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Listen while you read: "How Sweet The Name Of Jesus Sounds"1 (Lyrics) |
It's that time of year again: time to go through drawers and closets, sorting out, downsizing, and organizing. It's something that I like to do about this time each year, before the good weather comes when I would rather be outside enjoying God's creation — the birds, my gardens, the beach …
As I was going through one bin, I came across some of my journals from several years ago. I stopped sorting for a while and sat down to read some of the things that I had written. As I read, I realized how close it drew me to God as I shared my deepest feelings and thoughts with my Creator.
God wants us to draw near to Him. He wants us to know Him as our heavenly Father, our Lord and Saviour, and our constant companion and helper.
James 4:8a – Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. (NRSV)
How well do you know God? Do you want to draw closer to Him? If you haven't tried journaling, why not give it a try? If you have journaled in the past, why not get back to it?
You might be wondering, "What will I write?" But once you start, you'll be surprised at how quickly you'll have filled an entire page!
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- How are you feeling?
- Are you angry about something? Talk to God about it.
- Are you thankful for something? Thank God.
- Are you sad? Tell God what is making you feel that way.
- Are you struggling? Ask God to help you.
- Praise God for what He's doing in your life.
- Tell God that you love Him.
Take time to be with God and get to know Him better as you honestly share your feelings with Him.
Psalm 46:10a – Be still, and know that I am God! (NRSV)
Ephesians 1:17 – I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him. (NRSV)
When you look back through your journals, as I did when I was sorting things out, you'll be amazed at how God has been working in your life.
1 Corinthians 13:12 – We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us! (MSG)
Prayer: Gracious God, we thank You for Your wonderful love for us. You alone are holy and worthy of our praise. We long to know You better — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Thank You for who You are, what You have done in our lives, and what You are still doing. Help us to trust You and sense Your presence throughout all our days. May we love You more deeply day by day and see You more clearly as we seek to draw closer to You. Help us always to listen for Your voice to lead us and guide us as we seek to do Your will and to serve You all of our days. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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Thanks for the good word, Dee.
Thank you, Dee. May we continue to see more from you.
Thanks for the suggestions. I will try it.
(B.C.)
Hello Dee – yes a time to review what God is/has done in our lives! Yay for the reminder.
Thank you, Dee, for sharing this devotional with us. May God’s blessings be upon you. Blessings.
Dee,
Nice one! Thanks for the tips and inspiration.
Blessings.
Yes in Deed, Spring cleaning Summer enjoying! Thank you for reminding us!
(Ontario)
Dee – thank you for this devotional and for the suggestion to journal. I believe that your devotional may have inspired me to give this a try! God Bless you. Keep writing.
Hi Dee,
I used to journal, and I will resume at your encouraging.
I’ll keep your sharing and would share it with others when I know how.
Blessing.
Journaling is very important to me.
I also write my prayers and look at them, later and know how often I have had help.
I also listen and write down what I sense God is saying to me.
Thanks for re-affirming the value of this in my life and for encouraging others to try.
Greetings Dee,
Many thanks for your inspiring and encouraging devotional this morning. Taking time in the day to reflect on our Saviour and praise Him for His presence in our lives is very consoling.
Blessings to you for your writings.
(B.C.)
Thanks for the knock on my head and heart’s door. These days I have been very busy taking care of business and hubby and I have neglected writing into my journal. I have been putting ideas and thoughts down on my iPad, but not taking the time to reflect and write. There are times when the Spirit nudges, but if I don’t take the time to write the words down, they are lost. Taking the time … a choice that only I can make.
Yes, I too journal. As well as the diary. I have diaries from over 50 years ago. Every night. And journals for over 30 years. Lots of them. And, yes, I agree. It has been so therapeutic and a blessing to write. But sometimes just when I need to get it out and Jesus is a safe place to tell our troubles. He hears and answers. Ever since reading Brother Lawrence’s book, Practicing the Presence of God, I have been blessed that way. Blessings on your day!
Dee:
I have copied your ideas for journalling so that I can refer back to them. I have journalled for almost a year now. Some of it is my feelings but a lot of it is what I’ve been doing for the day. Do I ever write to God? I don’t think so. Now I’m going to try and write more to him, thanks to your help. Please keep writing. You are good!
Thanks so much.
Blessings.
Hello Dee
This was a good one. Yes, it is time to go through things. I journal since I don’t know when. I guess through my rough times. I found it cheaper than going to a counsellor and it helped get things off my chest without any negative consequences. I didn’t know God like I know Him now but looking back He knew me and was with me. When I accepted Christ, I journal and journal all the good things He was showing me, or telling me etc.
Thanks again.
God bless.
Hi funny that I just bought a Journal with bible verses that was on sale.
Why, I have no idea, but since reading your devotion today, I know what I am going to do with it. I am going to start writing in it even though I am 74 years young.
Thank you and Bless you.
Good words, thank you.