For the month of September, these have been the 4 One Words for us to "Focus" on:
CULTIVATE
week of September 8
ILLUMINATE
week of September 15
COURAGE
week of September 22
With this being our last One Word Focus:
BEAUTY
this last week of September 29
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As I attempted in August, I'm going to perhaps try again & do it this time in September -
to only post this one blog post for the entire month, but change each week
The One Word in BOLD type will be the One Word FOCUS that week.
For now, I will be sharing the basics:
Scripture(s)
[I plan to LINK the One Word to Bible Hub Topical search]
As I have done with the 1st One Word,
I hope to add
at least that much each week for the other
One Words weekly.
These One Words are so very important
this fall & always, so
Let's
on
week of September 29
"... open your eyes to what God sees as BEAUTIFUL ... "
and thank Him for all the BEAUTY
He reveals to you.
| For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes & pride of life-is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:16 ESV |
| 1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV; Song of Solomon 4:7 ESV; 1 Samuel 16:7 ESV; Psalm 27:4 ESV |
"Jesus, Your BEAUTY surrounds. Help me to see."
Thank You Lord Jesus
[You can STOP reading HERE]
but please be sure to go to the
COMMENTS
to share & read
Finding myself SEEKING CALM this week in any
BEAUTY
understanding more & more why God
spoke that One Word: CALM for me for 2024
Too much is happening in our world & lives
was for the week of September 8
CCR's main scripture for her devotional:
| May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17 NIV |
| Ecclesiastes 3:2 NASB; Proverbs 28:19 NASB; Galatians 6:9 NIV; Luke 1:37 BSB |
Not just my choice, but my prayer!
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[credit image: Bible Hub; Ephesians 3:9]
week of September 15
"to supply or brighten with light, to make clear"
definition given by CCR in opening sentence
| In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works & give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 ESV |
| Daniel 5:14 NASB; John 1:9 NASB; Luke 11:34 NLT; Ephesians 1:18 NASB |
"Jesus, when I abide, You illuminate."
week of September 22
| Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD! Psalm 31:24 ESV |
| Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV; Psalm 56:3-4 CSB; Psalm 27:1 NKJV; Joshua 1:9 NIV |
It came to me as I pondered this new One Word that:
both encouragement & discouragement
have "courage" in the center.
Most of us prefer the first, but it takes courage for both,
maybe more for the latter.
For this week’s word of CULTIVATE, I was surprised to find it hard to choose from the book just a quote or two that really spoke to me. So much was spot on for my life and there were many “ouches!” and “really?” spoken in my mind. The garden analogy was wonderful, I thought, and will make me ponder this week on “what is growing in the garden of my life right now?”
ReplyDelete“The attempt to have everything makes it impossible for anything to thrive because every plant begins to steal nutrients from another in order to survive.”
“But we can trust that when we unearth our purpose in Jesus and begin to plant what matters to Him, He will give us all we need to flourish.”
Amen! I need wisdom and clarity to cultivate what matters!
Oh sis how I agree about this devo on CULTIVATE - the whole 'gardening' analogy repeatedly spoke clearly, personally & loudly (ouches, really & oh yeah) - each paragraph CULTIVATES such applicable parts from roots to plants flourishing! If I chose one, it seemed like I needed to continue to the next & the next until I almost would have an entire paragraph.
DeleteI appreciate the your two choices & that ponder question! Your 1st choice (out of context) just reading it here really hit me, even moreso than in the devo because I focused on each section so that when I got to the last part of how 'the plant begins to steal nutrients from another to survive' I felt this so strongly & powerfully in this moment & how another plant has been stealing my nutrients & draining me of survival & thriving that I just about burst into tears. It caused me to really think about you, too! I had to go back in the book & check my highlights & look for that quote in context - and right after that I had highlighted
"we learn the hard way that we were never meant to do EVERYTHING" {ouch} then I also highlighted the next sentence too!
You're so right, there's so much!
I guess there were two things that I would have chosen as well that comes later:
(the paragraph that begins with)
"Cultivating joy ... preceded by obedience. Cultivating peace ... attained by planting seeds of solitude. Cultivating courage ... plowing the field & still showing up when the harvest feels distant..." reverberates deep down inside of me as I pondered this.
Then, I guess I would go all the way to the last sentence of CCR's devo ... "As we CULTIVATE WITH JESUS, {it's very important that it's WITH JESUS because we often try on our own} our focus will turn from the harvest to the process and our heart will be reminded {let it be so} that our true reward is in daily trusting Him." [Your 2nd quote was the sentence that preceded this ending, and oh my how we really do need His wisdom & clarity to "begin to plant" to CULTIVATE what matters {again - to HIM} and may what matters to us align with what matters to Him (and vice versa really) that our minds & hearts would be in sync rooted & branching out from abiding in the Vine/the Vinedresser. The portion on "removing roots are hard work"
with "replacing the weeds will require ..." was like you wrote "spot on" ... "digging, dirty hands & diligent care" {so, so good} "to make room for things that give life" and water with life giving water (from the Word of God).
