Monthly Archives: December 2016

Dec31

#Wordoftheyear By: Deborah Ard #Dance By: Julie Wicker

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#Wordoftheyear  By: Deborah Ard

“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.” John 17:13

We are now in the last days of 2016. Most of us are reflecting on the blessings and troubles of the past year as we look ahead to a New Year beginning. As I mentioned in our last blog post, I have been praying and meditating for several weeks now about choosing a word for 2017.  My goal was to choose a word that I would focus on daily amid the busy schedules that will ensue all too quickly. I have chosen the word JOY for my word for 2017. My prayer is that I will focus on the “full measure of His joy within me”.  My daughter Briley helped to inspire this word for me. When we were listening to our local Christian radio station during the Christmas season she asked me why a certain song was considered a Christmas song. I told her the song was about Jesus so that may be why it was considered a Christmas song. She said that means all the songs on this station are Christmas songs. I had to smile at her new insight.  After Christmas we were listening to the same Christian station and they were playing the music they play on a regular basis. Briley said, “Mama, every day is Christmas on this station!” What a simple and beautiful revelation. I realize Briley is so very right. Every day is Christmas to Christians. And we should live that way! Therefore I chose the word JOY to remind me daily to live out the promise of Christmas.

Have you chosen a word for 2017? If not, I encourage you to pray and meditate and consider choosing a word. I would love to hear from you about what word you choose. We can support and encourage one another. And sometimes we may need to remind each other to turn our focus back to our word. Because I must warn you, whatever word you choose will be the same word Satan will use to attack you. With that knowledge we must be sure to guard our hearts and minds and not allow Satan a foothold to use against us. This very thing happened to me when I first chose my word. God gave me my word and no sooner had I written it down than did Satan start playing havoc with me. I allowed him to stir turmoil with me about a situation which caused me to feel very down and sad.  Thankfully, as I had my morning devotion time, I read a scripture and devotion that comforted and strengthened me. I also reached out to a friend who had shared her word for the year with me. Her loving words were just what I needed to encourage me. She even brought me a gift as a visual reminder for me to use this year.

joySo again, I encourage you to share your word with me or another friend. Let us tackle 2017 together as Christian friends. Let’s use our “word of the year” to change ourselves and as a result, change the world around us.

Mantra By: Julie Wicker

A mantra is a word or sound repeated to aid concentration in mediation. Its a God coincidence that Deborah’s word is Joy. The Holy Spirit has been nudging me to make a mantra based on Joy. Often I let my circumstances determine my joy. Billy Graham has said, “Happiness depends on circumstances; Joy depends on God”

“Dance through life, seek Joy in His presence”

This comes from scripture, Psalm 16:11 “You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of Joy” and the song Heroes by: Amanda Cook “You taught my feet to dance upon disappointment”

#Prayer #Dance By: Julie Wicker

Father,

As I come before you, show me the path of life; that I might find the dance, for in your presence is fullness of JoyPsalm 16:11. I devote this time in prayer being watchful and thankful Col 4:2. Help me to focus on the blessings I receive within your full measure of Joy John 17:13. As I live by your spirit, help me to keep in stride with your spirit of Joy Gal 5:22-25. I long to learn contentment through all circumstances just as the apostle Paul has said in Luke 4:11-12, I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. Help me to find contentment in every situation, well fed or hungry, living in plenty or in want. I stand on your promise I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens me Phil 4:13.

