CONTENTS. A Spoonful of Sugar..3. Anchored in Christ.4. Ant Apron.8. Arrow..10. Bear..13. Balloon Buttons 17. Camping.20. Fashion...

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2 Page 2 CONTENTS A Spoonful of Sugar..3 Anchored in Christ.4 Ant... 7 Apron.8 Arrow..10 Bear..13 Balloon...15 Buttons 17 Camping.20 Fashion...21 Fill My Cup...23 Flamingos..25 Flowers...27 All Scripture References are in the King James Version of the Bible. (including spelling within Bible verses) The Devotional Starters have special terms of use. Devotional Starter Terms: Feel free to add, change, and enhance. Please do not reprint the devotional starters online as is. These are writing prompts and you must rework them and make them your own if you'd like to print them online.

3 Page 3 "A Spoonful of Sugar" Devotional Writing Starter Julia Bettencourt February 19, 2013 Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48 Giving away A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR sometimes requires the following: o That We Go Beyond Obligation. o That We Go Beyond What is Expected. o That We Go Beyond What is Deemed Necessary. o That We Go Beyond What is Comfortable. o That We Go Beyond Excuses.

4 Page 4 Anchored in Christ Devotional Writing Starter Julia Bettencourt September 16, 2016 The Anchored in Christ Event Theme was brainstormed on our CLM Facebook Page back on February 25, Some of the ideas were for devotionals. I've placed those on this page. Thanks to all of you wonderful ladies who contributed your ideas! Here's my contribution: Anchored in Christ 1. Drop Your Anchor Deep - Stay grounded in the Word. 2. Keep From Drifting Away - Stay close to the Lord. 3. Allow the Anchor to Work - Rely on God's strength to take you through High Tides and Low Tides. 4. Refuse to Sink - Keep pressing on. Trust in the Anchor. From Enlighten Foundation (a CLM FB Follower): Questions to ask What are you anchoring your ship to? Is your anchor heavy enough to weather the storms?

5 Page 5 From Pam Barnes (a CLM FB Follower) Where are you ANCHORED? Pam says, "Anchors are meant to hold fast a ship to keep it from drifting but in storms (just like the storms of life) the ship may drift some! That, however, does not mean it cannot get back on course." From Charmion David Reed Held in Place Charmion says, "One thing about an anchor that I've studied It was meant to hold in place. The stronger the storm or winds, the deeper the anchor gets. If we're anchored in Jesus, no matter the storm, He is steadfast and sure." From Nichole Kluth (a CLM FB Follower) "Holdfast to what is GOOD" Nichole says, "While teaching through 1 Corinthians last year, our women's ministry learned what a "holdfast structure" looks like...it's the anchor of a water plant (like kelp) and it helped us understand the way an anchor and roots are similar..." Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. I Thessalonians 5:21 Holding Fast After reading Nichole's comments (above) again, I started thinking about all of the other "hold fast"s in the Bible that we can learn from.

6 Page 6 Here are some of them: My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. Job 27:6 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:13 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) Hebrews 10:23

7 Page 7 "Ant" Devotional Writing Starter Julia Bettencourt June 19, 2014 Ant Personalities pleasant - bears those fruits of the spirit that makes you nice to be around servant - serves Christ and others vibrant - is full of energy and enthusiasm for Christ reliant - relies on each other for prayer and support brilliant - takes their wisdom from God's Word jubilant - is full of the joy of the Lord Considering the Ant s Ways Proverbs 6:6-11 Key Verse Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise Proverbs 30:25 Small Things Proverbs 30:24-28

8 Page 8 "Apron" Devotional Writing Starter Julia Bettencourt January 26, 2009 Apron Acrostic Thanks to Mavis for submitting this devotional acrostic for us: "What's in Your Apron Pockets?" "A" is for ATTITUDE ---1 Peter 3:8 "P" is for PATIENCE ---Romans 8:24-25 "R" is for RESPONSIBILITY ---Galatians 6:4-5 "O" is for OPPORTUNITIES ---Ephesians 3:7 "N" is for NEEDS ---Proverbs 30:8 The Use of Aprons Wiping things (Having a clean life) Pockets for holding things (what things to you hold on to---or hold dear?) Protection (What do we have in place to protect us as a Christian or analogy of God's protection) Prepares us for work (are we prepared to share God's Word and God's love?)

9 Page 9 What's Tied To Your Strings? What's holding you back from doing what God wants you to do and from living the Christian life? Are there worries, doubts, etc. that keep you from moving about and getting your work done? Mother's Apron Strings Instilling things to "hold on to" for your children Teaching them godly character traits. Teaching them memory verses. Teaching them godly principles. Teaching them Bible Stories to remember.

10 Page 10 Arrows Devotional Writing Starter Julia Bettencourt May 21, 2015 Staying on Target Staying on topic in various areas of Christian living. In our prayer life In our witness In our speech In our attitudes Right Direction O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!" Psalm 119:5 " In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6 "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps." Proverbs 16:9 "A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way." Proverbs 21:29 "And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ." 2 Thessalonians 3:5

11 Page 11 Lesson on the Tongue Sharp Arrows "A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow." Proverbs 25:18 "Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait." Jeremiah 9:8 Bright Arrows To make "bright arrows" is another way of saying to prepare the arrows as for war. "Make bright the arrows..." Jeremiah 51:11 What things do we need to prepare in our Christian lives? What things need sharpened or fine tuned? Prayer life? Witnessing? Love for others? Taking Aim What do we have in our sites? What are we aiming for? Are we working on our best for Christ? "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

12 Page 12 "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;" Colossians 3:23 Our aim should be to live for Christ----"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:13 Arrow Word Study There are numerous verses relating to the "arrow" and "bow" throughout the Bible. Use a concordance and dig in the Word to find them. See how they are used and what they mean.

13 Page 13 "Bear" Devotional Writing Starter Julia Bettencourt September 26, 2012 Grin and Bear It We all have burdens to bear but the Lord gives us strength. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 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 Bear (Bare) Necessities or Essentials Our Christian Armor (Ephesians 6:13-18) Essentials such as Fruits of the Spirit But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22,23 Essentials such as deity of Christ, salvation through grace, death, burial, resurrection, etc. (core doctrines and beliefs)

14 Page 14 Get Your Bearings Finding God's direction and will. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5,6 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2 Grizzly Attitudes Dealing with grizzly or bad attitudes. Philippians 2 Key verse Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

15 Page 15 "Balloon" Devotional Writing Starter Julia Bettencourt January 22, 2011 Thanks to some of the Ladies from our old message board for brainstorming with me on this topic several years ago. Thanks Ladies! Balloons Need Air. We need the breath of the Holy Spirit to inflate us and encourage us. Have you ever seen a balloon that's been blown up and then popped? Especially after a while it gets all wrinkled and crumpled up because it doesn't have any air inside! Balloons Need Something to Make Them Rise. We need the Lord to give us strength and make us rise as a Christian. We can't go in our own strength. Balloons Need an Anchor. Balloons need an anchor or a weight to hold them down. As Christians we need to be anchored in Christ and in the Word of God or we will get carried away with the wind and the world.

16 Page 16 Balloons are a Sign of Happiness. Balloons are usually associated with celebration. As Christians we should be associated with Christ and our lives should celebrate Him. Balloons Can Pop. We pop easily when we aren't focused on Christ and when we are doing and going places that aren't meant for us as a Christian. When we aren't staying in the Word and keeping our relationship with the Lord alive, that's an easy time to get deflated.

17 Page 17 "Buttons" Devotional Writing Starter Julia Bettencourt August 12, 2008 Embellishing the Body of Christ Buttons come is all different sizes. We each have a role in the body of Christ. Focus on our spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities. Everyone is different but plays a part in the body of Christ. How well do we embellish? How are we a blessing? Held Christ holds us together with His "thread". No matter what happens, we won't fall. He keeps us. Nothing can jiggle us loose. The thread will never break or wear out.

18 Page 18 Hot Buttons Hot Buttons---are the things that you are most sensitive about. What are your hot buttons? What or who is pressing your buttons? What causes you to---worry, get hurt, get annoyed, get angry, get depressed, etc. How do you respond when someone presses your hot buttons? What's your behavior to others after one of your hot buttons have been pressed? We need to focus on our need for Christ to help us with our behavior. Button Use Uses for buttons. Fasteners and Decorations Am I a fastener (diligent, worker, useful to the body of Christ) Am I a decorative button? Are you just hanging there? Perhaps attached to your "church pew" and not really doing anything for Christ?

