December Scripture Writing Plan: The Birth of Christ

 Happy almost December sweet friends! 

The scripture writing plan this month is over a topic perfect for this time of year: 

The Birth of Christ.

I adore this time of year - the decorations, the excitement, the trees, 

the colder weather, the lights, the fun, the parties, the joy-

I love every single bit of it. 

It truly is the most wonderful time of year!

However, as much as I love it, I find that it is so easy for me to get caught up in 

the crazy hustle and bustle of it all- the shopping, the planning, the decorating 

that comes along with this wonderful Christmas season. 

Unfortunately, in this super busy time of year, 

spending time with God and in His word is often neglected. 

(I know I am often totally guilty of this!)

When all of our focus is on decorating our houses, 

finding & trimming the perfect Christmas tree, making sweet treats to give away, 

preparing & mailing Christmas cards and shopping for and wrapping the perfect gifts-

 it is so easy to lose sight of what Christmas is truly all about. 

It’s only when our eyes are fixed on God and we spend time in His Word ,

when we read, meditate on, and truly treasure the story of the birth of Christ

 that we can celebrate the TRUE reason for the season. 

Jesus.

My prayer is that we would spend this month digging into His word

to learn more about the birth of our precious Savior and keep our hearts 

and minds focused on the joy that is found ONLY in Christ!

TO PRINT: You can find a copy of the plan in English and Spanish in the folder HERE.

{Just a reminder, don't try to print the images below or they will be blurry. Be sure to click the link to download a PDF copy!}

October Scripture Writing Plan: Rejoice in the Lord

 Happy almost October sweet friends!

The plan this month is on something we are all told to ALWAYS do: 

Rejoice in the Lord

I start working on the scripture plan for a month at the beginning of the preceding month and as I sat to write this today (at the end of September), I had to smile because I'm pretty sure God had me pick this topic because He knew I would need a reminder right about now because I am not feeling like rejoicing right now.  He's good like that isn't He? He always provides exactly what we need, exactly when we need it! 

Probably the most popular verses about rejoicing is Philippians 4:4. 

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

I think people struggle with this because they misunderstand it. Although we are called to give thanks to God in everything, we are not called to rejoice OVER everything. Read that verse again. It doesn't say Rejoice about everything, it says Rejoice in the Lord always. Rejoicing in the Lord isn't about our circumstances, it's about our relationship with and our posture towards Him. No matter what my life looks like, no matter what ugly circumstances I am in, no matter what grief I am in the middle of, God will ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS be worthy of my rejoicing and praise. 

Giving thanks to God in all things is bowing to His sovereignty and rejoicing in Him is a celebration of it. Our true joy is found solely in the Lord. Not in our circumstances, not in the people in our lives, not our situations, but completely and totally in Him. We must look up to Him and not at the insanity, brokenness, sadness, and heartache going on around us. We must trade our anxieties in for grateful and humble communion with God. We must rest in the peace of God, even when it doesn't make sense to the world, staying rooted and grounded in Christ.  

My prayer is that this month, regardless of our circumstances, we are reminded that He is the author of our story and the keeper of our heart. I pray that we are reminded to rejoice IN Him for He alone is worthy to be praised and rejoiced over ALWAYS!

NOTE: I make all plans 31 days long so that they can be 

done any month-not just the month I write them for.

TO PRINT: You can find a copy of the plan in the folder HERE.

September Scripture Writing Plan: Holiness of God

 Happy almost September sweet friends!

The plan this month is one I so enjoyed working on, 

Holiness of God

1 Peter 1:15-16 says: 

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 

 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

 This command (not suggestion!) in 1 Peter is simple. We aren't commanded to be all knowing or all powerful like God is, but to be holy like God is holy. 

Isaiah 6:3 says: 

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Did you notice that Isaiah didn't just say holy one time, but three? It's the only attribute that is repeated in this way which tells us it is important. It wasn't enough to say God was holy, he had to repeat it three times for emphasis. It's like what I do if I am explaining to my husband that "I saw a huge, huge, huge spider!" to get him to understand how big it truly was. In the same way, "holy, holy, holy" is meant to stretch the boundaries of our imaginations. Whatever we think of when we hear that God is holy, He is more holy. He is an entirely different category of holiness and is much holier than we could ever imagine. 

