November Scripture Writing Plan: Abundance

  Happy almost November sweet friends!

The plan this month is on something God's really been showing me lately:

Abundance

I feel like we currently live in a world where people always want more, more, and MORE. It seems like everyone is rushing around frantically all of the time trying to earn more money, to purchase a bigger house, to get more material things to fill that house, to make more friends, to get more social media followers, to have MORE of literally everything. People are grasping and climbing and hoarding and reaching, constantly striving frantically for MORE. They attempt to control and to hoard and have all the things- forgetting that God is a God of abundance and that HE can and will not just provide, but provide abundantly for His children. 

God promises abundance for us and talks about it over and over again in His word. During His time on earth, He showed us time and time again that His love is a love of true abundance.  Here are just a few examples of times He didn't just provide, He provided in abundance: 

• John 2: At the wedding at Cana, Jesus had the servants fill the jars to the brim. He didn't just provide wine for the wedding feast, He provided an abundance of it. His miracle filled those jars  not with just a sip or two of wine, but all the way up to the tippy top. 
  
  
• Matthew 15: Jesus multiplied the loaves and the fishes and afterwards there were seven baskets full of leftovers. He didn't just provide enough food to feed everyone, He provided more than was needed- He provided abundance! 
  
  
• Exodus 16: God provided manna from heaven for the grumbling, complaining, hungry Israelites each and every day. He told Moses to tell the people to only gather what they needed each day because He would provide. On the 6th day when they brought in what they gathered, He promised them that it would be enough for that only that day but also for the following day, the Sabbath. Those who were obedient had no shortage of manna, but those who were greedy, had nothing left over. 

God is a God of abundance. He is all powerful, He is unlimited and He can (and will) provide for all of us. He knows exactly what we need and always gives us more than enough. He provides abundance of not just physical things but also for grace when we sin, for hope when we are hopeless, for peace when we are anxious. He provides all of these things so that we may be perfectly satisfied in Him. 

My prayer is that this month we are able to focus on these verses about the abundance of God and be reminded daily that He is a God of abundance. I pray that we are able to clearly see all of the ways in which He favors us, He provides for us, and He helps us. I pray that we are reminded over and over and over again that in Him we have enough. I pray that we are able to keep our hands open to receive all that God has for us, trusting and knowing that in Him we will have all that we need and more! Lord, help us to remember that your abundance is limitless and that in you, we have all that we need and more. 

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.

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.

April Scripture Writing Plan 2021: Hospitality

Happy almost April sweet friends!

The plan this month is over something I LOVE- Hospitality!

Hospitality is often thought of as inviting people over to your house for dinner but honestly hospitality is not about a perfectly cleaned and decorated house and fancy platters of food. To me Biblical hospitality is about serving and loving others through Christ and making them feel loved and valued and cherished, anywhere. And I think it's super important to remember that hospitality is not something optional for us to do, it's actually something that God calls us to do!

1 Peter 4:8-10 says:  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

God calls us to first love Him and second to love others. When we love and serve those God places before us, we are honoring and serving Him. When we love others, we are showing our love for God. He loves us wholly and completely and unconditionally so when we love and serve others through hospitality, we are also serving God. When we open our hearts as well as our homes, we're practicing Christian hospitality.

The good news is that Christian hospitality doesn't have to be perfect or expensive or elaborate or Instagram worthy. So often people focus on what they don't have instead of focusing on sharing the blessings of God that they do have.  They often think that when they are older or have more money or a larger house or more time they will be more hospitable. But friends, that's not what God's word says! 

And here's some good news: God CAN use people like you and me to touch lives- right now!

It doesn't matter if we rent or own a house or lease a tiny apartment or live in a trailer.  It doesn't matter if we have fine china and crystal or paper plates and Solo cups. It doesn't matter if our house is spotlessly clean or a huge chaotic mess. When it comes to hospitality here's what we have to remember: People gather with us and come to our homes to see us and spend time and fellowship with us- not to inspect and evaluate our homes. 

Hospitality is all about relationships and making people feel loved and valued. Hospitality puts people first—their comfort, their enjoyment, their needs—and invites them into our lives. Hospitality is not worrying about the clutter on the dining room table as we order pizza to be delivered. Hospitality is not about spending hundreds of dollars purchasing food for a gourmet, 9 course meal but instead it's about intentionally creating a place where people feel welcome and experience love, acceptance, and the presence of the Lord- even if it's just sharing a big pot of leftover vegetable soup along with some crackers. 

