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.
sorry I am behind posting…
Kristi from NC
“it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.”
1 Cor. 13:6 ESV
2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Tori,Elmer,LA As the dear oants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Psalm 42:1-2a
Sulphur- in as much as it depends on you, live at peace with all men.
Romans12:18 NIV
Judy, Apple Valley, CA
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:10-11
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. I Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me.
Job 3:25, NIV
“He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 113:9 NIV
Andrea, Houston,
Psalm 15:1 – Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
Erin, Phoenix. “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:12 (NIV)
Hi, I almost quit because it seems like I’m always late posting, but here goes….I Peter 1:23 Life Ap. Bible
“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable through the living and enduring word of God.”
Addie sulphur louisiana, Beloved, follow not that 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
K.J.V.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened & i will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you & learn from me, you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy & my burden is light.”
~Matthew 11:28-31
NIV
Lisa, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out.
Galatians 6:1, The Message
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you!
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Diane C
Vinton, La
Mindy – McDonough, GA
Rely on the Lord!
Be strong and confident!
Rely on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14 NET
Barb from Jacksonville,FL: My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. James 1:19 NIV
Lori
Bangor, Maine
Rely on the Lord!
Be strong and confident!
Rely on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14 (NET)
Brigette Brock
Morehead, KY
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him?
Isaiah 30:18 NIV
Teresa, Amarillo
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
Ephesians 3:18, NLT
Gail, Ellensburg, WA
Isaiah 42:16
King James Version (KJV)
And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:19
Kate, Aurora CO
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4 NIV
Tammy ~ Mobile, AL
Colossians 4:17
Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
Casey Springer
Murray, KY
James1: 19-20 NIV
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. for mans anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Lisa Waipahu, HI Galations 6:9a Let us not grow weary while doing good. NKJV
THe fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Hold One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, you wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer. Proverbs 9:10-12 NIV
Deirdre Russell
Atlanta, GA
“Let another praise you and not your own mouth: someone else and not your own lips”
proverbs 27:2 (NIV)
Sabrina
Lincoln NE
Psalm 51:1 (NASB)
Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.
Carrie, Eure, NC
And so dear brothers and sisters, give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind He will accept. When you think of what He has done for you is this too much to ask? Romans 12:1 (NLT)
Vee, Howe, TX “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,” Phil. 3:13 KJV
“Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33 NIV
Lauren, Asheville, NC “Oh that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!” Psalm 119:5 NLT
Ok, I’m three verses behind, but I’m not giving up!
Melissa, Atlanta
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my sould thirst for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1 NIV
Eph 2:10 NIV
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.
DLynn; Amarillo
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trust in you.
Joyce, Ooltewah, TN
“Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He. I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4 NIV
Thanks so much for this verse! I searched and searched for an answer to my recent testing. This one gives me releif. Maryellen
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established. Proverbs 16:3 NKJ
Psalm 9:1
I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
Paula K, Muskegon, Michigan
Jennifer, Houston
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (NIV)
“To the faithful you show yourself faithful. To those with integrity you show integrity.” Psalm 18:25 NLT
Amarillo TX
Since then, you have been raised from the dead with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of GOD. Colossians 3:1 NIV
“Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”
James 1:17 NLT
Deaune, Topeka, KS
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Ps 51:2 NIV
Sarah, Topeka, KS
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Ps 51:2 NIV
The Lord will march forth like a mighty hero; he will come out like a warrior, full of fury. He will shout his battle cry and crush all his enemies. Isaiah 42:13
Jodi Zagreb
Deb, Lancaster
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20 (esv)
Sharon, Los Angeles
“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.”
Prov. 27:19 NLT
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6, NIV