RENEW, REBUILD & RESTORE our HOPE in 2021

One month has already gone by in 2021 and once again (I think) I have not shared my One Word for 2021, although I a lotm fairly certain of my verse in the Bible that contains that One Word ... however there are various words in that Scripture verse that it could be, such as "Hope", which I've heard or been told, many are leaning towards "Hope" in 2021 (understandably, after 2020). Yet HOPE already has been one of my One Words in previous years, which does not mean that it could not be again. As with my One Word that had been PROMISE for 2020, I still have plenty that could keep me focused on God's Promises for an eternity and I probably will in many ways, continue to seek His Promises on any given topic. The same may be true with the repitition of any of the One Words that I had in previous years, like "HOPE" but I don't think that's the One for me, for 2021. It could be though, so I'm not ruling it out completely. Like I mentioned, it is in my verse! But I'm still not revealing my verse or my One Word ... from many words & His Word. 

Another word that is in my verse for 2021 is RENEW, which seems like that might be a really good One Word also. Starting this month of February, over at YouVersion (bible.com), there is a 21 day challenge that I usually have done in other years. In fact, the reason that I decided to do a blog post today, is/was to share this and a reading plan that I did back in 2019 with the word RENEW, even if it isn't my One Word. I have decided that it is one that would be good to share here on aMazing Grace, especially since it is connected to my One Word - actually it's the action word (verb) to my One Word. However, the reading plan has a couple other words, related to RENEW ... which I believe will be helpful to me once again, as this plan was back in 2019. I have not chosen this for my plan again over at YouVersion because there are so many other new ones to choose from but I have been setting myself & time aside (doing a fast somewhat) so  I can Seek God more diligently & hunger after Him better to meet me in this season of restoration & renewal, being rebuilt in my faith in so many aspects already in 2021 but perhaps mainly because of 2020. I think 2020 was a year of having a 20/20 vision for many of us that refocused & challenged us, stretching us to the maximum & still requiring more from us, & in us, & through us. So it only seems fit that these 21 days should be in prayer & fasting, refocusing on God, His Word, His Way, His Will.

Let's Run Forward in 2021, perhaps with this reading plan, in part, or along with another one you already have chosen and let's

RENEW, REBUILD & RESTORE                          in 2021

Of course, there are many other good plans at YouVersion and studies available right now, with so much available now online.

This one, not only goes well with my One Word, but also with a Faith Gateway and Chrystal Evans Hurst's 28 day Prayer Journey plan that I've already started, as well as the one that Max Lucado has on his new book,*Begin Again... with Bible Gateway as a reading club. I had already begun 2021 with First 5 in the book of Ephesians, so truthfully this was plenty for me to focus & fill up my daily faith journey putting Jesus first & center in my life. 

"Jesus, as I start this 21 day challenge & continue with others, help me to do it from a heart that wishes to know You better, rather than just for what You can do for me. I want to finish this journey more in love with You than when I started. Amen."

*By the way, the rest of the title of Max Lucado's "Begin Again..." book is "... Your HOPE and RENEWAL Start Today".  

<><><>

Day 1 of 21

days in prayer from

RENEW, REBUILD & RESTORE

Dear Heavenly Father, we pray that Your Holy Spirt and Your glory will fill our hearts as we set out these next 21 days in prayer. Help me to be open to hear from You and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s voice in my life. Lead us and guide us as we will be renewed, rebuilt and restored through our prayers. We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Please join me and others in prayer & this reading challenge to RUN FORWARD for the next 21 days, however you choose with God, the Father, Son & Holy Spirit! The Church and our Country really need us to RETURN to JESUS in 2021. Fix our eyes on Him & may our Words & Hearts follow Jesus only. RELY on JESUS, REST in Him and READ His WORD, not the words of others. Let's SEEK Him alone, for our Salvation is found in Him. Be REFRESHED! 

