3rd August FOCUS: One Word - STAY

In the month of August, these are the 4 One Words for us to "Focus" on:

ROOTED

week of August 4

RESTORATION

week of August 11

STAY

week of August 18

*FAITHFUL & TRUE

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REFRESHED

week of August  25

{surely there must be a correlation in these "roots"}

You can view all 4 back here.

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Last week was RESTORATION for the 2nd Week

and the 1st Week was ROOTED

so this Week 3, we'll remain

on
STAY
This is the main verse that CCR uses with the devotion:

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.1 Corinthians 16:13 ESV

These are the other scripture verses for this devotional:
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESVHebrews 6:10 ESVActs 20:24 ESVHebrews 10:36 ESV
Bible Hub topical search with many definitions & 221 occurrences
whereas Life Bible search shows 1775 verses containing STAY from various versionsand some other forms like: stayed, staying, stays
According to CCR, the author, from a quick search:

" ... it is often STAYing that grows us the most. STAYing requires us to die to our selves and our own perception of what is important, fun, or relevant." ...

And of course, the FOCUS Tip includes our One Word: STAY and the prayer:

" Jesus, I will STAY where You instruct. Peace will be mine. Amen"

Lord, help us stand firm in our faith.
"Throughout Scripture, You ask Your people
to STAY and fight ..." 
at times ...
Lead me where & in what ways You want me to
STAY 
still.
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I was really hoping to STAY right here awhile and had so many thoughts that you'll read; like I wanted to share on STAY or go (for one example) and even some more on being still or to STAY still when all around you seems to be spinning out of control (but always in the control of the One who is in control at all times, even when we think or try to be). It can be a constant struggle for us humans (might I say, especially women) to not want to be or "feel compelled to start taking those situations into our own hands" - so often, even in our prayers, when we know that God's got this and He's totally in control. 

Yes, I'm circling around and around that FOCUS Tip because currently (into our 5th week), I am in a helpless and seemingly hopeless situation, which is why I attempted to draw back at the beginning of August. And even right as I'm typing this, when I'd like to STAY and listen to the Spirit guiding me, as I really hope as I look to a week ahead of so much conflict & schedule (beyond myself) where I know I truly need God and I'm more than "ready to feel a sense of peace as" I'd love to loosen my grip and allow my heart to slow down but not stop as I'm dealing with my own high blood pressure and the other person's very low blood pressure (with much concern & lack of knowledge about this & his medical needs & situation; feeling totally inadequate), I turn & rely on God (and googling this & that, I gotta be honest) stopping to STAY still in this moment with this One Word - because in so many ways, it's the exact One Word that connects all of these 4 One Words in August for me; and also with my 2024 One Word: CALM. I tell myself "self - STAY calm", "God's got this", "God's got you - just like He always has and look how far He's gotten you", "Remember MX, as you came to Him and waited (impatiently mostly) yet still patiently for His GO or STAY and He knew and He confirmed. 

Yes, He's always been Faithful & True! And He only asked me to STAY in Him. As I daily have returned to MN, it's been such a battle (and struggle) for me to remain, to STAY - but just like MX, I'm calling on God & fully leaning on Him every step of the way. Because in my human power, I wanna run ... but when I turn to Him and I abide or remain in Him; supernaturally or divinely He further this discipline to STAY and to trust Him. I am sure that this devotion for this week, will take me beyond SEEK; as I shared in the comments of "Taking Inventory" at the end of July (mid year review) and choosing STAY reluctantly as the One Word God is encouraging me to do as I really need to STAY CALM as I started again & STAY "in the shadow of His wings" (Psalm 91 and Isaiah 40:31). As I started saying in the beginning of this, "I just want to STAY where You are, {actually the word in the song is not STAY but 'be'} dwelling daily in Your Presence; I don't want to worship from afar; Draw me near to where You are ... " Don Moen's "I Want to Be Where You Are".

