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.
Julie, Boone, NC
Phillipians 3:13b-14 (NAS)
13b forgetting what lies behind and reaching toward what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize
of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Joy, durham, NC:
He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.
Psalms 107:20
Becky, Brunswick, Ga, ‘A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.’ John 14.19 (NKJV)
PS 27:14 KJV Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall stregthen thine heart, wait, I say, on the Lord.
Lisa Corbin,KY NIV Romans 8:32
If He, who did not spare His only Son, but gave Him up for us all- how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?
Erin in Euless, TX:
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Thanks Beth! I’m sorry I was so late!
Allison, Eau Claire, WI.
Ezekiel 11:19-20. I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will be my people and I will be their God. NIV
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 (NIV)
I feel like the only person who does not know this one by heart, so I’m bound and determined to learn it!
Emily, Seattle
“One thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 HCSB
Anchorage
Colossians 3:12 NET
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
But the Lord is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge. psalm 94:22
Sonjia, Raleigh, MS: “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” John 14:1 (NLT)
Psalm 18:33 NIV
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.
Nichole
Marion IA
p.s. i didn’t forget to write it on my card…just forgot to post.
Donna, Spring, TX: “God is kind, but He’s not soft. In kindness He takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change.” Romans 2:3b (MSG)
This is such an answer to prayer. So glad you posted when you did. I was late posting too but EXACTLY what I needed to read. Thank you Lord!
This is late, but here goes
Ellen, Columbus, GA
“Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.” Psalm 4:1 (NIV)
He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me and he prepares the way that I may show him the salvation of God.
(Ps. 50:23 NIV)
Melissa, Rancho Cordova, CA
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 (NET)
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 NIV
Deborah, Dublin…
Psalm 25:6 KJV
Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they [have been] ever of old.
Ada, Rochester, MI
Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 NIV
Elizabeth, Rochester, MI
Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm37:4 NIV
Betty, Houston:
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”
Ps. 27:14
Stephanie, Idaho. Psalm 127:3-5 NKJV~
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. 5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
mk
gig harbor WA
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14
God be exalted above the heavens; let Your glory be above the whole earth. Psalm 57:5 HCSB
Katalla in Fairbanks, AK
Tricia – Wilson,TX
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14 NIV
Christy, Pennsylvania
2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. NASB
Sorry it’s so late but I was on the beach with no internet for the week 🙂
Sheila, Beckley He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Isaiah 40:29 NKJV
Robyn
Lake Wylie, SC
Revelation 1:17 (NIV)
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
Laura – Houston, TX
“He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.” Psalm 35:28 NIV
Leslie Nobles, Currie, NC
I know I am late, but I wanted to add now anyway!
My May 1st(verse 9) is Psalm 119:165 AMP
Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing shall offend them or make them stumble.
Shelli, Almont, MI – but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. Psalm 147:11 ESV
Monica, Lebanon, IN And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse…Gen 12:3a (NAS)
“and if you spend yourself in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will be like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”. Isaiah 58:10-11 NIV
Anna, Redford, MI
I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will be my people and I will be their God.
Ezekiel 11:19-20 NIV
Jess, Alabama
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19, NIV
Pray without ceasing.
I Thessalonians 5:17
Hannah, La Grange TX, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.” Matthew 15:8-9 NIV
Nancy in Perry, GA
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself. (NIV)
Lillian Celina,TX 11:34 a.m.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me. Psalms 23:4 NIV
“So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.” Romans 10:17 HCSB
Rene Overland Park, KS
“Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Luke 7:47 ESV
Hey Momma!
Somehow I missed this post…but I logged on today and laughed and laughed….thanks so much for all that you share and your openness! I just love it and have grown so much over this past year…just being involed!
Ok here is my verse that I have been working on..
NIV Jer 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Love ya momma!
Tricia, Eldridge
“My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.” Psalms 119:28 (NIV)
Late posting #9, but trying to live it out daily
Deborah, Pinewood, TN
Isaiah 61:3 NIV
and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Symmie, Corpus Christi
Psalm 27:14 (NAS)
Wait for the LORD;
Be strong, and let your heart take courage;
Yes wait for the LORD.
Michelle – Austin, TX
“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea” Psalm 139:9 NIV
Molly Gainesville, GA
“My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.”
Psalm 63:5 NASB
Julia, Wellington, AL
“But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know Me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken!”
Jeremiah 9:24
Sorry about my late posting…trouble with phone/internet since the April 27th tornado came through our area. By the way, my verse is from the New Living Translation.
Reneé from Missouri City:
“Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see – how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him.”
-Psalm 34:8 MSG