So what does it mean that God is holy? I love this quote by AA Hodge about holiness: 

“The holiness of God is not to be conceived of as one attribute among others. It is rather a general term representing the conception of God’s consummate perfection and total glory. It is His infinite moral perfection crowning His infinite intelligence and power.”

RL Dabney once said that holiness isn't a single attribute but instead it's a result of all God's perfection together. Every representation of God, every manifestation of God, every revelation of God indicates His perfection. When we think of God's holiness, we should think of his utter separation from sin because everything in the creation is affected and influenced by sin. God's holiness isn't an aspect of who He is or what He does, it is the essence of who He is. Every single thing He speaks, thinks, desires, and does is holy in every way. 

He is holy in forgiveness. 

He is holy in justice. 

He is holy in love, 

He is holy in mercy. 

He is holy in power. 

He is holy in sovereignty. 

He is holy in wisdom. 

He is holy in grace. 

He is holy in patience. 

He is holy in anger. 

He is holy in faithfulness. 

He is holy in compassion. 

He is holy. 

How can we become holy? Holiness only results from a relationship with God by believing in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and accepting His gift of eternal life. If we haven't placed our faith in God's Son alone to save us from sins, then our pursuit of holiness is futile. 

My prayer is that this month, as we read and write these verses about the holiness of God, that we are truly overwhelmed by His holiness and the gift of eternal life that He alone can give.

 

NOTE: I make all plans 31 days long so that they can be 

done any month-not just the month I write them for.

TO PRINT: You can find a copy of the plan in the folder HERE.

August Scripture Writing Plan 2021: Names of God

Happy almost August sweet friends!

The plan this month is re-post from many, many years ago and 

 is one that I so enjoyed researching and am so excited to share with you!

The Names of God

Our God is amazing and incredible and mighty! There is absolutely NO WAY we can fully understand or describe Him. We can’t wrap our tiny human brains around all the things He is & does. He loves us more than we can ever begin to comprehend. God is the Creator of the universe and everything in it. This God of ours is Jesus who became flesh AND also the Holy Spirit who lives inside of us. He loves us so and longs for us to know Him. 

One of the best ways to get to know Him more deeply & intimately is to learn some of the many names He is called in scripture. These are not mere titles assigned by people but, for the most part, but His very own descriptions of Himself and as such they reveal aspects of His character.

For the plan this month each day lists two different names of God as well as scriptures to explore and learn more about our Savior, Lord, and King. My prayer is that we are able to take a few minutes each day to learn more about Him and His great love for us. That we are able to fix our minds and weary hearts on the Lord and be surrounded with the steadiness and consistency of God's love in a world where nothing is steady or consistent. 

Suggestion: Read the verses each day in several different translations and look up the definition of each name in a dictionary like the ones listed on Blue Letter Bible HERE. 

NOTE: I make all plans 31 days long so that they can be 

done any month-not just the month I write them for.

TO PRINT: You can find a copy of the plan in the folder HERE

July Scripture Writing Plan 2021: Freedom

 Happy almost July sweet friends!

The plan this month is over something that is a huge gift from the Lord:

Freedom

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

John 8:36

No doubt you've heard that verse before but what does it mean? It means that as Christians, we have assurance of salvation and true freedom from the penalty and power of sin. This freedom was bought and paid for by Christ who died on the cross for my sins and your sins in order to set us free. We are free from condemnation, we are free from having to be good enough to earn our way to heaven (thank goodness), we are free from fear. Thankfully, unlike the freedoms we have as Americans, this freedom we have as Christians can't be revoked by anyone or anything and our eternity is 100% guaranteed. How amazing and awesome is that?

