Monday, May 2, 2011
Witnessing History
Osama Bin Laden was killed yesterday. Today I am watching the Today Show on my Roku. It is amazing to me that this is something that will (hopefully) be written about in history books, and I am sitting and watching it right now. My kids are too little to "get" that anything is going on, but it makes me wonder, what will you tell your kids? It isn't really something that can be explained without some backstory I would think. But it does put things in perspective a bit to be a part of history. Someday I can tell my grandkids I remember when. Just the thought of having grandchildren is an overwhelming one though. So, how are you going to explain this to your children?
His Word is His Bond
It has been so long since I have posted. Life has been a bit crazy. I am seeing the need so much to schedule - everything. Mainly family time and hubby time. Those are the things that tend to get pushed out, or slip through the cracks when things get busy.
I haven't been very consistent with my quiet times the past few weeks, but I am repenting, and will be getting up before my kids again. It helps so much, to get that time before they rise.
If you want information on SOAP journaling, please click HERE.
Scripture
Jeremiah 11:14
“Do not pray for this people or offer any plea or petition for them, because I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their distress.
Observation
The people of Jerusalem didn't obey the covenant, so God kept His word and put the curses of the covenant on the people. I don't think its something he necessarily wanted to do, but He needed to keep His word, and the curses were the consequences for the people's actions.
Application
There is so much I can get out of this chapter - how much I have to be grateful for in Jesus. The people didn't have Jesus to intercede for them.
Also, God keeps His covenant and His word. He makes it clear that He must keep His covenant - that prayer and intercession wouldn't change His mind. God will keep His word with me, too. That is something I have to be confident in.
This is also a great example for parenting. If I say that there will be consequences, those consequences need to happen, no matter how difficult it may be for me to "carry out" those consequences. I need to do this so that my kids will value my word, and understand consequences.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for giving me Jesus as an intercessor. Thank you for being a God of your word and of Honor. Please help me to do the same with my family and friends. Help me to be a woman of my word, and a parent that keeps her word, no matter how difficult it may be at times.
I haven't been very consistent with my quiet times the past few weeks, but I am repenting, and will be getting up before my kids again. It helps so much, to get that time before they rise.
If you want information on SOAP journaling, please click HERE.
Scripture
Jeremiah 11:14
“Do not pray for this people or offer any plea or petition for them, because I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their distress.
Observation
The people of Jerusalem didn't obey the covenant, so God kept His word and put the curses of the covenant on the people. I don't think its something he necessarily wanted to do, but He needed to keep His word, and the curses were the consequences for the people's actions.
Application
There is so much I can get out of this chapter - how much I have to be grateful for in Jesus. The people didn't have Jesus to intercede for them.
Also, God keeps His covenant and His word. He makes it clear that He must keep His covenant - that prayer and intercession wouldn't change His mind. God will keep His word with me, too. That is something I have to be confident in.
This is also a great example for parenting. If I say that there will be consequences, those consequences need to happen, no matter how difficult it may be for me to "carry out" those consequences. I need to do this so that my kids will value my word, and understand consequences.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for giving me Jesus as an intercessor. Thank you for being a God of your word and of Honor. Please help me to do the same with my family and friends. Help me to be a woman of my word, and a parent that keeps her word, no matter how difficult it may be at times.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Don't Soften the Blow
Well, its been a couple of days since I have posted my journal entry. I have been so busy this past weekend, and it looks like things aren't going to let up for about a week. Here is today's though, even though today is almost over!
If you want information about SOAP journaling, click here.
Scripture
Jeremiah 7:16
“So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you." declares the Lord.
Observation
Jeremiah had such a difficult message to give to the people. It wasn't of hope, but of destruction, loneliness, and peril.
Application
Jeremiah didn't back down when he had to tell the people God's message. He didn't try to change it to soften the blow, he just delivered it "as is." I need to do the same in sharing the word with both believers and non-believers.
Prayer
God, please help me to share your word without feeling I have to "soften" your word to keep from hurting anyone's feelings.
If you want information about SOAP journaling, click here.
Scripture
Jeremiah 7:16
“So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you." declares the Lord.
Observation
Jeremiah had such a difficult message to give to the people. It wasn't of hope, but of destruction, loneliness, and peril.
Application
Jeremiah didn't back down when he had to tell the people God's message. He didn't try to change it to soften the blow, he just delivered it "as is." I need to do the same in sharing the word with both believers and non-believers.
Prayer
God, please help me to share your word without feeling I have to "soften" your word to keep from hurting anyone's feelings.
Keurig: Early Christmas!
I got a brand new Keurig coffee pot yesterday. (Thank you craigslist!) I got a deal, and I love it! Its not something I ever wanted, because I knew I couldn't afford it, and regular coffee is cheaper, but now that I only drink one cup a day, its nice that I can just make that one cup. I'm not getting paid to post about Keurig or anything, I'm just excited and wanted to share!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Jeremiah 4: Necessary Nurturing
If you would like information about SOAP journaling, please see here.
Scripture
(I couldn't pick just one today, so there's three!
Jeremiah 4:1-2
“If you, Israel, will return,
then return to me,”
declares the LORD.
“If you put your detestable idols out of my sight
and no longer go astray,
2 and if in a truthful, just and righteous way
you swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’
then the nations will invoke blessings by him
and in him they will boast.”
Jeremiah 4:18
Your own conduct and actions
have brought this on you.
This is your punishment.
How bitter it is!
How it pierces to the heart!”
Jeremiah 4:28
Therefore the earth will mourn
and the heavens above grow dark,
because I have spoken and will not relent,
I have decided and will not turn back.”
Observation
God wanted the people of Israel to be righteous - He didnt want to punish His people, but He is a God of His word, and could not turn back even though it hurt him to punish his people.
Application
I don't like to punish my children. I often leave a lot of it to my hubby. In order for my children to learn to be Godly, I need to punish them when they disobey. The temporary pain is much less than the consequences of inaction.
Prayer
Lord, please help me to raise my children the way you want me to; to bring up children that love You and your word and that respect their elders, as well as their peers.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Scripture
(I couldn't pick just one today, so there's three!
Jeremiah 4:1-2
“If you, Israel, will return,
then return to me,”
declares the LORD.
“If you put your detestable idols out of my sight
and no longer go astray,
2 and if in a truthful, just and righteous way
you swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’
then the nations will invoke blessings by him
and in him they will boast.”
Jeremiah 4:18
Your own conduct and actions
have brought this on you.
This is your punishment.
How bitter it is!
How it pierces to the heart!”
Jeremiah 4:28
Therefore the earth will mourn
and the heavens above grow dark,
because I have spoken and will not relent,
I have decided and will not turn back.”
Observation
God wanted the people of Israel to be righteous - He didnt want to punish His people, but He is a God of His word, and could not turn back even though it hurt him to punish his people.
Application
I don't like to punish my children. I often leave a lot of it to my hubby. In order for my children to learn to be Godly, I need to punish them when they disobey. The temporary pain is much less than the consequences of inaction.
Prayer
Lord, please help me to raise my children the way you want me to; to bring up children that love You and your word and that respect their elders, as well as their peers.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Confession: The Road to Grace Jeremiah 3
If you are unfamiliar with the new journaling method I found, please look here.
Scripture
you have rebelled against the LORD your God,
you have scattered your favors to foreign gods
under every spreading tree,
and have not obeyed me,’”
declares the LORD.
Observation
God wanted to give the people grace (v. 12) , but he wanted the people of Israel to first acknowledge (see) and confess their sin.
Application
Look at my daily life. What sin is present that is unconfessed? Confess sin when it occurs - either by calling someone or writing it down to confess to hubby later. Pray through it daily, asking God for forgiveness and wisdom to overcome my sin.
Prayer
Lord, please help me to be real with my life - my sin and how I hurt You. I want to be close to you and to others, and confessing my sins daily is the way to do that. In Jesus name, Amen.
Please feel free to share your readings, thoughts, prayers with me, either through the comments or by emailing me . I would love to hear what you are learning through God's word!
Scripture
Jeremiah 3:13
Only acknowledge your guilt— you have rebelled against the LORD your God,
you have scattered your favors to foreign gods
under every spreading tree,
and have not obeyed me,’”
declares the LORD.
Observation
God wanted to give the people grace (v. 12) , but he wanted the people of Israel to first acknowledge (see) and confess their sin.
God doesn't change, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
He wants me to acknowledge and confess my sin so that He can give me grace and I can be nearer to Him.
Application
Look at my daily life. What sin is present that is unconfessed? Confess sin when it occurs - either by calling someone or writing it down to confess to hubby later. Pray through it daily, asking God for forgiveness and wisdom to overcome my sin.
Prayer
Lord, please help me to be real with my life - my sin and how I hurt You. I want to be close to you and to others, and confessing my sins daily is the way to do that. In Jesus name, Amen.
Please feel free to share your readings, thoughts, prayers with me, either through the comments or by emailing me . I would love to hear what you are learning through God's word!
SOAP: A journaling guide
SOAP is a journaling guide I discovered on another website, Moms Toolbox. I have been looking for ways to get deeper in my bible study, and this seems to be a great way. If you want to learn the SOAP method, I strongly suggest the Mom's Toolbox blog, as it explains it then puts it into practice.
The basics of SOAP are as follows:
S - Scripture
Write the one scripture you feel God is using to speak to you in today's reading.
O - Observation
What might He be telling you with that scripture?
A -Application
How can you apply it to your life?
P - Prayer
What is your prayer to ask God in helping you to make that application?
Then look back over your notes and pick a title. Write the title on the top of your page. You can then write that title in the front of your journal, along with the date, and you will have a reference when you want to look up something you have studied, or look at ways God has worked in your life.
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