While I was away during these first 21 days of Prayer 2023 offline (at least social media; and since I don't do Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or know much about these or others; this is my social platform of sorts) but mainly writing here is my 'therapy' and the place I organize my life, which at times has been "MESS-y" and seemed like I was journeying in "MAZES" (round & round) yet this year, with JESUS - front and centered - focus will be different and better; my journey hopefully will be filled with a more spiritual purpose, plan, and destiny ... I began my
52 Weeks With Jesus
Yes, it's another book (well, as you can see, actually 3; I only have one and a year's worth of emails) but for 2023 it is more than a book for me; it's my life journey continuing with JESUS as my One Word! The rest of the book's title is "... Fall in Love with the One Who Changed Everything" however I already fell and am in LOVE and I know JESUS is the One who Changed Everything for me in my life and every time that I have gotten off track, JESUS is the One who leads me back; JESUS is the One who has welcomed me back; JESUS is the One with the Holy Spirit who gently pursues me to guide me along life's journey - a transformational journey.
In fact, while I was away, the very first section of the book is about:
| ... JESUS, the Transformer ... |
which is the first three weeks
1. Just Like Us
2. A Misfit Among Misfits
3. A Messy Messiah |
so this past week I read/studied/focused/reflected on
JESUS, a Messy Messiah
{this is a title I can relate with - maybe you can too}
"...In the genealogy of Jesus, God demonstrates that anyone can become a part of the greatest royal family of all - the family of just not a king, but the King of kings."~ "Of Royal Linage"
"Who would not want to be a part of God's family? Who would not want to have a seat at His table? Who would not want to be a piece in His mosaic? God became a part of the human family so that we could become a part of His Heavenly family." ... |
This Messy Messiah title for JESUS makes Him relate-able (relatable).
In Louie Giglio's book (and YV plan I mentioned here)RELAT(ABLE)
Louie Giglio explores what makes us relatable.Because God has gone to extraordinary lengths to relate to us,we can build incredible *relationships ...
*my 2022 One Word
but as you can see God continually builds and speaks to usfrom one mess to another to help us with our personal messagejust as JESUS our Messiah does
we all are invited to God's family - to be part of His royal lineagebecause Everyone is Included in God's Loveandwe are part of HisUnlikely MosaicsoGod can use who we areGod can change what we areGod can take us where we areNo Misfits from A Misfit among Misfitsno one is beyond His Gracethere are no namesno black sheepJESUSis/wasJust Like Usborn with a past and a historywe have been made to become like Him"God wants you to be a masterpiece of His Graceby living for His Glory and expressingHis goodness to others."(Ephesians 2:10 NLT)The Reason You AreWho You Are
His Tree is our (my) tree
God Oversees the FutureGod Overcomes the PastYou're in the Picture
*Much of what I have composed above here are inserts from the subtitles of the first three weeks 1, 2, and 3 of JESUS, the Transformer. The following box contains the Prayers for each of these:
1."Lord, thank You for including me in the rich lineage, which has made me a member of Your family. Equip me to share Your goodness so that more can be called Your children."
2."Lord, I thank You that no one is beyond Your super- natural grace and that You choose to work through imperfect human vessels. Use me to Your glory."
3."Lord, thank You for becoming part of the human family so that I could become part of Your heavenly family. {This means everything to me!} Teach me how to live for You, love You more and do Your will." |
I do believe that
JESUS
has become and begun as
the Transformer
in me and my life already
Don't you love it when a book or prayers speak to you or your heart? I do believe that these "52 Weeks With Jesus" will transform me even more.
I believe like the author states in his devotional book that this will be a "transformative year and my passion for Jesus will deepen"
💖
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... As I move into the next section of my 52 Weeks With JESUS this week:
Section Two
| ... JESUS, the ANSWER ... |
I've always known thisbut most oftenbelieve thatJESUShad theANSWERyet by sharingJESUSwith othersI tell themJESUSistheANSWERbutyou can find moreanswers about Him and lifein His Wordthe Bible<>
I'll be finding out more in the next seven weeks with these:
4. Bread for the Journey
5. Light in a Dark Place
6. An Open Door
7. The Good Life
8. A Grave Buster
9. A One-Way Street
10. The Root of the Fruit |
MoreWith JESUSto come
JESUSAlways...1st...
maybe you can tell that JESUS is my One Word for 2023 - and so far I have not decided whether it's "...with JESUS" or "JESUS 1st" or "JESUS Always", yet I'm certain of this - it is:
JESUS
(front and center)
What about you?What's your 2023 One Word?
