Although a new year brings excitement about what lies ahead, it may also bring uneasiness about what’s expected of us. Or, what we expect of ourselves.

Then, we make grandiose resolutions and plans and dream bigger and bigger with each passing year trying to top the previous one.

But I never make resolutions. There’s too much burden in making, keeping, measuring, and probable failing at my resolve to change or better myself or an area of my life.

Yet, I like to reflect on the preceding year. Reflection helps me process areas of my life, and consider how to pursue my passions with a passion in the upcoming twelve months.

Still, I realized any new year is not all about me. Or even if I do great things. Instead, it requires roots in something or someone greater than me. And so during my contemplation, a thought would not let go of me:

What if I let God be God this year? 

What will the new year hold if I simply let God do His job as God? And what if I let the Almighty reign over my decisions, circumstances, dreams, and life?

Most importantly, isn’t He the only One who perfectly fills the role as God? No other person or god meets the requirements like our heavenly Father. He’s the most qualified and the most trustworthy.

Therefore, I’m noting 3 ways we let God be G.O.D. this year.

G – Give God the reins and complete reign. 

“God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.” Psalm 47:8 (ESV)

Often, we take the reins in particular areas of our lives. And it leads to less-than-best outcomes—even turmoil. Instead, we allow the Lord to take the reins, hold the reins, and keep the reins in everything.

This supercharges His Lordship over us as we surrender total control to Him.

When we give up the reins, God reigns supreme. The Lord takes His rightful place in our hearts and lives.

When we give up the reins, God reigns supreme. The Lord takes His rightful place in our hearts and lives. #NewYear @FridayKaren
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O – Obey the Lord and His Holy Word.

“But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’” Jeremiah 7:23 (ESV)

• Obedience leads to the abundant and spiritual life the Lord intended for us.
• Obedience was crucial for God’s people to inhabit the Promised Land, and it’s crucial for us to inhabit God’s promised life.
• Obeying helps us thrive on the Christian journey, not just survive.
• Obedience unlocks God’s power and amazing wonders in our lives.
• Obeying is always for our good and God’s glory.

Obedience was crucial for God’s people to inhabit the Promised Land, and it's crucial for us to inhabit God’s promised life. #NewYear @FridayKaren
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D – Desire God and His dreams above all else. 

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 (ESV)

The requirement to receive our heart’s desires is to delight in the Lord. In addition, a closer look at the entire chapter gives more understanding: Trust in the Lord (verse 3); Commit your way to the Lord (verse 5); The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way (verse 23); Wait for the Lord and keep his way (verse 34).

When we pursue unhindered, unabated, and unadulterated desire and passion for the one true God above anything else in this world, powerful things take place.

1. Idols fall from their pedestals in our heart.
2. The gap narrows between the desires of our heart and God’s desires.
3. We dream big with God. He’s the biggest dreamer of all. Dream with God, you and Him dream best together.

Prayer

Lord, forgive me for making plans without considering Your plan, and for failing to obey Your Word. I repent of the many times I deny Your Lordship by placing myself, other people or things above You. I’m sorry for dreaming on my own. The best dreams are when we dream together. Help me give up the reins and give You reign in my heart and life. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Which of the 3 ways resonates most with you?

*Featured image taken when my husband and I were filming for our YouTube Channel, Friday’s Forever.

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But what are those intangible gifts we can offer to others and hope to receive in return?  As I was pondering things like love, forgiveness, encouragement (all great gifts), the Lord captured my attention when He whispered to my heart:

Karen, grace is the greatest gift, a good and perfect gift (James 1:17) that came down from Me to you as my Son the first Christmas.

Grace is the greatest gift, a good and perfect gift (James 1:17) that came down from Me to you as my Son the first Christmas. ~ Your heavenly Father #gift #grace @FridayKaren
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Grace Defined

(1.) Google defines grace as “courteous goodwill.” So I find it interesting how grace plays a major role in the Christmas story along with goodwill (desire to do good to others, act of kindness, charitable gift). 

