Whispers of Hope and A Giveaway!

             I write
                               and write 
                                                     and write.

Words spill forth, inspired by my God. Words pour out from the depths of my soul. But somewhere along the way, I squeeze words out from human expectation--from a desire to create without regard for the One who created me. Sometimes, I smudge that line between 'inspired by His word' and 'inspiring words that sound good'. I stumble and crash into a barricade of selfish desire to create words that manipulate hearts the way I want to.
When we're in the business of inspiring and creating as writers, sometimes, we should step back and make sure our hearts are in line with the Only One who can truly inspire. It is during my own season of stepping back to remember Truth in God alone, that I received Beth Moore's devotional, Whispers of Hope, 10 Weeks of Devotional Prayer.

Whispers of Hope has three major areas that offer hope to any woman of God, and definitely any writer longing for intimacy with the most Perfect Author of our stories:

1.  Scripture Focus:

For thirteen years, I have delighted in Beth Moore's studies because of the mere fact that I walk away from each amazed by the intricacy of exploring original meaning and divine connections among Scripture from Old to New Testaments. In typical Beth Moore fashion, her newest devotional does not disappoint with Scripture-laden application that doesn't skim the surface, but digs deep and often explores the original language to give greater understanding. 

2.  Deep Prayer Formula:
Since the book's main focus is on prayer, it has space for guided prayer journaling. This excites me. Before I ever sat down at a computer to write my first story, I wrote by hand...and I journaled. Using Beth's acronym has probably been the most eye-opening aspect of this devotional book. I have found that in using this acronym, my prayers organically flow and guide me in a thorough outpouring of my heart to the Lord, especially because Beth suggests thanksgiving should flow throughout each of the sections. This is where my selfishness flees and humility is given room to grow!

Beth uses P.R.A.I.S.E, to form the prayer.

First, P is for Praise. The best way to take the focus off of my stuff, is to reflect on Him and Who He is.

Next, R is for Repent. This is something I so easily forget to do, but it's vital to stepping forward in intimacy with Him. When I can ask for forgiveness, I feel like I can be used by God in more extraordinary ways since I don't have sin weighing me down.

A is for Acknowledge. Acknowledge his Authority in our lives. Beth says, "We can praise God all day long with our lips yet never deliberately surrender to His lordship with our hearts." This is something that made me take that step back in the first place. I was trying to claim authority over my life and my writing when it really is not mine at all.

I is for Intercede. To pray for those the Lord brings to mind. Another great way to get the focus off of me!

S is for Supplication, which is in perfect order in this acronym. My family always says, "I am third"--God, Others, then Myself. Once we've focused on God and others, praying for our needs and desires brings us to a deeper dependency and intimacy with God.

Beth Moore, Living Proof Ministries

And finally, E is for Equipping. Asking God to equip us the rest of the day is a great way to close in prayer, and for us writers, look forward to God answering this specific part of our prayer!

3.  Christ-Centered Life Application: 

I picked up Whispers of Hope during a season of spiritual wrestling. My heart was heavy with lies uncovered, and truths yet to be found out. I was in a place where I had focused on myself, assuming my will could measure up to God's--especially when it came to my dream to seek publication. And when I discovered my self-centered way of thinking, I found refuge in sloughing away my fluffy self-talk and focusing back on the One who deserves all attention. Just a glimpse of how the devotional met me first off, see what Beth says after exploring the story of the tower of Babel on page 11 of her book:

"God's response? "If they're this foolish and self-centered, they'll try anything.' Brick after brick, we humans sought to determine our own fate. Despite all the efforts, we never imposed our will on God, but God imposed His on us." In every daily devotion, you can be sure to find poignant life application that will meet you where you are at. It is through Beth's examples and deciphering of Scripture, that the Word becomes alive and applicable to your own life in a unique way.

My season of stepping back from all that influence me, and the fleshy desires of my heart, is certainly not one of a backward journey from God. With this God-focused, Scripture-centered devotional from Beth Moore, my heart is filled with whispers of Hope from the One and Only Author of my story. And with a heart in line with His,
           I write
                               and write 
                                                     and write.

***Want the chance to win a copy of this amazing devotional?? Please let me know in the comment section!***

Please share of a time when you needed to just step back and return your focus on God, whether in writing or just in life!

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Angie Dicken first began writing fiction as a creative outlet during the monotonous, mothering days of diapers and temper tantrums. She is passionate to impress God's love on women regardless of their background or belief. This desire serves as a catalyst for Angie's fiction, which weaves salvation and grace themes across historical cultures and social boundaries. Angie is an ACFW member and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

Our Publishing Plan, or HIS?

I've often wrestled with justifying this journey to publication because I am writing for God....if I don't do it as an offering to God, then I am selfish and vain. So, by acknowledging the gift of writing is from Him, I must seek publication for Him. It seems noble, right? A noble reason for publication—to do something for God.

What if the Truth is the exact opposite? What if all the plans I've made for God...using the writing gift to become a published author and do something for Him, while noble in itself, is exactly what God doesn't want from me? What if, all my planning has stopped me from resting in God, and if I would just calm down and give Him the reigns, His plan for me is so much better?

What would this do? Would it stop my striving and force me to wait upon the Lord? Because, who in all humility would suggest that their plan for God is better than His plan for us?

In my recent Beth Moore Bible study, David: Seeking A Heart Like His, Beth brought to light this idea as we studied 2 Samuel 7. David is finally at rest with his enemies subdued, and his kingship in place. Yet, he begins to perseverate about living in a palace while the Ark of the Covenant is placed in a tent. David thinks he must build a house for God. A noble quest, right? The Lord comes to His prophet, Nathan, and declares, in Beth's paraphrase, “David, you won't build a house for Me. I'm going to build a house for you.”

What if I begin to look at my goal of publication, not as “building God's house (or kingdom)” but as God building a place for me in His kingdom? So if the publishing isn't happening yet, maybe, just maybe, He's still carving out the path?

When we truly receive this writing journey as a gift from God, there are a few things that should happen to surrender our plans and let Him take over:

We “Relinquish Control”: When we are the receiver, we don't have control over when we receive the gifts. How many times have I strived to bestow the gift of publication upon myself? How many late nights do I spend tweaking this and that, and deciding, “maybe if I enter this in ….or maybe, if I develop this scene exactly according to their guidelines...then maybe this will be my break!”

When we relinquish control of our plans to achieve the next step to publication and surrender to God's great plan for us, then we have the ability to submit to Him, walk this journey according to His commands for us, and just plain old rest in the fact that He's with us!

We REST in our Appointment: David was suppose to rest. After fifteen years of running from Saul, God's promise of the throne had finally happened. And what's more, his enemies were at bay. But David couldn't rest for long—and God set him straight. It wasn't about what David would do for God, but what God would do for the line of David. And David finally gets it when he says in 2Samuel 7:28-29:

“And now, O Lord God, You are God, and Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant. Now therefore, let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue before You forever...”

As Christians, we also have God's blessing through the Resurrection of Christ:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3

Beth pointed out in her study: "We already have the blessing!" And as writers, we already have the gift! Now, let's rest in knowing that, and wait upon the Lord to plan for us abundantly.

“But those who wait on the

Lord

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with

wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be

weary,

They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Give God the Glory: Even though we receive a gift from God, He ultimately receives the Glory. So while I might have thought it was the other way around—that my giving my gift back to God through publication will bestow His glory, that isn't right at all.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above.” James 1:17

Just as God gave us a gift to write, His plan to reveal that writing to the world will come in due time. It's all about His gifts to us...not the other way around.
God wants to give good things to His children, and maybe if we completely trust Him, His good things might just AMAZE us! Could David have ever thought that his son would have the awesome honor of building God's temple? And furthermore, that his very bloodline would bring forth the complete atonement for sins for the entire world, through Jesus Christ?

HOW MUCH blessing came forth when David switched from his plans for God, to trusting God's plans for him!

I hope I can do the same, and rest and wait for His amazing plan to unfold! How 'bout you?

*pictures from creationswap.com 

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Angie Dicken first began writing fiction as a creative outlet during the monotonous, mothering days of diapers and temper tantrums. She is passionate to impress God's love on women regardless of their background or belief. This desire serves as a catalyst for Angie's fiction, which weaves salvation and grace themes across historical cultures and social boundaries. Angie is an ACFW member and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.