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.
Amber-Vienna, WV
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence.” 2 Samuel 22:1-3 (ESV)
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Phillipians 4:13 (KJV)
Sandy, Lexington, KY
Psalm 27:4 NIV
One think I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.
Angelica
Huntsville, AL
In this time of damage and sorrow to my state, I am reminded.
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
Lamentations 3:22 (NIV)
“See I have you engraved on the palms of my hands.” Isaiah 49:16
Dianne
Richland, MS
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
Stephanie, Austin, TX,
“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.” 2 Samuel 22:31 (NIV)
Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
always giving thans to God the Father for everything,
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:19b-20
Rita Brown
Midland, TX
Cameron – Richmond Va
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
John 14:27 ASV
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Tami KC, MO
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himslf through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. NIV
Linda, Carolina Beach, NC
“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who know your name may rejoice in You.”
Psalm 5:11 NIV
Rejoice in the Lord always, I say it again: Rejoice!
Phil 4:4 NIV
Anna – Houston, TX
“Since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
Romans 1:20 (TNIV)
Therefore, my beloved Dina, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. 1Cor. 15:58
Leslie, Norwood Young America, MN
Mark 9.24 NLT
The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
Katie, Gig Harbor WA
Why do you say O Jacob, and speak O Israel, “my way is hidden from the Lord and my right is disregarded by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth! He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.
Isaiah 40:27, 28
Romans 15:13 NIV 2011
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
sr.jane, clyde
You do not belong to yourselves but to God; He bought yu for a price. so use your body for God’s glory.
1 Cor.6:19b-20 The New Catholic Study bible
Alisa Raleigh, NC
Psalm 90:14 Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,
so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. NLT
shelley, creswell
“I called out of my distress to the LORD,
And He answered me
I cried for help from the depth of Sheol;
You heard my voice.”
Jonah 2:2
NAS
Jeremiah 29: 11-13
“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 a hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (NIV)
Melody, Cleburne, TX
“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” 1 Peter 1:14-16 NASB
Patti, Clemmons
Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
I Corinthians 15:58, NIV
Amber, Euless Texas
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders adn the sin that so easily entagles, and let us run with perserverence the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1
I’ve had a hard time with memorizing the verses the past couple of weeks. I’m 30 weeks pregnant and very busy. I want to do this because I know it will start me and my son in a good place. Please pray for me that I will perserver.
Jeanne Honolulu, HI
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Terry
Washington, IL
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14
The NET Bible
Rhonda, Trenton, Tx.
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 NIV
Amanda, LaSalle, ON Canada
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Feeling pretty overwhelmed with finding a verse this week as I have a 3 week old and my 2 girls…but I will not quit..so I will “rely on the Lord”..I still have to memorize last weeks verse. I would appreciate prayers.
Brenda, Collinston, La. “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 ESV
Karen, Gallatin, TN
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19:10 (NIV)
Skylar, Collinston, La. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
STACY, CHAPIN
“RELY ON THE LORD! BE STRONG AND CONFIDENT! RELY ON
THE LORD! PS. 27:14 THE NET BIBLE
Brush Creek, TN
Teach me your ways, O LORD,
that I may live according to your truth!
Grant me purity of heart,
that I may honor you.
Psalm 86:11 NLT
For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin minght be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.
Romans 6:6 NIV
Sorry I’m so late!
Phillipians 2:3 NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Phyllis Irving
NIV John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, He was with God in the beginning.
Natasha, Omaha
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him. Truly He is my Rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Psalm 62:1-2 NIN
Nicole, Florissant, MO: “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 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.” Joshua 1:8, 9 (NIV)
Linda, Blue Springs, MO:
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing so you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:19-21 ESV
Sherrie
Spokane, WA
Proverbs 30:25 NKJV
“The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”
Tara
Greensboro, NC
His work is honorable and glorious:
and his righteousness endureth for ever.
He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered:
the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
He hath given food unto them that fear Him:
He will ever be mindful of his covenant.
Psalm 111:3-5
KJV
Katy, Round Rock
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22 NIV
Ellen M.
Camden, DE
Rachael, South Riding, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
Lisa- Mesa, Arizona
Get rid of all filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save your soul.
Emily, Tulsa, Oklahoma:
“And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?” – John 11:26, The Message
(late due to out of town/illness)
Sherry in Marietta GA
Ephesians 6:18 (New Living Translation)
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Carol
Carthage, NY
so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom,
but on God’s power.
1Corinthians 2:5 NIV
Cynda
Newnan, GA
“As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, ‘I am holy; you be holy'” (1 Peter 1:16 The Message).