MORE "PAUSES" and ONE WORD CHOICES

50 days from Resurrection Sunday (Easter) is PENTECOST!

"Pentecost is a holy day when Christians commemorate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the early followers of Jesus Christ. Originating from a Greek word meaning "50th day," Pentecost occurred 50 days after Christ's resurrection. Before the events of Pentecost, Jesus had followers, but there was no movement that could really be called the church. Pentecost is considered the birthday of the church. In Pauses for Pentecost, Trevor Hudson leads readers to focus on one word and scripture verse each day. He invites us to pause for just a few minutes to read the brief daily reflection and do a simple practice. The beauty of this book is its simplicity, and the thoughtful meditations guide us to a deeper understanding of the meaning of Pentecost."

I've continued to "Pause" (as I did during Lent) with a book by Trevor Hudson again
🔥"Pauses for Pentecost"🔥
Fortunately, it's only been a week, but that means I've missed sharing 7 days with you
and that means 7 One Words & Scriptures, which are (were) the following:

Day 1 STONE Matthew 28:1-2 (NIV) Day 2 ANGEL Matthew 28:3-6 Day 3 AHEAD Matthew 28:7 Day 4 *JOY*   Matthew 28:8    Day 5 CRYING   John 20:15 Day 6 BURNING Luke 24:32 Day 7 TABLE      Luke 24:30

* I am also doing a You Version plan that focuses on just JOY for the month of April:
Pause: A Month of Joy in 5 Minutes a Day
It's not at all like the books by Trevor Hudson or associated with the same type of "pauses".
There are 4 plans of 30 days by Lance Lang, Hope is Alive Ministries.  I am enjoying this plan & the author's style of using: 
Proclaim, Prompt, Prod, Praise, Pray each day in the devotions.
After Resurrection SONday,this is a great way to continue the JOYFUL celebration with even more JOY because
"When we are full of JOY, life becomes worth living."
(and personally, I need to pause & focus more on JOY in my life because of Jesus!)
I need the fullness of JOY - Resurrection JOY & POWER!
{I didn't mean to digress, yet when Day 4 was JOY, it made me think of this plan.}
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So let's go back & continue with "Pauses for Pentecost" for this 2nd Week:

Day 8 BREATHED John 20:22 (NIV) Day 9 DOUBT        John 20:27 Day 10 MORNING John 21:4 Day 11 LEAD         John 21:18 Day 12 ALIVE        Ephesians 2:4-5 Day 13 RAISED     Colossians 3:1 Day 14 DEATH      Colossians 3:5

These are wonderful reflections given for each day of the 50 days along with a Daily Practice.
I probably will not continue sharing all 50 days with the One Words & Scriptures 
but I encourage you to get a copy(Kindle was very inexpensive)
and allow this season between Jesus' Resurrection & Ascension to Pentecost Dayto be a time for us as followers of Jesus Christ (Christians, in the real sense)to enter more fully into God's good news daily together as we meditate on the filling of
the Holy Spirit, in the early church & now, letting the risen Christ 
bring us alive & full of the Spirit & His Resurrection power!
When I read and followed "Pauses for Lent", I was looking forward to continuing with
"Pauses for Pentecost"
to continue my journey intentionally to be refreshed by His Spirit
with the wondrous glory of God
alive in me (us)!
Seeking, thirsting and ready continually
through Christ Jesus for Jesus' return filled with the Living Spirit!
I'm so thankful I discovered these books & this author!
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And I am continuing with my weekly
ONE WORD
also

This week is
CHOOSE
John 3:30 BSB
 again, the One Word "CHOOSE" is not in the verse, it's found in the devotion & in the
FOCUS TIP

"... focus on CHOOSING His way over yours. When a decision needs to be made, remind yourself that you have a choice and then CHOOSE Him - every time. ... His way is always going to win." Cleere Cherry Reaves

The main reflection question for me:
"...are you CHOOSING what is comfortable over what is Christlike?..." 
WOW
(ouch)
😳
Excellent points & questions throughout this devotion by Cleere Cherry Reaves again
for this week as we allow this One Word to transform our lives.
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I certainly see a spiritual connection for me between 
"CHOOSE"
and
the Holy Spirit's filling during
"Pauses for Pentecost"
"HE MUST INCREASE; I MUST DECREASE"

*Deuteronomy 30:19-20(NLT); Job 23:11(NIV); Psalm 16:11(NIV); Matthew 7:13(NIV) 
* has the One Word "Choose"; there are many choices if you click on "CHOOSE"

"Jesus, more of You, less of me."
🙏
Good Word(s) to Focus on for this week!

