Set Your Hope On A Good God – Heaven Is Calling Lesson 1
Hello Everyone! Welcome to lesson one in the Bible Art Journaling Challenge series, Heaven Is Calling! I am SO honored that you would take time to join me in connecting with God… a GOOD God. As we begin our first devotional lesson in this 12-part monthly series, I want to tell you a personal story… It will give you a great starting place for this series before watching this lesson one video.
About 6 months ago, God started talking to me about an area in my life that needed more growth. Sometimes He speaks to me plainly, other times He likes to just show me so I can gather the conclusion on my own. I’m sure you have ways He likes to speak to you, or perhaps you’re just discovering those ways and this series is part of your discovery process. I love that God likes to keep some mystery in the relationship by changing things up now and then. 🙂
Anyway, God started showing me that I needed to think more like His princess and less like a pauper. I have grown so much in this area in the past, but I began to realize that recent seasons of hardship, had distanced me from my convictions on the matter and God in His grace began bringing it to my attention.
If you’ve been part of any church setting for long, you may be familiar with that concept which some like to refer to as God “testing us”, or “teaching us a lesson”, or even simply that “He is judging us” for something. Some like to put it… “Burning the chaff out of our lives”. Not a pretty picture. Fairly intense actually. In reality, a judge is required for more than just punishing someone. They also protect the vulnerable, cancel debts and other good things. Yes God “tests” us, but the phrase isn’t meant to define the concept of a bully making our life miserable, “because we deserve it”. He gives us tests to help us achieve more and cheers us on, like parents who help with long hours of homework to ensure our success. God? He is good and loves to help us become the greatest version of ourselves.
I remember as a young teenager when I asked God if it was actually necessary for Him to be such a “scary guy” who wanted to punish me or “burn out the sin in my life”, “for my own good”. I wasn’t opposed to Him growing me at all, I just questioned the methods. His response surprised me. I learned that I had shaped my views of God’s heart toward me, based on life experiences and teaching in the church. I’d grown up in a wonderful home, with wonderful family and had a wonderful church… but none of us get it right 100% of the time.
I’d mistaken God as a sometimes angry God, who seeks to burn out the sin in our lives. The reality isn’t that horror story. No, it’s actually a romance story. One where the God of the entire universe subjected Himself to torture and death on a cross, and rose from that death… just to save you and me from our sin. All we have to do is except it with a genuine heart and the ease of unwrapping and cherishing the gift of a lifetime… er rather… the gift of an eternity. 🙂
You know how it is though. Somehow along the way, we can be taught by well meaning people and life’s own hardships, that God is not a good God. We can become convinced of a perspective of Him that causes us to blame Him for the very things His own heart breaks for. The truth is, when we accept Jesus into our lives, we become a new creation and are adopted into His family. Nobody adopts someone they aren’t fond of or truly smitten with, despite what adoptive children might believe about their intentions during frustrated times.
In the midst of an incredibly tough past season, I had somehow gotten confused and believed a lie that God’s provision was only for my basic needs and that He doesn’t want me to enjoy anything beyond that. But tell me, do you know of a good dad who looks at his kids and says to them, “I will buy you food to keep you alive, but never expect a toy or financial help to go on that trip you dream about. It’s only about survival.” Of course not! That would be silly and we would think that father was not good. Yet somehow as a body of people who believe in God, we’ve often been duped by hardship and wrong teaching, that Father God is looking for ways to oversee that we stay miserable, while serving His every need as the master of our lives.
As Jesus said to His disciples in John 15:15… “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” And, in Galatians 4:7 “So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” When we accept Jesus into our lives, we become co-heirs with Him and we get to be the prince or princess. We get both the responsibility and the reward. And, much like a dad teaching a child to ride a bike, He assists us in learning to step into our inherited authority so we can be the royalty we are and enjoy the rewards of that life.
If you want to learn more about this topic of prince and pauper mindset, I’d recommend a book by two spiritual fathers in my life, Kris Vallotton and Bill Johnson. I met my husband while attending their ministry school and still learn from them. Their book, The Supernatural Ways of Royalty, really was life changing. Kris developed a quiz in the book which helps you grasp where you are at in your journey and helps you process how to move forward in the journey. Learning from him about how to live free of a pauper mindset was a key part of my personal breakthrough in life.
Well, in the midst of life hardships, I had somehow forgotten the breakthroughs in this area of my life and had come to believe that God was only interested in providing for needs that kept me in a state of survival and humble means. That He didn’t really care if I was happy. I am saddened to confess that it had been such a tough season, that I’d lost sight of His goodness. When I came to realize this, I repented and invited God to help me.
Deep in my heart I knew a truly loving Father would want more for His kid. I have my dad to thank for this deep knowing. He was a wonderful example of a father who wants to lavish his kids wherever he could possibly squeeze it out of his schedule or wallet. I knew if my own human dad worked that hard to love me well and see me provided for, that my heavenly Father would love excuses to pour goodness out on my life. Six months ago, He did. God started showering me with His extreme goodness and letting me watch myself react to it.
It started when I was shocked to find myself rather paralyzed at the thought of ordering large amounts of supplies to test for developing online courses.
I found myself frozen and unable to act, and begun to ask God and myself tough questions about the response I saw in myself. I realized the issue wasn’t about money, but about the fact that I was going to enjoy the supplies which were obviously needed to do the job right. The reality is that in doing art as my full time job, I am likely to enjoy what I do… a whole lot. So when I need art supplies to do my job, they aren’t really hobby items. They are tools… that I enjoy a lot. It is common for artists to struggle when they go full-time, to transition mentally from viewing their work as a hobby. The confusion of going full-time in late 2014 and the lies I had begun to believe about God’s goodness, began to grow a web that had me rather frozen. It may seem silly and it is! But it was part of my journey and I imagine you might find something in my story to relate to.
If we buy in to silly lies about God’s goodness, it can cause us to act more like a pauper than a princess. God was so gracious in helping me adjust my beliefs, so I could be ready to receive His goodness in a better way. Once I embraced the adjustment, it gave me an expanded capacity for receiving more from God. What followed was even more of God’s goodness. Since then, I have had an increasing amount of His generosity poured out on me, which is literally rooting out any trace of that pauper mentality in my life. I’ve since been given a couple of generous gifts and had a debt canceled. The thing is, these things directly challenge that pauper mentality that God is rooting out of my life with His pure goodness. I am forced to deal with that old mindset and it lands me straight in the goodness of God.
Why am I telling you all of this? When God sought to teach and test me in how to have less of a pauper mentality, He did so by surrounding me by generosity that would squeeze it out of me. He literally squeezed it out of me with His goodness, not with harsh words, punishments or lack of love. His kindness leads us to repentance. He is such a good Father looking for ways to help us grow through embracing His responsibility.
We can put our hope on a good God. And having shared that story with you, I hope you’ll enjoy my lesson one video and the extra material below!
Today’s Bible art journaling supplies
As promised, here are the supplies I featured, in this lesson. I hope they help you find anything you may want to try out. These supplies are purely optional and you are free to participate with whatever you have, using the devotional for this lesson.
Links lead to my own sites, or my affiliate partners, DaySpring, Scrapbook.com, Amazon.com, Simon Says Stamp, Michaels, Amazon.co.uk and Joy Clair. I occasionally also link to other helpful sites whom I am not affiliated with. When you find products which I’ve recommended through my affiliate partners, this ministry is supported. This has no effect on you and helps impact lives through this ministry. You may view my disclosure for more info on how this works. Thank you. I so appreciate your support, which helps me support your creative journey with God!
Bibles and supplies for Bible art journaling
I’ll mention for those who are new and interested… There are several wide-margin Bibles and supplies which I recommend for this art form. I’ve created a linked recommendations collection on my Bible Art Journaling Supplies page, to make your starter choices easier. Additionally, you can find a general supply list for this devotional series, on the Heaven Is Calling page.
Scripture
I used my Single Column ESV Journaling Bible, for this Bible Art Journaling Challenge. The section of scripture for this lesson, is 1 Samuel 1:1-20, specifically verses 10 and 20 amidst this story about Hannah…
1 There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. 2 He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
3 Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. 4 On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. 6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. 8 And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”
9 After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”
12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” 17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.”
