Book'd & Blessed 2024 by Adrienne & Tannera bookd

This planner is for you! You are safe and set on high (Proverbs 29:25), victorious wherever you go (Deuteronomy 28:13), and controlled by the love of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14). The Book’d & Blessed planner is a theology-focused tool created to give you faith-based encouragement as you walk out the plan that God has for you. You know that with faith, nothing is impossible (Matthew 17:20-21). & with your Book’d & Blessed planner, 2024 is looking like blessings on blessings on blessings.

To the

Woman,

It’s only up from here! In going from your old self to your new self, there’s a void that you have to cross. Investing in this planner means you’re ready to make that leap from the life that you have to the life that you truly deserve- and we’re honored to be a part of your support system on this journey of a lifetime. Those who go above and beyond are rewarded with exceptional lives. You have the potential, the resources, and the opportunity. What’s been missing is your decision to go for it. But since you’re here- we think you’re ready to go all in. Your Book’d planner is a guide to help you figure out what “all in” looks like for you and execute against the plan. You’re an absolute champion, you’re a rockstar, you’re the Beyoncé of your own life. The spotlight is on you- what are you going to do with it? If you’re the type of lady we think you are- you’re manifesting, you’re dreaming, you’re continuously setting goals, you’re evolving, you’re maturing, and you have so many plans that will transform you into your highest, most aspirational self. If you can hold it in your head, you can hold it in your hand, so stay focused! It’s already yours- time to put your name on it. Your Book’d planner was designed to simplify, yet magnify your complex life and help you lock in on the things that you really want. To be a Black woman is to have unique needs, desires, and priorities. Our sole focus is to help you create a magnificent life first in your mind, and then in your reality. We created the perfect layout to help you create a big life, step by step, day by day, brick by brick. You already have everything that you need to succeed. With this planner as a valuable tool, we want you to put your resources and your time to work. You’re smart. You’re innovative. You’re the most powerful creative force in your life. & now you’re Book’d. We know you can have it all, and our deepest desire is to pass this belief on to you. This planner was designed to help you lock in with the “you” of your dreams. As you strive to be Book’d and Balanced, use your Book’d planner to reach your peak. Cheers to making this year another one for the books. You’re the greatest. Xoxo,

Tannera & Adrienne

Your 2024 Book'd & Blessed Planner is LOADED with everything you need to have a successful Book'd, blessed, & balanced year.

Yearly Stickers All work and no play is not our style, and we bet it's not yours either. Keep it cute with two pages full of stickers. 2024 & 2025 Calendars A Book'd woman is always two steps ahead. Know what's on the horizon with the yearly overview calendars for 2024 and 2025. 2024 Holiday List Thirty-one (sometimes paid) reasons to celebrate. Enough said. Book'd & Blessed Official Reading List This feature, exclusively curated for our Book’d & Blessed woman, is a treasure chest of literary resources dedicated to aiding women as they seek to grow deeper in their relationships with God. Yearly Prayer This page serves as a place to write down your prayer(s) for 2024. We encourage you to go into the new year with big goals, and a prayer life to match. Write out a big prayer to cover your year or build a small prayer that you can incorporate into your daily routine, or a mix of both. 2024 Goals and Book'd & Balanced Goal Wheel Inspired by the desire to progress, this section is for you to seriously consider and log your overarching personal and professional goals for the year. Let these goals shape your monthly goals, weekly tasks, and daily actions. The 2024 goals worksheet is paired with the Book'd & Balanced Goal Wheel to help further refine the elements of a well-rounded and fulfilling life. Bucket List Bingo We're all about you living your best life, and what better way to seize the day than with a yearly bucket list? Name everything you want to do: take that trip, move across the country, or pick up a hobby. Challenge yourself to step up and step out! List out all the things you want to do on the squares below. As you complete each adventure, check them off until you hit bingo or until the board is complete! 2024 Vision Board As Oprah Winfrey famously stated: “Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe.” This is your chance to not only create the vision, but to hold it near and dear throughout the year.

Monthly

Monthly Images Twelve varieties of #BlackGirlMagic for every month of the year. Inspired by the prevailing season, each of our monthly images is a major mood to set the tone for the four weeks to come. The artwork was created by Patrick of Paco May Illustrations.

Monthly Calendar Get all of your ducks in a row at the start of the month. Payday. Check. Your company conference. Get that blazer out of the cleaners. Your bestie's birthday. Noted. That trip to Zanzibar? Take us with you! Plus we included a spot to plan out your hairstyles. Because, we know. Devotionals Monthly devotionals provided by members of the Book'd Club challenge us to learn to use scripture (God's Word) to shape our attitude, perspective, and mindset. Notes Don't lie to yourself. You won't remember it. Just use these 2 handy notes pages per month to jot down things that you'll need to stay on top of. You'll be glad you did. Trust us. (P.S. There's some bonus note pages in the very back.) Goals Use this page to map out your monthly goals, and then use your weekly big & little rocks to break these goals down into smaller, actionable steps. Strictly Financial The “strictly financial” budget is your place to stay in charge of your finances. Keep a birds-eye view on your coins by tracking your monthly income and expenses. This page has the ability to be organized on a monthly, bi-weekly/ bi-monthly, or weekly basis.

Weekly Grocery List & Meal Plan Meal prep just got ten times easier. Grocery shop in style with your weekly grocery list and meal planner. Put it on your list, and then your basket. Pro tip: Tear this sheet out and take it with you on your grocery runs. Big Rocks & Little Rocks Big Rocks are the big tasks that you need to take on for the week, while the Little Rocks are the smaller tasks that take less time or effort. Tackle them in any order you want, just be sure to get them done! Weekly Targets The weekly Spiritual Growth, Physical Activity, Self-Care, Morning Routine, Bedtime Routine, Daily Habits, and the Call, Email, Follow-Up Sections serve as spaces to list the activities/ intentions that will help you maintain balance throughout your week. Weekly Checkpoint The weekly checkpoint is a section dedicated to the things that often fall to the wayside. Keep your home life, money life, tribe life, and self-love life on the up and up by completing the weekly checkpoint task for the week.

Daily

Day-By-Day This is where all the magic happens. Everyday. Show up. Give it your all. Wake up early. Break a sweat. Double check yourself. Challenge ideas. Push yourself. Follow-up. Do something the long way. Say nice things to yourself. Stay late, but stay balanced. Express gratitude. Repeat. Scriptures Life-giving scriptures stamped on your daily pages to bless you with Biblical truth as you navigate through your busy schedule.

2024 JANUARY

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2024 HOLIDAYS

January 1 January 15 February 2 February 14 February 19 March 8 March 10 March 17 March 19 March 29 March 31 April 15 April 22 May 12 May 27 June 16 June 19 June 20 July 4 September 2 September 22 October 14 October 31 November 3 November 5 November 11 November 28 December 21 December 25 December 26 December 31

New Year’s Day Martin Luther King Jr. Day Groundhog Day Valentine’s Day Presidents’ Day International Women’s Day Daylight Savings Begins St. Patrick’s Day First Day of Spring Good Friday Resurrection Sunday (Easter) Tax Day First Day of Passover Mother’s Day Memorial Day Father’s Day Juneteenth First Day of Summer Independence Day Labor Day First Day of Autumn Indigenous Peoples’ Day Halloween Daylight Savings Ends Election Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day First Day of Winter Christmas First Day of Kwanzaa New Year’s Eve

Book’d & Blessed OFFICIAL R EADIN G LIST

Crazy Faith: It's Only Crazy Until It Happens by Michael Todd Created to Dream: The 6 Phases God Uses to Grow Your Faith by Rick Warren Forgiving What You Can't Forget: Discover How to Move On, Make Peace with Painful Memories, and Create a Life That’s Beautiful Again by Lysa TerKeurst Girl, Read Your Bible: Encouraging the Search for Biblical Truth by Honey Woods Holier Than Thou: How God’s Holiness Helps Us Trust Him by Jackie Hill Perry and Charlie Dates Not a Fan Updated and Expanded: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus

by Kyle Idleman Outwitting the Devil: The Secrets to Freedom and Success

by Napoleon Hill Ratchet Revelations: Inspirational Devotional for Millennials by Melissa Knight Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope by Esau McCaulley The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus by Lee Strobel The Value in the Valley: A Black Woman's Guide Through Life's Dilemmas by Iyanla Vanzant Win the Day: 7 Daily Habits to Help You Stress Less & Accomplish More by Mark Batterson

Devotionals

TABLE OF CONTENTS JANUARY Open-Handed Goal Setting For the Ambitious Soul In 2024 Raven-Deneice Carouthers | Peanut Butter Faith Blog

FEBRUARY Embracing Imago Dei In an (Often) Unjust World Raven-Deneice Carouthers | Peanut Butter Faith Blog

MARCH The Sacrifice of Jesus Manushka Gracia-Desgage | Gap-Toothed Scholar Blog

APRIL My Betrayer Is At Hand Manushka Gracia-Desgage | Gap-Toothed Scholar Blog

MAY Engaging in Spiritual Warfare Jenise Sexton

JUNE Deliverance to Dominion Jenise Sexton

JULY Christlike Emotions Jenise Sexton

AUGUST Thriving in Compassion Jazmin Mullen | Unite for Christ

SEPTEMBER Surrendering in Stewardship Jazmin Mullen | Unite for Christ

OCTOBER The God of Jacob Bonnie Kirby | The REST Complex

NOVEMBER Everything is Everything Bonnie Kirby | The REST Complex

DECEMBER Encouragement to Rest Bonnie Kirby | The REST Complex

2024 PRAYER

Use this sheet to write out your prayer(s) for 2024. If you need a little guidance, we recommend the PRAY method. Praise God for who He is, and what He has done. Repent for sins you have committed, and commands you have neglected. Ask for your needs, and the needs of others. Yield your will to God's will, and your plans to God's plans.

2024 GOALS

Make your next move, your best move. Your life is limited to the bounds of your imagination. Anything you can think up, you can make happen. On the lines below, write out your personal and professional goals without limitations. Go crazy! PROFESSIONAL GOALS

2024 GOALS

PERSONAL GOALS

Book”d & Balanced GOAL WHEEL The Book'd & Balanced Goal Wheel is a worksheet designed to accompany your 2024 goal sheet. We believe in a Book'd & Balanced life, and this is a tool to help you set goals in every area. Jot down a few goals in each section, and watch the glow-up happen before your very eyes.

Yearly Focus Areas

itu Spir

nal Emp ower ment

i ly Fa m

Pe rso

al p nshi o i t a l e R

l cia o /S

BUCKET LIST BINGO

Challenge yourself to step up and step out! List all the things you want to do on the squares below. As you complete each adventure, check them off until you hit bingo or until the board is complete!

FREE SPOT!

