Journaling is not something I normally do, and I am not a huge book reader either. However, I do enjoy reading my Bible, and if I have a good book that interests me, then I do enjoy reading.
Journaling is something I have rarely ever done. It has never really been an interest of mine. But in more recent months, it is becoming something that I enjoy - Bible journaling that is.
As a single woman, I don’t have very much money. I have very little to spend on extra things. Because of that, I enjoy shopping at our Dollar Tree store. They have some wonderful finds there for a very good price.
This past fall, I noticed some lovely journals there for sale. One design especially caught my eye.
The journal was a soft pink color with various stickers included such as: tea cups, candles, flowers, plants, books, stars, and the moon.
I couldn’t resist purchasing one for only a $1.25.
A short time later, I purchased a second one to have for extra journaling - Bible journaling.
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| The lovely little journals I found at our Dollar Tree store. |
I felt like a child again placing the stickers on the front of one of the journals. I might not have placed the stickers on the front perfectly, but no one sees it except me. (until now) Now, the entire World Wide Web gets to see my stickers. (smile)
What matters more is what is written inside.
As shared before on this blog, I follow a weekly Bible reading plan where I do a lot of Bible reading (many chapters) on the weekend. This works wonderfully for me. I absolutely love it.
Quite often, I like to make a cup of herbal tea with honey while I do my Bible reading.
That is why the journal with the tea cup stickers and book stickers caught my eye.
I decided it might be special to write down, or journal, some of my thoughts after doing my weekly Bible reading, hence my Bible journaling.
Below are some thoughts from my Bible journaling in more recent months.
God sees everything, including the injustices we face in this life. God is a God of justice.
Sometimes, years can go by before God’s justice comes to those who have done wrong to others. God has a way of dealing with those who do not repent of their wrong doing.
Thankfully, God is also a God of mercy and forgiveness for those who repent.
This Bible reading about Moses was a comfort to me. Moses was wearing out from all that he had to deal with. Moses father in law, Jethro, encouraged him to appoint other Godly leaders in Israel to help him out, otherwise, in Jethro’s words, Moses was going to “wear away”. We all need help, not only from God, but also from others at times. We need the body of Christ.
The Ten Commandments - written with God’s very own finger. God did not do that with the rest of His law. I believe the Ten Commandments are important to God. The Ten Commandments show us God’s heart, nature, and character. They also show us our sin.
In the New Testament, the apostle John states very clearly what sin is.
“… sin is the transgression of the law.”
1 John 3:4
Sin is the transgression of the law.
What law?
God’s law.
What is God’s law?
The Ten Commandments.
Ray Comfort (a well known Bible evangelist) uses the Ten Commandments to show people that they are lost sinners in need of a Savior.
Should we gather together with other believers in Christ if we are able? Yes, absolutely. The Bible mentions this. Will that directly show someone they are a sinner? No, not exactly.
Should Christians show hospitality to others when they are able? Yes, absolutely. God’s Word talks about this. Will that directly show someone they are a sinner? No, not exactly.
You see my point. (hopefully)
The Ten Commandments show mankind their sin, their disobedience, against a holy God.
Last weekend, I read all the specifics God gave His people Israel in building the Tabernacle in the wilderness - a sanctuary where God Himself could dwell among them.
I got a little lost trying to understand how all the boards and sockets and curtains fit together. But God had tremendous meaning and purpose behind it all so that He could dwell with His people.
How incredibly precious that the veil in the most holy place that separated God from His people was rent from top to bottom (God down to mankind) on the day that His Son died and shed His blood for mankind.
We can now come before God into the most holy place by the blood of His Son.
God’s only requirement now?
That our heart is right with Him.
His blood cleanses us from all sin when we get our heart right with Him. (1 John 1:9)
I enjoy Bible journaling and highly recommend it.