[image credit: Mary Davis quote]

SCRIPTURES (to be, stay and keep) ALERT

"Offer prayers and petitions in the Spirit all the time. Stay ALERT by hanging in there and praying for all believers." CEB, Eph. 6:18

I'm still FOCUSing on ALERT, but I promise that this blog post will not be like "ALERT" or a few of my other recent ones, strictly scriptural. 😉 At least, I intend it to be. 

The book, FOCUS ... gives more than the main verse 1 Corinthians 16:13 BLB that I shared back on the 1st blog post for this week's One Word but the book's 4 scriptures do not contain the One Word: ALERT. The verses given are: 1 Peter 4:12; John 14:26; John 16:33; Proverbs 18:10 all in the ESV. I did share 2 additional ones in "ALERT" from The Voice (Luke 12:40) and Romans 5:3-5 from The Message (MSG); plus a Verse Image of 1 Peter 5:8-9 from Bible (dot) com - You Version. However, there are quite a few scripture verses with the One Word

ALERT

I've chosen a few to share:

Mark 13:33 "Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. And since you don't know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert ... " " What I say to you I say to everyone, ‘Be on the alert [stay awake and be continually cautious]!’ ” Mark 13:37, Amplified (AMP)

but as you may know - I love Word Studies

"Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being ALERT and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving." Colossians 4:2 AMP

"So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded." 1 Thessalonians 5:6 NLT

"Be constantly alert, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God." NASB Revelation 3:2  "So remember what you received and heard. Obey it, and repent. If you are not alert, I will come like a thief, and you won't know the time when I will come to you." Revelation 3:3 International Standard Version (ISV)

"But keep ALERT at all times [be attentive and ready], praying that you may have the strength and ability [to be found worthy and] to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man [at His coming].” "Luke 21:36 AMP "Even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night and finds them alert, those servants will be blessed." Luke 12:38 Berean Standard Bible (BSB)

There are various ones in the Gospels, as you can see, but Matthew has these:

Matthew 24:42; Matthew 24:43; Matthew 25:13

Also, there is one in Isaiah, Joshua; and a couple of the Psalms (17 & 127) with ALERT.
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In my search of The VOICE, there are 20 results with ALERT in some form of the actual word.
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I already shared a special one in "ALERT" but here's another favorite from the Old Testament (OT)

"Remember, as you prepare to fight against us, that the True God is on our side and is leading us. His priests will blow the signal trumpets to alert Him that you are here to fight us, and He will rescue us from our enemies as He promised. O Israelites, God’s chosen people, do not fight against the Eternal One, the True God of your fathers, because you will not succeed." 2 Chronicles 13:12, The Voice

My search for ALERT in The Passion Translation (TPT)has pages and some of the same as above, but many of the verses do not actually have the One WORD: ALERT
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Staying ALERT by
"... hanging in there and praying for all believers ..." CEB{and even some non-believers still}
"Dear Jesus, thank You for the way You prepare my heart for what is ahead.Help my mind to be ALERT and my feet ready for opposition and the unexpected;may I respond rather than react. ..." p. 67 of FOCUS... by Cleere Cherry Reaves
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ALERT
biblically means
"to be ready, watching"
Staying spiritually
ALERT
(keeps us from being fearful)
in the power of the Spirit(2 Timothy 1:7)
This has been my life verse since the mid 80s!
Topical Bible: ALERT
I choose to know or be aware of what's coming
being in God's Word
keeps me focused and
ALERT
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This is info for me{started this blog post at 2:19pm and finished at 4:45pm}takes me a little longer nowadays (lol)I thought I might hold this for another day this week, but ...
All I need now is an acronym for ALERT🤔

ALERT

You may not agree with me (and sadly, I do understand) however, at least, I hope that we can discuss and listen to each other's side in an open, healthy discussion. But, in this time, I am clearly aware that THIS rarely is happening now, especially with people of different opinions and ideas.

Yet, I'm still hopeful! 

I probably don't agree with you because I don't understand - actually I can't understand but that's what happens with people from different perspectives ... I am eternally hopeful that at least you try to read what I write with an open mind and heart, in particular with what I feel compelled to write about while I'm focusing on the One Word: ALERT for this week. And because I have been reading for quite some time about this, and hearing so much truths; and misinformation, I decided to read an article from someone I trust - a pastor actually that I have been reading "stuff that needs to be said" for almost a decade now and in his most recent article, he encourages us to share "this" with family members & friends, etc. So I have been commissioned or emboldened to do my best & decided to share it publicly. Perhaps, I'm still somewhat of a coward, hiding behind a blog post rather than face to face. I'm just not quite ready to do so with my family members, who view things differently and I have no idea about most of my friends, what they think or how they view. Yet I believe the expression "agree to disagree" and that our words matter still. We can differ but still be respectful of one another. 

I read this Bible verse in the above image and the following Bible verse this morning (shared by a dear sister in Christ) as we share Scripture verses, prayers and Bible reading plans; so even though we might not agree on this 'stuff', at least we can openly share God's Word and encourage each other in our lives. Today she shared more wonderful verses on ALERT (actually with the word ALERT in them) and this verse helped convince me that I should not delay any longer because of the "sense of urgency and intensity" that I feel strongly in my inner being to ALERT others, or at least try (although this particular verse is definitely not about what I hope to share & reading in context is much better):

"... I’m trying to tell you that these are times for alertness, times requiring a sense of urgency and intensity, because like the master in the first story or the thief in the second, the Son of Man shows up by surprise." Luke 12:40 The Voice

Yet it makes me keenly aware that "these are times for ..." being ALERT!
So in these times, in 2024, that are
"times requiring a sense of urgency and intensity"
in my heart and in my mind
and so it is my patriotic duty to attempt the best I can to urge each one of youto seriously realize the immense importance of your vote in 2024
BUT FIRST
really examine your heart
and 
READ THIS ARTICLE[from "a longtime pastor and current author, speaker, activist and storyteller, hoping to write words to make the world a more compassionate & beautiful place"]
His current book is:
"Worth Fighting For: Finding Courage & Compassion When Cruelty is Trending"

TO OPEN YOUR MIND, EYES, & HEART
to
Be on (your) guard (NIV, NLT, AMP)Be watchful (ESV)Watch ye (KJV) Be on the alert (NASB)Be alert (CSB, HCSB)Keep alert (CEV)Remain alert (ISV)Stay alert (NET)Watch! (WEB)STAY AWAKE(CEB)
[from my earlier post this week]
DO NOT BE DECEIVED
Matthew 7:15
Beware ...
His writings may be a bit rough for some of you & perhaps you will turn away because you don't agree or find it distasteful but please read through (or listen). He has a Facebook, Substack, The Beautiful Mess (that's what I linked to; if it didn't work, please let me know). With sharing the word "Mess" in his title and my blog, how could I resist. And also a podcast with that title. I read & have two books of his: "Low" an Honest Advent, and "Rise" a Lent devotional. 

But if you couldn't read his article, I urge you to make yourself aware of the agenda of the other side (it might be your side) and become aware of their 180 day playbook and policy. Perhaps you don't quite understand what theocracy or autocracy will mean to our country. But clearly, you can see the character of this person is not one that can be trusted, and his leadership will have grave consequences on this nation, stripping away civil and human rights in our democracy and this republic. He has unleashed the worst throughout our country. Please understand that he does not have your or our best interests at heart, only his own. I fear what our future will become. His lies have taken hold of far too many good people. He is truly deceiving you (by repeating & repeating his lies, which make you believe them as truths). 

I've even ventured off my normal reading into reading political books, which is far from my norm or interest, yet I needed to know. There are so many books available and you must broaden your mind and understanding as you educate yourself & make an informed decision, realizing the significance and importance of your vote in November. This, too, is highly not like me, but I, even have books written by Mark Meadows and Liz Cheney, as well as the Audible of Cassidy Hutchinson, and the following two books.

These books have totally awed me and awakened me:

*The Spiritual Danger of Donald Trump: 30 Evangelical Christians on Justice, Truth and Moral Integrity  

{I plan to do a book review on this one! I highly recommend even though it's not current.}

The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 27 Psychiatrist and Mental Health Experts Assess a President

And in case your question me reading this, know that I also read on & about Joe Biden. But there are no books like the ones I listed above on him. Yet I did balance my reading. This is not casual reading for me. In fact, I need to read and reread to get it. 

Please understand:

 

"...This is not alarmist, sky-is-falling histrionics, it is the clear and sober forecast from someone who knows these people better than anyone. These are not followers of Jesus despite the trappings and window dressing. They are Jesus-less extremists: blind zealots for nothing but power. They have been conditioned by decades of polluted theology and Fox News alternative facts to see diversity as a threat, to see progress as attacks on America, and to interpret more people being treated with dignity, as oppression of white people"~Pastor John Pavlovitz

I am asking you to expand your perspective
enough to let God shine
His True Light
into
your critical thinking
for the future of this country & our world.
The impact will be phenomenal & beyond what is seen now
Do not allow yourself to be deceived
and remain ALERT to all for
"God has not given us a spirit of FEAR ..."
(2 Timothy 1:7)
however, that unwell candidate is unfit for this office or any
and he has perpetuated & provoked much fear and violence
with his words, law breaking ideas & questionable standards
especially for himself.
Look & Listen
to others like former Vice President Pence
not willing to support him
and the many leaving their governmental positions
that can no longer support this!
They know better & so should we, the people!

" There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us ALERT for whatever God will do next. In ALERT expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!  " Romans 5:3-5 (MSG)

I should have written my own about what the pastor and authors wrote
instead of linking & sending you to his article,
because I really believe God is asking me
to
ALERT
and
warn us about this crucial upcoming
key event that depends
on us
I came here to write and only share more verses on
ALERT
yet as I began to write after reading Pastor John's article
I could not ignore saying something more
I was prompted & reminded by God
I don't claim to be God, or Jesus
like this former candidate
has elevated himself
expecting to be 
idolized
nor am I a prophet like Jonah,
or Isaiah or Jeremiah,
I'm just 
a very concerned citizen
hoping that you continue to examine your heart 
as I do
Seek the Truth
Follow only JESUS CHRIST and His Way
IN HIM, THERE IS NO DARKNESS
(1 John 1:5)
and I pray that the
Holy Spirit
speaks to you,
pours into our lives
our hearts & minds
& guides us with
our decision
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I believe 
THIS
our country's
WORTH FIGHTING FOR
(not physically as I've heard of rumors of civil war - how ludicrous & unsound)
let's do all that we do
in PEACE and in God's SPIRIT
which is LOVE, not HATE;
EQUAL, not SUPERIOR
ONE GODLY SPIRIT
which is Christ-like
reflecting 
 the Light of
Jesus Christ
🙏

written in His Love
finished by His aMazing Grace
publishedat the time I began writing this todaynot the time I finished 3 hours later
[I know it's much to read but bear with me as write these blog posts. Thank you.]
Some days, ya' just gotta write what your heart tells you to say and speak the truth in love.This is far out of my normal kind of writing here, but there's too much to be said.
I am not an authority on this topic, but I really do not want to live in a country that's authoritarian or undemocratic or under a dictatorship (and under the rule of someone who does not want to leave the office ever) and desires to turn our country upside down.
I also do not want to have to move to another country because of a regime or takeover of this one.
No, I do not say this out of fear, but I am fearful of what this country is becoming!
And so should you be ... 
God help our nation & hear the prayers for mercy and alwaysHISGRACE

Dear Reader: after publishing this, I've updated, but I also read in the comments of the articleI mentioned above, someone else's article that I found very helpful if all this is new to you or ifyou'd like to read more. I also apologize for the length but I didn't want to add a new blog post.