Friday, January 3, 2014

Day 11: The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength, Part 1

SAY YOUR OWN OPENING PRAYER

Fellow travelers on this road of life and faith, I am writing a very personal prayer today. Therefore, if you are going through a similar thing, claim it as yours. If not, please, pray your own prayer. Write it in your prayer journal.

OPENING PRAYER ABOUT A LIFE CHALLENGE

Lord, You know everything on my heart right now, which is plenty. Thank You for always being here, even when I wander and am stubborn. Thank You for Your grace all day and night long. I know I sure need it. Thank You for getting me through a life challenge, which I am still in the middle of. I know I am only going to get through it with you, as You give me strength and as I cling to You and Your Word. In Christ alone.

HOW CAN THE JOY OF THE LORD BE OUR STRENGTH?

It’s rather ironic. (Actually, it’s God’s providence and hand.) This topic has been planned for me to write for several days now. God has put me in the perfect place to write this. I’m not in a peachy, life-is-so-wonderful, frame of mind. That’s for sure. I’m going through a life challenge. It’s a doozy. I’m heavy in spirit, but not sad. Just heavy.

My husband and I have a fourteen year-old Beagle named Zack. For you dog or animal lovers out there, I am sure I do not need to continue. But, I will.

He’s getting up there in years. He’s been such a faithful companion. The best dog ever. He has the sweetest personality and loves people, smelling things, sleeping, and food. It depends on the day as to his priority order.

Zack has doggie dementia. So, he’s on medicine and it is mostly controlled. But, he has his bad days and/or nights. He darts. That’s the best way to describe it. He also forgets his name and his commands. But, he sure still loves to be loved. He may not know who we are at the time, when he has one of his spells, but he sure trusts us still.

But, last night, it wasn’t his dementia that kept my husband up all night. We got maybe two hours of sleep. He was suffering. Maybe heartburn. Not sure. So, he got extra special love from both of us. It’s just miserable watching him suffer. He still seems blah this morning, but he seems as though he can finally rest at least a little. He’s eating, drinking, doing the outside thing… I’ll keep a close eye on him today. We are going to make a vet appointment. We needed to take him in any way for some bloodwork. So…

Why do I share all of this?

It’s not to get your pity. Your prayers would sure be appreciated, though. But, there is another reason. It’s because of this:

HOW can the joy of the Lord be our strength—through good times and challenging times?

Right now, I’m fresh out of answers, but I sure know here to turn. And, that’s to the Word of God, the Holy Bible. It’s always the Answer, for He is.

Before we go there, though, allow me the privilege to share one more story with you.

I LOVE HOW GOD WORKS

You need to know I am a nut. I do some crazy things and am a little crazy. When you get to know me, you’ll agree, but it’s in an endearing way—most of the time.

I say I am a nut because this year, I have two perpetual calendars. One is of Mary Engelbreit and one is a Thomas Kincaide Bible Verse a Day calendar. Well, both apply to what hubby (whom I will call B) and I went through last night.

Mary Englebreit’s says, “Have faith.”

Amen.

The Thomas Kincaide one is of this verse:

Psalm 27:1 HCSB

The Lord is my light and my salvation—

whom should I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—

of whom should I be afraid?

-- HCSB: Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Talk about a hug from God.

\Why don’t you prayer journal about that verse. Take a moment and hang out with God and absorb this verse. Don’t rush through it. Open yourself to His Word, this word, and to Him.

Again, why do I share this verse and this story? (I hope you are starting to see I say and do everything in this study very deliberately. I have my reasons. God has given them to me and it’s meant to reach you where you are—and reach me where I am for that matter.) One reason is to show God is at work. Another reason is to remind us to look for God working at all times, not just in the good, the challenging, or the indifferent times, but at all times. For, He is always working (see John 5:17-21, particularly verses 17 and 19—and prayer journal about these verses).

Now, let’s really look at how the joy of the Lord can be our strength, after we look at our memory verses.

