After 258 link ups, almost 5 years it's finally time to say goodbye to Faith Filled Friday. I am so grateful to have had so many years getting to meet new bloggers and see the things you are learning and trusting God with. 

But as more and more gets put on the plate with less time, I have to sort and sift the good from the best. I am so sad to have to end this link up and trust the Lord will use this step of faith for His glory. 

Thank you so much for joining here on Friday's and I pray He continues to lead, provide and bless you in your online ministry. 

Much love,
​Laura

1.  God delights in you.

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

2.  God is watching over your life.

"The Lord will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." (Psalm 121:7-8)

3. God gives good gifts.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." ( James 1:17)

4.  Your suffering has a grander purpose.

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)

5.  God will make a way for you through the wilderness.

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it I am making a way in the wilderness  and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43:19)

Let's Chat:  What promise are you clinging to in the new year?

The best investment you can make in 2018 is to get into God's Word every day. Maybe like me, life has been very busy,  and you are having hard time connecting on a consistent basis with a community Face to Face.

Guess what?  You can find a fabulous Bible study for free right on the internet. 

1.  First 5

Lysa TerKeurst and a wonderful group of seasoned Bible teachers are working their way through the Bible one chapter at a time. All of their content is easily accessible by downloading the very user-friendly free First 5 app.  If you're not a techy kind of gal, you can follow along by visiting the First 5 blog every day.  Join a group through the app or purchase the Experience Guide to dive in deeper..  Their first study of 2018 is on I and II Kings and  started January 1st.

2. Love God Greatly

If you are in a crazy busy season, Love God Greatly looks at just a few verses a day. You can join a Facebook group or an e-mail group. They also do blog posts on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday plus provide You Version content. Download a free PDF of the study booklet by subscribing to the blog or purchase a bound study book an Amazon. If you want everything in one place, you can download their app. Their next study is a 4-week dive into James and starts January 15th.

​3. Hello Mornings

Kat Lee and her team serve up a wonderful schedule of studies. Their 2018 schedule is still under wraps, but you can subscribe to the blog here for the latest information. If you are looking for a longer study with Facebook accountability groups, this is your best choice. They normally provide either a free reading plan to download or a lengthier study book at a minimal cost.  

4.  She Reads Truth

The dynamic duo -- Rachael Myers and Amanda Bible Williams -- started looking at Matthew on January 1st. You can follow for free online, via email, or grab a copy of their beautiful study books from the SRT Shop. 

5. If Equip

​Jennie Allen and friends are kicking off the year with 20 Days of Prayer starting on January 15th. Subscribe to the blog to get each post via e-mail for free, or grab a copy of their beautiful study books from the IF:Shoppe

What are you waiting for?  Pick one and sign up today.  Fight for your freedom by fixing your focus on God's Word.

Let's Chat: What's your favorite way to connect with Bible study online?

We exist to glorify God, to display His heart and character. And I just love how we are all uniquely built to do that. So every Friday I want to give you, uniquely designed by God, an opportunity to link up your thoughts on God, art, baking, photography, parenting, marriage, homeschooling, writing or blogging and more if they tie into or display the Lord somehow. 

​Here's how it works:

1. Link up as many blog posts as you want below by clicking the link below and following the prompts. (Perhaps think of old posts you want more exposure to as well as new ones.)

2. Let your readers know by including a link at the bottom of your post (or somewhere on your side bar) or paste our button code (found below and on the side bar).

3. Take a minute to visit and comment on another sweet lady or two's post. Your encouragement might be just what she needs to keep pressing on in being a voice in the darkness.
​

Are you setting any resolutions for 2018?  How's your new year planning  and goal setting going so far? 

I wasn't going to set any this year, but then I read about the resolutions of Jonathan Edwards, and I got so inspired.   Published in 1723, Edwards wrote down 70 statements that he resolved to live by for the glory of God.  Here are some of my favorites:
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• "Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever."
• "Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump."
• "Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same."
• "Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better."
• "Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer."
• "Resolved, never to do anything but duty; and then according to Ephesians 6:6-8, do it willingly and cheerfully "as unto the Lord, and not to man; knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord."
• "Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them."
  
  

Let's Talk: What missional resolutions will you live out this year? Let's challenge ourselves to bring Him glory with all of our heart, mind, and strength.

We exist to glorify God, to display His heart and character. And I just love how we are all uniquely built to do that. So every Friday I want to give you, uniquely designed by God, an opportunity to link up your thoughts on God, art, baking, photography, parenting, marriage, homeschooling, writing or blogging and more if they tie into or display the Lord somehow. 

​Here's how it works:

1. Link up as many blog posts as you want below by clicking the link below and following the prompts. (Perhaps think of old posts you want more exposure to as well as new ones.)

2. Let your readers know by including a link at the bottom of your post (or somewhere on your side bar) or paste our button code (found below and on the side bar).

3. Take a minute to visit and comment on another sweet lady or two's post. Your encouragement might be just what she needs to keep pressing on in being a voice in the darkness.

I love Christmas music!  Starting on Thanksgiving day, I start listening to a completely new playlist of beautiful songs -- all which point right to who Jesus is.

Have you ever considered that talking about the words to a Christmas Carol is a simple way share your faith?  Take "Joy to the World" for an example.  

Isaac Watts penned the words to this song originally as a poem to celebrate the finished redemptive work of Jesus.  It's basically a paraphrase of Psalm 98:

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
    burst into jubilant song with music;
 make music to the Lord with the harp,
    with the harp and the sound of singing,
with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn--
    shout for joy before the Lord, the King. (vs 4-6, NIV)

Although not actually written as a Christmas hymn, the lyrics communicate the spirit of celebration of this season.  ​

• Let every heart prepare Him room: Talk about how you opened up your heart to Jesus. How has He filled up the empty spaces in your life?  
• Let men their songs employ: Share how Jesus has given you a new song to sing and explain why you live to worship Him.
• He comes to make His blessing known: How has Jesus blessed you since you yielded your life to Him? How has He removed the stain of sin from your life?
• He rules the world with truth and grace: Explain how putting your trust in Jesus as Lord of your life brings peace to your heart in the midst of this problematic world.

The next week may provide an opportunity for you to share how Jesus came to save us all from our sins.  Pray for God to fill you with His Spirit and give you the words to say.  

Just think about the joy He's brought to your life and then speak from your heart.    

Let's Talk:  Do you have a favorite Christmas carol that points to Jesus?  
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We exist to glorify God, to display His heart and character. And I just love how we are all uniquely built to do that. So every Friday I want to give you, uniquely designed by God, an opportunity to link up your thoughts on God, art, baking, photography, parenting, marriage, homeschooling, writing or blogging and more if they tie into or display the Lord somehow. 

​Here's how it works:

1. Link up as many blog posts as you want below by clicking the link below and following the prompts. (Perhaps think of old posts you want more exposure to as well as new ones.)

2. Let your readers know by including a link at the bottom of your post (or somewhere on your side bar) or paste our button code (found below and on the side bar).

3. Take a minute to visit and comment on another sweet lady or two's post. Your encouragement might be just what she needs to keep pressing on in being a voice in the darkness.
​

You don't have to run through December feeling frantic. Slow down and spend time this week praying about how you are going to celebrate Jesus and share His love with others.  

Maybe you could write out your testimony and send out a Christmas letter to friends who are lost and looking for answers.  

Pray about welcoming someone who has no family at your Christmas table.

Invite God to show you how to craft a revamped Christmas To-do list with a Kingdom agenda.  

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We exist to glorify God, to display His heart and character. And I just love how we are all uniquely built to do that. So every Friday I want to give you, uniquely designed by God, an opportunity to link up your thoughts on God, art, baking, photography, parenting, marriage, homeschooling, writing or blogging and more if they tie into or display the Lord somehow. 

​Here's how it works:

1. Link up as many blog posts as you want below by clicking the link below and following the prompts. (Perhaps think of old posts you want more exposure to as well as new ones.)

2. Let your readers know by including a link at the bottom of your post (or somewhere on your side bar) or paste our button code (found below and on the side bar).

3. Take a minute to visit and comment on another sweet lady or two's post. Your encouragement might be just what she needs to keep pressing on in being a voice in the darkness.

Don't you just love the Christmas season? The twinkle lights, the Christmas ornaments, the carols playing on the radio -- everything points to Jesus right now.

This is most wonderful time of the year --- the perfect platform for sharing the Good News. 

This week, we wanted to share an easy peasy way to share the Gospel with your coworkers and neighbors.  Buy a box of candy canes and attach a note that explains how the red and white sugary treat is a picture of the Savior's love for us.  

• The upside-down candy cane forms the letter J, which stands for Jesus.
• The red stripes stand for the blood He shed for our sins. By His stripes we are healed.
• The white stripes symbolize the purity of Christ, our sinless Savior, who offered up His life to pay for our sins.  When we ask Him to forgive us and accept His gift of salvation, He washes away our sins and makes us white as snow.
• When you turn the candy cane right side up, the crook is the same shape as a shepherd's staff.  Christ followers are sheep in His pasture. He will lead us and safely guide us all the days of our lives.  
• This red and white sugary treat can take a long time to eat.  This is a reminder to spend time with Jesus -- because life will grow sweeter and sweeter as we spend time with our Savior.
  

This week pray about who you can share this story with to get the Word out at Christmas.   

We exist to glorify God, to display His heart and character. And I just love how we are all uniquely built to do that. So every Friday I want to give you, uniquely designed by God, an opportunity to link up your thoughts on God, art, baking, photography, parenting, marriage, homeschooling, writing or blogging and more if they tie into or display the Lord somehow. 

​Here's how it works:

1. Link up as many blog posts as you want below by clicking the link below and following the prompts. (Perhaps think of old posts you want more exposure to as well as new ones.)

2. Let your readers know by including a link at the bottom of your post (or somewhere on your side bar) or paste our button code (found below and on the side bar).

3. Take a minute to visit and comment on another sweet lady or two's post. Your encouragement might be just what she needs to keep pressing on in being a voice in the darkness.
​

This week my mentor encouraged me to not get comfortable.  

Comfortable is mediocre. 
Comfortable is taking the easy way out.
Comfortable is settling for less than God's best.
Comfortable is focused on pleasing my flesh instead of producing fruit.  

The Lord challenged us to live alert, to go, and to put feet to our faith.  One of his last admonitions to his followers was "Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." (Matthew 24:42, ESV)

That's why I am so excited that it's almost November.  Why is that you ask?  Well, while some people are looking forward to putting up the tree and dusting off their Christmas CDs, around here we start November by kicking comfortable right to the curb.  

If you've grown a little too comfortable like me, we'd like to invite you to join us for our favorite Missional Women November tradition.  

​For the last eight years we've been doing this great little exercise to re-focus and re-center our attention and affection on Jesus. It's called Not About Me November. It's an entire month where we seek God and seek ways we need to make life more about Jesus and less about us. After all, He must become greater and we must become less. Each year it proves to have incredible soul shaping value. The exercise of saying no to our flesh and pointing to Jesus produces beautiful, meaningful fruit.

This year as we point to Jesus, we'd love for you to join us.

You can share your thoughts on Facebook, twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #NotAboutMeNovember, and we would be honored if you tag @missionalwomen so we can encourage you.

If you are a blogger, we'd love for you to write a post on this specific theme. We've created a month-long linkup here.

​Let's make Jesus known in November.  

We exist to glorify God, to display His heart and character. And I just love how we are all uniquely built to do that. So every Friday I want to give you, uniquely designed by God, an opportunity to link up your thoughts on God, art, baking, photography, parenting, marriage, homeschooling, writing or blogging and more if they tie into or display the Lord somehow. 

​Here's how it works:

1. Link up as many blog posts as you want below by clicking the link below and following the prompts. (Perhaps think of old posts you want more exposure to as well as new ones.)

2. Let your readers know by including a link at the bottom of your post (or somewhere on your side bar) or paste our button code (found below and on the side bar).

3. Take a minute to visit and comment on another sweet lady or two's post. Your encouragement might be just what she needs to keep pressing on in being a voice in the darkness.
​

God loves it when we listen to His voice. As we do simple things like wash the dishes and fold laundry, we have the opportunity to show up with a worshipful attentiveness to God.  

Do I delight in doing simple things no one notices but Him?  Do I view the small task in front of me as an opportunity to make God proud?  Every moment of my day is sacred,

When we decide to honor Him in the mundane, God often shows up unexpectedly to surprise us with His majesty.  Just this month, God answered two prayer requests I considered "impossible situations."  But, nothing is too hard for the Lord.  

Stay at it, friends.  God sees you. Your miracle is coming.  
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We exist to glorify God, to display His heart and character. And I just love how we are all uniquely built to do that. So every Friday I want to give you, uniquely designed by God, an opportunity to link up your thoughts on God, art, baking, photography, parenting, marriage, homeschooling, writing or blogging and more if they tie into or display the Lord somehow. 

​Here's how it works:

1. Link up as many blog posts as you want below by clicking the link below and following the prompts. (Perhaps think of old posts you want more exposure to as well as new ones.)

2. Let your readers know by including a link at the bottom of your post (or somewhere on your side bar) or paste our button code (found below and on the side bar).

3. Take a minute to visit and comment on another sweet lady or two's post. Your encouragement might be just what she needs to keep pressing on in being a voice in the darkness.
​

Happy Friday, Friends! 

Here at Missional Women we believe in the power of prayer.   Daily we must surender our day to our Father and invite Him to have His way in our lives. We'd love for you to join us on our Facebook page for weekly intercession with our very own Laura Krokos.  

We grabbed this week's prayer from Facebook to share with you.  Listen in.  

If you have a burden on your heart today, please share in the comments, and we will join you in pleading for Him to powerfully provide for your need. He is generous and faithful to His Word, and He will follow through on every promise He's written on your heart as you follow to Him.  

Let us pray with expectation and wait with worshipful hearts for our Heavenly Father to shower down His healing and hope.

We exist to glorify God, to display His heart and character. And I just love how we are all uniquely built to do that. So every Friday I want to give you, uniquely designed by God, an opportunity to link up your thoughts on God, art, baking, photography, parenting, marriage, homeschooling, writing or blogging and more if they tie into or display the Lord somehow. 

​Here's how it works:

1. Link up as many blog posts as you want below by clicking the link below and following the prompts. (Perhaps think of old posts you want more exposure to as well as new ones.)

2. Let your readers know by including a link at the bottom of your post (or somewhere on your side bar) or paste our button code (found below and on the side bar).

3. Take a minute to visit and comment on another sweet lady or two's post. Your encouragement might be just what she needs to keep pressing on in being a voice in the darkness. 
​​