One Thought Method...

I learned something so helpful in one of my classes. If you're like me, sometimes I feel "so busy" that having a time with God gets pushed aside. I learned the One Thought Method and it has been fabulous for helping me be consistent. I have also learned a lot b/c you don't have to DO a lot and you get to share with someone else what you learned and that helps what you've learned stick with you!! Check out my sample journal entry.

1st you pray that God would give you ONE thought about what you read (pick a paragraph) My teacher suggested starting with the book of Philippians.

2nd you read the paragraph until you hear God give you one thought about it.

3rd you write out a prayer off of that thought.

So here was mine for today!

Php 1:1 - Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus (that is as far as I got and God gave me my thought!!)

Thought: Are you really a servant? Remember what David Jeremiah said yesterday, "'You will know if you are truly a servant by the way you react when someone treats you like one.' How do you react, Evie?"

Prayer: Father - I am not the kind of servant that Timothy was. I am so much more comfortable being in charge and giving orders. I know I have been willing to serve, but somehow I feel like my serving is not because I myself am walking in a posture of a servant. I need You to transform my heart and create in me an attitude of a true servant. Show me what it looks like. Convict me when I serve out of a desire to be recognized or seen as a good Christian servant. Continue to form my character so I am truly Your servant, an empty vessel useful for Your perfect plan.

If this helps just ONE of you in your time with God it will bring such joy to my heart! I love you all and so want to see each one of us become the women that God has created us to be! <3

If you try this, let me know what one of your journal entries looked like!

Happy New Year...

            Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead ~ Php 3:13

As we head into 2011, I want to encourage you oh beautiful masterpiece of God. So often when we look back over the previous year we have regrets. I’ll admit, there are definitely things I would do differently if given the opportunity. In those moments when I feel the *sigh* deep within, God reminds me of a few simple, yet beautiful truths. I hope that you will embrace these truths and allow them to encourage your heart.

He was not caught off guard by your choices in 2010! Ps 139:16 - “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”

You are already forgiven – Acts 10:43 – “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

His love for you is constant and unshakable! - Ro 8:38-39 -“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

You are wonderfully in process - Php 1:6 – “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” God began something good within you and He has promised to finish it!

He has an amazing plan for your future – My ministry foundation is built on this very important truth…You are God’s masterpiece. Eph 2:10 – “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Beautiful one, your future is something to continually look forward to. You don’t need to let regrets overwhelm or discourage you. When you look back, you should not feel the weight of needless shame. You are not defined by your behaviors; you are defined by whose you are. We are the beloved children of God…His beautiful masterpieces. This year, may you look with hope to the future and hold tightly to the truth that you belong to the One who firmly holds you in the palm of His hand as you journey into the New Year.