Unfortunately though, many people view this freedom as the freedom to do whatever they want. Jesus didn't die on the cross so we could do whatever we wanted but so that we could do what He created to do. Jesus died so that we could walk in relationship with God, so that we could obey God and choose His will for our lives. Freedom in Christ does not give us permission to sin. It gives us the opportunity to serve and glorify the Lord and shower those He created with His love. Freedom isn't the right to do what we want, but the ability to do what we ought!  I love this quote from AW Tozer which I think sums it up:

Christian liberty is freedom from sin, not freedom to sin. 

AW Tozer

My prayer is that this next month, as we write these verses about freedom that we are reminded that we are set free and that this freedom comes with responsibility. That we are able to experience true freedom in Christ by studying His word, knowing Him, walking in His ways while we focus on service to Him and to others. That we are reminded what God has done for us in Christ and that we love and obey Him with the full assurance that God WILL make good on His promise and we will spend eternity with Him!

I: I make all plans 31 days long so that they can be 

done any month-not just the month I write them for.

TO PRINT: You can find a copy of the plan in the folder HERE

June Scripture Writing Plan 2021: Friendship

 Happy almost June sweet friends!

The plan this month is over something that I think is one of God's greatest gifts:

Friendship

When I speak to women’s groups I always talk about my sweet friends (because they are AMAZING and PRECIOUS and such a huge part of my life and my story). I am blessed to have friends that continually remind me of God’s promises and plans and truth and point me to Him- always. They show up in good times and bad and make me laugh so hard I almost pee in my pants! Every time I speak about my friends, I hear the following statements when I finish speaking from those in the audience:

• Gosh, you have such exceptional friends!
• You sure are lucky to have friends like that.
• I wish I had friends like you and like your friends.

 
And what I always respond with is that I believe the best way to have amazing friends is to read what God says about friendship and loving others, and then DO IT! I tell them to practice being the friend they long to have in order to grow precious friendships. To show up for their friends- in good times and especially in bad times. I always remind them that the most important thing is that God must be at the center of those friendships because no matter how fabulous and wonderful a friend is, a friendship is between two imperfect people who will fail and mess up and let each other down at some point. Friends who remind us of what God says in His word and points us to Him are truly the biggest gift. 

 
God designed us for friendship, but friendships can often be difficult to navigate, and they definitely take work and love and care. I believe community is essential and Christ-centered friendships are truly key for us to live out the purposes God has for us. Friendships are a large part of how God wired us and what brings us joy because He uses our friendships to accomplish mighty works in and through us and because he designed us to support, love and encourage each other.

Think about friendship as a beautiful flower. If you buy a new pot of roses and bring it home, give it the right amount of water & sunshine, prune it and take care of it, it will grow beautiful and produce tons of beautiful blooms and bring you great joy. But, if you buy a new pot of roses and bring it home and set it in a dark closet, never watering or giving it sunshine, it will no doubt wither and die. You can’t expect beautiful blooms from something you don’t care for, nurture and love- it’s just not possible- and it is the same for friendships.

I pray that this month as we read and write verses on friendship, we are reminded that our friendships should bring honor and glory to the Lord and that we should always point each other to the truth and salvation only found in Jesus. I pray that we are reminded to hold friendships loosely and let the Lord direct them. I pray that we are reminded that friendships in the end are not about us but about glorifying God and displaying the love of Christ to those around us. I pray that this month we would thank God for our friends, praying for each of them by name and asking Jesus to accomplish His perfect will through these relationships and that through them Jesus Christ would be glorified and His kingdom advanced.

FYI: I make all plans 31 days long so that they can be 
done any month-not just the month I write them for.

TO PRINT: You can find a copy of the plan in the folder HERE.

May Scripture Writing Plan 2021: Spiritual Warfare

Happy almost May sweet friends!

The plan this month is over something that's not fun to talk 

or think about but something that's super real and so very important: 

Spiritual Warfare

There is a very real and very dangerous enemy that we should NEVER forget or take lightly- Satan. Ephesians 6:12 describes this enemy and this battle (also known as spiritual warfare) of ours: 

 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

This verse is a great reminder of spiritual warfare which is the leveraging of everything that God promises against everything that opposes God’s purposes. God is a God of purposes and a God of promises. Purposes to redeem the world and promises to judge wickedness. Purposes to grow his beloved children into maturity and promises to unfailingly manage and steward that process. Purposes to love us, to save us and to glorify His name, and promises about our lives and about His great and holy character. Satan and his spiritual forces oppose every single bit of God's purposes and promises. He opposes all of God’s purposes for salvation and redemption, as well as His every single promise for accomplishing it. 

Satan battles every single day for the hearts of men and women, trying to turn us away from God and separate us from Him. Satan is crafty and sneaky and sophisticated and he works constantly to rule this world. He schemes against us and he HATES those that obey and follow Christ. He is always watching and waiting for us to have our guard down so that he can attack. Because of that we must be alert and ready at ALL times. Because Satan is so wicked and spiritual warfare is so scary, people often want to just ignore both completely but that's so dangerous. Why?  

Because...

1. Satan is powerful. He's strong and if we aren't careful and watching for his schemes, he can (and will) overpower us. 
2. Satan is a predator and an opportunist. He is on the prowl. He is constantly waiting to pounce on those who are unsuspecting and destroy them. 
3. Satan is not our friend. He HATES us because God loves us. He knows the power of God's love and works relentlessly to drive a wedge between us and God. 
4. Satan is sneaky and strategic and deceitful. He will lie and cheat and steal to destroy us. He wants us to believe lies about God, about ourselves and about what's really important and true. He doesn't show up with a red face, pitchfork and horns but disguised as something tempting and attractive. He doesn't just use our weaknesses to trip us up, he will also take something we are comfortable and confident in and use it to trip us up. 

In order to battle Satan we must be aware of what God's word says about spiritual warfare. We must recognize that spiritual warfare exists and know what God's word says about it and about Satan. My prayer is that as we write these verses this month we would become aware of Satan's devices and schemes and his plans for our destruction. That we would be reminded over and over again that we have no reason to fear him because Jesus has overcome this world but that it's up to us to be aware and pay attention. That we would stay alert to Satan's deceptions and close to the throne of the Lord. That we would spend time in God's word which is TRUTH, so that we can stand it up against the lies of Satan. 

FYI: I make all plans 31 days long so that they can be 
done any month-not just the month I write them for.

TO PRINT: You can find a copy of the plan in the folder HERE.

March Scripture Writing Plan 2021: The Armor of God

Happy almost March sweet friends!

The scripture writing plan topic this month is all about

THE ARMOR OF GOD

I think it's easy to forget that this world is not our home and is truly a spiritual battlefield. Every single hour of every single day we face a spiritual war and an enemy who is real and evil and who wants nothing more than to steal, kill and destroy us (John 10:10). This enemy is ruthless and cunning and evil and super crazy determined. Thankfully God has given us His Word and His Spirit so that we will have the wisdom and protection we need to stand up against the enemy. No matter how cruel or vicious or cunning the enemy is, he can never chain our spirits that have been set free by Christ. Praise the Lord!

In Ephesians Paul gives us a blueprint for how to win this battle, telling us to be strong in the Lord by first clothing ourselves with God's specially-filled and supernaturally strengthened protective armor and then secondly, to stand firm in it. He tells us to put on the full armor of God and then goes on to describe what each piece is. (It's important to remember that at the time that Paul wrote this letter to the Ephesians he was under house arrest and was guarded 24 hours a day by Roman soldiers!)

In Ephesians 6:10-18 Paul writes: 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

In these verses Paul describes six pieces of apparel that can help Christians in their spiritual battle: 

• Belt of Truth
• Breastplate of Righteousness
• Helmet of Salvation
• Shoes of Readiness/Peace
• Shield of Faith
• Sword of the Spirit

The plan this month takes each of these six pieces and includes verses that help us understand what that piece of armor means and how we can use it in our lives today. God has a plan for our lives but unfortunately the enemy does too. We are so blessed to have specific instructions in God's word to follow that includes everything we need to stand strong. The battle is real sweet friends, and we must be ready!

