What Love and Selfless Sacrifice have in common?

Today's reading and Journaling is:  John 10:11-15; 17

You can do this by writing the scripture, you can also join me in using art. Print the large or small version of our Lessons on Love, from Jesus lesson.

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"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down their life for a friend."

Think about the sacrifice... the selflessness, the love!

I recently heard a story of a mom, who in the last moments of her child's life was asked. "Can your child be a donor?" Her response puts this love in plan view.

This mother, in pain, choose the selfless act and said yes. When asked why her response is pure love. She didn't want another parent to deal with the pain she was feeling. Pure and simple that is the type of love this verse is talking about.

"Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die." - Romans 5:7

We are reminded that for a righteous man, it is rare that someone would die, but for a good man, maybe...

Well if you are like me, my natural, flesh filled man is not even good. Yet... God sent Jesus, who while on the cross showed our love by selflessly giving up his life for us. 

Jesus gave up His life for Ona....

Jesus gave up His life for _______. (Insert your name)

Today, I want you to ponder this, and come back tomorrow for the rest of the story.

God's Love for the imperfect and flawed

Today's reading and Journal Entry is:  John 3:14-16

You can do this by writing the scripture, you can also join me in using art. Print the large or small version of our Lessons on Love, from Jesus lesson.

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For God so loved the world....

If you are imperfect, or flawed, it may be hard to believe that God loves you. Christian or not, these thoughts may surround you. Surely, I am not alone here.

But the truth is God loved you, because you were created by Him. He knitted you together in your mothers womb. He planned your days.

I don't know about you but when I make something I find pride in it. I may be disappointed that I that I thought in my head was bigger and my knitted hat came out longer than I needed, but I still love it. Have you ever knitted or crochet something, maybe you can relate?

God is the same way. He loved you, your friends, coworkers, and neighbors, so much he offered his son as a sacrifice for you to know Him. Not just for you to know Him, but for you to spend eternity with Him.

Soak it up....

I hope today's picture reminds you of how special you are. Of how much God loves you. When you are finished post this picture where you need it most. In the bathroom, on the fridge, on your door.

Where do you need this reminder the most? What part of this resonated with you the most?

Post a picture on facebook of your drawing and where you put it.

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for day 4.

Song of Praise - Because He Lives

Doubt and fear are normal human emotions that I have felt in the last few years, months, and weeks. I know that emotions come and go, but God's truth stands forever. I also know that no matter what, life is worth living because Jesus lives.

This is a song that has been on my heart for a few weeks, but I was reminded of why this morning that no matter how hard life may be, life is worth living because Christ lives, and loves me.

When you hear this song, what does it say to you?

Redemption in Your Life: Day Four

Today is day 4 of the Redemption in Your Life guided Scripture Journaling. I hope you have enjoyed what you have learned.  If you missed a day, why not go back and work through Redemption in Your Life: Day One, Redemption in Your Life: Day Two or Redemption in Your Life: Day Three.  I am using the YouVersion Bible App plan 4 Days Toward Redemption. If you didn't sign up for it and work with me I recommend signing up for this plan and going through it again.

Yesterday we learned:

 If we are to help someone else we must admit our weaknesses and show the power of Christ through those weaknesses.

Admit your weaknesses to God and man than show where God has brought you from. This allows you to show more compassion and love toward those who sin around you.

 I know I said this yesterday, but boy oh boy am I excited about today's lesson.

Are you ready? Good, grab your journal, your Bible, and a pen, and let's get started.

Scripture: 
Read John 13:12-17; John 13:31-35 and 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Write the verses word for word that really speak to you.

 I choose:
 

  “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. - John 13:13-16

 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”- John 13:34-35

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Observation: 

Write your observation from the verses you read.

As Christians we are to follow Jesus' example. Jesus loved and served others. As His followers we should love and serve those around us, because we do this others will know we are followers of Christ. As we work diligently we need to keep our focus on Jesus and our Heavenly father.

Application: 

How do you apply this to your life?

 Serving others as Christ served is a blessing (John 13:17). We are called to show God's love by serving others. If we don't it is like saying we are better than Jesus and we aren't. Sometimes this life causes us to wear down when serving others. Paul knew this so he gave advice to not focus on the earthly things we can see but to focus on the unseen Heavenly things.

Prayer:

 Ask God to help you apply this to your life.

Dear Lord, I thank you for the servant Jesus was. I ask you to put a desire in my heart to serve like Jesus served. When I get weary and tired from serving, please help me. Help me to not focus on the overwhelming needs around me, but on you. Pour your love and direction into this tired body. In Jesus Name, Amen



I hope you have learned that as much as I have through this study. Show me pictures of your journal? What part of redemption stuck out to you the most?

Redemption in Your Life: Day Three

I hope you joined me this week for Redemption in Your Life: Day One and Redemption in Your Life: Day Two.  I am using the YouVersion Bible App plan 4 Days Toward Redemption. I am going to recommend signing up for this plan as you work with me.

Yesterday we learned:

The Spirit lives within us and gives us direction. Jesus didn't come to condemn us, he offers us hope and freedom but he doesn't want us to stay stuck in our sin.

Because Jesus does not condemn us, we should not condemn others. We are not sinless so we have no right to condemn anyone. As we are forgiven we should start a new life away from sin.

I am excited about today. Let's learn more about the redemption that Christ offers us.

Ready? Good, grab your journal, your Bible, and a pen. 

Scripture: 
Read Matthew 7:1-12 and 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Write the verses word for word that really speak to you.

 I choose:

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. - Matthew 7:1-2

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. - Matthew 7:6

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. - Matthew 7:12



 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10


Observation: 

Write your observation from the verses you read.

We are not to judge others because God will judge us by the same measure. Every one of us are sinners. We can't cast our beliefs to unbelievers expecting to be accepted.  They will trample our beliefs. This is another reason judging is out. People respond better to love, so judgements will be trampled and we will be torn to pieces. If we are to help someone else we must admit our weaknesses and show the power of Christ through those weaknesses. 

Application:

How do you apply this to your life?

Admit your weaknesses to God and man, then show were God has brought you from. This allows you to show more compassion and love toward those who sin around you.


Prayer:
 Ask God to help you apply this to your life.

Dear Heavenly Father, I am weak, I ask you to remind me of my weaknesses when around others. Use this to help me show compassion to others. In Jesus Name, Amen
 

Redemption in Your Life: Day Two

I hope you joined me yesterday for Redemption in Your Life: Day One.  I am using the YouVersion Bible App plan 4 Days Toward Redemption. I am going to recommend signing up for this plan as you work with me.

Yesterday we learned:

Redemption is the act of saving people from sin and evil : the fact of being saved from sin or evil Jesus came to redeem us.

The flesh is us living for ourselves. The Spirit is living for Christ and doing what he leads you to do. If we are led by the Spirit the law is no longer a weight on us. We are Free!

I am excited about today. Let's learn more about the redemption that Christ offers us.

Ready? Good, grab your journal, your Bible, and a pen. 

Scripture: 
Read John 3:1-21; John 8:2-11

Write the verses word for word that really speak to you. 

 I choose:

  Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. - John 3:5-6

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. - John 3:16-18

 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” - John 8:7-11

Observation: 
 
Write your observation from the verses you read.



We must be born of the Spirit to make it to Heaven. The Spirit lives within us and gives us direction. Jesus didn't come to condemn us, he offers us hope and freedom but he doesn't want us to stay stuck in our sin.

Application: 

How do you apply this to your life?

Because Jesus does not condemn us, we should not condemn others. We are not sinless so we have no right to condemn anyone. As we are forgiven we should start a new life away from sin. 

Prayer:

 Ask God to help you apply this to your life.

Dear Lord, Thank you for not condemning me in my sin. Thank you for offering me love. Help me to offer those around me the same life giving love, not condemning them for not living up to a standard I can't even meet. In Jesus Name, Amen

Now that you have seen my version using the SOAP method through, give it a try. Once your done feel free to join the conversation by telling me. Which verses popped out at you? or What you observed in these verses?

