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

January Scripture Writing Plan 2021: New Year

Happy almost January sweet friends! Can you believe it's almost 2021? 

The scripture writing plan topic this month is all verses about a New Year!

2020 has been one of the craziest, heaviest, scariest years for many people 

and most of us are pretty stinkin' excited for the calendar to roll over to 2021. 

This year has shown us that life is crazy unpredictable and you truly never

know what can and will happen that you are zero % prepared for. 

This year has show us that our health and jobs and 

relationships and freedom and security can all vanish in the blink of an eye. 

Whether 2020 was the greatest year of your life, 

or you are crazy happy to see 2020 finally end, 

thankfully there is one truth that still remains 100% true 

through it all for each and every one of us, 

regardless of the insanity around us:

God is with us- ALWAYS. 

God's Word is filled with prayers of men and women who reached out to God for a fresh start. 

Over and over and over again they prayed for God to give them a new beginning

and He was with each and every one of them. 

On the heels of the celebration of the birth of our King, the reminder that He is with 

us has the power to carry us right into a fresh and beautiful new start. 

The truth is that He is Immanuel, God with us. 

And though circumstances and situations around us will shift and change constantly

and though people and relationships will wound and hurt us, 

and though things will happen in 2021 that stink and we wish didn't, 

our God never changes- EVER-

and He will never leave our side. 

When I focus on it, that truth helps me to remember that 

God is in total control and therefore I can rest in the knowledge

 that no matter how out of control I feel, He is still on His throne. 

What a crazy comfort that is in this unpredictable, insane world we are living in today! 

My prayer is that as we read and write these verses about new beginnings and a new year, 

we are able to focus on the truth of His word.

I pray that as a result our hearts and minds are filled with these truths 

and that we spend each and every day of 2021 drawing closer to Him 

and learning more about Him through time spent in His Word. 

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.

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.

May Scripture Writing Plan: Kindness

Happy almost May sweet friends! 

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

Kindness

It's so easy to feel bombarded by all of the bad, the evil, the sadness in this world we live in- especially right now when things are so scary and so uncertain. It's easy to feel discouraged and completely down and depressed by it all. The one thing that has stood out to me above everything else during this dark time in our world isn't bad or negative though, it is the crazy lavish kindness I have seen displayed. 

Because the news is so full of unknowns and terrible statistics and frightening predictions, it is so refreshing and encouraging and lovely to read and watch stories that show you the good that is still in this world. You know the stories I am talking about- they are the ones at the very end of the broadcast (Why just one I always wonder? I wish the news was full of those stories!). The kind of stories that make you want to be better, to do more, to be the good in the world. 

I love that God's word is full of reminders to us that we are called to be kind and loving to others- regardless of our circumstances. Even when we don't want to. Even if we don't feel like it. Even when we have lots on our plates and on our minds. God repeats those things He wants us to remember and kindness and love is definitely a theme we see repeated over and over and over again in His word. God's love and mercy to me helps keep me mindful of why I love Him so much, and why I should let Him show others that same love through me.

So this month let's focus on what God's word says about kindness and pray for God to help us live in a way that reflects His nature to others! As a bonus challenge- as you write the verses this month, ask God to bring someone to mind that you could show some extra love and kindness to! 

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.

March Scripture Writing Plan: Perseverance

Happy almost March friends! 

The scripture writing plan topic this month is
Perseverance

Perseverance: persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

When walking through something difficult or hard or scary in our lives we have a choice. A choice to pull away from the Lord and give up or to press onward and cling to the Lord. The good news is that if we choose to persevere while clinging to God, He will hold our hand while we wait. He is with us and for us and cheering us in as we wait and persevere. When we persevere in God’s calling and plan for our lives, blessings WILL come, in His timing, not ours.

Thankfully God loves us so much that His word has lots to say about perseverance (probably because He knew we would struggle with it) and that’s what the plan this month focuses on. I pray that as you write these verse you are reminded that God’s promises are bigger and better than the promises you think you should have. I pray that you are reminded to cling to Him. I pray that you are reminded of God’s command to wait and instead of being irritated by it, are comforted by it. I pray that you are reminded that your waiting is so often needed and restores your strength. I pray that you are reminded that when you persevere, it invites you to see that God’s strength is far greater than any strength you could ever muster on my own. I pray that you are reminded that your persevering helps you to see that God is ALWAYS at work revealing His love and grace and that He never waste your patience and your waiting.

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.

February Scripture Writing Plan: Love

Happy almost February friends! 