My prayer is that this month we will be reminded that God alone holds victory over sin and death and our hope is in HIM. I pray that we will spend time this month learning about these tools God has given us so that we can put on His armor, stay alert and stand strong. That we are able to hold His Word as a weapon against the enemy's nasty schemes and have the wisdom and discernment to recognize his traps and snares and stand strong against his evil plans. I pray that we are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit as we learn about these great pieces of armor and reminded that with the Lord Jesus Christ, we are guaranteed victory! 

(Note: You'll notice that six of the days have only the verse that the piece of armor is mentioned in as the verse for that day. My hope is that you will write that verse several times and then spend time trying to memorize it!)

FYI: I make all plans 31 days long so that they can be 
done any month-not just the month I write them for.

TO PRINT: You can find a copy of the plan in the folder HERE.

February Scripture Writing Plan 2021: Be Bold

 Happy almost February sweet friends! 

The scripture writing plan topic this month is all being BOLD!

I don’t know about you, but I want to live and speak more boldly for Christ to friends and family and strangers God places in my path.  But here is the thing: being bold is SCARY. Often super scary. Why? Because it requires us to be vulnerable, to put ourselves out there and to be firm in our beliefs, regardless of if we have the same beliefs as someone else or not (and especially if not) and to risk rejection and even ridicule.  I think most of the time when we aren’t bold (even when God calls us to be) it’s because we are scared and honestly because we are fearful of being embarrassed.  Sometimes we are fearful because we don’t know exactly how to say what we believe, we worry because we didn’t go to seminary, we don’t have every Bible verse memorized, we don’t know every historical reference in the Bible and we can’t read or speak Greek.  Because being bold is scary, it is usually easier to just keep wishing we were bolder, to admire and envy bold people and to follow them on social media, to read and be inspired by biographies of bold people, watch movies about bold people and do Bible study after Bible study about being fearful than it is to step out and actually BE BOLD. 

I for one am guilty of all of the above. But here is the good news: Not knowing everything or being fearful does NOT disqualify us to share the love of Christ. Thank goodness! Sweet friends, God created us for purpose, not perfection. He is eager to do things in and through us, but we must decide to take the risk to step out and be bold!

Boldness feels and is risky but only when we do it on our own. When the Lord has called us and is leading the way, we can follow Him without fear, knowing that the outcome is always in His capable, mighty hands. God takes ordinary, flawed people like you and me and help us to be bold to fulfill His purpose and calling. Of course, God knew we would struggle with this and because of that there are tons of stories in the Bible of people being bold for Christ as an example for us. These are a few of my favorites: The Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10), Queen Esther (Esther 1-4), John and Peter (Acts 4) David (1 Samuel 17) and Paul (Acts 28). God calls us to be bold. God is pleased with us when we do something different and step out in faith, knowing that He will lead us and walk with us. When God resides in us and works through us, His strength and power sustains us. 

My prayer is that this month as we read and write verses about being bold, we stop being fearful and instead are bold (even in fearful situations) to act despite our sweaty palms and pounding hearts. I pray that we pursue boldness and do whatever it takes to declare the gospel to every single person the Lord calls us to and puts in our path!

FYI: I make all plans 31 days long so that they can be 
done any month-not just the month I write them for.

TO PRINT: You can find a copy of the plan in the folder HERE.

I Am a Child of the One True King (and so are you!)

You can print out a copy in navy, white, or black HERE. 

September Scripture Writing Plan: Grace

 Happy almost September sweet friends! 

The scripture writing plan topic this month is over something we all need: 

GRACE

I love lists and really LOVE checking things off lists. Sadly, we Christians often set up some crazy lists for ourselves though and think that if we don’t do all those things, we are not deserving of God’s love and grace. Thank goodness that is NOT true. Living a life for Christ does not include a list of things to do that we are required to complete in order for us to receive God’s love. Time and time again in His word, God reminds us that even though we did nothing to deserve His grace and love, He sent His son to die on the cross for our sins. We didn’t earn it and we definitely don’t deserve it, but He gave it to us out of His great love for us. Because of this amazing gift, we no longer have to live a life in our own strength, but can surrender completely and fully to HIM.