An angel announced the Savior’s birth to shepherds, “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’” (Luke 2:13-14, NKJV, emphasis mine)

The Savior embodies God’s grace and desire to do good to us and offer us kindness. And Jesus Christ remains the greatest act of charity (spiritually needy) known to mankind.

(2.) Grace in Christianity is “the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it, not necessarily because of anything we have done to earn it…the favor, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God.”

(3.) Maybe you’ve heard it defined as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. When we think about the love and mercy and favor underserved by us, yet freely given to us through Christ, we see grace as the most wonderful gift ever given.

(4.) Grace came in the form of a baby in Bethlehem. Grace grew into a man who spoke about God’s Kingdom and performed miracles. And Grace died on Calvary’s cross, rose from the dead, and now sits at the right hand of the Father.

Grace came in the form of a baby in Bethlehem. #grace grew into a man who spoke about God’s Kingdom and performed miracles. Grace died on Calvary’s cross and rose from the dead. @FridayKaren
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Grace Extended 

Because God extended, and continues to extend grace to us, we extend it to each other.

(1.) “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:16)

(2.) “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

(3.) “And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:33) “And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many…followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.” (Acts 13:43)

(4.) “To love God is to cooperate with His grace. And since I’m so very aware of my own need for grace, I must be willing to freely give it away.” (Lysa Terkeurst)

(5.) “Grace releases and affirms. It doesn’t smother. Grace values the dignity of individuals. It doesn’t destroy. Grace supports and encourages. It isn’t jealous or suspicious.” (Charles Swindoll)

Amazing Grace

God extended amazing grace to us at such a high price…His Son.

(1.) “Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound) That sav’d a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.” (John Newton)

(2.) “Grace is not simply leniency when we have sinned. Grace is the enabling gift of God not to sin. And grace is power, not just pardon.” (John Piper)

(3.) “Grace needs to be the air we breathe, the atmosphere we live in, whether in church or in the home.” (Allen Snapp)

(4.) “We are born broken. We live mending. The grace of God is the glue.” (Eugene O’Neill)

Grace is the gift that keeps on giving.

When we reflect on all we know about grace, we conclude it’s a great gift to receive and give. While it may not be under our tree, we choose to wrap it in love and humbly offer it this Christmas and year-round.

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Whether it’s our favorite foods or trying something new, recipes assist in the desired result. Even online dish-and-recipe photos pull us in with the promise of achieving success as the cook.

Every Thanksgiving, I follow a special recipe to make my Grandmother Clarkston’s lemon pie. Yum. It’s my favorite dessert of all time.

Then, as soon as I post pie photos on social media, family and friends, far and wide, ask for the recipe.

Stirring up a Thankful Heart

Recipes always call for measurements—a cup of this or a tablespoon of that. Likewise, we often make other measures in life.

But where do we find the recipe for a thankful heart? What ingredients work together to make a heart full of thanksgiving? 

A real thankful heart never comes easy, much less during the last few difficult years experienced around the world—including my world and perhaps yours.

Because we don’t have to look far to see devastation, need, loss, hurt, lack and hopelessness.

You see, these factors only affect our heart if we allow it. We decide whether our hearts turn hard toward God or thankful.

Our circumstances never dictate true thankfulness in our heart.

Our circumstances never dictate true thankfulness in our heart. @FridayKaren #thankful #recipe #blog
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So here are eight ingredients to stir up a T-H-A-N-K-F-U-L heart.

Thankful Heart Recipe

T – Taste and see that the Lord is good. (Psalm 34:8)

The first bite of lemon pie always reminds me of its goodness. Similarly, God reminds us over and over He’s a good, good Father. God alone is reason enough to give thanks.   

H – Help others. (Philippians 2:4, Matthew 25:42-44)

Kingdom principles rarely make sense to our limited minds. When we look to the interests and needs of others, and when we help the least of these, it grows a thankful heart.

