“But then I recall all you have done, O LORD. I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.” Psalm 77:11
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I am counting my blessings. I know that there are a lot of them! Family and friends come to mind. Then there’s my home and job. But there’s so much more!
The problem is that I can’t always remember deeds and details from all that “long ago”. I don’t want to forget what God has done for me, but the truth is that I do. I am always thanking Him for the “big” things like my salvation, but I take many blessings for granted. At Thanksgiving especially, I want to give God credit and glory for all of it!
Memorial Stones
This year, I would like to take the idea of memorial stones from reading Joshua chapter four and apply the concept to my prayer and bible reading journal. Let me explain. In chapter three of Joshua, God performed a miracle by parting the Jordan River during flood season. This was a powerful act since the river was overflowing its banks (vs 15). To help the Israelites remember this mighty deed, God told them to gather stones from the middle of the river and stack them on the other side. They also mounded stones in the center of the Jorden where they crossed. This memorial helped the Israelites remember the miracle God had performed.
Instead of stones, I will build my memorial with words. My journal doesn’t look special. It is just a college-ruled, one-subject, spiral notebook. But inside, I will record my prayer requests and chronicle the answers. It helps me remember God’s goodness and His miracles. This simple, purple notebook will document verses that stand out to me as I read the bible and answers to prayer.
December Bible/Prayer Journal
I want to encourage you to start your own Bible/Prayer Journal. Don’t know where to start? Last Thursday, my friend Valerie handed me a child’s journal prompt paper and asked me to develop an adult version for Bible reading and prayer. If you click the link below, you will see the first result, and you can download your own copy. It officially begins next week, but you can start any time.
Please pray before you begin to read and journal. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Write as much or as little as you want. The point is to make time for the LORD each day. In doing so, your personal relationship with God will grow. Then as you look back over the month or year of “memorial stones”, your faith and thankfulness will grow. Imagine where we will be if we continue all year!
I would love to hear what you think! Please leave feedback in the comments section below.
