STILL ... CALM

Better said
CALM
is 
STILL 
my 2024 One Word
however
it is far from being reached
and quite the challenge
it has become to
Remain
CALM

 

Honestly, it is the furthest word from my life, or how 2024 has been going, and this "gratitude" month has me stalled in wondering how to give thanks for the CALM - any CALM. Yet from the beginning of this month, CALM is not to be found. In fact, I sense that God purposed this One Word for just this very reason and for this very season, hoping that all the previous months might prepare me better for remaining CALM. 

CALM - no matter what - seems to be what I need (and so many others) in this time yet finding our CALM just does not seem possible anymore and each day it looks further and further from the horizons of our lives. Yet I believe that we serve a God that takes the impossible and turns it right around, making it possible. I certainly understand why God spoke this One Word into 2024 for me. I'm really holding on and trying to hold on for CALM to come and be a part of me before 2024 ends to face 2025, yet instead "fear" seems to be creeping in and causing me to be even more unsettled. Trust me, I don't want that word to be my next One Word for 2025, however, I'm thinking that I do have an inkling of one. Often, I have thought perhaps CALM was meant to be my One Word for 2025 and I jumped the 'gun' on it. CALM seems to have eluded me. (I hope that's the right word or use of it). I am sure that others around me would not tell you that I seem more CALM after spending 2024 with seeking all I can about CALM.

Yes, CALM eludes me! (I actually found this used like this in someone's poem)

I don't think that I have processed the One Word CALM like I do with the weekly One Words yet.*Forgive me if I have & just forgotten; so bear with me revisiting my One Word study of 

CALM

"Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) Freedom from motion, agitation, or disturbance; a cessation or absence of that which causes motion or disturbance, as of winds or waves; tranquility; stillness; quiet; serenity. 2. (n.) To make calm; to render still or quiet, as elements; as, to calm the winds. 3. (n.) To deliver from agitation or excitement; to still or soothe, as the mind or passions. 4. (super.) Not stormy; without motion, as of winds or waves; still; quiet; serene; undisturbed. 5. (super.) Undisturbed by passion or emotion; not agitated or excited; tranquil; quiet in act or speech. "

I'm quietly watching all these definitions play out throughout 2024.
I think my own personal choice of definition
might have been #2 or #4
however
I am definitely being awakened to them all.
Which definition do you think of for CALM?
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I think it was when I received an *email from Ann Voskamp at the end of October
that I decided that I should have spent more time just with my
One Word: CALM
*"5 Secrets to CALMING, Comforting Prayer"
(sigh)
this is where I want to be like Ann
in that
SACRED PRAYER
that SACRED PLACE with
God

If you've ever met or seen Ann in person,
she appears like the CALM person
I'd like to be (like).
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It was around this same time, I received another email from CrossWalk
"Your Daily Prayer"
(although I frustrate in these emails because you don't get the 🙏without clicking over to their site).
"A Prayer for Serenity and Inner CALM through Turmoil"Isaiah 43:2
Earlier in October, I received this:

in my "Jesus Calling" emails that alternate between Sarah Young's books
I really like "Jesus Always" but this onewas enough for the whole of Octoberto hold on to & keep my heartCALM
orso I thoughtuntilNovembercame
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There are plenty of verses that contain
CALM
(or a form of the word)229 according to one source
Bible Hub says:(18 occurrences) 
35 verses from The Voicewhich are part of that first search of 229
for now I choose
Psalm 62:8
that goes with the image above
but "Jesus Always" has others like these words
which spoke to me from God

... "I want you to depend on Me not only in stormy circumstances {and there have been plenty} but when the skies of your life are CALM. {that's easier to do but too often we don't} This is a daily discipline - preparing you for whatever lies ahead. It is a source of great Joy. Relying on Me involves staying in communication with Me: an extraordinary privilege. This rich blessing provides you with strength, encouragement, and guidance. When you stay in touch with Me, you know you are not alone. As you walk in the Light of My Presence, I help you rejoice in Me all day long. {IF only} Depending on Me is a most joyful way to live." Sarah Young, Jesus Always - Matthew 7:24-27; Psalm 89: 15-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

November 6th, 7th, 15th & December 29th 
share other messages with 
CALM
I needed the 2 on November 6th & 7th
which brought me back to refocusing on my 2024
One Word
CALM
right when I truly needed to be surrounded
CALMLY
"The One who takes hold of your hand and
CALMS your fears is 
the Living God!" ...
... "Rejoice as you ponder this astonishing truth."...
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Stay CALM
Remain CALM
Be CALM
STILL
He's got this
today, tomorrow and always!
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Even though the One Word for this week has been
EXPECT
well, I just EXPECT the CALM 
and 
Jesus knows exactly how to bring
His CALM
in the middle of a storm
🎵"Jesus CALMS the Storm"🎵
or even when the skies are blue
He is with you
and the dark becomes light
in His Presence, in His Peace
so
just Be 🎵STILL🎵& Know ...
the 
CALM
because
🎵HE IS🎵Worship Him Only!
WHO?
JESUS CHRIST
the only King!
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Note: Yes, I did share this back here (which wasn't too long ago) oh Lord, short memory too.

