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.
“He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers…”
Malachi 4:6a NIV 84
Shelly
Downey, CA
Janel, Valrico FL – Having a tough week and could use prayer! Here’s my verse (finally!) – Romans 12:2, NIV:
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Sara, Greenville, SC – “I will lie down and sleep peacefully, for you, LORD, make me safe and secure.” Psalm 4:8 (NET Bible)
Martha, Lexington, Ky.: āWhatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance form the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.ā Colossians 3:23 ā 24, NIV
Ephesians 5:15-16
“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
Romans 8:31 KJV
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Gail Jones
Decatur, TX
Sorry so late…the beach was calling my name.
“We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go.” Hebrews 6:18 The Message
Trinna, Mandeville, LA, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:12-13 NIV
Cindy Wincel, Indianapolis, IN
Let the peace of God rule in your heart, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful! Col. 3:14
Corban age 5
God said, “I have chosen you.” Is. 41:9
Jeanne, Albuquerque “You are my portion, O Lord; I have promised to obey your words.” Psalm 119:57 NIV
Margaret, Sebring, Fl
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
Blessed from Dallas:
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy
I Peter 1:8 NIV
Jan, Winnipeg, Manitoba “Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on one another.” Romans 14:13a NIV
Denise, Ocean Springs,MS – Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong & Courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV
Barb, Lakewood, CO James 1:2-3 NKJV
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”
Sorry so late this time; surgery has had me out of commission for a bit. Happy Mother’s Day everyone!!
And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them.
I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart. Ezekiel 11:19 NLT
Wilmette, IL
Linda, Boerne, TX
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32 NIV
2 Samuel 24:24b “I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing.”
Hebrews 5:8 (The Message) “Because he honored God, God answered him. Though he was God’s Son, he learned trusting-obedience by what he suffered, just as we do.”
Allison, Washington, DC
Darlene – Logansport
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: Wait, I say, on the Lord.
Psalm 27:14 KJV
(I liked yours, so I am going to do it, too) š
Abby Vacaville, CA
Be still and know that I am God
Psalms 46:10
Amy from Lakeland, Florida, Psalm 27:14 NIV Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
” But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:33NIV
Lora
Mooresburg
The grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the presence and fellowship (the communion and sharing together, and participation) in the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen (so be it). 2 Corinthians 13:14 (Amplified Bible)
Tina, Gig Harbor, WA
2 Timothy 2:11-13
It is a trustworthy statement:
For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him;
If we endure, we shall also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
NASB
Kathryn, Birmingham, AL
(Thought this one was perfect after the devastating storms that hit our area and other parts of the South last week.)
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” Psalm 46:1-2 NIV
Romans 12:2 NAB
“Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect”.
Emily D , Portsmouth , England
I say to myself, The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.
Lamentations 3v24
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8 ESV
Debbie Portland,OR
Kristin
Tyler, Texas
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 51:10-12 NIV
from King George, VA
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Richmond VA
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.
Isaiah 26:3 KJV
Debbie
Sterling Heights Michigan
Phillipians 1:20 (Beth Moore’s Praying God’s Word Cards)
LORD, I make it my goal to please YOU, whether I am at home in the body or away from it.
Lynda, San Antonio, Texas
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12
Hollie, near Waco, TX:
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
I Corinthians 13:13 NIV
Brittney (aka “lopsided halos), Lexington KY
āRely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!ā Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
I Peter 2:21
ESV
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps.
Kathleen, Phoenix, AZ
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
Judy of Marietta “If you love me, you will obey what i command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be with you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in the Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him. John 14:15-21 NIV
Debra – Dahlgren, IL
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Sheila, Carthage
Eph 4:22-24 NIV
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Donita-Tucson, AZ (Had Baby Boy #3…got behind…here I am!)
Psalm 85:10 Amp
Mercy and loving-kindness and truth have met together;
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Jeremiah 24:7 (NIV)
7 I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.
Cheryl from Kemah
Cheri, Neenah, WI
I have called you back from the ends of the earth,
saying, āYou are my servant.ā
For I have chosen you
and will not throw you away.
Isaiah 41:9 NLT
Jill Sayles
Puyallup, WA
Isaiah 64:4
“Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.”
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord
Psalm 27:14 (NET)
Geri
Deer Park, TX
Behold, the LORD’S hand is not so short that it cannot save, neither is His ear so dull that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, so that He does not hear.
Isaiah 59:1-2 NASB
Be joyful in hope,
patient in affliction,
faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12
Leah, Atlanta: “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 (NET)
Lorie, Columbia, SC
Romans 8:18
New International Version
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9