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.
“He subdues the nations before us,putting our enemies beneath our feet.” Psalm 47:3 NLT
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 ESV
Jennifer, Singapore
2 Chronicles 16:9 NASB
“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”
Beverly, Pearland TX
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
2 Corinthians 1: 21-22 TNIV
2 Chronicles 20:15,17 NLT (’96 edition)
“Don’t be discouraged by this for the battle is not yours, but God’s. You will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out there tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”
Heather G
Charlotte NC
Kathy,Austin
Rely on the Lord! Be Strong and Confident! Rely on the Lord!
2 supplements this month for extra support
2 Tim 4:18 NIV The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack
and bring me safely to his Kingdom to Him be glory for ever & ever Amen
Matt17:17 So we may not cause offense, throw out your line, take the first fish you catch, open its mouth & you will find a coin Take it & give it to them for my tax and yours
God Bless Beth, her audience and crew as you funnel God’s mighty word to his hungry world- Amen
“And they have defeated him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of their testimony. And they were not afraid to die.” Revelation 12:11, NLT
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 NET
Lichelle Austin
Memorizing with you this week Moma Beth–
Pam, Liberty: “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 The NET Bible
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,” Mark 16:15 NKJ
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,not angles, nor principalities,nor things present, nor things to come,nor powers, nor height,nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:38-39 NASB
Praying for Beth’s taping in Nashville.
Nicole, Winnipeg, 1 Peter 4:9 NIV
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Melanie, Arkansas. “So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.”
James 1:21 NLT
Hebrews 11:12,13 (NIV)
And so from this one man, (Abraham) and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.
Kathy
Chattanooga, TN
Ericka, Langhorne, PA: “He won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt and he won’t disregard the small and insignificant, but he’ll steadily and firmly set things right.” – Isaiah 42:3 (Message Bible)
Oh thank God He’s so good! His love never runs out.
Psalm 107:1
The Message
Jennifer Lutz, Florida
How precious are your thoughts about me,* O God.
They cannot be numbered!
I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me. Psalm 139:17-18 NLT
Leanne, Georgetown TN
Psalm 27:14 NET “Rely on the LORD! Be strong and confident! Rely on the LORD!
“rely on the lord! be strong and confident! rely on the lord!” psalm 27:14 the net bible
thanks, beth…this did resonate with me today – i needed it so.
Jeanette Tualatin
Ps 145:13
The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.
Karen Orem, UT
Habakkuk 3:17-19 NIV
17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will REJOICE in the LORD, I will be JOYFUL in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights.
Susan,Silverhill,AL. “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)
Christy Crosby, Clarksville TN:
For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.
II Timothy 1:7
“It (the grace od God)us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright adn godly lives in this present age.” Titus 2:12
Huntsville, Alabama
Isaiah 55:8-12 (ESV)
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD,
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth,making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty,but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Kristy from Port Angeles, Washington
“So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”
Psalm 90:12 NASB
2 Corinthians 2:14
But Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ. NIV
Phyllis, Gilmer, Tx
Psalm 50:15 NIV
and call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you, and you will honor me.
Darcie, Bethel, CT — “The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.”
Psalm 145:13b-14
Sue – Troy, Michigan
“O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.”
Psalm 30:2 (ESV)
I grew up in Troy, Michigan. I wanted you to know that I prayed for you today:)
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
Proverbs 31:25 ESV
Bev in Austin, Texas
Praying for you this week Psalm 131
Cheri, Savage, MN
Proverbs 31:30 NIV
Charm is deceptive, and beauty fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Shannon in Louisville, KY
In honor of my baby’s first birthday today:
I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there.
1 Samuel 1:27-28
Marilyn, Seattle
Ps. 121:7-8
“The Lord will protect you from all dangers; He will guard your life. The Lord will guard you as you come and go both now and forever.” (NCV)
Suzanne – Knoxville, TN: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” – Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
karen, Cheney, WA
“As for me, I trust You, O LORD;
I say, ‘You are my God.’
My times are in Your Hands.”
Psalms 31:14-15 (NKJ)
Julia, Crystal Springs. 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.
I am noting 2 verses because I was serving in the mission field, in Zimbabwe, Africa for a large chunk of April and couldn’t enter my verse last time.
Melissa; Nashville, TN (NASHVILLE… (cough cough ahem).
2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patientce and careful instruction.” NIV
Hebrews 12:7 “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?” NIV
Nashville. Cameras do not bother me. I received my salvation from the Holy Spirit, in my living room in Nashville, TN, 12 years ago, to James 1:2-4. May God bless your taping, teaching and all the hearts receiving His word.
Katrina, Tulare, CA: “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 upon you.” 2 Chronicles 20:12 NIV
Elaine, Maryland: “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Stacy Detroit mi
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
“but the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.”
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalms 27:14 NIV
Fenton, Ashburn, VA, Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, Jude 24 NKJV
Carole, Imperial, CA: “As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man. Proverbs 27:19 NIV
Marsha, Tucson, AZ
“On my bed I remember You;
I think of You through the watches of the night.”
Psalm 63:6 NIV
I am memorizing Psalm 63, one verse at a time.
Charlotte, Houston “For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV)
Susan, Wake Forest, II Corinthians 5:7 NIV
We live by faith, not by sight.
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Cor. 9:15 (NIV)
Shelly, Lakeville, MN “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible