Thankful For My New Job | Thankful Thursday

I am thankful to be a licensed practical nurse. The journey was long and hard, but it was also full of learning and gaining friendships. Many of you may know that in the middle of my nursing program my daddy went home to be with the Lord. He encouraged me so much. I spent many late night/early mornings with my dad because he did not want to be alone. I would stay until he would finally be comfortable again and then I would go home and get ready for my clinicals and do it all again. It was God and God alone that sustained me through that time. I do not regret one moment staying with my dad or any sleep lost.

My dad never introduced me to others as anything other than, "This is Bridgett, my daughter. She is going to be a nurse." Sometimes he would say, "She is a nurse." This was what got me through the times when Dad was gone and every patient I was given had colon cancer and was around my dad's age. I felt like it was a cruel joke. My nursing instructor told me it would make me a better nurse, more compassionate, and that, she told me, was something that could not be taught.

I am going to orientation again tomorrow at my new job. I thank God that I was able to find my nursing notebook and mini happy planner so I could take notes and do all the things tomorrow that I need to do. I am thankful for my new job, the income, and the bonus, and the opportunity to be the best nurse I can be for the families I will work with. What are you thanking God for?

COLOSSIANS 3:22-24 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

~Bridgett Owens

Psalm 29 | Wednesday Bible Study

Welcome back to Bible Study Wednesday! This year God has pressed upon my heart to study the book of Psalms. Each Wednesday we take a closer look at a new chapter. Today we are going to chapter 29. If you have not done so, please take the time to read through these 11 verses. I will be sharing some thoughts about today's passage and break down this chapter below. Please pray and ask Holy Spirit to open your spiritual eyes and ears to receive everything He has to teach you in today's passage. Let's begin!

This particular Psalm of David is about the voice of the Lord. Have you heard the voice of the Lord? So many that say they have heard the voice of God describe it as indescribable. I agree. David creates a beautiful ode to the Lord's voice in the powerful thunderstorm. I love thunderstorms!! The streaks of lightning zipping across the sky, lighting it up like noon time; the rolling thunder that seems to go on and on and the shower of rain, it all makes me relaxed and desiring to sleep.

Verses 1-2

David compels "o ye mighty" to give the LORD glory. This is a song of worship and adoration for the Great God Jehovah! What is worship that David is asking be done unto God? Might it be submission to the plan and purpose God has for our lives? He says, Worship the LORD  in the beauty of holiness. There is none holy but God. We can try to be holy and strive to be like God in His holiness, but there is no beauty of holiness apart from God's holiness.

There's a beautiful passage connected to this in the Old Testament book of First Chronicles. It reads:

1 Chronicles 16:23-36

Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day His salvation.

Declare His glory among the heathen; His marvellous works among all nations.

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: He also is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

Glory and honour are in His presence; strength and gladness are in His place.

Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name: bring an offering, and come before Him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Fear before Him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations: The LORD reigneth.

Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.

Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because He cometh to judge the earth.

O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever.

And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to Thy Holy Name, and glory in Thy praise.

Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.

I know that was a lot to digest but it pairs beautifully with this particular psalm of David about the beauty of God's holiness and how we ought to worship Him.

Verses 3-9

David says the voice of the LORD is:

*upon the waters

*powerful

*full of majesty

*breaking the cedars of Lebanon

*divides the flames of fire

*shakes the wilderness of Kadesh

*makes hinds to calve

*discovers the forest, strips it bare

Do you remember what the Bible says about the sound of God's voice in the book of John? This is the time of Passover, and there were certain Greeks that wanted to see Jesus. In fact they asked Philip to make the connection. So Philip told Andrew and the two men together told Jesus. This was His response, and watch what God says and how it was described by others.

JOHN 12:23-33 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honour. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify Thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to Him. Jesus answered and said, This Voice came not because of Me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me. This He said, signifying what death He should die.

Some said the voice was like thunder. Others heard it and said it was an angel speaking. Jesus said the Voice was heard for the people's sake. God did not have to speak to Jesus where others could hear. Jesus was in communication with the Father often, but this was a sign and a wonder that God was speaking directly to Jesus. The people still missed it. David is telling us in these last few verses what the voice of God can do!

Verse 10

David paints a beautiful picture of the King of kings sitting upon the flood. Floods damage homes, crops, create destruction and discord. Floods are disasters. David tells us that God sits on the flood. When the waters rise, God rises higher. When the water surrounds us and it seems like we may go under, our Savior and Lord is sitting high on the flood waters. He is in control of the storms of life. He is lifting us up and out of the deep waters threatening to take us under and He allows us to overcome the stress and the strife. What a beautiful and awesome reminder!

Verse 11

David said there is two things God will do in the storms we are facing. There are two gifts God gives us when the battles are hot and we cannot see which way leads to safety.

*God will strengthen His people!

*God will bless His people with peace!

Friends, no matter how dark the night may be, hold on to this promise! You may think you are on a never-ending roller coaster of emotions and events that are out of your control. Don't worry, it is not more than God can handle. It is not out of His hands. It is not out of His control. Hold on to the hand of the Master and He will give you strength. Hold on to the unchanging hand of God and He will give you His peace. In the middle of the disaster God will be your anchor, your hope, your strength, and your peace. Listen to His voice and follow His instructions. He wants to help you!

I hope you are encouraged by today's Bible study. It is a wonderful picture of God's love and kindness to His children. I know some people dislike storms, the thunder scares them, and the lightning sends them running for the covers. Not everyone will enjoy a good thunderstorm like I do, but regardless of how you feel about natural storms, there are supernatural storms that come and I do not like those! God promises to give us strength and peace as we trust and rely on Him. How about you? Will you trust Him and allow the King of Glory to guide you through the floods of life? He sits on top of the flood. He is not going under. He is in control!

I pray that something I shared on the blog today has given you strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Relabel Yourself | Fuel for the Weekend

God told me to share my faith on Fridays and call it Fuel for the Weekend. It's my desire that the posts I put up on Fridays will give you something to think about, ponder, consider, and reflect on throughout the weekend. If it leads to discussions with your family and friends, even better!

1 CHRONICLES 4:9-10

And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.

And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

Many are familiar with this short passage in the Old Testament. It is quoted often, books have been written surrounding this account, but it is worth looking at again. In the middle of the THIS ONE begat THAT ONE and THAT ONE begat THIS ONE.... we see God just carved out a little space to tell us about an honorable and upright man before Him. The man is Jabez.

Jabez literally means He Will Cause Pain. Imagine everyday of your life from birth, when someone called your name, they were literally saying, Hey You That Causes Pain, come here. One Who Will Cause Pain do this or that or the next thing. Everyday of his life was a reminder that he caused his mother pain when she delivered him at birth. Not only did she mark him for life because of the experience she had giving birth to him, but anyone who called him by name was labeling him the same way.

What things has society said about you day after day?

*Not Smart Enough*

*Never Be Tall*

*Least Likely To Succeed*

*Too Tall*

*Too Skinny*

*Clumsy*

*Larger Than Life*

*Broke For Life*

What images do you see that make you think your nose is too big or maybe it seems crooked? Who are you comparing your bank account with? Where are you going for advice when life seems bad and you walk away depressed and discouraged more than before you talked to those people?

Friends, God wants to relabel you. Let's start in the beginning.

GENESIS 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

GENESIS 1:26 And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

GENESIS 1:27 So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.

GENESIS 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

GENESIS 1:29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

GENESIS 1:30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

GENESIS 1:31 And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Here is what God said about Jabez in 1 Chronicles, that he was more honorable than all his brothers. The one child his mother named HE WILL CAUSE PAIN is the best child she had. In fact, he probably did everything he could to not live up to his name. Meanwhile, his brothers probably caused a great deal of pain to others but they did not have that title. That tells us that what people think of us, including friends and even our own family, is not definitive of who God says we are. God says he is a man of honor and He chose to answer his prayer!

God made us in His image and in His likeness. We look like our Heavenly Father. We are made like Him. That is why the devil hates us. Satan does not like the constant reminder that we are created in the image of God and His identity is seen throughout His created people. Why would he choose to attack our identity so much? Look at our culture in America? From a small, innocent child to an older adult we are being challenged about our identity! Babies are being slaughtered in the womb because the devil has created confusion and chaos about the identity of what a baby is!