So, so needed and so very timely & such precious CULTIVATION!
The biggest example in the outside nature is crabgrass; & trying to rid it from ones' lawn & those roots & the way it spreads & comes back - no matter what you do or use or how unsuccessful it seems when you see it's back again & overtaking. Apply this to our spiritual or regular life & you realize how very much we need "to establish the work of our hands" and the words from our mouths to be life-giving. So many valuable lessons in this one short 2 page concise devo with so much to ponder about our gardens & lives & what we plant, the care we give, and what we may CULTIVATE! To God be the glory that what we hope & are able to do will each day be more of His will & less of ours.
Thanks sis for such ILLUMINATING thoughts! that spoke & inspire me as always with much love & encouragement.
Oh, amen, sis! I loved all you added! Such a wonderful devotional!
Delete"Where we live matters. Not only house-wise, but heart-wise. We can live in fear. We can live in denial. We can live in aggravation. We can live in regret. Each of these “places” creates tension and, if we continue to dwell there, leaves us feeling dissatisfied, isolated, unstable, or fearful. They’re not wise, healthy places to hang out and call home; our hearts cannot thrive there." ... from another devotional today 9/9/24 Psalm 91:1 AMPC "A Holy Hideaway"~Julie Gillies
ReplyDelete(and that's not including her prayer & just the beginning)
🙏🏻
DeleteILLUMINATE ... Ephesians 3:9; 1:18 (uses "enlighten")and Psalm 18:28 TPT (in YV Prayer) have the One Word ILLUMINATE because CCR quote "The Word of Jesus is what ILLUMINATES our path (goes with last fall image) and gives us wisdom to know when to go right and when to turn left." (but that's not my favorite quote for this week) ... but CCR uses ILLUMINATION more than ILLUMINATEs and ILLUMINATING (all forms of the One Word). So as usual I choose the final statement, but not this time (although it's good, you need the entire paragraph) I am selecting one of her ILLUMINATION parts" ILLUMINATION is what paves the way for revelation and transformation." Powerful and ever true. But CCR goes on with ... "It is through the process of ILLUMINATION that our eyes are opened to the WAY WE SHOULD RIGHTLY SEE OTHERS ..." And the BIG CLINCHER is in the question that follows ..."How would our lives change if we thought less about influencing others and more about ILLUMINATING JESUS? Amen and amen. Hallelujah! YES! Of course, the FOCUS TIP suggests we look for ways to ILLUMINATE JESUS in all we do ... I will try my best but my back is out of whack and inhibiting me from serving or lighting much even in my own little space & certainly not to the ones around me however I am praying that LIGHT shine into their darkness & bring glory to Jesus' name -soon and very soon before it's no longer possible. If one is really talking with God, I pray that he takes the time to listen to what God is telling him, instead of trying to make his two cent proposal to him that he would receive & accept the Father speak clearly that Jesus is the only Way ... to Me; when you get that point, we can negotiate or talk further (lol) ... How often when we need God, we let Him know our deal and not open our ears, eyes & heart to His Will & His Way & just surrender? It's way past time to do this, but still available if only we HEAR HIM call!
ReplyDeleteWow! We were on the same page with choices from the book! I totally agree and unfortunately realize that my illumination of the Lord needs help! Looking forward to what He shows us this week!
DeletePraying your back problems improve. They do make it difficult and all the more harder 🙏🏻
DeleteI'm not surprised that we were in sync & I don't think there's anyone who doesn't need God's help in our illumination of Jesus & His glory in our day to day! Watching & waiting for all He shows & ILLUMINATES 😉🕊️🙌🏼🙏🏼🥰
DeleteThank you so much for your prayers 💚! It is a serious challenge in so many ways. I certainly appreciate you & your prayers for me & this situation❣️
DeleteIt's an honor to pray for you, sis🙏🏻 and also to praise the Lord along with you🙌🏻 He's always by our sides and in our hearts....we are never alone in our struggles!
Delete"Light of the world
ReplyDeleteYou stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
King of all days
Oh, so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love's sake became poor
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God"...
Great song choice!
DeleteThe song just flowed out of me as I finished writing - an oldie but goody in all times! Thanks!
DeleteCOURAGE - I'm pretty sure that I'm not COURAGEOUS. In fact, I'm pretty much the opposite (avoiding name calling of myself). I try to be an enCOURAGER but my life course seems to share & speak out more disCOURAGing words, putting my worst side forward. And if my insecurity is the reason or fear of our (my) future but not eternity (PTL) and so much uncertainty surrounds each & every day - which means this devo let me know right from the start that my "reserve tank" is quite empty when it comes to COURAGE; panic strikes more.
ReplyDeleteThe first quote that I highlighted, which means it stood out is: "The more COURAGE we use, the more we find."
No wonder I my tanks run on empty & fear causes panic, sleepless nights, crabby days, and an anxious spirit that I usually call concern (out of control). But this quote is what I really need & am counting on & leaning in to "We can operate in COURAGE in our present because our future cannot be harmed by
an enemy that has no control over it unless we give it to him." I refuse time & time again giving the enemy any control but he sure is working overtime & I continue to pray to be more confident about deliverance from fear & all that easily is unleashed especially when my energy & sleep are deprived that makes me so weak even when I am armored up.
