30 Day Thanksgiving Prayer Challenge

Thanksgiving Challenge by Rosilind - Day 1

Rosilind started a day early, so grab that Prayer Journal and let's go!!

Psalm 95:2-3 (NIV)
Let us come before Him with thanksgiving
and extol Him with music and song.
For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all Gods.

Write this in your Prayer Journal and pray it all day long.

Read her entire post here:
http://www.rosilindjukic.com/be-thankful-always/
She is offering a free workbook on her challenge today.

My challenges will begin tomorrow.
(See yesterday's post for details.)

Gratitude
1. A God to sing thanksgivings about!
2. Songs of  praise
3. New challenges

Blessings,
Deborah

November Plans & Journal Update

Challenge - Day 30

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

Along with the 30 Day Prayer Challenge, I will be sharing scripture on praise/thanksgiving and making and sharing art for my Faith Journal that will hopefully inspire you to join me in doing this as part of the challenge. In fact, let's make that an official challenge.
It will be a fun and busy month.
Stay turned.

My Faith Journal for this week.
I shared thoughts about the first week's reading assignment in **"Made in Crave," and wrote down the scripture she gave us.  My SIL and I finished our study of"Beyond Kabbalah." Notice the wavy letters in the two black ink scripture verses. You can learn how to do this on YouTube by Cat Hand here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyUymsJqxzE&list=PLzaNcrENNXOzDcCjmDcR5l5UQXkKy_AGI&index=18

Recap:

Challenges for November

1. 30 Day Prayer Challenge from a little R & R

2. Praise and Thanksgiving Scripture Study by Me

3. Art and Faith Journal Challenge by Me

Supplies needed for all 3 challenges:

1. Journal for prayers

2. Journal to begin Faith Journal

 (If you already have one started you can continue in that one and use just one journal for both.)

3. Whatever art supplies you have on hand.

(Some that I use are: colored pencils, watercolors, acrylic paints, felt pens)

I hope you take at least one of these challenges with me in November.

Phil 1:4

In all my prayers for all of you,

I always pray with joy.

Blessings,

Deborah

**P.S. I wanted to tell you that the book "Made to Crave" is not a diet book. It is a book on how to crave God instead of food and though that craving, have a closer relationship to Him.

Let's Take This One!

Challenge - Day 28

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

Let's take this challenge!

We will begin Nov. 1, 2016

I will post/link it daily.

Are you with me?

Comment below.

Gratitude

1. A new challenge

2. Work today

3. Foggy fall day

Phil 1:4

In all my prayers for all of you,

I always pray with joy.

Blessings,

Deborah

Three Special Links

Challenge - Day 26

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

For those of you who have a Bible Journal, Faith Journal, Personal Journal or any other kind of journal, I would like to recommend Teri Kojetin's videos on YouTube.. This talented lady will knock your socks off with ways to journal.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf0VUOcHwY3Qhf9ae-po6_g

Another talented artists is Cat Hand. Her artistic flair is phenomenal. She shows you so many ways to create an easy piece of art. I have used many of her lessons in my Faith Journal and card making. Check out her Mixed Media Morsels. She has shared 31 of them.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsKvyMTiXZonwDYs18SnWwg

Have you ever thought of becoming a blogger or been a blogger for a while and need an uplift?
Rosilind Jukic at a little R&R is offering a class on just this topic beginning in January 2017. Check it out here:
http://www.rosilindjukic.com/bible-study-blogger/

Hope these are helpful and you can find some inspiration from these talented ladies.

Today I finished studying the book, "Beyond Kabbalah,," by Rabbi Joel David Bakst.
It was one of the hardest and most enlightening books I have ever studied.
Congrats to me and thank you to my SIL for being my study partner and leading me on this journey. I never could have done it without you. Thanks for your patience and guidance.
Thank you, Rabbi Bakst for writing such an inspiring and enlightening book.

Gratitude
1. The talent of others
2. Fall leaves dancing in the wind
3. My dogs, Molly and Leena

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

Why I Have a Faith Journal

Challenge from Pro-Blogger to write an Opinion post.
Challenge - Day 25

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

Before I begin explaining my title, I want to share Ed Cyzewski's post today from The Creative Writer, because I feel it is so important for us know and remember. (Ah, another opinion.)

Ed writes about Luke 12:7 "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

He also writes, "When God sees you, He sees a beloved creation that is known from head to toe. You are worthy of love and restoration simply because He is intimately invested in who you are as your creator."

God is "intimately invested in who you are." Isn't that a wonderful thought along with "the very hairs of your head are all numbered?" Another great one to "Put it in Your Pocket" to remember.

God loves us.
There is no doubt of that fact.

Read Ed's entire short and sweet post here:

https://thecontemplativewriter.com/2016/10/25/scripture-meditation-known-and-loved/

Why I have a Faith Journal

1. It helps me to stay focused on God
2. It is a form of worship
3. It allows me to be creative

1. It Helps Me to Stay Focused on God
I am constantly looking in magazines and the internet for things to put in my journal. Sometimes I see a picture or word that inspires me to research a topic in my Bible for my journal.
Bible = Thinking about God
Thinking of my journal and what to write or create there keeps me focused on God.

2. It is a Form of Worship
I believe it is a form of worship. I work in my journal to glorify Him. I am making it in hope of inspiring you, my dear readers, and future generations of my family who may read it, to worship and journal about God, too.

3. It Allows Me to be Creative
 I love to create. I NEED to create. It is who I am. I used to quilt and now I have a Faith Journal. I used to take big pieces of fabric, cut it up and sew it back together. Now I cut up magazines to make a Faith Journal.
Being creative fills a place in me nothing else can. God is THE  creator and I like to think He takes delight when we are inspired by Him and His creation to create something ourselves.
I add art to my journal so I don't have to write so much. Sometimes, writing intimidates me. Funny thing for a blogger to say, but in certain cases it does. Adding art fills up space and adds a certain flair. It allows your imagination to present itself in another way to glorify God.

Having a Faith Journal is something worth giving a try. As I said above, it keeps you focused on God, is another form of worship and allows you to a be a creator yourself. How cool it that?

Gratitude
1. My hairs are numbered by God
2. Being creative
3. Maverick, my cat

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

Last week's pages in my Faith Journal.

I Dreamt of Jesus

Challenge - Day 23

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

I've been battling insomnia. Thursday night I went to bed at 9p.m., woke up at 12:30a.m. then went back to sleep at 5:30a.m. when my husband got up. I fell back asleep and woke at 6:30a.m. when the alarm went off. In that last hour of sleep, I dreamt of Jesus. I've never had a dream about Jesus. In the dream He came up to me and I asked, "Lord, is it really You?" He smiled and answered, "Yes, Deborah, it is Me." Then He stepped closer and gave me hug. I can only say that I never wanted that hug to end. I wanted it to go on forever. We talked a little then the alarm went off. Wow. It was an incredible feeling. One I won't soon forget.

In Sarah Young's book, "Jesus Calling," I read this morning about Him being in us and we being in Him. His love is powerful. It guides us. Just like we have been have talking about through this challenge of following His word and thinking like and about God. Letting Him lead us in any decisions we have to make. I would like to share the readings Sarah suggests for today.

Jesus had been praying for His disciples and then starts to pray for all believers
John 17:20-21
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me."

Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life;
You will fill me with joy in Your presence,
with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

Jesus still prays for us.
Know that and keep it in your heart.

Dana's recap of this weeks principals reminds us that "Christian thinking requires understanding everything about our lives flows from Him. Also, "Christians should not depend on our own understanding, but rely on the certainty of God."

The lessons to "Put it in Your Pocket" are:
1. "As God's child, my life is always better when I reflect on Him."
2. " Reliance on God is a choice I am exercising with my thoughts."