God immediately gave us purpose when He created us. He made us males and females to have dominion over the creatures in the sea, the creatures in the air, and creatures on the earth. God blessed the males and females that He created. He made us, gave us purpose, and blessed us. What else does the text say? God gives us an assignment. He wants us to be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth. God wants us to have babies and fill the earth with His people.

He wants us to subdue the earth, which means to bring it under control. The devil hates that and wants to fight us in this purpose every single day. He wants to bring chaos and confusion and division to the world. You and I, and all of God's people are to bring peace, love, joy, and hope found only in Jesus to the world.

And I love that God gave us food. He provided things to eat that would benefit our body and keep us strong. And what did God say after He created the sun, moon, stars, the ocean, and land? It was good. When He made light and night He said it was good. But after He made humanity, He said it was very good.

Whatever someone else labeled you, does not have to define you. You are who God says you are. You are not less than that and you are not more than that. Apart from God we are nothing. He is our Maker. He is our Creator. He is our God. He is our Heavenly Father and He has a plan and purpose for every single person on the planet. Who does God say you are? I challenge you to spend time this weekend praying and pondering that question. Read the Bible and ask Holy Spirit to show you in the lens of scripture the way God sees you. Do not let anyone call you anything else.

I hope today's post has challenged you to not conform to the ways of this world. We must not become like the world. ROMANS 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.   

Let's strive to be more like Jesus Christ. He is the Great Example and Pattern for us. It is my prayer that something you have read today has given you strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!!

~Bridgett Owens

Other People's Judgment | Thankful Thursday

Today is Thankful Thursday. Time to count our blessings. I am back in my Traveler's Notebook today studying "Famous Last Words" devotional from By The Well 4 God.

This is today's Bible journaling entry. I learned about king Agag's last words.

I remember reading what happened to Saul when he did not kill king Agag and all the livestock and destroy the Amalekites. I did not remember what Agag's last words were, but it is found in 1 Samuel 15:32 Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately (cautiously). And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past. It reminds me of the warning in Proverbs 16:19 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

God wanted the king of the Amalekites dead. King Saul was supposed to do it and he disobeyed God. So, king Agag thought he was getting another chance to do battle again. He was thinking he had escaped death but the prophet Samuel did what God wanted done and in verse 33, Samuel cut him to pieces before God.

I am thankful we have these true accounts of history so we can be learn from what others have done. I am sure we have all justified sin in our lives at one time or another. We may have had prideful hearts and thought we had escaped the wrath of God, but I want to be like the prophet Samuel in this situation and do what would please God. King Saul was removed from the kingdom. King Agag was violently murdered in Gilgal. We do not want to be like these wicked men. We want to be like the prophet Samuel who did the will of the LORD.

Thankfully today we do not have physical enemies to slay. We know the devil is our adversary and we can suit up in the full armor of God to defeat him. We must do the harder right than the easier wrong. I thank God for the warning of God's Word. What are you thankful for?

Thank you for joining me today. I hope you count your blessings all day. God is worthy of all praise and honor. Be sure to thank Him for the great things He is doing in your lives. I will do the same. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Psalm 28 | Wednesday Bible Study

Welcome back to Bible Study Wednesday! This year God has pressed upon my heart to study the book of Psalms. Each Wednesday we take a closer look at a new chapter. Today we are going to chapter 28. If you have not done so, please take the time to read through these 9 verses. I will be sharing some thoughts about today's passage and break down this chapter below. Please pray and ask Holy Spirit to open your spiritual eyes and ears to receive everything He has to teach you in today's passage. Let's begin!

Verse 1:

David is praying to God, asking Him to hear his heart's cry. David always begins addressing God. David wants to hear from God. He says if he does not hear from God, he will be like those who have no hope. Today, you and I have hope if we are in Christ Jesus. EPHESIANS 2:11-13 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. David is desiring to be in close fellowship with God. JAMES 4:8 Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts ye doubleminded.

Verse 2:

David wants God to hear his supplications. Supplication means to ask or beg for something in earnest and in humility. David knows God is Sovereign and in charge. He humbly comes to God begging for him to hear and answer his prayers. We see that Daniel did the same thing. DANIEL 6:11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. Sometimes we pray to God with thanksgiving, and other times we ask what we need in humility, and yet other times we come with supplication and thanksgiving because our need is so great. I love that Daniel says it isn't because we are good or holy that we make these supplications, but we ask because You God are so merciful. DANIEL 9:18 O my God, incline Thine ear, and hear; open Thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by Thy name: for we do not present our supplications before Thee for our righteousnesses, but for Thy great mercies. 