I just don't know how to have COURAGE! I really want God's strength & power to face my future more filled with COURAGE. I thank You that I can walk without fear & be unafraid because of Your Spirit in me.
Actually, my favorite part in CCR's COURAGE is the entire paragraph that starts with "And the more exciting part? ... And better yet: He is walking with us, depositing COURAGE as we go." + "But we must walk forward in order to know the COURAGE that lies within us!" Yes, 🙌🏼 Lord - this is the enCOURAGEment we(I)need. Thank You. All I can add is a plea to not let the enemy steal this from me today or rob me of Your Word or this passage and quotes or take yet another day from us, filling us with angst & so many issues that compile around us. I lift up the many to You, so many facing heavy trials & even death or loss of loved ones. Be with us, Holy Comforter & Shepherd of our souls. The world needs You & we need COURAGE & strength to find the CALM & fruit of Your Spirit. Fill our days & our minds & hearts & lives in Jesus' COURAGEOUS name, I pray with all my love & gratitude for Your mercies & aMazing Grace as we start another day. The battle is long & the struggles so hard, but You are ever so faithful & in it with us. Let us stand COURTEOUSLY with You!
DeleteI have always seen you as both courageous and encouraging! From your time spent living in another country teaching,preaching, and living your faith, many lives have been forever changed by your courage to go where you were needed. Since 2008 you have encouraged me by your words, prayers, cards, and videos.
DeleteDifferent seasons in life bring more responsibilities and cause low running tanks of that effect us physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. I pray your courage is renewed in an oasis of the Father’s love and provision! You have so many more lives to bring your own unique touch to that I’m sure the Lord will will reveal His strengthening Spirit as He walks with you and follows as your Rear Guard. I love you, sis!
Tears filled my eyes as I read your precious words of enCOURAGEment for me! Thanks sis!
DeleteSuch excellent words of wisdom in your 2nd paragraph as I was able to read better with clear eyes, mind & spirit. You always have such meaningful & beautiful messages for me - soul to soul, heart to heart & I thank God for you & the spirit to spirit unity of hearing each other & God & choosing the same ... special sisterhood & BFF because His truth & the truths you share bring so much light & lighten my heaviness. Bless you & thanks so very much❣️🕊️🤗
DeleteI liked all the examples you gave from the book but especially: “Our experience teaches us that we do not need to see human footprints on the paths we walk because the Savior of the world has walked every path before us”. Amen! Praise the Lord!
ReplyDeleteThe COURAGE images were wonderful but the first one especially spoke to my heart. Truth!
Also the first COURAGE image was the best for me, but all 3 were speaking & I really needed them as reminders to keep before me in this unbearable, relentless week that is just starting yet Sat. & Sun. were way too much & this morning 6:30 call with death of his brother (but not told to him) & the constant call button all day & demands tell me I need more strength & more COURAGE to stay
Delete(2 Timothy 1:7) and Godly direction & help & always wisdom & grace (oh & patience) but I'm beyond exhausted (T too)!
I’m so sorry for yet another loss! Continued prayers for all and for the heavy load you bear🙏🏻🕊️
Delete❤️❤️🥰❤️❤️🤘🏼☂️😇💚🤗
DeleteYes, Amen - that's exactly the part that touched me!!! 🙌🏼🙏🏼
ReplyDelete💚Isaiah 35:4 VOICE
ReplyDeleteTell those who worry, the anxious and fearful, “Take strength; have courage! There’s nothing to fear. Look, here—your God! Right here is your God! The balance is shifting; God will right all wrongs. None other than God will give you success. He is coming to make you safe.”
“Energize the limp hands, strengthen the rubbery knees. Tell fearful souls, “COURAGE! Take heart! God is here, right here, on His way to put things right And redress all wrongs. He’s on His way! He’ll save you!”” Isaiah 35:3-4 MSG
{to my 1st choice} 💙Psalm 22:14 ERV
My strength is gone, like water poured out on the ground. My bones have separated. My COURAGE is gone.
{💚 Voice & MSG brought CALM & much enCOURAGEment to my numb, aching, stressed out, exhausted, burnt-out & overwhelmed mind, body & spirit} BUT God sends an 😇 messenger with the perfect healing, soothing truth from God's Word! Abundant blessings & gratitude as You fill me & fill her with more & more ...
Such a beautiful post and pictures! The Lord provides His children with so much beauty every day that it’s impossible not to see it even in the midst of our troubles.
ReplyDeleteFrom the book, I really liked the last paragraph and especially “Beauty from the inside out, that is His heart. “❤️💙💚
In sync again! See my newest blog post for today!!! Shared that exact part💚💙🫶🏻 Amen to your insight of
Delete"The Lord provides ... in the midst ... " 🙌🏼🕊️😇💚🤟🏻🙏🏼👏🏼