By His Grace
Hello 2022! Ebenezer & Remembrance Stones

Hello 2022! Ebenezer & Remembrance Stones

Hello 2022! Happy New Year! Welcome to season 4 of the By His Grace podcast! Misty Phillip is back to kick off the first episode of 2022 and she is flying solo in this episode of By His Grace to talk about the year ahead, walking into the new year in intention, how her word of the year has helped clarify the year ahead, and the importance of an Ebenezer & Remembrance Stones.

Key Takeaways

“I believe the space between the microphone and You the listener is holy ground, and I do not take that responsibility lightly.”

“I pray with each guest that comes on the show and we consecrate the episode to the Lord asking him to give us the words that you need to hear.”

“I’m also passionate about equiping other faith based podcasters to share messages of hope through Spark Media. Where we empower faith-based podcasters through events, the Spark Collective a thriving training membership community, the Spark Media podcast network, and the Spark Media magazine.” 

“He takes our meager offering and our humble YES and does with it far abundantly then all that we can ask or think!”

“One of the things that is really helped me to cast a vision for this year is my one word.”

“I don’t know about you but that brings me comfort. No matter what 2022 has in store for us the Lord is with us, and He is faithful.”

Spark Media

For the Spark Media conference, we  are partnering with the NRB the National Religious BroadcastersMedia Convention again this year to combine two amazing events under one roof on March 7-8 at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN. The NRB runs March 8-11, and this year I’ll be speaking at the NRB and conducting interviews. We have a stellar line-up of speakers and an incredible group of attendees God is bringing together for Spark conference and Spark Media award ceremony this year.  All of the things I’m mentioning about SPARK media can be found at the SparkMedia.Ventures website. 

Last year we launched two exciting projects the Spark Media Podcast network and the Spark Media magazine. We created both of these ventures to amplify the voice of Christian podcasters and provide opportunities for podcast growth and discovery. We are working on our third edition of the magazine now and can’t wait for y’all to see it. This is definitely a labor of love, but I so enjoy providing space to highlight the gifts and talents of my friends who are doing incredible work in the faith-based podcasting space.Not only that but I am blown away by the incredible partnerships we’ve formed with organizations like pray.com, the Bible minute app, Samaritan’s purse and the Edifi podcast app. Only God y’all. He takes our meager offering and our humble YES and does with it far abundantly than all that we can ask or think!

Word of The Year

This year I’ve put a lot of thoughtful prayer into my word.  2021- Dream, 2020- Spark, Advocate-2019, Presence- 2018, and in Contentment – 2017. I’ve looked at definitions and scriptures, prayed and sought the Lord. But instead of ending up with one word, I ended up with three. 

Wisdom, Alignment, and Faithful

Wisdom is defined as knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment.  Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “be very careful then how you live not as unwise but as wise making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.” This verse struck a chord with me because of the crazy days that we are living in. I’ve always been a very intentional person but this year I feel compelled to be super intentional with everything I’m doing. 

The next word, that I felt was critical for this year is Alignment. 

Alignment is defined as a potential statement of agreement or cooperation among persons, groups and nations with a common cause or viewpoint. I found it interesting that one of the verses that I looked up based off the word alignment was Psalm 16:3 says, “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.” It’s my hearts desire to continue to lock arms with others who are passionate about kingdom work and making Jesus known. The third word I’ve chosen is Faithful. 

Faithful is defined as true to one’s promises. 

Proverbs 31:26- she opens her mouth with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue. As a Podcaster, I don’t want to just speak into the air I want my words to be filled with meaning and purpose, to edify, to build up, to be life giving and God honoring.  

This word also reminds me about how faithful God has been to us in the past and how no matter what comes our way this year that he will be faithful. 

Stones of Remembrance

“After the people of Israel supernaturally crossed the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land, God commanded Joshua to “choose twelve men, one from each tribe. Tell them, ‘Take twelve stones from the very place where the priests are standing in the middle of the Jordan. Carry them out and pile them up at the place where you will camp tonight’” (Joshua 4:2–3, NLT). These stones of remembrance would serve as a permanent national reminder and a memorial to future generations of the miraculous river crossing. 

Joshua’s stones of remembrance are just one monument in a series of memorials commemorating the mighty acts of God on behalf of the people of Israel (Exodus 13:3–6; 24:4; Deuteronomy 27:1–8; Joshua 22:9–12; 24:24–28; 1 Samuel 7:12). To everyone else, the stones were just a heap of rubble, but to the people of God, they were a constant reminder that Yahweh was a personal and powerful God, working wonders on behalf of His people.” Got Questions, Remembrance Stones.

Ebenezer

“The name “Ebenezer” actually comes from the Bible. In 1 Samuel 7, during the end of the time of the judges, Israel experiences revival under the leadership of Samuel. The nation repents of their sin, destroys their idols, and begins to seek the Lord (1 Samuel 7:2–4). Samuel gathered the people at Mizpah where they confessed their sin, and Samuel offered a sacrifice on their behalf (verses 5–9).It was during this time of repentance and renewal that the enemy attacked: “While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle” (1 Samuel 7:10). The Israelites went out to do battle against the invaders, and God sent them supernatural help: “That day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites” (verse 10).

Israel’s victory over the Philistines was decisive. Several cities the Philistines had captured were restored to Israel, and it was a long time before the Philistines tried to invade Israel again (1 Samuel 7:13–14). To commemorate the divine victory, “Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the LORD has helped us’” (verse 12).

Ebenezer means “stone of help.” From then on, every time an Israelite saw the stone erected by Samuel, he would have a tangible reminder of the Lord’s power and protection. The “stone of help” marked the spot where the enemy had been routed and God’s promise to bless His repentant people had been honored. The Lord had helped them, all the way to Ebenezer.” – Got Questions, Ebenezer

Lyrics to Just as Good by Chris Renezema featuring Ellie Hollocomb.

“And I will build an altar And stack it stone by stone Cause every Ebeneezer says I’ve never been alone. My faith will surely falter. But that don’t change what You’ve done. Cause every Ebeneezer points to where my help comes from” after listening to this song I went back to got questions and looked at the word Ebeneezer and this is what I found.

Thanks so much for listening to the By His Grace podcast. We want to hear from you! What do you want to hear more of in 2022? Leave us a review or DM Misty Phillip on Instagram.

Do you have a Scripture of the Year?

Do you have a Scripture of the Year?

Have you chosen a scripture verse to guide you through the new year? Many people in the Christian blogosphere choose a word or a scripture to guide them through the year, rather than making New Year’s resolutions.  This year I decided to incorporate both a word and a scripture. My word for 2017 the year is Contentment.

Contentment

Last year when I attended She Speaks I visited the prayer room. For those of you who don’t know about She Speaks, it is a conference hosted by Proverbs 31 Ministries that equips women in their calling to write and speak for Jesus. The prayer room at She Speaks is indeed a special place. In the middle of this candlelight room, there is a table with a basket that contains hundreds of tiny little scrolls, each containing a scripture verse. Every woman that visits the prayer room has an opportunity to chose a scroll. Each woman in attendance of the conference has been prayed for, and the basket of scripture verses has also been prayed over.

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.-Proverbs 31:25

The scripture I choose is Proverbs 31:25, and this is the same verse that I choose to share with the women in a small group I was leading for an event at my church a few years earlier. Then in December when I began planning for the New Year ahead, I decided to attend the She Laughs Conference. Do you see a theme here? Me too, and that is how I choose my scripture for 2017.

I love what the Matthew Henry Commentary says about the Proverbs 31 woman regarding verses  31:10-31, and I want to share a section with you here.

She is discreet and obliging; every word she says, shows she governs herself by the rules of wisdom. She not only takes prudent measures herself, but gives prudent advice to others. The law of love and kindness is written in the heart, and shows itself in the tongue. Her heart is full of another world, even when her hands are most busy about this world.

Michael Hyatt in chapter 4 of his book Living Forward says that as a part of the Life Plan you create, you must think about your legacy, how you want to be remembered and create your own eulogy.

Oh, how I long to be known as a wise woman full of love and compassion. Lord, help me to live my life by wisdom and give prudent advice to others. I don’t know what lies ahead in 2017, but what I do know is that I can look to future and laugh because I am clothed with strength and dignity.

I look forward to sharing my update with you all when I return from She Laughs next week,  along with another scripture that I plan on using to define my year. Until then, I would love to know if you have chosen a scripture to meditate on in 2017. Leave a comment below with your word or verse for the year!

