Psalm 23 (06.26.2014)

Psalm 23 (06.26.2014)

Psalm 23:1 HCSB
The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack.
-- HCSB: Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

The Lord is...
He exists.
He is and always will be. He has always been.
He is and has an identity. He has character and attributes. There are certain things that describe Him.
The Lord is my shepherd.
He isn't just anyone's shepherd. He's mine (and yours).
He is my shepherd. He takes care of me like a shepherd takes care of his sheep.
Wow. Wonder of wonders.

-- Stacy Duplease, Writer
Sent from Amazon Kindle Fire HDX
Blog: http://WritingsOfSD.blogspot.com/

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease 2014)

Bible Study or Devotional on the Twenty-Third Psalm (Psalm 23). 06.25.2014.

Look up this link first: https://new.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Psalm%2023:1

The Lord is...

The Lord exists.

He is real.

I don't know about you, but I can ponder and prayer journal about this alone for days, weeks, months,and even years.

What does this mean to you and for your life?

Prayer Journal your thoughts.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease 2014)

Bible Verse to Ponder and Prayer Journal

Psalm 23 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
A Davidic psalm.

1 The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack.
2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He renews my life;
He leads me along the right paths
for His name’s sake.
4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
as long as I live.

-- Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. 

Bible Verse to Prayer Journal and Ponder

{Note: No. I am not admonishing you, by the way. This is a reminder to myself.}

Bible Verse to Prayer Journal and Ponder

Prayer Journal June 20,2014, Friday

Proverbs 12:23 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
23 A shrewd person conceals knowledge,
but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.
-- Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Prayer journal your thoughts.

Wow! 
What a powerful verse.
I cannot help but think how often I've fallen for this trap--and how I've been in the presence of those who have. 
Often times, we are prideful and think we know something, so we boast. We pat ourselves on the back and seek to win man's approval. What we don't realize is we spoke like a fool and didn't really know much at all. And, it's because we are full of pride and want to seek approval. What we forget is the only thing... the only one we should boast in is God and His Word. We tend to overlook how the only approval we should ever seek is God's.
I've spoken out of turn. Too many times. It's done out of a lack of discipline--and a lack of dealing with my stuff. Usually, it's when I haven't been in the Word, prayer journaling, and pondering His Word all day and night. It's when I'm being ugly that this happens. 
Then I say something mean (sometimes without intending) or heated, or something that doesn't make sense, and I look even more like a fool. 
Pride always comes before a fall. Always. 
Isn't it better to keep our opinions to ourselves, unless we are in a place of discipline and closeness with God where He can speak through us, rather than us forcing an issue because we think we know, but really don't? 
And, what do we do when we are in the presence of someone who lives this verse? First, we cut them grace. But, we might want to gently point out the truth in love. Do not let them continue in error. Let them know the foolishness of what was said, through pointing out truth to them in a quiet and non-confrontational way. And, then drop it. Never raise the issue with them again. It's done. Give them grace as you would so have liked others to offer you when you've been in their place. And, say a prayer for yourself that you not stumble again through opening your mouth when you shouldn't. 

Prayer journal your thoughts.

Proverbs 12:23 / Expanded Bible (EXB)

23 ·Wise [Prudent] people ·keep what they know to themselves [L conceal/hide their knowledge],

but ·fools can’t keep from showing how foolish they are [L the heart of fools proclaim their stupidity].

-- -- EXB: Scripture taken from The Expanded Bible. Copyright © 2011 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Prayer journal your thoughts.

Bible Verse to Prayer Journal and Ponder

Bible Verse to Prayer Journal and Ponder

Prayer Journal June 19, 2014, Thursday

40:31 / Expanded Bible (EXB)

31 But the people who ·trust [hope in; wait on] the Lord will become strong again.

They will rise up ·as an eagle in the sky [with wings like eagles];

    they will run and not ·need rest [grow weary];

they will walk and not ·become tired [faint].

