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.
Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstancees, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thes. 5:16-18 NIV
Moyock, NC
Beth. Rome, GA
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?”
Luke 6:32 HCSB
A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath. Prov. 15.1 KJ
John 15:4 (NIV)
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea. Psalm 139:9
Let me not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
John 3:18
Judy, Tyler. “He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.” Psalm 15:3
Rebecca – Boise, Idaho
John 1:5 NIV
The light shines in the darkness but the darkness has not understood it.
Rebekah, Groves, TX
“When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my hearts delight.”
Jeremiah 15:16 NIV
“Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom shall I send as a messenger to my people? Who will go for us? And I said, “Lord, I’ll go. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8
Tiffany Morse
Dallas TX
Psalm 40:8 {NIV}
I desire to do your will I my God, Your law is with in my heart.
Celeste, Los Angeles & Toronto: O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; let not my enemies triumph over me. Psalm 25:2 NKJV
Laura Eloise, Austin – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Prov 3:5
Ruthann – Odessa, TX
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down on the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, If I settle on the far side of the sea – even there You hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:9-10
Stacia Deen from Avon Park, Florida: And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2 (NIV)
“Flee the evil desires of youth and persue righteousness, faith, love and peace along with those who call on the lord with a pure heart.” 2Timothy 2:22
Laura – Houston, Texas
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;” 2 Peter 1:5 (NIV)
Allison, Eclectic Al
A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 NIV
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25 NIV
Carol, Poplar Bluff, MO
John 3:17 NIV
For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world but that the world should be saved through Him.
Amy, Sweeny, TX
He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge. His faithfulness is your shield and your rampart. Psalm 91:4
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
sheila, OK
Bunny from Fithian, IL
Take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit,
which is God’s word. (Ephesians 6:17 HCSB)
kimberly mason, tuscaloosa, al:
psalm 38:39 niv
“you armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet.”
May 1st and 15th
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.
John 11:25-26 (NIV)
Tina H-Town
Karen, Naples
He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.
Malachi 3:3
ESV
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Montgomery, AL
The first chapter of James. (NIV)
Kristi, Charleston, WV “The Lord has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.” Psalm 98:2 (NKJV)
Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
Bethany from Waco, TX
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Christine, Augusta, Ga
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 NKJV
Patricia, Dallas Tx
Psalms 23:6 {ESV}
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart. I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 NIV
SHERRY, TULSA; “Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for i have put my trust in You. Show me the way i should go, for to You i lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8, NIV
Belinda, Olathe KS
For YOU are FREE
yet you are God’s slaves,
so don’t use your freedom
as an excuse to do evil!
I Peter 2:16 NLT
Stephanie, Houston. Â
and the moon and stars to rule the night.
         His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:9 NLT
Mary Alice
Dallas, TX
Rely on the Lord!
Be strong and confident!
Rely on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Carole, Austin: We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts; we were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. 1 Thess 2:4(b), 2:6(a), NIV
James 1:4
Let perseverance finish it’s work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Linda, Austin, TX
Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.
Rosebud Atlanta, Texas
Many are the plans in a mans heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21 NKJV
Nikki, Franklin, TN
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God. John 1:1
karina, baton rouge,la.
“…For You, Lord have never forsaken those who seek You.”
Psalm 9:10b
NIV
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