18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18

I love words. When I was a child I would repeat multi-syllabic (now that’s a good word) rhyming words over and over; fascinated by the way they rolled off my tongue. Long words, archaic words, unusual words, foreign phrases, and word origins are very intriguing to me.  Because I love words, I also love crossword puzzles. For years, the only reason we subscribed to the Sunday edition of the newspaper was so I could get the crossword puzzle. Crosswords … cross words.

Cross words.

The cross is full of words also.

love … sacrifice … joy … pain … forgiveness … hope …

restoration … redemption … blood … healing … purpose

life … grace … peace.

Cross words are powerful words; foolishness to the world, but salvation to those of us who love cross words.

Action Points:

1. What cross word is most meaningful to you?
2. Pray your cross word into your life today.
3. Listen for God to speak your cross word to you through music, other people, radio messages, billboards, etc.

Life is sweet!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.” Joshua 10:8

Too much of my life has been spent fearing the wrong things. Fear of failure, fear of accidents, fear of change, and fear of sickness and death have all cost me plenty, but nothing has been more costly than the fear of man.

Why do I fear man? I fear because perhaps what others say about me is true.

 

I am nothing.

         I am wrong.

                         I am weak.

                                   I am useless.

                                               I am dumb.

I am broken.

  I am … I am … I am …

I AM that I AM

The GREAT I AM!

In the GREAT I AM …

… I am called … I am chosen … I am gifted … beautiful … redeemed … forgiven … talented, restored, adopted, strong, wise, beautiful, useful, effective, influential, free, justified, blameless, pure, sanctified, holy, alive, secure, complete, victorious, and loved. I am because He is.

Fear of man will cause me to miss my calling; to leave unlived the life God has willed for me. The only thing God wants me to fear is Him. He calls me to lay aside all other fear, and live with boldness: standing ground, slaying giants, and tumbling walls.

Because of the Great I AM, I am.

Action Points:

1. Slowly, with emphasis,  read the I am list out loud.

2. Mark in your mind the most important attributes in the I am list and thank God for what He has made you in Christ Jesus.

3. Make your decisions today based on the fear of God, not the fear of man.

 

Remember who you are in the Great I AM.

Life is sweet,

 

For more information on overcoming fear, please click on the links below.

Francis Chan: Fear Not

 

Joyce Meyer: Choose Boldness

 

Ties, candles, coffee mugs, jewelry and gift cards. We’ve all received gifts before, but has anyone ever given you a little grace and peace? Jesus is waiting to lavishly bestow grace and peace upon those who love Him! To do the study, Grace and Peace, please click on the link!

 

 

“Image courtesy of Grant Cochrane/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net”.