2024

VISION BOARD

J AN

January 2024 Hairstyle

Sun

Mon New Year’s Day

Tue 1

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

I will increase my

Wed

by committing to

Thurs

Fri

Sat

OPEN-HANDED GOAL SETTING FOR THE AMBITIOUS SOUL IN 2024 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. - Matthew 6:33 NIV Anyone who knows me well (or honestly knows me at all) knows that I LOVE a good goal-setting session. Planning is a love language for me, and my dad did not hesitate to mention my affinity for Google Spreadsheets in his toast at my wedding. Type A to my core, I love envisioning what I want my life could look like in 1 year, 5 years, even 10 years, and crafting a daily gameplan that I think will get me there. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” - Psalms 139:13-14 NIV. To borrow a quote from beloved India Arie, “And I know my Creator didn’t make no mistakes on me,” (insert my best attempt at a honeysuckle neo soul voice here). I believe that a part of my inmost being is that desire to brainstorm, organize, and plan. I know that, when utilized well, this can be a powerful tool to move mountains for the kingdom. I don’t think I need to apologize for valuing organization highly. Like all of God’s gifts, however, this gift can become a weapon if wielded incorrectly. My tunnel-vision determination can often enable my excuses for planning my life without the Lord, the giver of my life. Sometimes it can be weeks, months, or even years before I realize the goal I set and achieved was never assigned or blessed by the Lord. Regret, frustration, embarrassment, and lots of backtracking follow. “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” - Matthew 18:12-14 NIV Praise God that He meets us right where we are, every single time. Even when we actively sin against God in our own selfish pursuits (and yes, we can have selfish pursuits for God’s kingdom, y’all), He will always, always, be there for us. When I think about the mercy and grace the Lord has shown his people for centuries, I am truly stunned speechless. While I’m thankful for this gift, I ultimately want to grow to a place where I am consistently seeking the Lord BEFORE I make the big purchase or start the 9 year academic journey towards a specific career. This January, while it’s still the time I affectionately call “vision board season”, I’m reframing not just the goals I set but how I set them. Here are 3 tips for submitting your goals and resolutions to the Father this year: 1. Listen first. - Last year, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to begin teaching dental students part-time. Within the first 4 hours teaching, I saw myself in so many students. I was thrust backwards in time well before dental school when I, an often confused student, would shoot my hand into the air with multitudes of questions as soon as they popped into my head. Thankfully, my educators would usually be very gentle and patient as they requested, “Please listen to everything I have to say first. I will probably answer your question at some point during the lecture.” And 90% of the time, that was the case. The same is true for our heavenly Teacher. Oftentimes I rush straight into prayer with my laundry list of requests, grievances, and goals, without taking a minute to hear what God has to say to my heart. Of the 3 tips I’ll share, this is the hardest for me to achieve because I hate sitting still with my own silence. But friends, God is in

the silence. He wants to speak to us through His word and the Holy Spirit, but He won’t yell over our noise (and though he absolutely can, we probably wouldn’t like that one bit). Right now, sitting in 2 minutes of silence before the Lord is a challenge for me, and one I frequently fail. If this is you too, please join me in committing to asking God for grace and strength to sit before him in unrushed silence, before we start the LLC, or even before we start the deep work session in the coffeeshop. We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us! “I say to myself, the Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:24-26 NIV. 2. See yourself. - In general, I find it very difficult to confront my own sin. I don’t like the idea of being more self absorbed, more hypocritical, more prideful than what I present to those around me. As my pastor loves to remind us, “You can fool your friends and family. You can even fool me. But you can’t fool God.” Proverbs 21:2 tells us “a person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.” One safeguard I use to evaluate the heart behind my goals is to add a “why?” section to each one. This helps me discern if I’m doing this to be faithful to the Lord or just faithful to my own dream life. The fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) is a solid litmus test to decide whether a goal will be fruitful in the eyes of the Lord versus in the eyes of this world. Hopefully this will allow us to work smarter instead of harder as we pursue what matters most. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” - Psalms 139: 23-24 NIV. 3. Process everything in prayer. - Wouldn’t it be so nice to know what the Lord thinks of our budget for the year, or where we’re planning to move next year? I have no doubt I would sleep better knowing that God has stamped a bright green “YES” onto all the goals I’ve jotted in my planner. While many of us (myself included) have not heard the audible voice of God, we can trust that He speaks to us in His word, His people, His silence, and His Holy Spirit. When we’re seeking Him, those little “gut feelings” are anything but little. We can pray over these nudges, and when confirmed with scripture and wise counsel, I expect we will experience that special inexplicable peace we know is sourced by Him. “And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” - Ephesians 6:18 NIV Because I’m shamelessly one of those people, I choose a word of the year to meditate on and center my thoughts and vision for growth. This year, I chose the word “faithful.” In my ambitious goals for my career, health and fitness, marriage, and more, I am hoping to be faithful to all God has provided. For me, this looks like switching my view from seeking more and more to faithfully stewarding the body, the relationships, the work, the small platform, and the community in which I am already immersed. In January, I have already done this imperfectly, I know it. But “because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22 NIV). Above all of my goals this year, my overarching resolution is to ambitiously set my goals for the Lord and with the Lord. And if I hold fast to the one who establishes my steps, I have a feeling this year of goals will be my best yet. Go with God, y’all, RaveyC “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” - Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

JANUARY’S

Notes

January’s GOALS

Set your intentions and goals for the month. Intentions provide a framework for you to set priorities, use your time wisely, and align yourself with the resources you need to manifest your goals.

Strictly Financial Monthly Budget + Expense Tracker Pay Period Structure Weekly Bi-Monthly Monthly

INCOME

TITHES

RENT / MORTGAGE

UTILITIES

SAVINGS / INVESTMENTS TRANSPORTATION

CAR INSURANCE

CELL PHONE

DEBT

GROCERIES

WIFI

PERSONAL CARE

ENTERTAINMENT

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

Big Rock, Little Rocks The Big Rock is the big task that you need to take on for the week, while the Little Rocks are the smaller tasks that take less time or effort. Tackle them in any order you want, just be sure to get them done!

January 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love You: Choose a day to sleep in.

Monday | 01. 01

New Year's Day

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear... - 1 Peter 3:15

Tuesday | 01. 02

Wednesday | 01. 03

January 2024 Thursday | 01. 04

Friday | 01. 05

“It’s pretty hard for the Lord to guide you if you haven’t made up your mind which way to go.” - Madam C. J. Walker

Saturday | 01. 06

Sunday | 01. 07

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

January 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love Your People: Phone a friend.

Monday | 01. 08

"I've leaned on God for so long... but it's only now that I'm realizing how much larger and how expansive my gift becomes when I actually pay attention to it." - Ms. Lauryn Hill

Tuesday | 01. 09

Wednesday | 01. 10

January 2024 Thursday | 01. 11

Friday | 01. 12

“Peace before everything, God before anything…” - Mos Def

Saturday | 01. 13

To-do List

Sunday | 01. 14

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

January 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Protect Your Bag: Audit your bank statements.

Monday | 01. 15

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. - 2 Peter 1:5-7

Tuesday | 01. 16

Wednesday | 01. 17

January 2024 Thursday | 01. 18

Friday | 01. 19

Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. - Proverbs 3:27

Saturday | 01. 20

To-do List

Sunday | 01. 21

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

January 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Maximize Your Time: Set a time limit for your screen time.

Monday | 01. 22

Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. - Psalm 139:23-24

Tuesday | 01. 23

Wednesday | 01. 24

January 2024 Thursday | 01. 25

Friday | 01. 26

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. - Matthew 11:28-30

Saturday | 01. 27

To-do List

Sunday | 01. 28

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

January 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love You: Write an appreciation letter to your partner, child, or self.

Monday | 01. 29

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." - Mark 10:27

Tuesday | 01. 30

Wednesday | 01. 31

F E B

February 2024 Hairstyle

Sun

Mon

Tue

Presidents’ Day

I will elevate my

Wed

by committing to

Thurs

Fri

Valentine’s Day

Groundhog Day

Sat 2

EMBRACING IMAGO DEI IN AN (OFTEN) UNJUST WORLD I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. - Psalm 139:14 As I methodically plow through my nightly skin care routine, I slow down, taking inventory of my facial features. My large brown eyes. My rounded “button nose” (as my sister lovingly calls it). My wide lips. My brown, brown skin. Each feature and shade, uniquely sculpted by my creative Maker. Being Black is a blessing. Contributions from the African Diaspora have advanced our country and our world in the realms of science, technology, cuisine, art, culture, and so much more. That’s an understatement. I didn’t always feel this way as an anxious, insecure teenager, but these days, I have absolutely no doubt in my worth and esteem as a Black female in America. As I consider the plight of Black people in both the past and present, however, I cannot help but doubt if all God’s children view His amazing, melanated children as such. Caricaturization, exploitation, prejudice, and countless seizures of life threaten our very existence. Too often while watching the news, I must remind myself that it is abnormal to become desensitized to murder, and that we are not created to chronically grieve the devastating injustice of those who look like my brother, my father, my husband, my mother. There is much I don’t understand. I know I’m not owed an explanation on this side of eternity (or truly ever) from the One who made the stars and sea. But praise God for His enduring word, which sustained my ancestors with truth and comfort, even when others twisted its message for their subjugation. Praise God for His word, which has brought clarity and reassurance to what I know to be true. Here are the absolute truths I’ve mused over when I consider myself and other dark skinned children of God as made in His Image. 1. We are Imago Dei. There is a clear distinction of intent when God created all the living creatures and when God created humans. “And God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds - livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.’ And it was so. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them…And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:24-28a, 31, ESV). In this huge chunk of text, we can gather so much goodness. One, that God undoubtedly made his children, each of us, in all our unique shades and personalities, in His image. Imago Dei is Latin and translates in English to “Image of God” (Staff, 2022). The Lord in his infinite wisdom and creativity deliberately chose to bless humans with the ability to reflect characteristics of Himself. Our ability to rationalize, think creatively, possess moral, spiritual, and intellectual reasonings, our independently functioning minds, and so much more are intentional beyond what we can comprehend (Staff, 2022). As humans, we are blessed and esteemed by God as just a little below the angels (Psalms 8:5), a label not gifted to the other creatures of the world. And God knew this was a very good thing. Our diversity, then, is no accident. Despite our fallen world and its inclination for caste systems, systemic oppression, prejudice, and ranking humans through our own biases of importance, I can stand firm in my identity as a Black female, one made in the unfailing, unmistakeable, image of God. 2. Our God loves justice. God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. - Hebrews 6:10 NIV One question often asked by non-Christians and Christians alike is “If this God is so good, why does He allow _____ to happen?” And through human reasoning, I think it's an absolutely reasonable question. Specifically as it relates to the plight of Black people (the focus of this devotional, although we can discuss

