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Category Archives: Forgiveness
He Forgives.
Journaling a Bible verse or two!
AdrianaMoralesSpokane.com
Do the right thing!
AdrianaMoralesSpokane.com
The Bible Reading Journal Series: Color Coding System
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
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!
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
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!
Less Busyness, More of Jesus!
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.
God illuminates our Darkness!
And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the
waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling
up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke
Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” And
He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be
still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And
He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no
faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one
another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” Now when
evening came, His disciples went down to the sea,and
after getting into a boat, they started to cross the
sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come
to them. The sea began to be stirred up because a strong
wind was blowing.Then, when they had rowed about three or
four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and
they were frightened. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Mark 4: 37-41 (NASB)
In the midst of a storm or should I say a tsunami, do not forget to look up to Jesus first.
God challenged and refined
me for almost four years although he did not give me more than I could handle
at the time.
Have you ever been choked or paralyzed by a life
storm? Have you ever experienced unbelief? I sure did yet cried out boldly and
loudly, ‘help me with my unbelief, Lord’ periodically. Some of you may be going
thru some challenges today… If you are going thru a storm, how would you
label your storm?
I labeled mine, “The Pit of Darkness.” The Lord was ahead of me working out every detail of my dire circumstances.
“Lord, You light my
lamp; my God illuminates my darkness.” (Psalm 18:28 HCSB) Let us never forget He
is our Light in our journey.
A few months after my dad had passed away, I was
promoted to a regional leadership platform. Today, I oversee the quality of
clinical services for close to 1,300 children and adolescents. During this time
of grief and sorrow, I was asked to make daily Clinical decisions on behalf of
these needy children. While I successfully provided adequate coverage, I was
also intertwined with family affairs and daily decision-making processes on
behalf of my dad’s Estate.
My “pit of darkness” was steep and
intense. I will explain next.
I was out of breath at times and my health was compromised on several occasions. My life circumstances definitely got grotesque before the circumstances got any better. I know our Lord will train us for today’s battlefield. His Truth reminds me, “He trains my hands for war; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” (Psalm 18:32 HCSB) The Lord will fight on our behalf, we just need to be still, be quiet, listen and follow His lead (Exodus 14:14).
“Every time my eyes were not on Jesus, I was horrified even paralyzed when facing these stressors,” I thank the Lord for having a supportive husband who challenged me to take the next step in the midst of confusion, chaos, loss, and persecution from those who resisted change. Most importantly, I have a great God who clothed me with inner strength and filled my heart with hope (Psalm 18:39). He makes my way perfect (Psalm 18:32).
“The Lord is My Banner” (Exodus 17:15).
I was overwhelmed and frazzled at the beginning of my leadership role, I experienced a panic attack on one of my business trips. At the end of the first year, I literally experienced heart-attack symptoms such as discomfort in my arm, pain in my chest and shortness of breath. In my second year, I experienced severe vertigo signs. In one occasion, the medical doctor ruled out a brain tumor with an MRI!
I thank God for ‘good health’ today!
The season of grief and sorrow, a fast-paced demanding work environment and family distress contributed to the pit of darkness. Slowly but surely, I began to read His Word daily and started to journal as I dealt with these life stressors.
I knew I had to handle these life stressors God’s way! It is the only way, my friend.
Once I was convicted, I prayed for His strength, mercies, and inner peace. I begged the Lord to show me ‘how’ and to give me the strength to persevere thru it all.
Three years later, I changed the cultural climate at work, implemented new systems and mobilized community resources for the least restrictive placements, and held strategic, monthly conference calls with the former Commissioner.
At this time, my eyes are on Jesus and no longer on my circumstances. In Christ, there is victory without a doubt!
Out of the pit of darkness, the Bible Reading Journal Series was birthed.
There will be seven volumes addressing the core spiritual disciplines that involve life application, confession, repentance, forgiveness, thanksgiving, and prayer. In the midst of the storm, let us not forget to look up to Jesus, not our circumstances my friend.
In my darkest moments, I felt hatred, unforgiveness, resentment, loneliness, isolation, and depression. These negative emotions took root in my heart temporarily. When I was convicted of the darkness in my life, I knew I had to look up to Jesus immediately for His help, guidance, inner peace and most importantly a new heart!
He was forgiving, compassionate and faithful.
