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.
Amber – Houston, TX
Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying.
Romans 12:12 (CEV)
Meggie, Colorado Springs, CO.
Psalm 66:20 NIV
“Praise be to God, Who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me!”
Even though my friend- Debbie is still missing and the police now are saying she is most likely a homicie vicitim. Hence why this post is so late. I already have next weeks verse though. You may leave the last bit off I just wanted you to know why I was so late.
Jodi Battle , San Diego, CA
Psalm 56:3-5 (TLB) “But when I am afraid, I will put my confidence in you. Yes, I will trust the promises of God. And since I am trusting him, what can mere man do to me?
Margo, Burlington On
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them oout of my hand.
NIV John 10:27,28.
ashley e
huntsville al
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
James 1:8 KJV
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6
Deb K. Sterling Hts: May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it. 1 Thes 5:23-24 NIV
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. matthew 11:28 NIV
Melissa, Perry, GA
This is love for God: to obey his commends. And his commands are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3 NIV
Late, but not giving up!
The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that will reap destruction; the who sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:8 (NIV)
Nakeisha
Houston, TX
Lauren, Stephenville, TX:
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 ESV
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14
NET
Picked my verse, wrote it down, began memorizing-check.
Posted on blog-not checked!
1Peter 2:10 NLT
“Once you had not identity; now you are God’s child. Once you had no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”
Tracy Culley
Columbia, MO
Rebecca, Greenville, SC
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 New Living Translation
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14
Donna -spanaway Wa.
Ellen
Colorado Springs
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Cor. 10:5 (NIV)
Kathryn, Austin TX
I’m finally getting around to posting my verse. I had another one picked out, but I’m going to postpone that and use Beth’s. It seems very fitting for the situation I’m in currently. Thanks for the verse! 🙂
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14
NET
Laura, Pleasant Hill, CA
Micah 6:8 ESV
He has told you, O Man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God.
Hope, Loxley, AL
Job 1:21 HCSB
Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Praise the name of the LORD.
He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. – Proverbs 13:3 – NIV
Keri, Loves Park, IL
. . . who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:5-6
Ephesians 3:20-21 (RSV)
Now to him who by the power within us is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen
James 5:16 NLT
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
Habakkuk 2:3 The Living Bible–But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Ps. 27:14 NET Bible
Maribeth, Spring, TX “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 RSV
Kay Richmond Hil GA
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalm 27:14 NET
Mandy
China Spring, TX
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. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV
Amanda, Columbus, Ohio – NKJV “Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness, Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.” Psalm 119:36-37
Millen, GA
Romans 8:1-2 NIV
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
“The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.” Psalm 9:10 NRSV
Kristine in Edmond: Jer 24:7 (NIV)”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.”
Sharon, San Antonio,
Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. Hosea 6:3 NIV
a little late .. but I got busy . .
May 1st –
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Eph 5.21 NIV
Michelle
Okeechobee, Florida
thank you Lord — timing —
YOU had me post this eve. …
YOU had be look back to see the last post . .
and YOUR timing brought me here at this point and I KNOW you are speaking to me directly – whoa
Thank you LOrd.
Michelle
Okeechobee, Florida
For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
~ 2 Timothy 1:7. (NIV)
Hollie R.
Granbury, TX
Nicole,
Prairieville, LA
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
3 John 4
NIV
For you did not receive a spirit that you a slave to fear again, but you received the spirit of sonship.
Rom 7:13
Amy, St. Augustine, FL
“This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” Isaiah 66:2b NIV
For God did not give you a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline.
2 Tim 1:7
Proverbs 31:26 (NLT)
When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.
Rebecca, Abilene, KS
Tammy Elrod, Mechanicsville, VA
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
John 1:1-2 NIV
Ps. 133:1 NIV
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.”
Casey-Henrietta, TX
Isaiah 45:2&3 NIV
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.
Belinda, Neely, MS I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. PS 119:11 NIV
So extremely late! I’ll do better this coming time…sorry!
James 1: 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.” Matthew 6:22 (NKJ)
Mathew 16:24-25 (NIV)
Then Jesus said to his disciples, If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High,
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, My God in whom I trust. Ps 91:1-2 NASB