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.
Ashley
Lawrenceville, GA
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:9 NIV
Deut. 30:14 NKJV
But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.
Annette, Toronto ON
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103:8
Renee, Cypress, TX
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8 NIV
Kathy from Oakland, Oregon
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”
Psalm 27:14
Oh girls! I was just in the shower (aka: prayer closet on certain mornings- with three young kids) crying out to God about how tired and emotionally drained I was…. and then look at our verse for the week. Deep breath in! God is so good and I am clinging to this verse with every fiber this week. 🙂
Christi – Colleyville, TX
Psalm 5:3
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
Nightingale
Miami, FL
Psalm 27:14 NET
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
Anna. Tyler, Texas:
Isaiah 41:13 (MSG)
“I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, “Don’t panic. I’m right here with you.”‘
ALSO POSITN FOR MY DAUGHTER:
Ella Grace (8) Tyler, Texas: (EG struggled with her epilepsy this last two weeks and also worked hard at tests for school. She wants to work another 2 weeks on her previous scripture-as she struggled to commit it to memory the last 2 weeks. I hope that’s okay.)
Psalms 4:8 (NIV)
“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Angie and Lily (5 year old daughter), Goshen, IN, “My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul!” -Psalm 57:7-8a NIV
Keri
Washington, GA
“Do not look around you…and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to your difficulties.”
Isaiah 41:10 AMP
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NIV
Becky
Murfreesboro, TN
“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious – the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” Phil 4:8 Message
Ephesians 6:10 – NIV
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Be diligent in these maters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.
1 Tim. 4:15 NIV
Crystal, Munford, TN
“Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
2 Chronicles 20:12 NIV
Melissa, Columbus, OH
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalm 27:14 NET
Michelle, Frisco, TX
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Kristina Frisco, TX.
May the Lord bless you and keep you,may the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you, may the Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26
Martha, Ashdown, AR
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)
SusanD, Southern Illinois, What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us who can be against us? Romans 8:31 NKJV
I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sin no more. Isaiah 43:25 NIV
Elizabeth, Portland, Oregon:
Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You.
Psalm 139:4-6 ~ 4 Before a word is on my tongue, You know it completely O LORD. 5 You hem me in, behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it. ~NIV/NKJ
Donna, Meridian, ID: “But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 NET
Rely on the lord. Be strong and confident. Rely on the lord. Psalm 27;14
Lisa, Boerne, Tx
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)
Sue M
Grand Rapids, MI
Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Psalm 27:14 ESV
Kara C, Aurora, Il
Matthew 6:34 (NIV)- Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Carmen, Eau Claire, WI
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
Amy 7634, SF Bay Area, CA:
“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! Psalm 27:14 NET
Amy Toney, Houston: “Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Col 3:1-3 NIV)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm46.1
Jennifer, Dallas, TX
“to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Luke 1:77-79 NIV
Kate, Arvada. “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
Psalm 25:4&5 NIV
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46.1
Shaminder
Toronto,ON
For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13
NIV
Lanita, Lake Jackson
However, as it is written “No eye has seen,no ear has heard, no mind has conceived”— what God has prepared for those who love him.
1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV
Beth, Troy
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 NET
Diane S. Commerce Twp., MI John 15:5
I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NIV
Julia, The Woodlands, TX
John 8:31b-32
Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Kim in Billings, MT: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 NIV
Terri, Mechanicsville, VA
“He brought me to a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” 2 Samuel 22:20 (NIV)
“For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:8 NIV
Kim in Olympia, WA
Stephanie, Tucker, GA
“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.
Isaiah 43:18-19
Lacey, Bath, PA:
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
James 1:19-20, ESV
Dallas, GA
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.”
James 2:8-9
Cindy, Broken Arrow, OK
But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” Psalm 31:14 NIV
Libby, Goodwine, IL
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible