I have never liked to journal. Sometimes, I would try to journal my life, my prayers, or my spiritual journey--but it never lasted very long. I've read many Christian books that encourage journaling, so I tried again. Finally, I came to the conclusion that journaling worked for some, and not for others.
However, I now have a different perspective. Journaling what God has revealed to me is an important part of growth, whether I can see the results of it or not. I must be responsible for what God has shown me already, before I can expect Him to show more. This means having a system that works for me, being consistent with it, and coming back to review what I have learned.
Building consistency in journaling is similar to my past experience of building consistency in daily Jesus Time. It is a process. I'm not perfect and will have gaps. But the more I try and hold that as a goal while praying for the power of the Holy Spirit to change me, the closer I get to becoming who the Lord wants me to be.
May we always remember the voice of the Lord in experience and in writing. Happy journaling!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Summary of My Jesus Life currently
My constant prayers are that I would go deeper and become more desperate for Him.
My purpose statement is now: “With passion and humility, to know Him. With compassion and empowerment, to make Him known.”
Those 4 aspects are also a constant cry of my heart: passion, humility, compassion, and empowerment so that I would be an effective servant impacting people’s lives and that He would receive glory from my life.
A couple of key Scriptures for me are: John 14:12 and 1 Corinthians 2:4. (Along with my life verse Psalm 119:93).
He has given me a lifestyle of prayer, fasting, and worship in seeking Him passionately. Wow!
My purpose statement is now: “With passion and humility, to know Him. With compassion and empowerment, to make Him known.”
Those 4 aspects are also a constant cry of my heart: passion, humility, compassion, and empowerment so that I would be an effective servant impacting people’s lives and that He would receive glory from my life.
A couple of key Scriptures for me are: John 14:12 and 1 Corinthians 2:4. (Along with my life verse Psalm 119:93).
He has given me a lifestyle of prayer, fasting, and worship in seeking Him passionately. Wow!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Secret Place
I can't believe how long it's been since I've blogged! Just life, I suppose. But in the midst, the Lord continues to capture my heart and ravish me with His Love, teaching me through the Holy Spirit and casting a vision before me of the Secret Place which is becoming a reality in my life.
"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1
"But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." Matthew 6:6
The Secret Place . . . a place of protection definitely, but also a place of intimacy and revelation. Oh how we as believers would know the love of Christ as a Bridegroom who desires His church to become lovesick for Him!
Along this line, a wonderful resource is "Secrets of the Secret Place" by Bob Sorge, a book with a flexible format that could be used in personal devotions, discipleship relationships, small group studies, or church-wide exhortations. Chapters are short, but powerful and challenging.
Similar to Francis Frangipane's writings, this book can be read repeatedly throughout a Christian's life to encourage them and spur them on to deeper intimacy with the Lord. It is an easy read that can give surface understanding to new believers as well as deeper understanding for those who are digging for treasure from the Lord. It presents a journey of passionate relationship, not ritualistic discipline. This will definitely be at the top of my recommend list!
Believers can read books about marriage, parenting, and finances; spiritual gifts and spiritual warfare. However, if we never learn to enter the Secret Place and dwell there, we have missed the precious relationship that the Lord desires for us to have with Him. It must be the highest priority in our lives! From our love relationship flows all other matters of our lives. Without it, we are settling for the mundane.
May you grow so desperate for Him in the Secret Place that you must return again and again.
"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1
"But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." Matthew 6:6
The Secret Place . . . a place of protection definitely, but also a place of intimacy and revelation. Oh how we as believers would know the love of Christ as a Bridegroom who desires His church to become lovesick for Him!
Along this line, a wonderful resource is "Secrets of the Secret Place" by Bob Sorge, a book with a flexible format that could be used in personal devotions, discipleship relationships, small group studies, or church-wide exhortations. Chapters are short, but powerful and challenging.
Similar to Francis Frangipane's writings, this book can be read repeatedly throughout a Christian's life to encourage them and spur them on to deeper intimacy with the Lord. It is an easy read that can give surface understanding to new believers as well as deeper understanding for those who are digging for treasure from the Lord. It presents a journey of passionate relationship, not ritualistic discipline. This will definitely be at the top of my recommend list!
Believers can read books about marriage, parenting, and finances; spiritual gifts and spiritual warfare. However, if we never learn to enter the Secret Place and dwell there, we have missed the precious relationship that the Lord desires for us to have with Him. It must be the highest priority in our lives! From our love relationship flows all other matters of our lives. Without it, we are settling for the mundane.
May you grow so desperate for Him in the Secret Place that you must return again and again.
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