REVIEW YOUR MEMORY VERSES

Write them in your prayer journal without peeking. No cheating. See how far you get. Then, after a couple of minutes of trying to find the words, then peek and write out the rest and make corrections as necessary.

Then, prayer journal your thoughts today, right now, on those verses.

They are: Philippians 4:4-8 and Psalm 90:12.

WHERE DO WE FIND JOY?

Yesterday, we learned something very important about joy. Do you remember what it was? Write your answer, or lack thereof, in your prayer journal and please do not read ahead until you do.

We learned what about joy yesterday? Where do we find joy?

It’s found IN THE LORD.

That is how we can make our joy in Him strength. Because He is our strength.

Let’s look at some verses which should help us know what to pray and how to pray for the next year and our new beginning.

1 Samuel 2:1 NCV

Hannah prayed:

“The Lord has filled my heart with joy;

I feel very strong in the Lord.

I can laugh at my enemies;

I am glad because you have helped me!

What a verse.

Prayer journal your thoughts.

Then prayer journal about these things:

1 What did we learn about joy?

2 What did we learn about strength?

3 How can you apply this to your life? Then, make an action plan and do it.

4 What did you say to God?

5 What did He say to you?

6 Add this to your memory verses. Find your favorite version. So, we now have: Philippians 4:4-8; Psalm 90:12; and 1 Samuel 2:1.

Now, let’s look at another version of this verse.

1 Samuel 2:1 NLT

Then Hannah prayed:

“My heart rejoices in the Lord!

The Lord has made me strong.

Now I have an answer for my enemies;

I rejoice because you rescued me.

-- NLT: Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Prayer journal your thoughts and then answer the following questions:

1 How does this version differ from the last?

2 How does this version add to your understanding of the previous version?

3 What did you say to God?

4 What did God say to you?

Let’s look at some verses which should help us know what to pray and how to pray for the next year and our new beginning. With each verse listed after this section, prayer journal these 5 things about EACH verse that follows:

1 What jumped out at you and why?

2 What did you learn from this verse?

3 What did God say to you through this verse?

4 What does this verse mean to you and your life today, this week, this month, this quarter, this year, etc.?

5 How will you apply this verse to your life from now on? Make an action plan.

Nehemiah 8:9-10 NASB

9 Then Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Prayer journal the 5 items listed previously.

Psalm 28:7 GW

7 The Lord is my strength and my shield.

My heart trusted him, so I received help.

My heart is triumphant; I give thanks to him with my song.

Prayer journal the 5 items listed previously.

PRAYER JOURNALING AND CONTEMPLATION QUESTIONS

1 What did we learn about joy today?

2 What did we learn about strength today?

3 What does this mean for us and our new year and new beginning?

Day 2 of 40

Day 2 of 40:

02 January 2014, Thursday, 1140 a.m.

An Opening Prayer

Lord, guide me. Today is your day. You have a purpose for me this day. After all, today is Your day, not mine. Help me to live it as such. I want to live Your will and not mine. God Almighty, help me not to get too far ahead of You or too far behind. Guide my steps and help me stay on Your path alone.

Also, help me not to get distracted and focus on You and on You alone.

Psalm 90:12 NOG

Today’s http://BibleGateway.com Verse of the Day is: Psalm 90:12 NOG

12 Teach us to number each of our days

so that we may grow in wisdom.

Wow. What a wonderful verse for the start of a new year, a new prayer journal, and a new Devotional Bible Study series.

Lord, teach me to number my days and each of my moments. Show me how to do this. I do not want to take one moment for granted. I know I do, but I really do not want to do so. I want to live for You and Your will alone, so I can bring You glory. Help me to think of this often and throughout the day and night.

My M’Cheyne One Year Reading Plan for the Day:

Genesis 7, Matthew 7, Ezra 7, Acts 7

Genesis 7:

Verse 1 talks about how when everything was prepared and ready, then God spoke. Verse 1 in some versions starts with the word, “THEN.”

When does God speak? When we do everything He says, and when everything is ready. Then, He speaks. He speaks when the time is right and best. He does not speak until then.

How many times do I expect God to speak to me now—and not wait? How many times do I want my timing, after all, I know the best timing, right? Hah! Wrong. But, I catch myself trying to get God to move along to my pace. Then, it hits me what I am doing, eventually, and I realize, how wrong I am. God’s timing is always best. Always. Without fail.

More on Genesis 7:1: God tells Noah how He has observed how only Noah is righteous on earth and in this generation. Noah was in right standing with God. He was upright.

Lord, how many times have I said to my husband, “Is there one, besides the very few we know, who are Christ-followers?” I wondered this regarding Christians and unbelievers both. Too many times. The presidential elections of 2012 really hit me in the stomach like a fist. I’m still reeling from it and it’s been over a year. It let me know how few of Christians are truly informed and are in the Bible. I firmly believe this nation would be radically different if we did (I’m looking in the mirror).

How many Christ-followers are really here on earth?

And, then, I remember… WHO AM I to judge? It’s, frankly, none of my business. Their spiritual lives are their choice, not mine.

But, then, I remember how not everyone has had the same advantages as me. Not everyone realizes they have the time to be in the Word and in prayer all day long, for they weren’t taught how to do so. Moreover, not everyone has read the Bible all the way through as many times as I have. Nor has everyone studied the Word like I have. So, what does this mean?

God’s given me the spiritual gift to teach. Hence, that’s what I will do, rather than judge or question. I will love people instead. I will walk with them instead as well.

Moreover, most importantly, I will look in the mirror first and foremost. Period. I have a lot to learn. A lot, a lot, a lot.

Lord, am I acting like Noah in Genesis 7:1? Am I following the Bible? Am I living in the middle of Your will God, and not mine? And, am I doing so 24/7/365?

Answer: Hardly.

How many times do I get distracted and sidetracked and jump, not just step, off Your path, Lord? This is truly my thorn.

Break

My hubby came home early, so we went out to eat and then ran to Target. Now, I’m back home and will continue with my Bible reading of Genesis 7.

Genesis 7, Part 2

How many each of the animals did Noah take on the ark? Hah. That’s a trick question. Most people answer this one incorrectly., after all. The answer is found in Genesis 7:2-3. Seven pairs of every clean animal.

Verse 5 is another verse I want to live by:

Genesis 7:5 NLT

5 So Noah did everything as the Lord commanded him.

Lord, I want to do everything You command me to do—without hesitation and without questioning. Teach me how to do so and help me to be mindful thereof.

Matthew 7

The entire chapter is a good one. I could stop and spend several days contemplating and focusing on those verses. All of it is applicable to life.

Ezra 7

Ezra 7:6 talks about how Ezra knew the Law of Moses well. He was well-versed, skilled, and an expert in it. For a Christian, the Law of Moses refers to the entire Bible, as well as Genesis through Deuteronomy.

Lord, may that be said of me one day. I hope to be well-verses, skilled, and an expert in Your Word—and will spend my lifetime trying to achieve this goal. Verse 10 is another one I want to apply as well and goes right along with Ezra 7:6, along with Ezra 7:11.

Acts 7

Acts 7:1-50 is a nice summary of the Old Testament.

In Acts 7:51-60, Stephen is stoned for speaking truth.

Reading Through Psalms and Proverbs in a Month

Psalm 7, 37, 67, 127. Proverbs 7.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Day 10: Philippians 4:4-8

REVIEW YOUR MEMORY VERSES

Then, prayer journal your thoughts today, right now, on those verses.

A FRESH WORD

Are you seeking to see something new and different each time you think of those verses, say them, and read them? Yes or no. Write that question and answer in your prayer journal.

That should be your goal, by the way. We have the choice of focusing on a word, or a phrase, every single time we read and re-read a verse. We can do our best to see new insights of the verse and can pray to God for this. I guarantee He will answer and will teach you wondrous things about the verse—even if you’ve said it, read it, heard it several times in the past. After all, the Word is alive and active (see Hebrews 4:12 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

“SEE THE VERSE”

I probably should have stated this long ago in this lesson and will do so now. Every single time you see any verse mentioned in this study, look it up in your own Bible. Use your favorite versions or translation. And, if I ever put, “See verse so and son,” by golly, don’t keep on reading. Look it up. Then, prayer journal about it. There is a reason why I put it there. It’s to make more of a point and is to bring you closer to God and into His Word. I guarantee, without hesitation or doubt, you will get even more out of this study if you do.

Also, look up the context of the verses I quote or mention. See the next section for information on this.

THOUGHTS ON WRONGLY QUOTING A VERSE: HOW TO AVOID IT (CONTEXT IS THE KEY)

One thing that is a major pet-peeve of mine, that spins my head on its axis, and shout (not with joy) is when people wrongly quote a verse. This, unfortunately, happens more often than not, with everyone’s favorite verses.

So, how do we avoid it?

1 Look up the verse you quote. Even if you memorized it. Look it up. What if your memory about it is wrong, even if everyone else quotes it the same way you do. That being said, make a list of all of your verses you like to quote, along with all of your life’s memory verses and do these suggestions in this section.

2 Look up four verses, at least, before and after the verse or verses you quote. Do so even if you have to look back in a previous chapter or into the next, or even if it’s a book of the bible. Just make sure to do this.

Why?

It gives you context.

KEEPING THINGS IN CONTEXT

Let me give you an example of keeping things in their proper context. Look up Matthew 5:29 or 5:30. And, just look at those verses. What they tell you to do is cut off the offending part of your body. Literally. Right? Yes. It is literal, if you don’t read the context.

While that example may seem extreme, is it? Taking a verse out of context, and quoting it wrong, can be the matter between eternity with God or in hell. And, it can mean the difference between salvation. We never want to be a stumbling block for someone else and we surely do not want to be one for ourselves.

Think about it and apply. (Sorry to be so to-the-point and blunt, but eternity is at stake. It’s something we should take VERY seriously.)

Philippians 4:4-8 NLT

4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

PITFALLS AND MIRROR GAZING

Are you ready for another pet-peeve of mine that curls my hair every single time? Remember what I said earlier about taking a verse out of context. Well, we even take something within a verse out of context. But, let me give a little more of an introduction before I continue.

Inspirational quotes tend to get to me and I am weary and leery of them. Christians should NEVER quote something by someone else, or claim it as a favorite, unless they check it first against the Bible. (That’s a simple rule of thumb about that and pretty much everything else in life.) Again, most of the motivational and inspirational quotes we like or use goes directly against the Bible—and far more importantly, against God. We must be very careful about this.

I realize we live in a very lazy and me-oriented society, where we are so busy we don’t stop and take the time to live our proper priorities. (Again, I’m looking in the mirror.) So, we do not want to take the time to check and see what others quote holds up against the Bible or if what we say does. (My reflection can sure be revolting at times. But, I still look, so I can grow in faith.)

Goodness, I sound quite opinionated, don’t I? (Go ahead and shake your head. I would.) Well, I am, I must admit. Why am I so opinionated and in-your/my-face? I’m looking in the mirror, after all. I’ve been there, done that. Not just once. But, repeatedly. I’ve fallen for taking verses out of context more often than I would care to do so. I also have taken motivational quotes and claimed them to be a life quote or one to live by—when they have gone against the Holy Bible, the Word of God. Never mind, how I have also, been too busy to open my Bible, not just for a day, but for a month or more! (Gasp. Shaking head. Feeling heart tug.) I know how slippery of a slope these things are. I know. I really, really know—firsthand the dangers of these pitfalls. (More looking in the mirror.)

WITH OR WITHOUT GOD? THAT IS THE QUESTION: A QUESTION ABOUT JOY

You’re about to see why I’ve been going on my rants and tangents about my pet-peeves. There are many of these within Philippians 4:4-8, our memory verses. I hope you’ve already figured them out since you’ve spend the last seven days repeating these verses, learning them, and allowing them to sink in down to your marrow, and have done so morning, noon, and night.

Remember earlier in the last section how I mentioned another pet-peeve of mine, that we all do or have done at one time or another? That was when I mentioned how we take things out of context—and that includes taking parts of a verse out of context from within the context of the verse itself, never mind within the chapter? Well, again, Philippians 4:4-8 are full of these blunders of taking verses out of context and parts of verses within verses out of context.

Let’s start with joy.

If I were to ask you, what brings you joy, what would you say? Or, where do you find joy? Please do not think of Philippians 4 when you answer this. And, please prayer journal your answer.

Let’s be honest. How many of us would say any of these?:

-- Joy is found within

-- Joy is a choice.

-- Joy is something we create, make, or choose?

My hair is curling. Those are wrong. Dead wrong. Those go against everything the Bible says. Nope. Try again. Now, read Philippians 4:4. What does it say about joy? Please write your response in your prayer journal.

Where do we find our joy? The answer is: IN the LORD. Not anywhere else. Not in anyone else. It’s found in God alone.

Prayer journal your thoughts.

Have you had your thoughts of joy wrong? If so, how? Answer those questions in your prayer journal, please.

I know I have had this wrong in the past and sure had it wrong recently. I forgot the phrase: IN THE LORD regarding joy. How about you?

IN THE LORD = true joy.

In the Lord is the only real, authentic, true joy. It’s found in Him alone. All other joy sources are fake and are substitutes.

Prayer journal your thoughts.

I could go on and on here. So, could we. But, let’s not. Let’s think about this all day and night until tomorrow’s reading: Rejoice in the Lord continually and always.

Prayer journal your thoughts. Take a lot of time to do this today. Spend as much time as you can, and in spurts, all day and night. Take time to rejoice in Him.

Day 1 of 40: Introduction: A New Beginning

01 January 2014, Wednesday

MY HEART AND TREASURE PRAYER JOURNAL, Part 1:

A DEVOTIONAL BIBLE STUDY

I am a prayer journalkeeper and have been for over thirty years and ever since I was a little girl. It's something I do every single day and have for years and I prayer journal throughout the day and evening. Therefore, it's something that's very important to me.

Every year, and throughout the year, I try to find a better way to prayer journal since it is so important to me and my life. Needless to say, I keep an eye out for new resources and suggestions that might lead me to a better way to prayer journal. I also try to do it in several different ways and keep up things fresh throughout the year. It's always a good thing to keep prayer journaling fresh, for each journal entry is a way to connect with God, and I want to grow as close to God as possible.

I woke up this morning to one of the best blog posts, or daily devotionals, I have ever received. It got me thinking and it inspired me. The blog post, or daily devotional, was by Stephanie Clayton and here is the source:

http://stephanieclayton.org/2014/01/01/treasure-journal/

So, that's where I got the idea to do this for my new prayer journal I am starting this year.

Would you care to join me?

News about My Heart and Treasure Prayer Journal: It's Moving

I've decided since this is my personal prayer journal others can read for inspiration and as their own Devotional Bible Study, it would be best to have its own blog and website.

This A GODLY VISION Blog is about Devotional Bible Studies for you and the other is about my time with God. Therefore, I've created its own blog for My Heart and Treasure Prayer Journal. You can find it at:

http://myheartandtreasure.blogspot.com/

Day 1 of 40: Introduction: A New Beginning

01 January 2014, Wednesday

MY HEART AND TREASURE PRAYER JOURNAL:

A DEVOTIONAL BIBLE STUDY

http://stephanieclayton.org/2014/01/01/treasure-journal/

So, that's where I got the idea to do this for my new prayer journal I am starting this year.

Would you care to join me?

Wattpad.com Reading

I realize reading this Devotional Bible Study might be rather difficult to follow on this blog. Hence, let me offer another way to read it. You can read it here for free:

http://www.wattpad.com/33793430-40-days-of-a-new-year-and-a-new-beginning-parable

Day 9: Psalm 90:12 Lord, Help Us Count Our Days--Even Through the Tough Stuff of Life

I’ve seen the day when my second cousin was shot and murdered and ended up being a nationally televised news story. I’ve helped support someone from Columbine. I had a friend commit suicide. I’ve had a friend skid of an icy road and fall from a large cliff in his car. I’ve experienced the deaths of family and friends. I’ve had times where I’ve received a call. I’ve also received times when someone has said, “We need to talk.” I’ve made many, many mistakes in my life and I deserve death (See Romans 6:23) because of them—and for the ones I will surely make in the future, no matter how hard I try to avoid them.

