SILENCE

 

[image credit]

If you don't know about this

Summer Book Club

starting today, June 17th

of Courtney's 

newest book release 

"Still Standing"

please go visit her at 

Women Living Well

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Since our focus this week is

SILENCE 

I couldn't pass up sharing this image

when I saw it in Courtney's blog post today.

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YouVersion has a sample 5 day plan of

"Still Standing"

too

but the real book is always better

{I gifted mine to my daughter when she was interested}

Otherwise, this might have been a book review

but for now it's sharing a great book 

for this summer for all

who are facing struggles and

would like to be "Still Standing" just like

Courtney Joseph Fallick

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then

we can be

Still Stamding

stronger

with

God

even in the

SILENCE

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🙏🏼

with hope

Still Standing Book Trailer

as shared in Courtney's blog post website

JUNE One Word Focus - 3 SILENCE

For the month of June, these will be the 4 One Words for us to "Focus" on:

LITTLE

June 2nd

HONESTY

June 9th

SILENCE

June 16th

PACE

June 23

Interesting combination!

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LITTLE did I realize that when I shared all 4 One Words for June that I would need to just use this one post to FOCUS for all of June with just a few tweaks here and there. Due to summer & circumstances out of my control, this is going to be a monthly post, just changes to update the next One Word in BOLD & Underlined. I decided this back in the blog post of June 9th.

If you read that week's blog post (linked above) and the one on HONESTY then you can just scroll ahead to each next section (indicated by another FOCUS image) until you arrive on this week's One Word.

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For the first week, June 2nd, the One Word is was:

LITTLE

The scripture verse from
Luke 16:10

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”

As you can see, the author has chosen a verse this time with the
One Word: LITTLE(actually used twice in that verse)
The other scripture verses in the book this week:
Matthew 13:32 (ESV); Matthew 25:21 (ESV);John 6:9 (ESV); Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
And the 3 quotes that I shared from the devotional with the One Word: LITTLE

"... We undermine the "big" that our God can do with our LITTLE step, so we clamor and reach for more before going forward." ...

"... The LITTLE is never actually LITTLE when it's in the Potter's hands." ...

"... May we give our LITTLE & our best so that He can make it big & do the rest."

"Jesus the LITTLE I give, much You can do."

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the 2nd One Word on June 9th:

HONESTY[linked to Bible Hub for definition & topical study]
The main scripture verse in the devotional (not using the One Word)

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.1 John 3:18 NIV

However there are scripture verses with the One Word
HONESTY/ or honest
in the Old Testament (50)
[quite a few in Proverbs; I have not listed them all]

Genesis 30:31 MSG; Genesis 30:33 AMP; Judges 9: 16 & 9:19 NASB; 1 King 9:4 CEB; 2 Kings 12:15 NIV; ...Psalms (7); Proverbs (15); Isaiah (12); Jeremiah (2)..

and in the New Testament (16)

Matthew 23:23 NLT; Mark 12:14 Voice; Luke 2:33 MSG Luke 3:13 TLB; Luke 8:15 Voice; Romans 3:7 TLB; Romans 15:8 AMPC; Romans 15:15 Voice; Romans 16:19 MSG;

Here are a couple scripture verses with HONESTY that stood out to me:

"And so while there has never been any question about your HONESTY in these matters—I couldn’t be more proud of you!—I want you also to be smart, making sure every “good” thing is the real thing. Don’t be gullible in regard to smooth-talking evil. Stay alert like this, and before you know it the God of peace will come down on Satan with both feet, stomping him into the dirt. Enjoy the best of Jesus!" Romans 16:19 MSG

"May integrity and HONESTY protect me, for I put my hope in you." Psalm 25:21 NLT (also in GNT, GW, NCV with HONESTY)

Now without having read the devotional before I share this, I am highlighting (out of context) some quotes where the author used the One Word:
HONESTY

"... HONESTY is sometimes the last things we want to practice and therefore we must. HONESTY turns our heart back to Jesus."

"... HONESTY is the process of continually putting our trust in God and knowing that His grace is enough." "So, let's be HONEST - with ourselves, others, God, and the world around us. HONESTY will give space for lasting, true relationships & put us back in our rightful place at the feet of Jesus, where we belong."

The other scripture verses in the devotion this week:
1 John 1:6 NIV; Proverbs 12:22 NIV; 2 Corinthians 8:21 ESV; Proverbs 10:9 NIV
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[image credit]
for the 3rd week of June, the One Word is:
SILENCE
{The easiest way to do this post is just to let it remain in SILENCE and...}
 hopefully God will speak through this 
SILENCE
but  then we would miss out on our

FOCUS on SILENCEwith CCR, the author; & her devotional
This week's scripture verse:

‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3 NIV

I believe that I have heard it said that Jeremiah 33:3 is God's 911 number
This week's One Word: SILENCEhas plenty of Bible verses that include the One Word and the definition can be found at Bible Hub/ Topical Search ofSILENCE (80 occurrences listed with Bible Hub)
[216 verses containing SILENCE in another great source]
Yet Cleere Cherry Reaves chose to use God's 911 verse to write onSILENCE.[which makes me think how prophetic Jeremiah was before the 400 yearsof God's silence between the Old & the New Testament.] I can't imagine living that long without anyone hearing from God, because when I think God's silent in His relationship with me, I generally think it's me; either I'm not listening well; or sadly, at times, I wonder what I did or why. But I don't think God works that way. I often call out to God: morning, noon, and all through the night (lol), I'm very needy and have many others & concerns in this world that I constantly find myself reaching out, calling to Him & waiting for His answer - and searching & seeking His great unsearchable things I need to know. If you know me personally, you would know that I am not one (in my past) that enjoyed the SILENCE but now, more and more, I find myself hoping for SILENCE from this world's noise so I can hear more closely what God might be speaking to me, and others; if we would only focus & listen better. So let's see what the author has to say this week on SILENCE! (Remember, I have not yet read the devotional & only do a quick search for the One Word: SILENCE.) 
Here is my top choice, because there seems to be a few this week, but this one speaks directly to my spirit & heart (with a huge & loud "amen"):

"Sitting in SILENCE will be uncomfortable sometimes, but wisdom says we should get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Nothing is richer than a life of peace. May we take time to sit in SILENCE so we can hear the One who is capable of giving it."

The other scripture verses for the devotional this week are:
Philippians 4:9 NIV; Proverbs 3:6 MSG;Romans 10:17 NIV; John 10:27-28 ESV
The verses I have chosen so far with the One Word: SILENCE in the verse

"You hear us pray in words and SILENCE; all humanity comes into Your presence." Psalm 65:2 Voice

"Don’t be bluffed into SILENCE by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in His hands." Matthew 10:28 MSG

"Then I heard a great voice in heaven. A Voice: Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Anointed One have come. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who relentlessly accuses them day and night before our God, has been cast down and silenced." Revelation 12:10 Voice

Now to honor God once a day (as the Focus Tip suggests) and"sit in SILENCE, turn off the technology, and listen."
BE STILLand KNOW
HIM as GOD

Enjoy your moments ofSILENCEwith our King Jesusthe only One who is worthy!

JUNE One Word Focus Words - 2 HONESTY

For the month of June, these will be the 4 One Words for us to "Focus" on:

LITTLE

HONESTY

SILENCE

PACE

Interesting combination!

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LITTLE did I realize that when I shared all 4 One Words for June that I would need to just use this one post to FOCUS for all of June with just a few tweaks here and there. Due to summer & circumstances out of my control, this is going to be a monthly post, just changes to update the next One Word in BOLD & Underlined. If you read last week's blog post (linked above) then you can just scroll ahead to the next section (indicated by another FOCUS image) 

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For the first week, the One Word is was:

LITTLE

The scripture verse from
Luke 16:10

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”

As you can see, the author has chosen a verse this time with the
One Word: LITTLE(actually used twice in that verse)
The other scripture verses in the book this week:
Matthew 13:32 (ESV); Matthew 25:21 (ESV);John 6:9 (ESV); Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
And the 3 quotes that I shared from the devotional with the One Word: LITTLE

"... We undermine the "big" that our God can do with our LITTLE step, so we clamor and reach for more before going forward." ...

"... The LITTLE is never actually LITTLE when it's in the Potter's hands." ...

"... May we give our LITTLE & our best so that He can make it big & do the rest."

"Jesus the LITTLE I give, much You can do."

<><>
the 2nd One Word in June:

HONESTY[linked to Bible Hub for definition & topical study]
The main scripture verse in the devotional (not using the One Word)

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.1 John 3:18 NIV

However there are scripture verses with the One Word
HONESTY/ or honest
in the Old Testament (50)
[quite a few in Proverbs; I have not listed them all]

Genesis 30:31 MSG; Genesis 30:33 AMP; Judges 9: 16 & 9:19 NASB; 1 King 9:4 CEB; 2 Kings 12:15 NIV; ...Psalms (7); Proverbs (15); Isaiah (12); Jeremiah (2)..

and in the New Testament (16)

Matthew 23:23 NLT; Mark 12:14 Voice; Luke 2:33 MSG Luke 3:13 TLB; Luke 8:15 Voice; Romans 3:7 TLB; Romans 15:8 AMPC; Romans 15:15 Voice; Romans 16:19 MSG;

Here are a couple scripture verses with HONESTY that stood out to me:

"And so while there has never been any question about your HONESTY in these matters—I couldn’t be more proud of you!—I want you also to be smart, making sure every “good” thing is the real thing. Don’t be gullible in regard to smooth-talking evil. Stay alert like this, and before you know it the God of peace will come down on Satan with both feet, stomping him into the dirt. Enjoy the best of Jesus!" Romans 16:19 MSG

"May integrity and HONESTY protect me, for I put my hope in you." Psalm 25:21 NLT (also in GNT, GW, NCV with HONESTY)

Now without having read the devotional before I share this, I am highlighting (out of context) some quotes where the author used 
HONESTY
{well, truthfully, I believe that she uses HONESTY in all she writes}
I mean that she used the One Word: HONESTY

"... HONESTY is sometimes the last things we want to practice and therefore we must. HONESTY turns our heart back to Jesus."