endless injustices and tragedies of countless ethnic groups), it is overwhelming and bewildering to try and fathom. Honestly, I do not know. I’m not naive, overly optimistic or ignorant to the tragedy of the world. I don’t know why many of these things occur. I don’t know if we’ll see justice for all wrongs on this side of eternity. I doubt all wrongs will be made right before Jesus comes again in victory. What I do know is this - for every fear, doubt, and skepticism I have expressed, the Lord has met me compassionately with a resounding assurance that He sees me, He loves me, and He will prevail. He speaks very freely and clearly in His word about how justice is not merely suggested by him but a demand. In fact, in Hebrews 11, lovingly nicknamed the “Hall of Faith,” many of the heroes of the bible are applauded for enforcing justice. Pursuing justice is indeed an act of faith! Because we know how strongly the Lord speaks about justice, we can bet that He is grieved when His children, made in His image, fail to live justly with one another. “This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.” (Jeremiah 22:3) We can trust that God does not turn a blind eye to injustice because He loves us so much. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. - Proverbs 21:3 NIV 3. He is always fighting for us. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. - Exodus 14:14 NIV Have you ever been sleep deprived for days at a time? Could you imagine trying to complete all your routine tasks after not resting for over a week? I’m caught between a laugh and a shudder when I think about trying to function on too little sleep. Not so with our God. When it feels like nothing is happening or progress in the areas of justice is taking its sweet time, I find solace in remembering that a thousand years are like a day to Him (2 Peter 3:8), and that God does not grow weary in defending His children. Whereas much of the work in naming, defending, and educating required for racial reconciliation can leave me mentally and emotionally fatigued, the Lord never tires of working to reconcile us to Himself. He will not let your foot slip; he who watches you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. - Psalms 121: 3-4 NIV. No matter how bleak the circumstances may look, I can trust that God is working on behalf of His people, especially the ones many have written off as inferior. Ultimate justice is coming, for our good and His glory. While it was hard to witness the same civil rights leaders who marched in the 1960’s march for the same cause in 2020, I know that change is coming not because countless people have dedicated their lives to eliminating systemic injustices and establishing an equitable, compassionate society, but because our God loves justice and He will never stop pursuing His people. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory. Deuteronomy 20:4 Jesus is our perfect example of one who endured injustice, judgment, scorning, harassment, and abuse up until the day he died. “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2) He was crucified for all sins, including those of injustice. And we can rejoice knowing that He is coming again to restore everything that is broken. In the meantime, I can try my best to follow Christ’s example by pursuing justice for those the world has cast aside, and by resting soundly in my identity as a beloved, brown-skinned image bearer of God. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. - Colossians 3:10 There is much to be learned from the resilience and faithfulness of Black Christians. From the willingness to build unique, unbreakable relationships with the God of the Bible even when oppressors twisted scripture to justify their abuse, to the faithfulness of peaceful protesters to pursue justice in a Christlike way (that is, to be bold, loving, and truthful), and even to today’s growing generation of people who have decided to embrace all of their Black features instead of masking them. The creativity, compassion, love of justice, strength, patience, faithfulness, and versatility of Black people reflects just a tiny, tiny fraction of our God’s heart. And when I reflect on being wonderfully and beautifully made by the hands of such a bewilderingly beautiful Creator, I can’t help but love the skin I’m in.

Raven-Deneice Carouthers Author

FEBRUARY’S

Notes

February’s GOALS

Set your intentions and goals for the month. Intentions provide a framework for you to set priorities, use your time wisely, and align yourself with the resources you need to manifest your goals.

Strictly Financial Monthly Budget + Expense Tracker Pay Period Structure Weekly Bi-Monthly Monthly

INCOME

TITHES

RENT / MORTGAGE

UTILITIES

SAVINGS / INVESTMENTS TRANSPORTATION

CAR INSURANCE

CELL PHONE

DEBT

GROCERIES

WIFI

PERSONAL CARE

ENTERTAINMENT

February 2024 Thursday | 02. 01

Friday | 02. 02

Groundhog Day

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8

Saturday | 02. 03

To-do List

Sunday | 02. 04

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

February 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love You: Book a staycation.

Monday | 02. 05

Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession. - Psalm 2:8

Tuesday | 02. 06

Wednesday | 02. 07

February 2024 Thursday | 02. 08

Friday | 02. 09

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. - 2 Corinthians 3:17

Sunday | 02. 11

Saturday | 02. 10

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

February 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love You: Avoid negative self talk this week.

Monday | 02. 12

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. - Galatians 5:22-23

Tuesday | 02. 13

Wednesday | 02. 14

Valentine's Day

February 2024 Thursday | 02. 15

Friday | 02. 16

Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.” - John 20:29

Saturday | 02. 17

Sunday | 02. 18

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

February 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Free to Love: Show a little extra love to your barber / beautician.

Monday | 02. 19

Presidents' Day

Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope. - Psalm 119:116

Tuesday | 02. 20

Wednesday | 02. 21

February 2024 Thursday | 02. 22

Friday | 02. 23

And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19

Saturday | 02. 24

To-do List

Sunday | 02. 25

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

February 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love You: Invest in a new bra.

Monday | 02. 26

But let the righteous be glad. Let them rejoice before God. Yes, let them rejoice with gladness. - Psalm 68:3

Tuesday | 02. 27

Wednesday | 02. 28

February 2024 Thursday | 02. 29

Friday | 03. 01

"I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.” - Frederick Douglass

Saturday | 03. 02

To-do List

Sunday | 03. 03

MAR

March 2024 Hairstyle

Sun

Mon

Tue

Daylight Savings Begins

St. Patrick’s Day

Resurrection Sunday (Easter)

First Day of Spring

I will improve my

Wed

by committing to

Thurs

Fri

International Women’s Day

Sat 1

29 28

30 29

Good Friday

THE SACRIFICE OF JESUS

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so you will not grow weary and lose heart.” –Hebrews 12:1-3 NASB1995 The Hebrew word for ‘perseverance’ comes from a root word meaning “regular sacrifice.” And when it comes to sacrifice, no one has better exemplified that in the history of our world than Jesus. We know what He did, but do we really know why He did it? And how He did it? Yes, we know He loved us with an everlasting love from the foundations of the world. However, the sacrifice of Jesus was not merely an event that was planned by the Godhead, executed by Jesus, and then enjoyed by us. As this Scripture shows us, Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him. This implies strategy – it wasn’t an arbitrary plan that Jesus nonchalantly executed at the command of His Father. His ultimate sacrifice was a result of regular sacrifice. Throughout his 33 years on earth, the Son of Man regularly sacrificed: His position, power, and pleasure – when He was tempted by the devil His reputation – by visiting, eating, and conversing with tax collectors, prostitutes, ostracized women, children, and diseased human beings His godly nature – by washing the feet of sinful, dirty, ungrateful, selfish, myopic, spiritually handicapped disciples His time – by never letting His agenda supersede the need of the present moment His grief and personal feelings – by healing the sick and feeding the 5,000 all while just finding out that His cousin, John the Baptist, had been beheaded His supremacy – by allowing other people to perform miracles in His name His own will – by drinking of the cup, even though it agonized Him His perfection – because perfect people don’t die, and perfect people definitely don’t die for imperfect people The cross was a scandal, the ultimate form of disgrace in Roman culture. Crucifixion was the ultimate means used by the Romans to exact revenge on “criminals,” humiliation and torture being the chief goal in the excruciating process. Jesus was stripped bare and hung in dishonor. And there is no way that Christ could have endured the shame and pain of that sacrifice on the cross without the practice of regular sacrifice throughout His life. Practice – daily, moment-by-moment,

hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute, second-by-second sacrifice – made perfect: the perfect sacrifice that only could atone for our sins. Thus, to be a disciple of Jesus is to follow Him, including (and especially) to the point of sacrifice. To know Jesus is to know the Cross, and so to know Jesus is to know sacrifice. As such, the result is Ephesians 5:1, 2: “Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma” (emphasis mine). And as 1 Peter 2:21: “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,” (emphasis mine). Therefore, our purpose in life is not position, power, pleasure, money, happiness, success, fame, or any of the things over which we so often obsess. But our purpose is sacrifice. To pursue the sacrifice of Christ in our everyday lives. The crucifixion was not just about what Jesus did but about what we are becoming: with our minds, with our hearts, with our lips, with our hands, with our feet, with our wallets, with our careers, with our relationships, with our time, and with our talents. So, going back to the Hebrew word for perseverance that I mentioned in the beginning: it’s the word hatmada, and it means “regular sacrifice.” Regular. That means daily, consistent, disciplined, and dedicated. Embracing sacrifice as a way of life. We sacrifice our wants and pleasures for the greater good of becoming more like Christ and, as a result, drawing others to Him. We have to regularly sacrifice our time, attitudes, words, and actions to attain the goal of knowing Christ. So, perseverance isn’t about sticking it out so you can win a reward that brings you personal gratification; rather, perseverance is about Christ – being crucified with Christ so that it is no longer we who live but Christ who lives in us. The cross is a way of life – an ethos. It is a culture for sacrificially-driven, pain-absorbing, price-paying, peace-making, love-wielding, cup-drinking disciples of Christ. And that’s how Christ was able to endure the Cross, despising the shame. Accordingly, the next time you are presented with a dilemma, don’t think “do what makes you happy;” think “do what makes you sacrifice.” When I survey the wondrous cross, I am terrified. Because what I see and know demands my soul, my life, my all.

Manushka Gracia-Desgage, Esq

Gap-Toothed Scholar Blog

Twitter & IG: @nushgd

www.gaptoothedscholar.com IG: @gaptoothedscholar Email: nushgracia@gmail.com

MARCH’S

Notes

March’s GOALS

Set your intentions and goals for the month. Intentions provide a framework for you to set priorities, use your time wisely, and align yourself with the resources you need to manifest your goals.

Strictly Financial Monthly Budget + Expense Tracker Pay Period Structure Weekly Bi-Monthly Monthly

INCOME

TITHES

RENT / MORTGAGE

UTILITIES

SAVINGS / INVESTMENTS TRANSPORTATION

CAR INSURANCE

CELL PHONE

DEBT

GROCERIES

WIFI

PERSONAL CARE

ENTERTAINMENT

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

March 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Free to Grow: Update your resume.

Monday | 03. 04

“When you pray, God puts people in your life to lead you when you cannot lead yourself.” - Viola Davis

Tuesday | 03. 05

Wednesday | 03. 06

March 2024 Thursday | 03. 07

Friday | 03. 08

International Women's Day

“God is so good. Always follow your dreams, own your Purpose! Embrace God’s Anointing.” - Keke Palmer

Saturday | 03. 09

Sunday | 03. 10

Daylight Savings Begins

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

March 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Cleanse Your Space: Clean your photo album on your phone.

Monday | 03. 11

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer. - Psalm 4:1

Tuesday | 03. 12

Wednesday | 03. 13

March 2024 Thursday | 03. 14

Friday | 03. 15

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair... - 2 Corinthians 4:8

Saturday | 03. 16

Sunday | 03. 17

Saint Patrick's Day

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

March 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love Your People: Check in with someone you miss.

Monday | 03. 18

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. - Mark 11:24

Tuesday | 03. 19

First Day of Spring

Wednesday | 03. 20

March 2024 Thursday | 03. 21

Friday | 03. 22

“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me." - John 14:1

Saturday | 03. 23

To-do List

Sunday | 03. 24

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

March 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Maximize Your Time: Create a list of unfinished projects and tackle them.

Monday | 03. 25

Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory. - Ephesians 3:13

Tuesday | 03. 26

Wednesday | 03. 27

March 2024 Thursday | 03. 28

Friday | 03. 29

Good Friday

You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word. - Psalm 119:114

Saturday | 03. 30

Sunday | 03. 31

Resurrection Sunday (Easter)

To-do List

APR

April 2024 Hairstyle

Sun

Mon

Tue 1

Tax Day

First Day of Passover

I will grow my

Wed

by committing to

Thurs

Fri

Sat

29 28

30 29

MY BETRAYER IS AT HAND

“After leaving them, He went away again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. Then He came to the disciples and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the time is near. The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up; let’s go! See, My betrayer is near.’” –Matthew 26:44-46 HCSB

When I used to read the story of Jesus’ life as a child, I never read myself into the narratives, especially when reading the parts about the betrayal and arrest of Jesus. I would always cringe and scowl at the details, reflecting on my angst at why people would do such a thing to a Man who did nothing but heal and bring life. Fast forward to when I became an adult – more specifically, my mid-20’s – I started thinking about my sins, failures, regrets, and struggles. I started to think about how I have been complicit to what happened to Jesus on the cross. I realize that, historically, Jesus was betrayed by Judas. Yes. But in reality, He was betrayed by everybody. By Adam and Eve. By Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David, Solomon. By His disciples. Every single one of His disciples. By the Roman empire. By Paul. By Barnabas. By us. And… by me. I turned on Jesus, too. So, when the Scriptures say, “My betrayer is near,” we ought to insert our names there. I have to insert my name there, too. I had a dexterity for lying that makes me cower every time I think about it, and that is still very unnerving for me to talk about. When I became an adult, I especially grew adept at lying as part of my regular, daily routine. The early stages of my adult life were full of deceit and fabrication. I would lie for sport. I devised a life that did not actually exist, incorporated people into that life – people who loved and trusted me – and immersed myself so deeply into living a life that seemed devoted to God while a lot of what I was saying and doing was based on nothing but pretense. And when I decided to confess, I lost a lot of friends, deeply hurt a lot of people, and at the end of it all, I had no idea who I was. In the years after this, where I’ve had to deal with the depravity of my humanity, I had to personalize the story that led to the necessity of the gospel. I

have had to experience the guilt of conviction to appreciate the glory of conversion. The verse now became, “Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer, Manushka, is near.” The substance and gravitas of the good news of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection can only be expressed when we first come to terms with the depth of our sin, the reality of who we are without the masks and performance. We have to wrestle with the reality that, even if Judas did not betray Jesus, the people who came before and after him, have already done the job. Even if Judas did not exist, even if Pilate did not exist, even if the Roman empire did not exist, Jesus would still have had to die on the cross because of you, because of me. “Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom?... and some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9, 11 HCSB). No matter where we find ourselves on the spectrum, we all make up a part of the “unrighteous.” Paul is reminding us that, no matter our perception of our piety, each of us need to reckon with our betrayal of Jesus and, subsequently, need the blood of Jesus. And yet, every opportunity Jesus has had to return the favor, instead, He has shown grace. Grace. When Peter impulsively cut the ear of the servant of the high priest, Jesus showed grace. While Peter was denying Jesus, He looked at him and wept. Grace. As they crucified Him, He showed grace. And when He resurrected, He specified Peter (Mark 16:7), to remind him of grace. And with me, when He has had an opportunity to enact revenge, He still shows... grace. Jesus has given me an opportunity to live back in my identity as His beloved. I am no longer His betrayer. I am His beloved. I have always been, but now I am compelled to live as such. Grace is amazing, especially because it makes no sense. What part of your story reminds you that you are Jesus’ betrayer? How has Jesus transformed that story to reflect the power of the Gospel? How has He turned your guilt into glory? Allow the story of His grace to permeate your reality. My betrayal of Him is near, but His grace is nearer still.

Manushka Gracia-Desgage, Esq

Gap-Toothed Scholar Blog

Twitter & IG: @nushgd

www.gaptoothedscholar.com IG: @gaptoothedscholar Email: nushgracia@gmail.com

A P R I L’ S

Notes

April ‘s GOALS

Set your intentions and goals for the month. Intentions provide a framework for you to set priorities, use your time wisely, and align yourself with the resources you need to manifest your goals.

Strictly Financial Monthly Budget + Expense Tracker Pay Period Structure Weekly Bi-Monthly Monthly

INCOME

TITHES

RENT / MORTGAGE

UTILITIES

SAVINGS / INVESTMENTS TRANSPORTATION

CAR INSURANCE

CELL PHONE

DEBT

GROCERIES

WIFI

PERSONAL CARE

ENTERTAINMENT

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

April 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love You: Wake up early to watch the sunrise.

Monday | 04. 01

Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 5:16

Tuesday | 04. 02

Wednesday | 04. 03

April 2024 Thursday | 04. 04

Friday | 04. 05

When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble. - Proverbs 4:12

Saturday | 04. 06

Sunday | 04. 07

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

April 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Protect Your Bag: Set aside money for future travel.

Monday | 04. 08

I wait for Yahweh. My soul waits. I hope in his word. - Psalm 130:5

Tuesday | 04. 09

Wednesday | 04. 10

April 2024 Thursday | 04. 11

Friday | 04. 12

"God has always given me the strength to say what is right." - Rosa Parks

Saturday | 04. 13

Sunday | 04. 14

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

April 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love You: Schedule annual doctor's appointments.

Monday | 04. 15

Tax Day

For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with You. - Psalm 5:4

Tuesday | 04. 16

Wednesday | 04. 17

April 2024 Thursday | 04. 18

Friday | 04. 19

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. - Romans 12:9

Saturday | 04. 20

To-do List

Sunday | 04. 21

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

April 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Protect Your Bag: Review your recurring subscriptions and end any that you don’t need.

Monday | 04. 22

First Day of Passover

“Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.” - Matthew 7:7

Tuesday | 04. 23

Wednesday | 04. 24

April 2024 Thursday | 04. 25

Friday | 04. 26

But they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31

Saturday | 04. 27

To-do List

Sunday | 04. 28

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

April 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love You: Stare at yourself and say I love you.

Monday | 04. 29

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. - Mark 12:30

Tuesday | 04. 30

Wednesday | 05. 01

MA Y

May 2024 Hairstyle

Sun

Mother’s Day

Mon

Tue 1

Memorial Day

I will advance my

Wed

by committing to

Thurs

Fri

Sat

29 30

30 31

ENGAGING IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE

When Jesus said “in the world you will have tribulations” (John 16:33) it was a heads up or an alert to be aware. Thankfully, His statement didn’t end there. He went on to encourage us to be of good cheer or take heart for He has overcome the world. This means He has the blueprint for engaging in warfare. We war on two fronts, we war against the flesh that is contrary to the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:17) and we war against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). Knowing the opposition is essential to fighting a good fight and coming out on the other side still standing. If we focus on the wrong enemy, let’s say a loved one, we lose in the end. So how then do we map out a successful battle plan? The life of Jesus showed us and Paul echoed the strategy. The opposition for Jesus started right at His birth when His parents sought refuge fleeing the pursuit of the enemy. It’s hard to hear and think soberly when you’re on the frontlines. In the refuge of the Father’s protection and covering we are groomed to be the fighter we need to be when the time comes. How often are you seeking refuge in the covering of our Heavenly Father? If you’ve traded this safe space for training for a false god, you will lose every battle before you. God said to the psalmists, “If you say, ‘The Lord is my refuge,’ and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone” (Psalms 91:9-12). Jesus stared opposition in the face and didn’t shy away from the fight. After His baptism, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. There the devil worked to talk Jesus out of His purpose. How Jesus combatted the lies is a warring tactic for us, objecting the lie with the true word of God. This means we must know God’s word and hide its truths deep in our hearts. The more we spend time reading

our bible, the Holy Spirit will recall to our remembrance the promises made by our Father. Jesus spent intentional time in prayer. He sought the Father for guidance and reassurance of the purpose He was to fulfill during His time on earth. When our circumstances seek to detour us, when our flesh vies for our attention, it’s the petition of our prayers that connect us with the power of the Holy Spirit to align with the will of God (Luke 22:42). Paul echoes this in Ephesians 6, “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—” Jesus even gives us the words to pray in Matthew 6:9-15. In our deepest trouble, we shouldn’t isolate ourselves, but bring our believing friends alongside us to watch and pray (Mark 14:38). On the night He was to be betrayed, Jesus brought along 3 disciples. They were the ones He entrusted to war by His side. When you consider your friends, do you have friends who have submitted their lives before the Lord that you can trust them to pray for you? Do you have friends who look out for opposition that may be coming that you cannot yet see? When Jesus went to petition the Father, He was expecting His friends to petition the Father too. Let us be reminded that even with a spiritual and natural balance, the war is not fought in the flesh, the war is not won in the flesh. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled,” (II Corinthians 10:3-6). This is such a full proof plan that Jesus used it and Paul reiterated it.

Jenise Sexton

IG: @MrsJeniseSexton

M AY ’ S

Notes

May’s GOALS

Set your intentions and goals for the month. Intentions provide a framework for you to set priorities, use your time wisely, and align yourself with the resources you need to manifest your goals.

Strictly Financial Monthly Budget + Expense Tracker Pay Period Structure Weekly Bi-Monthly Monthly

INCOME

TITHES

RENT / MORTGAGE

UTILITIES

SAVINGS / INVESTMENTS TRANSPORTATION

CAR INSURANCE

CELL PHONE

DEBT

GROCERIES

WIFI

PERSONAL CARE

ENTERTAINMENT

May 2024 Thursday | 05. 02

Friday | 05. 03

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you. - Ephesians 4:31-32

Saturday | 05. 04

Sunday | 05. 05

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

May 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Free to Grow: Dedicate at least 1 hour a day this week to educating yourself.

Monday | 05. 06

For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. - 2 Corinthians 4:15

Tuesday | 05. 07

Wednesday | 05. 08

May 2024 Thursday | 05. 09

Friday | 05. 10

God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us. - Acts 15:8

Saturday | 05. 11

Sunday | 05. 12

Mother's Day

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

May 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Free to Create: Experiment in the kitchen this week.

Monday | 05. 13

He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God. - Romans 8:27

Tuesday | 05. 14

Wednesday | 05. 15

May 2024 Thursday | 05. 16

Friday | 05. 17

Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let such as love your salvation say continually, “Let Yahweh be exalted!” - Psalm 40:16

Saturday | 05. 18

Sunday | 05. 19

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

May 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love You: Take yourself to a really nice dinner.

Monday | 05. 20

"Allow yourself to be broken so that God can do the necessary work of knitting your identity together with His." - Zim Flores

Tuesday | 05. 21

Wednesday | 05. 22

May 2024 Thursday | 05. 23

Friday | 05. 24

“I'm going to use all my tools, my God-given ability, and make the best life I can with it.” - LeBron James

Saturday | 05. 25

Sunday | 05. 26

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

May 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Express Your Gratitude: Do a random act of kindness this week.

Monday | 05. 27

Memorial Day

Let your loving kindness be on us, Yahweh, since we have hoped in you. -Psalm 33:22

Tuesday | 05. 28

Wednesday | 05. 29

May 2024 Thursday | 05. 30

Friday | 05. 31

"You have to aspire to something so great that you have to have God’s help.” - Steve Harvey

Sunday | 06. 02

Saturday | 06. 01

To-do List

J UN

June 2024 Hairstyle

Sun

Father’s Day

Mon

Tue 1

I will expand my

Wed

Juneteenth

by committing to

Thurs

Fri

Sat

29 27

First Day of Summer

DELIVERANCE TO DOMINION

In the garden, God created us in His image (Genesis 2:16-17). Resembling the image of God granted us dominion bestowed upon us by the Creator of it all. But with the fall of man, we were robbed of this role, this birth-right. It was replaced with a life plagued with sin and a constant yearning for power which seems to remain just out of reach. Yet, the Father, who knew our ending from our beginning, set a plan in motion to return to us what was rightfully ours. He sent His Son, Jesus, to fulfill the law that was established to keep us as close enough to righteousness and holiness; that when dominion was restored we would be in position to walk in it. Jesus, our Savior, who was nailed to the cross with our sins, brought our deliverance and He sent the Holy Ghost for us to move past deliverance and into dominion. The story of Moses gives a natural example of what the results of us walking out the work of Jesus should look like. At the burning bush, Moses was coined as the one God chose to bring about deliverance (Exodus 3:2). Moses challenged the law of the land and petitioned Pharaoh to acknowledge the word of the Lord (Exodus 8:1). Opposition came not only from Pharaoh but from the people Moses sought to free (Numbers 12:1-3, Numbers 14:1-4). Yet, Moses being a humble man remained so faithful that he was able to bear witness to the form of God (Numbers 12:8) and led the people of God towards the Promised Land until his death. And his death was not the end of the journey for the children of God who had been delivered from the chains of slavery. No, they were expected to take possession of the land. Strong’s definition of the use of possession in this context includes to inherit, a term that can also be defined by receiving from a previous owner. As promised by the Creator, who once gave mankind the land, passing back the land for ownership once more. You see in the original bestowing of dominion over the earth God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.” (Genesis1:29) In the promised land, God was returning to His people a proportionate size of blessing, hence the lavishness of milk and honey. And although possession of the land came under Joshua’s lead (Joshua 7-9), dominion was not fully restored because the people, including Joshua, failed to consult God for guidance on full possession (Joshua 9:14-15). This same story has played out in our spiritual lives. Jesus came to restore the kingdom of heaven here on earth. He was chosen by God to lead His people out

of slavery to sin (Romans 6:5-11) and slavery to the law (Romans 6:14). He was chosen, publicly acknowledged by God and guided by His Holy Spirit to lead the people of Israel. And He was even counted greater or higher than Moses. In Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, He not only washed our sins and made atonement once and for all, but in the resurrection and ascension, He sent the one who guided Him while He walked the earth. Jesus tells us in John 14:26, “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” He goes on to say in John 16:13, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” What does this mean for us? This means, when we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we were saved to live a life of deliverance, free of bondage. Not only that, we have an Advocate who was promised to us to lead and guide us. To tell us what He has heard the Father say to and for us. All of that is Good News! And yet far too many Christians find themselves yearning for the days and times of “Egypt.” They live still tied to sin or to the law working on deliverance. They deny the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. “Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,’ and ‘A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.’ They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed” (1 Peter 2:7-8). If we are with Christ, we are now called children of God, He goes before us in rule. “And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:5-6). Having been made rulers under God’s dominion means we have access to the things He has access to. Imagine a life where we live as though we have been loved by the greatest lover who ever lived, a life washed of the sins that work to keep us bound and a life filled with the voice of God through His Holy Spirit. Talk about on earth as it is in heaven! This is what God desires for His children. To restore the birthright of dominion to us. And it is available to us. Are we going to be fearful of the giants before us or constantly remember that nothing is greater than our God?

Jenise Sexton

IG: @MrsJeniseSexton

J U N E’S

Notes

June’s GOALS

Set your intentions and goals for the month. Intentions provide a framework for you to set priorities, use your time wisely, and align yourself with the resources you need to manifest your goals.

Strictly Financial Monthly Budget + Expense Tracker Pay Period Structure Weekly Bi-Monthly Monthly

INCOME

TITHES

RENT / MORTGAGE

UTILITIES

SAVINGS / INVESTMENTS TRANSPORTATION

CAR INSURANCE

CELL PHONE

DEBT

GROCERIES

WIFI

PERSONAL CARE

ENTERTAINMENT

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

June 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love Your People: Plan a fun date night!

Monday | 06. 03

“Every day I feel is a blessing from God. And I consider it a new beginning. Yeah, everything is beautiful.” - Prince

Tuesday | 06. 04

Wednesday | 06. 05

June 2024 Thursday | 06. 06

Friday | 06. 07

“You can’t get around pain and opposition, but you can try to be joyful in the trial, and thank yourself for the trial, and thank God for the strength to get through it.” - Mary J. Blige

Saturday | 06. 08

Sunday | 06. 09

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

June 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Protect Your Bag: Make an extra payment towards debt.

Monday | 06. 10

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in thy sight, O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer. - Psalm 19:14

Tuesday | 06. 11

Wednesday | 06. 12

June 2024 Thursday | 06. 13

Friday | 06. 14

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. - Romans 8:28

Saturday | 06. 15

Sunday | 06. 16

Father’s Day

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

June 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love You: Change your toothbrush.

Monday | 06. 17

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. - James 4:7

Tuesday | 06. 18

Wednesday | 06. 19

Juneteenth

June 2024 Thursday | 06. 20

First Day of Summer

Friday | 06. 21

Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient. - Matthew 6:34

Saturday | 06. 22

To-do List

Sunday | 06. 23

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

June 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Free to Love: Schedule community service.

Monday | 06. 24

“If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” - Mark 9:23

Tuesday | 06. 25

Wednesday | 06. 26

June 2024 Thursday | 06. 27

Friday | 06. 28

This is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he commanded. - 1 John 3:23

Saturday | 06. 29

Sunday | 06. 30

To-do List

J UL

July 2024 Hairstyle

Sun

Mon

Tue 1

I will protect my

Wed

by committing to

Thurs

Independence Day

Fri

Sat

29 27

CHRISTLIKE EMOTIONS

If you were given two buckets labeled godly or ungodly, in which bucket would you put each emotion? Love Misunderstanding Frustration Compassion Sorrow or Sadness Anger Tiredness Disappointment Troubledness What if you knew that Jesus experienced each of these emotions? Would it affect the bucket in which you placed each emotion? The Bible says “For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). This means, every emotion we feel, Jesus experienced them also. We don’t have to be ashamed of the emotions we are feeling. We don’t have to suppress them because Jesus Himself knows exactly what it’s like. He sympathizes with us. He does not condemn us for how we feel. Jesus, the One without sin, felt every emotion and yet did not sin. The Greek word for sin in this scripture is hamartia, that is to miss the mark or to wander from or violate God’s law. The Word tells us that Jesus didn’t come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). So you see, the emotions we feel cannot be ungodly because Jesus was never ungodly. Even the deep, strong emotions we feel, Our Savior endured. The shift comes in our response to the emotions. Jesus experienced them all but did not sin. And these instances serve as an example of how we can fully feel our emotions in a godly manner. There are some emotions for which we may find easier to refrain from sinning when we experience them. We aren’t normally responding with sin when we’re happy, loving, or showing compassion. It’s when we’re disappointed, or angry, or frustrated that sin is knocking louder at our door. Even still God gives us a way out. “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (1 Corinthians 10:13). What is the way out? The One who is the Way, the Truth, the Life. The One who like the bronze snake in the time of Moses was lifted up. The One who bore the consequences of our sins when He gave His life on the Cross for us. If we are to be Christlike, we must examine how He endured the emotions and still exhibited holiness and righteousness. Hebrews 2:18 says, “Since He Himself has gone through suffering and temptation, He is able to help us when we are being tempted.” In response to the merchants desecrating the house of God, Jesus responds by clearing out the temple in John 2:13-17. This may be characterized with anger. To a fig tree that was doing

what it was created to do, not producing fruit out of season, Jesus showed disappointment (Mark 11:12-13). And in Matthew 26: 38-46, Jesus is deeply grieved. These are just a few instances of emotions Jesus displayed. In each example, when examined, we see His response glorified God. But how can we respond in a similar manner when faced with these emotions? Through the power of the Holy Spirit. To combat sin while fully feeling our emotions, we must first believe the Spirit of the Living God lives in us. Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him” (John 14:23). This is a promise from Jesus. One that shows the Father, who is never separate from His Spirit, and Jesus will make a home with us. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you in all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I have said to you” (John 14:26). After Jesus ascended into Heaven, the Father sent the Holy Spirit to live with us. “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13). Even if we lack faith in the Holy Spirit living with us, Jesus said if we ask the Father, He will give us the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus did in Matthew 4:4-10, we can yield the truths in the Word of God to combat sin when emotions run deep. Taking time to identify the triggers that bring about different emotions is an essential part to combating sin. Emotions are natural and our triggers are often our brain’s natural response to a situation. We must pause to find out what the Word of God says about each emotion and trigger. And then speak the truth of God’s Word over that emotion and trigger. Finally, we must access the POWER of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Exodus 31:3 says, “I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts.” Acts 1:8 says, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.” 2 Peter 1:20-21 instructs that, “Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.” Acts 4:31 says, “After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.” The power given to us by the Holy Spirit is undeniable. His assistance in helping us live a Christlike life while demonstrating healthy emotional literacy is available to us all. We cannot will ourselves to manage our emotions apart from the power of God. We cannot manifest a better attitude or outlook. We cannot overcome our triggers in our own strength. We cannot fake it until we make it. But what we can do is walk in the power that was freely given to us and is always available to us through the Holy Spirit.

Jenise Sexton

IG: @MrsJeniseSexton

J U LY ’ S

Notes

July’s GOALS

Set your intentions and goals for the month. Intentions provide a framework for you to set priorities, use your time wisely, and align yourself with the resources you need to manifest your goals.

Strictly Financial Monthly Budget + Expense Tracker Pay Period Structure Weekly Bi-Monthly Monthly

INCOME

TITHES

RENT / MORTGAGE

UTILITIES

SAVINGS / INVESTMENTS TRANSPORTATION

CAR INSURANCE

CELL PHONE

DEBT

GROCERIES

WIFI

PERSONAL CARE

ENTERTAINMENT

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

July 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Cleanse Your Space: Clean your makeup brushes.

Monday | 07. 01

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in Yahweh. - Psalm 31:24

Tuesday | 07. 02

Wednesday | 07. 03

July 2024 Thursday | 07. 04

Independence Day

Friday | 07. 05

“God, make me so uncomfortable that I will do the very thing I fear.” - Ruby Dee

Saturday | 07. 06

Sunday | 07. 07

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

July 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love You: Reserve at least 4 hours to do nothing.

Monday | 07. 08

Rejoice in Yahweh, you righteous! Praise is fitting for the upright. - Psalm 33:1

Tuesday | 07. 09

Wednesday | 07. 10

July 2024 Thursday | 07. 11

Friday | 07. 12

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39

Saturday | 07. 13

To-do List

Sunday | 07. 14

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

July 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Express Your Gratitude: Make a gratitude list today.

Monday | 07. 15

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God. - Matthew 5:9

Tuesday | 07. 16

Wednesday | 07. 17

July 2024 Thursday | 07. 18

Friday | 07. 19

Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance... - Romans 5:1-3

Saturday | 07. 20

To-do List

Sunday | 07. 21

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

July 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Free to Create: Take on a creative project.

Monday | 07. 22

I will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness, for you have seen my affliction. You have known my soul in adversities. - Psalm 31:7

Tuesday | 07. 23

Wednesday | 07. 24

July 2024 Thursday | 07. 25

Friday | 07. 26

For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says. - Mark 11:23

Saturday | 07. 27

To-do List

Sunday | 07. 28

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

July 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love Your People: Plan family time.

Monday | 07. 29

For you have been my help. I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings. - Psalm 63:7

Tuesday | 07. 30

Wednesday | 07. 31

AU G

August 2024 Hairstyle

Sun

Mon

Tue 1

I will enhance my

Wed

by committing to

Thurs

Fri

Sat

THRIVING IN COMPASSION

Tug of War is one of my favorite games that not only tests our physical strength but our ability to work together as a team. The high-energy shouts of “pull!” and “lean!” from the crowd are also a fun plus. Imagine those heels digging into the ground, bodies leaning so far back they’re nearly horizontal, and the rope burns that seem to be in everyone’s near future. And have you played the game Tug of War in the mud?! Sis, that adds a completely new (and very messy) element to the game. Whether mud or no mud, rope burn or no rope burn, Tug of War is a classic game that can be fun for all. Honestly, our relationships can sometimes mirror the game of tug of war, especially when in times of conflict. Think of conflict as the rope. We pick it up, choose our side, dig our heels in, lean our bodies, and pull as hard as we can to “win.” Our “teammates” are the list of reasons why our opinion in the conflict matters most, and they are all lined up behind us pulling. Maybe we pull so hard that we get rope burn or the other team falls flat on their faces. The tough part about this kind of Tug of War is that if we fail to play fairly, it can leave behind a pain that is far greater, deeper, and longer lasting than we could ever have imagined. Now think about what would happen if when conflict arose, we took a moment and paused instead of pulling our ends of the rope to “win.” What if we acknowledged the other person’s “teammates” and sympathized with what was driving them to pull? What if we created a space where they could even share the names of their “teammates” and how they got there? What if, even if we do not agree, we put ourselves in their shoes? What if we paid less attention to pulling the rope so that we could win, and more attention to the human being in front of us? That is compassion. Before we keep going, I want to note for us what compassion is not. Compassion does NOT mean we do not speak up for ourselves when someone has wronged us. Compassion does NOT mean we allow a person to repeatedly harm us physically, mentally, or emotionally. Compassion does NOT mean our feelings are unimportant or invalidated. Compassion does NOT mean conflicts will not occur. Ya with me, sis? Okay, let’s continue. Remember that “hurt people, hurt people.” If we can be honest, when someone does the unthinkable to us compassion is probably the last thing on our minds. However, when we take our eyes off the circumstance and onto the person, we may be able to see their brokenness staring back at us. As we grow in God, compassion helps us to understand how someone’s actions towards us may be a result of their own trauma, hurts, and pains that still need to be touched by the hand

of God. While this example focuses on conflicts, compassion should be our driving force in loving one another at all times. That is what helps our relationships thrive as we follow what Jesus tells us in John 13:34 (NIV), “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Now can we talk about what compassion is, sis? Compassion helps us exude the love of God. It helps to soften our hearts towards others when it wants to remain hard. It helps us extend grace and mercy where we otherwise would not. It is having understanding without judgment. It can save lives. It can heal and restore in places we thought would never be fixed. While we may not realize it, compassion is the precursor to forgiveness. It can foster deeper connections with others in ways unimaginable. Those who experience it can feel a little bit of heaven on earth. Compassion can look like dropping your side of the rope, standing behind the other person, and pulling with them as they fight their demons on the other side. Compassion is seeing someone else in their humanity and loving them despite their flaws because you know that we all fall short of the glory of God. Pray It Out, Sis God, I thank You for being compassionate toward me. I pray for my friends, family, co-workers, church members, and other people in my life to extend compassion and grace to me. I am not perfect, and I acknowledge that neither are they. Because I wish for them to treat me this way, I choose to give the same compassion towards them. As Your daughter and one of Your chosen people, I choose to clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. I admit that I am not always compassionate towards others, especially those who have hurt me. I choose to forgive those people who have hurt me, just as You have forgiven me. Help me to extend compassion towards [name of person(s)] and forgiveness towards [name of person(s)]. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Jazmin Mullen,

Website: www.uniteforchrist.com

Founder | Unite for Christ

IG: @jazminspeakstruth

AUGUST’S

Notes

August ’s GOALS

Set your intentions and goals for the month. Intentions provide a framework for you to set priorities, use your time wisely, and align yourself with the resources you need to manifest your goals.

Strictly Financial Monthly Budget + Expense Tracker Pay Period Structure Weekly Bi-Monthly Monthly

INCOME

TITHES

RENT / MORTGAGE

UTILITIES

SAVINGS / INVESTMENTS TRANSPORTATION

CAR INSURANCE

CELL PHONE

DEBT

GROCERIES

WIFI

PERSONAL CARE

ENTERTAINMENT

August 2024 Thursday | 08. 01

Friday | 08. 02

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. - 2 Corinthians 2:14

Saturday | 08. 03

To-do List

Sunday | 08. 04

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

August 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Free to Roam: Register for a class (hobby, exercise, side-hustle).

Monday | 08. 05

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path. - Psalm 119:105

Tuesday | 08. 06

Wednesday | 08. 07

August 2024 Thursday | 08. 08

Friday | 08. 09

What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit and produces, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty. - Matthew 13:23

Saturday | 08. 10

Sunday | 08. 11

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

August 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love You: Try a new form of exercise.

Monday | 08. 12

For sin will not have dominion over you. For you are not under law, but under grace. - Romans 6:14

Tuesday | 08. 13

Wednesday | 08. 14

August 2024 Thursday | 08. 15

Friday | 08. 16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. - Colossians 3:16

Saturday | 08. 17

Sunday | 08. 18

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

August 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love Yours: Add fresh flowers to your space this week.

Monday | 08. 19

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. Whoever loves the Father also loves the child who is born of him. - 1 John 5:1

Tuesday | 08. 20

Wednesday | 08. 21

August 2024 Thursday | 08. 22

Friday | 08. 23

He healeth the broken in heart, And bindeth up their wounds. - Psalms 147:3

Saturday | 08. 24

To-do List

Sunday | 08. 25

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

August 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Protect Your Bag: Check your credit score.

Monday | 08. 26

The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, by understanding He established the heavens. - Proverbs 3:19

Tuesday | 08. 27

Wednesday | 08. 28

August 2024 Thursday | 08. 29

Friday | 08. 30

And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. - Mark 12:33

Saturday | 08. 31

Sunday | 09. 01

To-do List

S E P

September 2024 Hairstyle

Sun

Mon

First Day of Autumn

Labor Day

Tue 2

I will cultivate my

Wed

by committing to

Thurs

Fri

Sat

29 27

SURRENDERING IN STEWARDSHIP

Can we be honest, sis? Stewardship is not a concept we are often taught about growing up. I am not sure about you, but I have personally struggled and seen so many people struggle with biblical stewardship because of it. Something that helped me better understand stewardship was thinking about copyright laws. These laws protect a person's proprietary information and ensure that they have complete control over their work or ideas. The person or organization can also grant temporary use rights of their work to others. When granting those use rights, the original owner typically gives specific instructions on how their work can be used. Think of our favorite musical artists – when they use samples from another artist’s song, they need permission first. They are only allowed to use the sample length they pay for, and they are legally obligated to use the sample solely in the manner they have been given permission. Imagine that stewardship operates in the same way. Psalm 24:1 (NIV) says “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” God created this world and everything in it is His! A major part of stewardship takes us remembering and living by this truth. Whether it be tangible items like people, resources, and money or intangible things like time – God has His fingerprints on it all. When we keep this truth in mind, we can learn to surrender what we have to the Lord, which is a key component of stewardship. Surrender looks like recognizing we aren’t the original creator of people, time, money, our gifts, and so forth. God owns those copyrights. Jesus mediated a contract that gave us use rights for God’s creations, and thankfully, these rights don’t have an expiration date! God’s Word and other methods of communication (Holy Spirit, dreams, prayer, etc.) give us instructions on how we are to use what He has created. Surrender also looks like us willingly exchanging how we want to interact with these things for how God wants us to interact with them. Surrender may start with asking the questions: What has God placed in my hands? How do I interact with this thing? How does God desire for me to interact with this thing? Now let us look at an example of how we would answer these questions using the idea of time. God controls time, but we control how we interact with it. Our management of time has been placed in our hands. To answer the second

question, we may interact with time by spending most of it watching Netflix, with friends, working, creating, and the like. Lastly, as we study scripture we may discover that some ways God wants us to spend our time are resting, serving, and hanging with Him. We can begin seeing how well we are stewarding a thing by examining how our answers to the three questions above align. For some of us, surrender involves intentionally aligning what He wants with how we live. For others, we are already aligned but may need to adjust our quantity or frequency of engagement. As an example of the latter adjustment, think about time again. We may spend our time hanging out with friends, watching Netflix, working, etc. and nothing is wrong with that. They are all in alignment with God’s desires for us to be in community, rest, and use our gifts. However, too much or too little of any of these things is what can throw us off as we steward our time. I want you to remember that no matter where you are on your surrender and stewardship journey, this is a process, sis! It doesn't involve our outward behaviors changing first, but our hearts shifting first. As a result, our actions and interactions with what God has given us will then change. Be patient, kind, and loving with yourself on this journey! Pray It Out, Sis Every good and perfect gift comes from you, God! Thank You for the gifts You have given me to serve others. Thank You for the finances, relationships, shelter, food, and time that You have made me a steward of. I also thank You for [get personal about what God has placed in your hands to steward]. Everything in the world is Yours, and You did not have to give me what You have! You have given Your word to teach, reprove, correct, and train me in how to steward Your way. Holy Spirit, speak to me about anything that I have not been stewarding well in my life. I will not quench You. Lord, You have never forsaken those who seek You. Help me to surrender how I want to steward and exchange it for what Your word says about this thing. Specifically, please help me to steward [anything you’re struggling to steward well] according to Your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Jazmin Mullen,

Website: www.uniteforchrist.com

Founder | Unite for Christ

IG: @jazminspeakstruth

SEPTEMBER’S

Notes

September’s GOALS

Set your intentions and goals for the month. Intentions provide a framework for you to set priorities, use your time wisely, and align yourself with the resources you need to manifest your goals.

Strictly Financial Monthly Budget + Expense Tracker Pay Period Structure Weekly Bi-Monthly Monthly

INCOME

TITHES

RENT / MORTGAGE

UTILITIES

SAVINGS / INVESTMENTS TRANSPORTATION

CAR INSURANCE

CELL PHONE

DEBT

GROCERIES

WIFI

PERSONAL CARE

ENTERTAINMENT

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

September 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love You: Repeat your Book’d affirmations.