{I hope to be back with at least a Prayer each day!}

A Very Happy & Blessed Birthday

to my special sister & friend

in Christ

💚

EMBRACING SILENCE

I guess I should have shared this before the day that it starts

which is today - sorry, I'm late

October 1st

 

through

October 5th

{but it's been done before and hopefully will again, 

however, you could do this anytime and continue...}

5 Minutes with Jesus

This challenge is with Sheila Walsh's devotional bundle through FaithGateway

YouVersion also has 5 day reading plans:

5 MINUTES WITH JESUS: MAKING TODAY MATTER 5 MINUTES WITH JESUS: PEACE FOR TODAY 5 MINUTES WITH JESUS: A FRESH INFUSION OF JOY 5 MINUTES WITH JESUS: QUIET TIME FOR YOUR SOUL

...when you sign-up, you receive free downloads, one of which includes:

"Quiet Time Strategies and Prayer"

and

midway through this pdf

I read this:

"... Embracing Silence ... "First we need to get comfortable with the silence! For just a few minutes each day, unplug. Turn off anything that makes background noise. You might be surprised how threatening it feels at first! If it helps ease your mind, set a timer and remind yourself that it is very unlikely that anything will occur in that five minutes that cannot wait. Then take a few deep breaths, and sit quietly with God. Read a psalm. Say a prayer. Sing a hymn or song of praise. Read a devotional like one of those in the 5 Minutes with Jesus series. How you spend your time with God is up to you!" ...

the rest of this is just as valuable

HOWEVER

I pause with those first words

EMBRACING SILENCE

even when I try

my mind

does

NOT

my mind needs to be rewired

to learn to stop 

any whirring

of

thoughts

and

noises

{both exterior and interior}

to be void and quiet to listen

to hear the small

whispers

of

God

and

BE STILL

it's quite the struggle for me

and

a real learning process

I spend much time trying to be in silence

and unlike others; it's not the phone or tv or social media

that disrupts my silence

I won't even try to explain the details of all this personal deal

but the first devotion by Sheila Walsh

in another free download of

5 days of Quiet Time devotions

to get started

with perfect words

"Noise Pollution"

which of course, is about those other sounds

You might think that being a person

with newly discovered hearing loss

and 

learning to get accustom to my

hearing aides

mainly

to train my brain

I am keenly aware of sounds

Many times I take them out

with the hope of not hearing sounds

but it doesn't work

Upon first learning of my hearing loss,

I thought I would treasure all noises

and be grateful that I can still hear

even without using them

but it's a matter of

retraining your brain as to what sounds

are important to hear and those that you don't need

{like hearing myself chew or my dog's nails on the floor}

So

I am trying to

EMBRACE

SILENCE

and

plan to get away from home alone

later this week until a special day next week

{actually for this day to make it special for me}

going up north

with the

cold

not as enjoyable

but

I was hoping to capture the

fall colors and nature

with

God

so

I'll be taking my bundle of

Quiet Time

with me

Since I am in the habit of spending my waking moments

with

Jesus

in the quiet of the morning

and

ending with His Word & Him

in the evening

this is not the part that is the challenge for me

{I do know however that this challenge is for me (and you) if you let it}

Hope you can find some

Quiet and Rest

in the days ahead

also

Peace be with you

in

Jesus Christ

MY 3rd WEEK 'EMBRACED' ...

EMBRACED

in June of

2019

Part 1: EMBRACING

the Pursuit of Him and His Direction

my 3rd week and a little more

... Knowing God is Holding Me (& You) Close

The first devotion for this 3rd venture is also the last one in the You Version (day 5) as I continue to EMBRACE Rest Reassured or in Lysa's book, it's ... #16 "Space to Exhale" [Isaiah 58:13-14], which begins with the word "Rest. ..." so clearly, the order of this day, falling on Sunday ... Sabbath ... is REST still, in fact the Bible verse tells us to keep from breaking the Sabbath and doing as we please on the Father's Holy Day, even if it's "father's day", our Heavenly Father should always come first.