2 Corinthians 12: 9 says:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

What is grace? Gracious, the Hebrew word chanan, in its verb form, means to be considerate or to show favor. That God is gracious would mean that he is favorably inclined toward us. That he wants to show favor to us. To do what is best for us- always.

Many of us struggle with the lie that Satan tries to get us to believe-  that we must EARN God’s grace, and that unless we live a perfect life, God will withhold His mercy and grace on us because we are undeserving. But y’all- nothing is further from the Truth of God's Word. No one can ever earn God’s favor at any time, for any reason. NO ONE. EVER. His mercy and grace to us renews each and every single morning (Praise the LORD!). God’s grace and mercy are not a one-and-done thing- it’s given to us every single day, every single hour.

My prayer is that this month, as we focus on what God’s word says about grace, that we are able to acknowledge God’s sweet gifts of love and forgiveness and grace and stop trying to live life in our own strength, but instead leaning fully on Him. My we cement in our hearts the truth that His grace covers us.

 

FYI: I made the plan 31 days and plan to do that with

all topical plans in the future so that they can be done any month-

not just the month I write them for.

TO PRINT: You can find a copy of the plan in the folder HERE.

Be Not Afraid

I'm a fixer by nature. If there's a problem and things seem out of control, I want to find a solution. ASAP. Stat. Immediately. And sometimes that can be a good thing. Have a technology issue or task you are trying to accomplish? I'm your girl. Have a party you want to plan and need some creative, inexpensive ideas? I'm your girl. Have a care package you want to send and need some fun theme for it? I'm your girl. But other times, when the battle is NOT mine? That tendency? It's not so good. (#ugh).

2 Chronicles 20:15 says...

Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

Many times I get frustrated trying to fix things (and people!) and fight battles that are not mine to fight. To meddle in things that God is working in and through. To allow Him to work in His mighty and powerful ways. I love this verse so because it's a beautiful reminder that Jesus has already won victory over EVERYTHING and ANYTHING that this life and world can throw at us. He has fought and WON against everything- marriage difficulties, financial struggles, cancer- EVERYTHING.

Today as I read I continued on reading and loved verse 17 which says...

"You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”

Just like the verses above say, all we have to do is trust Him, take our positions, and stand firm in His promises, His plan, His almighty power. And then just stand and watch. The battle is His and my job is to trust and believe in His promises- even in the fact of hopelessness and what seems impossible. Because nothing is impossible for Him! My prayer for us today is that we are able to hold fast to this promise. To trust Him, rest in Him, and reject the lies that Satan tries to get us to believe. To sit still and expectant- knowing He will fight for us.

I made this little printable and I put one on my desk as a reminder to myself. To remind myself to allow God to fight the battles and for me to stand firm in His promises. (If you'd like to print your own copy, you can get one at the link here: https://goo.gl/7d1K3n )

August Scripture Writing Plan: God is My Strength

Happy almost August sweet friends! 

The scripture plan topic this month is over something
I think everyone needs to be reminded of right now:
The reminder that 

GOD IS MY STRENGTH.

(If this plan looks familiar, it's because it's a refresh of a plan from 3 years ago- 

I felt strongly led to do this topic this month so I updated it!)

A few years ago I started taking yoga (which I love!) and because I only have half of my balance nerves (my right side balance nerves were severed during my brain surgery so I’m kind of like a weeble- I wobble but don’t usually fall down) there are some poses, like tree pose, that are extremely difficult and challenging for me. The first time I did tree pose I literally almost fell over. What I have had to learn over the past few years is that I must lean on my supports while doing poses like the tree pose- at least initially. It’s not an option, it’s something I must do or I WILL fall down. I must lean in and steady myself with something that is unchangeable and that I know I can count on- like the wall or bar. Doing so turns my super wobbly pose into a solid, secure one and eventually I can let go.

