Friends, I can’t say thank you enough for joining me in studying the book of Ephesians. Throughout the month of November I started emailing out daily scripture and devotionals because it was something I felt the Lord lay on my heart.
While I was intimidated and felt unqualified going into this, the Lord has widely opened my eyes to the fact that this is soooo not about my ability. This is about Him ability. I feel quite emotional thinking about this whole newsletter because His hand has been so present, and His guiding so evident. I haven’t ever had prayers of questions answered so clearly and quickly as I have with this study. I cannot tell you how many times I have sat down with the passage of Ephesians that I am supposed to write about that morning in front of me to read it and think “I have NO idea what to say about this, I’m confused and overwhelmed and don’t know anything.” But in laying my will and my words at His feet, and asking for His spirit to be fully present and loud, He time and time again provided the words within minutes. I truly feel as though I didn’t write any of the study on Ephesians because each moment spent writing felt like close, intimate conversation with the Lord. Whether or not anyone gleaned anything from reading the study, the Lord has pulled me so close to Him in the writing process, and that has been the biggest blessing to me.
A lot of time and effort went into writing the study, yet each time I questioned whether I should keep going the Lord brought someone to me with encouraging and directive words. For example, at one point I stopped recording audio files of each email (which are an option so that you can listen to the devo) and I prayed for clarity about whether or not I should continue doing the audio files. Within the day I received multiple messages asking me to keep going with the audio files (which no one had mentioned it in past messages). Is that clear or what?
All this to say, the Lord has continued to encourage me to keep going, and so next up: an Advent study. The Christmas season is so near and dear to my heart, not because of Christmas lights and Hallmark movies (though they do help 😉), but because we celebrate the birth of a Savior who is so great and so glorious. I’ve actually secretly daydreamed of writing an Advent study for a long time, but I had no idea where it would ever come into play, and totally forgot about it until I was half way done with the Ephesians study. I have read many Advent studies myself to prepare my heart for the Holiday season, and always feel that so many gaps are missing. Studying the birth of Christ is so much more impactful when we also know and study what Christ has done for us in His life!
Starting on Monday, December 4th we will be working through the Advent season together! I am so so excited friends. The whole Bible points to Christ, so rather than covering one book or the story of His birth, we are hopping all over town! The first week is all about how the Old Testament points to Christ, then in the following weeks we will cover the life of Christ, and the goodness to come for those who believe.
Will you join me in preparing our hearts to celebrate the birth of our Savior? Monday-Friday from December 4th until Christmas you will receive a daily devotional directly to your email inbox. Each day includes the passage, as well as notes and an audio file so that you can listen or read! Sign up below to join! If you joined us for the Ephesians study, don’t worry! You are already signed up!
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