C.A.L.M.

I try to do another blog post each week on the One Word, or at least think about it by today, but CLARITY has not given me anything more, so as I enjoy the Peace and CALM of today - in  many ways, I am beginning another one of my books on my 2024 One Word {I bet you thought I had forgotten it, or changed it to FOCUS, but it's still CALM} and for the month of June, the plan is another PAUSE for 30 days of Peace this time with a YV plan. But for today, I will be starting to

TRADE (MY) CARES FOR

CALM

(the word in parenthesis is actually 'your' in the title of the book)

by

Max Lucado

I can't believe that I've had this book (a real book) and have not even begun it, and half the year is just about over. It has 10 Chapters with beautiful scenic pictures and of course, the wisdom and gift of words of Max Lucado never disappoints, yet always teaches us with a unique wit and wonderful woven tales with scriptural insights and even includes short journaling pages. I wanted to jump ahead to Chapter 8 "Catch CALM" but I will pace myself and stay with the chapters in order. It's a good thing I did ... because after the Introduction, Chapter One clearly sets the tone (premise) which includes an acronym with "5 verses and 4 admonitions that lead to one wonderful promise: "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts & minds" (Philippians 4:7)" that acronym is C.A.L.M.

C - Celebrate God's Goodness (Philippians 4:4)  A - Ask God for help (Philippians 4:6)  L - Leave your concerns with Him (Philippians 4:6)  M- Meditate on good things (Philippians 4:8)

As you can tell the main focus is found in the book of
PhilippiansChapter 4 - verses 4-8
I've always known the book of Philippians main theme to be JOY
and with this, I will add Peace and CALM
In fact, this part was included under "God's Words of Peace"
{and skimming through each chapter, I notice there's a section of"God's Words ..." on something for each}
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I noticed on Amazon that an excerpt of the book is included of Chapter 1 (although you are missing out on the beauty of each page, you will catch a glimpse of the wonderful content and also all the chapters are listed there). Part of the book description reads, as follows:

"Bestselling author Max Lucado understands what it's like to feel overwhelmed by anxiety. In Trade Your Cares for Calm, you'll learn how to: Exchange your burdens for an abundance of mercy, gratitude, and trust Replace striving and stress with a faith-filled life, so you can see God's goodness Feel calm in chaos and find peace through prayer Make faith, not fear, your default reaction to circumstances Imagine being able to walk away from worry, conquer the need to control, get rid of guilty, and end if-only thinking." Trade Your Cares for Calm

When I ordered my copy of this book, I didn't need to know any more than that it was written by one of my favorite authors, Max Lucado; and had my One Word: CALMso to find this out and how beautiful this little treasure isI'm all set to "trade" my cares, chaos, and control for God's "Calm"
and it starts today
(*well, maybe - kinda)

Hope you can see these COPING STRATEGIES (I sure need to cope with hope) [if you click on the image I think it becomes larger]
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* I just heard some news on the weather and tornado in Iowaso this is why the hesitation of "maybe" and "kinda"because that report makes me concernedfor some people traveling through that way,when here I thought I was in the clear
JUST
need some more of
God's CLARITY 
and 
leave the worries, etc. in God's hands
He IS in control!
so
"Why Should I Worry or Fret"
but please
🙏
pray still for 
the people in Iowa & other states hitby these powerful tornadoes
devastating & destroyingcommunities
so hard to findCALMin the destruction of astorm
🙏🏼

Focus One Word: CLARITY

Now that we're FILLED with His Holy Spirit

we should be able to better

on
CLARITY
our One Word for this week
with these scripture verses from
Luke 10:41-42
[NIV in BOX]

"41“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,   42but few things are needed—or indeed only one.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Perhaps you are wondering like I am, about what this has to do with CLARITY. If not, please explain in the comments. {At this point, I have not read the devotional or even peeked ahead yet} But as usual the One Word: CLARITY is not in the chosen verses.

Doing a search for CLARITY at Bible Hub did not help me either. I only became more lost because my topical search gives me 27 results, none of which seem to be similar to CLARITY. However, I do have 13 verses containing CLARITY, yet I like to start out as I often do with at least a definition of the One Word, especially if I intend to focus all week on that One Word and so I really am hoping for some CLARITY before I begin this week. Or else I am going with OVERFLOW, but I looked through the 27 and "transparency" sounded the closest. Anyways, while I ponder to get some CLARITY on this topic and One Word so I can focus, I will just have to sit at the feet of Jesus like Mary; and ask Him for some CLARITY. 

Meanwhile, here are the scripture references & versions of the verses that contain CLARITY: 

Exodus 24:10 NKJV; Psalm 19:8 Voice; Isaiah 32:4 NET; Ezekiel 28:24 AMP; Daniel 7:19 CEB; Daniel 7:20 CEB; Matthew 18:31 AMP; Acts 22:14 AMP; Romans 1:19 Voice; 1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT; Colossians 4:6 TPT; 2 Timothy 2:7 Voice

Perhaps you might find others.
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The verses given in the book to go with the CLARITY devotional are:

Deuteronomy 5:8 NIV; 1 Corinthians 7:35 NLT; 1 John 2:15 NLT; Galatians 1:10 ESV; Luke 10:41-2

The definitions (just as perplexing):

"clearness of appearance"; "clearness of thought or style"; "free from obscurity & easy to understand; the comprehensibility of clear expression"; "the state of being easy to see, hear or understand"; "the state or quality of being clear; transparency; lucidity"

when I searched for a biblical definition, they gave another *word referring to
"clarity of scripture"
*PERSPICUITY
 that's not what I searched for ... but that's what I got
1 Corinthians 14:33
lets me know clearly that 
"God is not a God of confusion, but of peace"
This much I know to be true!
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So for now, I'm skipping ahead but if I get any
CLARITY
from or after I read the devotional
I might be back with more
in the meantime
my quick search (scan) of this week's devotional gives me
 the One Word on p.77

"...(Jesus) He always maximizes our time, replenishes our strength & gives CLARITY we did not have beforehand." C.C. Reaves

JESUS
Give me CLARITY.
I want to see through Your eyes.👀
🙏
(now that helps me a little more)
until later
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{since I'm already confused for this week, I'm already "whispering" the prayer & word: CLARITYand asking "Him to open my eyes to the bigger picture" so I'm ahead of the game with theFocus Tip for this week - I do check those out for clues, too}
Listening Lord for what You might be saying to me?
I'm in need of some CLARITY. I'm lost without You.
Holy Spirit come.
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[in 2 weeks the One Word Focus will return to Sunday, 6 pm blog post time]
May 26th I believe is time for "Taking Inventory" so I'll wait until June 2nd.
I didn't want to surprise you with it on 
Pentecost SONday!