-- Scripture taken from The Expanded Bible. Copyright © 2011 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Prayer journal your thoughts.

Who becomes strong? 

It takes three qualities to become strong again:

1 Trust the Lord

2 Hope in the Lord

3 Wait on the Lord

It takes all three at the same time. They are a trio we need to remember and be intentional of so we will gain strength once again. 

Feel weak? Remember these three characteristics, aspects, and qualities and have them. Be about it. 

Isaiah 40:27-31 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

27 Jacob, why do you say,

and Israel, why do you assert:

“My way is hidden from the Lord,

and my claim is ignored by my God”?

28 Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

Yahweh is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the whole earth.

He never grows faint or weary;

there is no limit to His understanding.

29 He gives strength to the weary

and strengthens the powerless.

30 Youths may faint and grow weary,

and young men stumble and fall,

31 but those who trust in the Lord

will renew their strength;

they will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary;

they will walk and not faint.

-- Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Prayer journal your thoughts.

Bible Verse to Prayer Journal and Ponder

Bible Verse to Prayer Journal and Ponder

HOW I GET THE MOST OUT OF THE WORD OF GOD EACH DAY
The first thing I do in the morning, is put dog outside and feed Beagle and Maine Coin and grab a cup of coffee. Then, I sit and have time with God. I make Him the precedent of each day. I give Him reverence and put Him first. I turn to the Bible, His love letter to us, His Word.
I am reading the Bible through in a year and am using this program, which you can start at any time:
http://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/old-new-testament/today?version=HCSB
I find at least one verse that speaks to me and try to keep prayer journaling it and pondering it all day long. With every verse that jumps out at me, I try to look it up at least three translations or versions of the Bible of it and get as much meaning out of it as possible. Often I look up five to seven.
Why do I look up more than one translation? As I said, I get a great deal more meaning out of it and I also read it more. The more I read it and ponder it, the verse will take root deep inside of me and become a way of live and living. It becomes part of me. Every time I read it, it grows and changes me.
Then, I read this program, which you can start at any time. I read a chapter of Psalms and Proverbs. Today, it's Psalms 10 and Proverbs 10. I find a verse of several from this reading as well.
I write these verses down and carry them with me. I also keep the tabs open of the internet links that lead to these daily verses and a document on my computer so I can look them up all day. I also pull them.up on my cell and tablet when I am not at my computer.
Some people are anal about checking texts and emails on their cell. I use that as my cue to pull up my daily verses on my cell. I also do this when stopped at a light. I use the light as a reminder to think of my daily verses.
Another cue I use is every time I take a sip of a liquid or a bite of food. I'm hypoglycemic so I eat and drink all dynamic long, so I stretch out my daily verses as much as possible.
This is how I get as much out of the Bible as I can and is how I try to include and remember God and His Word every moment.
I won't lie. Some days, I do all of this. Other days, once and that's it. I am constantly trying to do this more--and in doing so, just being with Him more each day.

Read the following verse and prayer journal about how this applies to you, your marriage, your house and family, your larger family, your city, your county, your state, your nation, and the world:

Proverbs 10:17 / Expanded Bible (EXB)
17 Whoever ·accepts correction [guards instruction/discipline] is on the way to life,
but whoever ·ignores [abandons] correction ·will lead others away from life [wanders aimlessly].
-- Scripture taken from The Expanded Bible. Copyright © 2011 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 10:17 / GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
17 Whoever practices discipline is on the way to life,
    but whoever ignores a warning strays.
-- Scripture is taken from GOD’S WORD®, © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease June 2014)

Bible Verse to Ponder and Prayer Journal

Bible Verse to Ponder and Prayer Journal

Psalm 9:1-2 / New Living Translation (NLT)
1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
    I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
2 I will be filled with joy because of you.
    I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.
-- Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