"... HONESTY is the process of continually putting our trust in God and knowing that His grace is enough." "So, let's be HONEST - with ourselves, others, God, and the world around us. HONESTY will give space for lasting, true relationships & put us back in our rightful place at the feet of Jesus, where we belong."

In a small way, I must HONESTLY let you know that I deal constantly with people not telling the truth and wonder if they are being truthful with their selves and in part, this is why I had to condense this blog post into just one for the month of June & perhaps in the future. I sense that someone is not HONESTLY being straight with me about much & I realize the damage it will do to our relationship (if I'm right) & I'll dislike finding out that I am being duped (played) or even being given half-truths. Yet, sad to say, sometimes individuals do this as a cover & quite HONESTLY perhaps they unconsciously do not realize this, because it's become a pattern/habit in their life or they find a need to continue this way to not disappoint & just deal & cope with their situation the best that they can. We, unintentionally, put others or keep others in this position; because they think that being honest (truthful) will upset or alienate, cause pain, rejection, anger, further hardship, hurt, & consequences they'd rather avoid, without knowing that the truth will set them free so they keep trying to keep the lie going until ... the truth is made known. This quite likely is not the drift of this week's devotional so I apologize for adding my 2 cents from my own life experience (but trust me, I have much more; as I wait for God to reveal more truth to me). He has in my past so I am very reluctant and perhaps why I am hesitant and very untrusting of others. I, too, went through times in my personal life when I failed to be honest, but God forgave me, showed mercy & extended much grace - as I should also now.
The other scripture verses in the devotion this week:
1 John 1:6 NIV; Proverbs 12:22 NIV; 2 Corinthians 8:21 ESV; Proverbs 10:9 NIV
That's why INTEGRITY is so important to me!{especially in our government leaders, & I'm using that word loosely}
It's takes character & integrity to be a leader. And also honesty.
"Jesus, I choose HONESTY, even when it's hard"
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Next week, I will move this one forward, eliminate & add the next One Word: SILENCE.

  

One Word Focus: 1 LITTLE

For the month of June, these will be the 4 One Words for us to "Focus" on:

LITTLE

HONESTY

SILENCE

PACE

Interesting combination!

<>

So for this first week, the One Word is:

LITTLE

The scripture verse is from
Luke 16:10

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”

As you can see, the author has chosen a verse this time with the
One Word: LITTLE(actually used twice in that verse)
The other scripture verses in the book this week:
Matthew 13:32 (ESV); Matthew 25:21 (ESV);John 6:9 (ESV); Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
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For being a LITTLE One Word, it sure has many verses and occurrences

with 9 definitions (most with small in it, some with short)
so a little less than half of the Biblical occurrences
are with the meaning "small"
And the nearly 1,000 verses with "little" in the verse begin at
Genesis and cover all the way to Revelation
so there are many to choose from.
Without reading the devotional, as of yet, I am choosing this verse:

" Philippians 4:10-14 The Message (MSG) I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don’t mean that your help didn’t mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles. "

Doing a quick search of this devotion (not including the scripture),
I find about 6 (or 7) uses of "LITTLE" in the book,
but 2 of those are in the FOCUS TIP & it's a good tip.
I will randomly share 3 of these - not necessarily my favorite part but just because
LITTLE
is
in them

"... We undermine the "big" that our God can do with our LITTLE step, so we clamor and reach for more before going forward." ...

Now, remember, I'm not reading the context around these yet as I select.
However, I do understand that all God needs is our small step indicating our willingness,
to help us and encourage our "LITTLE" faith in stepping out & believing 
yet often we hold back, waiting for more just to confirm; and
 He's waiting to just see us step out in faith & act on the "LITTLE" 

"... The LITTLE is never actually LITTLE when it's in the Potter's hands." ...

this one is actually quite good and I'm sure that there are MANY sermons 
on this concept

"... May we give our LITTLE & our best so that He can make it big & do the rest."

Now that's really good advice,
especially if we are afraid or feeling inadequate or uncertain
or just a LITTLE intimidated of trying anything new.
Each of us are unique vessels 
in the Master's hands
designed
to do
our
LITTLE
for His purpose & His glory
each step counts
&
each of us are necessary in
His Kingdom
as we surrender to His will
LITTLE becomes MUCH
{all the way through this, since I started, that one phrase was in my head}
first it was: 
 LITTLE requires MUCH & then I decided that it really should be: 
LITTLE becomes MUCH
[so I went back & inserted that image in the beginning]
which is exactly where He led me & will lead you as you step out
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So let's follow this week's 
FOCUS TIP
in faith
&
watch
the Master Potter
"melt us, mold us, fill us, use us"
Spirit of the Living God
fall afresh on me