A – Accelerate praise and giving thanks to the Lord. (Psalm 7:17, Psalm 69:30)

As our voice sings praises and gives thanks, and raises Hallelujahs!, our heart naturally overflows with thankfulness. Praise + giving thanks = a thankful heart.

As our voice sings praises and gives thanks, and raises Hallelujahs!, our heart naturally overflows with thankfulness. Praise + giving thanks = a thankful heart. #thanksgiving #blog
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N – Nourish our soul. (Isaiah 55:1-3, John 6:35)

Holidays and special occasions find most of us nourishing our body with nutrients and vitamins (and other stuff we won’t mention here). But replenishing our soul with spiritual nourishment brings spiritual vitality and life. We go to the bread of life, Jesus, to satisfy our hunger and thirst.

K – Keep the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)

Like straying from a recipe botches the dish, straying from the foundations of our faith leaves us open to worldly perspectives and a less than whole heart devoted to God.

More Ingredients

F – Form an attitude of gratitude. (1 Timothy 4:4, Hebrews 12:28)

An attitude makes all the difference. Forming a specific one doesn’t happen overnight. Hebrews 12:28 encourages us to “be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.” (ESV) And 1 Timothy 4:4 says, “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.” (ESV) Attitudes of gratitude connect thanksgiving to our heart.

U – Understand God’s blessings. (Ephesians 1:3)

We’ve heard it said to count our blessings. And we know we are blessed with every spiritual blessing. While it’s not an exhaustive list, these include: amazing grace, never-ending mercy, unconditional and undying love, unsurpassed peace, real hope, authentic faith, unwavering truth, overflowing joy and God’s fullness for our emptiness.

L – Lay up treasures in heaven. (Matthew 6:19-21)

We have all lost earthly treasure. Maybe especially over the last few years. Perhaps income, home, retirement, investments, insurance, or other.

One sure-fire way to cook up a thankful heart? Lay up treasures in heaven. A place treasure is never destroyed and no one steals from us.

One sure-fire way to cook up a thankful heart? Lay up treasures in heaven. A place treasure is never destroyed and no one steals from us. #thankful #blog
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Have you left out any ingredients for a thankful heart?

Let’s put this recipe to use this Thanksgiving and all year long.

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You’re the pastor’s wife? You’re not what I expected.

Have you ever been anyone’s “not what I expected”? 

If you’ve lived any amount of time on this earth, it’s highly likely. And this certainly wasn’t my first rodeo for not meeting someone’s expectations, and it wouldn’t be my last.

The Wrong Definitions

Because all the wrong ways others attempt to define us, or we attempt to define ourselves, have circulated for countless ages. Really, these false dictionary-attempting claims started in the beginning and in our beginning.

So, let’s look at 4 things, 4 R’s, that never define who we are.

With each one, we discover how God defines who we are from the book of Truth.

(1.) Roots never define who we are.

Plants have roots. Those of us who color our hair have roots. People have roots from childhood and family experiences.

Although I started going to church in elementary school, I didn’t have a spiritual upbringing or grounding in God’s Word. So when my parents divorced, I felt unseen and unheard and unloved.

But when I accepted Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior at sixteen, and later had mentors in college and as a woman, I began to grow spiritual roots.

Our root-system in Christ most accurately describes us: loved, chosen, forgiven, and redeemed. 

If your childhood was cut off from a secure source of parents or family. If decisions in your teen and young adult years caused root-damage. Or, if your marriage feels dried up instead of nourishing, the Lord is your source of nourishment for healthy roots, now. 

As we walk closely with the Lord, we become rooted and established in the faith (Colossians 2:6-7).

Jesus establishes our correct identity in Him. 

Jesus establishes our correct identity in Him. @FridayKaren #identity #blog
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(2.) Rejections never define who we are.

Perhaps, like me, rejection yanked the rug out from under your fragile heart too many times.