How can we praise God with ALL of our hearts, unless we actually are intentional about it? Prayer journaling makes us live intentionally. Prayer journaling makes us live a life of faith purposefully.
How can we do all of anything without being intentional and purposeful? This is why it is so critical for everyone to prayer journal. Otherwise, we live a life of faith we take for granted and we fail to seek Him first (Matthew 6:33) every moment.
How can we tell of ALL the miraculous, marvelous, wonderous works God has done unless we write them out so we can remember them tomorrow, in a week, in a month, in a year, and in several decades?
This is how important it is to prayer journal.
Now, prayer journal your thoughts.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease 2009-2014)

Bible Verse to Ponder and Prayer Journal

Bible Verse to Ponder and Prayer Journal

Deuteronomy 1:29-31 / GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
29 Then I said to you, “Don’t tremble. Don’t be afraid of them. 30 The Lord your God, who is going ahead of you, will fight for you as you saw him fight for you in Egypt 31 and in the desert.” There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as parents carry their children. He carried you wherever you went until you came to this place.
-- Scripture is taken from GOD’S WORD®, © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

Do not be afraid now or at any time.
"Them, they, or Egypt" can be anyone, anything, any time.
God will fight for you, for us, so you/we do not have to fight. We just need to open our eyes and look for Him and seek Him. We can live confidently knowing He sees all, even this. He will fight for you and carry you. You are not alone. For, Emanuel. God is always with us.
God knows.
He's got this.
This is true in the good times, the challenges, and the so-so times. God never, ever changes.

Prayer journal your thoughts.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease 2008-2014.)

Bible Verse to Prayer Journal and Ponder

Bible Verse to Prayer Journal and Ponder 

Psalm 86:8 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 Lord, there is no one like You among the gods,
and there are no works like Yours
-- Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Prayer journal your thoughts.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease 2009-2014.)

Prayer Journal June 14, 2014, 123 p.m.: My Psalms and Proverbs Reading Today: Psalm 6 & Proverbs 6

Prayer Journal June 14, 2014, 123 p.m.: My Psalms and Proverbs Reading Today: Psalm 6 & Proverbs 6

My Key Verse:

Proverbs 6:23 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

23 For a command is a lamp, teaching is a light,

and corrective discipline is the way to life.

-- HCSB: Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

The Word of God, the Holy Bible, sheds light to how to live and which path to follow.

Proverbs 6:23 / Expanded Bible (EXB)

23 These commands are like a lamp;

   this ·teaching [instruction] is like a light [making things clear].

And ·the correction that comes from them [disciplined correction]

  will help you have [is the path of] life.

-- HCSB: Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

His Word shows me how to live, so this shows how critical it is for me to be in the Bible every day, preferably all day long. There is nothing more important.

If I want to live in Your will, Lord, this is how to do it: Be in Your Word. Lord, help me to get as much out of Your Word as possible and mediate on it day and night (Psalm 1:2).

(Image credit: Microsoft images online 2008-2014)

Prayer Journal June 14, 2014, 1255 p.m.

Prayer Journal June 14, 2014, 1255 p.m.

I am a prayer  journalkeeper.

God created me to prayer journal. This is my life’s purpose.

Me: Lord, why do You want me to prayer journal?

God: So, you can live these verses firsthand, Stacy:

Proverbs 3:6 / Expanded Bible (EXB)

Remember the Lord [Know him] ·in all you do [on all your paths],

and he will ·give you success [keep your roads straight].

-- EXB: Scripture taken from The Expanded Bible. Copyright © 2011 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Psalm 143:10 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

10 Teach me to do Your will,

for You are my God.

May Your gracious Spirit

lead me on level ground.

-- HCSB: Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Psalm 77:11 / The Message (MSG)

11 Once again I’ll go over what God has done,

   lay out on the table the ancient wonders;

I’ll ponder all the things you’ve accomplished,

   and give a long, loving look at your acts.

-- MSG: Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Isaiah 46:9 / The Message (MSG)

Remember your history,

   your long and rich history.

I am God, the only God you’ve had or ever will have—

   incomparable, irreplaceable—

-- MSG: Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Psalm 40:5 / Expanded Bible (EXB)

5 Lord my God, you have done many ·miracles [wonders; great acts].

   Your plans for us are many.

