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.
My verse is from the English Standard version of which I just got a brand new study Bible to mark up! Praise Him!
Tiffany, Sandwich, IL “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Judy, East Chain, MN
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 (The NET Bible)
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” NIV
Christy
Fayetteville, AR
“Rely on the LORD! Be strong & confident! Rely on the LORD!”
NET Bible
I have looking for a verse with the very words “rely on” Him. Isn’t God good? Thank you.
Hannah, Austin, TX:
1 John 1:7 (NASB)
“If we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.
Donna
Clarksville, TN
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”
Psalm 27:14
The NET Bible
Danville, CA
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.
1 Cor. 2:9 NIV
Blaine, Magnolia:
“I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and on the sea. Every creature in those places was singing, ‘To the one who sits on the throne and to the lamb be praise, honor, glory, and power forever and ever.’ ” Revelation 5:13 (GWT)
Danville, CA
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.
1 Cor. 2:9 NIV
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. Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Caitlin, McKinney, TX
Isaiah 43:17-18, NIV
“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 desert and streams in the wasteland.”
Psalm 40:3 (New International Version)
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the LORD
and put their trust in him.
Karla, Sheboygan. “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:7-8 (NIV)
Wendi from Sulphur, LA
They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Psalm 112:7 NIV
Peggy in ID
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me”
Psalm 51:10,12 (NIV)
Melissa Vevay, IN For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil.1:6 (NASB)
Donna, Raleigh
I’m going with your verse as it is exactly what I needed to hear today!
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Amy, Moncks Corner, SC. “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17 (ESV)
Judy
Illinois
nkj
Psalms 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation;whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life;of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalms 27:1.
Sarah, Little Rock
“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.” Romans 12:2 NIV
Beth – Oak Grove, La.
“But to every one of us is given Grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ” (Ephesians 4:7) KJV
Melody, southern NH
Ephesians 6:12 NIV
“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.
Psalm 27:14 [NET]
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer Olmstead
Janesville, WI
Valley Head, AL Phi. 2:3
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
NASB
Rachel – Spokane, WA
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. ~ Colossians 3:17 NIV
Sally, Englewood,CO-“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” -Psalm 27:14, NIV
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh work stirs up anger. Prov. 15:1, ESV
Pat S.
Lago Vista, TX
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Deborah, New Brunswick, Canada
And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.
Romans 5:9 NLT
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30
Kathy, Delaware, OH
Psalm 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters.
NLT
Rosa, Sulphur Springs, TX ” …so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowldege, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19 NAS
Christy – Justin, TX – “Since this new way gives us such CONFIDENCE, we can be very bold.” 2 Corinthians 3:12 NLT
Tashi, Houston – “Rely on the LORD! Be strong and confident! Rely on the LORD!” Psalm 27:14, the NET Bible.
Shawnee OK “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Debi, Rock Hill, SC – Romans 8:1-2 NIV Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Sally
Columbus, OH
“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,”
Psalm 139:9
NIV
Lee Ann,Brentwood,TN. “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Nikki, Wichita. “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Psalm 48:14
For this God is our God for ever and ever;
he will be our guide even to the end. (again)
Becky, Chattanooga, TN
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NASB
Billie, Franklin,TN
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 NIV
Cathy R. Orofino, ID
Rev 7:12 NIV
Amen! Praise & Glory & Wisdom & Honor & Thanks & Power & Strength be to our GOD for ever and ever! Amen!
I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Isaiah 61:10
Keli from Talihina, Oklahoma
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. – Psalm 34:4 NIV
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, the Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for him.”
Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
Ps 27:14 NET