Setting our hope on a good God
I talked quite a bit in my video, about Hannah’s story, so I won’t go over it all again. What I do want to do, is invite you and yes, even challenge you, to consider this section of scripture and what it means in your personal life, as we focus in on a good God. Perhaps you are in a season where God’s goodness is so near to you that you’re able to cheer this on without delay. But maybe you’re in a season where this is a painful topic. Maybe you even have found yourself in Hannah’s situation, crying out for a child of your own, or something else of great importance to you personally. Perhaps like I did, you need to adjust your perspective of how good God really is, so you’re in a greater position to receive God’s goodness in your life.
Whatever your situation, I want to remind you that our life experience and the well intentioned words of others, should never be given room to lead us astray in our views of God and how good He is. You know that phrase, “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you”? My mom used to remind us to, “Have a healthy respect for the Man upstairs who gives you oxygen”. 🙂 May we not lose sight of the truth of how good God is. And if you have done so like I did, I’d like to invite you to join me in repenting of it and inviting God to help you adjust your thinking. We want to be positioned to embrace God’s best in our life. You need only talk to God as a friend, ask His forgiveness and invite Him to help you move forward. He is SO good and loves to hear from us, regardless what we’ve come to discuss with Him.
If you have lost hope and are struggling to believe in God’s goodness because of hardships in life, I want to leave you with an encouragement. I don’t follow the ministry of John Kilpatrick much, but understand him to be a solid man of God. At the beginning of this year, he shared a word that he’d written down from his time with God. It is a word for 2016 and beyond and may be an encouragement to you in some way as you seek to start this year by setting your hope on a good God loves you deeply.
Join me in this Bible Art Journaling Challenge
You can find answers to most any question you may have about participating in this challenge, on the Bible Art Journaling Challenge page and learn more about this devotional series, on the Heaven Is Calling page which holds the lesson archive and more! Be sure to head over to our Facebook group, to chat about this Bible Art Journaling Challenge and get started on your own creativity!
Many of you ask if it is okay to share these posts with your friends. Please share! It is a simple way you can partner with me to impact lives. And remember, you can join this challenge any date you wish. The community is always growing and you are welcome to participate whenever you want! Thanks for joining me. Please take a moment and comment below! I’d love to hear from you!
You are loved. x
*Scripture is from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
*When you find deals which I’ve searched for and recommended, I get supported. This has no effect on you and makes a real difference for me. Thank you, I so appreciate your support which helps me provide these free tutorials for you! You may view my affiliate and product disclosure for more info.
Barbara Rademacher
Jan 29, 2016 @ 8:06 pm
I AM SO HAPPY WE ARE BACK ON THE JOURNEY!!!!!
Rebekah R Jones
Jan 29, 2016 @ 8:47 pm
ME TOO!!!! 🙂
SusieK
Jan 29, 2016 @ 8:49 pm
Thank you for starting the challenge series again. I watched all of your last series, but never had the courage to play along. I’m excited to take the leap and dive in this time!
Rebekah R Jones
Jan 29, 2016 @ 9:23 pm
I’m so glad you’re diving in!!
Leslie
Jan 29, 2016 @ 9:02 pm
I have to share this with you!! So I was already contemplating journaling to my daughter about God’s faithfulness (Exodus 15:22-27) when I got the email that your blog was back and going. As I read and then listened to your video, God spoke to me loud and clear that I need to make sure and follow you in this journey. 1 Samuel is actually the very first entry I did a year ago. I too had prayed for a child for over 3 years with nothing. No doctors could tell me what was wrong; my husband was fine, but I was barren. I watched over 10 of my close friends become mothers- a very hard season for me, but a time of great learning and reliance on the Lord. After 39 months, the Lord blessed us with becoming pregnant with our little girl. On Mother’s Day last year, I did my first entry in my journaling Bible, thanking the Lord for His daughter that He had given us. I journaled verse 28…”So now I give (her) to the Lord. For (her)whole life, (she)will be given over to the Lord.” Thank you for taking time and doing this, Rebekah. God has used you to speak to me once again, and I am anxious to get into my Bible now and journal to my daughter. Blessings! <3 -Leslie
Rebekah R Jones
Jan 29, 2016 @ 9:24 pm
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful testimony Leslie! I saw your wonderful post in our facebook group and popped over to your facebook to see your darling daughter. What a gift! I an honored to have you join me.
Cindi
Jan 29, 2016 @ 9:25 pm
Looking forward to this journey!
Rebekah R Jones
Jan 29, 2016 @ 9:46 pm
Thanks for joining me on it! 🙂
Wendy Puckett
Jan 29, 2016 @ 9:45 pm
I followed your weekly challenges in 2015, but I just didn’t have the courage to start in my own Bible…isn’t that silly? What was I waiting for? I just watched the video for the first lesson of 2016 and read your post, and I will not let any whispers of doubt keep me from experiencing this journey! Thank you for leading us!
Rebekah R Jones
Jan 29, 2016 @ 9:48 pm
Good for you Wendy! The time for sitting by is, well… so last year! 😉 You can totally do this! Try starting with a page you’re not as excited about… maybe the concordance, and make it nice. You’ll soon feel a wave of excitement and confidence. 🙂
PJ Lancaster
Jan 29, 2016 @ 10:09 pm
So glad we are up and running. I was just listening to Kris Valloton and then immediately read your blog. I love how God gave me the same message and scriptures from two people in one day!
Rebekah R Jones
Jan 30, 2016 @ 1:15 am
I love how God works. 🙂
Vikki Griffoth
Jan 29, 2016 @ 10:20 pm
Thank you so much!! I can tell this is going to be a beautiful way to reconnect with a God that, like Hannah, I thought didn’t hear me, or at least was ignoring me. Turns out I was the one who had run from Him, and when I turned to look, He was not where I had left Him, but right behind me with His arms held out. I will be doing this one along with last years challenges. Blessings to you on your Journey, Rebekah!
Rebekah R Jones
Jan 30, 2016 @ 1:16 am
Great to have you join me Vikki. It’s going to be a fantastic year!
Cody Doll
Jan 29, 2016 @ 10:54 pm
I’m happy to see your back and feeling better. I loved this confession so much. I am very excited for your new challenge. Since you gifted me a bible, I haven’t been able to create anything in it yet. I was waiting and listening to the Lord. He finally spoke to me yesterday about how he wants me to create. I’m so happy that the challenge happens to be the day after I heard the Lord. I am even more excited to see the word of the year God blessed me with in this verse. Now to wait on God to let him speak to me about what I am create in these verses.
Rebekah R Jones
Jan 30, 2016 @ 1:17 am
That sounds wonderful. I pray you really enjoy the journey with Him. 🙂
Susan Osborn
Jan 29, 2016 @ 10:58 pm
I am very excited to begin this challenge with you! I do have one question about the supplies. As a scrapbooker and tole painter, I have many of the items needed (or wanted) already. I am not familiar with the sheets you use to protect the pages of your bible. Are they a special material or ?? I thought of cutting up a flexible chopping board type mat to use, but would be interested in knowing what it is you use first. Thanks!
Rebekah R Jones
Jan 30, 2016 @ 1:19 am
Hello! The craft sheet (in supplies list above), is one I’ve cut into two halves and sized to fit my Bible. It is a non-stick surface which is also heat-proof. It feels like my creative process in my Bible got SO much easier once using them. 🙂
Charmaine
Jan 29, 2016 @ 10:59 pm
Welcome back Rebekah. I was excited to see an email from you. God Bless You for taking the time out to share with us. I am fairly new to Bible Journaling, having done 2 pages. I pray to make this year a year of growth in the Lord. I want and need to draw myself closer to Him. I will be on the Journey with you.
Blessings my sister in Christ.
Rebekah R Jones
Jan 30, 2016 @ 1:20 am
Thanks for joining me Charmaine!
Barbara Haynes
Jan 29, 2016 @ 11:33 pm
Wow, I just signed up and began reading lesson 1, to my surprise and delight I see the book on royalty. As a student at the school of the supernatural our assignment right now is to read this book and do a book report. So excited! I’m looking forward to this journey!
Rebekah R Jones
Jan 30, 2016 @ 1:22 am
That is great Barbara! My husband and I grew so much while in bssm and the assignment you have right now is so good. Enjoy! Glad to have you join me too! I hope it adds to your time in school. 🙂
Barbara
Jan 30, 2016 @ 3:16 am
Glad to have u back. Rebekah with the challenge do we have to use the same words that u used? I understand to use the verses but I had a different word picture in my mind. I just want to enjoy the journey and share but I too want to be correct.
