Journaling and CAUTIONS

The spontaneity and excitement of my relationship with my wife, Jessica, are wonderful and needed. BUT, we also NEED intentional time together, planned date nights, periodic tough conversations, and consistent listening to one another to stay strong. So it is with our walk with God. I know many that only have the accidental and spontaneous time with the Lord. I challenge you to keep that, but also become intentional. So with that, here is a suggested basic structure for daily journaling as a spiritual growth discipline.

Journaling

1. Date – Write it each day.

2. Read – Several verses at a time. Go through a book (James, John). Write the reference and any thoughts.

3. A.C.T.S. – Spend time on each of the following. Occasionally write it down.

A – Adoration – Adore and praise God for who He is.

C – Confession – Confess all your short-comings to God. List your sins and ask for forgiveness.

T – Thanksgiving – Thank God for all He’s given you.

S – Supplication – Ask God specifically for what you need and desire. List your requests.

4. Listen – Make sure you are listening for what God wants to say to you through this process. Spend some time just meditating on truth and listening. Occasionally write down what you think God is saying to you.

Journaling Cautions

1. Take your time. Write slowly and think.

2. Don’t have false expectations that will disappoint. Do it as a discipline to grow in a relationship with God.

3. Do not make it a religious duty that you use to earn God’s approval. You have God’s approval now, based on Jesus.

4. Use the suggested format as a basic structure to get you started, not a rule.

5. Carry your journal and Bible with you.

ONE Thing

As promised, here are the powerful questions from Charles Kollar’s message this past Sunday. The context was that of a singular focus in worship. That we would be about one thing. Namely, Christ, and what He has for us. Challenge yourself with these questions and listen for what God may be speaking to you through His Word.

1. What ONE THING do you desire from God? Psalm 27:4
2. What ONE THING do you lack? Mark 10:21-22
3. What ONE THING do you need to let go of? Philippians 3:13-14
4. What ONE THING do you need to know from God? Psalm 56:9-11

Promises you can “know” from God…

Philippians 4:19 – To meet every need you have from His riches.
Ephesians 1:7- To forgive all your sins.
Hebrews 13:5- He will never leave or forsake you.
Psalm 46:1- To be your ever present help in trouble.
Isaiah 40:29- To give strength to the weary and power to the weak.
Psalm 32:8- To guide you and give you direction.
Philippians 4:7- To give you a peace that goes beyond your understanding.
James 4:7- To give you power to defeat Satan.
Romans 8:39- Nothing can separate you from His love.
Romans 8:37- You are more than conquerers.
John 10:27-28- Eternal life through Christ.

How Can I Find My Idols (Part 2 from Sunday)

In this weeks message, “The Centrality of Worship,” I gave two challenges. Here is the second one…

2. Read through the “How Can I Find My Idols” questions and challenge yourself to live a life of worship unto God only… nothing less than a continuous living sacrifice for the glory of God (thanks to Mark Driscoll for the probing questions)!

Who/what are your external idols?

• Who/what is my Lord that rules over my life determining how I live?
• Who/what is my Judge I am living to earn the approval of?
• Where do you give the firstfruits of your wealth?
• Where do you give the firstruits of your time?
• What people and things take the majority of your life?
• What do you plan and pray for?

Who/what are your internal idols?

• What false beliefs do you hold about God?
• Which parts of Scripture do you deeply doubt or even disbelieve?
• Deep down in your heart who/what do you love, cherish, treasure, long for the most?
• Deep down in your heart who/what do you despise and hate the most?
• Who/what makes you happiest? Why?
• Who/what makes you saddest? Why?

Who/what is your mediator between you and God?

• Who or what other than Jesus do you use to get closer to God?
• Who or what if taken from your life would cause you to not walk as faithfully with God?
• How do you define yourself, especially when introducing yourself to others?

Where is your functional heaven?

• When daydreaming about escaping this life, what does your functional heaven look like and how is it different from the real heaven?
• On earth, where do you run for your safety or comfort as your hiding place (e.g. the fridge, alcohol, the television, a person, a place, a hobby)?

Who/what is your functional savior?

• What is your picture of hell in this life (e.g. being single, not having children, being poor, etc.)?
• Who or what do you use to save you from what you fear (e.g. a relationship, children, money, shopping, sex, etc.)?

What good thing has become a god thing?

• Which idols are in your life that when appreciated and/or stewarded correctly are means of worship but have become objects of worship (e.g. work, family, health, friendship, pleasure, leisure, hobby, etc.)?
• What idols am I selling to others?

Expressions of Worship (Part 1 from Sunday)

In this weeks message, “The Centrality of Worship,” I gave two challenges. Here is the first one…

1. Spend time doing the Biblical expressions of worship personally and corporately (included below). If you’d like, you can worship along with the “None But Jesus” video included on our homepage.

BIBLICAL EXPRESSIONS OF WORSHIP

Speaking
Psalm 34:1 says, “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.”

Shouting
Psalm 27:6 says, “Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.”

Singing
Psalm 47:6 says, “Sing praises to God, sing praises to our King, sing praises.”

Bowing
Psalm 95:6 says, “Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.”

Standing
Psalm 119:120 says, “My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.”

Dancing
Psalm 149:3 says, “Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp.”

Playing Instruments
Psalm 33:2, 3 says, “Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.”

Clapping
Psalm 47:1 says, “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.”

Lifting Hands
Psalm 63:4 says, “I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.”

Sitting in Silence
Lamentations 3:26-29 says, “It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it on him. Let him bury his face in the dust – there may yet be hope.”