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.
Janine- Round Rock
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
~ Ephesians 4:2, NLT
Sharon McLaughlin
Panama City Beach, FL
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Diane, Gig Harbor, WA
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. Acts 1:8, NASB
Isaiah 66:2 (NIV)
Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.”
Georgine East
Austin, TX
“One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.”
Prov. 18:9 NIV
Tina, Cynthiana, KY
Kristy, Houston
Psalm 103:1 ESV
Bless the Lod, O my soul and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Janine from OKC —
I’m doing two because I forgot to post my verse for June 15.
“Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged;
parents are the pride of their children.”
Proverbs 17:6 NLT
“I shall run the way of Thy commandments,
For Thou wilt enlarge my heart.”
Psalm 119:32 NASB
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
Karen
Ponte Vedra, Florida
“For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (sound mind)”
~ 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
Hollie R. – Granbury, TX
Atlanta, GA
“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you Lord have never forsaken those who seek you”-Psalm 9:10(NIV,1984)
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV
Kathy, Austin,
“God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of His Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that.” I Corinthians 1:9 MSG
Lisa, Greenville, SC
Isaiah 55:6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” NIV
“Whatever happens, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
Phillipians 1:27 NIV
Sarah
Newburgh, IN
“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
wildlyblessed, Crawford, TX: “But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” 1 Samuel 12:24 NLT
Karen K. in Houston — When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. Ps 56:3 NASB
Rhonda, Anderson, Indiana
I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.
Psalm 119:60 NIV
5-01-11
If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face,and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, & will heal their land.
oops- 11 Chr 7:14
i have gotten so far behind.. but I won’t give up- I am catching up.
5-15-11 through 7-15-11
Luke 6:27,28,29,30
But I say unto you which hear, love your enemies, do good to them which hate you.
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which dispitefully use you.
And unto him that smitheth you on the cheek also offer the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask not again.
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV
Anita
Austin, TX
Prov 15:18 A hot-tempered man sirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. (NIV)
1John 4:15-16 NIV
If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
I am still catching up making sure my verses have been logged 🙂
Holly from Alpharetta
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 (NIV)
Kim Safina, Cayucos, CA.
couldn’t find memory verse #9 so ~
Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. 1 Corinthians 5:3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him.
James 1:2-5
NIV
Susan
OKC
“O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.” Isaiah 25:1 NIV
Robin says: I am catching up on logging my verses on the computer:). I have them memorized and am up to date in my scripture book, though!
Robin- Morehead,KY
“Cry out for discernment and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would silver; seek them like hidden treasures.” Proverbs 2:3-4 NLT
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts”, says the LORD.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”
Isaiah 55:8 NLT
Sorry for the lateness of this post! Barbara, Prospect: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV
Regan, Conroe. “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Luke 6:27-28. ESV.
Leslie from Maui
“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”
Isaiah 48:17
(somehow I missed May?)
Courtney, LaPlata, MD
Colossians 1:24-29 (ESV)
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,
25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,
26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.
27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
Shawna – Boise, Idaho
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind.
1 Timothy 1:7 TNIV
Wylie, Texas
John 3:21 (NET)
But the one who practices the truth comes to the light, so that it may be plainly evident that his deeds have been done in God.
Linda Lincoln NE: “for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable” Romans 11:29 NIV
Christine from Raleigh, NC
…put your hope in the LORD.
For there is faithful love with the LORD,
and with Him is redemption in abundance.
~ Psalm 130:7 [HCSB]
Stacey, Houston, TX: Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed  by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God. – Romans 12:2 HCSB
Kelly, The Hills, Texas
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12
Brook, Santa Monica
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
Psalm 19.1-4a
Michelle, Clinton, TN
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.
Psalm 51:12 (NLT)
my verse is Psalm 1:2
Elizabeth Gainesville, GA
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity or of greed because these are improper for God’s holy people.”
Ephesians 5:3 NIV
Caroline Auburn, AL “I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
The cords of death entangles me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord. O Lord Save me! Psalm 116:1-4
What then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31
Heather – Richland, WA
1 Peter 3:8-9
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters.[a] Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. (NLT)
Maddie, Rockport, MA
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst righteousness,for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:6
Marissa, Oklahoma
John 17:4 NIV
I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
Rebecca, Elk Grove, CA
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Eph. 2:10 (NIV)