Freedom Journaling Devotional

There is no charge for joining the Freedom Bible Journaling challenge. Simply use this article, grab the free calendar and mini-kit provided upon sign up at the bottom of this article, and get started! To join our Bible journaling family and share your thoughts and layouts head over to  https://www.facebook.com/groups/BibleJournalingforBeginners.

There are multiple options to do the study. The devotional and kits are designed to help you take a deeper dive into the Word and start applying biblical principles to your life. They are not required, but they’re a fun way to grow in the Word creatively!

• Join Momentum – Momentum members get just about everything for only $25/month. Click here to learn more.
• Purchase the kit by itself – Purchase the devotional and kit for only $7. You’ll also get the How to Study Bible Topics Guide and worksheets. Click here to purchase.
• Free option – To get the calendar and free mini-kit, please scroll to the bottom of this article and register for our emails between June 30, 2019 and July 31, 2019. If you are on the email list and haven’t received it, please check your spam! The emails will begin sending out on the 1st!

The Freedom Jar – A Tool for Breaking Free

The day I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior was the day I was liberated from the sins of this world and made holy in the presence of God. It was the first day that I took steps towards becoming the woman that God designed me to be.

To me, being free from the bondage of sin doesn’t mean that I don’t sin. After all, I’m human and live in a fallen world. It means that sin doesn’t have control over me. I’m no longer a slave to it. Because I’m not a slave to it, I address my sins and battle them daily. Do I win every battle? No. But I don’t stop trying.

I use many tools and actions to help me battle sin, including prayer, worship, Bible journaling, Bible study, daily devotionals, prayer walks. One tool that’s been helpful is the use of the Freedom Jar. I learned about the Freedom Jar in a Christian Weight loss program that I’m a part of (Faithful Finishlines). If you want to learn more about my journey, click here.

What is the Freedom Jar?

I use the Freedom Jar as a tool to help me overcome cravings, but you can use it for any area of sin you’d like to address in your life. It doesn’t replace prayer or any other Spiritual practices that you have.

In order to use the Freedom Jar, you’ll need to have an understanding of what battle you’re up against and a plan of attack. Write your plan down. For me, it’s a daily plan for the food that I’m going to eat. When I feel like going off my plan, I resist the urge and put a token in the jar. If the feeling still lingers, I wait for 10-minutes and then add another token to the jar. The goal is to get to 100 tokens, and the special reward is the knowledge that Satan didn’t win this round.

The Freedom Jar is supported by two Scriptures:

• Galatians 5:1 (WEB)- Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
• John 8:36 (WEB)- If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

How to Make the Freedom Jar

Supplies Needed

1. Glass jar or any container

2. 100 marbles, beads, plastic chips, coins, tokens, or other small items

3. Alphabet stickers and other ephemera

Directions

Step 1: Find a container. I reused a glass pickle jar, but you can use any container. Glass is preferable since it makes a clinking sound when you add your items to it.

Step 2: Put 100 marbles in a container next to the jar.

Step 3: Decorate the jar with letters and stickers.

How to Use the Freedom Jar

1. Understand what sin you’re up against and write it down.

2. Why do you want to tackle that sin?

3. Create a plan to address that sin.

4. When you’re tempted to sin, stop, look at your Freedom Jar, and put a token in it.

5. If you still feel like sinning, wait ten minutes, then add another chip in the jar. Don’t distract yourself. Feel the emotions that you feel. Let them bubble up. I find that praying is helpful during this time.

6. Repeat until the craving dissipates.

A Piece of the Armor of God

I view the Freedom Jar as a piece of my Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:10-18).    Faith tells me that God keeps His promises even if I can’t see it. When I am tempted with food, instant gratification, or whatever, I can use the Freedom Jar to quickly recognize Satan’s tactics and extinguish his arrows with the sound of one “clink.” Let freedom ring!

Bible Journaling Freedom

Here are a few examples from this month’s Momentum course.

John 8:36

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Romans 8:1-2

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 6:22-23

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Philippians 3:20-21

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Luke 4:18-19

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Psalm 118:6

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

14 Ways to Find Hope in God



There is no charge for joining the Choose Hope Bible Journaling Devotional. Simply use this article, grab the free calendar and mini-kit provided upon sign up at the bottom of this article, and get started! To join our Bible journaling family and share your thoughts and layouts head over to  https://www.facebook.com/groups/BibleJournalingforBeginners.

There are multiple options to do the study. The devotional and kits are designed to help you take a deeper dive into the Word and start applying biblical principles to your life. They are not required, but they’re a fun way to grow in the Word creatively!

• Join Momentum – Momentum members get just about everything for only $25/month. Click here to learn more.
• Purchase the kit by itself – Purchase the devotional and kit for only $7. You’ll also get the How to Study Bible Topics Guide and worksheets. Click here to purchase.
• Free option – To get the calendar and free mini-kit, please scroll to the bottom of this article and register for our emails between February 28, 2019 and March 31, 2019. If you are on the email list and haven’t received it, please check your spam! The emails will begin sending out on the 31st!

Choose Hope – 14 Ways to Find Hope in God

Hope is an interesting action. I spend a lot of time hoping. I hoped my son would live when he was born, I hoped my surgery would go well and that I could walk normal again, I hoped I would get a job so we could keep our house, and I hoped that broken hearts would be mended.  Today, I’m hoping to get the kids through high school, hoping someone will read these words and know the love of God, hoping the choices I make are the right ones, and hoping I don’t mess it all up.

My husband, like many federal employees, received their furlough notice as the government shutdown in late 2018. Unfortunately, that meant that his paycheck stopped coming in for some time. He hoped that the government shutdown wouldn’t last, that we had enough in our emergency savings to cover the shortfall, and that he could go back to work. He hopes a lot too.

Most of us experience moments of disarray in our lives. Sometimes we lose hope that things will ever change. Sure, when life is going smoothly, it’s easy to feel hopeful. But, what do you do when trouble enters your life, and you feel like God isn’t hearing your prayers? Here are 14 ways I’ve used in my life to find hope in God in any situation.



1.    Pray for Hope

Life is full of hardships, but that doesn’t mean you should give into the fear. Find hope in God through prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 – 6 says, “In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus”.

2.    Read the Bible

Everything you need is in the Bible. Read the Bible daily, but especially when you feel yourself giving in to feelings of hopelessness. Romans 15:4 reads, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through patience and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope”. Reading the Bible will help you thrive and it is the perfect book to turn during times of need.

3.    Listen and Sing Worship Songs

Listen attentively to worship songs and let sad feelings melt away, replaced by heartfelt praise and gratitude for God. Singing along with the music creates a closer connection to the Lord as well, and creates a profound sense of wellbeing.

4.    Bible Journal Scripture

The next time you feel hopelessness strike, try writing out your favorite scriptures in a Bible journal. Instead of drowning in your feelings, turn your focus to God’s Word. Then, pause and spend some time meditating on the scripture that led to the beauty you created on the page.

5.    Join a Bible Study

What do you do when life’s challenges make you feel isolated and alone? Join a Bible study group. Members are often encouraging, supportive and loving, along with offering advice should you seek it. The right Bible study group will have a positive impact on you that can be life-changing.

6.    Record Your Requests and When He Answers Them

Keeping track of the times you’ve turned to the Lord for help, and noting when he answers your requests, will be a reminder that – yes – He has always come through for you. Looking back on your list when you’ve lost confidence in his ability to keep his promises will quickly change your attitude – a great indication of His unconditional love for you.

7.    Read Encouraging Stories (And Turn the News Off!)

A great way to get out of a slump and find hope in God is to read about or watch happy, encouraging stories and random acts of kindness. Cultivating a sense of wonder and positivity can’t help but help build a positive outlook. Also, wherever you go, look around for small wonders, whether it’s a child’s smile, a colorful butterfly, a happy smile, etc. In other words, turn the news off, look for the good things, and you can’t help but have a happier outlook.

8.    Minister to Someone in Need

If you have lost hope in God, ministering to others in their time of need will not only leave a lasting impression – it will lift your spirits. Whether it’s volunteering at your local women’s shelter, or small random acts of kindness like buying a cup of coffee for the person behind you in line at your local cafe, or holding the door open for someone, your actions can help you find hope in God. After all, Jesus healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, comforted the mourning, and even brought the dead to life.