If I tried to tell them all,

   there would be too many to count [104:24; 139:17–18; John 21:25].

-- EXB: Scripture taken from The Expanded Bible. Copyright © 2011 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease 2009-2014)

Bible Verse to Prayer Journal and Ponder

Proverbs 3:6 / Expanded Bible (EXB)

6 ·Remember the Lord [Know him] ·in all you do [on all your paths],
    and he will ·give you success [keep your roads straight].

-- Expanded Bible (EXB): The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.


Prayer journal your thoughts, what  God says to you, and what you say to God.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease 2008-2014)

Welcome

Welcome to my prayer journaling a blog, which is my spiritual memoir and a blog on how to prayer journal.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease 2009-2014.)

Living Proof Ministry Online Bible Study: CHILDREN OF THE DAY

Today, I started this summer online Bible study: CHILDREN OF THE DAY. It's by Beth Moore and is on 1 & 2 Thessalonians. I will talk about this book from time to time on this blog.

(Image credit and where to find Member Book: http://www.lifeway.com/Product/children-of-the-day-1-2-thessalonians-member-book-P005600950)

If the online study things sounds good to you, check out this link from today:

http://blog.lproof.org/2014/06/siesta-summer-bible-study-2014-launch-and-registration.html

I am so looking forward to this study. My life thoroughly, deeply needs it.

Verse of the Day

Psalm 143:10

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

10 Teach me to do Your will,
for You are my God.
May Your gracious Spirit
lead me on level ground.

Verse of the Day

Psalm 77:11 / The Message (MSG)

^"11-12 Once again I’ll go over what God has done,

lay out on the table the ancient wonders;

I’ll ponder all the things you’ve accomplished,

and give a long, loving look at your acts."

We are to focus our minds on these things.

Prayer journal your thoughts. 

New Book: "A GREAT LIFE BECAUSE OF A GREAT GOD WITH GREAT PLANS"

This is my newest writing project.

My goal is over the next 56 days to write this book and think about and plan future books to complement this one. It won't be a series of books. Rather, each book will be a stand-alone, but read them together and you'll get the most out of them.

I guarantee you won't find another book, or complementary books, like this/these. It's a spiritual memoir, devotional, Bible study, prayer journal, and is guaranteed to inspire you to live a better Christ-Filled, Word-Focused life.

Stay tuned.

Verse of the Day

Isaiah 46:9 / The Message (MSG)

Remember your history,

your long and rich history.

I am God, the only God you’ve had or ever will have—

incomparable, irreplaceable—

Isaiah 46:9 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

⁹ Remember what happened long ago,

for I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and no one is like Me.

Prayer journal your thought to each of these versions of the Bible and look up a few more versions as well.

What jumped out at you and grabbed your attention? Why?

What does this mean to you?

What do you say to God?

What does God say to you?

How can you apply this to your life?

Write a summary prayer about this verse. 

A New Blog Post Series

Welcome to a new blog post series I'm writing. This is my current writing project.

"A GREAT LIFE BECAUSE OF A GREAT GOD WITH GREAT PLANS"

This is a blog post series about living a great life, trusting God is great, and that He has great plans--even when we do not see it or feel it. It's remembering what God has done, and trusting and having confidence in God's plans for our future regardless of circumstances, emotions, or point-of-view. 

Life is not always great. But, God is.

When life is anything but great, we need to trust God knows what He is doing. We are to live a great life because of a great God with great plans.


Updated: May 29, 2014, 302 p.m.

Verse of the Day, Week, and Month

-- HCSB: Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Psalm 40:5 / Expanded Bible (EXB)

5 Lord my God, you have done many ·miracles [wonders; great acts].

   Your plans for us are many.

If I tried to tell them all,

   there would be too many to count [104:24; 139:17–18; John 21:25].

-- EXB: Scripture taken from The Expanded Bible. Copyright © 2011 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.