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.
Stephanie, Glen Burnie, MD
Romans 12:14-16 ESV
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Psalms 139:14 NIV
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
NLT
“Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex”
Jessica
Ft. Irwin, CA
Oh GOD, you are my GOD; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you: my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 NLT
Barb Hermitage, PA
“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8
Kamilah – Houston
Psalm 18:30 (NKJV)
As for God, His way is perfect. The Word of the Lord is proven. He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
Lindsay, Wenatchee, WA
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a streadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away 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.
Pslam 51:10-12 NIV
Alissa, Spring, TX
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
–Isaiah 55:12 NIV
Ivy Morrison
Willis, TX
Psalm 45:11 NIV
“The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.”
“I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust”
Psalm 91:2 NIV
Kelly Jo
Albany KY
Rebekah, Groves, TX “Even the strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing.” Psalm 34:10
Carrie, Princeton, MN:
“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
Miranda, Atlanta
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18, NIV
“Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her.”
Prov. 31:28
NIV
Laurie T.
Richmond, ME
Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I unto thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!
1 Peter 3:6
King James
Laurie T.
Richmond, ME
Hillary – Auburn, AL
If the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too.
– Romans 11:16
Grace, Decatur, Alabama
And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20b ESV
Brandy, San Antonio “It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name (which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone).” Ezekiel 36:22 NIV
Heidi, Round Rock, TX
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV
Sheri, Atlanta, TX
Psalm 37:8 NKJV
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret it only causes harm.
Aliza, NZL. Not sure if I posted this one, but it was:
And if you ask for anything in My name, I will do it for you so that the Father’s glory will be shown through the Son.
If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.
John 14:13-14 NCV
The Lord Bless you and Keep you. Numbers 6:24 (niv)
Sorry so late:
Kelly, Hickory, NC
“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” ~Isaiah 49:16
Rachel; Conroe, Texas
Psalm 119:133
Make my steps steady through your promise: do not let any sin dominate me.
Sharon, Bulls Gap, TN. –
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” – Matthew 24:14 (KJV)
Stacie, Bulls Gap, TN –
“My brethren count it all joy when ye fall into divers tempations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” – James 1:2-4 (KJV)
“When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.”
-Roamans 12:13
Danay’e
Spencer, IN
Crissy, nashville TN
O Lord, I will bless You at all times, May your praise be continually in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1
I accidentally put this in the wrong post hope I have it in the right post this time:)
Michelle, NC
A lot late in posting this, but I’m not giving up 🙂
Hebrews 1:3, ESV
He (Jesus) is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Dawn Missouri City, Texas
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He
will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
VERY late. A move has kept me quite busy the month of May. However, like Michelle, NOT giving up.
Sarah — brand new in McKinney, TX.
Ephesians 4:2, NIV:
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
1 Cor. 15:58 NIV
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”
1 Peter 3:8 NLT
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted and keep a humble attitude.
Romans 8:28 NASV
And we know that [a]God causes (A)all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are (B)called according to His purpose.
Teresa, Granite Falls, NC
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him. the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5 KJV
Elizabeth Meagher, Richmond, VA
“Do nothing out of selfish amibtion or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Phillipians 2:3-4, NIV
Karin, Johannesburg
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Lisa Morrow
Ponder, Tx
Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. NIV
Hebrews 10:22 NIV
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.
“And now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.” (I John 2:28 NIV) AMEN!!:)
Glenda, Knoxville, TN
Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)
And I am convinced that nothing can ever seperate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can seperate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed nothing in all creation will ever be able to seperate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord!
June 1, 2011
Isaiah 12:2 Behold God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid, For the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.
NASB
Diane, Melbourne, FL So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6 NIV
Kim from Springfield
James 1:19 (NIV)
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
Kara, Lancaster, PA
My goal is that they will be encouraged and kinit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have full confidence because they have complete understanding of God’s secret plan, which is Christ himself.
Colossians 2:2
Phil.2:4 (NIV) “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Allie:Sulphur: Beloved, follow not which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
3 John 1:11
Spring, TX
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21
NIV
Pam – Dublin, VA
Whatever you do, do your work heartily as for the Lord rather than for men. Colossians 3:23 (NASB)
sulphur- the grace of the the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
Revelation 22:21 NIV