Christine watts
Jan 30, 2016 @ 5:13 am
Glad you are felling better have missed seeing your post I will try my very best this year . God bless you!
Lisa Rivera
Jan 30, 2016 @ 9:19 am
Hello Rebekah, I am so excited for this next year of Bible art Challenge. You have been such a blessing to all of us. I wanted to ask you about the table you use in the videos. What type of table is that?
Thank you for everything
Lisa
Diane N
Jan 30, 2016 @ 9:39 am
It’s so good to begin again. I learned so much from you last year, and though I wasn’t able to create the art every week I loved following along. I have Parkinson’s Disease and am blessed that God gives me enough hours of relief during the day to work on my art.
I loved today’s lesson. Your words and the Scripture verses touched my heart. I’m going through a rough patch right now, and this lesson was just what I needed. Thank you for your faithfulness.
One more joy to report that is a direct result of last years challenge — I fell in love with pastels and panpastels. They are the perfect medium for us shaky “Parkies.” They are beautiful no matter what unintended squiggles or marks happen. I’m finding such joy in the process — and an improvement of my symptoms — that I will be teaching therapeutic pastel art at a local senior center for others with Parkinson’s. (My focus is whimsical facesi
God is using you in ways you may never have imagined. Here I am In Southern California, inspired by your teacing to reach out to fellow Parkies and help them find joy in the creation process and physical relief from symptoms. May our Lord continue to guide you, bless you, and fill your head with wonderful ideas.
Diane Noble
Jan 30, 2016 @ 9:51 am
I love to think about Zeph 3:17 when considering God’s amazing love for us:
For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
José
Jan 30, 2016 @ 11:19 am
Thank you for putting up/hosting this challenge. It is all completely new to me, so this will make an exciting and inspiring journey !
José
Jan 30, 2016 @ 11:24 am
Actually, it is so utterly new to me that I have a question that might be a bit stupid, but alas… I am wondering, do you mean ( for us ) to be inspired by Samuel I verse 1 &2 only, the parts about Hannah, or is it about the entire book of Samuel ( which I, admitted, find a bit compicated in such a way.. but it’s a challenge, right ? ) ?
Evelyn
Jan 30, 2016 @ 12:48 pm
I am new here and just starting to do Bible Journaling. I wanted to tell you that your testimony made me cry.
I am well over the hill and I have been driving a old 1994 car. It was constantly in the garage being repaired. I prayed every time I got in the car to get to where I was going and back home. I got towed many times. All though I had the money to buy a new car and be free to go where I wanted without fear. I somehow felt greedy, bad, I didn’t really deserve a new car, and the money I had, I could leave to my family.
It is not like a want where I live as I live in the mountains of NH and a car is a necessity.
Well yesterday I did buy the car and paid for it. I still had a little guilt in it and down deep wondered what God thought about it.
Well this morning as I read you post, I started to cry, because I realized that God wanted me to be able to get around without fear. So thank you for you testimony.
I got my self a EVS Journaling Bible for a Christmas gift for myself.
You see I am a creative person, and God reminded me that I become out of sorts so to say when I am not using the creativity that He gave me, He said he created me to be creative. It is is true, when I do not use my creative side, I some how feel out of control.
So I have been waiting for you to restart this year.
I am so happy you are doing the lessons on Heaven is calling. I have not yet really started in my new bible, except I did a little creativeness on the heading of the chapter Matthew, I just did a little at the top of the page, what I felt it was about , I did some flowers and the word for the book of Matthew I wantedwas Emmanuel – God with us. It is not much, but a start.
Thank you for doing this. I will be starting this week on your first lesson “Set your Hopes on a Good God.
I guess I could go on about how good God has been to me, but I won’t, just to say that someone, I have been listening to has somehow brought me down and I need this to remind myself that God is a Good God, like I always believed.
Again thank you.