I know how difficult life can be.

I say all of that, and more today, not to bring attention to myself. (No! Anything but that.) Rather, I do it to make this point as strong as it should be and needs to be:

It’s important to make each and every day count, for it is a sacred one and is a gift of God. It’s part of His purpose.

That’s what this new year and new beginning are about. It’s about making every single moment in our lives count to the fullest and be intentional about this.

It’s important to make every moment count, the good, the bad, the indifferent.

It’s important to make every moment count and sty smack dab in the middle of the will of God.

1 What jumped out at you and why?

2 What did you learn from this verse?

3 How did this verse differ from the others and how does that difference deepen your understanding of the verse?

4 What did God say to you through this verse?

5 What does this verse mean to you and your life today, this week, this month, this quarter, this year, etc.?

6 How will you apply this verse to your life from now on? Make an action plan.

7 Write out a summary of everything that you’ve learned and what jumps out at you most from your journaling and from the different versions of this verse, Psalm 90:12.

8 Pick a version you want to start to memorize of that verse and add it to your verses you are already memorizing: Philippians 4:4-8 and now Psalm 90:12.

Psalm 90:12 HCSB

12 Teach us to number our days carefully

so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.

--HCSB: Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Psalm 90:12 NLT

12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life,

so that we may grow in wisdom.

Psalm 90:12 NASB

12 So teach us to number our days,

That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12 EXB

12 ·Teach us [Make us know] ·how short our lives really are [to count our days]

so that we ·may be wise [gain a wise heart].

EVEN COUNTING THE TOUGH STUFF OF LIFE FOR THE GOOD

This past year has been a difficult one, but a very blessed one as well, for my husband and me. We wouldn’t trade the difficulties for anything. After all, the challenging times bring us to the path where we can choose growing in faith or despising it. Thank God, we both have decided to allow it to grow us—even during the times that were the hardest to trust, when things just didn’t make sense, and we hurt so much.

There are times in life when we don’t think we can make it another stop. We wonder what in the world God is doing and why. We might wonder how we are going to get through it. Those are the times to stop questioning, stop fighting God, and just trust. Trust Him even when it doesn’t make sense and when it hurts so much. Don’t dig your heels in, rather put know that the only reason you made it to this next second is because He is holding you upright. You might be on your rear, but you’re not on your back. You might be on your knees, but you are still more upright than not.

Faith is not always about seeing.

Nor is it about feeling.

And it’s rarely about understanding (but, that will come in time).

What true, deep faith is about relying on God. Nothing more. Nothing less. (Hebrews 11:1).

Another beautiful thing about the tough stuff of life is how it develops character. We learn who we truly are. Even if we do not like what we see, it’s a beautiful thing. After all, we at least then know what we can change and how that will make another difference in our lives. Also, it means we rely on God that much more.

A LITTLE REMINDER…

Don’t forget your yearly Bible verse or your memory verses. Pray them back to God at this time, whether by memory or by looking at them.

They are:

-- Philippians 4:4-8

-- Psalm 90:12.

KEY QUOTE FROM THE CHAPTER

-- It’s important to make each and every day count, for it is a sacred one and is a gift of God. It’s part of His purpose.

-- Faith is not always about seeing.

Nor is it about feeling.

And it’s rarely about understanding (but, that will come in time).

What true, deep faith is about relying on God. Nothing more. Nothing less. (Hebrews 11:1).

SELAH. PAUSE.

Selah. Pause.

Do not press forward for a moment.

Savor the moment instead.

Listen to God and stop speaking.

Pause. Rest.

A Little Reminder: Memory Verses

Philippians 4:4-8

You might even consider prayer journaling about them for a while.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Day 8: Lord, Where Are You Leading Me?: Part 2

For today, tomorrow, the next week, the next month, the next quarter (three months), the next six months, year, three years, five years, ten years, twenty years, twenty-five years, etc., it is important to ask this question:

God, where are you leading me?

It’s a question, we should ask every minute and be mindful to do so. It should be done with great intentionality.

Why? When we live in the middle of god’s will, and stop going against it, then, we are going with the flow and are not working against it. We will then receive blessing from God and will bring Him glory. We will experience a radical shift in our lives and in every way: spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and so on.

Before we begin, please take a quick look at Day 6 and see where we left off at that time.

Psalm 31:3 GW

3 Indeed, you are my rock and my fortress.

For the sake of your name, lead me and guide me.

Prayer journal what God says to you and what you say to God.

Psalm 32:8 HCSB

8 I will instruct you and show you the way to go;

with My eye on you, I will give counsel.

Prayer journal what God says to you and what you say to God.

Every now and then, we need to look at multiple versions of a text. The following verse is one of those. Make sure to prayer journal what God says to you, what you say to God, and how the versions differ and how it adds to your understanding of the verse because of all of the translations. Do this with all of the verses below.

Psalm 119:98 NOG

98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,

because your commandments are always with me.

Psalm 119:98 NASB

98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,

For they are ever mine.

Psalm 119:98 NCV

98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,

because they are mine forever.

Psalm 119:105 EXB

105 Your word is like a lamp for my feet

and a light for my path [C it shows how life should be lived].

Prayer journal what God says to you and what you say to God.

MEMORY VERSES

Do not forget to continue to memorize Philippians 4:4-8. These will be due by the end of Week 2.

PRAYER JOURNALING AND CONTEMPLATION QUESTIONS

What did you learn today?

How is God guiding you?

Where is God guiding you?

What did you say to God?

What did He say to you?

What is His purpose for you and your life today? This week? This month? This quarter? This year?

A LITTLE REMINDER…

Don’t forget your yearly Bible verse or your memory verses. Pray them back to God at this time, whether by memory or by looking at them.

Day 7: A Review Day

WHAT AND WHEN WILL WE HAVE A REVIEW DAY?

Every seven days in this study, we will have a Review Day, along with the second to last day (Day 39).

WHY HAVE A REVIEW DAY?

Why have a review day and why have one so often? You might wonder. The answer is simple. It’s important not to hurry so quickly that we do not fully digest everything we read, prayer journal, learn, and apply—never mind everything God says through what we read, prayer journal, learn, and apply. Therefore, we will have a Review Day every seven days.

DO NOT SKIP THE REVIEW DAYS. ALSO, TAKE YOUR TIME WITH THEM.

Remember how I’ve said in several places how the more you put into this Devotional Bible Study, the more you will get out of it? This is no exception. Whatever you do, no matter how tempted you are, do NOT ever, ever, ever, skip a Review Day. (Have I stressed the importance enough?)

They are important.

Why? The more you put into them, the more you’ll get out of this Devotional Bible Study. Also, let me make a point.

Without peeking, list seven things God has said to you this week. Also, list five things you have said to God. Also, write out five verses that spoke to you the most this week, word for word. Have I made my point?

You will not remember ever single detail form this last week. Therefore, it’s important to review so you can remember them, but also so you can contemplate on them. Then, through doing all of that, you can also experience more of a life-transformation. Do you want to shortchange any of this? That’s why we will have a Review Day every seven days. Our spiritual lives are at stake, our hearts, and minds.

HOW DO WE HAVE A REVIEW DAY? WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE IN PRACTICE?

See below for this answer.

A REVIEW DAY

TIME

I will be honest and upfront here. A Review Day is best spent all day and night long. It’s best as a retreat. However, most of us do not have the time for it. Not today. That being said, now that we know this, we can plan the future five Review Days (Day 14, 21, 28, 35, and 39) and get them on our calendar now so we can spend and devote the most time to the upcoming Review Days.

Please do so now. Put them on your calendar before you do anything else.

Also, I’ve been known to spend more than one day on a Review Day. In fact, more often than not, I devote several days (two days to seven days) in order to do the best review. If you are doing this on your own, you might consider doing the same. After all, no one ever said you have to finish this in 40 days. The only concrete must, and requirement for this Devotional Bible Study, is to do this study every single day for forty days at the minimum.

But, do what you can today and in the future. It’s okay to return to all of this after you finish Day 40 and do more of a review at that time and as time allows. Also, review this study, and your prayer journal of it, every year or more. Again, the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.

RE-READ DAYS 1-6.

Re-read Days 1-6 and as you do, prayer journal about anything that jumps out at you, even in you prayer journaled about it before. What you write this time will be different than what you wrote last time, even if you write down something again. (The key is to notice those differences when you re-read your prayer journal.)

Things to prayer journal and contemplate as you re-read:

Instruction: Make sure to answer each question below for each word, sentence, paragraph, page, AND day that jumps out at you.

What jumps out at you? Why does it jump out at you?

What questions do you have?

How does this inspire and motivate you?

What does this mean to you and your life?

How can you apply this to your life—starting today? Write out an action plan to apply this to your life.

Why is this important to me to remember?

What am I saying to God?

What is God saying to me?

Take your time and be through as you re-read and prayer journal.

RE-READ YOUR PRAYER JOURNAL

Re-read everything in your prayer journal, including things you wrote today. And, as you do prayer journal about anything that jumps out at you. As you do, prayer journal all of the questions below for everything you write in your prayer journal:

Things to prayer journal and contemplate as you re-read:

Instruction: Make sure to answer each question below for each word, sentence, paragraph, page, AND day that jumps out at you.

What jumps out at you? Why does it jump out at you?

What questions do you have?

How does this inspire and motivate you?

What does this mean to you and your life?

How can you apply this to your life—starting today? Write out an action plan to apply this to your life.

Why is this important to me to remember?

What am I saying to God?

What is God saying to me?

Take your time and be through as you re-read and prayer journal.

BIBLE VERSES

What are the top seven Bible verses that spoke to you the most this week? Write them, word for word, in your payer journal and answer the following:

Things to prayer journal and contemplate as you re-read:

Instruction: Make sure to answer each question below for each of the seven verses.

What jumps out at you? Why does it jump out at you?

What questions do you have?

How does this inspire and motivate you?

What does this mean to you and your life?

How can you apply this to your life—starting today? Write out an action plan to apply this to your life.

Why is this important to me to remember?

What am I saying to God?

What is God saying to me?

Take your time and be through as you re-read and prayer journal.

MEMORY VERSES

Practice your memory verses and prayer journal about them. What is God saying through them? What can you apply to your life and how? What are you saying to God?

SUMMARY

Now, write a summary for everything you’ve prayer journaled today. The longer a summary you write, the better. After all, once again, the more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it.

PRAYER

Write out a prayer to God about the last six days, plus today. Make it a lengthy prayer. Pour out your heart to Him. Then, listen to Him for an hour or more after you finish saying your prayer.

Make sure to prayer journal all of this. Prayer journal your prayer and everything He says to you.

KEY QUOTES FROM TODAY’S LESSON

-- The only concrete must, and requirement for this Devotional Bible Study, is to do this study every single day for forty days at the minimum.

-- The more you put into this Devotional Bible Study, the more you will get out of it? This is no exception.

A Prayer Journaling Resource

Every now and then I am completely swept away by a blog post or devotional. This is the one that did it for me today. On New Year's Day. What a wonderful perspective for prayer journaling. Please read this. I cannot recommend it enough. This is one of those "must always keep" blog posts.

What a treasure indeed.

Talk about life-transforming. What a way to shape our year.

Wow. Wonder of wonders.

http://stephanieclayton.org/2014/01/01/treasure-journal/

(Image Credit: Microsoft Online 2011-2013.)

Happy New Year 2014

HaPpY NeW YeaR 2014!!!

My the next year be full of blessings and special memories.

(Image courtesy of gubgib at FreeDigitalPhotos.net)