I'm so grateful for the Bible. Nowadays, if we're away from home, we can even access God's word from our phones or listen to scripture through apps that allow you to hear someone read aloud to you as well. This comes in handy for when we need to walk the dog or clean up our kitchen, and yet want to have the attitude of the writer in Psalms 119:11, "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." When we desire to seek God with our whole heart, we want to be sure to keep his commandments at the forefront of our minds and try to stay pure.
I prefer to spend time in God's word at the beginning of each day. In doing this my heart, soul, and mind are in the right place right at the start of each day. Perhaps it helps me interact with others more patiently, better avoiding getting caught off guard by temptation, and helps me set the daily intention to glorify God in my life. All the other things I need to get done would get done within the day if the Lord was willing. Not only that, the things I do get done are more likely to get accomplished with a proper attitude!
I've found a simple way to make quality time for the Lord each day and would like to share that with you! I've been using the "Write On My Heart Every Word" Scripture Writing Journal my friend Carla Moore shared in her blog Walking Where Jesus Walked. She's basically put books of the Bible on a PDF file you can download and easily get copied into a spiral-bound journal. I use a company out of Springfield, Missouri called TCI Graphics to do mine. Each page has about 4 verses for you to read. One word is in BOLD to serve as a keyword to think about. Below each passage, there are lines for you to copy the verses down. By speaking and writing the words down, I've been soaking up the Bible slowly. Many times I've noticed things I hadn't before!
Once I finish, I think about what the author is trying to say and to whom it was written. I often notice words or phrases that are mentioned more than once and consider them keywords and important phrases. Sometimes I notice prayers, other times I notice commands. I enjoy using different colored pens and circling, drawing boxes, and underlining things that stand out to me. I like to use Zebra pens that I got from Walmart. They write easily and don't bleed through the pages. Once I do this, I often look over at my handsome husband, John with his messy hair and ask him what he thinks of the passage as I sip some tea or coffee.
We share a little back and forth and then I usually look up the word in BOLD on my Blue Letter Bible App. I enjoy trying to figure out the author's meaning of this word and write it down. By this time, I usually see my sweet golden doodle, Jax looking in the window at me. I get up and bring him a treat and sit back down in my favorite cozy chair by the window. Now I'm ready to contemplate what I think is going to be the important thing to ponder for the day. I write it down in the lower left-hand section called, "On my heart and in my prayers."
I've enjoyed scripture writing for a little over a year now. I've learned so much and I feel like it's helped me draw closer to God. By opening my heart as I open my journal each morning, I'm letting God speak from His word. I have found myself compelled to honor His word by applying what I'm learning to my life as a wife, mom, daughter, and Christian woman over the past year. If just one person benefits from my tiny changes, it's worth it. Just imagine the impact if an entire community opened up to read and write God's word each morning!
Just this month I read, wrote and meditated on 1 John 4:7-12. I considered the love of God, the love of Jesus, and examined my own love for others and found myself lacking. This passage touched me deeply. My heart was convicted for a few of days. I don't think I would have really reflected as deeply on my own shortcomings by reading it as a whole chapter or book. Again, by slowing down and reflecting on the magnitude of God's love, I can see it more clearly. I now know that when I choose to love people, God remains in me, and His love is perfected in me. Choosing not to love someone, means I can't even begin to understand who God is because He IS love. Wow.
"Beloved, let’s love one another; for love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. By this, the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us."
That's good stuff! If you're interested in adding daily scripture writing to your study, I recommend getting a scripture writing journal! You don't have to do it the way I do it. There really aren't any rules. Some just copy the passage and keep it simple. Some highlight words or add verses that go along with the passage. You can get as deep as you want with it. It's really up to you.
I do want to encourage you try to do your scripture writing at the very beginning of each day just to get the full effect of meditating on the word and letting it marinate all day long. Don't worry if you miss a few days. Just pick back up and jump back in. Many are joining in on scripture writing using Carla Moore's format and have joined her Facebook group called, Write On My Heart Every Word. I've often seen many comment on how they are picking it back up after life got a bit busy. My days can get pretty busy too but I've set an intention to never miss twice. I post my daily writing on all my socials just to help hold myself accountable.
One thing I can feel good about each day is that at least I made time to listen to what God has to say. This is just one way I am trying to put God first daily in my life. I think it's made a difference too. Day by day, God has gently reminded me of how much He loves me and sometimes even changes I need to make in my life. This helps me feel like my day will run more smoothly with God leading the way. If you're looking for a simple way to add more of God's word into your life, I hope maybe you'll give scripture writing a try!
Remember, read your Bible and pray everyday,
Maria
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