So I will pause, for now, and continue the rest of this at another time ...

17. "Chasing Down our Decisions" Proverbs 27:12

18. "Read This Before Making that Decision" Isaiah 49:10;  Psalm 23:1-3(NKJV); Jeremiah 31:9(ESV)

19. "Paralyzing Fear" 1 Peter 5:7; Isaiah 43:1; Romans 8:38-39

I recall back in the late 80's listening to a wonderful woman give a message and prayer call at an Aglow meeting if anyone needed prayer because of 'fear'. I was certain that this was not so, for me and even when someone asked me if I wanted prayer for that, I said "no, I don't have a problem with fear" - little did I know that I soon would find out (and am still discovering) just how much 'fear' I do struggle with ... accompanied with insecurity. In fact, I have recently experienced (as I did back then after this meeting) I have fear that indeed paralyzes me! PTSD - I have post tramatic stress disorder and I never fought in a military war but seem to battle spiritual wars frequently and am just learning better how to know the enemy, his strategies and how to use my spiritual weapon yet I still find myself weak at times and become paralyzed by fear, even certain sounds cause that fear to rise up within me (elevates my bp too, dealing with this currently). {sigh} so I've learned to battle on my knees and use verses from God's Word. Lysa's devotion just reminded me to use scriptures rather than cling to fear or let fear paralyze me, one of which is my Life Verse: 2 Timothy 1:7. I have also added deep breathing exercise along with ABIDE at night time to help me let go and sleep. Dr. Michelle Bengston has the perfect Rx of 40 Scriptures and sound advice, sent in my email (again) just in time 

20. "The Most Nonfrantic Woman I've Ever Met" Proverbs 22:1

21. "The Two Most Powerful Words" Matthew 3:17

22. "Analysis Paralysis" Romans 8:26-28

23. "Five Questions to Ask When Making a Decision" Luke 14:28-30 (NKJV)

... which only leaves 3 more devotions in Part 1  so I'm including them here also rather than another post with only these last ones

24. "God, I'm Worn Out" Psalm 142:3 NLT

25. "In the Flow" 2 Peter 1:3

26. "Practicing Wisdom" Proverbs 2:1-2; 4-5

*words in this color are Lysa's from in her book

I
EMBRACE
this quote as my favorite

..."Seeking to obey God in the midst of whatever circumstance I'm facing will position me to work in the flow of God's power."...Lysa T. #25

... however, if I reword the one in #21 that probably suits me better ... "When a woman lives with the stress of an overwhelmed schedule, she'll ache with the sadness of an underwhelmed soul." ... I would replace 'schedule' with "life", because even though I no longer have a busy schedule, my life daily often leaves me overwhelmed, but since that devotion focused on the "two most powerful words" as being "yes" and "no" as regards your schedule, that is why Lysa uses 'schedule', which is so true, that we need to know when to say yes or no. I still probably need to know when, but my stress has nothing to do with an overwhelming schedule. (sigh) For me, it might even be the stress of aging, which is overwhelming and not just my own aging ... I pray that my soul is well and not underwhelmed

so for this journey
I'm EMBRACING "Letting Go" from #19 if only ... whether it's fear or whatever  causing me unnecessary stress easier said than done
<>
Happy Father's Day, Abba! and to all the wonderful dads too

Missing our lil Papa Chimi! {his 3 daughters and I send him our love}

DIRECTION for my next 100 days EMBRACED

Since I finally got around to officially declaring the 2019 One Word as 

EMBRACE

{and its other forms of past and present participles (or gerund)}

Embraced/Embracing

I decided June 1st would be a good time to begin 

Lysa TerKeurst's book*

{that I mentioned back here}

and a

100 day journey

*EMBRACED* 

I began with the YouVersion (sample) 5 day plan, but only for the first three days, then the last two on the appropriate day of her book. I am so blessed to have received the beautiful, hard bound version on Fri. and so glad that I ordered it because it's such a keepsake and as I mentioned so lovely from cover to cover - really a wonderful gift for yourself or someone special {plus I was able to get it under my set limit of $10 and did not have to pay shipping, which is sometimes more than the bargain}. 