Monday | 09. 02

Labor Day

Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness. - Psalm 103:8

Tuesday | 09. 03

Wednesday | 09. 04

September 2024 Thursday | 09. 05

Friday | 09. 06

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. - Matthew 24:35

Saturday | 09. 07

To-do List

Sunday | 09. 08

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

September 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Free to Love: Make someone smile this week.

Monday | 09. 09

And the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. - Romans 16:20

Tuesday | 09. 10

Wednesday | 09. 11

September 2024 Thursday | 09. 12

Friday | 09. 13

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Saturday | 09. 14

Sunday | 09. 15

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

September 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Cleanse Your Space: Clean out your refrigerator.

Monday | 09. 16

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:7

Tuesday | 09. 17

Wednesday | 09. 18

September 2024 Thursday | 09. 19

Friday | 09. 20

Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices. My body shall also dwell in safety. - Psalm 16:9

Saturday | 09. 21

Sunday | 09. 22

First Day of Autumn

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

September 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love You: Treat yourself.

Monday | 09. 23

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:2

Tuesday | 09. 24

Wednesday | 09. 25

September 2024 Thursday | 09. 26

Friday | 09. 27

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! Amen. - Romans 16:24

Saturday | 09. 28

To-do List

Sunday | 09. 29

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

September 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love You: Book a facial appointment.

Monday | 09. 30

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Matthew 6:21

Tuesday | 10. 01

Wednesday | 10. 02

OCT

October 2024 Hairstyle

Sun

Mon

Tue

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

I will renew my

Wed

by committing to

Thurs

Fri

Sat

29 31

Halloween

THE GOD OF JACOB

Matthew 7:13-14 (MSG) reads, “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life-to God!-is vigorous and requires total attention.” Let’s look at this shortcut to success story about Jacob and Esau. Jacob stole his twin brother Esau’s birthright blessing by pretending to be him. Most would agree that his actions were neither just nor benevolent but Jacob, encouraged by his mother’s assistance, clearly was not interested in being fair or kind to his brother in this matter. This actually wasn’t Jacob’s first attempt at securing success. In Genesis 25:24-34, Jacob, looking to ensure his well being early on, offered a bowl of stew to his brother in exchange for his birthright blessing. Esau was famished at the time and made the deal. Esau didn’t place much value in the blessing but Jacob believed there was something great to be gained and he had no intention of missing out solely because he came out the womb second! Have you ever experienced that in real life; seeing someone come in second that felt like the first place prize should have been theirs? In order to right the perceived wrong, they did what they needed to do to achieve their desired outcome. Well, Jacob received his desired outcome. In Genesis 27:6-30, he was successful, again with the help of his mother he received the blessing through deception; but what happened next probably didn’t feel like much of a blessing. This same thing can happen in our lives. We can be successful in achieving something, but when we go about accomplishing it in the “wrong” way a sweet victory can turn bittersweet really fast when we do things our way rather than God’s way. It didn’t take long for Jacob to realize that he did not have a well thought out plan because once he did what he did: he knew he had to hit the road or face Esau’s wrath. He ran off and found refuge and a new home, in a strange land, far away with a distant relative named Laban. Jacob worked for Laban many years and as time passed, Jacob experienced numerous injustices along the way. I believe Jacob was convicted by his past decisions and behavior and accepted the unfair treatment he received as an inevitable consequence. Meanwhile, he learned how to accept correction and walk in obedience to God. His conviction didn’t cause him to lose hope, patience, or his temper during his trials and override a Godly decision like he had in his youth. Instead, he learned valuable lessons about how to deal with someone who cheats and lies their way to greater success. It looked a lot like karma, but by allowing God to remedy the problems he faced, he developed in faith, integrity, and character; three traits which were underdeveloped back in the day when he pretended to be Esau. Jacob began his journey away from his family with a vow and a prayer: “And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God” (Genesis 28:20-22). As a result, he went to the new

land owning nothing but left with much success, including a family, great wealth, and God’s eternal protection all because he did it God’s way this time (Genesis 31:3- 29). God’s correction was firm but his love was steadfast. Jacob saw how God administers love, forgiveness, guidance, and success that no man can compete with. Our success is in our ability to rest in Him. As we rest, God uses our mistakes and poor judgment of character as teachable moments for our spiritual maturity and development. In unrest, we delay our progress as we continue to look for shortcuts rather than learn the lessons God has for us. God can turn any story into a success story. We don’t have to trick, sneak, or lie to get by because God will take care of us. All we have to do is rest in His Word. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8). This is what happened with Jacob. He was in close relationship with God’s Word (law) and changed his behavior to align with it and was able to experience spiritual, relational, and financial success. And let’s not overlook Esau's success. Esau’s blessing was supposedly “stolen” by Jacob and he was indeed broken at the time (Genesis 27). Scripture does not share the details of Esau’s life but it appears that he forgave Jacob (perhaps for his own good) and went about his business and still lived a blessed life because when Jacob and Esau met up years later, Esau had prospered just as much as Jacob and was indeed overjoyed to see him. “And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.” (Genesis 33:4) Jacob had imagined that Esau was still angered by his deception and was prepared to gift Esau generously as an apology for his past behavior. Again, Esau showed no bitterness or animosity when offered the gifts he replied, “you don't have to give me gifts, brother; I have enough for myself.” Jacob begged him to accept the gifts because he wanted to make things right and let him know that he too had enough, so Esau accepted the gifts out of respect, not out of lack and wanting to be “paid back” (Genesis 33:9 -11). Now who wouldn’t want the God of Jacob on their side? God can restore you from any loss or breach of contract. God will give you a detailed strategic plan of action that will bring you multiple successes. Learn from Jacob and always remember your SUCCESS IN HIS REST! Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God (Psalm 146:5).

Coach Bonnie,

Website: www.therestcomplex.com

The REST Complex

IG: @Coachbonnieattherestcomplex Facebook: The REST Complex

OCTOBER’S

Notes

October’s GOALS

Set your intentions and goals for the month. Intentions provide a framework for you to set priorities, use your time wisely, and align yourself with the resources you need to manifest your goals.

Strictly Financial Monthly Budget + Expense Tracker Pay Period Structure Weekly Bi-Monthly Monthly

INCOME

TITHES

RENT / MORTGAGE

UTILITIES

SAVINGS / INVESTMENTS TRANSPORTATION

CAR INSURANCE

CELL PHONE

DEBT

GROCERIES

WIFI

PERSONAL CARE

ENTERTAINMENT

October 2024 Thursday | 10. 03

Friday | 10. 04

O Jehovah my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. - Psalm 30:2

Saturday | 10. 05

Sunday | 10. 06

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

October 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Protect Your Bag: Spend less money than you did last week.

Monday | 10. 07

"There’s always something to smile about when you’re walking in purpose." - Johnetta Boone

Tuesday | 10. 08

Wednesday | 10. 09

October 2024 Thursday | 10. 10

Friday | 10. 11

For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. - Ephesians 6:12

Saturday | 10. 12

Sunday | 10. 13

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

October 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Free to Love: Pray for the world.

Monday | 10. 14

Indigenous Peoples' Day

In the multitude of my thoughts within me, your comforts delight my soul. - Psalm 94:19

Tuesday | 10. 15

Wednesday | 10. 16

October 2024 Thursday | 10. 17

Friday | 10. 18

I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the Good News of Christ. - Romans 15:29

Saturday | 10. 19

Sunday | 10. 20

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

October 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love You: Stretch for 15 minutes every day this week.

Monday | 10. 21

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. - Matthew 5:8

Tuesday | 10. 22

Wednesday | 10. 23

October 2024 Thursday | 10. 24

Friday | 10. 25

“Ask God for forgiveness, and leave your regrets in the past.” - Rihanna

Saturday | 10. 26

Sunday | 10. 27

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

October 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love Yours: Take on a home improvement project.

Monday | 10. 28

I will call upon Jehovah, who is worthy to be praised: So shall I be saved from mine enemies. - Psalm 18:3

Tuesday | 10. 29

Wednesday | 10. 30

October 2024 Thursday | 10. 31

Halloween

Friday | 11. 01

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. - Proverbs 18:13

Saturday | 11. 02

Sunday | 11. 03

Daylight Savings Ends

To-do List

N OV

November 2024 Hairstyle

Sun

Daylight Savings Ends

Mon

Tue

Veterans Day

Election Day

I will build my

by committing to

Wed

Thurs

Fri

Sat

29 28

Thanksgiving Day

EVERYTHING IS EVERYTHING

Grace and peace. Have you ever heard yourself say, I do everything around here? Granted, we as women in the home, workplace, and community do accomplish plenty, but are we ever really doing everything? I laugh because I know I have said this and then I heard in my spirit, “everything?” Have you ever heard that God has a sense of humor? I believe He does. Let’s look at everything. It’s an all-inclusive word. A total aggregate. Complete. Definite. These words come to mind when I think of ‘everything’ and when I see it from these definitions I realize I fall way short in doing “everything” in any area of my life. Even in giving thanks for everything, I miss the mark; “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and because I think scripture, only One comes to mind when I think of who can communicate that word with truthfulness and authority. Let me share what the Word says about ‘everything’ (I will use ‘everything’ and ‘all’ interchangeably, as they are synonyms). Get ready because it gets exciting thinking about the vastness of God’s infinite power and love, and how so much of it is directed toward us and our wellbeing. His loving kindness and care boggles our minds and so we wonder, “Lord, ‘What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?’” Or “Why are people so important to you? Why do you even think about them? Why do you care so much about humans? Why do you even notice them?” Psalm 8:4 (KJV/ERV) Firstly, He made every creeping thing on the earth and then He created male and female and gave us dominion over every living thing that moveth on the earth (Genesis 1:25-28) and God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good (Genesis 1:31). This includes you and I. Intrinsically, we are good. An amplified version describes, very good as meaning suitable, pleasant and He approved it completely (AMPC). You and I are part of this very good “everything.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 reads that He hath made everything beautiful in His time. This is written in past tense, meaning that it is already done. As a revelation, I understand this to mean that everything we want, need, and desire, He has already been made beautiful. “And on the seventh day God ended his work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all his work which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all his work which God created and made” (Genesis 2:2-3). This includes our home life, family life, careers, health, and wealth life. He has done the work and now we have to get the vision to see all things as beautiful. We have to see things the way God sees them. He sees everything He has made as being very good and beautiful. Let us consider Adam in his responsibility to name the creatures of the earth. God brought every living creature before Adam to be named “and whatsoever Adam called every

living creature, that was the name thereof” (Genesis 2:19). When we consider the names of the animals on the earth we can assess that Adam named them based on their most beautiful, interesting, and unique attributes and characteristics. He didn’t look at anything and call it hideous, ridiculous, ugly, or weird. If we had been given this task, would we have considered their unattractive and unappealing traits or their positive qualities? Adam meticulously looked at each creature on an individual basis and saw the very good in them all. We can learn something about viewpoint and perspective here and learn to look at ourselves and our circumstances in a more loving and constructive manner. After all, we are one of the very good things that God made but we tend to scrutinize and criticize ourselves and others so often that we become blind to the goodness within. It is true that we have some inner work to do with our attitudes and behaviors, but God doesn’t see us as those, instead He offers correction, forgiveness and salvation which is given on the basis of love. And even in our mishaps and falling short, we can claim this truth “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” Hear that with an emphasis on “all.” Don your rose colored glasses and see things working out. The Book of Job gives testimony of this and details an up close and very personal experience Job has with God. In it he shares with us that the soul of every living thing and the breath of all mankind is in His hand (Job 12:10) and “I know that thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be withholden from thee” (Job 42:2). Job learned firsthand the expansiveness of God’s might and power and saw how devastating conditions turned to work for his good. The psalmist in (Psalm 145:16) testifies to it too, “He satisfies the desire of every living thing.” I think now, the distinction is clear between when we say everything and when scripture says everything. God has it all covered. He’s really the only one looking out for everything and everyone. We can definitely shout about this! “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6). He’s talking to us right there, but still gives us the choice. We can live stress and worry free. We can surrender it all. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). We can get our prayers answered. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6). You can see now that God has everything covered and under control. There are no cracks, gaps, or lapse in coverage. Read this again, then let go, let God, and REST… Release Everything to the Savior Today!

