Good Morning and welcome to day 1 of our 31 Days POWERful Bible Reading Challenge! I am so happy you decided to spend the month of August Bible journaling with me! First, you will need to print off your tracking sheet. It’s a lovely printable I made for subscribers of The Littlest Way. If you have not subscribed, click here to subscribe to receive The Littlest Way in your email inbox. If you already subscribe, you should see a link at the bottom of the post emails sent to you that directs you to click a link for all your subscription freebies. Wait all?
Yes, ALL. In addition to the 31 Bible POWERful Bible Reading Challenge tracking sheet, I also have a couple of other awesome freebies for those who subscribe to receive The Littlest Way in their email inbox. I have the printable prayers mentioned in my Prayer Journal post and the Daily Advent Devotional for Women.
Back to our Bible journaling for today. So they say the book of Matthew was written around the middle of the first century. Think about that for a minute. Have you opened an old Bible, cookbook or purse and found a scribbled note either written by you to someone or to you from someone else? Isn’t that neat! That one little piece of paper or back of an envelope can suddenly bring back a flood of memories.
I have an old note card Chris’ mom wrote to me right before I had my second child. I used to keep it in a safe–literally. But one day I pulled it out and stuck it in My large print Bible. Some days I pull it out because I want to feel close to her. I want that physical letter to bring my heart and mind back into union with her even though she died in 2007.
Grab your Bible. You are holding a collection of God’s notes left for you. Those notes all neatly compiled in one book, they contain your history and the promise of His kingdom for you. That’s one of the themes of Matthew’s gospel—The Kingdom of heaven. I could use some Kingdom of heaven thinking right now, how about you? The thought of the Kingdom of heaven just gives me some breathing room. This life is not all there is…as great as it is sometimes, there is something better. Can I get an “Amen” and “Thanks be to God” on that?!
Ok, let’s get started. Here are my reflections using the POWER method for Bible journaling. You can go to this post, Bible Journaling: A POWERful New Method for a quick refresher on how to use the acronym.
POWERful Bible Journaling: Matthew 1
P —Lord, I’m afraid I’m falling back into bad thinking habits. I’m afraid You will ask me to carry a cross too heavy. I’m just afraid…this world is just too much some days…Please do not take me back to that place I was where my thinking was so disordered…please do not allow me to take myself back there out of habit.
O —(God) He is a God of order and He has a distinct plan for us and from us, “From the time of…”
(me) I come from somewhere farther back than 43 years ago. Over 2000 years ago a plan was set in place for my salvation. The map is already laid out, the plan is in place; I just need to trust and obey.
W —vs 22…all this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet. vs 23…Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and His name shall be called Emmanuel (which means God is with us.)
E —I’m scared because I’m looking back. I’m scared because I’m worrying ahead. I will focus on “God is with me” as I go through my day. I am with God. I will repeat this when I am scared, sad, confused, attacked and overwhelmed…even joyful—remembering to thank Him for this moment in time.
R —Lord I believe…help my unbelief!
Please share your POWERful reflections in the comments.
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Zipporah says
P – Lord, help me to permanently uproot my deepest sins that I don’t seem to want to let go. What is your will for me, O, Lord? Amen.
O – Matthew, chapter one, reminds me that God can use anyone for his good works. In the genealogy of Jesus, I see a murderer, adulterer, and a prostitute who are all redeemed by the Lord. He loves all of us no matter our history and just wants us to continue to seek his face, to accept his love, and to know that we are lovable.
W – ” ‘Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be Emmanuel’ (which means, God with us).’ ” – Matthew 1:24
“When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; … ” Matthew 1:24
These verses stood out to me because it is comforting to know God IS with me. Then I see St. Joseph immediately obeying the Lord. He didn’t wait around and try to over-analyze the message, he just did what God said to do.
E – I need to stop relying on myself and trust in God.
R – Lord, thank you for your patience and love. Help me to accept and know your love and teach me to love others as you do. Amen.
Jenny says
Beautiful reflection. Thank you for sharing.
Marites V Paglicawan says
Hello what does P.O.W.E
R. stands for…because i know the SOAP method..thank u
Cheryl says
P: God help me to hear your will and accept it.
O: God is in control, not me. I am to listen
W: Matthew 1:23
“Behold the virgin shall be with child…”
E: God will give me another child if it is His will.
R: Lord, I will not dwell on having another child. I yearn for one, but you are in control. I worry about having another child daily. I now give you my worry. Please take this worry from me so I can focus on the beautiful life you have given me, 2 beautiful boys, and an amazing husband.
Jenny says
Oh Cheryl, I know that desire can be so strong for another child.
deb00 says
P-Lord I am so lazy and uncommitted when it comes to prayer and reading your word. Help me to put you first each day
O-The Lord will guide us thru trials and tribulation in life if we trust and listen
W- Mt1:24 When Joseph awoke he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded and took his wife into his home.
E-I need to listen and respond – not question and fail to trust Gods plan for me
R- Lord help me to trust
Jenny says
Listen and respond…trust and obey. They seem like such simple commands and yet simple isn’t always easy is it?
maddalena70 says
P: my God please help me to preserve my peace of heart and my quaintness from the mundane. Let me stay focused on you in every circumstances.
O: God has His plans for me… He wants me to follow Him and His precepts… to be His daughter and not to follow “the flesh” and “the things of men”.. no matter the circumstances or the season of my life.
Write: “She will bear a son and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
E: I need to always remember that He will save me from my sins and that He gave me two daughters in order to make them His daughters … trying in some way..smaller than His… save this secular and decadent world.
R: God.. I am imperfect and I loose your way way too often that I’d liked to… but I am here.. nonetheless.. trying to do my best and be who you designed me to be!
Jenny says
Yes, He gave us a share in raising up our children for His glory! Lovely Maddalena.
Barbara says
I am looking forward to this month of journaling with you but i signed up for the tracker and have not received any emails. I checked my spam and made sure you are not being blocked. Please help!
Jenny says
Hi Barbara. Did you receive this post in your email this morning? If not let me add your email manually and I’ll send you the printable direct ok.
Barbara says
No I did not receive it in my email this morning but I did get your reply to this post in my email. Thanks!
Jenny says
Just checking back in Barbara. Have received Sunday or Monday’s email?
Barbara says
I did get them, yes, thank you!