Category Archives: Believe

The Bible Reading Journal Series: Color Coding System

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Every time I read my Bible, I pray for the Holy Spirit to guide me thru the journaling experience including highlighting, meditating and journaling the selected Scriptures.

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law.” Psalm 119:18 NASB

I pray over the following Scriptures when journaling and highlighting:

But He said, ‘On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the Word of God and observe it.” Luke 11:28 NASB

“Lord, what are the practical ways I can step out in obedience?”

As I read His Word, I truly delight on all of His precepts and promises. When His Holy Spirit convicts me of His commands, then I highlight the verses in BLUE.

“But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” 1 Corinthians 11:28 NASB

“Lord, show me any unconfessed sin(s) in my life.”

When the Holy Spirit convicts me of any sin(s), then I highlight the verse in BROWN.

I also acknowledge sinful nature in the Bible.

“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:14 NASB

“Lord, help me forgive myself and/or others today.”

When the Holy Spirit convicts me, then I highlight the verse in PURPLE.

“O Taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” Psalm 34:8 NASB.

“Lord, show me your everyday miracles. Open my eyes, heart and help me count my blessings. I want to maintain a heart filled with gratitude and thanksgiving.”

When the Holy Spirit convicts me of His character, then I highlight the verse in RED for His never-ending compassion, unfailing love, and morning mercies.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 NASB.

“Lord, I am surrendering my life to You, and praying over selected Scriptures.”

When the Holy Spirit convicts me, I highlight the verse in GREEN.

To view YouTube video clip; click below:

Intimacy with the Lord

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Closeness with our Lord = Quiet Time + His Word + Self-Examination + fervent Prayer.

Let us explore the daily process for the Bible Reading Journal today.
It typically takes me approximately 30 minutes to read a chapter a day and journal. It may seem a long time but our time with the Lord is priceless and memorable!

Once we read the chapter, we highlight and inscribe a selected verse or two in different translations. When I inscribe His Word, I am able to memorize it a lot easier. I then journal ‘how’ I am going to step out in obedience in practical ways.

Later I examine my heart daily so I may repent and forgive, count my blessings and maintain a prayerful lifestyle.

Cross-References allow me to dig deeper into God’s Word and Commentaries enrich my “journaling” experience.

“…but God was working in every detail. He was providing, humbling, sanctifying, forgiving, and drawing their hearts to His in the most necessary and beautiful ways.“ 
Whitney from Love God Greatly Ministries.

“When I read my journals, I see God’s fingerprints all over. Journals are my stones of remembrance (Joshua 4:23-24)“  Adriana Morales-Spokane.

Join our FB Community for women at “The Bible Reading Journal Series”

Next Video Clip: The Bible Reading Journal Series: Verse Color Coding.

Examine the Heart!

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Let us Examine our Hearts.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:31‬ ‭NLT

“But now you also put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:8, 19‬ ‭NASB‬‬

“that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:22‬ ‭NASB‬‬

“Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,” 1 Peter ‭2:1‬ ‭NASB‬‬

Memorial Stones

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Memorial Stones

“Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ then you shall say to them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.’ So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever.”

For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the LORD your God had done to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed; that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, so that you may fear the LORD your God forever.” Joshua 4:6-7, 23-24 NASB

Journaling is a way to reflect on God’s Faithfulness.

All of my journals are priceless keepsakes and much more like memorial stones that last forever.

I get to look back to where I was and see how God has transformed my life over the course of time.

He is good all the time.

His Word renews my mind every day, strengthens my heart in moments of distress and has transformed my life over the past decade alone!

Crossing-Over

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Crossing-Over: Journaling God’s Faithfulness.

“Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” Joshua 3:5‬ ‭NASB‬‬
There are miracles taking place in our ordinary lives every day.

We just need to stop, breathe, reflect and journal. The Lord will do the rest! 

He is Able.

Today’s video clip is here:

Less Busyness, More of Jesus!

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Photo Courtesy: Ben White at Splasher

Idolatry existed in Biblical times and it still is apparent in today’s world.

At a social gathering this past weekend, a middle-aged woman kept telling me how much rest she needed from her ‘crazy schedule’ at work and home. She appeared exhausted, preoccupied and anxious about her day-to-day business.  Because I am quite familiar with today’s fast-paced lifestyle and worldly views, I listened attentively and prayed silently for her to sit at the feet of Jesus more often.

The middle-aged woman who complained about her busy schedule at the social gathering was ‘me’!

As I reflect over the past three weeks of Micah’s bible study, I soon realized ‘busyness’ is a common distractor for most of us. Our schedules may be considered as an idol if these activities take priority over our relationship with Jesus. I tend to drift away from the Lord when life gets too busy and my schedule is overcrowded with appointments, work meetings, errands and other demands.

An overcrowded schedule will not allow us to hear the soft whispers of the Holy Spirit. Our flesh will be vulnerable and we may easily fall into temptation(s) or be deceived by the enemy’s lies. If we do not make time for God’s Word, then the Holy Spirit will not have the opportunity to encourage or counsel our hearts. Our lives will never be transformed.

Lord, help me clear out my daily schedule so I may dig deeper into your Word one day at a time.

Even though the Israelites sinned by worshipping false gods in Biblical times, our Lord loved on them and waited patiently for them to repent. He is still the ‘same’ patient, merciful, compassionate and forgiving God today.

Lord, please forgive me for ‘being too busy’ in life. Help me worship and glorify You in all I do. I want a heart just like King Hezekiah who genuinely loved You.

Lord, search my heart and forgive all of my unconfessed sins, help me follow your commandments and love on me today. You pursued me relentlessly until I surrendered my heart at the foot of the Cross.

Please demolish all of the idols in my life today.
Help me rest at the feet of Jesus more often.

“Praise the Lord, O my soul; all of my inmost beings, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all of your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems  your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires  with good things so that your youth is renewed like eagle’s.” Psalm 103:1-5 NIV

“For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:9 NIV

“You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.” Psalm 145:16 NIV

He is the One who forgives, heals, redeems, loves and satisfies the core of our souls. Idolatry or worshipping false gods is just a temporary fix and will never satisfy us.

King Hezekiah praised and loved God with all of his heart, mind, and soul. Let us pray we have the heart to love God greatly. He is our only hope and security in the midst of confusion, turmoil, and darkness that exist in today’s world.

Let us pray for our daily schedules to allow us to read and reflect on His Word every day. In Jesus’ name, we boldly pray.

Amen.

In Pursuit of Wisdom

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I truly delight in journaling.

Every time I sit down to journal, I pray for the Lord to open my eyes so I may see His commands, and promises He has for me (Psalm 119:18).

Moments of reflection provide clarity, direction, wisdom and most importantly these thoughtful moments will establish and maintain an intimate relationship with the Lord.

When I engage in Bible journaling, I keep the process simple and consistent.

Do you have a preferred time to sit at the feet of Jesus without distractions? Do you take time to write down your thoughts or observations when reading God’s Word?

My favorite time to read Bible passages is at Sunrise although I focus on His Word during work breaks, after work and at bedtime. If I am driving to the office or an appointment, I take the opportunity to worship with music, and establish communication with the Lord by prayer.

The opportunity to sit in my couch comfortably and read God’s Truth quietly is priceless.

I typically have a set of gel pens and highlighters available to me at all times so I may inscribe a verse or two, read the selected verses in different versions, and highlight key precepts or promises. Once I write down the key observations of the selected verse(s), I then pray over them so I may apply His Truth today!

Life gets in the way and it can get quite hectic. How do I typically handle distractions? When I read the Bible, I maintain a small pad next to the journal in case I’ve got distracting thoughts; things to do, appointments to be made or people to call in the week. I write these down immediately so it would not interfere with my time with the Lord. It alleviates some of the distress when I am focusing on God’s Word and calms my anxious heart as I proceed with today’s Bible readings.

There are many available methods in the market to show us ‘how to’ mark our Bible passages. But, I choose the one that is going to help me remember and hide His Truth in my heart forever.

After a couple of weeks of journaling, I reflect and re-read all of the lessons learned, blessings and answers to prayers. The most exhilarating moment for me is when I reflect back and witness how God has been faithful, forgiven, compassionate and has shown up in the midst of confusion, chaos, turmoil or grief.

My daily journal is definitely a keepsake!

Let me highlight some of the most recent reflections from the daily journal.

Lord,

Our Faith is growing abundantly (2 Thess 1:3) one day at a time. How comforting is to know the Lord is with us at all times (Zephaniah 3:17) and our Faith grows when we acknowledge His presence in the midst of our life happenings. He is our wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:1-7). He is God, our everlasting ROCK (Isaiah 26:3-4). The Lord has begun ‘good work’ in our lives (Philippians 1:6); when we ask for direction, He will direct our steps. He chose us and loves us (1 Thess 4). His love endures (1 Chronicles 16:34). We are His beloved daughters indeed.
Seek His face (1 Chronicles 16:11). The Lord wants for us to press ON and move forward (Phil 3 13-14), stand firm (2 Thess 2:15), rejoice in the Lord and be grateful
(Phil 4:4-5). Let us be thankful in all of our circumstances (1 Thess 5:16-18). God protects us from evil (2 Thess 3:3). Let us please God, not men (1 Thess 2:4) when taking actions or making life-altering decisions. Rejoice in our labor whether it is at work, community, Church or at home (Eccl 5:19). Maintain integrity (Psalm 119:1).

Help us be a Light, His Love (Luke 8:16) so others may see Jesus in us always. Share the Great News to all in this dark world.

In Jesus’ name, we boldly pray. Amen.


Photo Courtesy: Hannah Olinger at Splasher

A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance.

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“A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…” Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As a child, I spent countless hours at our family’s country house, ‘La Morita’. We would travel there every weekend with relatives and friends. The adults would play cards, dominoes or bingo in the evenings after a tasty home-made meal. All of the children would laugh often when sharing stories at the hammocks zone, play Marco Polo at the pool, ride horses in town or hike the mountains at sunrise.

I certainly miss ‘La Morita’. Those memorable times were filled with joy. I don’t remember experiencing any sadness then. Our families were united, loved one another, and were energized by fellowship, outdoor activities and mesmerized by the beauty of nature.

As I grew older, I soon realized life was not ‘picture perfect’. There are moments filled with contentment and other times filled with great distress, anger, emotional pain, grief and/or sorrow.

God promised to be right there with us thru it all – the fun, the boring, the best, the ugly and the worst times.

The Lord is our Refuge. He will never leave us nor forsake us. That is His promise.

When dad passed away, mom relocated back to our home country in South America. Since then, I have only seen her once. We don’t get to walk at the local park nor shop at ‘Sawgrass Mills’ Shopping Center anymore. It has been over two years since I last had a meal with mom at the table. I miss her voice, enthusiasm and most importantly her presence. I wish I could sit with you right now and share the details of my next trip to Florida. The truth is I may never be able to visit mom again and this is a reality I have recently come to terms with. I am in a season of loss, grief and sorrow indeed. It is time to weep, mourn and embrace the loss of mom’s current living situation, geographical distance and deteriorating health conditions.

Are you grieving at this moment, my friend? Are you reminiscing on ‘how’ your past circumstances are quite different than todays? Perhaps, you are facing an ‘unexpected’ loss and you are quite overwhelmed with the intensity and impact of the sudden challenge.

Do not be dismayed or broken-hearted, my friend.

We are in a season of grief but His mercies are new every morning. Today is filled with opportunities for us to briefly reminisce about the past then spend the rest of the time counting our blessings. We have been blessed for all the countless memories and unforgettable moments with our loved ones. They have left their ‘forever’ fingerprints on our minds, hearts and souls. My heart rejoices every time I think of mom.

Let us not dwell on the emotional distress or pain of our recent past. Let us acknowledge our loss, lament and journal our painful thoughts until we are comforted by His promises. Our Lord listens to our melancholic cries and painful thoughts and He comforts our shattered hearts over time.

We will dance once again as soon as our hearts are healed and restored.

Lord, there are so many seasons in our lives and some are difficult to process and get thru. I know we may be in the midst of a tough season. As we lament our losses, we know you are comforting us with your faithfulness, morning mercies and compassion … You hear all of our cries and wipe our tears away. You heal our brokenness and bind our deep wounds. You are our only Hope and Refuge. Turn the gaze of our hearts towards the beauty of all of your promises and fill our hearts with never-ending Hope.

Lord, I’m willing to embrace the new season in life. Spring is here! Flowers are blooming. I want to rejoice once again. Jesus, hold my hand and come with me and waltz together at the dance floor.

In Jesus’ name we boldly pray, Amen.

“You, LORD, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,” Psalm‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭NIV

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm‬ ‭147:3‬ ‭NIV

“The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” Psalm‬ ‭9:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” Psalm‬ ‭27:4‬ ‭NIV

Photo courtesy: Jared Weiss @ Splasher

The Spanish Version of the Bible Reading Journal Series is coming soon to Amazon!

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Behind the scenes…

Let me introduce you to the Spanish Editor for the Bible Reading Journal Series, Dr. Angelica Langham, who retired successfully from the field of Medicine seven years ago.

Dr. Langham is both a conference speaker and a teacher of God’s Truth who now disciples women in Florida, Tennessee, Colombia, and Peru. She is fulfilling the Great Commission passionately one day at a time.

Jesus encourages all of us to “… go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew‬ ‭28:19-20‬ ‭NIV

Discipleship is a priority for the church.

When I asked Dr. Langham how did she begin discipleship relationships, her response was the following: “The Lord has laid on my heart to serve Him. Pursuing my calling, I began to evangelize women in a non-profit Christian organization and participated in different evangelistic events in my local church. Even though many people repented, believed and received Jesus as Savior and Lord, I realized that something was missing in ministering to them. New believers and Christians in the church need an ongoing relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. They need to grow and become mature in their Faith. However, many of them have become stagnant or even have abandoned their faith….”

Dr. Langham was discipled for two years before she started to disciple women locally and internationally. She is so grateful to witness how God is changing the lives of many of her students and even her own life. In these relationships, women have an opportunity to build spiritual disciplines, such as reading and meditating on the Bible passages, praying fervently with thanksgiving, worshiping the Lord and confessing their sins on a regular basis.

Jesus’ obedience to the Great Commission has impacted our lives today. Dr. Langham has discovered that the missing link in ministering to women is to establish a discipleship relationship in which both truth and life are shared in real life circumstances.

She further shared, “We cannot evangelize without making disciples. We cannot gain people without feeding them. We cannot leave believers alone, but we must help and encourage them in their faith. Therefore, following Jesus’ example of making disciples should be the primary goal in the body of Christ. Disciple-making is an intentional process to build up believers, to mend them, and to equip them to be fruitful and multiply, obeying the Great Commission. In these changing and difficult times, I believe that every Christian needs to be discipled to grow and be mature, to receive healing of past wounds, to build spiritual disciplines, to be accountable to other believers, to multiply and make discipleship relationships.”

Photo courtesy: Tomoko Uji at UnSplash

Enjoy The Process!

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“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the Heaven…He has made everything beautiful in its time…” Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:1-2, 5 NIV‬‬

There will always be a season for a “fresh start” whether it is a new career, a church community, a job, a friendship or even a ministry. I delight in the freshness of ‘new beginnings’. When we embark on a new path, it is normal for us to expect favorable outcomes right away. In a world of instant gratification, I like for circumstances to unfold quickly in my favor or be resolved immediately.

When I was in High School, I wanted to finish the academic coursework in three years… When I was a young adult, I wanted to marry and move out of the house… When I was in college, I wanted to graduate in less than four years! I tend to rush. I sure do. As I got older, I soon realized there are no shortcuts or healthy quick fixes in life.

Time is of the essence! Be still and know He is in control of our lives. (Psalm 46:10) Let us sit back, relax and be present in the moment.

We may need additional time to select a new career path. It takes a while to get settled in a new community. There is usually a learning curve to master and be proficient at new tasks. In relationships, we need time to learn one another and build trust. If we are serving in ministry, we may need to wait for direction, wisdom, and understanding.

God’s timetable is different than ours! His ways are higher than ours. His timing and plans are perfect. Let us be open-minded and flexible in the midst of our wait. It may take longer than expected!

If we want to be fruitful in life, let us break down our goals, and zero into specific action steps. Just know, God is orchestrating all of our circumstances and He does not miss a beat! Over the course of time, suitable conditions will flourish. God makes everything beautiful in His time. He is in charge of the Harvest.

The more I wait and persevere, the more I trust His plan. In my last wait, the Holy Spirit reminded me of the following;

Let us honor our new beginnings and trust His timing. Do not rush or grow weary. “So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.” Acts‬ ‭27:25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let us take a leap of Faith and take the next step without anxiety or distress. Do not be afraid. “But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage!…” Matthew‬ ‭14:27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In Christ, we have His wisdom to face challenges along the way. Do not doubt yourself. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Do not be distracted by external circumstances “…And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews‬ ‭12:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Lord, help us be in your presence so we may experience serenity in the midst of our wait.“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭NIV

In Jesus’ name, I boldly praise and pray.

Amen

Photo courtesy: Danielle MacInnes @ UnSplash