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.
Lynne, New Milford – “Many are the plans in a personās heart,but it is the LORDās purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21, NIV
Gena, Elgin, Texas
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! psalm 27:14
Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Vivian, Clovis, Ca
Galations 5 22-25
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, pace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”
Cathie – Jacksonville, Florida
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5 NIV
Is 40:29-31 NIV
Nancy – Westminster
Is 40:28-31
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.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired & weary and young men stumble & fall.
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strenght.
They will soar onwings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary
They will walk and not faint.
Dolly, Middletown, OH
Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass.
Psalm 37: 4,5 KJV
Cathy, Loxahatchee FL
Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
āNow all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.ā
Karen, Silver Creek, GA: “My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.” Psalm 5:3 (NKJV)
But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.”
~ 2 Corinthians 4:13 NLT
Teena
Cypress, Texas
Nancy, Sioux City (who is struggling to keep up but not giving up!)
Lamentations 3:24 NIV
I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him”
Traci R, Powell, OH
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 NET
Karla, Broomfield “For we live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NET)
Rachel~ Athens, GA
How precious are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake I am still with you.
Psalm 139:17-18
Sorry for the belated reply…
Stacy Outlook, WA
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 NLT
Sorry so late. I have been a little off pace here in Alabama. So here it is!
Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33 NIV
Roni Long
Demopolis, Alabama
Manon, Pebble Beach, my verse this month will be: “You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” 1 Peter 3:4
Marsha, Lexington Park, MD
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
Isaiah 43:1b NAS
Gloria in Houston says:
For GOD so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting Life.
For GOD sent not his Son into this world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:16,17 (KJV)
Amy
Houston Tx
“Wait for, hope for, and expect the Lord. Be strong and confident! Yes, wait for, hope for, and expect the Lord”
Psalm 27:14
Amplified Version
Kathy @ Wilmington NC
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 the NET Bible
LuAnn, Winfield, Psalm 27:14 NASB Wait for the LORD;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the LORD.
Beth – I loved your verse so I looked it up in other tranlations, I loved this one from the NASB.
Tami DS, LA
1 Cor 13:4 NIV
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14 NET
Note: Sorry to be late with my post for May 1 scripture.
“Behold the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.
Isaiah 59:1 (NIV)
– – And for Natalie – –
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give you. Let not your hearts be troubled neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 (NKJ)
Maribeth, Jackson, MS
āRely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!ā Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
This is great and so needed! I had to copy this time! Thanks!
Tracie, Taylorville, IL
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely. whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
Christy T. – Hawthorne, CA
“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)
(Sorry it’s late!)
Shaunta’ Montgomery, AL
if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. Col 1:23-24 NAS
11 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.
Isaiah 58:11
Marcia~ Salem, IN
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12 NIV
Becky, Morganton NC
“Rely on the Lord! Be Strong and Confident. Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 NET
Mei, Easley SC
“…And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lordās holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” Ephesians 3: 17 – 18 NIV
Charlotte, Easley SC:
“I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD,” Ps 116:13
Maggie, Sand Springs, OK
āRely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!ā Psalm 27:14
from Houston,
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 46:10 [ESV]
Well, the weather stuff got me out of whack the last two times. But here it is, anyway š
Ashley, Auburn – Ephesians 2:10 NIV84 ” For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:22 (NIV)
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Sheila, Austin, TX
Shannon, Houston
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” Psalm 34:8-10
Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, that is how you should stand firm in the LORD, dear friends! Philippians 4:1 NIV
Tiffany, League City. “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:22 ESV
1 Peter 3:4
“…but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”
Melissa
Waco, TX
Alicia, Atlanta, IL
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”
Romans 1:16 NIV
Cheryl, Visalia, CA
1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father, full of grase and truth. John 1:14 NIV
Diane H.
Dallas, Tx.
Janelle – Dallas
If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. Philippians 1:22-26 (ESV)
I realized when I saw the #9 that I’ve been off in listing my verses…so here’s the list so far:
I Tim. 4:8
I Cor. 9:27
Gal. 5:1
Gal. 5:13
Gal. 5:16
2 Peter 1:3
2 Peter 1:4
2 Peter 1:5
2 Peter 1:6-7
There are my nine so far this year.