When we practice hospitality, we have the opportunity to touch lives in a personal way. We just have to be bold and willing to share what we have with those God places in our path- even if what we have is not a lot. God has not only given us the roof over our heads, He has also given us the love and wisdom needed to open our homes and hearts to others.  My prayer that this month as we read what God has to say about Biblical hospitality and serving others, that we think of ways to invite others to join and fellowship with us. That we truly see who God places in front of us and figure out ways to have them join us so we can share God's love with them. 

(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.

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.

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.

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.

July Scripture Writing Plan: Forgiveness

Happy almost July sweet friends! 

The scripture plan topic this month is over something I think everyone struggles with,

FORGIVENESS.

Forgiveness is hard y'all. Super stinky hard.

Sometimes I think even harder than forgiving others-it's harder even to forgive ourselves. To forgive ourselves the way God repeatedly forgives us over and over and over again. To give ourselves grace and mercy just as we give grace and mercy to those we love.

We torment ourselves thinking about what we could have done, should have done and although we know God forgives us, we can't (or won't) forgive ourselves. I think for me it often boils down to the fact that it's the unrealistic expectations I have of myself and put on myself that is at the root of this inability to forgive myself. I want to believe that I am better than I am- but the reality is, I'm not. I am a sinful, imperfect mess that is saved only by the grace and mercy of Christ.

God calls us to forgive- no matter how hard it is.

Isaiah 44:22 says...

I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you. Psalm 103:12 says...As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

We all have sinned and fallen short of His glory. All of us- every single one. 

Thankfully He will pick us up when we call out to Him and repent. There is no wrong- seriously NONE- that can keep God from redeeming you. His word is full of reminders of people who made mistakes and were given a new start by God and He will do the same for you and for me. How awesome and amazing is that?

Let's spend the next month focusing on what God's word says about forgiveness. My prayer is that during the month we are able to let go of any guilt we are clinging to and trust God to work out whatever went wrong and to thank Him for His mercy that endures for ever and ever and ever. 

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.

April Scripture Writing Plan: But God

Happy almost April friends! 

Want to know what my two favorite words are in the Bible? 

But God.

Why? Because I know that when I read those words, something amazing and wonderful and powerful- something only God can do, is about to happen. 

If you notice, the words But God are almost always said when:

• A situation seems hopeless and there seems to be no way out of it
• Someone is lost and completely unable to save themselves
• There is literally NO way and God makes a way

They are words that are always followed by the gracious and compassionate and loving intervention of God. When we read But God, we know something awesome and amazing is about to happen. I love these words because they remind me of the hope that I can only find in God.

My prayer is that during this scary time of so many unknowns and so many impossible situations, that no matter what this next month brings, we are able to focus on the But God verses in the Bible. That we are able to rest in the fact that God is a redeemer and when all seems hopeless, God is there!

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.

January Scripture Writing Plan: God's Timing

Happy almost January friends! 

The scripture plan this month is over a topic that I often get asked about: 

God's Timing

Maybe today you are in a season of waiting. Maybe you’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting- for a break, for a breakthrough, for healing, for a miracle- and you are weary. Maybe you feel like you are walking through the wilderness and it’s taking a sweet forever, you are losing hope and you truly can only see sand for miles and miles ahead. Whatever the desert you are walking through, whatever need you have (seriously, WHATEVER it is)........God’s got this. He is able to completely and fully provide what you need and give you the strength and endurance you need to walk through the desert you are in. 

Deuteronomy 29:5-6 says….

Yet the Lord says, “During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet. You ate no bread and drank no wine or other fermented drink. I did this so that you might know that I am the Lord your God.” NIV

God is THE great provider. Deuteronomy is full of amazing reminders of God’s provision. The verses above are incredible. 40 years and they didn't need new clothes or sandals? 40 years with no food? That isn’t possible. Only God could do that! 

I love these verses because they are a beautiful reminder that..... 

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀. 𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀. 

It may not look as we hope or desire or be in our time table but He does provide. 

My prayer is that when you are weary of the desert you are in, 

you are reminded in these verses below, 

that He will satisfy your needs, even in desert times

and that He is with you in the 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.