A student of God's Word.

My two girls, Leslie and Alyssa, share a room. They're 18-years-old and .. 13 months old! Yesterday when I was putting by baby down for a nap I picked up my teen daughter's Bible for a few minutes of quiet time. I opened her Bible to the Psalms and found the perfect verse:

Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. Ps 34:5

It was just the Scripture I needed and it popped out to me as I flipped through the pages because Leslie had highlighted the Scripture verse in orange. In fact, as I looked through the Bible I found that most pages has Scriptures highlighted. Some pages had more than one verse marked with notes written in the sidebars. Seeing this filled my heart with joy. The highlights and notes showed me that my daughter was a student of God's Word, not because I demand it (I don't), but because she loves Jesus, and hopefully because she's seen me and her father doing the same.

How often do you spend time in God's Word?

God's Word will ...

give you hope
provide you with peace
point you to the answers
remind you Jesus is with you
open your eyes to the goodness of God

and so much more. Every minute you spend reading the Bible will change you on the inside. It'll also transform how you look at everything and everyone around you.

And who knows, maybe someday your highlighted Scripture verse will encourage someone else at just the right time.

Love Notes

I'm sitting here in my writing loft looking at index cards I've scotch-taped around me. When I'm feeling discouraged, I read them as though they're love notes from God. I guess they are. The words never lose their power. I've read them a zillion times.

When my three children were little, I'd send love notes in their lunch bags--often with a scripture included. Sometimes I left love notes in their rooms. This scripture is to my left, written on a neon green index card. I remember writing it for each child. Believing it for all three children. A perfect scripture for me, too. "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:6 Don't you love it?

If I look to my right, there's an orange index card. "Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down. He won't leave you." Deut 3:15 Thank you, Lord.

Here's a simple love note a friend sent me:
Be still.
Don't run.
Let me.

Reminders of God's love, power, and grace never lose their power. They bring me back to Him over and over.

Do you have a scripture you cling to?

My love,
Julie