Be Strong and Courageous!

God has had a LOT to say to me recently as I face changes in our lives and new challenges.  We've done something we've never done before - purchased a house before selling the one we're in!  Both my husband and I felt very led by God to make this move, but I'll admit it's been a scary thing for me - especially as we then put our house on the market and didn't see a lot of immediate activity!  One night recently I had gone to sleep with these concerns on my mind, asking God for guidance.  I woke the next morning with the phrase "Be strong and of a good courage" running through my head.  As I usually do in such circumstances, I went to look the verse up in the Bible and read it in context.  The phrase I had remembered was from Joshua 1:9 in the King James version - but when I read it in the NIV it REALLY jumped out at me.  "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."  I HAD been feeling both afraid & discouraged and these words were both a clear and gentle rebuke of my lack of faith - and a promise that He was indeed leading and would continue to do so.  Father, I am SO grateful for the way you lead!  Thank you for your gentle understanding and support - even when you need to correct me!  You are indeed an AWESOME GOD and a LOVING FATHER!

As I looked further I discovered that not only did the phrase "Be strong and courageous" show up 3 times within 4 verses (verses 6-9)!  It showed up multiple times in other books of the bible as well! I've learned that when I see a phrase repeated, I REALLY need to pay attention, and I felt strongly that this was a phrase I needed to journal about. 

I discovered that the page across from the verses in my Bible was printed with just a map - no bible verses - so I was able to cover it with white gesso to create a whole page for journaling about this verse.  At first I thought that was far more room than I needed, but as I continued to work and thoughts continued to come, I filled the page pretty quickly.  (I even added a couple more reference texts to the page after I took a picture of it.  I had been reminded of a couple more texts that God had brought me to and there wasn't really room to add more than the text reference for them!  More about that later.)

As I stared at the blank page and considered how best to journal about these verses in Joshua, the first thing that came to me was the thought, "Okay, God, I want to obey, but I'm not feeling very strong right now!"  In response to that thought, Isaiah 40:31 was immediately called to mind - "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength".  Thank you, Father, I'll wait on you!!!!  I was then reminded of the journaling I had done some time ago about the armor of God (see post here about Ephesians 6:10-17) - a text reference I added after the picture of this page was taken.  {God also used this older post as an answer to questions about whether we should be changing anything about the listing/sale of our house (price, updating stuff, etc) - His answer to me - "STAND FIRM" jumped out at me as I re-read the page I had created back in October!  Thank you, Father for such clear guidance!!!!}

Next, was the reminder that I didn't need to be afraid.  God reminded me, "For I know the plans I have for you . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  What a promise!!!!  Thank you, Father!  He also reminded me that He cares about what we consider the "little things" - a sparrow's death, the number of hairs on my head, and promises that I am worth more to him than many sparrows so I don't need to be afraid. (Matthew 10:29-31)  Thank you, Father!!

Next, He redirected my thoughts, reminding me of the importance of praise and gratitude and JOY - "Always be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" Rom 12:12.  Thank you, Father!!!

Finally he directed me to a verse I will probably be journaling about in the near future - James 1:2-8 (the other reference text I added after the picture was taken) - the promise that if we lack wisdom, we can ask Him and he'll give it to us liberally.  

Father, I am so grateful for your leading!  This move is such an exciting walk with you.  It's been amazing to see you clear the obstacles in our path so far, and we look forward to seeing the miracles we know are coming!  Father thank you for the opportunities you are bringing us with this move and the awesome way you've led us.  Thank you for the strength you give and the wisdom you supply.  Thank you for the peace that WAY surpasses our circumstances!  You are awesome and I am SO grateful, Father!

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As usual, for specific information about how I created this page, please see my papercrafting blog here.

Sweet Sleep

In the time between my last Bible Journaling and now, there are so many verses I've come across that I want to journal about!  But today I just HAD to focus on Proverbs 3:24 and Psalms 4:8.  

There are many changes going on in my life right now and much that my human nature would have tended to worry about in the past.  But I'm both surprised and pleased to find that I'm wasting much less time in worry and putting much more time into trust.  God has promised to complete the work He started in me - and a big piece of this is teaching me to trust so I can live in peace instead of constant anxiety.  This week I got a chance to see just how much progress He has made in re-creating me!  

As I mentioned, there are many changes going on right now - that by human sight would be quite stress inducing.  One of these is the need to sell our home which we've loved and in which we've lived for 20 years.  This week, it just so happened that we had a broker's open house at the same time my husband had to be out of town for work - so preparing for it was all on my shoulders.  EXCEPT IT WASN'T!  God carried most of it for me!!!!  He has promised that His yoke is easy & His burden is light, and it is clear that when yoked with Him, He carries the greatest part of the load! The picture that comes to mind is that of carrying furniture downstairs with my husband. He always positions himself so that he carries the brunt of the load.  And this is what God has clearly done for me!

I realized how completely God was shouldering the burden when I awoke the morning of the broker's open.  I had slept soundly and felt calm and refreshed - despite the fact that it can be more difficult for me to sleep when my husband is away, and despite the fact that there was still a lot to accomplish before I felt ready to have my home on display.  As I realized with astonishment how well I had slept, these verses came to mind:

• "When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet." Proverbs 3:24 (New American Standard version)

• "In peace [and with a tranquil heart] I will both lie down and sleep, for you alone O Lord, make me dwell in safety and confident trust." Psalms 4:8 (Amplified version)

Heavenly Father, I am so grateful for all you are doing in my life!  You are a God of miracles and I've been seeing them so often with all the changes occurring in our lives right now!  These are miracles not only with the many details of our move in the mundane world, but also - and more importantly - miracles occurring in my heart and mind!  Thank you for the sweet sleep of peace!  I know faith is a gift from you (Eph 2:8), and I am so grateful for this gift in my life!  Thank you for continuing to work in my life to change me at depth into that new creature as you have promised (2 Cor 5:17)!  Thank you for the periodic glimpse into how far you have come in this re-creation!  Thank you for a good night's sleep, and for that peace that passes all understanding (Phil 4:7). May I walk in the path of your choosing today, hearing that voice behind me saying "This is the way" (Is 30:21) anytime I start to make a wrong turn.  Thank you, Father!

For information on how I created this page, check here.