 

Contentment

Contentment

Happy New Year! The new year is a time of new beginnings—a do over so-to-speak. The new year is a time to make changes and improvements. As I reflect on 2016 and contemplate 2017, I think of all the things, both good and bad, that marked my life in 2016. One of the things that continues to swirl around in my mind is my attitude this year at Christmas.

This year as Christmas approached I was content. Things were not perfect, no it was far from it, and I didn’t accomplish everything on my to-do list, or buy everyone the perfect gift. What was really hard this Christmas for our family was that this was the first year that our family wouldn’t all be together. Now that our eldest son is engaged, we have to share the holidays with another family. I understood this going into the holidays, and I had no expectations. I made plans, but because I had no expectations, I wasn’t disappointed.

You see I was content.

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In Philippians 4 the Apostle Paul talks about God’s provision in verses 12-13.

12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – ESV

Just before Paul says, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” He talks about contentment. Being content regardless of his circumstances. Whether he was rich or poor, whether he was high or low. That is because he knew the source of his contentment, it was not his circumstances, it was Christ.

This is the place where I want to start this year. In a place of contentment. A place where I can do all things through Christ, because He is the one that strengthens me to do his will for my life. I joyfully anticipate the New year, and whether I experience Mountain tops or Valleys I want to be content, with no expectations.

 

Top 10 Blog Posts of 2016

Top 10 Blog Posts of 2016

Looking back, 2016 was an incredible year, and some amazing things happened in my life! God called me to write and speak, and the rest is history. Early in 2016, I signed up for She Speaks 2016 and the next few months were a whirlwind of conference preparation. In February, I set up my blog, and began writing a Bible Study. When I first started, I had no idea of what I was doing, but thankfully I survived the first year!  Here are the top 10 blog posts of 2016:

10. Finding Fulfillment this Holiday Season – First of all, fulfillment does not come from being married, having children, or having a career. True fulfillment comes from knowing Jesus Christ and living for Him. But here is the rub: we will never be truly fulfilled here on earth, because this is not our home. We have a God-shaped hole in our heart that only He can fill.

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9. Our Home – A Sanctuary -A wise woman is careful to build her home. Making our homes a place of beauty that reflects our personal taste is one of the greatest joys as a homemaker.

8. She Speaks Conference 2016 – The Lord has been faithful to walk me through each step of the way, and I am learning so much in the process.

7. She said “Yes!” – An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.- Proverbs 31:10 

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6. Declutter My Heart – How many times in life do we miss out on God’s best because we clench things so tightly with our fists that we don’t let go and make room for God to bless us?

5. Called to be His Helper – I don’t know about you, but I don’t just want a marriage that can survive, instead I want an abundant marriage that thrives the way God intended. When we follow God’s plan for our lives and for our marriage, we unlock the secrets to true happiness.

4. Learning to Let Go – No one warned me how difficult and painful it would be on me when my boys started to pull away. A boy has to detach himself from his Mother in order for him to grow into the man God calls him to be. This is the way it is and has always been. It is good and natural, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

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3. Little baby Liam – We began telling others that Liam was a gift from God, and that God would determine his future. We knew that the Lord had a purpose and a plan for his life, no matter how long he lived.

2. Connor’s Smile – Don’t give up, don’t lose hope! Continue to pray for those situations in your life that look hopeless, because in Jesus there is hope! He is faithful. 1 Corinthians 1:9 says, “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” Turn your eyes to Jesus and cry out for wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5.

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And the number 1 post from 2016 is…..

1. Prayer Update for Connor – The most heartbreaking part of all of this is that he had been living with all of this for 15 years! He did not get diagnosed until the age of 16. After years of going to doctor after doctor, Connor was misdiagnosed with PDD-NOS, an Autism spectrum disorder. We are so thankful for the brilliant doctor who finally correctly diagnosed Connor, and we began treatment shortly after that.

Wow, 2016 was quite a year! These were the top 10 blog posts out of the 67 that was published last year. Also, my partnership with Blog About and the Blythe Daniels Agency I was able to host some great giveaways. Listen, Love, Repeat!Bible Basics: Book Review & Giveaway!God Loves You!, Journal the Word, and Give Your Child The World.

Be sure to subscribe to my email list, to make sure that you don’t miss out on anything!

Goodbye to 2016. I look forward to all that God has in store for 2017! Blessings to you in the new year!

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