9.    Read a Devotional

One of the easiest ways to find hope in God is to read a devotional. Daily devotional reading is essential to our development as Christians.

10.    Talk to Someone You Love

When you are worried, feeling down, or lost, it can help to talk to someone you trust and love about what you’re going through. Opening up to someone about what’s on your mind can make a world of difference. Talking with someone, whether it’s family, a trusted friend or your pastor, will help you see things in a different perspective and you may even discover a solution to the problems you’re dealing with.

11.    Get Involved at Your Church or Your Local Community

Getting involved at church or with the community are actions that have been linked to better physical and mental health. Inspirational talks, social bonding, and worshipping will leave you with a sense of belonging and meaning. These states can’t help but foster hope in God.

12.    Consider All of the Good Things in Your Life

It’s so important to be thankful for all the good things in your life. If you focus on the bad, you’ll end up seeing more and more of it. The practice of focusing on the good things in your life and being grateful for them will improve your outlook on life.

13.    Spend Some Time with God’s Creations in Nature

Nature quietly reveals God’s glory, beauty, power, wisdom, presence, and, most important of all, His love for us. This is one of the reasons many people love to spend time in nature, surrounded by His creations and loving presence. So, when you are trying to find hope in God, go out, take a walk in nature, and reconnect with Him.

14.    Be Patient

Some days it can be extremely hard to be patient, leaving us feeling like God has forsaken us. You know, those days when you bring your feelings of quiet desperation to the Lord, then grow tired of waiting for him to respond. It soon starts to feel like your prayers are falling on deaf ears. Sound familiar? The truth is, He is going to respond because he loves you completely. Remember his timing isn’t yours, but when he does respond it will be worth the wait.

Thankfully, finding hope in God isn’t difficult if you open yourself up to His love. The hope that He offers is far more than a feeling – it’s the certainty of His presence within you. Using the 14 ways to find God listed here will help you experience hope in God in any situation, no matter what tragedy hits you.

Matthew 12:21

In his name the nations will put their hope.”

Job 11:18

And you will feel secure, because there is hope;
you will look around and take your rest in security.

Romans 15:4

 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Isaiah 40:31

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.

Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

I AM Loved Journaling Devotional

There is no charge for joining the I AM Loved Bible Journaling Devotional. Simply use this article, grab the free calendar and mini-kit provided upon sign up at the bottom of this article, and get started! To join our Bible journaling family and share your thoughts and layouts head over to  https://www.facebook.com/groups/BibleJournalingforBeginners.

There are multiple options to do the study. The devotional and kits are designed to help you take a deeper dive into the Word and start applying biblical principles to your life. They are not required, but they’re a fun way to grow in the Word creatively!

• Join Momentum – Momentum members get just about everything for only $25/month. Click here to learn more.
• Purchase the kit by itself – Purchase the devotional and kit for only $7. You’ll also get the How to Study Bible Topics Guide and worksheets. Click here to purchase.
• Free option – To get the calendar and free mini-kit, please scroll to the bottom of this article and register for our emails between January 31, 2019 and February 28, 2019. If you are on the email list and haven’t received it, please check your spam! The emails will begin sending out on the 31st!

I AM Loved – 10 Techniques to Remember It

I AM loved. How often do you say it? Everyone has days where they feel lonely or unloved. It’s part of our human nature. The danger comes when you start to believe it and hold on to it with each passing day allowing the emotions to steal your joy and spiral you into isolation and separation from others. To get out of a funk, you should consider making a small adjustment to your day. Here are 10 techniques that can help you realize and remember just how loved you are.

Important Note: If you are struggling with depression, don’t go through it alone. Please consult a traditional or naturopathic doctor. Doctors have access to many tests that can help diagnose if there is an imbalance in your system and recommend treatments that can help. I’ve seen people treat depression by adding a vitamin or food into their diet that they were lacking. Depression doesn’t have to lead to a lifelong sentence of expensive drugs. Speak to your doctor about what’s right for you.

I AM Loved…10 Ways to Remember it

1.      Bible Journal Verses About God’s Desire for You

There are many verses that report God’s love desire for you. Take a few minutes to Bible journal. You can write the words, I AM Loved on the top of your page and this the evidence that you find in the Bible to support it. Here are a few Bible verses to start with:

• “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and filled with unfailing love”. Psalm 103:8
• “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love”. John 4:18.

