I have heard many teachers and preachers over the years urging God's people to keep a daily journal. And I have done that myself on and off. Recently, the Lord showed me a verse in the Bible that convinced me that it was time to take this sort of thing more seriously. "Thus speaks the Lord God of Israel, saying: 'Write in a book FOR YOURSELF all the words that I have spoken to you.'" (Jeremiah 30:2 NKJV) This was God's way of telling me that recording His personal promises and instructions to me was for my own benefit. And it didn't take long for Him to prove it to me.

One morning, as I spent time alone in God's presence and Word, He showed me some verses about healing. I had seen them many times before, and I had even memorized them, but I felt strongly that I was supposed to write them down in my journal. The next day, when I woke up feeling sick, faith and confidence immediately rose up in me as I felt armed with those Scriptures to come against the illness that had come against me. And I became convinced more than ever that writing down the words and promises that God speaks to me is for my own benefit.

If you keep a daily journal, then my guess is that you already know the immense value of this spiritual discipline. If you don't, I invite you to ask the Lord to show you how you can start doing this very thing - for your own good, and for His glory!

Prayer: Lord, speak to my heart about keeping a faith journal of some kind. Lead me to record "all the words that [You] have spoken to [me]," when it is Your will for me to do so. Help me to spend regular, consistent time in Your presence and Your Word. Teach me how to pray the prayers of Your heart for myself and others. Thank You that as I follow the leading of Your Holy Spirit in these areas, You will reveal Yourself to me in life-changing ways!