Lysa has divided her book into 4 parts

"Part 1: Embracing the Pursuit of Him and His Direction"

devotions 1-26

"Part 2: Embracing the Fullness Found Only in Him"

devotions 27-48

"Part 3: Embracing Him in the Midst of Hurt & Heartache"

devotions 49-75

"Part 4: Embracing His Call to be Transformed"

devotions 76-100
Tempted to begin in Part 3
So, here I am, on June 1st, my mother's birthday, out at her gravesite, cleaning off the headstones of all my family and leaving lilacs from home with one teacup red rose, in remembrance of the dozen that my dad use to bring my mom regularly from her death in 1986 until his in 1998 and while I am able, I hope to at least bring one red rose. I'm accompanied by 1 of my 3 furry friends, who makes herself at home, lying on the grass, where I will be laid as I trim the grass around and clean off the stone. I take out this beautiful turquoise book and begin:

... "Giving My First Moments to God"...

not just reading again the devotion that I had already read  early this morning but allowing myself to actually feel God's EMBRACE meeting me right there, right then
with Psalm 86:11 and 13 then Psalm 84:1 {need to take out my cellphone to read this verse}
however Lysa starts each devotion with a Scripture, the first, and in her devotion, she beautifully pens what two Scriptures remind her of and then beautifully composes a prayer with all of these verses {plus an ending prayer} [you can read these in their entirety in the sample at YouVersion]
I single out this one line from the prayer:

... "Help me to EMBRACE what comes my way as an opportunity ... rather than a personal inconvenience" ...

I have a momentary pause remembering an 'embrace' sadly interrupted  - one my father attempted to give my mother with her final breath. It's been a lasting impression in my mind because of her struggle for air which was the reason for the rejection interruption (in my personal opinion) and until my youngest brother's more peaceful death, I swore I never wanted to be at anyone's death bed because of the fear of having that as the last remembrance of that person. Lament/grief - one lesson yet to be learned, my attitude has changed a little about this but clearly has not been erased. It's remarkable what your mind retains. As my furry friend, Lucky, snaps me back to the current reality ... I gaze up into a beautiful blue sky, as the tear that had welled up in the corner of my eyes disappears and I watch a plane prepare for its landing. Knowing that I, too, will have to prepare for my final landing and I'm so thankful for words like Lysa's that encourage me/you ...
"to know God is Holding You Close" (the rest of her title)
Yes, dear Lord, "teach me Your way ... that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name." Psalm 86:11
as Lysa writes, through His Word, this time alone,  prepares me for what lies ahead, what I need throughout every day as God equips me to handle and strengthens me quietly yet boldly with His loving and aMazing Grace
I depend on this I rely on His EMBRACE I need to 'embrace' the past that prepares me for my future
Yes, Lord I need to EMBRACE Your Pursuit and Your Direction I'm ready to face the rest of today I'm armed with Your truth I'm surrounded by Your love I'm filled with so much gratitude for lessons learned and those I've yet to learn

I can't wait to read the next one:  The Pineapple Principle {I happen to love pineapple. In fact, I even bought a mango-pineapple slush drink  on my way home today}

THANKS GIVING THANKS CHALLENGE 2017 VERSES

2017 is closing quickly on us as we are already into the 5th day of November!

and

as is tradition usually

in blog land

(probably Facebook now)

I join in a

GRATITUDE CHALLENGE

I found a new one

this year from a blogger

(that I think does it on FB too)

with verses reflecting on how 

the daily verse helps us remain faithful

so I'm joining in late with her

30 Days of Thanksgiving

especially because Mrs. C 

(the blog author of Food, Faith, Fatigue)

A Lifestyle Blog on Beating Burnout

appealed to me when she began

with

...Philippians 4:4-7...

