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.
Carolyn, Terrace BC Canada
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Rhonda McClellan, Newnan, Georgia
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
katie g
Knoxville, TN
“seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”
2 Peter 1:3 NASB
I’m praying for you all, ((HUGS))!
Hill, Los Angeles
“I am still confident of this:
i will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.”
Psalm 27:13-14 NIV
Diane, Montgomery, Al NAS
Acts 17:24-25 ” The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; neither is He servied by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He himslef gives to all life, and breath and all things;”
Praying for you, “susta”.
Cindy in Raleigh, NC
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.”
Candie from Gulfport, Ms:
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20
Eph 6:10-11
Finally, be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
niv
Joan (Coppell, TX): This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. I John 3:19-22 NIV
April, Oak Ridge, TN
“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100 (NIV)
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Susan Lawrence (central IL) – Then Jesus opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. Luke 24:45 (NCV)
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with mh righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10(ESV)
Jen P. in Russellville, AR
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.
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Lauren, Biloxi:
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV
Adele-Alys from Matthews (Charlotte) NC : Do not be afraid, my child, if we have grown poor. You have great wealth if you fear God, if you shun every kind of sin, and if you do what is pleasing to the Lord you God. Tobit (in Apochrypa) 4: 21-23
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!”
Psalm 27:14
The NET Bible
Jan
Hawkinsville, GA
I’m going with Beth’s verse this time! Praying for the James taping and all involved – God be praised!
Lisa, Plano, TX: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 NIV
Nicole, Oxford MS
“Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 NLT
Carisa, Hillsboro, KS: “Direct my footstpes according to your word; let no sin rule over me.”
Psalm 119:33 NIV
Andrea, Cartersville,GA: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Eph. 4:29 ESV
Sharon, Nixa, Mo.
Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord! Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
“As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried. He is a Shield to all those who trust and take refuge in Him.”
2 Samuel 22:31 AMP
Erin
Denison, TX
Praying for you and the taping.
Heather, Shokan, NY
Exhort one another daily, while it is called “today” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 3:13 NKJV
Stefanie -White Oak, Tx “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13-NIV
GRACE verses for 2011!
“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will received His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.”
Hebrews 4: 16 (NLT)
Leah
Blairsville, GA
Debbie. Calgary,Alberta.
Is anything too hard or too wonderful for the LORD?
Genesis 18:14a (Amplified Bible)
Charlotte from Memphis, TN
“Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Megan JOY Burdzy – Calgary, Alberta Canada – being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised. – Romans 4:21 – (NIV) – last week I did Romans 4:20 so this is the follow-up
Concetta, White Oak, Proverbs 29:11 (CEV), “Don’t be a fool and quickly lose your temper- be sensible and patient.”
Lynn, Bossier City. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Amy from Marion, VA
“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”
1 Peter 3:18a NIV
Kris, Maine
Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and My God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
Psalm 5:1-3 NIV
Lynn Pflugerville, TX
“Christ gives me the strength to face anything.” Philippians 4:13 (CEV)
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
Stefanie Dailey- Parrish, FL
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly com and will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3 NIV
continuing on in psalm 36:
julie, lexington, ky: Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from the river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. psalm 36:7-9
praying for you all this week and the deeper study that melissa is working on sounds Awsome!!!
Cassie McLelland, Mansfield TX. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Julie, Chesterland, OH
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”
1 Peter 1:3-4 ESV
Sharon from Modesto:
Rely on the LORD! Be strong and confident. Relay on the LORD! Ps. 27:14 NET
Praying for incredile, marvelous, miraculous things to happen in Nashville and through this study of James. Go with God!
Debra- Ponte Vedra Beach, Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident!
Rely on the Lord! Psalm 27:14. The NET Bible
Sharon, Hamburg, NY
“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. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:18-19 (NLT)
kendal. north wilkesboro, nc. (excited about james!!)
and i pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of christ.
ephesians 3;17b-18 (NIV)
Judy, Tehachapi,”And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Shanelle, Phoenix, AZ “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Mollie, formerly Tokyo, now Atlanta: “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 The NET Bible
Katie, Dayton OH
“You turned my wailing into dancing, you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. Oh LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.” Psalm 30:11-12 (NIV)
“If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?” Jeremiah 12:5 NIV
Lindsey from Dubach, LA is memorizing “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” -James 1:2-3 (NIV)
Gwen, Kennesaw, GA.
“God’s my island hideaway, keeps danger far from the shore, throws garlands of hosannas around my neck.” Psalm 32:7 The Message