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.
Tatia, Elkridge, MD:
“Rely on the LORD! Be strong and confident! Rely on the LORD!” Psalm 27:14 (NET)
“Don’t be impatient. Wait for the Lord, and he will come and save you! Be brave, stouthearted and courageous. Yes, wait and he will help you.” Psalms 27:14 TLB
It’s nice to know you are going to be in Nashville (about an hour 1/2 from me.) I’ll keep you in my prayers this week and pray that there will be no more tornados. 🙁
Stephanie, Elkins- “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Brandy, Burleson, Tx Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ~James 1:22 NIV
audree faith
honolulu, hi
(additionally)
“After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church–for we are members of his body.”
Ephesians 5:29-30 NIV
MiChal, College Station TX
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him.”
Romans 8:9 (ESV)
I’ll be late in posting my next one because I’ll be across the pond and away from computers.
Valdese, NC
Humble yourselves in the sight ot the Lord, and he shall lift you up
James 4:10
Katie, Dallas. “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Yes ma’am!
Paula, Sapulpa, OK
“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
Valerie, Farmington MN
“As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like.” Luke 6:47, NIV
Celeste, Thompson’s Station, TN:
Rely on the LORD! Be strong and confident! Rely on the LORD!
Psalm 27.14 (NET)
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekial 36:26 (NIV)
Kathleen
Bellmore, LI, NY
Stephanie Parker I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
John 10:28 NIV
Mary, Seymour:
Psalm 119:114- NASB
You are my hiding place and my shield;
I wait for Your word.
Kae, Jacksonville
I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive;I will set in the desert the cypress the pine and the plane together.
Isa 41:19
NRSV
Hayley – Seymour, TX
Psalms 27:14 NET
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”
Jana, San Angelo, TX. “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Ramona, Pasadena:
Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 The Living Bible
Carrie Beth, Frankfort
“Rely on the LORD! Be strong and confident! Rely on the LORD!” Psalm 27:14 (NET)
“Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,
for in you my soul takes refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.”
Psalm 57:1 NIV
Deidre
Hickory, NC
Wanted so much to memorize something else, but God won’t let me get away from this one.
This is a new one for me Thank you!
Becky, Dayton Ohio
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Katherine, Houston
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9 NKJV
Karie, Phoenix
“But he knows where I am going.
And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.”
Job 23:10 NLT
Kathy, South Bend, IN, NIV, Isaiah 41:10, “FEAR NOT, FOR I AM WITH YOU. BE NOT DISMAYED, FOR I AM YOUR GOD. I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU, YES, I WILL HELP YOU, I WILL UPHOLD YOU WITH MY RIGHTEOUSRIGHT HAND.”
Heather F, Beaumont, TX
But I trust in you, Lord; I say “You are my God.” Psalm 31:14 (NIV)
Christina
Louisville, KY
Be still and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10 NIV
Nancy, Arkansas “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23
Jana – Port Byron
Ephesians 3:6 “that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,”
Susie, Bremerton, WA
‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Ez 33:11
Katie Enlow, Paducah, KY
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NIV
Ann; Austin TX
But He gives us more grace. That is why scripture says: “God opposes the proud but give grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. James 4:6-8 NIV
Melanie, Groesbeck, TX
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14 NIV
Louisa, Austin
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
Psalm 27:14 NIV
Anita, Purcellville, VA
“Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.
They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.”
Psalm 145:3-5 NIV
Kelei. Iowa Park. Acts 17:26 (NIV) “From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; And He determined the times set for them and the exact places they should live.”
wow
Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. NIV
Sorry, a little late . . .
I like your verse but what’s the address?
Hi All-
I am a new believer and new to this blog and though I don’t have a scripture memorization to share, I was hoping the comments would be frequented often on this particular post so that a few other women might be willing to share their insight.
I am very new to studying scripture and am looking to start a bible study and am wondering what anyone might suggest for a beginner? You all have such great insight, it seemed like the perfect community to ask!
Thanks in advance for everyone’s help 🙂
Mary Ellen in Billings, MT
“Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy Name.” Psalm 103:1 NIV
Proverbs 1:17 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. NIV
Becky from Marietta, GA
“Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”
Ps 27:14
NET
Amy
B’ham
“The moment I called out, you stepped in; You made my life large with strength.” Psalm 138:3 the message.
nancy – LPM
houston
Rebecca, Dallas, TX: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Proverb 31:10 A wife of a noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.NIV
Aliza, NZL. And if you ask for anything in my name, I will do it for you so that the Father’s glory will be shown through the Son.
If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it. John 14:13-14 NCV
Proverb 31:11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. NIV
Katie in Cleveland, Oklahoma:
“But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.”
Romans 14:23, New Living Translation
Kristin
Clearwater, FL
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:4
Kim
Detroit, MI
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”
Psalm 27:14 (The NET Bible)
Loribeth, Rome, Italy (originally Houston/Cypress, TX)
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
Psalm 27:13-14 ESV