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Julie Lefebure

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  1. Finding hope and encouragement through this Right-Now Woman! With this episode we're beginning a new monthly series featuring various Right-Now Women. (A term Julie references in her book, Right Now Matters.) The first guest in this series is the wonderful Nicole Williams. You'll be blessed by Nicole's words of hope as you listen in on Julie's conversation with her. Nicole prompts us see God's image in others and inspires us to live above our circumstances. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. Today's episode is an inspiring one as I share the conversation I had with my wonderful friend, Nicole Williams. But the thing is, we've never met in person--just online. I describe Nicole Williams as a Right-Now Woman (you'll know what that means if you've read my book) who helps others be their best selves. She's an author of Rise Up: Believing God When the World Is Falling Apart, and she's creating an amazing course called Forgiveness School: Finding Freedom From the Things that Hold Us Back. I can't wait for that! Her passion is leading people toward spiritual transformation by helping them see the image of God in all people. Imagine if we did that every day! I believe you'll be greatly impacted by our conversation and Nicole's words. Nicole Williams inspires us to see the image of God in others. Our conversation prompted me to do that with every person in my life. I pray it does for you, too! We are discussing this in our private Encouragement for Real Life Community on Facebook, so come over there to join in the conversation. Nicole shines the light of Jesus in this world, and I'm grateful for her presence here and in our lives today. Be sure to find Nicole on social media (the links are in the show notes), and check out her resources on her website, including her free guide, "Why Can't I Change?" This episode is the first in the monthly series on the podcast featuring different Right-Now Women. You won't want to miss a one! Thank you for tuning in today. I pray God helps you see His image in others this week and beyond. God bless you! Links in this episode: Connect with Nicole through her website and grab her free guide "Why Can't I Change?" Follow Nicole on Instagram Encouragement for Real Life Community Find our more about my book Right Now Matters: Empowering Right-Now Women in a Culture of Distraction
  2. It's more than we can ask or imagine! This episode is a follow up to last week's episode, 136. Something amazing happens when we invite God into our days, into our moments. We look at this with real-life examples of Julie's recent vacation with her husband. And wait until to hear where they spent their last night of vacation! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. Do you typically invite God into your day? Do you ask Him to walk with you through your moments? On the days when I begin them with Him, I do this well. On the days I don't, well I don't. This is one of the reasons I'm so set on starting my day with God. It truly makes all the difference for me. But don't you think our days would be much more spirit- and hope-filled if we invited God into every one of them? In last week's episode 136, That Time God Went with Us on Vacation, I shared how my husband and I had just returned from a 10-day vacation, and how we invited God to go on the trip with us. From the initial prayer we voiced as we left our home in the wee hours of the morning of our first day, we asked God to lead us, guide us, and to travel with us. I'm so glad we did because doing so, I believe, impacted our vacation in ways I couldn't expect in that moment. If you haven't listened to last week's episode, I encourage you to do so. It's like a "part 1" to this episode. So yes, we invited God to go with us, and He accepted! The thing is, this world isn't conditioned to invite God in. This world tells us we can do it all on our own and we can handle it all. How many times have you heard, "You've got this!," or have heard others say to themselves, "I've got this!"? I don't know about you, but I don't got anything on my own. I just don't. But with God I do. If we park for a minute in this chapter of John 15, it clearly reveals to us the secret of success and flourishing. It's remaining in Jesus. It's abiding in Him, and clinging to Him. Verse 4 in that chapter reads, "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me" (NIV). When we invite God in, we remain in Him. I share a few of what I call, "God-incidences" on our vacation and how I saw God bless us and provide for us. Plus we look at Philippians 4:6-7, which is a key reminder for what happens when we invite God into our days. Friend, let's invite God into every day. This is too important not to. I'm cheering you on and praying for you today. God bless you! Links in this episode: Episode 136, That Time God When with Us on Vacation John 15 NIV Philippians 4:6-7 TLB Encouragement for Real Life Community Details for our next women's evening of encouragement, Real Encouragement LIVE! Access my Free Resources Library to help you stay uplifted and encouraged
  3. It's amazing what God will do when we invite Him in! Julie and her husband invited God to join them on their recent vacation, and guess what? He accepted! Julie shares a few powerful stories of what God did on their vacation as examples for us in our everyday lives. Let's invite God into this moment, into this day and watch what He will do! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. Let me tell you about the time when God went with us on vacation. My husband and I returned from a ten-day vacation on Saturday. We returned rested and rejuvenated, glad to be home, yet longing for a few more days together in the sun and on the sand. But truly, there's no place like home, am I right? But so much happened on our vacation. I share a couple stories in this episode and I'll reserve a couple for next week's. I pray our experiences will encourage you and inspire you and give you hope, like they did me as we were living them out. Just because we're on vacation doesn't mean we leave our real lives behind. It doesn't mean we don't carry with us the things that are important to us, or the things that truly matter. I usually carry with me my Bible, any devotional books I'm reading, and I certainly bring my journal. Even on vacations of years past, we always invited God to join us. Because why would we ever want to leave home without Him? Or why would we not want to begin our vacation days with Him, just like we begin our days at home with Him? So as we left our home in those early morning hours of February 28, Bill and I prayed together for our trip. We invited God to join us on our vacation. Yes, God went with us on vacation. And because He did, do I have some stories and experiences to share with you! But we know God is always with us, right? We're never left to fend for ourselves. But something amazing happens when we intentionally invite God in to our moments, in to our days, and yes, even on our vacations. In fact, why don't we take a moment and silently or aloud invite Him into our moment right now? From the audio book we listened to on the way there, to how we were able to bike on our tandem in Florida, to how God led us, blessed us, and rested our bodies, God was involved in our vacation. But we knew the first morning in Florida, we weren't just there for ourselves. God placed us there for the woman in Unit B. It's amazing what God will do when we invite Him in. I'm so glad God went with us on vacation. I have more stories to tell, but I'll share more in next week's episode, number 137. But for now, I pray this prompts us all to invite God into our days, into our everyday moments. I pray God has encouraged you and strengthened you today. Invite Him into your days, into your moments, and watch what He will do in and through you. You may be the blessing someone else needs today. Links in this episode: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV Encouragement for Real Life Community Real Encouragement LIVE! event for women: Reflect, Realign, and Refocus Access my Free Resource Library filled with tools to encourage your heart!
  4. Living distracted directly affects our purpose in life. We have a choice to make every day, even in every moment--to live distracted or undistracted. What we choose impacts not just how we live, but our purpose in life as well. This matters greatly, and we discuss this in today's episode. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. I know this truth about distractions and our purpose, and I even wrote about it in my book, Right Now Matters. But in my everyday real life, and living in today's culture, I believe it got a bit buried. But after God's reminder in my own study as I led two groups of women through the Right Now Matters Bible Study, I unburied it, dusted it off, and began carrying it with me once again. Somewhere along the way I let it slip out of my focus, and sadly, that's what happens when we get distracted. Distractions entice us to let go of what's important for far lesser things. It's easy to let go of what's important when we're distracted. And consequently, it's easy to lose sight of our purpose when we're distracted. How do I know? Well, because I've lived this out in my life, and maybe you have too. You just didn't realize it as such. Or maybe you have realized it, and now God is reminding you, kind of like He recently reminded me. What is your purpose, and what is mine? Or better yet, what is God's purpose for us. Only when we know our purpose can we stay focused on it. It's tough to stay focused on something we don't know or understand, don't you agree? We look at three points of God's purpose for us. When we're distracted, we can lose sight of our purpose. But when we live attentive and undistracted, we are better able to fully live out our purpose... and God's purpose for us. God is the solution to living an undistracted life. He is all we need. And without Him we don't stand a chance against the never-ending, relentless, all-consuming distractions of life. The truth about distractions and our purpose is that distractions keep us from following God's purpose for our lives. Distractions will always pull us away from what's important and will entice us to focus on lesser things. Let's do all we can to come against these distractions and continue to walk out the purpose God has for us. I'm glad we get to travel this road together. Stay encouraged this week, friend. God bless you! Links in this episode: Isaiah 26:3 NIV Colossians 3:2 ESV Philippians 4:8 NLT Check out my Free Resources library, full of tools to help you stay encouraged and inspired. Get your tickets for our next Real Encouragement LIVE! women's event: Reflect, Realign, Refocus Order your copy of my newly released books: Right Now Matters and the Right Now Matters Bible Study
