Last year, just before Thanksgiving, I started practicing what some call “2-way journaling”. This is the practice of taking time to hear God’s voice by quieting oneself, fixing focus on Jesus, tuning into spontaneity and writing. This technique is taught by a gentleman named Mark Virkler.
In hopes of inspiring and/or encouraging someone, I want to share a journal entry from Thanksgiving day last year. Please remember that God is not partial to one above another. So the wonderful promises He spoke to me are equally available to anyone who will seek Him whole-heartedly. Here is the entry:
Nov 27, 2008 Thanksgiving Day
Daughter,
You are My child and that is why I correct you and teach you and train you in the right way to go. I don’t want you to wander around aimlessly and carelessly. You are on My path when you obey Me. You leave the path when you disobey Me, so stay on the path. You give Me joy when you deny yourself to obey Me. My heart sings when you sacrifice to obey.
I still love you when you disobey, but you miss out on my best for you. You give Me glory when you let Me live through you. Don’t depend on your own strength nor your own wisdom; lean on Me. You give Me glory when you live for Me. And I will glorify My name through you if you let Me have My way in and through you. So choose My ways over your ways. Put aside striving and I will lead you. You give Me great joy when you choose to follow Me. Don’t say “I don’t know the way” because I will show you always. I’m not going to leave you wandering in confusion. Let the lamp of My word light the way before you and take one step at a time. I am the lamp, I am the light and I am the way. So keep walking into Me and you will be going the right direction.
Don’t fret little one! I have all power and authority in heaven and on the earth. Not even a sparrow falls without Me knowing about it. I will surely take good care of you. And I will do it My way, not yours. Cease striving and learn to rest in Me. I am still on the throne and above all.
Give Me your heart- all of it! Stop holding back areas you are trying to control. Let Me be in control; I know what I am doing and I can fix what you cannot. Don’t hide from the fear or from the pain. Let me conquer both in you. Then I can send you out to proclaim freedom to captives and to tear down walls which I never built. Give Me your life again; I’m not finished with you. Others may say, “Oh well” but one day I will say “Well done!” I love you more deeply then you will ever know.
I’m not finished with you. I will show you a way which you cannot even imagine. My plans for you are good. Do not be afraid! I do not delight in making you suffer. I am a good Father and I want My children to be well and to be whole. But it needs to be My way, not the world’s way. Give Me your heart and I will heal it My way and in My time.
I am not subject to the whims of mankind. People are shaken but I am never shaken. I am your treasure – you are Mine and I am yours. Kingdoms come and kingdoms go but My kingdom is eternal. Live for that which is eternal. Don’t fear hardship nor difficulty because I will sustain you.
Put aside the distractions. Stop allowing yourself to be diverted from focus on Me. I am here and I am waiting for you to come away with Me. Leave behind the noise of the world and of your own life, and quiet yourself before Me. I have much to show you; I talk to My friends. Won’t you be My friend? I am majestic beyond your understanding but I stoop down to receive you. Make Me your one desire and I will lead you into Me like you never imagined was possible. Lose yourself in Me and find Myself in you.
I receive your worship. I acknowledge your surrender. I will continue to make Myself known to you if you continue to seek Me. I will draw you to Myself and I will never let you go. You belong to Me and I guard that which is Mine.
–my prayer response:
God, fan into flame the love I have for You. Turn it into a raging inferno. The ground in my life feels so dry. So I’ll be the wood. Pour on the gasoline of Your Holy Spirit and set me on fire. Let me burn like the bush before Moses. When I burn with Your Spirit and yet am not consumed, others will take off their shoes because they will experience You after they encounter You in me.
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