A MONTH OF PRAYING THE WORD: Day 17

LET'S GO DEEPER

Today, let's seek to be even more intentional about Praying the Word. Let's also be more intentional about going deeper with the Lord and with his Word. Let's make this a day of seeking him and his Word in newer, deeper, more fulfilling ways--through an intentional turning of heart, mind, and body (behavior). 

31 VERSES: YOUR MONTH OF PRAYING THE WORD LIST 

We are going to do something a little different today. We will go into our study of meditating on the Word. However, I want us first to compile a list of the verses which have changed our lives during this study.

So, grab your journals please.

Now, read what you've written from the very beginning in your journals. As you read, do the following: 

~*~ Search for the top 31 verses that have spoken to you the must since we started this study. Make a list of them. This is your new Praying the Word Month 2 List. I provided you with Month 1. 

~*~ If you have more verses to list, go ahead and start a Month 3 list. By the way, it's okay to have 10% of the verses from the previous month to make it to the next month's list. As long as you have 90% new verses, that's good. 

~*~ Create a new list once a month or every 2 months since you will average 5 verses per day.

YOUR 365-DAY PRAYING THE WORD LIST:

A FUTURE ENDEAVOR

~*~ In time, hopefully you'll create a 5-year list--even if you repeat verses once a year. The ratio for each yearly list should always be 25% or less of repeat verses from the other years and 75% of new verses.

~*~ Create a new list every year with your monthly lists. 

PSALM 77:3

Please grab your Bible and journal and look up Psalm 77:3.

~*~ What do you learn about remembering in Psalm 77:3?

~*~ Spend today reflecting, praying, and listening to God and make a list of everything he has done in your life. Every time something comes to mind, make note of it. 

~*~ What does God say to you through all of this today?

~*~ What do you say to God through all of this today? 

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer, Journalkeeper, & Blogger: A Loyal Faith
Fantasy Author: The Kingdom of Lethana
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC

Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

70 years

Today is the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

Please take a moment of silence and remember... 

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer, Journalkeeper, & Blogger: A Loyal Faith
Fantasy Author: The Kingdom of Lethana
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC

Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

a loyal faith blog: A MONTH OF PRAYING THE WORD: Day 16:The What Psalm 48:9

A MONTH OF PRAYING THE WORD: Day 16:The What Psalm 48:9

THE WHAT

What precisely are we to meditate on and ponder--as we Pray the Word of God? The answer is varied, but is simple at the same time. The overall answer is conclusive: We are to meditate on the Bible and what it says. It's the idiosyncrasies of what we learn in the Word of God that makes it more varied.

We are to meditate on, within the Word of God, the following:

A God and his names and characteristics.

B What it tells us to do.

C What it tells us not to do. 

D What we learn from the people and their lives.

PSALM 48:9

Let's take a look at Psalm 48:9 at this time. Grab your Bible and journal, if you do not already have them with you. 

~*~ Write the verse in your own words. Personalize it, paraphrase it, and turn it into a prayer.

~*~ When you hear of the love of God that is unfailing, what do you think and feel? What does it stir within you, if anything? Explain your response.

~*~ Listen. What does God have to say to you about his unfailing love? Try not to say anything today (as much as you can) and just listen to what God shares with you. 

24-HOUR PRAYING THE WORD

Pray for the next 24-hours Psalm 48:9 and nothing else. 

Whenever you can, say to yourself, "God's love for me is unfailing," and then listen. Write down everything he says to you. 

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Preparing for Christmas

How are you preparing your mind and heart for Christmas? 

Are you doing so actively or not so much?

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith

Oh, boy. More changes...

How quickly things change. What is that they say about the best laid plans? 

Yes... Plans change. Rapidly. In spite of us sometimes and because of us at other times. 

It's no different here for me. Last week, I announced I was going tow rite a book on Psalm 119. Well... That's been put on the back-burner for another time. God has other plans for me. (Who am I to object or argue?) 

This is where things get tricky and difficult to explain. So, it might seem like I am babbling. (I guess I kind of am, but bear with me and I will hopefully get to the point.) Let me share some of the points of why I am writing a different book than the one on Psalm 119:

A With it being this time of year, he has stressed to me the importance of evaluating our lives and seeking him. Also, how important it is to remember what he had said to us, what we have said to him, and what he has done in our lives. Also, how critical it is to journal so that we can remember. He wants me to write something that encompasses all of this... But, there's more.

B I have lived quite an interesting life and have learned lessons the hard way and as I go. He wants me to remember what he has done in my life. My story should be told so that people can see how it's possible to redeem a torn-up life. (God's words, mind you--not mine.)

C He also said that I have a story to tell about faith struggles and how he has worked with me and how I have tried to listen and obey--while I lvoe him deeply and intimately. 

D But, most importantly, my life right now is rather interesting. This is the main story to tell. 

E I want to grow a deeper and more loyal faith in the Lord and in his Word. 

