Day 5 of POWERful Bible journaling. One of the reasons I started using POWER as my Bible journaling acronym was because I needed a reminder to pray before I started reading the Scriptures. Not that there is anything wrong with a quick read here or there, but for soul sustenance (necessity for existence), I need to approach the Word with prayer.
Just as you ask a blessing over your meal before you eat it, so too, it is a good rule to ask the Lord to bless you as you partake of this heavenly food.
–Andy Deane
POWERful Bible Journaling: Matthew 5
P –I trust Your Word Lord. So when I tell You I have so many prayers swirling in my heart and mind and I’m not sure where to start or what to say, I trust You know. I trust the Spirit will speak for me with unutterable sighs. (Romans 8:26)
O –I woke up this morning knowing I would be reading the Beatitudes. It immediately struck me each one begins, “Blessed are…” not “Blessed will be…”
W —vs 6…Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied.
E –When I’m feeling restless, discontent and unsatisfied, it’s because I’m expecting something or someone other You God to fill me up. Other things or people may seem like enough for a time, but they don’t fill me up, they just hold me over never providing true sustenance. It’s like grabbing a crummy snack verse a nutritious meal.
R –Forgive me Lord for the many times I feel undernourished or even malnourished all the while my Bible is sitting closed and forgotten. It seems easier to chase the noise than sit in stillness listening for You.
“The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign LORD, “when I will send a famine through the land– not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.” (Amos 8:11)
“Many are content today to live on “bread alone,” rather than the Bread from Heaven, Jesus Christ, who we encounter in Word and Sacrament. Yet it is He alone who can nourish us, He alone who gives, “life to the world” (John 6:33) We are a nation preoccupied with gadgets and hi-tech devices, all of which are designed to help us read more stuff, read this same stuff faster, and even read it under water if we so choose. But much of what we are reading is “junk food” that does not ultimately satisfy our deeper hunger. All the while, the Bible is all around us.”
—The Word of the Lord: 7 Essential Principles for Catholic Scripture Study
Are you as hungry as I am? I have a confession about the Beatitudes. Years ago when I was in high school we had to memorize the Beatitudes for a test. I could NEVER remember them no matter how much I studied. So I bought a pencil with the beatitudes written on it and used it for the test, being careful to miss at least part of one since my teacher knew I was struggling to memorize them. I know…I cheated. And how often do I still cheat on the Beatitudes?
I skip the mourning and look for the comfort.
I avoid the meekness and look for the inheritance.
I cheat the hunger and thirsting for righteousness and look for the satisfaction.
I neglect being merciful and look for mercy.
I do not choose purity of heart and look for the face of God.
I am not a peacemaker and expect to be called a son of God.
I avoid persecution and look for the Kingdom of heaven.
Please leave your POWERful reflections in the comments.
Michelle says
Imagine that you are running in a marathon and I am way in the back huffing and puffing and saying, “Wait for me!” Man girl, you are on fire. You keep going since I need to increase my stamina. I’ve been deprived but for the daily readings that honestly?, I rush through many times to get to the supposed good stuff ~ yeah right. And I almost gave up on day 1, but it’s getting easier now.
As I was reading your reflections, it came to me that it’s much like nursing a child. If you are distracted by external things and rush through, they won’t get the “hind” milk. That is the gold stuff that keeps them satisfied and thriving.
Jenny says
Oh man awesome analogy with the hind milk! I totally get that. And for the record, we’re running the race together.
Lux says
I love the contrasts on the last part. To focus on the good and not on the bad. Powerful.
Jenny says
Hi Lux and thanks. All for His Glory!
maddalena70 says
P. God let the light shine on me… constantly showing me your way… and let me proudly show my faith to the rest of the world!
O. Lately I have forget how I am blessed by God and my faith in Him way too often than I’d like to… how it is important that trhuogh my example I dig his seeds into my girls life and that of my extended family… I have forgotten the power of example and I have been torn down from criticism of doubt too often…
W. ” In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
E. I just need to stay focused and remember how I am blessed and how the only way to be peaceful and quietful is to live in His light… Live in the mundane seems enough or so fulfilling but just for the now… the moment… that pass by way too quickly leaving me weary and disatisfied”
R. God let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify you.
Deb00 says
P- dear Lord I’m feeling blah and unmotivated today. Help me to glorify You in all my undertakings . Open my heart to Your Word.
O- God wants us to totally depend on Him and He will comfort & satisfy & show mercy & show us His face in His Kingsom. How hard it is to turn everything over to Gods will
W- Mt. 5:11-12 Blessed are you when they insult and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad for your reward will be great in heaven.
E- it’s hard to always feel like the odd one out especially with family when everyone seems to be going society’s way. Especially when family ridicules you saying in a condiscending way that “you are too old fashioned “or “think you R holy “or “righteous” just for sticking up for what is right
R- Lord help me to stand up for what is right and to make holy decisions for myself and family even when it makes me unpopular or the “butt” of a joke. Help me to remember I was not born for this world but for eternity and to “forgive them for they know not what they do”
Jenny says
It is so hard when it feels like even family doesn’t understand. I remember telling a family years ago, “Well someone has to defend the teachings of the Christ.” Can I be honest and tell you I really didn’t want it to be then and there at a family function? UGH.