Shannon Linde
Jan 30, 2016 @ 3:13 pm
Wow! This hit home. And so timely. I watched the video as soon as it came out, but have been processing. As a woman whose heart was set on children, it was not to be. No matter the prayers, tears, crying out, tests showing to medical issues, it did not happen. When adoption proceedings were thwarted three times, I began to truly realize that my plan was NOT God’s plan FOR me, no matter how many times I thought my story might end up like this one. I watched my friends have babies, sister had four, another sister had twins…and my prayer during all of this was that God fill me with Joy for them. Even in the midst of my broken heart. Well, guess what? He did! I don’t have children in the way my hubby and I had envisioned, but we have children!! TONS of them! In a way that God saw fit. For whatever reason. And I may never know the reason. I have accepted this, but still get that twinge once in a while,so I am ever thankful for this lesson GOD IS GOOD. I have my nephew’s birthday party tomorrow and am so thankful that I will celebrate with JOY in my heart, for this child God placed in my life and all the others. My tiny mind cannot understand why God chose to bless me with other mother’s children, but that does not mean that He is not Good. It just means He knows best for me. Always easy for me? No. But resting in His knowledge and not mine, is. And these gentle reminders He sends to me at times my little heart is twinging, is another reminder that He is good. He loves me. And He can send that love and assurance to me in many ways. Even a Bible Journaling Challenge. Thank you Rebekah for this study. It means more to me than I can actually express.
Astarie Dennis
Jan 31, 2016 @ 3:06 am
I totally respect your stance on this. I pray that I can get to that point should God decide the same for our family. Sometimes I wonder if that is the case already. I will remember your testimony here. Thank you for sharing both possibilities in this lesson!
Astarie Dennis
Jan 31, 2016 @ 3:03 am
So Great to have you back! This is ironic that you picked this verse this time. My husband and I have been struggling with infertility for a;most 5 years now and suffered a loss around this exact time last year. Hannah’s story, Sarah and Rachel’s all give me hope, but it’s a daily struggle. I am both hesitant and excited to journal this verse. I feel as if we are still in the middle and I don’t see the ending yet. In the end we serve a GOOD GOD who wants the best for us all and this does remind me to keep that first in my mind. Thank you for sharing God Bless! I’ll be sharing my Journaling on my YouTube and Blog tomorrow! Can’t wait to see where God Leads.
Laurel Summers
Jan 31, 2016 @ 3:35 am
We don’t know one another, dear sister in the Lord, but I can identify with your journey of childlessness. For me, it was a 7 year wait from promise to conception, and it was very painful to ride the currents of hope and disappointment, hope and disappointment month after month. I’m praying for you and will not forget your hope and desire.
Laurel Summers
Jan 31, 2016 @ 3:31 am
Have read your 1st blog and watched the video, Set Your Hope on a Good God. I am SO blessed by this devotional and accompanying art project. I am trusting God that one Bible journaling project a month will be completely do-able, among all the other things life brings my way. Glad you are well again and in response to your wonderful beginning in 2016, I say, “Well launched! Thanks so much for your transparency and encouragement.” You share a beautiful heart with all of us.
Lisa
Jan 31, 2016 @ 8:10 am
Hi Rebekah!
Thank you for sharing your story. I have to tell you that I really didn’t feel like I related to this story of Hannah because God blessed me with two children within the first two years of my marriage to an abusive man. Our church has a baby dedication service where the parents commit to raising the children in a Godly home according to God’s Holy Word. I made that commitment to the Lord, not only on that Sunday, but also the moment I was conceived with each of them. Fast forward, that marriage lasted 3 years as I was scared for the life of my babies and myself. I raised those children for the next 10 years as a single Mom. I poured into them, prayed for them, future spouses, God’s will for the spiritual gifts He blessed them with etc. Fast forward again, in 2013 my son decided he was “born gay”. This devastated me and I went through the fiercest spiritual battle I’ve ever had. I spun my mind out of control and I literally thought I lost my faith (the coming out was just the tip of the iceberg….there’s so much more to it than that). Anyway, I’m going to post my journaling on your facebook site. I wanted to share this very brief story because when you see my entry for 1 Samuel, it’s actually a drawing I did in 1987. I copied it with a laser printer onto vellum and drew the words on freehand. I the used washi tape to put it in my Bible. This drawing was stored for years, and as I came out of this very dark season of my life, I dug it out and put the frame where I could see it every day. I was debating about putting it over 2 Cor. 1:3-4 as this was a verse that a counselor had me read aloud to help me to recognize that, while God felt very distant to me during that tough, He really was with me, hearing my heart cries, and storing my tears in a bottle. However, the more I focused on the story of Hannah, I just felt like the Holy Spirit was reminding me that I too have been praying fiercely for my son, and I too dedicated him to the Lord. Wow, what a revelation. It’s taped over 1 Samuel now, and since I can lift the vellum to actually see 1 Samuel, I will write my son’s name, David, for you, in the margin. He is very slowly allowing God to open his heart to the truth of His Word and I am still praying for Him. “One day every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!” I praise God and I set my hope in a GOOD GOD!! 😀 God bless you, Rebekah 🙂 xox
Melissa Gross
Feb 1, 2016 @ 1:59 pm
Great devotional and story you’ve shared here! Over the past six months I’ve begun teaching Bible Journaling workshops and it’s been an adjustment for me to combine the business with ministry. I’ve been involved in lots of ministry over the years, but always as a volunteer for my own church or serving in some capacity. I’m excited about the doors God is opening now, and your story resonated with me on several levels. Thanks for sharing your heart and this great tutorial! God Bless You!
