40 Days of Love

The big question is how do you maintain the momentum?  How do you continue to stay on a path of spiritual growth and maturity?  In fact this week we are going to look at finishing strong in our worship time.  One of the essential habits that will help you stay on track is a daily time with God.  Over the last couple of months I have begun journaling much more regularly in my time with God and it has been a blessing. Journaling is a way to both record and process what God is saying to you and how He is working in your life.  Recently, I was reading a book by Wayne Cordeiro pastor of New Hope Church in Hawaii (a nice place to suffer for Jesus) in which he shared his approach to journaling and I have used his plan.  It is called SOAP.
 
S- Scripture.  Open you bible to whatever book you are reading or your bible reading plan.  Take time reading and allow God to speak to you.  When you are done look for a verse that particularly spoke to you, and write it in your journal.  You might just begin by reading through proverbs based on the day on the calendar.  Since today is November 9, today I read Proverbs 9 and selected a verse that spoke to me.  That might be a good way to begin for a couple of months.
 
O-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- 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 that Scripture applies to you today.
 
P- 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!  You can write it out and pray it out.
 
I want to encourage you to set aside some time each day and find a quiet place where won’t be distracted. It’s not important when you do your quiet time, but that you make it a very important part of your day.  For morning people, it is a great way to start your day.  For others, it is a 20-minute lunchtime appointment with Jesus. For the night owls, it is the final act of the day.  I want to encourage you to continue on your exciting journey with Jesus.  Your life will never be the same and you will finish strong.
 
 
Expectantly In Christ,
Pastor Scott