Journaling Daily Devotions

Here are some tips on journaling your thoughts from God’s word:
As we read God’s words, we begin to see how God responds to things. Doing daily devotions re-patterns the way we think and transforms the spirit of the mind. Then when we face similar situations as Jesus did, we begin to respond in the same way.

Journaling is an excellent way to both record and process what God has spoken to us. It’s also a useful tool to use at a later time, to reflect on and review some of the ‘gems’ that you have received. Without writing them down, you may forget those blessings and some very important lessons! And while journaling is a very personal time with the Lord, you may want to share some of your daily journaling with your small group or mentors. Through discussion, you may be able to look deeper into what God is speaking to you, gain new insight and even encourage others.

S for Scripture
Open your Bible to the reading found under today’s date of your Bible bookmark. Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. When you are done, look for a verse that particularly spoke to you that day, and write it in your journal.

O for Observation
What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you. Paraphrase and write this scripture down in your own words, in your journal.

A for Application
Personalize what you have read, by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, revelation of a new promise, or corrections for a particular area of your life. Write how this scripture can apply to you today.

P for Prayer
This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture, or it may be a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you. Remember, prayer is a two way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say! Now, write it out.

If this seems a little overwhelming, take it slow and keep it simple. No matter how you decide to do your devotions, the important thing is to show up for your daily appointment, because God is always waiting for you!

Life Journal in 2010

It has been a while since I have posted on this blog. I have not stopped reading God's Word...I have just not been posting my reflections on the blog. Beginning tomorrow, I will resume my blogging using the reading from the Life Journal. If you would like to read the scriptures with me, you can follow the reading by using a Life Journal (I have some copies that I would be glad to give you) or by using this link to the readings (New Hope Church in Hawaii) http://www.lifejournal.cc/

I am looking forward to learning about my God and how I can best serve Him through my daily life. My prayer is for a new year in following the Lord with my every step.
Pastor Greg

The Great Privilege

S. "Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name." Romans 1:5 (NLT)

O. It is a good reminder that I have been given the privilege and the authority to tell people everywhere what God has done for me and them...to tell them about Jesus Christ. I am reminded as I read about the church in the New Testament that they had a singular goal...to introduce people Jesus Christ. They told of how the scriptures revealed that he was the Messiah...the one chosen by God to redeem his people and bring them into relationship with Him. They were told of the miracles that Jesus had performed and even seen the power of God working in the lives of the early church and the apostles....and why did they do all this. Paul gives three reasons...first, that they might believe (in Jesus). The apostles had the privilege of telling others about Jesus and calling them to believe. In Romans 10: 9 he writes, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." I must bring and share Christ so that others believe in him. Second, that they might obey. I live an example daily of obedience to Christ. I must help other people to live this life of obedience as well. We are called to live our our faith and believe in Jesus Christ...that is what Paul preached and what we must do as a church today. Third, Paul says all this is done to bring glory to the name God. This is my prayer daily...that my life would bring glory to God and not myself. I should never seek any credit for God's work in my life, but allow my life to reflect God's glory and point to him. Paul wanted to do this and so much I. These are great reminders for me in my ministry and for all who claim to follow Jesus Christ.

A. Today, I chose to allow my life to be seen by others and let it be a reflection of the love of Jesus Christ. I will die to self and allow Christ to be first in my life. I will surrender my will and plans to God pursue a meaningful and obedience relationship with Him.

P. Lord, my heart is full of your love and grace today. What a privilege I have everyday to serve you and give you my life. Take my life today and every day...let my life reflect your honor and glory. Amen.

Faith

S. “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” Matthew 17:20 (NLT)

O. I am constantly challenged in my own spiritual life with the balance between faith and believe. I have to know certain things about God and Jesus Christ. I study and read and open my mind to many different thought pertaining to the God serve and follow. But there comes a time in my life when I have to exercise my faith...when I don't have an answer to something, or don't what will be next, I must elevate my faith. This verse speak of the quality of faith vs. the quantity of faith. I can a visibly "big" faith but it can do me know good. It must be faith that is generated deep in my heart and completely in a posture of surrender to Almighty God.

A. There is one are of my life where I need to move from believing to exhibiting faith in who God is. I must stop trying on my own terms and begin to turn this over to God...knowing and believeing that "he who began a good work in me will being it to completion." (Phil. 1: 6)

P. Jesus I come to you today, wanting to experience your love and surrendering my life to you. I ask that I can live by faith today...knowing that you do love me and have the best in store for me. Amen

Completing God's Work

S. "But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God."
Acts 20:24 (NLT)

O. I love this verse and for some reason, it really stood out to me astt I was reading yesterday. There should be no greater purpose in my life than to complete the work that God has for me...and in a nut shell that work is telling others about the good news of Jesus Christ. For Paul, it is what fueled his life every day. He said in Philippians 1 "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain." He lived for Christ, to share Christ and to honor Christ daily in his life...and so should I!

But it is so easy to get caught up in my stuff and live for my desires and on my agenda. I am guilty of this many times in my life and I will be the first to admit that I have a hard time with surrender and giving up my things for the things and plans of God. But God truly knows that is best for me. He truly has a much bigger and fully and purposeful pain for me life than I could ever try to complete or promote on my own. My work, of which I am not to be ashamed (Romans 1: 16), is to speak the truth and love and mercy I know through Jesus Christ to others around me. Nothing else really matters. It is important that I maintain good relationship with people around me and build strong teams to help with ministry...but it all needs to be focused on the message and transformation of the gospel message. How long will it take to get this simple approach through my thick head?

A. If I want to make this a pattern for my life long term, what is on practical step I can take today and tomorrow to make progress toward this goal? This week, I will make it a proirity to share the gospel with at least one person. That is a starting point...Will you join me?

P. Lord, give me a passion to share the gospel with people around me. Let my life be a life of purpose in accomplishing your will and not my own. Amen

Expanding My Faith

S. "When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.” Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed." Matthew 8:5-8 (NLT)

O. I love this story. I think that it speaks in huge volumes that our christian faith is to be. The officer has heard about Jesus and most likely has seen him heal some people with different illnesses. He speaks to Jesus about his servant who is very sick and Jesus offers to go to his home. But the officer has faith that is great...and he tells Jesus to just speak of word of healing and his servant will be healed. WOW! He believed in what Jesus could do...and he lived that our through his words and actions. Later in this passage Jesus said, "I tell you that truth, I haven't seen faith like this in all the land of Israel." (vs. 10).

I believe that many of times when I don't exhibit this kind of faith. I want to see that things are being done in a certain way and I want to have my hand in the outcome of things or I want to see for myself what is going to happen. Faith in believing in what we cannot see... (see Hebrews 11: 1). It is a confidence in what God can to and says that He will do. It is trusting in the one who is greater than me.

A. I really need to expand my view of what God can do. Too many times I get caught up in what I can do in my own strength.

P. Lord Jesus, please increase my faith in what you can do. Broaden my view of who you are and allow my life to be a reflection of your truth and grace to the world. Amen.

Illuminating My Life

S. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

O. Well these verses are really in line with yesterdays verse about proving that you are a Christ follower and that your live has been rid of sins. These are about your life being a light to the world. This is such a simple concept, but one that must be understood in our lives. If we have the light of Jesus in us...there is no reason at all for us to hide that light. It should be our goal to spread His light in us to the world around us. We don't really have a choice. Light is very hard to contain...which illuminated...it will shine and pierce any and all darkness around it. So if there is light among us...what is the result. It is plainly stated in these verses. Our light is to "praise your Father in heaven" and to let others be drawn to Him. That is the ultimate goal...even the goal of our christian life... to help others know Jesus and to give God glory and praise through our lives.

A. My application is so simple as well. I will intentional make the light of Jesus shine into another person this week...and as I do I will lead them to the source of my light...Jesus Christ.

P. Lord Jesus, you are truly light to me. You have exposed my sin and have made me new from the inside out. You have been my light and now I want to be your light to the world. I open my live for your glory and honor every day. Amen.