Rianca
Feb 1, 2016 @ 6:10 pm
Wow…thank you.
Now, I was not sure if I wanted to post this, but I feel I have to. In Sept 2011 I found out that I was pregnant. Well we were so happy and filled with joy, but with our 14 week check up the dr gave me news no mother-to-be wants to hear….sorry there is no heart beat. I was shattered, I cant even remember how I got home that day or what happened in the days that followed. I prayed that this would not be true, but everything happened as the dr said and I ended up in hospital.
I prayed like Hannah for a child and my son was born 02/11/2012 and my second son was born 19/11/2014.
God is good and He wants to give us the best.
JoAnn Luich Robbins
Feb 7, 2016 @ 5:49 am
Thank you for your ministry, it inspires me.
JoAnn Luich Robbins
Feb 7, 2016 @ 5:53 am
I’m reading ‘Living From the Heart Jesus Gave You’ by James G. Friesen and it speaks to the struggle within us to live believing God versus our fallen human nature. It is very good and coincides with the Truths you presented in your blog. Thank you for all you do. I saw your art school plans for 2016 and I’m excited about that!!!
JoAnn Luich Robbins
Feb 7, 2016 @ 5:54 am
I’m JoAnn Luich on my FB site
noemi Lucena
Feb 21, 2016 @ 11:52 am
Hello, I am new to your group, I’m still a little unsure where to begin the work, I am Brazilian, missionary, word minister in my ministry work with women and the bible journaling is hardly spoken here in Brazil, I’m embracing this job with love. I created a new blog to share messages, my testimony and my work with bible journaling
Cathie
Feb 26, 2016 @ 12:29 am
Hi Rebekah, I am so happy that you have decided to do another challenge. I had been praying for some way to get back into Bible reading again as I found that just reading was not giving me the knowledge that I felt I needed. I happen to come across you 52 week challenge. As you will be doing this series over 12 months, this will give me the chance to do both and truly get into the Bible again. May God continue to bless you and give you the strength, health and courage to continue.
Thank you and God Bless you,
Cathie
Tamara
Mar 20, 2016 @ 2:18 am
I found my self watching your videos over on YouTube and learning from you, but never thought about joining in. I watched the 3rd video of this series this morning and its like God was confirming to that I need to do this! So I did, I signed up and did this weeks page. It was great and I cant wait to watch the rest of the videos and read your lovely blog!!
Shirley
Apr 6, 2016 @ 11:33 pm
I have been chewing on your words from lesson 1 in 1st Samual. I must say Rebekah that it was powerful, enough so that I pondered all. I can’t share all of my story but want you to know what an impact you have had on me. I was pauper thinking: “God you gave me this gift and talent why is nothing happening, why do I feel I’m going nowhere . . .” So I repented and asked Him to please speak to me like I’m a six-year-old, make it clear, what is it that You want me to do with what you have blessed me with? Thanks Rebekah! Also love the classes I had an opportunity to enjoy one today.
Rosie
Apr 16, 2016 @ 12:33 am
Mybch7rch life group started this year with Supernatural Ways of Royalty. This 8s s9 cool to journal my art through the Bible. Thank you for be8ng obedient to move in a new directiondirection with your art .