Coach Bonnie,

Website: www.therestcomplex.com

The REST Complex

IG: @Coachbonnieattherestcomplex Facebook: The REST Complex

NOVEMBER’S

Notes

November’s GOALS

Set your intentions and goals for the month. Intentions provide a framework for you to set priorities, use your time wisely, and align yourself with the resources you need to manifest your goals.

Strictly Financial Monthly Budget + Expense Tracker Pay Period Structure Weekly Bi-Monthly Monthly

INCOME

TITHES

RENT / MORTGAGE

UTILITIES

SAVINGS / INVESTMENTS TRANSPORTATION

CAR INSURANCE

CELL PHONE

DEBT

GROCERIES

WIFI

PERSONAL CARE

ENTERTAINMENT

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

November 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love You: Unplug. Turn off your phone, computer, TV, and everything else so that you can simply be alone with your thoughts.

Monday | 11. 04

See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they? - Matthew 6:26

Tuesday | 11. 05

Election Day

Wednesday | 11. 06

November 2024 Thursday | 11. 07

Friday | 11. 08

For I say through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith. - Romans 12:3

Saturday | 11. 09

Sunday | 11. 10

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

November 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Free to Roam: Plan a mid-week adventure.

Monday | 11. 11

Veterans Day

So you shall know wisdom to be to your soul. If you have found it, then there will be a reward: Your hope will not be cut off. - Proverbs 24:14

Tuesday | 11. 12

Wednesday | 11. 13

November 2024 Thursday | 11. 14

Friday | 11. 15

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. - 1 Corinthians 1:13

Saturday | 11. 16

Sunday | 11. 17

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

November 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love You: Go for a walk.

Monday | 11. 18

Cast thy burden upon Jehovah, and he will sustain thee: He will never suffer the righteous to be moved. - Psalm 55:22

Tuesday | 11. 19

Wednesday | 11. 20

November 2024 Thursday | 11. 21

Friday | 11. 22

Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. - Proverbs 3:3

Saturday | 11. 23

Sunday | 11. 24

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

November 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Free to Love: Zelle someone for lunch.

Monday | 11. 25

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. - Matthew 11:29

Tuesday | 11. 26

Wednesday | 11. 27

November 2024 Thursday | 11. 28

Thanksgiving Day

Friday | 11. 29

Hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. - Romans 5:5

Saturday | 11. 30

Sunday | 12. 01

To-do List

DE C

December 2024 Hairstyle

Sun

Mon

Tue

New Year’s Eve

I will deepen my

Wed

Christmas

by committing to

Thurs

Fri

Sat

First Day of Winter

First Day of Kwanzaa

Thanksgiving Day

29 28

ENCOURAGEMENT TO REST

I want to encourage you today to rest in God’s Word as you face the complexities of life. Why? Because life is complex. The Bible tells us that we will have trials and temptations and we all know this to be true. However, how we handle these can make a big difference in our health, relationships and overall well being. I want to encourage you to accept His invitation of rest and receive rest for your soul. I want to encourage you to effectively use scripture to help fight off negative thoughts of fear, doubt, worry and unbelief and live your life journey with more peace, strength, wisdom, grace, love and victory. Of course we know it’s not just picking up your bible and everything is abra cadabra good. But picking up your bible and reading it will not allow the things you deal with to overtake and overwhelm your emotional mind. When you rest and approach matters with calmness and faith that everything is always working for your good even when it doesn’t seem like it, you will see positive results. Trust and knowledge of His Word keep you on track when you’re desiring one thing but experiencing another. When you rest in the Word, you understand how Daniel comes out of the lion's den unscathed, you witness Jonah not drowning in the ocean or dying in the belly of a whale, and you know why Jesus wasn’t afraid to go to the cross for us. These challenges occur under Divine Providence. I believe the same is true for us. Most trials are here to push us toward our purpose, goals, desires, and dreams. Without them, we can become comfortable and complacent and never really live the life God intended us to live. The Word gives you clarity and focus to stay the course in spite of obstacles because you know that your greater is by design and your destiny. Literally, one day, I was working on one of my messages of rest, the movie Set It Off came on the channel I had on as background noise. I wasn’t planning to watch it but I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to do so and once I watched the entire movie and saw how one bad decision led to more bad decisions which then led to a horrific end. The Holy Spirit said, “Now what if one of those women had a mother, aunt, sister, friend, mentor, coach, like you that took them to the side and encouraged them to rest in My Word.” I felt my purpose rise up in me and then I thought to myself, imagine if one of them had said let's pray first or let’s seek God’s guidance and help first. I know from experience that God would have shown up in perfect peace and timing, calmed their minds and hearts, and showed them a holier path. Whenever I've found myself in difficult and overwhelming situations, He’s made a way for me many times, so I speak from experience when I say resting in the Word works! It works because when you’re being and doing, and coming and going on your own accord from a place of unrest, overwhelm, and confusion, you make poor choices because you can’t see the big picture or the plans God has for your life. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). Let me encourage you today with seven simple steps to rest in God’s Word. I believe if you commit to these steps and read these scriptures regularly you will develop your spiritual muscles to fight off burdens and heaviness that befall us and derail us from our divine paths.

7 Steps to Rest Step 1 - Prepare yourself for the week, make a record of who you need to call, what you need to do, where you need to go and what resources you need. Being prepared allows you to be more focused, productive and keep your house in order. (2 Chronicles 27:6, Habakkuk 2:2)

Step 2 - Anything in Step 1 that’s causing you some anxiety or feels stressful, you need to release it. Cast that care to God because He cares. He cares about our small challenges as well as our big challenges. Don’t let cares and concern overwhelm you and choke out your faith. (1 Peter 5:7, Mark 4:19)

Step 3 - Seek God for comfort and to be consoled. This is good for our emotional and mental health. We can become easily overwhelmed by all the responsibilities we have and all the decisions we have to make. That’s a time to get in God’s presence and let him comfort your heart. (Psalm 23:4, Psalm 94:19, Psalm 119:50)

Step 4 - Seek God for guidance and instructions. The Word says he orders our steps, He directs our paths, a righteous man's steps are ordered by the Lord. Look what he did for Noah and Moses and many others in the Bible. He’ll do it for you too. (Psalm 37:23, Proverb 3:6)

Step 5 - Pray. Prayer is essential and with it we want to take up the full armor of God while we’re doing so. As you go into prayer imagine - girding your waist with the Truth - putting on the breastplate of Righteousness - Shodding your feet with the Gospel of Peace - taking on the shield of Faith, the helmet of Salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. (Ephesians 6:13-18 MSG)

Step 6 - My favorite…rest, rest, rest. Rest your mind, rest your feet, rest your back. Don’t get to the point that you are exhausted, overwhelmed, frustrated, impatient and mean tempered just because you need rest. (Matthew 11:28, Hebrews 4:10)

Step 7 - Praise and Worship - They’re not just for Sunday mornings and Wednesday Bible studies. The Word says His praise shall continually be on my mouth and to worship in spirit and in truth. Let the Word be the fuel used to get through the week. (Psalm 34:1, John 4:23) More freedom awaits you. More purpose beckons you. God’s love supports and protects you. You have so much more to give and so much more to live. I embolden you to keep dreaming and believing in the healing, delivering, and restoration power of His Word. Be encouraged Sis, do your best and let God do the rest.

Coach Bonnie,

Website: www.therestcomplex.com

The REST Complex

IG: @Coachbonnieattherestcomplex Facebook: The REST Complex

DECEMBER’S

Notes

December’s GOALS

Set your intentions and goals for the month. Intentions provide a framework for you to set priorities, use your time wisely, and align yourself with the resources you need to manifest your goals.

Strictly Financial Monthly Budget + Expense Tracker Pay Period Structure Weekly Bi-Monthly Monthly

INCOME

TITHES

RENT / MORTGAGE

UTILITIES

SAVINGS / INVESTMENTS TRANSPORTATION

CAR INSURANCE

CELL PHONE

DEBT

GROCERIES

WIFI

PERSONAL CARE

ENTERTAINMENT

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

December 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Protect Your Bag: Call your credit card companies and ask for a lower interest rate.

Monday | 12. 02

But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:13

Tuesday | 12. 03

Wednesday | 12. 04

December 2024 Thursday | 12. 05

Friday | 12. 06

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. - John 14:27

Saturday | 12. 07

Sunday | 12. 08

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

December 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love You: Slowly inhale and exhale (repeat x3).

Monday | 12. 09

Set a watch, O Jehovah, before my mouth; Keep the door of my lips. - Psalm 141:3

Tuesday | 12. 10

Wednesday | 12. 11

December 2024 Thursday | 12. 12

Friday | 12. 13

I love them that love me; And those that seek me diligently shall find me. - Proverbs 8:17

Saturday | 12. 14

Sunday | 12. 15

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

December 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love You: Revisit your goals- turn back to your goal and vision board pages.

Monday | 12. 16

I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full. - John 15:11

Tuesday | 12. 17

Wednesday | 12. 18

December 2024 Thursday | 12. 19

Friday | 12. 20

I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts. - Psalm 119:63

Saturday | 12. 21

Sunday | 12. 22

First Day of Winter

To-do List

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

December 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Free to Roam: Visit a new neighborhood in your city.

Monday | 12. 23

But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was given to me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. - 1 Corinthians 15:10

Tuesday | 12. 24

Wednesday | 12. 25

Christmas

December 2024 Thursday | 12. 26

First Day of Kwanzaa

Friday | 12. 27

The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. - 1 Timothy 1:14

Saturday | 12. 28

To-do List

Sunday | 12. 29

WEEKLY

Meal Plan BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACKS

M T W R F S

GROCERY LIST PRODUCE

PROTEIN

GROCERY

REFRIGERATED / FROZEN

LAST WEEK’S

Reﬂections & Gratitude

THIS WEEK’S

December 2024 Spiritual Focus:

Physical Activity:

Self-Care:

Morning Routine: Bedtime Routine: Daily Habits: Call, E-mail, Follow Up:

Weekly Checkpoint - Love Yours: Detail your car.

Monday | 12. 30

For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. - John 3:16

Tuesday | 12. 31

New Year's Eve

Wednesday | 01. 01

Notes