You can read her entire post here:

http://www.danapittman.com/christian-thinking-week-3-review/

Gratitude
1. Dreams of Jesus
2. His being in me
3. My life

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

Winter Book Club

Challenge - Day 20

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

There is a new book club starting on October 24, 2016 and ending December 19, 2016.
For more details go to R&R's website here:

http://www.rosilindjukic.com/made-crave-winter-book-club/

The book is called "Made to Crave," by Lysa Terkeurst.
I highly recommend this book. I read it a couple of years ago and it really helped me lose weight by learning to crave God instead of food. Excellent read. You can get it on Amazon here:

https://www.amazon.com/Made-Crave-Satisfying-Deepest-Desire-ebook/dp/B01GY128WQ/ref=cm_sw_em_r_dp_v_d_SmpcybCB2M88X_lm

Gratitude
1. Foggy mornings
2. New self in God
3. Day spent with hubby

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

Trust in Him Always

Challenge - Day 19

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to Him,
and He will make your paths straight.

Amplified Bible (AMP)
Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart
And do not rely on your own insight or understanding;
In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him,
And He will make your paths straight and smooth
[removing obstacles that block your way].

Also read KJV, NKJV,  CJB and GNV 1599 translations.

Bible Gateway Commentary
"Lean not on your own understanding," is more than failing to pray about decisions. It is more like being wise in one's own eyes, that is, believing that one can determine what is right and wrong without the guidance from God and His wisdom.

AMP translation explained "will make your path straight" quite nicely with "[removing obstacles that block your way].

If we pray about any decision we need to make, God will lead us in the right direction and clear the road for our success. 
How wonderful it that?!!
God truly cares for us.
The Bible, His word, tells us in so many ways, in so many verses that this is true.
Trust Him.
Lean on Him.
Follow Him.

Gratitude
1. A God that guides me
2. Sunny Fall days
3. Clear paths

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

I am Nothing Without Him

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

Acts 17:27-28  (NIV)
God did this so that they would seek Him
and perhaps reach out for Him,
though He is not far from any one of us.
'For in Him we live, and move and have our being.'
As some of your own poets have said,
'We are His offspring.'

I also read the KJV, NKJV, CSB, and GNV 1599 translations.

God is not far away.
We CAN have a fellowship with Him.
That is a wonderful comfort to me.
I just need to reach out and He answers me.
Gives me chills.
We are so blessed.
Keep this in your heart today.
Rely on this.

 My prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you for my many blessings, especially the person reading this. Help us to always remember You are just a breath away. In Jesus'  name I pray. Amen.

Gratitude
1. A God who is near
2. A God who lives in us
3. Seasons

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Please know that if you ever need prayer you can leave me a comment and I will pray for you.

Blessings,
Deborah

Some Days are Just Hard

Challenge - Day 17

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

Today is one of those hard days.
I've had insomnia for months.
I'm beyond tired.
My brain is in a fog today.
I've thought about what to post today and I've come up empty.
I let my husband down by having to say no to dinner at his parents tonight.

Some days I have to put me first.
I'm diabetic.
I'm tired.
I'm rundown.
I have nothing left to give.
It's a hard day.

On the bright side;
God is good.
I am blessed.
I got up this morning.
I'm just tired.
I wanted to show up.
Here I am in all my human-ness.

I've taken this challenge to be here everyday this month.
I want to be here everyday.
Here I am, Lord.

Tomorrow will be a better day.
Prayers would be appreciated.

Gratitude
1. Hard days
2. Better days
3. Everyday

Phil 1:4
In all my payers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

On a walk to town this summer in my valley.

Challenge Review and Journal Update

Challenge - Day 16

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

Dana gives us valuable tools in her recap of this week.

Principles:

1. "Christians must commit to replacing old thinking with righteous thinking."
2. "Christians are to make every effort to exercise complete control over one's desires, actions, impulses and emotions."
3. "Christian thinking requires observing, evaluating and concluding whether our thoughts are God honoring. And if they are not confess and adjust."
4. "The thoughts of mature Christians are guided by the Holy Spirit."

And to go with this, she gives us tools to carry in our pockets/hearts.

Put it in Your Pocket:

1. Put off. Put on.  Ephesians 4:22-24
2. I am empowered to control my thoughts. 2Peter 1:5-6
3. I am forgiven. Matt 7:1-5
4. I have the mind of Christ. 1Corinthians 2:15-16

See her entire post here:
http://www.danapittman.com/christian-thinking-week-2-review/

Thank you, Dana for another lesson and tools to live by.

