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.
Melanie, Decatur, AL
I’m drawn at this time to the Hymn “Be Strong In The Lord”; it’s #504 in the new Baptist Hymnal, and this scripture is it’s theme:
Deuteronomy 31:7-8 HCSB
7 Moses then summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land the LORD swore to give to their fathers. You will enable them to take possession of it. 8 The LORD is the One who will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”
Shelley, Dallas. I had a different one picked out, but I saw Beth’s and God said I need this one right now! “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Valerie, Yuma
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
Romans 8:11, NIV
Leslie, Beijing: “Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”
Debbie, New Delhi India: 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
Amy H OKC
ESV 27:14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Debbie, Pinckney, MI
I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1,2 HCSB
Tammie, Pikeville,KY
Stop your striving and recognize that I am God!
Psalm 46:10 (NET)
Stacy Indianapolis, He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature,and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High! Hebrews 1:3 ESV
Fiona, Brussels, Belgium
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:14, NIV
Kendra, Sturgis, MI
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice, and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind.” 1 Peter 2:1.
Dawn,
London, England
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
“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 NLT
Janice, Tulsa OK ” Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Rely on the Lord!
Be strong and confident!
Rely on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14 NET
Leigh, Seneca Falls
A verse that was read at the Royal Wedding by Kate Middleton’s brother, James.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
New American Standard Version
Danielle, Cumming, GA
For this reason I also suffer these things, but am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
2 Tim 1:12
Sandra, China Grove, NC
1 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV)
God, who has called me into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
“To whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27 NASB
Susan,
England, U.K.
I’m sorry I’m late in posting this.
Sarah-Dallas
“I said to myself, ‘Relax and rest, God has showered you with blessings. Soul, you’ve been rescued from death, eye, you’ve been rescued from tears, and you foot, were kept from stumbling.'”–Psalm 116:7-8 The Message
Hebrews 13:7 (ESV) Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
Tita in Bear, Delaware
Patty from Northern Virginia: Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14
Courtney, Chicora. “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!” Isaiah 30:18 NIV, is my belated SSMT Verse *8*, Verse 9 “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Katelyn, Abilene, “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 NASB
Karen, Virginia Beach, VA
Psalm 117
1 Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Praise him, all you people of the earth.
2 For he loves us with unfailing love;
the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever.
Praise the Lord!
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, Â and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him. Proverbs 24:17-18 ESV
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 (NET)
Susan, Canton,Mi
“The Lord will guide you always, He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Is 54:11
Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 KJV
ahhhh!! SORRY~2 days late. It just snuck up on me. :o/
Julie, Waco, TX
“God is our refuge and strength , a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 NASB
Wanda, North Canton, Ohio
But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
James 1:6 NIV
Lyn
Littleton NH
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14
Deb at Bremen, IN
Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Psalms 100:2 NIV
Eva Colfax, NC “But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV)
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Liz, Lexington KY
“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” 1 Peter 1:8 (NIV)
lindsay, medford, nj. “i said, ‘this far and no farther will you come. here your proud waves must stop!'” job 38:11 nlt
Penny from Knoxville, TN
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Hillsboro, KS
Psalm 119:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” NIV
Tanya at West Paducah, Ky. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 2 Corinthians 5:9
Isaiah 26:3-4 (NASB)
3 The steadfast of mind you will keep in perfect peace because he trusts in you.
4 Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord we have an everlasting Rock.
Brenda, Midlothian, VA “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…” Hebrews 12:1 NASB
Jeanine
Athens, NY
Late, and trying like mad to hang in there…
Isaiah 40:26 (NIV)
“Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.”
Brie, Hickory (soon to change to Charlotte!). I’m going with yours Beth. What truth these words speak to me right now!!
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 NET
Angie, Prosper TX
Galatians 1:10
“Am I trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself is the Rock eternal Is 26:4
Kim Cypress, TX.
Matthew 6:21 NIV
For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.
“The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest.”
(Exodus 14:14 Amplified)
Kathy, St. Petersburg, FL, Isaiah 26:3 NIV
You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
“if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which, I, Paul, became a minister.” Colossians 1:23 ESV