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.
Angie, Loveland OH
James 1:27 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.
Lauren, Malvern, PA
Worthy is the lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!
Revelation 5:11-12 (NIV)
Lisa from Waycross, GA
Donna from Albany, GA
“The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest.” Exodus 14:14 (Amplified Version)
Vicki…Corpus Christi, TX … Prayers are with
You in Alabama … John 14:12-14…12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.NIV
Cynthia, Blaine, WA
There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. Deuteronomy 33:26, NIV
Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone. 2 Peter 1:7
manAustin, TX
“When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I did away with childless things.”
1 Corinthians 13:11
(NASB)
Amy, Dayton, OH: “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.”
Eph. 3:20 (NLT)
Sarah, Colorado Springs
Romans 7:6 But now we are discharged from the Law and have terminated all intercourse with it, having died to what once restrained and held us captive, SO now we serve not under obedience to the old code of written regulations, but under obedience to the promptings of the Spirit in newness of life. Romans 7:6 (Amplified version)
Susan, Toronto
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1: 15-16
Macey, Whidbey Island, WA
Psalm 119:114- NASB
You are my hiding place and my shield;
I wait for Your word.
Victoria, Thomasville NC
If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. (James 3:3-4, NRSV)
Kaye, Stone Mountain, Georgia
“But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.” Psalm 71:14 NIV
Cary Forney, TX Romans 5:1 NLT
Therefore since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
Then he said to Thomas, Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand here in my side. Stop being an unbeliever and believe.” John 20:27
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 NIV
Jetta, Atlanta GA
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalm 27:14 (NET)
Tracy- Waterloo, ON, Can.
“Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen GOd. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.” 1 John 4 vs. 11-12 NLT
Monique, Elizabethtown, KY “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14
Erin, Arab, AL.
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Hope I’m not too late…..Just got power back from the tornado in Arab Alabama. I am thankful to God for our lives. I had friends that were not so fortunate. Please pray for the Hallmark and Garmany family. This Scripture seemed to fit perfectly.
Josie (9 years old), Princeton, MN:
“Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him.”
1 John 1:15 HCSB
Cathy in Lakeland TN
“Therefore also God highly exalted Him and bestowed the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth,” …Phillipians 2:9-10 NASV
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me;he delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 NIV
Stacey
Cumming,GA
“I will lie down and sleep peacefully, for You, Lord, make me safe and secure.”
Psalm 4:8 God’s Word translation
Karen
Jefferson City, TN
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, TNIV
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Angie Kendall, Cynthiana, KY Wait on the Lord: Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalm 27:14 NKJ
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
Inez barnes
Hamburg AR
Sorry I am late! Olivia, Tennessee
But Ruth replied,”Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Ruth 1.16 NLT
I’m doing Ruth for a project a school, and this verse is on my report!
Awesome, girl!!!! Committed to scripture memory at age 12.. you are a rock star. 🙂 Cheering you on, Olivia!
Martha – age 26
Deborah, Marshall (Thanks Beth…I needed this verse this moment in my life) “Rely on the Lord! Be Strong and Confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalms 27:14 (NET)
Susan, Holland, MI – Psalm 73: 25-26 “Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
THANKS FOR THIS VERSE BETH. I REALLY NEEDED IT.
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Kara – Ephrata, PA
“Wait for the Lord: be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14
Meredyth Cann Lexington Ky
Psalm 34…”Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces,” (vrs 5)
Leslie G. Warner Robins, GA
The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.
Prov. 11:25 NAS
Soorin
Eugene, OR
“He is wooing you from the jaws of distress
to a spacious place free from restriction,
to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.”
Job 36:16 NIV
I needed to read this tonight. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Amen Siesta!
Anne Marie, Woburn, MA: “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV 1984)
Ginny, Cape May, NJ
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5 NIV
Sorry so late…
Pat Meyer in Brookings, SD
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Lynn, Springfield, MO “You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.” Phil 4:19 (msg)
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” – 1 John 5:14-15
Liz Gladstone Or
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”
Psalm 27:14
Net bible
Aubyn, Corinth, TX “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
My shield is God most High, who saves the upright in heart. Psalm 7:10 NIV
He stores up success for the upright, He is a shield for those who live with integrity. Proverbs 2:7 HSCB
Janet in Fuquay Varina, NC
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63: 3-4, NIV
Dana, Hoover, Alabama
For nothing is impossible with God
Luke 1:37 NIV
Melle , Waco, Tx.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. John 15:16 NIV
Molly, Wilmington, DE:
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 (NET)
“I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.” (Phil 4:13, NAB)
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14, NET)
Dear Beth…
What amazes me is how present and provident God is and how he weaves his way into this world using you(you all)!
I pray this Psalm for you, your team, your participants currently with you and those in the future.
I am currently learning in the Daniel study, having previsouly awakened, evolved through the Esther, Breaking Free studies. I know with all my heart that in the future when I sit down to do your study on James it will have incredible, purposeful, timely impact on my life and how I live it. This is the part that blows my mind…at that time, I will travel that incredible journey with you of self and spiritual discovery through laughter and tears.
I Thank God for the gift he has given you and all of those around you to develop these perpetual experiences.
I Praise God for using you as one of the vehicles responsible for opening my heart and eyes to witness his presence, feel his mercy and strive to live his word.
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Barbra, Oxford, PA
Revelation 22:17 NIV
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.