Journal update for the week.

(Remember you can click on the pictures for a bigger view.)

I mentioned earlier this week that I was doing a scripture research on bees. I had a lot fun journaling about them. There are a total of four. I wrote one in the leaf and the other three on the tags. As I also mentioned earlier, I love the scripture about God whistling for the bees. I wonder if it will be a loud whistle or a tune. I also found a cute angel by Debbie Mumm whose skirt is shaped like a beehive, there are jars of honey at her feet and bees flying around. I used it as a tip-in and when you flip it open you can see my gratitude list. I included other scripture from this week's study and listed the tools above from Dana. This has become such a joy for me to journal this way.  Does anyone else journal like this? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Gratitude

1. Tools to help us live a righteous life

2. Wet rainy fall days

3. My sons and daughters

Phil 1:4

In all my prayers for all of you,

I always pray with joy.

Blessings,

Deborah

About the Sacraments

Challenge - Day 15

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

I read another great article by Fr. Downs today regarding the sacraments. Once again he nailed it. Beautiful post.

http://drewdowns.net/2016/10/15/talk-sacraments/


Gratitude
1. The Sacraments
2. Baptism into Faith
3. The new day

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

Free Books

Challenge - Day 14

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

I am sharing two free Kindle books with you today. One is about my favorite saint, Saint Francis of Assisi and the other is an Amish romance.

Saint Francis of Assisi
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Francis-Assisi-Paul-Sabatier-ebook/dp/B004TPUUSY/ref=cm_sw_em_r_dp_w_d_cboaybTXCCZG5_lm

The Letters
https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Inn-Eagle-Hill-Book-ebook/dp/B00B85MPMC/ref=cm_sw_em_r_dp_w_d_84naybAMBEJEV_lm

I have not read either of these yet, but they are on my carousel on my Kindle to read soon.

We have glorious rain falling in my beautiful California mountains this morning. It has been raining most of the night and I am so grateful.
Have a blessed Friday.

Gratitude
1. Rain
2. My mountains
3. Planted iris'

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

My favorite quote by St. Francis.

Challenge - Day 13

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

James 1:13-15
When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil nor does He tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Nelson's Bible commentary verse 13
God will never deliberately lead a person to commit sin because that would go against His nature, and it would be opposed to His purpose of molding His creation in His holy image.

verses 14-15
Sin does not force itself on the unwilling, but is chosen because of its attractions.

Please excuse my short post. I am not feeling up to speed today, but wanted to stay with the challenge. Hopefully I will be back to feeling myself tomorrow.

Gratitude
1. Rain
2. Fall colors
3. Falling leaves

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Do Not Judge

Challenge - Day 12

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

Matthew 7:1-5
"Do not judge or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others,
you will be judged, and with the same measure you use,
it will be measured to you.
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye
and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take that speck out of your eye,'
when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?
You hypocrite, first take the plank our of your own eye,
and then you will be able to see clearly to remove the speck
from your brother's eye.

Nelson's Compact Bible Commentary
1. The point of this verse is that a Christian should not have a sprit of carping criticism and fault finding.
(Carping. That is what it said. According to Oxford Dictionary carping means difficult to please or critical. I hadn't heard that one before. I lead a sheltered life. I think I like the word.)

2. Every judgement that a person makes becomes a basis for his or her own judgement.

Blue Letter Bible Commentary verses 3-5
Jesus is telling us that we are far more tolerant of our sins than we are of the sins of others.

I would wager that, if sins were being tallied somewhere, being judgmental would have the most tally marks. It is a common fault among us; one we make far too often and far too easily. Innocently and not innocently. (Wouldn't the person doing the tallying have a hard time keeping up in this election year? Funny - yes, but not really.)

Some judgments are good when we make them for ourselves or our children. Should I do this or that? Go here or there? Say this or that? That is not what is being talked about here.

The kind of judgment Jesus is talking about is sin. When we maliciously judge others. To me, this is also gossip; another kind of sin for another day.

I still like the idea Dana gave us the first day we started this challenge to carry a piece a paper with us to write our thoughts down through the day. Ask yourself is this judgmental? Is it a pure thought: A true thought? A praiseworthy thought? How would Jesus feel about this thought?

Dear Father,
Thank you for my many blessings and help me to not be judgmental, but to keep my thoughts true, pure and praiseworthy. Help me to be a blessing to others and to always do Your will. Amen.

Gratitude
1. Scripture
2. Lessons
3. Sunny fall days

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

Regarding The Trinity

Challenge - Day 11

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

Ever struggle with having to explain The Trinity.
Not an easy task.
It's not biblical in its foundation.
However, I do believe in it.

Fr. Drew Downs does an excellent job of explaining this concept on his blog today. http://drewdowns.net/2016/10/11/trinity-doctrine/

It is good to know that Jesus is down with me if  I'm looking for God.

Gratitude
1. Great explanations
2. Enlightenment
3. Belief

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

Tools to Study With From Dana

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

Dana gives us an excellent study tool today over at her blog.
http//www.danapittman..com/philippians-4_8_scripture-map/

I tried to put a picture of it here, but no go, so hop on over there and check it out.
My technical abilities are laughable, but at least I figured out the link-y thing. :)

My journaling this week is about bees. I love honey bees and I found some great scripture verses about them. My favorite talks about the Lord whistling for flies and  bees. Must be a hidden message there. I'll need to go deeper and find out what that is. I like taking one word and cross referencing.

Gratitude
1. Study tools
2. Beautiful fall days
3. Journal ideas

Phil !:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

Blessed by a Stranger and Journal Update

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

Hebrews 13:6
The Lord is my helper;
I will not be afraid.

(Another reminder to add to this week's lessons that He is always with us.)

I was blessed by a stranger this Friday.

I got a call at work from a women at 4:45pm. She said she had been in town earlier that day and thought she might have left her purse by the bench outside of the café on the corner two doors down.  She asked if I could go look to see if it was there. Sure enough it was and I brought it back to the store. She was 45 minutes away and wanted me to wait for her to come pick up her purse. I assured her I would, even though it meant staying and extra half hour after I closed. We women know how important our purses are, eh?
She arrived about 5:25pm with a big smile, hugs and how I was her angel. She picked up her purse and set it on the counter.
"Let me get my wallet," she said.
I told her I didn't want anything, but for her to pay it forward and do something nice for someone else. She said she would do that, but that she would pay it forward now, too.
She handed me $80. I told her it was too much and tried to give it back.
She said, "You are my angel today and God Bless you. Keep it, please."
This is still my sweet good ol' small town where we don't lock our doors, leave our purses on the sidewalk for hours and wave at everyone we pass in our cars, whether we know them or not.
God bless this wonderful place and the people who live here.

Gratitude
1. Small towns
2. Strangers to help
3. Blessings from unknown sources

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

This week in my journal I wrote about celebrating a friend's birthday, "Beyond Kabbalah," class that was very hard, added some scripture verses from this week's lessons and told the above story.

Blessings,
Deborah

Challenge Day 8 Catch Up

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

Yesterday's Verse
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Today's verse
Philippians 2:13
...for it is God who works in you to will and act in order to fulfill His good purpose.

This week we have been learning how to act like Christians by thinking on true, noble, right, etc. things and renewing our minds daily and letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts until all this becomes a habit. Isn't it wonderful to read in today's verse we are not alone. That God is helping us every step of the way. I am relieved to know this. I want God's will to work in me and to know He is helping, then I know I can do this.

God is with me.
God is in me.
With His help, I will not fail.

It reminds me of my earthly father and all the times he helped me. I was thinking about the time my best friend and I joined a bowling league. We were assigned to the worst team, because our stats were low. That was okay. My father came to every game on league nights. He watched me and gave me pointers on how to improve. In his younger years he had been on the Men's league in the same town. He, however, was on the best team. The #1 team. I have a picture of him and my grandfather with their winning team. They knew their stuff. They were good. Really good. So getting tips and help from my dad was important. I listened. I got better. Not #1 team better, but better than I started out.

We can lean on God the same way by reading His word.  I'm not the best Christian I can be. I have a lot to learn. God puts people in my path like Dana, who is challenging me to do better. She is teaching me the way and I am listening and reading and watching this beautiful sister in Christ. Thanks, again, for this challenge, Dana and teaching me ways to learn. There are others, too. God Bless them all for sharing their knowledge with me to help me grow in the Lord.

My prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you for my blessings and for Your word that teaches me how to live. Thank you for those You put in my path who can also teach me to learn. Help me to keep all I learn in my mind and heart always. Amen.

Gratitude
1. Teachers
2. Leaders
3. God's word

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

Book Review - The Meeting Place

"The Meeting Place" by Janette Oke & T. Davis Bunn
 is a great book. I am currently reading this and can't put it down.
It is free on Kindle today.

https://www.amazon.com/Meeting-Place-Song-Acadia-Book-ebook/dp/B005BOXJ5S/ref=cm_sw_em_r_dp_v_d_TAf-xbF5A0XBA_lm

The reading to study for today is Romans 12:2. I worked today and have to work tomorrow. I will catch up on studies on Sunday.

I thank God the hurricane back east was not as bad as predicted.

Gratitude
1. My job
2 My husband's job
3. Books

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

Challenge Day 6 - Ephesians 4:23

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

Ephesians 4:23 NIV
"...to be made new in the attitude of your minds,"
KJV "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;"
NKJV same as KJV
CJB "and you must let your spirits and minds keep being renewed,"
GNV "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind,"

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible
"Or by the Spirit that is in your mind; that is, by the Holy Spirit; who is in the saints and is the author of renovation in them; and who is the reviver ad carrier on and finisher of that work and therefore that is called the renewing of the Holy Spirit."

Wow. Okay. Amen.

You can read the full commentary at this link:
http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/ephesians-4-23.html

You can find many commentaries on this passage, or any passage, by simply typing in "commentary on Ephesians 4:23 in your search browser.

If we take this verse and add it to what we have learned in Phil 4:8-9 and Colossians 3:15, we see we are being encouraged to keep practicing, so it eventually becomes a daily habit to keep God's word in our minds and heart.

Now let's put Ephesians 4:23 with 22 & 24 to get the whole picture.

22. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

I am really enjoying looking up and studying these comparisons and commentaries. This is a new way for me to study. Even after this challenge ends I will continue with this mode of study. I am feeling enlightened in a new way. Thank you, Dana.

My prayer

Dearest Lord,
Thank you for my many blessings and help me practice your word daily until it becomes a natural habit my heart and mind follow. Renew in me a new spirit daily to live in unity with You and everyone. Amen.

Gratitude
1. Renewal
2. Study
3. A new day

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

Picture found on Pinterest posted by Ali Clement.

Colossians 3:15

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

Colossians 3:15
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body you were called to peace.
And be thankful.

I compared translations in:
NIV
NKJV
KJV
CJB
GNV

Elliot's Commentary for English Readers
The "peace of Christ," is a sense of unity in Him, with our fellow-men and with God. We are "called to it in one body," which He is the Head.

Jamieson - Fausset - Brown Bible Commentary
"The peace of Christ:" Peace was the legacy to His disciples before He left them. "My peace I give unto you." John 14:27

Adam Clarke Commentary
"Rule in your hearts:" No heart is right with God where the peace of Christ does not rule.
When peace rules, all is safe.
"Of one body:" you cannot have peace with God unless you continue in unity.

I think this verse is pretty clear in its meaning.
Christ/God must rule in our hearts if we are to have peace within and with each other.

My prayer
Dear Lord,
Please let your peace rule in my heart today. Let me think before I speak and keep your word in my heart and mind always. Bless all who visit here with your peace. Amen.