FOCUS: October ONE WORDS

For the month of OCTOBER , these will be the 4 One Words for us to "Focus" on:

FREEDOM

this week of October 6

RENEW

the week of October 13

TRUST

the week of October 20

ANCHORED

the week of October 27

SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 

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HERE

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{our Bella}

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I will be doing only one post for the month (similar to September)

only I will just add the next 

ONE WORD

of the week and do it briefly here

with Scripture(s) for the One Word Focus

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1st Week

 

FREEDOM

the week of October 6

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives FREEDOM, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:25 NIV

"... FREEDOM equals wide open spaces & no boundaries ...& make any decision we want, yes?"CCR"... how we misdefine FREEDOM"

Galatians 5:13 NIV; 1 Corinthians 6:12; John 8 :31-32 NIV; 2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV "Jesus, in obeying You, I find FREEDOM."

FOCUS TIP:"This week, when you feel stuck in a situation ...remember the word FREEDOMand know that because of Jesus,you are free to be who you were meant to be."
🙏
{might I suggest going to p.155 (?) "Taking Inventory" to do FREEDOMat the end of this week, instead of at the end of all 4} 😏💓😉
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{my photo as I RENEW this week}

* RENEW *

the week of October 13

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2 ESV

1 Corinthians 2:16 ESV; Romans 12:2 ESV; 1 Peter 1:13 ESV; Philippians 4:8 ESV "Jesus, RENEW my mind and restore my thoughts." 🙏🏼 "... as we focus on the word RENEW... try to capture our negative thoughts and recalibrate our mind into thoughts of love and gratefulness." [CCR's 🙏🏼 & Focus Tip]

Great suggestion in the Focus Tip to help us form a habit of doing this regularly,not just this week.
Perhaps doing the "Taking Inventory" nowwill further help us focus, while it's freshin our minds, along with the scriptureswe find containing our One WordRENEW
Isaiah 40:31
is my favorite RENEW scripture

{my photo with eagle}perched above in the tree onLake Louisefrom my view at the bottom of our hill{not the one I saw in flight, or with my verse}
Now to FOCUS on all CCR has to share on RENEW
as we RENEW our thoughts
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[image credit: YV]

TRUST

the week of October 20

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my TRUST in you. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life. Psalm 143:8 NIV

The other Scriptures to go with the devo are:

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV; Psalm 56:3 NIV; Psalm 121:3 NIV; Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV "Jesus, lead the way. I TRUST You."

Ready for this one. TRUST has been an issue in my life, far too long.
I'm still learning, but reluctant to TRUST people.
<><><>HERE
LAST WEEK

[image credit: TC3 a YV Bible plan]

I just love the image, so I had to use it.

ANCHORED

the week of October 27

This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary. Hebrews 6:19 NLT

One of my sources only listed 9 verses with the One Word ANCHOREDbut there are 25 for ANCHORwhich includes those 9minus the key verse above.
CCR's devotional begins with this strong start:

"ANCHORED. This word is so strong. The placement of our ANCHOR reveals the place of our TRUST, hope, peace, strength, joy, compassion and sustenance. What we tie ourselves to reveals what we believe can sustain us." ...

Looking forward to this One Word being
ANCHORED
this week in my life and yours
in Jesus
where we place our ANCHOR and TRUST

Romans 5:5 NIV; Psalm 62:5-6 ESV; Psalm 5:11 NIV; 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NLT

Only seems right for ANCHORED to follow TRUST
in our One Words for October!
⚓
"Dear Jesus,thank You for being the protector of our FREEDOM and our lives. ...When my thoughts begin to wander,RENEW my mind and lead meback to You. Thank You for graciously leading mein all moments.Will You help me TRUST Your ways,even when I don't understand them?God, You are dependable and sure;help me ANCHOR myself in Youso that I will not be tossedby the waves of life. ..."In Jesus' name,
🙏
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Time for "Taking Inventory"
if you haven't been doing each one with that 
One Word each week
but finish because November is starting
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I especially like the 3rd question for ANCHORED:
When focused on the wordANCHORED,did you find that you were putting yourTRUSTin someone or somethingthat wasn't solid?
{a long time ago, and I changed to the only One}yet if I'm not careful, it can be someone or something,so I stay in God's Word, RENEW my mind daily & PRAY
"The ANCHOR Holds"
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Please share in comments each week.
What stood out to you or your favorite quote or verse(s) with the One Word?
or
just whatever comes to you from the devotional or God
Thank you.
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See you back here each week(I hope) God willing.
{I might forget or run short of time, so if it's not done on Sun. like usual,just give me some Grace & a prayer, so it will be filled in soon}
and continue on in your devotional 😉