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.
Lauren, New Braunfels, Tx: “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Ps. 29:11 NIV
Sharon, Geigertown, PA (out of the country and computerless on May 1 — apologies for logging in late) Isaiah 30:18: “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (NIV)
Mara, Ridgefield, WA
Do no be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God
Philippians 4:6
Melanie, Rapid City, SD
” Live by following the Spirit. Then you will not do what your sinful selves want.” Galatians 5:16
Judy,Apple Valley, CA “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 ESV
Jamie in Fayetteville, Georgia
How can it be the 7th already? Better late than quitting!
Psalm 100:1-2
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!Psalm 27:14
Judy from Virginia
Sorry so late!
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Ps. 27:14 (NIV)
Bridgette Jencks
Panama City Beach, FL
James 1:2-3 (NIV)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Psalm 143:8
Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in Thee I do trust; cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee.
If you hold true to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.
John 8:31-32 NIV
I’m excited to say, I (among many other women) was one who attended the taping, and it certainly was a ‘dream come true’ for me!!! I am blessed to have been there! Thank you Beth, for your message, your love of God, and sharing it with all of us!
Starr
Brenda, greenville,sc Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Do not be conformed to 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.
Ronda, Kingman, AZ.
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Lauren
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” Proverbs 29:11 (ESV)
Carla, Coweta. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NLT
Roberta, Fanshawe, OK
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NLT
Romans 8:31 KJV
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Watching the news everyday can be scarey and it is comforting to know that GOD is for us!
Susan–C-Town, Oklahoma
I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 NIV
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
I Peter 3:15b
Cindy
Spokane, WA
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Cindy, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Ephesians 5:22
Wives, submit to our own husbands as to the Lord
Sarah, Elgin, IL
I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
Acts 2:25, NLT
Kim, Lawrence, Ks “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength,” Mark 12:30 NIV
Jennifer, Las Vegas: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 NIV
Dawn, San Diego
It is written, “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak.
2 Cor. 4:13
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with joyful shouting.
Job 8:21
Kate DeWys, Zeeland, Michigan
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Romans 5:3-4 TNIV
Judy Fuquay Varina, NC
Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. NIV
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. Jer. 17:7
Leigh T., Houston
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
Vivian
Birmingham, Alabama
19 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 11:10 (NLT)
“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.”
Proverbs 15:13 NIV
Lisha, Visalia, CA
(I’m a little late, but not quitting)
Isaiah 45:2-3
I will go before you and will level the mountains. I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. (NIV)
Cheryl, Chadbourn. Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law, to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked. Psalm 94:12,13 ESV
Danielle – Missouri “But you, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.” Psalm 3:3 NLT
Angela – Natchitoches, LA
Since, then, we do have the excuse of ignorance, everything – and I do mean everything – connected with that old way of life has to go. It is rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life – a God-fasioned life. Ephesians 4:22 The Message
(Also, late, but not quitting!!)
Linda from Rockwell NC Psalm 46:1 KJV “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Allison, Fort Worth
” all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:23 NIV
Wendy, Calgary, Canada
Psalm 91:14 (GOD’S WORD translation)
“Because you love me, I will rescue you. I will protect you because you know my name.”
Wait for the LORD; be string and take heart and wait for the LORD. Ps27.14 NIV
Sorry for the delay. I was on a mission trip to Haiti with no internet access.
Jennifer in Cincinnati, OH Philippians 2:5-8 NIV
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Psalm 29:2 NIV2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
Tammy, Hendersonville,TN “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Diana, Fountain, CO “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
Ashley, Oil City, LA
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who shall go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am, send me!” Isaiah 6.8 ESV
We are confident of all this because of out great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God. 2 Corinthians 3:45 NLT
Kristi Knoxville TN
Psalm 27:14 NET Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
Sorry so late…again…..you guys are going to kick me out!!…as Beth says “You wouldn’t waste a prayer on me right now!!”
Death and Life is in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it. Proverbs 18:21