I literally look forward to this devotion all year long, and I’m so excited the time has finally come! Please feel free to join in the discussion, even if you haven’t purchased the book. My prayer is that our focus will be on Jesus this season in a whole new way. I’ve been reading Ann Spangler’s Immanuel for six or seven years now, and I keep my devotions in the same notebook each year so I can trace how my life changes.
What we will do is this… I’ll talk a bit here, but those of you who wish to discuss can dive down into the comments and we’ll all talk there. Simply find the comment for each day and click reply. Or, feel free to start your own comment thread. We’ll spend the week in the comments, talking, then on Monday, we’ll start commenting on a new post. Those of you who get the blog in emails and email comments back, would you mind this week clicking on the title above and joining us online so everyone can see?
Today, we start with the name Yahweh, the name God told Moses when He sent him to deliver Israel out of Egypt. And in that same passage is my favorite, favorite name of God. I AM. Know why? Because He Is, and that is all that matters. His simple existence demands attention. And He Is everything we will ever need. It is enough to simply know He Is. More later in the comments, but for now, let’s get started!
-JB
Jodie says
Monday’s Question: Based on Exodus 3: 1-20, describe a time when you were reluctant to do something you believed God was calling you to do.
Jodie says
Back in 2005, I did NOT want to move to upstate New York. I did not, did not, did not. I fought it with prayer and fasting and pretty much annoyed my husband to pieces. To be honest, I didn’t BELIEVE God was calling us there, and even when the moving truck pulled up to our house, I STILL believed we weren’t going. But go we went… and God moved in amazing, incredible ways. It was one of the most amazing things we ever did, and He was all over it. I’m glad… so glad… for “unanswered prayers.”
Jen says
I know it’s late in the day, but I had to chime in with that little thing I was dead set against for so long. 🙂
http://navigatingwithgps.blogspot.com/2014/12/can-live-with-it-can-live-without-it.html
Jodie says
Went and read this and still love it. I think we all have that story and, if we did as He asked, then we have an even MORE beautiful story!
Jessica R. Patch says
I did not want to leave children’s ministry for women’s ministry. It scared me half to death but I knew I had to do it and it opened up a brand new and amazing ministry for me that’s still going strong today. And it built my faith so that when God asked me to do something terribly hard for me, I knew with Him, I could. I need to get this devotional!
Jodie says
I hear ya. It’s a touch one to step out of that comfort zone, I went throught the reverse when God called me back to teaching a few years ago. I’d been teaching adults so long, I just knew I’d be a failure. Funny how he shows up and gives you what you need, isn’t it?
As for the study, I own the book and the Kindle version, just in case. 🙂 I love it that much and do it every year. And every year it’s different for me. I literally do look forward to it all year long.
Jodie says
Tuesday’s Question: My favorite name of God is I AM. Oh my goodness… isn’t that just everything? I could sit and think about that all day. But what does it mean to you that God is I AM? How has He showed that in your life?
Jodie Bailey says
Wednesday’s Question–No question. Just praise:
Carole says
Jodie, I’ve skimmed some of Ann Spangler’s writing in the past, enough to know that she’s a really good teacher. I looked Immanuel up at Amazon and discovered that I had already bought the Kindle version, and now you’ve inspired me to delve into it with you. I think it’s going to take me a lot longer than these few weeks in December, though! More thoughts later . . .
Jodie says
Glad you’re joining us, Carole! I pray this touches you!!