  5. A powerful story of hope and promise that will encourage your heart! Today's guest is author, speaker, and real-life sojourner of a serious heart condition, Lori Ann Wood. Lori Ann shares her powerful story of hope and promise, and leads us to encourage deep faith questions along the detours of life. You won't want to miss this conversation! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. You are in for a blessing today! In this episode I chat with the lovely Lori Ann Wood, who is a newer online friend of mine. She's an author, speaker, and an advocate for heart health as she walks through her own health journey. She has an incredible story to tell, and she shares some of it with me in today's episode. Consequently, our conversation inspired me, challenged me, and pointed me to the wonderful hope we have in Jesus, and I believe it will do the same for you. I say often, we each have something we're walking through or dealing with, so whatever that is for you, I believe it's no accident you are listening today. God has something special in store just for you here. Lori Ann Wood and her Divine Detour is an inspiring reality of hope and promise. (My guest episodes are longer than my solo episodes.) Who needs to hear Lori Ann's story today? Be sure to forward this to them. What did you glean from Lori Ann's testimony of her journey? Come on over to the private Encouragement for Real Life Community on Facebook this week. We're discussing this and encouraging one another through Lori Ann's words. I'd love for you to join in the conversation. The link to this group is in the show notes. As I mention in the episode, I encourage you to reach out to Lori Ann and to follow her journey through social media and her website. Be sure to grab her information about the warning signs she mentioned as well. The links to do so are in the show notes. Thank you for joining Lori Ann Wood and I today. God has good plans for Lori Ann's life, for your life, and for mine. Because of this truth, may we remember this in the days to come and remind others of it as well. Thank you for tuning in. Stay encouraged and God bless you! Links in this episode: Encouragement for Real Life Community The Heart Failure Warning Signs I Missed by Lori Ann Wood Read the first chapter free of Lori Ann Wood's book, Divine Detour (you can also find it on Amazon) Follow Lori Ann on Instagram Follow Lori Ann on Facebook Access my Free Resource Library to help you live encouraged and undistracted My books: Right Now Matters and the Right Now Matters Bible Study
  6. Have you thought or voiced this recently? Have you thought or voiced recently, "There has got to be more to life than this?" It's something numerous women can relate to. There IS more to life than this, and we're discussing this in this episode. Could God be trying to get your attention like He did Julie's years ago? Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. As I travel around to speak to various groups about my newly published book, Right Now Matters, one question I like to ask is this, "Have you thought or voiced lately 'there has got to be more to life than this'?" And every time I do, I see the same reaction on the faces looking back at me. Every single woman understands this question and feeling. Every single one. Because we've all lived it. One woman at the event I spoke at on Saturday nodded her head and rolled her eyes. It was clear she certainly could relate. In Chapter 2 of Right Now Matters, "There's Got to Be More," I discuss this in great detail. I share about the first time I thought this thought and how it wouldn't leave me, no matter how I tried to ignore it or forget it or bury it. I knew there had to be more to life than the life I was living. It was then I began to believe God was trying to get my attention, so I listened. I stayed alert, and I followed Him to where He as leading me. Which was to a pregnancy and an at-home business. This was a turning point in my life, and I can say without hesitation, my life has never been the same since. I invite you to read Chapter 2 for the full story. Countless women are pondering similar thoughts daily. I hear their desperate pleas for the answers. I see their anxious faces, and I feel the heaviness they've been carrying in their hearts for what feels like forever. They each desire to live an abundant, joy-filled life, but currently are living anything but that. This may be for a number of reasons, but in Chapter 2 I address distractions. Distractions are robbing us of joy, of abundance, of our very lives! Yet so many of us don't realize it. In this episode I share hope though Scripture and why it is important to partner with God in living the abundant life Jesus came to give us. Yes, there has got to be more to life than this. And there is! If you're thinking, "there has got to be more to life than this," God may be trying to get your attention like He did mine. He has good plans for our lives. And with Him is the best place to be. May we choose to live each moment of the day attentive and undistracted. This life is too important not to do so. God bless you! Links in this episode: Philippians 3:20-21 MSG 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 MSG Revelation 21:1-5 CEV Encouragement for Real Life Community Learn more about Right Now Matters and the Right Now Matters Bible Study Access my Free Resource library filled with ways to encourage your heart
  7. It's not a trick question, but one that's vitally important to how we love God and others. Some of us have been taught to not think too highly of ourselves, and others of us may not feel worthy of love--even love from ourselves. In this episode Julie takes us deeper in why and how it's okay (and important!) to love ourselves, and why it really has nothing to do with us. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. At the airing of this episode it's Valentine's week. It's the week our focus tends to turn towards love and red hearts and thinking about showing love to others. I'm thinking we're alike in desiring to show love and receive love every moment we can. But the thing is, we aren't able to show or receive love well if we don't love ourselves. So, do you love who you are? Many of us have been told to not think too highly of ourselves, or to put others first, or to be humble and meek. Some of us aren't sure if it's okay to love ourselves because we've been taught or experienced otherwise. Others of us have been chastised at the mention of loving who we are because the focus of love shouldn't be on ourselves, but on God and others instead. Is it wrong to love who you are? Now, it's not wrong to be humble and meek, nor is it wrong to put others first and to keep a proper perspective of who we are. These honor God and He is very clear about these in His Word. And if we only loved ourselves and not God and others, well our priorities would be misaligned and misguided. Loving ourselves within the healthy boundaries of God's love is beautiful in His eyes. But it's never okay to live with the thought that we aren't deserving of love--and that love includes ourselves. God's Word is also very clear about that. I share a few Bible verses to encourage us and point us to truth. So, I ask you today... Do you love who you are? Do you love the person you are in a humble way? With a proper and healthy perspective? Do you love the person God created you to be? One thing I've learned is this: loving who you are isn't about you at all. Loving ourselves is all about God. You can love who you are because of Who made you. In closing, God loves you so very much, and I pray you love who you are too. You are His beautiful and magnificent creation, unique and special. As you go about your week this week, remember who you are in Jesus. I'm thankful for these few moments we got to spend together today. I love and appreciate you! God bless you! 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV Matthew 22:37-39 ESV Psalm 139:13-16 VOICE Encouragement for Real Life Community Access my Free Resource Library to encourage your heart daily Learn more about my books Right Now Matters and the Right Now Matters Bible Study
  8. This four-word question is powerful! It's interesting how a short question can impact us greatly. Julie shares in this episode how this question, "Did God Say That?" is impacting her life and in what areas she's asking it. It may become your favorite question for your life, too! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. I love it when God takes me deeper with Him on various subjects, and last week's episode with Michelle Layer Rahal, pointed me to think about a number of things with God. The question that keeps coming to mind is this: "Did God say that?" And I'm using it in a number of ways in my life now. Because it's been helping me in the last week, I thought it might help you, too. What do I mean? I'm using this four-word question four ways. Maybe I'll use it more in the days to come, but right now, these four ways are helping me discern truth. 1 - Listening for God's voice I'm paying attention to hearing God's voice so I don't have to wonder and ask the question, "Did God say that?" I know it's Him. 2 - Checking my thoughts When negative or discouraging thoughts enter my mind I'm asking the question, "Did God say that?" I know the answer each time. 3 - Basing what I believe on truth When I read something or hear someone mention something about God or the Bible, I'm asking the question, "Did God say that?" I'm making sure what I believe is based on truth. 4 - Questioning what I do I'm taking a look at my life and analyzing everything I do, asking the question, "Did God say that?" or "Did God direct me to do this?" This has been enlightening! We dig into these four areas a little deeper. We're discussing this further this week in our private Encouragement for Real Life Community on Facebook. I invite you over there to join in the conversation. You'll find the link to this group in the show notes. And if you found some encouragement in this episode, would you consider rating it or reviewing it from wherever you're listening today? This helps others find this encouragement too. Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. And share it with another who could use some encouragement today. In closing, I pray this all-important question of "Did God say that?" will help you draw closer to God and experience His peace, presence, and provision unlike you ever have before. He loves you so very much! May you know just how much today. I'm grateful for you and your presence here, and I'm glad to cross paths with you today. I'm cheering you on, friend! God bless you! Links in this episode: Episode 130, Are You Listening with Michelle Layer Rahal Jeremiah 33:3 ESV John 16:13 ESV Psalm 37:7 ESV Acts 17:10-15 NIV Encouragement for Real Life Community Access my Free Resource Library filled with items to encourage and inspire you Live undistracted through my books Right Now Matters and the Right Now Matters Bible Study
  9. This conversation will inspire you and encourage your heart! Could you use some encouragement today? This episode is for you! Joining Julie on the podcast today is author and encourager, Michelle Layer Rahal. They discuss much including faith, hearing God's voice, and how to stay encouraged in your everyday life. You won't want to miss this one. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. I recently had an inspiring and encouraging conversation with fellow author and friend, Michelle Layer Rahal. It impacted me greatly as she gave me much to think about regarding listening for God's voice, seeing God in our every day, and growing in faith. I'm sharing that conversation in today's episode. Michelle and I met through a community hosted by our writing coach, and after we got to talking, we realized we have lots in common. I believe you'll be blessed by our conversation! Michelle Layer Rahal is the award-winning author of Straining Forward: One Woman’s Journey from Oppression to Redemption in the Wake of the Vietnam War and Are You Listening?: A Guide to Recognizing and Responding to God’s Voice. She is a former radio news reporter and educator, who now enjoys leading Bible studies, coaching aspiring authors toward publication, and singing worship songs at the top of her lungs. When not in front of the computer, Michelle can usually be found in the kitchen preparing a gourmet meal for friends and family. She lives in Virginia with her husband and blogs about God’s tangible presence. What's one thing that encouraged you through our conversation today? What will you apply to your life? We're discussing this over at our private Encouragement for Real Life Community on Facebook. Stop by for a few minutes and be inspired. The link to this group is in the show notes. You can connect with Michelle and learn more about her in the links in the show notes, and I encourage you to do so. Michelle is a delightful soul, and I think you will enjoy how she is an encouragement in faith. And as we mentioned, Michelle is generously giving away eBook copies of her latest book, Are You Listening?, to two listeners of the Encouragement for Real Life Podcast. If you'd like to enter the drawing, the link to do so is in the show notes. Also, check out my Free Resource Library on my site. It's full of tools to help you live encouraged and undistracted. Things like printables, bookmarks, lockscreens, and I even have inside some fun scavenger hunts! The link to this library is in the show notes as well. If you found encouragement and hope in this episode, please leave a rating and/or review so others can find this encouragement too. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. In closing, I pray we each pause long enough today and this week to hear God's voice. Are we listening? I pray we are. Friend, keep putting one foot in front of the other and walking close to God as you do. Thanks for being here today! God bless you! Links in this episode: Enter the Are You Listening? Giveaway to win one of two eBook copies of Michelle's book, Are You Listening? Sign up for Michelle's weekly emails Follow Michelle Layer Rahal on Instagram Access Julie's Free Resource Library filled with helpful tools to stay encouraged and inspired Check out the Encouragement for Real Life Community on Facebook
  10. This perspective will change our lives! January can be a challenging month for many, including Julie as she shares in this episode. But a fresh perspective encouraged her heart this week, and it will, no doubt, encourage yours! This is the greatest day to be alive! Tune in to find out why. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. I came to a profound perspective over the weekend: Today is the greatest day to be alive. Yet, January is my least favorite month of the year. There, I said it. It's cold here in Iowa. Bitterly cold. I've spent every winter since my birth in this bitter Iowa cold, and as I age, it doesn't seem to get any easier. Two weeks ago it was -17 degrees one morning. That's not the wind chill, that was the actual temperature. Yikes! Also two weeks ago we received close to two feet of snow. I never heard the exact amount, but my husband said two feet, so I'll take his word for it. We were snowed in for three days, until our neighbor came by with his tractor and scooped a path down the road so my husband could get to work. So, you can maybe understand why January is not my favorite. But my friend and fellow Iowan, Jennifer Dukes Lee, helped me see winter through fresh eyes last year, and that winter is a time for a slower pace, for restoration, for rest, and for hibernation (for animals, the earth, and even for us). I learned to embrace winter last year, and I'm happy to report this new perspective has carried through this year so far as well. But the thing is, my pondering over the weekend led me past the weather, past the time or the season of the year, and even past my current circumstances. My pondering led me to a truth God taught me as I wrote my book, Right Now Matters. That truth is this: Right now is the greatest moment to be alive. Which also means: Today is the greatest day to be alive. I share why, including the truth that today is the greatest day to be alive because God created this day, and also what God has to say about it in His Word. And, we make space for the real life issues of difficult circumstances, depression, and anxiety that can affect us, especially during the winter months. I also share four ways to can live as if today is the greatest day to be alive! I say we begin today. Friend, what joy it is to embrace the truth that this is the greatest day to be alive. Go out there and make a difference in your corner of the world today. People need your presence and your gifts that only you can give, maybe now more than ever. I'm cheering you on today and every day. Thanks for being here. God bless you! Links in this episode: 2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV Psalm 118:24 NLT Hebrews 3:13 Voice Find my book Right Now Matters and the Right Now Matters Bible Study here Encouragement for Real Life Community on Facebook Access my Free Resource Library to encourage your heart here
  11. Our life moments are too important to miss! When you think back over your life, have there been priceless moments you missed that you know you will never get to live again? Julie shares one that changed her life, and she shares it from the Introduction of Right Now Matters in this episode. You won't want to miss this one! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. Beginning this week, I'm leading two groups of women through the Right Now Matters Bible Study for five weeks, and I'm so completely excited about it. As I was preparing for our first time together, I recounted in my mind a pivotal moment in my life. I've thought about this moment so often, because I think many of us have experienced something similar. I missed an important life moment, not because I was physically absent, but because I was mentally absent by distractions. I share it in detail in the Introduction of Right Now Matters, and I thought it might be wise and helpful to share it in today's episode. It might just bring to light how often we are missing moments we will never get back. So, I do. Are we missing moments we will never get back? From my experience and from hearing the stories of numerous other women, we are. Whether it's a moment with our children or grandchildren, a moment with our spouse or a friend, or some special instance God wants to bless us through, distractions will always prevent us from experiencing it in all its fullness. Distractions rob us of more than we realize. I wonder how many times God has tried to blessed me in some particular way, yet I missed it because I was distracted! Think of a time when you missed something important--a moment you'll never get back--because of some distraction. It's not a fun memory to return to, I know, but in doing so, we can learn from it and heal from it. Ignoring it or pretending it didn't happen doesn't make it go away. Trust me, I've learned this the hard way. But when we return to it, when we address it, it's not to relive it to punish ourselves are to make us feel bad all over again. No. But we return to it, we release it of any negative influence it may have on our lives today. Plus, it gives us the opportunity to learn from it so it doesn't happen again and so we're not missing moments we will never get back. Living distracted is not God's best for us. You and I no longer need to be missing moments we'll never get back. God has a better life for us. I pray we take some time today to seek Him and to begin the steps it takes to live undistracted. Life is too important to live it distracted, friend. I'm cheering you on, and I thank you for being here. You are a blessing! God bless you. Links in this episode: Episode 127, 5 Ways to Be a Right-Now Woman in 2024 Find out more about Right Now Matters and the Right Now Matters Bible Study Check out the private Encouragement for Real Life Community on Facebook Access my library of Free Resources designed to encourage you daily
  12. Life is too important to live it distracted. Who is a Right-Now Woman? She's one who desires all God has for her and realizes there's more to live than living it distracted. She doesn't have it all figured out yet, but she's taking one step at a time with God. In this episode, Julie shares five ways to be a Right-Now Woman in 2024, and shares an opportunity to study the Bible with her! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. Are you what I call a Right-Now Woman? A Right-Now Woman isn't someone who wants everything right now. In fact, I'd say a Right-Now Woman is the opposite of that. She's someone who is tired of distractions overtaking her days and her life. She knows she's missing priceless moments happening in front of her. And she's a bit discouraged by always feeling behind and disorganized. She also knows there's got to be more to life than this, at the same time, ready to receive all God has for her. If this sounds like you, well friend, allow me to share some good news with you. You are a Right-Now Woman! A Right-Now Woman doesn't have the undistracted life mastered, but she's aware that's the life she desires to live. You, like me, don't have it all figured out yet, but we're ready to step into the abundant lives Jesus came to give us. We can't step into this kind of life, however, if we're living distracted. I say often, this life is too important to live it distracted. How we live this life matters in the next--eternity. So, it's wise to live in each moment and stay present in these God-blessed and -given lives, don't you think? So, how do we do this? How can we live as Right-Now Women in a culture that is overwhelmed with distractions? I share five ways to be a Right-Now Woman in 2024. Also, beginning next week I'm hosting two Bible study groups to walk through the Right Now Matters Bible Study together. I released this brand-new Bible study two weeks ago today! It's a 28-day guided adventure to living as a Right-Now Woman. This multifaceted guide helps us go deeper with God and with ourselves as we embrace and learn how to live undistracted lives. We dig into Scripture and see what God has to say about living undistracted. We are guided to apply Scripture and Biblical lessons to our lives. And we have some fun along the way. One group is meeting online on Zoom on Mondays, and the other group is meeting in person in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Thursdays. All the details and registration are found in the link in the show notes. I would love to walk through this study and dig into God's Word with You! In closing, I pray God blesses you in every way today, tomorrow, and in the year ahead. Keep putting one foot in front of the other, fellow Right-Now Woman. I am proud of you! God bless you! Links in this episode: Join the Right Now Matters Bible Study groups beginning January 15! Find my books Right Now Matters and the Right Now Matters Bible Study here Visit rightnowmatters.com Stay encouraged with Free Resources designed just for you! Check out the private Encouragement for Real Life Community on Facebook
  13. Hope and encouragement for the new year. Happy New Year! How are you beginning this new year? Julie shares hope and encouragement, her word for 2024, and some exciting news about growing in the Lord as Right-Now Women together. Don't miss this one! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. Happy New Year! As we are walking into 2024, I pray however you rang in the new year that it was full of hope, joy, and anticipation of God's goodness. As we know, numerous people set new year's resolutions or goals. Some of us choose a word for the year or a Bible verse. Others don't do any of this, or may do something entirely different. There's no right or wrong way to begin a new year. At least in my opinion. I've chosen a word for many years--this is my eleventh year of doing so. Here is my running list: 2014 - JOURNEY 2015 - IMPACT 2016 - BELIEVE 2017 - LIVE 2018 - ADVENTURE 2019 - REVIVE 2020 - OPEN 2021 - CONNECT 2022 - DELIGHT 2023 - UNCOMFORTABLE I pause to comment on last year's word--uncomfortable--before sharing my word for 2024, because it's worth pondering. That word absolutely changed my life! Did you choose a word for the year? If so, how did it impact you? My word for 2024 is WALK. I share why and how, and where I'm beginning with it today--both spiritually and physically--and my Bible verse for the year. Walking into 2024, I'm excited about my word for this year, and I look forward to seeing how God will use it in my life. Are you choosing a word for this year or any particular goals or resolutions? What are you looking forward to in 2024? I'm excited to share with you something that might help us live as Right-Now Women this year--women who walk with God in the right-now moment. I shared in last week's episode that the companion to Right Now Matters, the Right Now Matters Bible Study: A 28-Day Guided Adventure to Living as a Right-Now Woman released on December 26. I wrote this to help women like you and me go deeper with God and with ourselves this year and to embrace the lives Jesus came to give us as we live in the right-now moment. Beginning the week of January 15, I am leading two five-week group Bible studies, using the Right Now Matters Bible Study. One will be online and one will be in person. The online study will be on Mondays on Zoom from 6-7 p.m. (CST), and the in-person study will be held in Cedar Rapids on Thursdays from 6-7:30 p.m. (CST). There's not cost to attend, however you'll want both books to get the most out of the study. Additional details and registration link is found below. I can't wait to dig into Scripture and grow through God's Word with you as He teaches us what it truly means to live in the right-now moment. I'm so glad we get to journey through 2024 together. Thank you for joining me here today. You matter to me. Happy New Year and God bless you! Links in this episode: Episode 74, Happy 2023! How Are You Beginning This New Year? Encouragement for Real Life Community on Facebook Episode 125, Ending 2023 Grateful and With Big News Join the Right Now Matters Bible Study beginning the week of January 15 Stay encouraged in the new year with my free Resources designed just for you!
  14. It's a big episode today! We have much to celebrate! We're closing out 2023 grateful, Julie shares some big news, and it's her birthday! Thanks for coming to her birthday party! But in all seriousness, it's an exciting episode! Listen in as Julie shares some helpful ways to end 2023. She also announces something big happening today! Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. Before we turn to ending 2023, I'll say it here again, Merry Christmas! I pray your holiday was full of everything that brings you joy and that you were able to celebrate it in a way that the birth of Jesus filled you with hope and promise. But just in case it didn't go as you hoped or you spent the holiday more distracted than you wanted to, I'm praying for you today, too. No holiday is perfect, and it's okay for us to not expect it to be. Today's a new day and today matters. Thankfully, God is with us in it all. Every year when Christmas night rolls around and everyone has departed from our home, I get a little sad that our holiday celebration is over. It's then I think of the following day... my birthday! Yes, my birthday is today, December 26! And I can't think of a better way to celebrate today than with you! So thanks for coming to my birthday party!! Seriously, I appreciate you and your presence here on this podcast. I'm grateful we get to journey through life together in this way. I'm grateful. And as the year is quickly coming to a close, I'm ending 2023 grateful. I'm grateful for much today: for my birthday, for you, for 2023, for my parents (even though they are no longer on this earth) for my family, for my faith in Jesus, and for His presence is my life are just a few. I invite you to end this year grateful, too. Maybe your year wasn't what you expected it would be. Or maybe it was all that and more! Maybe 2023 was full of disappointments and discouragement. Or maybe it was full of joy and celebration! I'm guessing, like my year, it was a mixture of both, great and not so great. But again, thankfully God is with us in it all. As we soon will focus on ending 2023, I share some encouraging ways to do that and to begin 2024. Come back next week and we'll discuss beginning 2024! And now for the big news I have to share! The companion to my book, Right Now Matters, releases today! It's the Right Now Matters Bible Study: A 28-Day Guided Adventure to Living as a Right Now Woman. If you desire to go deeper with God and yourself in 2024, this study is for you. If you've never studied the Bible before, this study is for you. Or if you're a "Bible study master," this Bible study is for you. And if you're ready to experience all God has for you in 2024, this study is for you. Find out more in the full episode, but you can find it on Amazon today. To close out this last episode of 2023, friend I'm grateful for you. I am praying for you. It's been a joy to journey through these episodes with you in 202. Thanks for coming to my birthday party! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Links in this episode: Episode 123, How to Cope When Holidays Are Not Happy Check out the Right Now Matters Bible Study releasing today! Find the Right Now Matters Bible Study on Amazon Encouragement for Real Life Community on Facebook Access my Free Resources designed to bless and encourage you
  15. You have joy, and it's worth repeating. The world could use some joy today, and it'll need it tomorrow, too. You may not think you have it, or maybe it's been some time since you felt it. But our joy doesn't have anything to do with our circumstances or situations. As Christmas approaches quickly, let's share this joy with the world. Listen in to be encouraged. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/. Merry Christmas! With Christmas being less than a week away, in this episode we are peering into a Christmas carol, that was never meant to be one, and how one sentence in this carol continues to ring loudly above all the others in my brain. Get ready to sound your joy on repeat to the world today. What does joy sound like? Pause a moment and think about your answer. I can think of a few examples. The joy-filled squeals of my excited grandsons when I walk into their home on Wednesday mornings. Or the tune of the worship song I may be listening to. It can even be the sound of stillness with a distant train whistle on a quiet morning as I step outdoors and watch the sunrise. What does joy sound like to you? Now, I know this isn't a typical question to ask, and quite honestly, I've not asked or answered this before until today. But I've been thinking about joy a fair amount lately. What it is, where it comes from, and why it matters in my life. I've even searched online about joy and why it's deeper than happiness. All because I've been stuck on this one Christmas carol: "Joy to the World." In my search, I've learned that Isaac Watts didn't write this to be a Christmas carol, nor a hymn at all. He wrote it as a poem in 1719, so it's been around awhile. It was his Christian interpretation of Psalm 98, and the lyrics reflect more of Christ's second coming than His first as a baby. I can certainly understand why it became a Christmas carol, however, for the first stanza reminds me of Advent and preparing my heart for His coming. But the third stanza points us to something else. It's in the second stanza where I've landed on repeat lately with the words, "Repeat the sounding joy." That's it. It continues to ring in my head throughout this season. Joy is ours, and we each have joy. I share why and how and a few Bible verses to point us to truth. So, sound your joy on repeat to the world today, my friend. I also share some exciting news about something I've been working on for you that will be released very soon! Friend, sound your joy on repeat to the world today. I pray this joy permeates everything we do over the next few days as Christmas approaches. Not only then, but also into the new year. May the joy of the Lord be your strength today, tomorrow, and every single day forward. Merry Christmas, friend. God bless you! Joy to the World Luke 2 NIV Galatians 5:22-23 NIV Encouragement for Real Life Community Access my free encouraging Resources designed to bless you this season and beyond Check out Right Now Matters and Right Now Matters Bible Study
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