19 Page 19 Whose Got the Button? As Christians we have several things (or "buttons") in our lives that hold us together such as faith, prayer, love, devotion to Christ, joy, etc. Are there things missing in your Christian Life? Are you missing some buttons? We aren't complete in Christ unless we have certain things in place.

20 Page 20 "Camping" Devotional Writing Starter Julia Bettencourt June 25, 2014 Camping Outline Tent - Protects us like Christ shelters us Mosquito Repellant - Like the Word - Repels Sin. Sleeping Bag - Rest in the Lord Canteen (or water bottles) - Drink from the Word Flashlight (or camping lantern) - See "more" of Jesus or let your light shine Binoculars - Getting Christ in focus

21 Page 21 "Fashion" Devotional Writing Starter Julia Bettencourt March 27, 2007 Put on Therefore... Colossians 3:12-14 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. Bowels of Mercies -vs. 12 Kindness -vs. 12 Humbleness of Mind -vs. 12 Meekness -vs. 12 Longsuffering -vs. 12 Forbearing One Another -vs. 13 Forgiving One Another -vs. 13 Charity (Love) -vs. 14

22 Page 22 Put On... Righteousness - Job 29:14 "It clothed me" Armor of God - Ephesians 6:11-18 "Put on the whole armour of God " Armor of Light - Romans 13:12 "let us put on the armour of light" New Man - Colossians 3:10 "And have put on the new man " Christ - Galatians 3:27 " have put on Christ" Put Off... Ephesians 4:22-32 Former conversation - vs. 22 Grieving of the Holy Spirit - vs. 30 Lying - vs. 25 Bitterness - vs. 31 Wrath - vs. 31 Anger - vs. 26 Clamor - vs. 31 Giving place to the devil - vs. 27 Evil speaking - vs. 31 Stealing - vs. 28 Malice - 31 Corrupt communication - vs. 29

23 Page 23 Fill My Cup Topic: Devotional Writing Starters Julia Bettencourt February 13, 2013 These are just some thoughts I had for the Fill my Cup Women's Ministry Theme. I never did anything with them, so I thought some of you may want to play around with the idea. What s your handle? Each person handles things differently. What pours into our lives is very different. Look at the woman at the well (John 4). Jesus knew all she went through. He knew about all of her many husbands. Saucer Drippings Are there things that have spilled over into our lives that we are holding on to? God wants to take care of those things and hold on to our worries and burdens for us.

24 Page 24 Get a grip Are we allowing the Lord to hold our cup? Do we submit to the grip? Do we allow the Lord to have complete control and allow His working in our lives? Say whoa Do we say whoa when our cup is filled to the right level? We all have intake in our lives. What s pouring in? What do we need to say no to? We have got to leave room for the good stuff. Leave room for the things that the Bible says are important.

25 Page 25 Flamingos Devotional Writing Starter Julia Bettencourt September 19, 2016 Get a Leg Up Taking advantage of God's Word. Being consistent in daily devotions and Bible study. Getting ahead in the Christian life by being obedient to God's Word. Get in the Pink: There is a popular quote that says, "Even the pinkest flamingo starts out grey". We all have a sinful heart and only Christ can cleanse us. Christ's love puts the color in us. He beautifies us with His righteousness. But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6

26 Page 26 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23 Study the entire chapter of Romans 3 Taking a Stand Standing on truth Standing on the promises Standing for what is right

27 Page 27 "Flowers" Devotional Writing Starter Julia Bettencourt May 02, 2012 Impatient (Patience) Study the patience of Job. Book of Job James 5:11 Patience Verses Romans 5:3 Hebrews 10:36 2 Corinthians 6:4 Colossians 1:11 1 Timothy 6:11 Hebrews 12:1 2 Peter 1:6

28 Page 28 Forget Me Not (Forget Not) Don't forget the important things in life. Forget Not Works of God (Psalm 78:7) Forget Not Benefits of God (Psalm 103:2) Forget Not God's Word (Psalm 119:16) Forget Not to Entertain Strangers (Hebrews 13:2 Study the reminders to the Children of Israel not to forget God and the things they had seen. Deut. 4:9, 23; 6:12, 8:11 Gladiolus (Being Glad) Glad Heart (Psalm 16:9) Glad to go to church (Psalm 122:1) Glad for grace of God (Acts 11:19-25) Glad for what God has done for us (Psalm 126:3)