2. Listen to Verses About God’s Desire for You

No time for Bible journaling? How about listening to verses about God’s desire for you? His words are love letters to us, ready to provide you with love, strength, hope, grace, and peace. Download a podcast or app that has Scripture that you want to listen to. Then play it in the car, at the gym, on break, during a walk…I think you get the point.  

3.      Focus on Worship Songs


Listening to worship songs can turn a bad day, one in which you feel forgotten or unloved, into a day worth celebrating. On days when life feels too hard to deal with on your own, use Christian music to remind you of how much God loves you. A good example is “Come as You Are”, which reminds us that God only has love for us and can heal our deepest wounds.



4.      Write in a Gratitude Journal


Keeping a gratitude journal will help remind you of all the magnificence in your life. Write down, I AM loved at the top of your journal and add things about you and your life that you’re grateful for. You’ll find that there are lots of things about you that are worthy of love. Also, be grateful that you have someone in your life that loves you unconditionally – our Lord and Savior.



5. Prayer and Meditation

Both prayer and meditation will help wash away stress and fortify your soul. These are things you should be doing as often as you can. It doesn’t need to take long and is so important. Ask God to reveal to your heart how much he loves you. Then listen for Him to respond. Don’t throw up a prayer and get too busy to listen. Prayer and meditation brings you out of your head and into the present moment, helping you find inner peace and appreciation for the good things in life, but most of all it helps you hear the voice of God.

6. Head Outdoors

Fresh air, sunshine, and even a cloudy winter day will do a lot of good to lift your spirit. When you’re feeling down, head out the door for a walk, preferably in a nice, serene setting. It doesn’t need to be a long walk – even 15 minutes will help.While you’re walking, look at the trees, birds, and flowers. It isn’t it amazing how loved we are that our God wants us to live in a canvas of beauty? Even the weed poking out from a broken sidewalk is beautiful if you think about it.

7. Eat Healthy Food

Eating healthy food is a great way to start your day and nourish your body and soul. Researchers in London discovered that you can lower your risk for depression with a diet rich in whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and fish. Learning new recipes can be a fun way to take your mind off what has you down. Have fun with it – put what you’ve whipped up on a pretty plate, and tell yourself that, “I AM loved.”

8. Unplug from Social Media and the News

While social media and the news has its benefits, sometimes the negativity can get you down without you realizing it. When you’re feeling down, unplug from social media and step away from the news. Focus on the real-world beauty that surrounds you.



Alternatively, if you have a community online that offers prayer and support, ask for it. The power of prayer heals. Don’t isolate yourself. Find a community where you can thrive locally and online.

9. Get Creative with Close Friends

Whether it’s Bible journaling, making cookies, knitting, or girl’s night outs, getting creative can help you feel productive and loved. Gathering with friends is a great reminder that we are loved. Don’t wait for someone else to schedule it. Text a few friends and get something on the calendar soon.

10. Build a “Feel Good” Basket

Taking care of yourself is so important. Sometimes a little basket of feel-good items can help remind you to take a time out, relax, and enjoy life. Examples include treasured photos, cards you’ve received from friends or family, a couple of uplifting essential oils or candles, a bit of chocolate, a small Bible, and anything that makes you smile. Keep your “feel goods” close at hand for when you need to remind yourself that I AM loved.

You don’t have to do all ten techniques. Pick one to try. When you need a reminder that you are loved, remember that God loves you. Even when life seems determined to kick you while you are down, His love can still reach you. So, put down the phone and the comfort foods (ok in moderation). Instead, find the verses that remind you of God’s love, take a walk and, most important of all, take good care of yourself and say, “I AM loved” daily.

1 John 3:1

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

John 13:1

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

Deuteronomy 7:9

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, 

Psalm 136:1

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

2 Chronicles 5:13

And it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever, the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud,

2 Thessalonians 3:12

Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

Deuteronomy 1:31

And in the wilderness, where you have seen how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place.’

Romans 5:8

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 3:19

And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Jeremiah 31:3

The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

Lamentations 3:22-23

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Psalm 118:1

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!