Kristi Woods

Encouraging Women to Walk Deeper with God

When You Don’t Feel Loved Lean On This

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Lean on this when you don't feel loved

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Have you ever experienced a time in your life when you didn’t feel loved? I have. My guess is most of us can raise our hand to that question.

How do you handle those situations?

 

(Don’t miss our newest memory verse below!)

 

My love language (from the Five Love Languages) hovers somewhere between acts of service (Whoops! I almost called that “works.”) and words of affirmation. Whenever harsh words from others slice at my heart, I crumple a bit–okay, ALOT– and love flies right out the window.

I feel unloved.

Honestly, it takes me a bit to rebound.

But Jesus remains patient as I learn that my feelings don’t affect God’s truth. Ever.

Neither do yours.

How about that?!

We serve a God of love and truth, a Father who desires to see us rebound with His strength.

 

When the world stands against us…God loves.

When we land with a crushed heart after our spouse’s affair hijacks our marriage…God’s loves.

When our kids walk away from faith and us…His love remains.

When words land heavy…His love steadies us.

When our dream of marriage never materializes, true love does.

Whatever our “when”, God loves.

 

John 3:16

Once a week, Mrs. Kempher floated into the public elementary school for religious ed. I always looked forward to time with the twinkling blue-eyed woman. Her smile advertised sweetness, her quiet voice too. That petite, beautiful woman taught me my first Bible memory verse.

In an upstairs classroom, she fed John 3:16 to us students like baby food to an infant. I can still recite John 3:16 from memory. Thank you, Mrs. Kempher. I hope you can hear from heaven.

Even more so, thank you, God for your Word and love.

 

Thank You, God – A Prayer

Thank you, Father, for propping us up with your Word–even when we don’t feel loved. Thank you for giving us truth that trumps feelings, for being a Rock on which we stand solidly. Thank you for loving us, SO loving us, even though we don’t deserve it. You are a good, good God, and we love you.
In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

Who Am I? 2019 Memory Verse Program

The words of John 3:16 on a white background

Now for this week’s memory verse: John 3:16. Pin it, print it, share this post with someone who might not feel loved right now. Whatever you do, grab this verse and run with it.

Verse number 2 of 22 sits full of promise–love.

You are loved.

The previous memory verse, John 1:12 reminded us, if we believe in Jesus, that we are children of God.

I am a child of God.

Look for following memory verses arriving in your inbox every 1st and 3rd Tuesday–if you’re a subscriber. (Not one yet? Don’t miss out. This year’s program centers on our powerful God-given identity–something temptation and darkness attempt to skew. Sign up here.)

Want to print these graphics? Go ahead! (Personal or church-related use only, please.) Simply right mouse click over the graphic. Viola!

I Am Enough Free Download
And don’t forget to download your copy of I AM Enough: Truth and Declarations to Squelch the Voice of “Not Enough” in the subscriber’s library. This free printable goes beautifully with this year’s memory verses.

 

Lastly

If scaling a mountain in high heels appears easier than memorizing scripture (hand raised), then check out these 3 ideas or this post from our friend, Betsy at Faith Spilling Over.

Have a beautiful day.

Can the Bible Really Help Me? A Bible Review

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Bible with Can the Bible REally Help Me? written in black

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Have you ever asked, “Can the Bible really help me?”

Maybe you’re in a pinch, a bad situation, facing family turmoil, or simply don’t know where to turn. God, through His Word, helps people just like you and me.

He has guided me often with the Bible. Once, I faced an emotionally charged church meeting, one in which folks were taking sides for various leaders. I walked into the gathering armed with 1 Co. 3–a charge to keep eyes on Jesus and follow Him, not man–and walked out a little shaken but standing firm on the Rock. I was a new Christian at the time and nervous as all get out. God led me to the passage that helped me successfully navigate those choppy waters.

He’ll help you, too.

 

What Is the Bible?