The scripture plan this month is over a topic so appropriate for this month: 

LOVE

When I was little I had a dog stuff animal. He was a big white dog with a red shirt that said “Puppy Love”. I loved that stuffed dog so dearly and took him absolutely everywhere. I loved him so much that he grew dirty from being carried around everywhere I went and being slept & played with year after year. He eventually lost an eye and part of his nose- but my love for him did not wane, I loved him still.. After years of being loved hard, he was no longer beautiful to anyone. His fur was grayish, his shirt faded and his features scraggly. If you saw him (he is actually in my attic!), you definitely wouldn’t think of him as beautiful- you’d probably only see his flaws. However, if I looked at him, I’d tell you he was beautiful and wonderful. Not because he is actually outwardly beautiful today. Not because he does anything to deserve that love. I love him because I see him as he was created. In my eyes, he is perfect because I loved him so.

Thankfully that’s how God loves us. He doesn’t love us because we necessarily are beautiful- inside or out. He loves us when we are good and when we are not so good. He loves us when we make mistakes and screw up (no matter how big those mistakes may be). His love is what makes us beautiful. He loves us despite all of our inadequacies and flaws. He loves us- flaws and all- simply because we are His children. 

Think about how a grandmother loves a grandchild. In her eyes, her grandchild is the absolute best of the best. She has their pictures plastered all over her house, on her refrigerator, and carries around photos of them to show to anyone and everyone willing to look at them- friend, neighbor, pastor, postman, check out guy at the grocery store- literally anyone! She brags about that grandchild, sharing their accomplishments (no matter how small or insignificant) and overlooking their flaws because of her great love for them. She lavishes love and gifts and kisses and hugs on that child every single chance she gets. That’s how God feels about us- a grandma’s love multiplied by millions and millions. He set his love on us- not because we earned it, but because He delights in us. 

Ephesians 3: 17b-19 says…

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Did you notice those verses didn’t have a single stipulation on His love. It doesn’t say…..”and deep is the love of Christ IF you do ____ or act _____”. His love is. It’s a fact and there is nothing- not a single thing you can do to change or erase it. NOTHING. When you feel ugly or less than or unloved, God says: You are beautiful because you are mine and I love you. 

No matter what you have done or said, no matter what flaws you have, no matter how big your mistakes- He loves you still. His love is the single thing that you can count on. His love is irrevocable. He will always love you. My prayer as you write the verses this month is that you are reminded that God loves you more than you can ever begin to imagine!

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.

December Scripture Writing Plan: Names of God

Happy almost December friends!

The new topical plan for this month is one that I so enjoyed 

researching and am so excited to share with you!

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, 

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!

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!}

 You can find the December plans from last year in the folder   HERE. 

November Scripture Writing Plan: Strength

Happy almost November friends!

(How is it already November? Where in the world did October go?)

The new topical plan for this month is over

STRENGTH.

If you are tired and weary, this plan is for you. 

My prayer is that every verse in this plan is a reminder 

to you that we don’t have to walk through this life in our strength.

Thankfully, the Lord has given us HIS strength.

When we face impossible challenges 

(and we WILL face them)

we can turn to the all-powerful and all-knowing God.

I pray that you are reminded daily and find comfort in His word

 as you read what God has to say about strength.

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.

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!}

You can also find an iPhone lock screen with the plan on it HERE.

Below are the plans for the month of November from last year- 

over the topic of GRATITUDE. 

You can download a copy in the folder HERE.

October Scripture Writing Plan: Prayer

Happy almost October friends!

The new topical plan for this month is over
something I strongly believe in but think many of us struggle with:
PRAYER!

My prayer is that every verse in this plan is a reminder 
to you of God's desire to have a relationship with you. 
He loves us so and no only wants us to come to Him in prayer,
He has promised us to listen when we do!

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.

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!}

You can also find an iPhone lock screen with the plan on it HERE.

Below are the plans for the month of October from last year- 

one topical and one over Kindness.

You can download a copy in the folder HERE.

June Scripture Writing Plan: Who I am in Christ

Happy almost June friends!

The new topical plan for this month is over the topic of Who I am in Christ. 

If you ever struggle with who you are, (and if you are enough)

 this list of Biblical truths will reveal exactly who God made you to be.

You need to truly know who you are in Christ so that you can live your life as God intended.

God's opinion is the ONLY one that matters. 

My prayer is that every verse will be a reminder of your true position in 

Christ because of victory won at the Cross.

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.

You can find a copy of the plan in English and Spanish
and a plain copy of each in the folder HERE.

At the suggestion of a blog reader, I also decided to do
a fun iPhone lock screen with the plan on it.
You can download a copy of it HERE.

This is the plan for the month of June from last year
which is topical plan on Forgiveness.

You can copies of those plans to print out for yourself in the folder  HERE.

For those that have asked, there is also a blank form 

to write your verses on that can be found HERE. 

April Scripture Writing Plan: Grief

Happy almost April! 

The new topical plan for this month is over the topic of Grief.
I have so many precious friends dealing with grief of one type or another right now
 and I thought a plan on grief would be something to comfort them during difficult times.

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.