Journaling the Sound

Oh, how easy it is to forget. My family teases me, because I have lists for everything. A list of things I need to do that day. A list of meals for the week. A list of errands I need to run and things I need to buy. For me, if it’s not written down, it’s soon forgotten. This is what happened with the Israelites in the wilderness. They watched God deliver them radically from Egypt and the mighty hand of Pharaoh. They crossed the Red Sea on dry ground and watched as God drowned their enemies – literally. They rejoiced, were filled with awe, and even wrote a song about it (Exodus 15:1-19), but after the “dust (or water) settled” and life returned to normal, they soon forgot. They spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness, forgetting that God told them they were a mighty nation. Forgetting the miracles He had performed. Forgetting their identity. Forgetting that they were no longer bound but free. Oh! How easy we forget!

We read another story about Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11. Jesus had fasted for 40 days. 40 days! You know God did some amazing things in that 40 days as Jesus spent time in the Father’s presence – God’s words and His presence being Jesus’ only “food”. We know this was a powerful experience, because Matthew 4:17 tells us that right after this fast is when Jesus began His ministry. Immediately, as Jesus is completing this 40-day fast, scripture tells us that Satan came to tempt Him. Right before the launch of His ministry, Satan came to distract, confuse, and steal what had just happen in those 40 days. As the enemy tries to lie to Jesus - yes, Jesus, the One Who through which the entire universe and everything in it was made - Jesus does something that sends the enemy reeling and dispels the lies. He says, “No, Satan. It is written…”. He reminds the enemy of the things God said. He speaks the Truth that refutes lies. He says confidently and boldly, “THIS is what my Father told Me”.

What did God do in you, through you, and for you at City Week? Is it written? Journaling helps us to remember. It’s right there in black and white reminding us of the things God said, the miracles He performed, the truth of what He thinks of us and how much He loves us. When we write it down, it gives us a reference to pull from at times when we may feel weak, faithless or discouraged. We can go back and say, “This is what God said and will do, because it is written”.

QUESTION FOR TODAY: What did God do in you, through you and for you at City Week?

PRAY THIS:

Lord, thank you for all that you did in my life at City Week. I don’t want to ever forget it. When times of discouragement, stress, and weakness come, remind me of all You have done and all You are continuing to do in me. I don’t want it to be the end of something, but rather the beginning of the new work that You’re doing in my heart. Draw me to Your word, so I can continuously fill myself with faith and truth. Help me to listen for Your voice. Thank You that You speak to me in ways I can understand. I want to be strong in faith. I want to remember all You have done and all You said You will do. Thank You that You have begun a good work in me, and You are faithful to complete it.

TRY THIS:

Play the song in the link above and take a few minutes to write down anything of significance that happened for you at City Week. Did God speak a specific word? Did He heal your heart or physical body? Did one of the messages really stand out to you? Write these things down. Also, take some time to go back through any notes that you took. Look for the things that really stand out. Highlight, underline, circle them. Make it known that these were things of significance, so you can reference them when needed and never forget.

Did He encourage you in some way? Write it down. Did He heal you? Write it down. How did you feel when you prayed for someone you did not know? Write it down.

Remember the sound. What did God say? Write it down. What did God do? Write it down. How did that make you feel? Write it down. When it’s there in black and white, you can refer back to it and remember. Journal the sound of City Week and let it echo in your heart and life throughout the year.