And rejection leaves a hole in our soul wider than the Grand Canyon. Yet, we make the mistake of equating actions done to us as a title to wear. The actions of others should never pen the labels we stick on ourselves.

Rejection is an action, not a person. Rejection does not make me a reject. 

On the flip side, acceptance is not only an action, but also a living being—God.

Patterned in the image of my Creator accurately describes me: accepted, valued, and precious.

Declare these statements out loud: God wants me. The Lord pursues me. God stays intimately connected to me. The Father never disowns me.

(3.) Roles never define who we are.

As a pastor’s wife for eighteen years, I never met everyone’s ideals of how they defined the role. People are naturally fault-finders in the various roles of life we each step into, especially in the church and among believers.

Why is that? The enemy!

Satan enjoys it when we back-bite, criticize, and tear other Christians down instead of speaking life over each other.

The enemy throws a party of darkness when we speak death and negativity to others instead of encouraging other co-workers, leaders, wives, husbands, moms, dads, siblings, and so on.

Seriously, we hear various opinions on the right way to do just about everything—spiritually and otherwise.

But what if I started weighing criticism from people against who God says I am? Because the scales always tip toward “in Christ” where I’m a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

What if I started weighing criticism from people against who God says I am? Because the scales always tip toward “in Christ” where I’m a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). @FridayKaren #identity #blog
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And what if I took my cue about who I am from the Great I AM? 

Because my “roles” are blessings from the Lord. God never meant for roles to define me.

I’m fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). This is who I am.

(4.) Ruins never define who we are.

Like ruins from a natural disaster, many of us have times when personal ruins try to highlight the biographies of who we are.

Ruins are inevitable. Eventually our walls tumble. Buried beneath the rubble, we are unable to dig ourselves out. We need a Rescuer. One who promises to dig us out of the rubble and rebuild our lives.

Declare these promises out loud:

When my ruins are wounds, God heals me.

And when my ruins are imprisonment, Christ sets me free. 

When my ruins are losses, the Lord comforts me.

And when my ruins are brokenness, Jesus makes me whole.

Christ lifts me from the rubble and sets me on the stable Rock—Himself.

Who You Are

Reflect on ways you have let roots, rejections, roles, and ruins define you. Where can you change your perspective to line up with God’s Word?

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Like prayers taken directly from God’s Word that are powerful when spoken over the various areas of our lives.

This is especially true where we struggle.

So let’s address the issues we face as believers from head to toe. And these prayers include the help we need from the Bible.

Our prayers include: our mind, eyes, ears, mouth, shoulders, heart, hands, and feet.

Everything from our head to our toes.

Practical Prayers: Mind

Father God, You created my mind, so I submit it to Your care. Help me set my mind on eternal things. And give me power to take every thought captive, making it obedient to Your truth. I cast out every lie from the enemy. Help me meditate on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and excellent of praise. Let Your Spirit renew my mind daily in Your Word. Also, give me the mind of Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Scriptures: Colossians 3:2, 1 Corinthians 2:12 & 16, Romans 12:2a, Philippians 4:8, 2 Corinthians 10:5)

Practical Prayers: Eyes

Lord, Your Word reminds me how my eyes can cause me to sin. So help me turn my eyes away from lust and temptations like overspending, addictions, and sexual immorality. Place in me a desire for integrity. Give me the strength through Your Spirit to not set things before my eyes that do not please You on television, devices, and online. Because those things never bring honor to You, but defile my flesh. And it stunts my growth in You. Instead, let my eyes be raised to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Scriptures: Genesis 3:6a, 1 John 2:15-16, Psalm 101:3a)

Practical Prayers: Ears

God, I want to be a child who diligently listens to my heavenly Father’s voice. And to really hear Your truth. Show me the way by opening my ears to Your voice—never stopping up my ears like a stubborn child. But I want to welcome Your truth in my life and never turn away to myths. When I accepted Christ as Savior, I opened the door of my heart to You for the first time. Now, help me hear You knock so I may dine with You daily. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

(Scriptures: Exodus 15:26, Isaiah 30:21a, Zechariah 7:11, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Revelation 3:20)

Practical Prayers: Mouth

Lord, I pray the words of my mouth are acceptable to You and I keep my lips from lies. Set a guard over my mouth so that instead of foolish words, my words give grace and build others up. Let my mouth praise You with thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Scriptures: Psalm 19:14, Psalm 141:3, Proverbs 12:22a, Ephesians 4:29, Ephesians 5:4)

Lord, I pray the words of my mouth are acceptable to You. Set a guard over my mouth so my words give grace and build others up. Let my mouth praise You with thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name. Amen. #prayer @FridayKaren
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Practical Prayers: Shoulders

Lord, I carry burdens only meant for You. Please lift any worry and anxiety. Your burden is light and frees me to rest from the heaviness of life’s struggles. Grant me compassion to help carry the burdens of others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Scriptures: Matthew 11:28-30, Luke 15:3-5, Galatians 6:2)

Practical Prayers: Heart

Father, since You look at the heart and not the outside, create in me a pure heart that hides Your Word there, so I don’t sin against You. Help me guard my heart, above all else. And give me the desire to trust and love You with ALL my heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Scriptures: 1 Samuel 16:7, Psalm 51:10a, Psalm 119:11, Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 22:37a)

Father, since You look at the heart, create in me a pure heart that hides Your Word there, so I don’t sin against You. Help me guard my heart, above all else. In Jesus’ name. Amen. #prayer @FridayKaren
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Practical Prayers: Hands

God, give me clean hands for righteous acts, not for evil. Let my hands do good and bring good to others. Help me lift my hands to praise Your holy name and not the false gods of this world. Establish the work of my hands in my job and in ministry for Your kingdom and glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Scriptures: Psalm 24:3-4, Psalm 90:17a, Psalm 134:2, Acts 6:6b)

Practical Prayers: Feet

Lord, I desire beautiful feet like Jesus that bring good news and proclaim how You reign over all the earth. Let my feet spread the gospel of peace. Keep my feet on Your paths and on the solid rock—Christ. Help me walk in the light of Your glory and Holy Word to avoid the darkness so my feet do not slip from Your righteous path. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

(Scriptures: Isaiah 52:7, Psalm 17:5, Psalm 119:105a, Ephesians 6:15, 1 John 1:7)

Which practical prayer from head to toe speaks the most to you? Will you join me to pray them daily?

But, please also use these powerful prayers for your spouse, children, family, and friends.

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Light shone through the panel, highlighting the x-rays and problems of my lower back.

You see, sporting flip flops while jumping to worship songs (and the Hokey Pokey), alongside 1500 students, proved harmful to my adult body. And a friendly competition on the conference stage with other youth directors when I out jumped them all? It only added to the problem.

So, three days later, my back went out. I needed help just to walk.

Thus, I required complete dependence on my family.

Yet, I waited until the second episode to see an orthopedic doctor. And he showed me an anatomy model of the sacroiliac joint along with my x-rays.

My injury tore away cartilage from these joints that connect the spine to each side of the pelvis.

The space between bones of the joint narrow or rub against each other…arthritis.

That was nine years ago. Today, I still deal with the back issue and a few more joints where arthritis set up residence in other areas of my body.

Types of arthritis affect all ages, even children. Though the condition is more common in aging people. It not only causes pain, but may also be debilitating through swelling, stiffness, decreased range of motion, and permanent damage. Treatments include activities to strengthen surrounding muscles, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medicines, and hot-cold therapy. (arthritis.org)

But, another form of the condition exists—spiritual arthritis.

Arthritis keeps joints in the body from functioning properly, as intended and designed by the Creator. And spiritual arthritis fails to function properly in the body of Christ. @FridayKaren #blog #spiritual
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Spiritual Arthritis

The Apostle Paul describes the body of Christ in Ephesians 4.

