Category: Journal Prompt

Tired? Just Keep Going

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

PRAY

Remember to pray & read the entire passage before beginning.
2 Thessalonians 3:13

 “…do not grow weary in doing good.”
2 Thessalonians

WRITE

When I moved to the Washington D.C. area about 20 years ago. I was a fresh faced 20 something. I had recently graduated from college and was a transplant from the mid-west. I smiled and said “hi” to everyone. I held doors and waved at neighbors. I went out of my way to greet people and engaged in conversations with the cashiers. Sadly, many of my efforts were not reciprocated, ignored or rebuffed. It got tiring, and I even began to feel foolish. Slowly my kindness to strangers dwindled, and I was the one tooting my horn,  and walking with my head down. But I soon realized that instead of shining the light of Christ into the world, I was allowing the world to cover my light with a bushel basket. It’s still hard when I walk past a stranger and greet them with a cheery “hello” and I’m ignored. But, I just say a prayer and look  forward to my next opportunity to shine some light into this dark world.

  • Do you ever feel weary in doing good?
  • It could be the service you provide at church, the hard work you do in the office, or the tireless job of parenting, but remember… it is not man you are serving, but your heavenly Father (see Colossians 3:23). How does this change your perspective?
  • It is so cliche, but we may be the only opportunity to meet Jesus some people may have. Write a prayer asking God to use you and your daily interaction for His glory and His kingdom.

GROW

Praying for you today, that you will not grow weary, but will continue to do good as you serve our Almighty Father! May His strength, His wisdom, His love, His patience & His joy be yours today! Praying for you!

The Path

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

PRAY

Remember to pray & read the entire passage before beginning.
John 14:4-6

 “And you know the way to where I am going.”
John 4:4

WRITE

  • Even though Jesus reassures His disciples that they “know the way.” Thomas asks what question?
  • Jesus gives a clear answer as to the path to where He is going. What is the way?
  • In our day and age truth has been watered down and moral relativism reigns. Here, Jesus thwarts the idea that everyone gets to decide their own truth in one simple statement. What is it?
  • What do you think Jesus means by His statement, “I am the life” (see also Romans 6:20-23)?
  • Christianity is completely inclusive in that Jesus’s invitation is extended to everyone (Genesis 26:4) (John 3:16) (Matthew 28:19) (Galatians 3:8). Still Jesus makes it very clear, while all are invited there is but one path. What is the path?
  • More than anything… as Christians we must remember that we have a beautiful gift. We know the way, the truth, and the life! Alleluia! Paul says it beautifully in Colossians 1:27-29NLT – How does the following passage encourage & direct you?

    “For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.  That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.”
    Colossians 1:27-29

GROW

May our lives be an eternal witness to the power of Christ! May we live our lives looking to Him as The Way – The Truth and The Life. May we desire to share with others the beauty of His life changing love, and seek His glory in all things!

today

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

PRAY

Remember to pray & read the entire passage before beginning.
Psalm 118:24

 “This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24

WRITE

Even though each day may seem haphazard, or insignificant, difficult or down right awful … we can be certain that it was planned by our almighty and loving God. He prepared it for us for a purpose and we are called to be thankful for it! To rejoice, even! So no matter if you are battling a storm, fighting the mundane, or wading through uncertain waters – take time today to rejoice! Not because you feel like it or because it makes sense, but because He made today – and for that reason alone we can be glad!

  • Today is the day! Take time now to rejoice and be glad.

GROW

May our lives be a song of worship to our amazing & loving God! May we take time each day to rejoice and be glad!

If You’re Gonna’ Brag

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

PRAY

Remember to pray & read the entire passage before beginning.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31

 “ And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,”
1 Corinthians 1:30

WRITE

  • Write down the description that Paul uses to characterize what we once were.
  • But God had a greater purpose for our lives, what was it?
  • What was the result of taking the ordinary and using it for His divine purpose?
  • Because of Jesus’s death on the cross – what is your  new identity.
  • We are “in Christ” and how does Paul describe who Christ is?
  • What is Paul’s final reminder?
  • Why is this such an important reminder when we reflect on our own gifts and abilities?

GROW

As we look to the cross, we recognize that we are nothing without Christ. We sang the song “Great are you Lord” by One Sonic Society today in church. Every time we sing, “It’s your breath in our lungs, so we pour out our praise to you”, I get a little teary! It is so true! Everything ability, every gift, every breath is from Him! May we all seek to recognize that we are nothing without Him & seek each day to boast in the Lord! Praying for you!

Power & Wisdom

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

PRAY

Remember to pray & read the entire passage before beginning.
1 Corinthians 1:18-25

 “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,
and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength..”
1 Corinthians 1:25 NIV

WRITE

We sometimes forget the power in the message of the Cross – in the love of God and the work of our Savior! I love this passage because it reminds us of what faith, wisdom and power mean… and why it looks different than what the world values!

  • Why do you think that the cross could be considered foolish or a stumbling block to non-believers?
  • To we who believe why is it the power of God (see also Ephesians 1:3-14)?
  • What does v.21 tell us about how we can or can not come to a saving faith (see also Ephesians 2:8-9)?
  • Paraphrase 1 Corinthians 1:23-25.
  • In our culture today much emphasis is put on human wisdom. How does this passage establish your thinking about true wisdom and power?

Love this Song – Just the name of Jesus is powerful!
Lincoln Brewster. “There is Power”

GROW

Praying that your faith would grow as you trust in the power and wisdom of Christ and His cross. May we continually rely on His power, and may we seek to know Him more each day as we pursue Him tirelessly. Praying for you!

In His Body

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

PRAY

Remember to pray & read the entire passage before beginning.
1 Peter 2:24

 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”
1 Peter 2:24

WRITE

This whole chapter of 2 Peter is amazing. But as we  near the celebration of our risen Savior, I wanted to focus on this verse. It is so powerful… the image of Christ physically carrying our sins on the cross.

  • We often think of the physical torture, the physical pain of the crucifixion. But what do you think it may have felt like to bear all of the sins of the entire world – for all time – in his body on the cross?
  •  Consider the spiritual pain of the cross, the emotional pain of the cross, as well as the physical manifestation of  these as Jesus hung on that cross for you.
  • Write a prayer of thanksgiving to your Savior!

Praise Jesus with this song by Chris Tomlin – “At the Cross”

GROW

Praying that the complete, eternal, sacrificial love of Jesus would be new to you today! He is an awesome Savior!!! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Purpose

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

PRAY

Remember to pray & read the entire passage before beginning.
1 Timothy 1:12-17

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.  All honor and glory to God forever and ever!
1 Timothy 1:15-17NLT

WRITE

  • In Paul’s letter to Timothy  how does he describe himself before he knew Christ?
  • This passage tells us simply… why did Christ come?
  • Why does Paul say God showed him mercy?
  • Isn’t that kind of the way it is with all of us? We are eternally changed and become an example of the love of Christ and mercy of God! Does this make you think of your purpose differently.

I love this song… As we look forward to the celebration of our risen Savior may we cultivate thankful hearts for we are made alive in Him! Thank you for saving us!

 

GROW

Praying that the Lord would continue to work in your hearts that you would be examples of His great love and mercy! Praying for you…

Heirs

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

PRAY

Remember to pray & read the entire passage before you begin.

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Titus 3:4-7

WRITE

When we believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior our relationship with God changes. When we put our faith in Jesus –  we receive His Holy Spirit , and “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” Romans 8:14. We are His children – what love… what mercy…what hope…

  • Why did God our Savior save us when He came?
  • What act of His Holy Spirit took place in us at that time?
  • How are we justified?
  • Then what do we become (see also Romans 8:14-17)?
  • What has been poured out on us (I love this image)?
  • What does it mean to you to be considered an heir  in God’s kingdom?
  • How does that renew your hope and change how you look at your circumstances today?

GROW

Praying that the reality of your identity in Christ will become more real to you today. May you hope in Him as he rejuvenates, and renews you through the work of His Spirit in your life. May your love of your Savior grow deeper and richer today as you look forward to your eternal hope! Praying for you!