In my last post I shared Tip #3—Start Small…but begin! Ifyou are reading through this series then you obviously have the desire to
cultivate a relationship with Jesus. I
encourage you to press on because you will not be disappointed. Kay Arthur writes, “Encourage your heart by
looking at your God and His promises.”[i]
Tip #4 Try journaling your responses
Those of you who break out in hives at the thought of
journaling please don’t stop reading! Maybe
you’ve heard about journaling or even tried it a few times, but I encourage you
to give it another try!
journaling please don’t stop reading! Maybe
you’ve heard about journaling or even tried it a few times, but I encourage you
to give it another try!
As a teen, I participated in an intense discipleship
program called Fire Institute. We
committed to spend an hour a day in prayer and to additional time studying
God’s word and reading other books. It
was during this time that I began to journal my prayers and my love of studying
the Bible was born. My relationship with
God became more intimate as I shared my thoughts and feelings with Him. It was also a place where I could respond to
what He was speaking to me through His Word.
program called Fire Institute. We
committed to spend an hour a day in prayer and to additional time studying
God’s word and reading other books. It
was during this time that I began to journal my prayers and my love of studying
the Bible was born. My relationship with
God became more intimate as I shared my thoughts and feelings with Him. It was also a place where I could respond to
what He was speaking to me through His Word.
Joanna also experienced journaling through a discipleship
class called Navigators 2:7. It wasn’t until she started responding to
what she was reading that the Bible became alive to her.
class called Navigators 2:7. It wasn’t until she started responding to
what she was reading that the Bible became alive to her.
If you have never had a journal before or are ready to start
fresh again, go for it!
fresh again, go for it!
3
Steps to Journaling
Steps to Journaling
Pray: Ask the Lord to remove any
preconceived notions that you have about His Word. Ask Him to speak a fresh word to you.
preconceived notions that you have about His Word. Ask Him to speak a fresh word to you.
Meditate: Reflect on a smaller portion of scripture.
Write: When something you are reading
resonates with you write it down, and then write a prayer in response to Lord.
resonates with you write it down, and then write a prayer in response to Lord.
You don’t have to write pages; three to four
sentences is a good way to start.
Journaling can become a conversation.
God speaks to us through the Word and we pray back to Him what we
hear. It is a wonderful way for us to
establish truth in our lives. We can be
honest with God saying, “This is what I feel but this is what your Word
says. This is what I know about God.”
sentences is a good way to start.
Journaling can become a conversation.
God speaks to us through the Word and we pray back to Him what we
hear. It is a wonderful way for us to
establish truth in our lives. We can be
honest with God saying, “This is what I feel but this is what your Word
says. This is what I know about God.”
Finally, journaling helps us to find a sanctuary with God. He knows our hearts and we can
find a safe place with Him.
find a safe place with Him.
Pour out your heart to him, for God is our
refuge. Psalm 62:8 (NLT)
refuge. Psalm 62:8 (NLT)
If
you’ve never picked up a pen to journal what’s stopping you? If you do practice journaling how has it
affected your devotional life?
you’ve never picked up a pen to journal what’s stopping you? If you do practice journaling how has it
affected your devotional life?
Angela is an inspirational and educational speaker who teaches the hard truths of God’s Word in a fun and relevant way. She is also a writing assistant to Joanna Weaver, author of Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World. Whatever she is doing, she has a passion to see spiritual growth and an increased sense of purpose in people’s lives. Angela and her husband Michael graduated from Northwest University in 1997 and have been married for 17 years and have 2 children. They currently live in Washington State.
You can follow her on her blog at No Ordinary Days
[i] Arthur, Kay. “April 5th.” Beloved: From
God’s Heart to Yours : A Daily Devotional. Eugene, Or.: Harvest House,
1994. N. pag. Print
God’s Heart to Yours : A Daily Devotional. Eugene, Or.: Harvest House,
1994. N. pag. Print