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 ā and learning and thrilling and growing and wallowing ā go into the whole process of a Bible study journey. Many tears. Healthy laughs. Big eye-openers. Rich conversations. Moments of, āWhat on earth was I thinking??ā Above all, so much desperation for Jesus. If God doesnāt pour His Spirit into it, it will fall flat like a collapsed pup-tent. Thatās the Godās-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 lifeās 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 Iām going to end up writing about things in my life and family that havenāt even happened yet. Some of them will be wonderful. Others will be painful. Itās kind of like starting a new journal. There is a certain amount of trepidation because you simply canāt guess what will fill those pages. Itās a stomach-knotting blend of anticipation and raw fear. But what I forget sometimes in that anxious moment when I know thereās no turning back is the grace. The goodness of God. The fact that Iām invited to believe He was the initiator of it, as He is in all things faith (Hebrews 12:1-3) and that I donāt have to assume complete control over it. Iām invited to remember what life the Scripture has and how much this woman has to learn.
Good grief. Iām sitting in a salon chair about to bawl my head off. (Writing this to you on Friday.) Iāll 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 didnāt gnaw you like a bone throughout the whole ordeal. Itās 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. Thatās 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 ā 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 wonāt get a chance to blog much (if at all) while Iām 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, weāll stay in touch that way. (@BethMooreLPM ā 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 wonāt require an audience. Later in May they will come to Houston and we will do yet more taping. At that time (later in May), Iāll 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 wonāt 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. Thatās enough to make her push past her discomfort and get on the screen. In case youāre 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 donāt 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 Iād forgotten what weāre doing on here today???? No maāam. I most certainly did not. All Iāve just told you led to the Scripture Iāve chosen as my ninth verse.
Beth, Houston. āRely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!ā Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Yes, Sir! If this selection resonates with you, join me with it! Iād 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??? DONāT YOU DARE QUIT!!!!!
I love you to pieces.
What was verse #8 on the blog?
http://blog.lproof.org/2011/04/2011-siesta-scripture-memory-team-verse-8.html
Karene, Yorba Linda, CA
Continuing Psalm 46:
“He makes wars to cease to the ends of the earth;
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear.
He burns the shields with fire.”
Psalm 46:9
Peg, Naperville, IL
“Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy Name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits-” Psalm 103:1,2 NIV
I Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. KJV
Carolyn – Charlotte, NC
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20 (NIV)
Katie, Augusta, Ga Ā¤ But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Luke 6:35 NASB
Kim:Hickory,NC
…”Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rest between his shoulders. Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV
Shannon, Orange County, CA: “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.” –Psalm 62:5, NIV
Little Rock, AR
“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.”
Col 4:2 (New Living)
Paula, Houston, TX “Let the morning bring the Word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift my soul.” Psalm 143:8, NIV
Sarah, West Monroe,La
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering,do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:5 (ESV)
Heidi – Lancaster, PA
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said
Never will I leave you
Never will I forsake you
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
Lora, Florissant, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 NIV
Peggy, Tucson, 1 Peter 1:24&25 “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” ESV
Karen, Vancleave, MS
Isaiah 40:31
“They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar as with eagle’s wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.”
(NAB Catholic edition)
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Mathew 6:27 (NIV)
Amanda W. Kelowna, BC, Canada:
“Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”
Psalm 107:8-9 NIV
The people the Lord has freed will come back on this road. They will enter Jerusalem with joy, and their happiness will last forever. Their gladness and joy will fill them completely as all sorrows and sighs scurry into the night.
Isaiah 35:10
Denise Davis,Il. ” In Him were also chosen,having been pre-destined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will”.-Ephesians 1:11 NIV
Karen, Lynnwood, WA: “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.
Matthew 22:37-38 (NIV)
Karessa, Peoria, IL: “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” NET
“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 NIV. Pam in San Diego
Peggy from Crowley Lake, CA
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
I Corinthians 13:7
Elvira, Grande Prairie, Alberta
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
” 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.”
Connie Windham, Trout, LA
Psalm 105:4-5 The Message
Keep your eyes open for God, watch for His works;
be elert for signs of His presence.
Remember the world of wonders He has made,
His miracles, and the verdict He’s rendered.
Casey, Ooltewah. āRely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!ā Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Diane, Ontario, Canada
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you. He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of compassion. Blessed are all who wait for Him.”
Isaiah 30:18 NIV
Diane Littleton CO
Bring joy to your servant,
for to you, O Lord,
I life up my soul.
Psalm 86:4 NIV
Arlet, Psalm 46:1 NASB
God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble.
Brenda, Jordan, MN āRely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!ā Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
āRely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!ā Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Kay – Deer Park
“Is not my word like fire, ā declares the Lord, āand like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?
-Jeremiah 23:29 (NIV)
Kelli in Ohio š
Kristi, Abilene, TX:
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10 NIV
The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hindsā feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!
Habakkuk 3:19 [AMP]
Julia,Whidbey Island, WA: “He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us again.”
2Cor.1:10 NIV
*I’ve had this verse for awhile and it hit me this morning how significant it is for our BAMA siestas…prayin for you.
Erin, Albion, IL
Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (NIV)
Katie, Marion, IA
John 14:27 (NIV)
27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Sacramento,CA
You are my portion, O Lord;
I have promised to obey your
words. Psalm 119:57n (NIV)
Marilyn, Peterborough ON Canada.
Isaiah 50:4 (New International Version, Ā©2011)
4 The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue,to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.
I took this one from “To Live is Christ” bible study that we’ve just started.
Debbie, Smyrna, TN
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14
The NET Bible
Bobbie
College Station
āRely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!ā Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
BUT THE GOD OF ALL GRACE, WHO HATH CALLED US UNTO HIS ETERNAL GLORY BY CHRIST JESUS, AFTER THAT YE HAVE SUFFERED A WHILE, MAKE YOU PERFECT, STABLISH, STRENGTHEN, SETTLE YOU. 1 PETER 5:10 KJV
GOD’S BLESSINGS ON ALL OF YOU !
Kari, Camarillo. āRely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!ā Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
NKJV
Psalms 50:15
Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me
Sabrina, Redding. “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:9-11
Philippians 4:19 NIV
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Jeremiah 33:3 ” Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Ruth, Providence: Isaiah 41:8-10 (REV)
8. But you, Israel, My servant,
Jacob whom I have chosen, Descendant of Abraham My friend,
9. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,
And called from its remotest parts
And said to you, āYou are My servant,
I have chosen you and not rejected you.
10. Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Lisa, Lynnwood, WA
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 (NIV)