Verse 3:

David does not want to be in the same category with the wicked. He has separated himself from those who willfully sin and say one thing but then do another in deceit. David says, "They speak peace to their neighbors but mischief is in their heart. So often in our society we see the same thing coming from political leaders, religious leaders, world leaders, and it needs to stop. God is not pleased with this work and it will not go unpunished. GENESIS 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. You may think that verse could have been written today in 2022. These were the days of Noah. What does the Bible tell us about the days of Noah? LUKE 17:26-30 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

Verse 4:

David wants God to punish the wicked. He is asking that they reap what they have sown. JOB 4:8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. GALATIANS 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. This sowing and reaping principle is in God's Word to teach us to not be like the wicked but to sow things in the fertile soil of the Spirit.

Verse 5:

In this verse, David gives the results of disbelief in God. Those that do not care for the things of GOD and do not see His hands at work are going to be destroyed. ROMANS 3:3-4 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. Whether humanity believes in God or not does not change who He is. It does not erase Him from existence. Jesus is still God whether we choose to see it or not, but one day all will see and acknowledge Him for who He is. PHILIPPIANS 2:8-11 And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name; That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth: And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Verse 6:

God heard David's requests and now David honors God. Friends God is listening to our prayers. He hears us and He answers us according to His Will. He has a purpose and plan for all of us. ECCLESIASTES 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: His desire is to save humanity from our sins and to gather as many sons and daughters as are willing to join His family. You and I are here to help with that purpose. If we do not get some things we ask for, it might be because it would hinder our walk with the Lord. We can be assured He does answer us and we ought to be like David and bless God for doing so.

Verse 7:

David says God is his strength and shield. As a man of war, David understood the value of a shield. He knew how important it was to be strong in battle. Our lives are one battlefield after another and we must draw strength from God and allow Him to protect and shield us from the enemy. David says his heart trusts in God. I am sure David did not trust a great deal of people. His children rebelled against him. His father-in-law tried to kill him. He had a lot of enemies but He trusted God because over the course of his life, David could see God's fingerprints all over his life. David said God helps him and that gave him a reason to rejoice and sing praises to God. Have we appreciated the things God does for us, or are we taking it all for granted? 

Verse 8:

God is not just the source of David's strength. Look at this verse again. It says that for those who are anointed, God is our saving strength. What a beautiful promise. Do you remember when Paul said he was going to get the crown of life? He said it was stored up for him, but not just for him only. No, he said we all get one. 2 TIMOTHY 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. If we are looking for Jesus to come back with expectancy and jubilee, then we have a crown of righteousness waiting for us as well.

Verse 9:

David's ends the prayer with a final request. Save, bless, feed, and forever lift up those that are Yours God. We belong to God if we are a servant of the Most High God. He will save us, redeem us, bless us, care for us, and meet our every need.

I hope that as you studied today's passage with me that you will see how good God is. He is a loving, protective Father and He wants to be in relationship with every single one of His children. If you have been encouraged please let me know. I appreciate all the feedback. I pray that something I have shared on the blog today has been strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Sand Castles | Fuel for the Weekend

God told me to share my faith on Fridays and call it Fuel for the Weekend. It's my desire that the posts I put up on Fridays will give you something to think about, ponder, consider, and reflect on throughout the weekend. If it leads to discussions with your family and friends, even better!

Have you ever gone to the beach? The ocean is stretched out in front of you all the way to the horizon. The sandy shore is full of sea shells, beach towels, and people basking in the rays of the sun. Have you ever made a sand castle before? They are so pretty, especially when someone sculpts the clay and uses intricate tools to design a wonderful piece of art. The problem with sandcastles is they are unstable.

Sand is washed back and forth on the shore with the water. If you ever stand at the edge of the shore and allow the water to rush past your ankles and legs and sweep back, it will literally pull you toward the ocean. You will feel yourself sliding away from the shore and the sand beneath your feet is like a conveyor belt.

