Do you ever find yourself feeling weary of striving? Perhaps feeling “off?” A common pattern I see when I feel this type of “weariness” is a misalignment between my behaviors and beliefs. When I find myself repeatedly distracted and my good intentions readily overwhelmed, I notice I have not been as heartfelt in my prayer time and Bible reading, (which are core values of mine). 

I say, “heartfelt” because I think it’s easy to just go through the motions of my morning devotional in order to check-off the “good Christian” box for the day. But if I do that without connecting with Jesus in a meaningful manner, of what value is it? I may as well sleep in. But what I really want and need is an authentic relationship with Jesus. Don’t we all? Don’t we all just want the real deal?

God’s Word lights up my life, bringing truth and direction to it. His purpose for me through his Spirit bears fruit. Time with him never returns empty. I may not always see it. But I live by faith in his will. In his goodness. That comes through an honest relationship with Jesus. The kind I have when no one else is watching. Not a task I check off my “to do” list because I strive to be “good.”

That’s where weariness stems from — the disconnect between what I value and what I do. Because it messes with who I am. Since I truly desire an authentic connection with Jesus, time with him is not only a blessing, it is a necessary lifeline. It is always time well spent.

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105, NLT) 
It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. (Isaiah 55:11, NLT) 

With love,
- Esther
[email protected] 

​It seems lately like my life is filled with numbers. Counting seconds for my eyedrops, keeping eyes closed, 1,2,3... Counting jumps as the jump rope goes around me, hoping my foot doesn’t tangle in the rope. Counting steps on my Fitbit- did I walk enough today? Numbers all adding up to a life filled with counting.

God’s word says, 

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

All the things I’m counting are good, they help keep me in shape, but am I also counting the things that matter most? What would God count worthy of my days?

The verse above reminds me that He cares about our hearts. Yes, He cares about their physical beating, their health, but He cares most about their spiritual beating and who they belong to. He gives us a certain number of days and only He knows that number. It’s wise for us to ask Him what to do with the hours and minutes in it.

As the new year leaves the starting gate for its race through another year, let us be intentional to do the things that matter most to God. Let’s ask Him to teach us how to number our days to be pleasing to Him, so we can gain the heart of wisdom He desires for us.

Are you ready? Let’s start counting!

In His love,
Charlotte 

A Word, Prayers, and A Discipline

A Word…
1.  Pick a word, one word, to be your word for 2022.
Suggestions:
- Brain storm through free writing (writing whatever comes to mind and finding the connection), cluster writing (writing main ideas and things that connect to the ideas in clusters), or journal writing the past year and desires for the coming year.
- Prayerfully ask God to give you a word that encapsulates His desires and your desires. 😊
- Post that word where you will see it every day! (i.e., Bible, refrigerator, etc.)

Prayers…
2. Write down some audacious prayers for 2022!
Suggestions:
Write down prayers that see impossible and which align with God and His Word.
Determine a day and time to pray.  This can be daily, weekly, or monthly. (I try to include a time of preparing my heart through meditating on scripture, confession, and praise to put me in the right place before God before I petition).
Be prepared to act on the promptings you will mostly likely receive through God’s Spirit concerning these.
When God answers, praise Him first and then tell someone of His faithfulness. 😊

A Discipline…
3.  Adopt a discipline or be more consistent with one!
Suggestions
Daily Bible reading through the Bible or Bible app (I’ve found it best to do this with others to be consistent)
Engagement with scripture and prayer through the Lection 365 app.  This is a daily devotional that includes Scripture, prayer and meditation on God.
The Examen Prayer is a daily inventory of the day – evaluating the day through the eyes of Christ.
Anything else that God is laying on your heart. (fasting, silence, simplicity, etc.)
“Remember to say your prayers because God is waiting to hear from you.”  – Cindy Reilly
With Much Love & Hope in Christ for the coming year!  Christina