On the first day of the new year I cracked open a brand new journal to begin jotting notes as I sit with my open Bible each day.  God’s Spirit has given me a hunger to know Him, really KNOW Him.  And I am one of those people who needs the process of hand-writing His Words and my response to them in a notebook to help me think about those Words (what, exactly, does this mean to me?!  what do these verses tell me about the One I am getting to know more personally?) – not just read them and forget them as soon as I close the Book.

Nearly two months have passed already!  I am thankful for the nudge earlier today to spend some time reviewing and reflecting on some of the things that have touched and encouraged my heart.  What have I learned so far?  What questions do I still have?  Despite my efforts to make reading my Bible a conscientious process, what have I already forgotten in a matter of weeks that is worth re-discovering!?

As I revisit these nuggets from God’s Word, I realize that they truly are “wind in my sails.”  The growing list of things I am learning about God gives me something solid to hold onto when the seas get rough, power and courage to forge ahead as He sets my course, and a welcomed lift to my spirit, much like fresh air and warm sun on my face!

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.  Ecclesiastes 9:10

Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord.  Matthew 25:21, 23

There remains a rest for the people of God… ceasing from their works as God did from His.  Hebrews 4:9-10

I have called him by name… I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding and in knowledge and in all manner of workmanship… and into their hearts, I have put wisdom that they may make all that I have commanded.  Exodus 31:2, 3, 6

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us… so that the servant of God may be complete, fully prepared and equipped for every good work.  2 Timothy 3:16-17

While they talked and reasoned together, JESUS, Himself drew near and went with them… He explained to them all that the Scriptures had said concerning Himself… suddenly their eyes were opened, and they knew Him.  Luke 24:15-31

God… made us alive together with Christ… His workmanship, created in Christ for good works.  Ephesians 2:4-5

We shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is.  I John 3:2

He gave to the seas His decree that the waters should not pass His command. Proverbs 8:29

The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, than the mighty waves of the sea.  Psalm 93:4

O Lord, You rule the raging sea; when its waves rise, You still them.  Psalm 89:9

Who has placed the sand as the bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree, it cannot pass beyond it.  Though the waters toss to and fro, they cannot prevail; though they roar, they cannot pass over it.  Jeremiah 5:22

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers they will not overwhelm you.  Isaiah 43:2

Bezaleel and Aholiab finished the work the Lord gave them to do… Moses finished the work and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.  Exodus 38:22-23, 40:33-34

I have finished the work You gave Me to do.  John 17:4

Let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up.  Galatians 6:9

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  2 Timothy 4:7

You are… chosen… royal… holy… special… praise… light.  I Peter 2:9

[His… for Him… by Him… to bring glory to Him!]

Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat… BUT I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail.  Luke 22:31-32

If this little wander through my notebook barely scratches the surface of who GOD is from two months of pondering His Word, it is thrilling to imagine what the list will look like at the end of the year!  How great is the GOD we adore!!  It is my prayer that these few thoughts have encouraged others’ hearts as well and that those who read them will be inspired to make their own discoveries – that our great God will reveal Himself to each of us in fresh news ways – every day!  As we are awed by His Person, steadied by His truth and wrapped in His love, may we truly feel His wind in our sails!