{which is also one of the books I am studying with YouVersion and LGG}
for  DAY 1

" 4 Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let joy overflow, for you are united with the Anointed One!  5 Let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near. 6 Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell Him every detail of your life,  7 then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ. " The Passion Translation (TPT)

In previous years, I have shared scriptures as well 

but let's look at these afresh and give our gratitude to God

Day 2 Colossians 3:16-17
Day 3 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Day 4 Psalm 100:3-4
Day 5 Psalm 118:28-29
"...I will bring You praise. For You are the God of my life and I lift You high,  exalting You to the highest place.
So let’s keep on giving our thanks to God, for He is so good!
His constant, tender love lasts forever!"
{as soon as I published this blog post challenge, I noticed the above blogger was no longer continuing to post daily so I am posting enough Thanksgiving Verses to keep us going with being THANKFUL and GIVING THANKS}

1 Chronicles 16:8

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

1 Chronicles 16:34

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

1 Chronicles 16:35

Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.

Psalm 7:17

I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.

Psalm 9:1

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 26:6-7

I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O LORD, proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds.

Psalm 50:23

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”

Psalm 69:30

I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 95:2

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

Psalm 100:4

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

Psalm 107:22

And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

Psalm 116:17

I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.

Psalm 147:7

Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre!

Isaiah 12:1

You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me.

Jeremiah 30:19

Out of them shall come songs of thanksgiving, and the voices of those who celebrate. I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will make them honored, and they shall not be small.

Jeremiah 33:11

Give thanks to the LORD of hosts, for the LORD is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!’

Daniel 2:23

To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king’s matter.”

Amos 4:5

Offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving of that which is leavened, and proclaim freewill offerings, publish them; for so you love to do, O people of Israel!” declares the Lord GOD.

Jonah 2:9

But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!”

1 Corinthians 1:4

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,

2 Corinthians 4:15

For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 9:11

You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Ephesians 5:4

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Philippians 4:6

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Colossians 2:7

rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Colossians 4:2

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

1 Timothy 4:4

For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,

Revelation 11:17

We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.

Revelation 7:12

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

*****

Psalm 103:2-5

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 136:1-3

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

James 1:16-18

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

{I will try to just keep adding on this page the verses but you can always just follow the link to Mrs. C's blog or FB, where she makes beautiful images with the verses and her own added special insights on her posts. I have not decided if I will write as she does yet, although that is the purpose of applying the verses and giving thanks to God every day, not just on Thanksgiving Day.} 
Thank you Mrs. C for your Thanksgiving Challenge for 2017! you were off to a good start and intention, I pray you are able to continue soon.

"... Your life might be hard right now. Things might not be going to plan. But you can still give thanks.  “Our lives don’t have to be perfect for us to be grateful. (That won’t happen this side of eternity.) The truth is gratitude is a choice; a choice that honors God, transforms our countenance, and brings us into His presence.” ... Julie Gillies Crosswalk.com writer Julie K. Gillies prays:  “Lord, I want to cultivate a grateful heart. Please help me, Lord, and open my eyes so that I can see all that I have to be thankful for. Enable me to recognize Your hand of blessing in my day to day life. Help me to express gratitude to You daily, for that is Your will (Ephesians 5:19-20).  “God help me to do all things without complaining (Philippians 2:14), so that I don’t grieve Your Holy Spirit. By Your power I desire to be thankful in all circumstances, for this is Your will for those of us who belong to Christ Jesus    (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  “Lord help me to devote myself to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart (Colossians 4:2). May my heart overflow with gratitude to You, God, for You are good. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.”

Other resource links:  A Thanksgiving Prayer and Prayers of Gratitude by Cindi McMenamin
Julie Gillies more resources available through Julie "Hot Mess to Blessed" {which will also go with what I'm sharing Mon.too} Crosswalk and iBelieve Daily Prayer
I thank God for YOU!