Why Journal? (part 2)

Earlier this week, I offered up to you some solid reasons to get involved in the spiritual discipline of journaling. If you have not read these yet, please read that post first. These are insights from the gifted Bible teacher and author, David Jeremiah.

5. A journal helps you reject bad habits. A journal can be a progress report in areas where you have been struggling. It helps you to record your successes and failures, and to learn how to deal with the issue - to see it, face it, and reject it.

6. A journal helps you reinforce good habits. Reflection upon the positive will underscore good habits and drive them deeper into your subconscious mind, so they will become more and more a part of who you are in Christ.

7. A journal helps you reach your spiritual goals. If you wait for your life to automatically become what it ought to be before God, it will not happen. God wants us to discipline ourselves for godliness' sake (1 Timothy 4:8).

8. A journal helps you remember God's works. A journal allows you to reread what God has done in former times and encourages and strengthens you knowing that even when you struggle, God is faithful.

Together these eight reasons for journaling make a strong case for doing it. So ... I encourage you to keep at it. At least 2- 3 times each week. I believe you will be stronger in our faith as a result.

Thanks for stopping by . . . and SEIZE THE DAY!
pj

Why Journal? (Part one)

Part of our Carpe Diem spiritual growth initiative involves the spiritual discipline of journaling. In fact, the secondary tool which we are using (the primary tool is the Bible) is the LIFE Journal. Now at this point, you might be asking yourself, "So ... what's the big deal with journaling? Is it really all that important to do? Isn't simply reading the Bible enough? After all, I really don't have time to journal!"

I believe journaling is important (and I will get to the reasons in a moment). But the expectation in our Carpe Diem initiative is not that you journal every day ... but that you journal at least a few times a week (although the more you journal, the better!). SO ... why journal? David Jeremiah offers these compelling reasons:

1. A journal helps you retain your honesty. In order to grow, you must be honest about where you are right now in your spiritual journey. A journal makes you face where you are so you can move forward to where you need to be.

2. A journal helps you record your impressions. There are many incredible moments in your life when you are aware of the greatness of the glory of God. Don't forget to record those experiences.

3. A journal helps you register your progress. You can track your daily discipline. keeping a record of each date and time that you have interaction with the Lord.

4. A journal helps you regain lost momentum when you have become lost in the midst of your journey. If you don't have a mechanism for introspection, the devil will use your down times to destroy you. A journal is a place for you to go back and say, "Here we go again, Lord. Let's start this again."

Take a moment and look over these solid reasons for journaling. In part 2, I will give you his final four reasons.

Thanks for stopping by . . . and SEIZE THE DAY!

Some Thoughts from My Life Journal

For my journey through the Bible for 2014, I chose to go the route of seeing the Scripture from 10,000 feet. It has been a couple of years since I tackeled reading the entire Bible through in a year, so I thought I would commit to do so this year. Thus far, 23 days into the year I am still on track. I am hoping to keep it up!

I thought today I would give you a glimpse into my journal from one of my days .... not that what I wrote is all that insightful. But I do want to give you some encouragement to be journaling at least a few days each week. The entry is from January 4th and the passage I focused my thoughts on was Luke 3:15-17). Here is what I wrote:

"Jesus as the Christ is amazing! Mighty and Holy! John the Baptist's reference to Jesus with a winnowing fork and burning the chaff is not a portrait of Jesus one hears about much in today's church. Yet, Revelation chapter 19 makes it clear that Jesus is coming one day as Judge! And Revelation chapter 20 makes it clear that not everyone will go to heaven. So . . . I must make a greater effort to point people to Jesus! For he is indeed the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but by Him! And he IS coming back!  And when he returns it will be with a winnowing fork in hand!"

Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj

Trusting God's Word!

There are a lot of doubters when it comes to the Bible. Many think of it as merely some sort of
religious book, full of myths and oppressive laws. Others give it little if any thought at all. But for those of us who claim to be followers of Jesus, we must (not should) view the Bible as the inerrant (without error as originally given by God) word of God. Why so? Read what J.I. Packer has to say:

"But I do maintain most emphatically that one cannot doubt the Bible without far-reaching loss, both of fullness of truth and of fullness of life. If therefore we have at heart spiritual renewal for society, for churches and for our own lives, we shall make much of the entire trustworthiness–that is, the inerrancy–of Holy Scripture as the inspired and liberating Word of God."

 (J. I. Packer, Truth and Power: The Place of Scripture in the Christian Life)

 

 

Bottom line, my friends? If you want to see spiritual renewal happening in and around you, then you must embrace the full trustworthiness of the Bible. One evidence of doing so is giving the Scriptures the proper place in your life. Every day you must strive to interact with this divine word to us. Otherwise, you hinder God's work of renewal in your life ... and the lives of those you network with throughout each day. 

 

Speaking of the day --- SEIZE IT by knowing and living God's Word! 

 

Thanks for stopping by . . . 

pj 

The Power of the Bible to Influence Us!

I recently was given some literature published by David Jeremiah's ministry, Turning Point. Here is what was said about the Bible's influence. Certainly should give us some motivation to be in the Word!

"The Bible has had an unmatched impact on culture and society. It has affected every facet of human life including art, literature, and music. Handel's Messiah or the works of Dante or Milton represent the richest of human genius. Would they have graced centuries without the themes of the Scriptures? The Bible has been the mightiest factor in shaping the moral progress of the entire race. Remove from our statute books every law that is founded upon the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount, and you have removed the very cornerstone of modern civilization. While the Bible has molded our culture at large, it has also distinctively shaped individual lives. God's Word influences His people because it provides a unique ministry to all who read it."

Thanks for stopping by . . . and SEIZE THE DAY!
pj

Why Read the Bible?

One of the most important spiritual practices that a follower of Christ can undertake is that of DAILY interacting with God's Word. This is what our CARPE DIEM spiritual growth initiative is all about: knowing and then living the Scriptures! Below is a very well-written article in which the author offers a number of reasons (five to be exact) as to why we should make the effort and take the time to dig into the Bible. I encourage you to read it! It just may spur you on to do what you so desparately need to do!   PJ 

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The Bible is an incredible book of history and facts that proves that there is a God that created all things. Most important of all, the Bible is the Word of God. It contains the mind of God and His will for each one of our lives. That is why the Bible was given to us. Paul the Apostle says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." Why should we study the Word of God? The following are a few scriptural reasons that we should consider when answering this question.

First, the Word of God is infallible. There is no error in God's Word. The law of the Lord is perfect concerning our soul. The testimony of the Lord is not only infallible it is inerrant. Proverbs 30:5-6, "Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar." The purity of His words does not need anything added to it. God warns us not to misrepresent His scripture.

Second, the Word of God is complete. The Bible does not need any new chapters or verses. It is all given to us already. Many cults add their own books or commentaries to the Bible. All you need is God's Word because it is the holy Word of God. It is complete. In Revelation 22:18-19, God gives us a warning, "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

Third, the Word of God is totally authoritative. The book of Psalms 119:89 says "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven." The Word of God is the only source for absolute divine authority. This divine authority is for you and me as servants of Jesus Christ. When some say, "I have a word from the Lord for you," write it down and as you study God's word see if the Lord speaks to you through His Scriptures. Only then will you know if the Lord is truly speaking to you.

Fourth, God's Word is totally sufficient for all of our needs. We don't need anything else. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 it reads "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." We Christians can be totally secure in the Lord by studying the Bible because it is God's plan for our life.

And fifth, the Word of God will accomplish what it promises. If God told you something will happen, and you wait, it will happen. In Isaiah 55:11 it says, "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." God sent His word to accomplish His perfect will in our lives. If God makes a promise to you He will fulfill it in His own time. There are so many promises given to us in the Bible. These promises reassure us and bring comfort to our lives in our times of trial. I challenge you to take time to study the Word of God. The Lord will show you wonderful things that will change your life.

Raul Ries is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Golden Springs and President of Somebody Loves You Ministries.

Thanks for stopping by .... and I hope you are seizing YOUR day by seeking to know God's Word and striving to live it! 

pj

Welcome to our New Carpe Diem Blog

Seizing the Day by knowing and living the Word of God! Now that's the path to the truly abundant life (John 10:10). I hope you are here because that is your heart's desire ... to know God's word better and to live it more consistently.

During the upcoming months of 2014, as you continue your journey of hearing God's voice in the Scripture and then applying it in your life, I will be posting here a midweek journal devotional. I will take some journal entries of my own (or others) and use them to put together a brief post that, I trust, will spur you on. Given the reality that the Enemy will not want you to complete this journey . . . and given that our fallen humanity is prone toward an undisciplined and lazy lifestyle ... you and I need all the encouragement we can get to "stay the course!"  So please stop back and visit for that push you just might need to continue the journey!

If you are wondering just what this spiritual growth initiative is all about, here is the introductory brochure.

Introductory brochure from John Smith

Thanks for stopping by . . . 

pj