One day as I stood in tree pose in class I thought about what a perfect analogy my tree pose in yoga is for how I am in life. I go along and try to do all sorts of things in my own strength- only to get super weary and wobbly and ultimately, I fall down. But, when I stop and am reminded that God is my strength and that He is steady and secure, and I can lean on Him- then I am rock solid strong.

Isaiah 40: 28-31 reminds us of this where it says….

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” NIV

These verses are full of reminders that:

1. God is in control. He is. Not us. He is all seeing, all knowing, all powerful and has NO limits. Isaiah doesn’t start in these verses immediately talking about what needs to be done. He stops and says….Hey, don’t you remember who God is? He is God who loves us with an always and forever love. We can count on it and rest in it- even in (and especially when) life is crazy around us.
2. God is everlasting.
3. God is the creator of the ends of the earth.
4. God is infinite in His energy. He is ALWAYS working and NEVER tires or gets weary.
5. God is unchangeable. Even when life makes no sense to us, God’s not ever confused or perplexed or overwhelmed.
6. God is strong. Always.
7. God is generous. He isn’t just powerful, He wants US to walk in power with Him. He meets our weakness with His strength.

When we seek it, God gives us an ample supply of HIS strength. I don’t know about you but for that I am so crazy thankful. He has his eyes on me and holds me in the palm of His mighty hand. When I start to fall (and I WILL fall) in my own strength, He will catch me.

My prayer is that we are able to spend this month reading what He has to say about strength in His word and that we are able to fix our focus on the changeless reality that is Him- regardless of our circumstances. That we are able to lean into His mighty strength and draw from His power when we feel weak.

FYI: I made the plan 31 days and plan to do that with

all topical plans in the future so that they can be done any month-

not just the month I write them for.

TO PRINT: You can find a copy of the plan in the folder HERE.

June Scripture Writing Plan: Praise and Worship

Happy almost June sweet friends! 

The scripture plan topic this month is one of my favorite things: 

Praise and Worship

Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised.

And His greatness is unsearchable. 

Psalm 145:3

Y'all- there is such great power in praising and worshiping the Lord. 

Praising the Lord takes our eyes off of our lives and pain and issues and our worries

and puts them squarely on what's truly important, HIM. 

So what exactly is praise? 

To me praise...

-acknowledges God as Lord and King of our lives
-gives thanks to Him for who He is and what He does in our lives
-is confessing exactly who God is

Praising God helps us to more fully understand and comprehend who He is and in turn, who we are. It reminds us of his amazing, great, almighty, all knowing power and 

humbles us to realize that we so desperately need Him to love us and to save us. 

I think often people think that praising the Lord is something we only do while at church singing in a worship but the truth is every single one of our days should be filled with praise. 

Here are ten reasons I think praise is so important in our lives:

1. He is GREAT and deserves our praise
2. It puts Him where He belongs in our lives- as the most important thing, as the joy and the delight of our lives
3. It causes us to think about the millions of reasons we have to worship Him
4. It gives us the right perspective and keeps our focus on what is truly important- HIM- instead of the craziness of our world
5. It reminds us of the truth of His word
6. It points us to the truth of His love for us
7. It helps us focus on and learn about His character
8. It reminds us that He is with us always- in the beauty and in the hard
9. It reminds us of His faithfulness in the past (and present and future!)
10. It points other to Him

You'll notice that many of the verses in the plan this month are in the book of Psalms 

and that is because that's what a psalm is- a praise! Did you ever notice that Psalm is the longest book of the Bible? It is and the fact that the longest book is a book devoted to praise tells us that it's vital that we spend lots of time in praise. 

Let's spend this month praising our Lord. 

My prayer is that these verses help you to focus on our great Lord and Savior and the many, many, many reasons we have to praise and worship Him!

FYI: I made the plan 31 days and plan to do that with

all topical plans in the future so that they can be done any month-

not just the month I write them for.

TO PRINT: You can find a copy of the plan in the folder HERE.