Miranda White
Apr 16, 2016 @ 4:42 am
Thank you Rebekah for doing these Classes. Your testomony was great.I am having a hard time right now ,because Two years ago I lost my mom and my house was foreco
losed on. I am living in my mom’s house and I feel so bad because I am not happy here I feel like I did something to make God mad at me.I still own half of my house and my son was going to buy it but someone else bought it knowing that he would not own it all.My husband lost his job when Dupont moved there factory to China.I explained the situation to this guy and he said he was sorry for our hardships but would not let us buy back our house I lived there for 34 years. He wants to buy our part out but my son says no. It dont matter to me except I so want my house back I am afraid to ask God to help me get it back but I feel like I would be ungrateful for the house I am in. Do you think maybe he would not want me to ask him to help me get my house back. I suffer from deppression and anxity I have cluster migraines .I feel like I am failing God .I love him and will acept living here if this is where he wants me to be. I use to be able to hear him talk to me but now He seems to be so quite. I hope this journal challange will help me to hear his voice again.I am so ready to start my first journal I hope I will have the nerve tomorrow. Thanks again
Teri Kojetin
May 10, 2016 @ 2:52 pm
I finally did it! I completed Lesson One of this challenge and loved it. I had to make adjustments around the images in my Inspire Bible, but I’m pleased with how it turned out. Because of that, I used hearts instead of the moon and starts. He is indeed a Good God! Thank you for the devotional you provide with each challenge!
Rebekah R Jones
May 11, 2016 @ 11:13 am
Yay! Thanks for joining me. x
Kathy Brenneman
May 29, 2016 @ 6:06 am
Rebekah,
I told you I would check out your blog and that is what I am doing. I am looking, reading and listening and trying to understand. I will continue to other pages. Thank you for sharing.
Alexsa Shever
Jul 11, 2016 @ 3:23 pm
I woke up from a dream this morning in which I was asked by a panel about God knowing everything. I stated my answer so confidently, “The baseline is that God is an all-knowing God. He is also a good Father. Like I check on my daughter when she plays or sleeps to make sure she’s look and happy, so my Father [God] looks on us. Except that when I turn away from my daughter, my eyes are taken off her- but God never takes His eyes off His children. He is a good Father. ” …. I read an email you sent today for lesson 7 but for some reason I clicked the link that sent me here! I have had a long struggle with this “pauper” mentality, to the point that I have silenced myself in sharing the Gospel, in asking for my heart desires (like Hannah )…. and this message you wrote has reminded me of how good our Father is. How His eyes are constantly on His children, not to punish them but to check in on their well-being, to know their needs and desires. I’m convinced that between the dreams ibwas to your words, God is working on adjusting my perspective of Who He is. Thank you for saying yes to the call in your life and sharing His Truth with others. It’s been a blessing for me today. 🙂
Loralea Newby
Oct 2, 2016 @ 3:10 am
I discovered Bible journaling about 6 weeks ago,and I’ve watched all of your videos. I’m so grateful that you are doing this. This is the third time I’ve watched this lesson. I never got the message till today. I need to think more like a princess than a pauper. I’m so blessed in so many areas of my life. As I listen for God’s direction in my life I realize that I still think of myself as a pauper, even the way I live. These are difficult days for me but more so for my son and his family. For the last 26 years I have been a widow, after losing my husband to a rare form of cancer. That’s when I began to think as a pauper. I recognize that changes are coming for me and my family. As I pray for discernment in all areas of my life I feel ready to journal in the scriptures. Such a new adventure in so many ways. Thank you for doing a second Bible challenge, I’m still working on this first lesson, but am being rewarded by blessings every day.
Lucy
May 6, 2018 @ 4:21 pm
Just trying my first steps in Bible Journaling. I found your website from the Complete Guide to Bible Journaling. I decided to sign up for this challenge. This was the first time I have used acrylic paint in my Bible and I am not sure if I am happy with the result but glad I tried. I used alphabet stickers to spell out “Set your hope on a good God”. I felt rubber stamping on top of the paint was a step too far today. I am finding Bible journaling is getting me more into reading and interpreting God’s word again but I am still worrying about whether I should be putting art work in my Bible. Thank you.
Debbie Reed
Jul 1, 2019 @ 4:59 pm
What an awesome lesson this is! Really speaks to me…thank you for sharing truth.
Love your artwork.