Assurance: Guided Scripture Journal Day #4

It is Day #4 of Assurance. Let me tell you God loves you. God pours his love on you, and he wants us to do the same. He wants us to pour our love on others.

Lately I have been anything but loving. I am cranky, moody, and very unloving toward those around me. I feel bad for them. They don't deserve this. God made them, God loves them and he wants me to see the good in them. He wants me to remind them they are loved.




God has really been convicting me of this. The best I can say is I'm working on it. Praying for grace and mercy and new opportunities to show his love. 

Today is the last day of our Guided Scripture Journaling.  Are you ready for your last day?

Let's get started:

1. So grab your journal.
2. Let's pick up where we left off yesterday.
3. Just write the scriptures, it doesn't need to be perfect. Just do your best. Nothing fancy. I used a crayon to separate between each scripture, but you are welcome to draw a line or just leave white space.

The Scripture for today is
Feel write extra verses that speak to you.

• 1 John 3:14
• 1 John 5:11-13

As you work through these last 2 verses may God help you remember that as God has loved you, lavishly. He loves those around you the same. I leave you with the last verse. Be assured that God loves you.

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. - 1 John 5:11-13

What have you learned in this study! Did you like this guided journaling? What can I do better next time? 

**I'm sorry this is so late. I sat down to write this, and went to grab dinner. We stopped at my grandma's and she was in so much pain. She could use your prayers. I'm writing this from her living room. Her birthday was Wednesday, and Tuesday morning she fell as she was getting out of bed. She has a bruised rib, but her arm is really bothering her. Please pray that God will take her pain away so she can get some rest. Much thanks.**

Assurance: Guided Scripture Journal Day #3

It is Day #3 of our guided Scripture Journal on Assurance. I hope as you are writing the scripture you remember that God put those words in the mind of the writer. I hope you are are breathing in these truths as you write them.

Have you found a verse that speaks to you? How about a favorite verse?

I picked one from each day so far.

Mine are John 5:24, Romans 8:1, and from today Hebrews 13:5.

 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. - John 5:24

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. - Romans 8:1

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. - Hebrews 13:5

Tell me what your favorites so far?

Let's get started:

1. So grab your journal.
2. Let's pick up where we left off yesterday.
3. Just write the scriptures, it doesn't need to be perfect. Just do your best. Nothing fancy. I used a crayon to separate between each scripture, but you are welcome to draw a line or just leave white space.

The Scripture for today is
Feel write extra verses that speak to you.

• Romans 8:16
• Romans 11:29-30
• Hebrews 13:5 

Don't forget to write your verses and read them slowly. Letting the truth of God's love pour over you and your journal page. :-) Be blessed. 

Assurance: Guided Scripture Journal Day #1

Assurance is defined by the online Merriam - Webster Dictionary as:

Assurance

noun as·sur·ance \ə-ˈshu̇r-ən(t)s\
: the state of being sure or certain about something
: a strong feeling of confidence about yourself or about being right
: a strong and definite statement that something will happen or that something is true

Assurance is important in our faith. We need


assurance that 1. God loves us and 2. that we're saved.

We're reminded to put on the helmet of salvation daily, verse 17. (Ephesians 6:10-18). So we are going to start scripture journaling as a boast to our assurance.  I'm using the YouVersion app as a guide. Check it out here.

To keep from becoming two overwhelmed we are going to start by just writing the scripture. Still need to prep your journal? Check out my previous posts.

Let's get started:

1. So grab your journal and go to the first index page. Write Assurance p. 1-
2. Now flip to page 1 and label it. Assurance:
3. Just write the scriptures, it doesn't need to be perfect. Just do your best. Nothing fancy. I used a crayon to separate between each scripture, but you are welcome to draw a line or just leave white space.

The Scripture for today is.

• John 5:24
• John 13:34-35
• John 14:21

 
Join me tomorrow for our next set of scripture tomorrow.