First, in verse 1, Paul urges believers to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling.” Then he describes how to equip the body to function properly.

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

(Verses 11-16, ESV, emphasis mine)

Take the Test

Reflect on these questions to determine spiritual arthritis. While there’s no score to calculate, let the Lord shine His light on these areas, highlighting any problem areas.

1.) Am I walking in a manner worthy of my calling with humility, patience, and bearing others in love? (Verses 1-2)

2.) Am I eager to maintain unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace within the body? (Verse 3)

3.) Do I let Christian leaders equip me for ministry and then help build up the body? (Verse 12)

4.) Does every wind of doctrine carry me or am I maturing in Christ? (Verses 13-14)

5.) Is Christ the “head” as I grow up in every way into Him? (Verse 15)

6.) Is my part of the body of Christ functioning properly, making the body grow, building it up in love? (Verse 16)

See The Cure

Although there’s no known cure for arthritis, the spiritual kind has a cure. Follow this antidote:

• Practice complete dependence on God and His Word for help in walking worthy.
• Connect and unify with other believers of the faith in a local church.
• Gain strengthening and equipping through pastors and teachers.
• Grow continuously and consistently toward maturity in Christ as the head.
• Increase range of motion through laboring in ministry, building up others in the body, speaking the truth in love, and exercising spiritual gifts.

What areas resonate most with you?

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So when I read a letter John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, about Independence Day in 1776, I found this interesting.

“I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.” (Wikipedia, emphasis added)

Like Adams, many of our founding fathers looked to God for “the day of deliverance.” Likewise, we looked to God for our spiritual day of deliverance.

Jesus’ blood spilled on Calvary’s cross to set real freedom in motion. Truly a day of deliverance.

But it never stopped at the cross. Jesus rose from the dead securing our freedom for all time.

My day of deliverance happened at sixteen-years-old; the Lord delivered me from sin and spiritual death giving me eternal life—something worth remembering and celebrating. Accepting grace became my first act of devotion to God Almighty.

Jesus’ blood spilled on Calvary's cross to set real freedom in motion. But it never stopped at the cross. Jesus rose from the dead securing our freedom for all time. #JesusChrist #freedom @FridayKaren
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America’s founding fathers commemorated freedom as the day of deliverance: Independence Day. Our heavenly Father commemorated spiritual freedom as the day of deliverance: Resurrection Day. 

Therefore, here’s a list of 20 Bible verses to help us remember and celebrate.

Free in Jesus Christ

(1.)  “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the suffering and afflicted. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted, to announce liberty to captives, and to open the eyes of the blind.” (Isaiah 61:1, TLB)

(2.)  “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36, ESV)

(3.)  “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17, ESV)

(4.)  “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1, ESV)

Free From Sin

(5-6.) “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2, ESV)

(7-8.)  “Brothers! Listen! In this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins! Everyone who trusts in him is freed from all guilt and declared righteous—something the Jewish law could never do.” (Acts 13:38-39, TLB)

(9-10.)  “We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.” (Romans 6:6-7, NLT)

Free for Holy Living

(11.) “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13, NASB)

(12.)  “But now you are free from the power of sin and are slaves of God, and his benefits to you include holiness and everlasting life.” (Romans 6:22, TLB)

(13.)  “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” (1 Peter 2:16, ESV)

Free From Distress

(14.)  “Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.” (Psalm 118:5, ESV)

Free Through God’s Word

(15.)  “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.” (Psalm 119:45, NIV)

Free From Death

(16-17.)  “With eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.” (Romans 8:20b-21, NLT)

Free in Truth

(18-19.)  “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32, ESV)

(20.)  “But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” (James 1:25, NIV)

** The featured image is of my grandchildren.

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Loving. Caring. Faithful. 

These words come to mind when I think of fathers.

But my earthly father abandoned me for part of my childhood.

When my dad reappeared in my life, he was a self-proclaimed atheist. He held no belief in God, much less the idea of a heavenly Father who loves and never leaves His children.

Yet, after sixteen years of praying for him, my dad finally believed in God and accepted Christ as Savior.

Dad passed away in 2010. So, I’m always a little tear-filled, a tad heart-broken, and a bit soul-grieved this time of year.

Because I miss so many things about my dad. I miss his presence in my life and talking to him. I miss making him a lemon pie on his birthday and Father’s Day. Oh, how I loved him.

Still, I have the honor and privilege to celebrate three fathers every year. My biological dad in heaven. And my first stepdad who helped raise me. He loved me and cared for me exactly the same as his own biological daughter (my younger sister).

Both of my earthly fathers will always have a special place in my heart. But, as we honor fathers this month, I also want to highlight my heavenly Father. He’s the third father mentioned, but first in my life.

10 Reasons God’s Always a Faithful Father

(1) He adopts us.

“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure” Ephesians 1:5, NLT.

(2) He loves big.

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” 1 John 3:1a.

(3) He cares.

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” 1 Peter 5:7.

(4) He listens.

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him” 1 John 5:14-15.

(5) He stays close.

“For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?” Deuteronomy 4:7.

Faithful Father in Provision and Promise

(6) He provides.

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:11.

(7) He keeps His promises.

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations” Deuteronomy 7:9.

Speaking of Abraham, “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised” Romans 4:20-21.

(8) He fulfills His purpose.

“I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me” Psalm 57:2.

(9) He thinks about us and has our best interest in mind.

“Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you” Psalm 139:16-19.

God thinks about us, has our best interest in mind, and always fulfills His purpose in our life. #faithful #father @FridayKaren
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Faithful Father to His Word

(10) He’s faithful to His Word and completes His work in us.

“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” Numbers 23:19.

“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” 1 Corinthians 1:9.

Which reason speaks to you the most?

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Summertime welcomes us to pause from the hectic pace. It beckons us to relax by the pool or in a cozy hammock.

But are we practicing soul care? Because we are often intentional to care for our bodies in summer. And we participate in outdoor activities (even exercise), gather with friends and family, foster recreation, and plan time off work to travel and go on vacation.

Yet, sometimes caring for our soul falls off the radar.

Still, in this slower rhythm of summer, the Lord also desires to teach us how to care for our soul.

So here are 6 tips for S.U.M.M.E.R soul care.

S – Satisfy our soul with what only God provides.

“For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things” (Psalm 107:9, ESV).

“For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish” (Jeremiah 31:25, ESV).

Like we long to vacation at the beach, hope to relax at a tropical resort, or desire to fill our summer with joyful activities, our soul longs for good things as well. The Lord wants us to slow down long enough to spend time in His presence. And let Him satisfy, fill, and replenish our soul with His goodness.

The Lord wants us to slow down long enough to spend time in His presence. And let Him satisfy, fill, and replenish our soul with His goodness. @FridayKaren #summer
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U – Understand the role Scripture plays in our soul’s wellness.

“My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!” (Psalm 119:28, ESV).

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.” (Psalm 19:7a, ESV)

Just as many physical activities in summer like swimming, biking, hiking, walking, and sports, strengthen our physical bodies, the Word of God revives and strengthens our soul.

M – Magnify the Lord’s holiness and praise His name.

“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name” (Psalm 103:1, NIV).

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11, NIV).

When we take our eyes off others and ourselves, and look up to the Lord; and when we magnify the Lord instead of life’s cares and burdens, our soul thrives instead of just survives.

M – Make seeking and loving God a priority.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).

When asked what is the greatest commandment, “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’” (Matthew 22:37, NIV).

As we seek God and not the world, and love Him above all else, it radically transforms us and our soul.

E – Examine the habits that help or hurt our soul.

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well” (3 John 1:2, NIV).

John knew complete wellness included not only the body, but also the soul. What habits promote our soul’s health? Or, what habits damage our soul’s wellness?

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” 3 John 1:2 NIV @FridayKaren #summer
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R – Rest our soul in the Lord.

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him” (Psalm 62:1, NIV).

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures…leads me beside still waters…restores my soul” (Psalm 23:1-3a, ESV).

Let the slower rhythm of life in summer teach us to rest our souls in the God of our salvation. He alone saves our soul and He alone restores our soul.

{Featured photo is my granddaughter, Laney.}

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Here’s my story. My father passed away ten years ago. And he spent most of his life as an atheist.

When I met Christ at sixteen, I started praying for my dad. Prayers for him to believe in the heavenly Father. God answered my prayers sixteen years later when my dad gave his life to the Lord.

Inserting Names into Bible Verses

But in the middle of the long process, my faith often waned. I struggled to believe my dad would ever become a Christ-follower.

Needing help with my own unbelief, I began to insert my dad’s name into Scripture. Then I prayed it out loud and back to God. I think it played a part in my dad’s salvation.

There’s power in prayer. Because we move mountains in the spiritual world with the truth of God’s Word.

There’s power in prayer. We move mountains in the spiritual world with the truth of God’s Word. @FridayKaren #prayer
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Also, this practice acquaints us with Scripture and aids in its memorization.

Names of Loved Ones and Yours

And please don’t feel the least bit selfish to add your name into Scripture. Bible verses on colored sticky notes hang on the wall in my home office. Each display either my name or the pronoun “me.” I look at them often as reminders of God’s promises.

I’m sharing 12 Scriptures I’ve personalized and prayed. However, keep in mind the wealth of Bible topics available at our disposal.

Examples include: salvation, freedom from addictions, fear, healing, spiritual growth, strength, faith, trust, love, forgiveness, bondage, sin, wisdom, wayward souls, and depression.

1-6 Scriptures and Names  

(1.) Salvation/John 3:16, For God so loved Gene Clarkston (my dad), that he gave his only Son, that if Gene believes in him, Gene will not perish but have eternal life.

(2.) Salvation/Romans 10:13, If Gene Clarkston calls on the name of the Lord, he will be saved.

(3.) Fear/2 Timothy 1:7, For God has not given Sara a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind.

(4.) Spiritual blessing/Ephesians 1:3, Blessed be the God and Father of Patricia’s Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed her in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

(5.) Strength in the Spirit/Zechariah 4:6, This is the word of the Lord to Debbie: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

(6.) Healing/Malachi 4:2, But for Lauren who reveres my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. Lauren shall go out leaping like a calf from the stall.

7-12 Scriptures and Names 

(7.) Life in Christ or calling/1 Corinthians 1:9, God is faithful, by whom Bethany was called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ her Lord.

(8.) Surrender and support/2 Chronicles 16:9, For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to Michele when her heart is completely his.

(9.) Secure in God’s love/1 John 3:1, See what kind of love the Father has given to Donna, that she should be called a child of God; and so she is.

(10.) Discouragement/Psalm 90:14, Satisfy Barbara in the morning with your steadfast love, that she may rejoice and be glad all her days.

(11.) Peace/Isaiah 26:3, You keep Joanne in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because she trusts in you.

(12.) Comfort for hard times/Psalm 32:7, You are a hiding place for Rebecca; you preserve her from trouble; you surround Rebecca with shouts of deliverance.

The Name Above All Names

Write the Bible verses with names on a notecard, sticky note, in a journal, or type out and save where you will see them. It serves as a reminder to pray and also builds our faith.

My list gives you some ideas. The important message remains.

Prayer changes things and people.

So pray with intention, specifics, God’s Word, and with names.

Call out names to the name above all names.

What Scripture would you add? Tell us in the comments.

Image courtesy of Unsplash.com.

*2 Timothy 1:7 based on NIV, all other verses based on ESV.

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