Monday, January 8, 2024
Seeds
To begin 2024, Journey is focusing on this idea of SEEDS. The Bible has a lot to say about seeds. Why? Because seeds grow.
Seeds grow into plants, flowers, trees, and many other expressions, and the Bible uses this part of nature as a visual metaphor for our own spiritual growth as followers of Jesus. There are so many principles that connect the natural growth of seeds to the spiritual growth of our lives.
Seeds are planted.
Seeds start small.
Seeds take time.
Seeds need the right soil, the right environment.
Seeds need care.
Seeds take root.
Ultimately, seeds produce. They produce something.
The question then becomes…What are they producing?
As the new year begins, it is natural for us to think about new things. New routines. New habits. New attitudes. New directions. We think about new things because it’s a time where we consider the direction of our lives and what we are producing through them.
Matthew 13:23 reads, “The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the message of Jesus, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams” (MSG). Spiritual growth begins when we lean into God and desire to learn from him. It starts small. It takes time. It seeks the right environment and care. And when soaked with intentionality, it takes root and produces a life beyond our “wildest dreams”.
So let’s jump in for the next 21 days and commit to growing…growing spiritually. Because tomorrow starts today.
How to Use this Journal
Start each day by finding a quiet place to sit for 15 minutes and fill out your daily exercises.
There are four sections:
Gratitude
Life can be stressful, but when you start each day with gratitude, you are deciding to trust in and focus on God’s provision over your life. Gratitude shifts your perspective. It takes what you have and makes it enough, regardless of your circumstances.
Grow
Every day there will be Bible verses that focus on principles of growth in your relationship with God (Week One), with others (Week Two), and toward your future (Week 3). The Bible says, “Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, MSG). This journal will challenge you daily to write down what God is teaching you through the Scripture.
Next Step
We often overestimate how much we can get done in a day and underestimate how much we can get done in three weeks. The key is consistency in the same direction. This section invites you to write down one small step you will take each day to help you to grow with God, others, and your future.
Prayer
Prayer is the best way to put down our agenda and trust God. End your time of journaling by writing out a prayer for your day.
Hosea 10:12
Sow righteousness, reap love.
It’s time to till the ready earth,
it’s time to dig in with God,
Until he arrives with righteousness ripe for harvest.
Daily Journal
Gratitude
Today, I am grateful for:
Grow
What principle of growth do I see in these verses? How does it challenge me to grow spiritually?
Next Step
Today, I will:
Prayer
Write out a prayer for the day.