Gratitude
1. The peace of all understanding
2. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit's  peace
3. Grace

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

Day 4 of Challenge and Journal Update

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

The first week of October was only 2 days so my pages reflect these two days only. My theme is welcoming Autumn. I have included Phil 4:8-9 and talked about that I will do an in-depth study on these verses, memorize them and pray with them. I also included Ecclesiastes 3:1 "There a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens." I thought it was appropriate for the welcoming of autumn. I enjoyed my first cup of hot tea!

I forgot to mention and show you how I am beginning each month . I found this idea on Pinterest and didn't write down or remember who it is by, so I cannot give credit. I loved the idea and it is working for me, so will continue to use this method of prayer tracking.

Across the top are praises, the left column is for your prayer requests and the right column is for writing the date they were answered. Pretty cool.

Tomorrow I will be talking about Colossians 3:15. Same mode of study as Phil 4:8-9

Gratitude

1. Seasons

2. Wood smoke filling the air

3. Autumn colors

Phil 1:4

In all my prayers for all of you,

I always pray with joy.

Blessings,

Deborah

Putting Things into Action

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

Challenge Day 3

Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)
8. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
9. Whatever you have learned, or received, or heard from me, or seen in me - put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 

The translations I read were:
NIV - New International Version
NKJV - New King James Version
KJV - King James Version
CJB - Complete Jewish Bible
GNV - 1599 Geneva Bible

I also wrote them all down. It was interesting to compare them.

I am making this my memory verse for this month. I typed it out above from memory and only messed up on verse 9. :)

The commentary I read was Nelson's Bible Commentary. Two word definitions caught my eye.

Meditate ("think about such things" in my NIV) - deliberate and evaluate. The new Christians were told to renew their minds so that they would not conform to the evils of this world.

Learned - not only conveys increased knowledge, but also learn by habitual practice.

My note - The increased knowledge is good, but not enough. Only by practicing and putting it into action do we truly learn something and make it our own.

Today, Dana suggests we carry a small piece of paper in our pocket and write down our thoughts throughout the day. At the end of the day we should read them and ask ourselves if they fit with Phil 4:8-9. Tear them up and toss when done. She also suggests we keep Phil 4:8-9 in mind when we are on social media. Good advice.

Dear Hashem,
Thank you for Your many blessings and help me today to focus on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Help me to remember the things I have read, learned, received and heard and put them into action. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Gratitude
1. His word
2. Knowledge
3. Meditation

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

Day 2 Challenge & Spiritual Journal Update

Start with God
Stay with God
End with God

http://www.danapittman.com/introduction-christian-thinking/

There is the link to Dana's post for today's challenge.
You will have to copy and paste the link, because mine don't seem to be working the past couple of days. (Growl, growl, grumble, grumble.) Don't know why. I'm linking like I always have. Very irritating, to say the least.

She gives us a roadmap to study Philippians 4:8-9. I am choosing to do these 4 things:
1. Cross reference - Read 5 translations. (I use Biblegateway.com for this. I have the link in my right sidebar)
2. Resources - Bible dictionary and concordance.
3. Commentaries - read at least two
4. Holy Spirit - Pray for guidance.

I will report my findings tomorrow.

My Spiritual Journal for this week.

I'm really having fun with the White Rabbit. The purple arrow has the scripture from

Matt 28:7 "Then go quickly and tell His disciples: He has risen from the dead..."

When you open the flap you see the White Rabbit running quickly. Makes me smile.

Gratitude

1. White rabbits

2. Rabbis

3. Bible study challenges.

Phil 1:4

In all my prayers for all of you,

I always pray with joy.

Blessings,

Deborah

Start With God

My new motto:

Today is Day 1 of the monthly challenge to write everyday, so here I am.

My goals were to write here, read my Bible and write in my Spiritual Journal. So far I have the first two done and will write in my journal before bed. I worked today, so time was not my own.

I want to share where I found my "read the bible in a year." It is on You Version and they have some great plans. Even weekly devotionals. The plan I read is called, "Eat this Book." It includes daily readings and a Psalm per day. I love reading the Psalms. Such comfort. Here is the link:

https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/206-eat-this-book

Gratitude
1. My job
2. All of you
3. The joys in my life

See you tomorrow!
Blessings,
Deborah