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.
Leah Hayes, Taylors SC Jas 1:21-22 NET So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls.
But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves.
Amber ~ Clarksville, TN
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16 NIV
Lynn, Lubbock. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)
Brooke, French Lick, Indiana“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 Had to type it twice I want that in my head!!!!
Juliana, Dahlgren IL
And do not go one presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members to righteousness to God Romans 6:13
robin, scottsdale, az:
“Teach me, Lord, what you want me to do,
and I will obey you faithfully;
teach me to serve you with complete devotion.”
Psalm 86:11 (Good News Translation)
Holly Belt, Spring Hill,TN
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
Rev. 3:11 NIV
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have,
so that no one will take your crown.
Pam/Benton, AR
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. –Ephesians 3:20
Lori-Richmond, VA “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col. 3:17-NIV)
Kim, Mabank, TX
“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” Psalm 90:14(NIV)
Lisa, Little Elm, TX:
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty. And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32 NKJV
HollyAnn, Midland, TX
“Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop doubting and believe.” ~ John 20:27 NIV
Kelly, Waco, TX:
“Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:22, NIV
Dont let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.
John 14:1
NLT
Jennifer 🙂
Enterprise, AL
Joy, Altadena, CA
Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, He’ll calm you with His love and delight you with His songs.
Zephaniah 3:17 MSG
Teresa, Montana Col. 1:10,11
So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you msy have great endurance and patience….
Rebecca, Chattanooga, TN
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.”
Daniel 2:20-22 NIV
Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 1:27, NIV
Lisa, St Louis
“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 Bible
Elizabeth Richmond, VA
“They will make war with the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings- and with him will be his called, chosen, and faithful followers.”
Revelation 17:14
Lynn, Humble, Texas
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way excape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Cor. 10:13
Emily, McKenzie TN
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
Piedmont, OK
2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”
(New King James Version)
Michelle Fallston, MD
Psalm 91:9 “Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,” NKJV
But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. ~Matthew 12: 36-37, NIV 2011
Charne – Standerton (South Africa) Hag 2:8&9 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts. (NKJ)
Susan, Jonesboro, Arkansas
And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful.
Colossians 3:15
Jodi Alley – Humble, TX
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 NIV
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NIV
But Godliness with Contentment is Great Gain. I Timothy 6:6 (NIV)
Laurice, Atlanta. “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14
The NET Bible
Lindsey, Lincoln, NE
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” ~John 16:33 (NIV)
Valerie, Nashville, TN: “Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 NASB
Susan, Buena Vista, GA. Then Jesus said, come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for you souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. Matt. 11:28-30. NLT
from Marion, IA – 1Peter 2:9 (NIV)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare praises of him who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
Linda, Johnstown, PA.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Sarah, Colorado Springs
Do your best, prepare for the worst–then trust God to bring victory.
Proverbs 21:31 (The Message)
Terri, Douglassville Pennsylvania “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.” 1 Peter 1:22(NIV 2011)
Sandra, Kayleigh and Bethany, Waco, TX: We’ll learn and pray this Scripture with you: “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Angie, Hampton, TN
Because he love Me, says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him for he acknowledges My name. Psalm 91:14 NIV
Melody, Ocean Springs, MS, Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Keli, Yukon, Ok
“And those who know Your name will put their trust in You For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.” Psalm 9:10 NASV
Kayla, Guthrie “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” Proverbs 10:12 NIV
AJ, Berkeley, CA: Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying “This is the way; walk in it.” -Isaiah 30:20-21 (NRSV)
Shelley, San Angelo
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NIV
Marcy from Conroe, TX: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 NKJ
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV