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.
Robbie, Southaven, MS: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 (NIV)
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. NIV
McKenna
Henrietta, TX
maria, whitmire,sc
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Romans 8:15 (KJV)
Lisa, Mauldin, SC, Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Cindy, Alton,NH Put on therefore, as the elect of God,holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering; Forebearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you also do. KJV
Laura, Jefferson, ME
Hebrews 13:15, NKJV “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. Psalm 71:20-21 NIV
Dori Cook
Spring Hill, TN
“Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed.” Psalm 37:3 Amplified
Debbie – Marion, IN “Search me, O 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 129:23-24 (NIV)
Mary, Portland–“And now, LORD, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised,” 1 Chronicles 17:23
Charlene, Houston
For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.
2Chronicles 16:9 NAS
Sheila, Appleton, NY NIV
Philippiams 4:19 My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. NIV
But You, O LORD, are a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
Psalm 3:3
Mary Watkins
West Memphis, AR
I hope it is not too late to turn in my verse. Life has been hectic the past few days.
For God hath not given us the Spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7 KJV
Becky
Warren, RI
Cathy,Princeton tx
Psalm 116:1,2 NIV
I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
Glenna – Cumberland House, SK – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” 2 Timothy 1:7 – New King James Version
Angela
Garner, NC
Isaiah 55:2 (NIV)
Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Susan, Chesapeake, VA: “Remember the former things, those of long ago,; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” -Isaiah 46:9
Shirley Barry, Mooresville, NC
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Donna, Mt. Pleasant, NC
Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.
Kelly, New Cumberland, PA
Romans 8:25 (ESV)
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Tammy G.
Greencastle, IN
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself.” Philippians 2:3 NIV
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Sarah Jenkins
Bancroft, ON
Canada
Carolyn – Palmer, Alaska
Isaiah 2:2
“In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.’ The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. [Romans 12:12]
Nina, IL
 Michelle, Prosper, TX. New Living Translation
Proverbs 16
 1 We can make our own plans,
      but the Lord gives the right answer.
Psalms 139:13-14 ( NLV)
 13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
      and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Laura, from Sharon, PA
Psalm 91:2&4 NLT
“This I declare about the Lord; He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I will trust Him.
He will cover you with His feathers, He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.”
Psalm 27:14
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident. Rely on the Lord!
Ooops! I’m late. Better late than never…
Carla Ritz, Lock Haven PA – “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” James 1:27 NASB
This is giving me great strength to keep on keeping on as a foster mom to three beautiful little girls, ages 3,6, and 9.
Siesta OC
SOCAL
How blessed is the one whom you choose, and allow to live in your palace courts. May we be satisfied with the good things of your house – your holy palace. Psalm 65:4 NET
Linda in Red River, NM:
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”
Psalm 27:14 (New English Translation)
Beth, I think this verse is resonating with a lot of people right now! It sure hit me when I read it last night! Standing in the gap for you and your team
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” NET Bible
Heather
Mosinee, WI
Jody – Boise,Id Proverbs 20:7 NASB
A righteous man who walks in his integrity – how blessed are his sons after him.
Yanna Bryan, Texas “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.” Psalm 150:6 NIV
Beth, Thurmont, MD
John 15:5 NIV
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.
Gayla, Lee’s Summit, MO…sorry I’m a bit late!
Don’t you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive his approval.
Romans 6:16, NLT
Ephesians 2:10 NLT “We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
Carla, Houston, Tx.
Ps. 119:108 (NIV) Accept, O Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.
Margaret
Kingsport, TN
Colossians 3:23 – NIV
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Angela H, WI
“Rely on the LORD! Be strong and confident! Rely on the LORD!” Psalm 27:14 NET
Kim Banks, Newbury Park,CA
Romans 15:7 RSV
Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Gretchen, Kearney, MO
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trust in You. Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Joy, Fayette, AL
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 (The NET Bible)
Ashley, Chesapeake. “Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” Psalm 27:14 (NKJV)
Debbie (Jacksonville, FL)
“Wait for the Lord; be courageous and let your heart be strong. Wait for the Lord.”
Psalm 27:14 HCSB
Julie
Ft. Wayne, IN
Psalm27:14
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Shonda Jo, Aurora, SD
Isaiah 40:28 (NIV)
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary and His understanding no one can fathom.
Laila, chicago
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,
and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
blessed are all those who wait for him.
Isaiah 30:18 ESV
Katy Midland, TX A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands. Proverbs 14:1 NLT
Christina, Hanover, MD
“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
John 20:23, NKJV