I'm sure that CCR's quote above that I shared from my quick search that God wants me to "grow" and "die more to my self" is exactly what to STAY will require, only with God and by His Holy Spirit; in His strength but it's a tough road ... and I'm certain others of you have walked it or are walking this journey, no matter how many years you've been blessed to call yourself a believer in Jesus Christ, or were simply blessed to be born into a beautiful legacy of believers; in different seasons throughout our life, we will find ourselves learning once again, all it takes to surrender again and again each day "being watchful (alert); standing firm in our faith ... to be strong" IN HIM ... "In Christ alone"- we abide, seek, pursue, trust and receive His love & aMazing Grace for one more step forward, or His Grace to STAY; either way - in Him, and in His will always! Faithful! Always True! [*Insert the image from above right here]

My newest acronym R.E.S.T.: R.=Receive; E.= Embrace; S.=*STAY...(calm, firm, etc); T.= Trust

* STAY - REMAIN in Him

2nd August FOCUS: One Word - RESTORATION

In the month of August, these are the 4 One Words for us to "Focus" on:

ROOTED

week of August 4

RESTORATION

week of August 11

[image credit & prayer]

STAY

week of August 18

REFRESHED

week of August  25

{surely there must be a correlation in these "roots"}

You can view all 4 back here.

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Last week was ROOTED for the 1st Week

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In the 2nd week of August, we will FOCUS on:
RESTORATION 

This is what the LORD says: "When I bring Israel home again from captivity and restore their fortunes, Jerusalem will be rebuilt on its ruins, and the palace reconstructed as before. Jeremiah 30:18 NLT

Other Scriptures given for devotional:
Psalm 147:3 NIVIsaiah 57:15 ESVJeremiah 17:14 NLT1 Peter 5:10 NLT
[of course, other forms of RESTORATION may give us more choices for verses with the One Word, such as RESTORE, RESTORED, RESTORER, RESTORES, RESTORING]
No one but God alone can restoreand make our broken vessels whole.
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 A topical search for definition can be found at Bible Hub;
although there are only 4 given occurrences there;
my other source at Life Bible shows that there are
45 verses containing RESTORATION
from various translations.
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In CCR's devotional, she uses restore and restored more than
RESTORATION
In fact, the only occurrence I found in a quick search was in the
FOCUS TIP

"Do you feel broken today? Do you feel confident that God will RESTORE your current circumstance and make something beautiful out of your ashes?  This week, every time you start to think that nothing good will come from it, say the word RESTORATION and know that He never breaks His promises. We just have to hold on and watch." CCR

As you already know. I have not read the devotional by Cleere Cherry Reaves (CCR) yet.
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The theme of our One Word: RESTORATION
is woven throughout the Bible.
In stories of hardship that offer us hope & encouragement.
It is clear that God desires to RESTORE us, as individuals 
or in our relationships with others, even in creation.
RESTORATION
is a process, a journey of healing & transformation 
that requires faith and often much work & patience
because it has many different facets that are 
emotional & spiritual
and at times it is material, like the return of lost 
possessions or blessings.
One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 40:31
and although the One Word is not in the verse
it speaks of hope and renewing strength
then the results of this RESTORATION are shown:
soaring, running, not growing weary;
walking without being faint.
Some days we all
need to be
RESTORED
I pray if you find yourself in need please read 
that scripture and find His Strength for you

[image credit]
"On Eagles' Wings"
(also this is my chosen favorite song that I'd like at my celebration of life along with "I can only Imagine". I know on that day, my RESTORATION will be complete.)
God of Restoration
Yes, that's exactly what God is and how I feel "on eagles' wings" - my delight & fascinationwhen I watch or see an eagle and my spirit soars & God does raise me up,which is exactly what I need and get whenever God is in my business of
RESTORATION
a complete process of His healing & work in me
Yes, He bears me on the "breath of dawn"
and makes me "to shine" I pray
when someone else
needs to be
held
in
the palm of God's hand
wrapped in the arms of an Almighty Father
who is in the business of RESTORING lives 
that come to Him
weak, weary, worried
whatever
lay it down at His feet
🙏

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As I opened up Spotify to a podcast (that I don't normally do)wouldn't you know what it was on:
"RESTORED"

our God, He's so aMazing!!!
{I'm not sure how to link to this; but if you listen to Spotify, and you listen to Podcasts,it is Episode 259 with "Prayer Starters with Suzanne Eller" (KLRC) May 22, 2023}
Jeremiah 30:18
Oh, and to confirm that this is/was God the current Episode is 556"As Far as it is Possible"