So, what on earth am I writing? You might wonder. 

LATEST WRITING PROJECT ALERT

Have any of you read, "The Confessions of Saint Augustine?" (This has been credited as the world's first autobiography and memoir, by the way.) It's been a while since I've read it--and just started to read it again last night. It's Augustine talking about his struggles with faith and where he talks with God about them. That's kind of what this latest book I am writing is about.

The latest book I am writing is: "GRAPPLING WITH MY FAITH, VOL. 1." 

It's my prayer journal--starting yesterday.

So, I am going to be very real and transparent about my grappling with my faith: past, present, and future. 

I will not share most of this writing on this blog. Rather, I will share bits and pieces. I will write daily things to share with you and will do short clips every day designed to get you thinking and recording your spiritual memoir in your journal--as you grapple with your faith--present, past, and future. 

I will charge $7.00 for this book. 

CONTINUING WRITING PROJECTS

I am still writing a post every day of: "A MONTH OF PRAYING THE WORD" and "365 DAYS OF PRAYING THE WORD: SCRIPTURE LIST #1." 

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith

Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Day 15: Review

Today is a day of review. We will look back at everything we have done since we started this study. We will see how we have progressed and where we get stuck. 

But, there is an order to this. Let's not rush ahead. Let's take our time with today. IF it takes us a week to complete, then let's take a week. But, it should take more than a day. 

Let's grab our journals and turn to a fresh page for a few minutes. 

TODAY

~*~ What verses are you meditating on and praying at this time? 

~*~ What has God said to you the last 24 hours?

~*~ What have you said to God the last 24 hours? 

~*~ What is on your mind? What do you keep thinking? Explain.

~*~ What is on your heart? What feelings have you been feeling? Explain.

TEMPLATE TIME

Go ahead and go here to the link I list after this paragraph. Do what it says.

http://aloyalfaith.blogspot.com/2011/11/month-of-prayer-day-9-review.html

See you tomorrow. 

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith

Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

A MONTH OF PRAYING THE WORD: Day 14, Part 3 of 3, and Psalm 39:3

There are many ways to offer God our total devotion and attention. We can include him in our lives merely by thinking of him, and being in the attitude of prayer 24/7/365. that's praying without stopping, by the way. It's being focused on him--whether with words or without any speech at all. the point is being with him and hanging out with him all the time.  

My husband has been working some crazy hours the last three weeks. I kind of would like to see him more. I married the man because not only do I love him, but I enjoy him and like him. So, when I do not get hubby time, I ache. 

There's something else that he and I enjoy. We can have quality time together and at times not utter one word. The point is being together. It's being present. It's enjoying one another and feeling so comfortable with each other we do not have to fill in the silences. But, we can still be together and get as much, if not more, out of those moments. Our defenses are down and we are able to just relax and release--without having to perform. We can just be. This sense of comfort is huge to both of us. 

No, we do not have the perfect marriage, but we work at it every day. 

Why am I sharing these intimacies with you?

It's because the relationship a husband and wife has mirrors the relationship we have with our Lord. We are the bride of Christ, after all--male and female. We are loved by him in that manner--and in so many other ways. He wants us to be with him all the time. He craves time with us when we aren't there. Just as we crave time with him--whether we realize it or not. Just being with him--with words or with silences re huge. As long as we are fully present in heart, mind, and body, he does not ask for more. Praying the Word helps us to get and be fully present with our Lord. 

PSALM 39:3

Please grab your Bible and your journal and read Psalm 39:1-7. Focus on Psalm 39:1-3.

~*~ What stuck out to you most about these verses? Explain. 

~*~ What spoke to you Explain.  

~*~ What did you learn about Praying the Word and meditation in Psalm 39:3?

Psalm 39:3 shows how even when we do not feel like it at first... When we meditate on the Word of God, the fire within can be kindled and made ablaze. There are times your Praying the Word will be a raging inferno and you would not be able to contain it if you wanted. But, why would you want to? Make sure when this happens, you journal like crazy. Get it all written down. These are times God is at work in mighty ways and we do not want to forget or overlook these moments. 

There will be times we just don't feel it, though. Just be obedient and do it anyway. Those are the times you listen more than any other time and can be far more profound and life-altering than any other. 

Just be present and see what God does.

THE NEXT 24 HOURS: PRAY AND MEDITATE ON...

First and foremost Psalm 39:3. Then, add one or more of the following:

A Your choice of 5 verses.

B 5 verses from this study.

C 5 of the month verses from Appendix A.

D 5 verses from the 365 Day Praying the Word Book

E 5 Verses from your daily Bible reading. 

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith

Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Broncos won?!

What a remarkable game!!! I am shocked.

Six games ago, I was hoping Tebow would get some good experience for next year... I had the season written off.

Now, we are tied for first place. What?!

Will we go the distance? I doubt it. But making it to the playoffs when I thought the season was over would be sweet.

Although... Who knows?!?

Sent from my Kindle Fire