As soon as I would
inscribe His Word, apply the lesson learned that morning, and submit my prayer
requests, I was able to focus on the next task, experience less distress and
endure the hardships at work.
His grace and faithfulness carried me one day at
a time.
And, when I submit all of my prayer requests at sunrise, my heart and mind are in peace and I am much better prepared for today’s battlefield and the unexpected events.
Today, I not only inscribe those Scriptures that speak to me when I’m reading the Bible, but I read these verses in different translations, apply them to my life, and step out in obedience.
As I go thru any of my journals, I have an opportunity to confess to God any sin(s) whether it is unbelief, anger or unforgiveness. I also ask the Lord to help me forgive those who have hurt me throughout the day.
Counting my blessings fills my heart with gratitude.
When I surrender and write out my prayers and praying for others, our Lord comforts me every morning.
I am boldly praising Jesus today! “Sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted; He has thrown the horse and its rider into the sea.” (Exodus 15: 21)
In Christ, there is victory so look up in the midst of a life storm. Do not fix your eyes on the circumstances, my friend.
Join the FB Bible Reading Journal Community today!
Bible Reading Journal: Growing Closer to God One Day at a Time.
Bible Reading Journal Series 2019
Volume 1 & 2 & 3 (Available Now on Amazon)
The Bible Reading Journal: Growing Closer to God One Day at a Time.
Bible Reading Journal: Growing Closer to God One Day at a Time.: “Your Word i… https://www.amazon.com/dp/1793923728/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_BmWwCbJH8J0HQ via @amazon
The Bible Reading Journal: Rest and Be Refreshed.
Bible Reading Journal: Rest and Be Refreshed.: “Your Word is a lamp to my fee… https://www.amazon.com/dp/1794685421/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_gnWwCbA0V0NCK via @amazon
The Bible Reading Journal: Praise and Be Content.
Bible Reading Journal: Praise and Be Content: “Your Word is a lamp to my feet… https://www.amazon.com/dp/1795055677/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_OnWwCbVRW0168 via @amazon
Volume 1 (Spanish Version, Spring 2019)
El Diario de Lectura de la Biblia: Cada vez más cerca de Dios, un día a la vez
Volume 4 & 5 (Summer 2019)
The Bible Reading Journal: Trust and Be Courageous.
The Bible Reading Journal: Mourn and Be Comforted.
Volume 6 & 7 (Fall 2019)
The Bible Reading Journal: Forgive and Be Restored.
The Bible Reading Journal: Love and Be His Light.
Be Well-Rested!
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ~
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
Lord,
I am lifting up all of my burdens and hardships to You at this moment.
Help me find rest for my soul so I may be ready for tomorrow’s battlefield.
At times, I am quite overwhelmed with simple tasks, intricate relationships at work or at home with my loved ones.
It is an ongoing struggle, Lord!
In You alone, I find my rest. I want to be mindful of regular breaks throughout the day so I may rest in Your Word always.
The most important event of my day is to focus on You, Lord. I want to focus on You day and night.
Yes, Lord, I will always need your wisdom and inner strength even when I am feeling brave or confident about troubling circumstances.
Help me not to be weary or burdened.
One of my biggest challenges is to forgive those who have hurt me in the past… You want me to forgive immediately (Colossians 3:13 NIV) just the way You have forgiven me. Not once or twice, but seventy times seven! Lord, this is a true challenge when I am still hurting. Help me forgive everyone and help me be discerning as I move forward in relationships.
Help me be hopeful always, and restore all distant relationships.
Our Lord is the Prince of Peace and does not want for my heart to be troubled (John 14:27 NIV). He is always with me wherever I go (Psalm 118:6 NIV).
Praising Jesus for His Faithfulness, peace, forgiveness and compassion.
Lord, give me wisdom and discernment to do good so I may not only forgive but bless others at all times.
Strengthen my heart. Renew my mind. Refresh my soul.
I need to fight “the good fight” and do all the work you have prepared me to do.
I want to be well-rested so I may be courageous and Brave in all I do in Christ.
In Jesus’ name I boldly praise and pray,
Your beloved daughter,
Amen.
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If you would like to journal as you rest on God’s Word, check out the selected Scriptures in the “Bible Reading Journal: Rest and Be Refreshed.”
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1794685421/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_api_i_H9LuCbD7CVR03 #Amazon
Journaling a Bible verse or two! 