Call it our Father’s guidance–or love notes as I sometimes say–every day words packed with spiritual fervor and power given to us for day-to-day life. The Holy book whispers God’s will, paints His picture, points toward good and godly direction, proclaims love, and sets the record straight about Jesus as well as forgiveness. The Holy Bible enables us to stand firm on right choices when impatience, anger, or other emotions attempt to sway us in a dangerous direction. It notes hope, describes God, and proclaims the way for eternity.

I get a little giddy when it comes to Bibles. I use one regularly to aid in Bible memory programs like Who AM I?, study topics like forgiveness, and find encouragement for times when I feel left out and battle other finicky feelings.

Recently, Thomas Nelson Publishing sent a Bible to review. I think you’ll like it. Allow me to introduce you to The NKJV Study Bible: Full-Color Version.

 

The BIBLE Review

The NKJV Study Bible: Full-Color Version, updated in 2018, is a delightful version. I’ve been using it for my own study recently and LOVE it! You might too.

Here are a few things I dig about this Bible:

  • THE COVER
    Oh.my.goodness. The sturdy, cranberry bonded leather cover will make a girl swoon. There are additional cover options as well, including leather and hardback.
  • BOOK INTRODUCTIONS
    Each book of the Bible offers one. The introductions help us understand who the author is, when they wrote the piece as well as a bit of historical background and theology. There are timelines, too. Oh, and pictures. (Love those color pictures.)
  • MAPS
    Handy dandy learning tools for better understanding battles and journeys.
  • CONCORDANCE
    The concordance quickly became one of my favorite Bible tools as a new Christian. It helps reference verses containing “abundant”, “enemies”, and many other key words. It’s super useful when diving into word studies.
  • NOTES
    Not only are there notes for most verses that take us into deeper understanding of that verse or passage, but there are also colored boxes of additional information along the way that help readers better understand Biblical times and culture as well as charts comparing and listing items or events related to that passage. For instance, a page in Revelation houses one titled God and the Problem of Evil. The book of Ezra offers explanation of “remnant” and “Jews”. This section is probably my favorite.
  • OTHER HELPFUL SECTIONS
    Also, the NKJV Study Bible: Full-Color Version contains sections at the back on The Bible as History, various tables, a dive into theology’s definition, and several charts and lists (like Prayers of the Bible). Can you imagine the help they offer during study time? (I salivated a bit extra flipping through those pages.)
  • WORD STUDIES
    If you dive into word studies like a woman clad in a bathing suit on a hot, summer day catapulting herself into aqua-colored cool waters, then you’ll like the word studies section. Yes, please.

 

Take a Peek

To Purchase

If you’re giddy for digging into and studying the Bible like me, consider this one. If you’re a new Christian, uncertain where to turn in the word, or if you’d like to purchase one as a gift to give, grab the NKJV Study Bible: Full-Color Version from Thomas Nelson Publishers.

You can purchase the NKJV Comfort Print Full Color Study Bible, Imitation Leather, cranberry here or anywhere Bibles are sold.

 

As a participant in the Blog About Blogger Network, the publisher provided a free copy of the NKJV Study Bible in exchange for my honest review. Only those items readers of KristiWoods.net will likely stamp “helpful” in their faith walk are accepted for this endeavor. 

 

Linking with other Jesus lovers and writers here: #heartencouragementThursday

Have You Ever Asked, “Who Am I?”

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Who AM I? on KristiWoods.net

 

Have you ever asked, “Who am I?”

Sometimes the question threads among feelings like being left out, not chosen, rejected, or simply feeling unsettled.

We come up for air after a conversation, situation, or season in life rattled and uncertain of our place or how to stand in life.

 

Goodness. Who am I?

 

I’m convinced the enemy of our soul desires to keep our identity twisted and shaken. Why? Because that keeps us captive and controlled while squelching the glory of God.

No more. Let’s allow our Father’s majesty to lead the way. Why garner worth based on lies when truth proves right?

And so, as we head into 2019 on KristiWoods.net, gather focus straight on Jesus and His assurance of who we are. We’re soaking in truth while sitting in prayer–holding hands with these verses and calling them our own.

