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.
Cindy from Summerville, SC
Isaiah 58:11 (NLT)
11 The LORD will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring.
Matt. 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and
his righteousness; and all these things shall
be added unto you.
Ashley, Huntsville, AL “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” -Hebrews 3:13
Columbia, SC
He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 2 Chronicles 20:15
MaryD – Charlotte. (Sorry I’m late!)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 ESV
PJ
Atlanta, GA
Isaiah 66:2b (NIV)
This is the one I esteem: He who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
Sarah, Marion, KS, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10, NIV.
Manassas Va
Judy
Rely on the Lord, be strong and be confident. Rely on the Lord
Psalm 27:14
And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17 NLT
“The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;”
Romans 8:6 (NIV)
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement!”
James 2.12,13 (NIV)
Lynette, Alton, IL
He is your constant source of stability; He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; He gives all this to those who fear Him. Isaiah 33:6 NET
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:22-25 NIV
Jenn, Katy, TX
Matthew 10:39 NIV
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” ~Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
Tyler
Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
Abi, Apopka: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:20-21 NIV 1984
Anita- Gardner, KS
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
Jamie, Bixby OK. She makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them; she delivers to the merchants girdles [or sashes that free one up for service]. Proverbs 31:24 AMP
Jennifer – Milford, OH
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
I John 4:9
Lois, Wausa, Nebraska
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
I Cor 9:8 (NIV)
Titus 3:2
…to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
Debbie in El Paso, IL
Stephanie, Fruita, CO
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:14 NIV
Sharon, Lititz, PA
Now to the Kng eternal, immortal, invisabe, the only God , be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17 NIV
Selena – Albany, GA
I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak. – Matthew 12:36, HCSB
Noreen, Bloomington/Normal: Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” NIV Bible
Jamie,Houston: Psalm 28:14 “Wait on the Lord, be
strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” NIV Bible
Kim, Corning, NY: Ps 121:1-4 (HCSB) “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. He will not allow your foot to slip, your Protector will not slumber. Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.”
Barb, Madison, WI
In the same way, wives, be subject to your own husbands. Then, even if some are disobedient to the word, they will be won over without a word by the way you live, when they see your pure and reverent conduct. I Peter 3:1-2 NET Bible
Piper
Hickory NC
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous fall. Psalm 55:22 (niv)
Karen- Martinsville, NJ
“Ah, Sovereign LORD,
You have made the heavens and the earth
by Your great power and outstretched arm.
NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR YOU.”
~Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV)
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and Confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalm 27:14 The Net Bible
Carrie H, Burnsville, MN
Psalm 23:2 (NIV)
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul”
Denise, Hernando Beach, FL
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3John:4 NIV
Rhonda Lima
Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14, NASB
I’m late getting this in…but it is perfect for me right now! My son’s girlfriend’s 25 year old brother was killed Sunday morning in a car accident with a friend…please pray for the families!!
Nichole – Nashville, TN
Something I’ve come to know personally…
1 Peter 4: 12-13 says, “When life gets really difficult, don’t jump to conclusions that God is not on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner!”
Jill, Spring, TX. “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)
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:13-16- ESV
Casey
Montgomery, AL
Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live
Proverbs 4:4 ESV
Ginny, Ooltewah, TN
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”
Psalm 27:14 NET
Deborah, Clearwater, FL
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know Him better. (Ephesians 1:17, NIV)
Karen from Richmond, VA
But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
–Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV
Deanna, Willmar, MN
“Rely on the LORD! Be strong and confident! Rely on the LORD!” Psalm 27:14 (NET)
Sorry I am so late posting this!
Elizabeth from Rochester, NH:
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. ~ Colossians 3:16 NIV
Let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)
Alison – Richmond, VA
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Ephesians 3:14-17a (NIV)
Romans 8:10 NIV
Dannel Holtwood PA
But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of Him who reaised 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.
Dana, Pace, FL
And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
Norman, OK
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to You, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NLT
Amy- clovis, Ca
“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”
Luke 9:23-24- NLT
Dedra Herod, Madison, AL (so sorry to be late…)
“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.” – Romans 15:13 NIV