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Life Journal: A Suggestion for Daily Devotions
from Pastor Chris
I was recently introduced to a simple devotional strategy called the “Life Journal.” There is nothing particularly unique about it, but of all my past attempts at creating a daily devotional habit (and believe me, there have been many!), this is the only one that has successfully “stuck.” The results for have been, in word…Transformational. My spiritual growth and relationship with God has moved to an entirely different level. This habit has allowed me to sit a the feet of the Master for a period of time every day, to listen and just be with Him. This time of “being” with God has given me a different perspective and attitude toward the “doing” for God that consumes much of the rest of my life. With these amazing changes in such a short period of time, I am excited about the future.
To start the “Life Journal” all you need is a Bible, a pen or pencil, a reading plan, and a notebook or journal to write in (although some, including myself, use the computer). The reading plan I recommend is one that brings you through the whole bible in one year and through the New Testament twice. This is the reading plan that is now posted on our GCC website for Daily Scripture Readings. The daily devotional time is organized and remembered using the acronym S.O.A.P.
S for Scripture. Do the reading assigned for the day, taking time to allow God to speak to you. Look for a verse or verses that particularly spoke to you that day, and write the verses out in your journal.
O for Observation. What do you think God is saying in this particular verse. If you are using a study Bible with notes, what insights are contained in those notes? Write your observations, thoughts, and conclusions down.
A for 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. How will you be different because of what you have read?
P for Prayer. This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this Scripture. Prayer is a two way conversation. You have listened to what God has to say, now you are responding. Write out the prayer in your journal.
Remember, no one is going to read your Life Journal except for you, so you don’t have to use fancy language or worry about whether your observations sound sufficiently “spiritual.” If the reading plans seems like too much, try a different reading plan with the same "Life Journal" approach.
(This is adapted from the "Life Journal" system developed at New Hope Fellowship, O'ahu. This link will connect you with their website where you can purchase journals with the reading plan printed in them)
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