Give God all glory.

Let’s march through 2019 more assured as children of the Almighty, allowing His magnificence to sit on display for all to see.

If you are a Christian, you are HIS.

I Am Enough Free Download

A Gift to Start the Year

Does the voice of “not enough” reverberate inside? Perhaps a mothering crisis has left you wrought with those feelings. Maybe a loved one, a job, or failed accomplishments leave you labeled with insufficiency.

Shall we allow that label to stick? Those feelings to rumble inside?

Or, shall we run to God and His truth and find a solid rock on which to stand?

As a New Year’s gift to you, grab this handy truth and declaration page by logging into the Subscriber Library. Muffle the voice of “not enough” with the truth of Almighty God.

Friend, we are enough simply because Christ stands as more than enough.

Grab these Bible verses. Declare them, using them as weapons in the battle against insufficiency. Know who you are. After all, the grace of Jesus Christ stands sufficient–always.

 

Not a subscriber? Never fear. Simply join us here. Look for an email containing the library password, offering access to a whole slew of faith-building downloads and encouragement for your walk with Jesus. You’ll also receive regular email updates and “3”, our monthly newletter.

 

Who AM I?

Welcome to “Who Am I?”–2019’s memory verse program on KristiWoods.net. This year’s program answers the question most of us ask: Who AM I?

Find scriptures reinforcing God’s truth about His creation–you and me. And interestingly enough, every one of these “Who am I’s” point straight back to Him. It’s a beautiful relationship.

Many times our insecurities, fears, and decisions rise simply because we haven’t solidified an answer to “Who am I?”

Our accomplishments tout knowledge. People too. Jobs offer insight, roles on committees or ministry as well. And we set our identity there.

Truth be told, only our Father knows our innermost parts. He created them. Only he holds the answer and the truth of who we truly are.

How about setting focus there–on truth?

We’ll dig into 22 verses this year, 2/month Jan.-Nov.–each one a refreshing waterfall of God’s rain pouring down on us, soaking us with truth, washing away the filthy lies we’ve believed so long.

It’s time.

Are you ready?

 

What to Expect

Look for new memory verses each 1st and 3rd Tuesday here on the blog. Find them automatically in your inbox by subscribing here. (Remember, this also allows you access to all the yummy free printables in the Subscriber Library, regular faith-building email updates, as well as “3”, our “family” newsletter.)

Feel free to right mouse click to save and/or print the memory verse graphics. They remain free for your personal or ministry use.

Unsure how to memorize God’s Word? Here are a few suggestions. 

If this memory verse program, Who AM I?, sounds like your gig, will you share it with someone else? Let’s squelch the voice of darkness and lift high that of our Father.

 

Who AM I? Join us for this #2019 #Bible memory verse program on KristiWoods.net Click To Tweet

 

Our 1st Verse

Without further adieu, here’s our 1st memory verse of 2019!

 

God's Children, John 1:12 written out

 

So there you go, beautiful child of God. Receive and believe.

 

Stay Tuned

Have fun hiding this one in your heart. And stay tuned. A wider array of downloadable “Who AM I?” memory verses and affirmations, as well as downloadable graphics for cards, are coming soon!

 

Looking for an Online Devotional? White background with Crosswalk.com written on it,

Are you looking for a 5 minute devotional that encourages and challenges women? Take a peek at Wholly Loved’s daily devotionals on Crosswalk.com. Simply subscribe and they’ll land in your inbox daily. I have been enjoying them for over a month now, and they’re really good. Short, sweet, and super encouraging. And hey, every once in a while you might see a piece pop up with a familiar name. Last year brought the privilege of joining Wholly Loved’s team of writers and speakers.

 

Last Ditty

Interested in last year’s memory verse program? Check out this link for more. See you next Tuesday!

 

Linking with other Jesus lovers and writers here: #Purposefulfaith, #HeartencouragementThursday, #FaithonFire

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