Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Psalm 102:18 NIV — Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord: 

This week I have been sharing with you my experience with journaling and the benefits I have found with journaling. As I have shared, my journaling has occurred in different types of books and has taken various formats. While my journals are deeply personal and specific to me and my faith journey, I also pray my journals will benefit my family and as in today’s scripture, “a future generation.” 

I imagine that when I am gone, my family may read through some of my journals or they simply may toss them in the trash. Nevertheless, my journals are evidence of prayers that have been prayed. Although no one else may ever read my journals, I have prayed the prayers that will affect the future. Isn’t that an awesome realization. God will use my prayers to produce future fruit that I may or may not see. God will use my faith journey for His glory. SDG=Soli Deo Gloria=glory to God alone!

Has God led you to journal your prayers and concerns? What format do you use? We would love to hear from you through social media or email: waterwalkers29@gmail.com

Let’s pray. Dear God, guide and direct me as I write down my thoughts with You. May the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Luke 17:11-19 NIV — Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

God blesses us in so many ways every day. Not only do we have big things to be thankful for such as family, friends, jobs, health, etc., but we also have moment-to-moment blessings. We often overlook these blessings because we are so caught up in our busy schedules. However when we are not present and intentional about looking for blessings we zoom on through life without giving thanks to God just like the nine lepers. This week I am sharing with you my experience with journaling and the benefits I have found with journaling. Today I share my practice of keeping a gratitude journal.

Gratitude is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. The one leper showed his gratitude by coming back, throwing himself at Jesus’ feet and praising Jesus. Years ago I chose a small notebook to be my gratitude journal and wrote down five gratitudes at the end of the day as I would wind down. Over the years I have changed and now write my gratitudes each morning as I end my devotion time with God. I write my gratitudes in addition to my thoughts and prayer journaling. The time of day you choose to write down your gratitudes is not important. Write them down on a piece of paper or in the notes on your phone. However I must warn you, creating the habit of this daily practice will change your perspective and your attitude. Before you know it people may accuse you of having an “attitude of gratitude.”

Let’s pray. Dear God, guide and direct me as I write down my thoughts with You. May the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 NIV — Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; It will certainly come and will not delay.”

In today’s featured scripture, God tells Habakkuk to write down the revelation. This week I am sharing with you my experience with journaling and the benefits I have found with journaling.

My first journal was strictly a prayer journal. I wrote letters to God that spelled out my joys and prayer concerns. It was a lot like a diary to God. Over the years my journaling has consisted of bulleted or lists of prayer items, scriptures that have spoken to me at the time, or revelations I have experienced. Yesterday I shared that whatever format you choose for your journal that it all be kept together somehow. Just as Habakkuk wrote down the “revelation,” so it could be read later,  you will want to be able to go back to your journal to reflect on answered prayers. When I go back to my journal and reflect on past prayers, I like to use a different colored pen than I had used to make notes about the answered prayers. Reading and reflecting on my journals gives me the opportunity to see the hand of God and His works.

What has been your experience with journaling? Perhaps you have some pointers to share with us. We would love to hear from you through social media or email: waterwalkers29@gmail.com

Let’s pray. Dear God, guide and direct me as I write down my thoughts with You. May the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Jeremiah 30:1-3 NIV — This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you. The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity and restore them to the land I gave their ancestors to possess,’ says the Lord.” 

In today’s featured scripture, God tells Jeremiah to write down the words He speaks. This week I am sharing with you my experience with journaling and the benefits I have found with journaling.

Recently I ran across some of my early prayer journals. I have enjoyed looking back through the journals and seeing how my journaling has evolved over the years. I have realized there is no one size fits all way to journal. The way you choose to journal is dependent on what works best for you.

My first journal was a spiral notebook. It was nothing fancy, but practical. I believe it was a notebook I already had so I didn’t even make a special purchase. Over the years, my journals have taken many forms. From the notebook I moved to a small, pretty, hard bound journal. I have also had a larger, leather bound journal and even a hard bound, spiral journal. The point is, whatever you choose to use as your journal is up to you, based on what works for you. I do suggest that whatever format you choose, be sure it is somehow kept together. For example, if you choose to write on loose leaf paper, I would suggest you store it in a three ring binder. 

Do you currently journal? If so, what format do you use? If you haven’t journaled before, I encourage you to consider journaling.

Let’s pray. Dear God, guide and direct me as I write down my thoughts with You. May the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Jeremiah 30:1-3 NIV — This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you. The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity and restore them to the land I gave their ancestors to possess,’ says the Lord.” 

Habakkuk 2:2-3 NIV — Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; It will certainly come and will not delay.”

Luke 17:11-19 NIV — Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Psalm 102:18 NIV — Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord: 

Proverbs 16:3 — Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

This week I am sharing with you my experience with journaling and the benefits I have found with journaling. Every day is not perfect in my journaling journey, but perhaps God will highlight something that sparks inspiration for you. As we prepare for the week ahead prayerfully listen to God Is In This Story by Katy Nichole and Big Daddy Weave.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

This week has been devoted to prayer. In a few weeks teachers and students will be heading back to the classrooms. In today’s key verse, Paul tells us not to be anxious about anything. Let’s face it, whether excited, nervous, or fearful, those feelings can produce an anxious mind. I think back to all the times I have prayed for first day jitters, trying out for school sports, or taking finals. Whether you’re in administration, teaching, support staff, a student, parent, or grandparent we’ve all gone to the Lord in prayer during stressful or difficult times.

Of course just because our children become adults does not change things. We will be praying for our remnant and future remnants for years to come. I encourage us all to take a moment to stop and pray for someone we love. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the gift of prayer. I surrender my anxious thoughts. I pray for your protection, provision, and favor over my family, community, and nation. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion