Who We Really Are {And a Give Away!}

What if we dared to believe that we really are who God says we are? That instead of feeling less-than, or lame, or inadequate, or (fill in the blank), we recognized those thoughts and knocked it off? What if instead of aligning ourselves with rogue, untrue beliefs, we asked God to bring our hearts into alignment with His Word? With the very truth that holds the capacity to free us?

Lately my heart has been so stirred. So many of us so often live under the crushing weight of the enemy’s lies concerning who we are. What if we stirred our hearts and asked the Lord to give us a fresh desire for truth? What if in 2017 we immersed ourselves in Scripture so that who God says we are and how we feel about ourselves come into holy alignment?

I want to dare to believe that God’s Word is more powerful than how I feel about myself at my worst moments.

CHALLENGE: I invite you, sweet friends, to join me this year for a bi-monthly journey to focus on knowing—really knowing—deep down, who we are in Christ. Grab a notepad, your prayer journal, or some 3x5 cards, because we are going to meditate on, personalize, and pray over two specific Scriptures monthly. We will allow our hearts to marinate in truth. We will capture rogue thoughts and give truth the place of preeminence in our hearts and lives.Then when the bad moments (or bad days…or bad weeks) come, we will walk with our heads high and our hearts secure in truth. Secure in who we really are.

As we meditate on Scripture, we will be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We will be setting our minds and keeping them set on things above. We will know that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and that His banner over us is love. And if we stick with it, by year’s end we will be different. Transformed. Our hearts will be filled with truth and we will hold an awesome, unshakeable, deep knowing of who we truly are in Christ.

Are you interested? Are you willing to make the time to invest in yourself—and in God’s Word—this year? I hope you are. I hope you will join me. I hope God stirs your heart and you run out and find the cutest little notebook or journal (or even an inexpensive spiral binder) and show up here on the first and third Tuesdays each month. Let’s do this together!

I’m excited to start this journey with you. May this time of setting ourselves apart to meditate on and pray God’s Word bless us beyond measure. May it change us and fill us and push out the ugly and dark while bringing in His beauty and light. May it transform us into women who know we are in Christ. Unshakeable. Rooted. Immovable. Glorious.

A New Year’s Prayer

Lord, I bow my heart before You and honor You. As 2017 begins I desire for you to direct my steps, to open the doors for me that You want opened, and to give me grace for all that I will face. Please give me divine opportunities, divine appointments, and divine relationships. Bring my heart into alignment with Your truth. Help me to know You more, to love you more, and reflect You better. In the awesome name of Jesus Christ my Lord, Amen.

Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19) (AMPC)

GIVE AWAY! I am giving away one signed copy of my devotional, Prayers for a Woman’s Soul, because the New Year is the perfect time to begin the holy habit of praying for yourself. TO ENTER, please leave a comment AND PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL. A random winner will be chosen and notified via email the week of January 9th.



32 comments:

Unknown said...

Julie I am now facilitating two women's study groups. This book would be a good resource for me to better pray for the women of the study group and myself. My email is ladyrunerois@gmail.com

K said...

Thank you for sharing your New Year's prayer. I am looking forward to the bimonthly posts.

Julie said...

Dear Julie - this sounds exactly like what I need! I have spent my whole life not believing Im 'enough'. Thank you for offering this opportunity for freedom and a changed belief.
Jgermond01@yahoo.com

Celebrating Nei! said...

Part of my resolution is to be in more in Gods word. More understanding and more application to my life.

Thank you.
ne.ivory@gmail.com

April said...

I got more and more excited the further I got into this post! I'm definitely interested in being more in God's Word this year and investing in myself. I'm off today to find a cute journal or I thought maybe 3x5 cards but then put them in a photo flip book so I can carry it with me!! I'm excited for this year. I'll be looking forward to the first and third Tuesdays with you:-)
Djzmom06@gmail.com

Casey said...

Thanks for infusing my new year with restored hope. I'm grateful for your help in refocusing on Him who is my all in all.- CP

Anonymous said...

I have realized that I haven't stayed as close to God as I once was. I haven't made time for Him like I should and I know I need to. Your prayers are so on target and really resonate with me. I look forward to this journey with you and many others in 2017. Thanks for your ministry and may Our Lord continue to bless and inspire you! Cherie K. bck4045@hotmail.com

A Journey For Life said...

So important to invest our time in prayer. I need the help! jenn56093 @ yahoo.com

Linda said...

The Lord is stirring my heart through your post, and I am committed to spending more time with Him and in His word.
Thank you for the opportunity to do this together with you in community
lu3921@gmail.com

chocolatealways said...

May we all be renewed in Christ in 2017!

Anonymous said...

My head leapt at your words this morning �� I am ready to spend more time in the Word meditating and standing on who I am in Christ! Ready to put Psalm 1 into action so we can be trees plated by rivers of living water! ��

Anonymous said...

Oh how I wish your book was coming out Jan 1 instead of Aug 1. But I am looking forward to it. I am such a hot mess myself right now. My personal life has unexpectedly (for me) flipped upside down a few weeks before Christmas and I do not know if it is fixable. I have so many questions and spinning thoughts to tackle.
I would love to go through your book Prayers for a Woman’s Soul as a remedy while waiting on your next book to come out.
sweetkarolinka@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

Your blog posts speak powerfully to me, Julie. I would love to receive your devotional on prayer.

Unknown said...

Hi Julie...I am such a "work-in-progress", and trying to hear from our Father on my daily journey, and really need all the help I can get. So I would really appreciate receiving your book. So thankful for you and your direction through your emails and blog....blessings to you and your family...

morningdove said...

had to laugh bc i just purchased a tshirt from an airport boutique traveling back from Bahamas "hot mess". God has such a sense of humor i have discovered over the years. wonderful giveaway.

morningdove said...

oops forgot my email
shell5jan@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Julie, I cant wait! This will be just what I need to help me with my New Years re-start (not calling it resolutions). thank you Andi Green amclayton@jacksonnc.org

Anonymous said...

I am excited to know you have a new book coming out, wish it was sooner! I have your book, Prayers for a Women' Soul and have used it so much, I would love to share a copy with a friend of mine. Thanks for the opportunity. keep listening to the Lord and encouraging others, I am grateful for your gift God has blessed you with. Becky@gatewayconstruction.com

Stephanie S said...

I just discovered your blog and this post is spot on with my word for this year: Encourage. I'm not just looking for ways to encourage others, but also myself and seeing myself through God's eyes is the perfect place to focus.

Thanks for the giveaway. My email is copper1047 AT hotmail (DOT) com.

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to this study. Your prayers have meant so much to me since I found your website. Thank you for taking the time to lead this study.
galeeley@hotmail.com

Tammy said...

Hi Julie! Loved the New Year Prayer. I am looking forward to us all studying and meditating on God's Words this year. I suffer from depression this time of year, but I have God on my side. I have spent more time with Him in prayer and The Word and I know because of Him I am doing great. Yes! I would love a copy of your devotions and can't wait to do a study. Thank You!! tdnewman@mail.com

Unknown said...

I have written out the verse from Isaiah 43:19 and have forwarded the prayer to several friends already. Such a needed focus for me in 2017! Thank you!

Unknown said...

forgot my email...
buschmelanie@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Julie, this is exactly what I have been challenged to do! I am looking forward to study. I would love a copy! mulderheather5@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Meditating on scripture is a great way to start the New Year. I love the Book of Psalms - so many ways to pray and praise our Lord.
tallulahjane65(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Love the prayer!! 2016 had a lot of challenges so I'm looking forward to 2017. Standing on the promises of God!! annam_101@hotmail.com

Professor said...

Love this!!! Need His reminders daily. Thank you. pourettejones@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Love this! Really hoping this will help me focus in 2017!
- Stephanie
smeltontx@att.net

Unknown said...

Thank you for the encouragement and the reminder!

mangulo407@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Love how this falls in line with several messages I've heard recently. Looking forward to enhancing my prayer time! Happy new year! ~Stephanie W.
soloved.debtfree15@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Look at God!! This is right on time!! Looking forward to enhancing my prayer time! Happy new year!! ~Stephanie
soloved.debtfree15@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Always love your prayers and would welcome a guide to deeper meditation in small bites like this. Thank you.
kbak4rgv@gmail.com

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