MATTHEW 7:21-27

Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

And every one that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

You see friends, the rain is coming. The storms of life will blow hard against our vessel. The bills will pile up and the finances will dwindle down. You may try to find a job and yet no one will call you back. You may get a poor report from your doctor, and your world may turn upside down. You may stand at the graveside of a loved one and wonder why they were not healed. Storms are coming. It will not be sunny and beautiful always. What will happen to you when these trials and storms rage?

1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

These three keys will aid you through the battles of life that seem to never end at times:

1. Build upon the firm foundation of the Rock of Jesus. Know who He is and trust Him. Jesus asked His disciples who they say He is and Peter said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," (Matthew 16:16) And Jesus said upon that Rock, or the revelation of who He is, He would build His Church.

Matthew 16:17-19 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build My Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

2. Be a hearer AND a doer of the Word of God. It is not enough to go to church and hear a sermon. It is not enough to attend a Bible study. You must think of the Word of God like lotion. Apply it and rub it in. Do not just layer it on top of the skin and hope it will absorb over time. Something will happen and the lotion will be knocked off your arm and then you will have a big mess and your skin will not get the nourishment you need. The same is true of life. If you do not apply the principles of God's Word, then you will get knocked down by the storms of life and it will be a big mess and you will not have what your soul needs to survive. JAMES 1:22 But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

3. Continue to pray and commune with God. In Luke chapter 18 it begins with Jesus giving a parable that men should always pray and not lose heart. We have to talk to God in prayer. It is essential. It is not only how we thank Him and praise Him for everything He has done in our lives, but it is how we obtain forgiveness, how we petition Him for what we need, and friends it is how we hear Him answer us. Jesus said this in Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Storms will come. Trials will never cease. We must not be taken off guard by them. Use these three steps to keep you anchored to Jesus, our Savior and you will be able to overcome any obstacle in your way. I hope you will study these scriptures deeper on your own. Talk to your friends and family about these things and discuss practical ways you can do these things in your daily walk with Jesus. I pray that something you have read on the blog today will give you strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Creative Outlets | Thankful Thursday

My daughter and I enjoy creatively journaling our faith. We use traveler's notebook inserts instead of our journaling in our Bibles and we have a great time. We are currently working on a kit from By the Well 4 God called Famous Last Words. We are not going through this devotional study kit as fast as others we studied before but things are different now in our lives, too. Hopefully when we find our own home we will be able to have all our study materials out and can work on devotionals more often.

Each devotional study kit comes in a linen/canvas type drawstring bag with the name of the kit on the outside. It makes it a great way to find the kit we are working on and when we are done with the devotional book, we can put it in the drawstring bag along with our traveler's notebook insert to store it.

This is a look at the devotional book. I love the typewriter on the front and it has been so nice to work our way through the kit at our own pace. I like having Kadesia work on the kit with me but sometimes I work on it as I get time, by myself.

This is the insert I am using for this kit. I used stickers from the kit to decorate the front and remind me which kit it belongs to.

I prepped all the pages the same way. On the left side, I have a piece of decorative paper in this marbled/watercolor design. I add a piece of cardstock at the bottom to look like it could be an identification card. I use pictures from magazines to place in the small square box and then I write the name of the person, their title or a description about them, their famous last words scripture, and the name of the devotional kit. 

On the right side is where I do my journaling, answer questions from the devotional, or write a prayer. I used some washi to frame the page. I used my label maker to type out the question, "What great things has God done for you?", and then I used some transparent dots as bullet points. My response was:

*Salvation and sanctification. He has never given up on me.

*A family that loves God and me. My husband, Paul; my daughter, Kadesia; and my son, Javan.

*Hears and answers all my prayers even if I have to wait.

*Provided a house for us to stay in until He gives us our own.

This is not even a drop in the bucket of the great things He has done for me.

I completed this particular page on June 19, 2022. I do not have time to work on it today, but maybe this weekend I will have an opportunity to work on the next profile. I have three more to go and then I will start another Bible study devotional. I have some Illustrated Faith kits, and others I want to use as well from different companies. I love to creatively journal my faith in my traveler's notebook.

What Bible study are you working through? Do you creatively journal your faith? Do you do Bible journaling? Today I am thankful for the men and women who share their faith and knowledge with those of us on the journey towards Home. I am counting creatively journaling my faith as one of the things I am thankful for today. What are you thankful for?

I hope you have been encouraged and inspired to dig into God's Word today and count your blessings on this Thankful Thursday. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens