I love the idea of Bible journaling but find it hard to make time. There is a lot of difficult stuff going on in the world right now. David wrote some awesome honest and raw Psalms when he was going through some difficult times so I thought I would write my own. It was very cathartic. You don't have to use fancy words, just be real. If you need some inspiration, read some of the Psalms in the Old Testament.
God doesn't just want us to survive here on earth, he wants us to thrive. Other translations of John 10:10 say a rich and satisfying or abundant life. God is generous and kind and wants to bless his children. You only have to look at all the good stuff he blessed us with on this earth to see that - delicious food, beautiful scenery, the sun for light and warmth, friends and family for company, the sea for swimming and music to enjoy. He gave us cocoa and coffee beans - he is definitely a good God. This verse is not talking about financial blessing or a life without hardship. He is talking about having a purpose and hope and eternal life with him. A life lived for yourself is pretty shallow and unfulfilling but a life lived for God is full of love and purpose and a reward in heaven. You can enjoy this life to the full even in the middle of hardships because of the hope that you have. When I was a teenager I was boy crazy - I mean I was obsessed. I always had a crush - someone that I would dream about day and night. I'd imagine going on dates and hanging out with them and holding hands and kissing (it was PG rated). My reality could not have been further from my fantasies. I was always the girl that boys wanted to hang out with, but not date and I was friend-zoned every time I was fond of a boy.
You might think that all this boy craziness was pretty harmless but in hindsight it was a waste of time and energy. I could have invested that time reading, studying and memorising the Bible, praying, helping people, being a better friend... I could have been doing a thousand other things that were better than pining after a guy. The Bible doesn't say that daydreaming about boys is a sin but consider the following verses: Romans 8:5 Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Boys are definitely one of the things on earth. When I was a teenager I wish I had focused on being me and having fun and not worrying about trying to impress my latest crush. There was plenty of time for boys in my twenties - I wish I had been content just being friends. This is a particularly relevant promise given that we're in the middle of a global pandemic at the moment. It's easy to feel a bit unhinged and crazy and afraid, but God did not give us a spirit of fear. When we are his we can be unshakeable in the storm because he gives us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Paul wrote this to Timothy who was a young man in charge of the church in Ephesus. Let's look at the three characteristics Paul mentions. POWER: God gives us power for our weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. LOVE: Our natural instinct is to be selfish but God's spirit in us helps us to love others and put their needs before our own. SOUND MIND: It's easy to get carried away with the paranoia, panic, stress, worry and anxiety around us, but God's spirit helps us to stand firm despite our circumstances. You can have peace, knowing that God loves you and is looking after you, even in the middle of a global pandemic. This power, love and sound mind is not anything you can conjure up on your own - it's God's gift to you. You can download a free printable of this week's verse below. |
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