In the sweet name of your son Jesus, we all say Amen

#Worshipwithus

Heroes By: Amanda Cook

Dec19

#Seekhimdaily By: Deborah Ard #Passion By: Julie Wicker

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#seekhimdaily   By: Deborah Ard

“I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.” Psalm 119:10

This is my favorite time of day. And I am sitting in my favorite place in our house. It is 5 A.M. and I am sitting in my big chair with my legs propped up on my ottoman. It is Christmastime so I the lights of the Christmas tree are shining along with a candle that is lit beside me. You may ask what in the world am I doing up so early and saying such craziness that it is my favorite time of day! It is my favorite time of day because from 5 A.M to 6 A.M. is my time with God. I choose to get up at 4:30, yes craziness, take a shower and then hurry downstairs to start my day. I sit in my chair with a cup of coffee in hand and my Bible and journal across my lap. One the table beside me I have a candle I sometimes light, several devotional books I may choose from to read, and pens and pencils for underlining or  jotting notes. Recently a special friend gave me a wooden cross made from olive wood that fits perfectly in the palm of my hand that I sometimes hold as I read, pray and meditate on His word. This is my favorite time of day because it is my time to “be still and know that He is God “(Psalm 46:10).  When I first felt the nudge to get up earlier to spend time with God, it was a struggle. I was not a morning person! I liked to stay in my warm bed as long as possible and once up I didn’t like to talk to anyone for a while. Plus, I had no idea what I would read or study.  However, as I was obedient and faithful at getting up He was faithful to guide and direct my study. And now I really am a devotion junkie! Thanks to technology I now am able to read many devotionals from my phone. I receive some by email and others are on apps I have downloaded. I am never disappointed when I read through the devotionals. Many times a theme is present in several of them for a particular day. Or sometimes only one will strike a chord with me. But always, God uses this time each morning to speak to me. He sometimes speaks to me about a difficult situation I may be dealing with or an area that I need to improve and grow.  Usually a certain scripture stands out and that is the one I usually post on Facebook to share with others. When I first began sharing scripture on Facebook I was scared to death that others would think I was crazy or trying to act ‘holier than thou’.  However, I truly post scripture out of obedience to God. I believe that was His way of easing me into writing this blog…another scary endeavor. However, as usual God has blessed me for stepping out of the boat and following His guidance. A dear friend of mine challenged me a little over a year ago to not only choose a scripture of the day but to also choose a word for the day. That practice has become a daily routine now and my word of the day challenges me to stretch and grow. I often record my scripture and word of the day in my journal. Writing it down helps to hold me accountable. And now I share not only my scripture but also word of the day with several people each day. See how God has taken a simple morning routine and blessed and grown His ministry! I have recently read about choosing a word for a new year so stay tuned for my word for 2017.

What about you? Do you have a daily time to be still and know He is God? Is your time morning, mid-day, or evening? If you do not have a specific time of day set aside to spend with God I encourage you to pray about beginning. Ask God to pinpoint a time the two of you can grow closer and know that it may not be a time that you find easy or convenient at first. Choose a spot for your time with God. Be sure it is cozy but not too comfortable that you will fall asleep. Create an area that has everything you need to make this time successful. Select some resources to read, sign up to receive emails, or download apps. I receive emails from The Upper Room, Proverb 31 ministries, and Christine Caine. I have the following apps; Joyce Meyer Ministries, First 5, and Daily Hope with Rick Warren. I also have a Bible app. Gather some pens, pencils, highlighters. You may want a notebook or journal to write down things that stand out or speak to you. I have recently enjoyed lighting a candle during my special time with God.

If you begin a special time with God I promise you He will bless you through your faithful routine.  He will grow you spiritually and He will speak.  And beware…He may just ask you to step out of the boat in faith and do things you never thought possible. Just ask me….now I am a morning person. 

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

#Prayer

#Passion   By: Julie Wicker

Father,

We dedicate this time to seek you with all our hearts, keeping your commandments so that we may not stray. Ps 119:10. Create in us a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within us Ps 51:10. Make your word come alive in us so that we burn for you Luke 24:32. Help us to be still in your presence and know that you are God and we are not Ps 46:10. In receiving your kingdom, one that cannot be shaken, may we always be in awe, serving you with grace, oh Lord our all-consuming fire Heb 12:28-29. We are zealous for you and desire to serve you fervently Ro 12:11. As we seek your kingdom and all your glory, may your favor shine upon us today Mat 6:33.

In the name of Jesus

Amen

#Worshipwithus

First by Lauren Daigle

 

 

 

 

 

 

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