, TX
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Ephesians 5:13-14 [NIV]
Kelly- Chesterfield “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because
he trusts in you” Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Charlotte, Seymour, Texas “Rely on the LORD! Be strong and confident! Rely on the LORD!” Psalm 27:14 NET
Linda, Wichita, KS
Galatians 5:6 NIV
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
Kim, Anchorage, Alaska. “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible. Thank you Beth! Need, need, need to meditate on this!
Alice, Rockford, IL Ezekiel 23:18 NLT “Do you think, asks the Sovereign LORD, that I like to see wicked people die? Of course not! I only want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.”
Romans 12:1 (NASB) I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
Rely on the Lord!
Be strong and confident!
Rely on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14 NET (memorizing again, but just in this version. Love it!)
Michele ~ Kenosha, WI
Kellie ~ Mineola, TX
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. ~Psalm 139:23-24 NIV