Join the *Journal Challenge*

I've learned that spending time with God daily will eliminate most of your problems. Does it mean that your problems disappear? Heck no. They will still be there as John 16:33 says "I have told you these things so that in ME you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble! But take heart!! I have overcome the world"-- INSTEAD your perspective is gonna CHANGE. The MORE time you spend with GOD-- the more PEACE, joy, understanding and clarity you will have! Tests are designed to GROW you up-- the issue is, we keep running from them or "going around that mountain" for 40 years and it turns into a temptation. You don't have to accept every test that comes your way. Last year, I went through HELL ( I blogged about it here). 2011 was the worst year of my life. I lost three people close to me due to death. My husband & I stepped out into ministry. We lost a ton of "pretend friends." I had a CHOICE to make last year. God told me to get my tail up & DO what HE was telling me to do!! I continued to press on & tell my emotions to shut up. I KNEW what God called my husband and I to do and I wasn't gonna let no silent season make me THROW away what I KNEW to be true. 
So yeah, the tests came. But you better believe I passed them. I was "tempted" to get weary but I stayed on my face before GOD. I got crazy close to Him during that season. I knew He loved me. I knew that I wasn't "cursed." I knew that I belonged to HIM. I also knew that I needed to GROW up in some areas. ...

Then, 2012 hit. Since DAY 1 God has been OVERWHELMING my husband & I .. with ideas.. visions.. Pinky Promise.. the Oath.. speaking engagements.. crazy open doors.. and most importantly being USED as a vehicle to share Christ. I NEEDED to go through what I went through last year. Being a Christan aint all peaches & roses. So yes, you may go through some hell but don't get mad at the only one who can help you. Are you serious??! Jesus was BEAT & hung on a CROSS. There was nothing pretty about that. So you need to leave that church that tells you if you get TESTED that it's ONLY because of your disobedience. Let's all be clear-- there is a DESTINATION to sin outside of Christ. Along that destination of disobedience is judgement if you continue to ignore God. But.. at any point, you can turn your whole heart to Jesus & stand before HIM brand new, holy, like you've never sinned. (colossians 1:22-23). So, I was living for God.. with all of my heart & got hit up. (like Job's story). GOD wanted my heart through that season and you BETTER believe HE has it. I learned to trust HIM like no other. I needed that season for this season my husband & I are in. I miss my loved ones but you better believe I'm doing what THEY couldn't do here on this earth-- and that's sharing CHRIST. And those "pretend friends"-- a REAL friend, sticks CLOSER than a brother (proverbs 18:24). So am I sweating them? No! I love & forgive them from a  distance but I aint rocking' with them. They were unqualified to join me in this season. It just is.. what it is.

I am a much better Heather after 2011. I carry the SAME joy & the SAME attitude of thankfulness towards Christ. He's my entire life. I'm so thankful for Him. So honored to belong to Him.

I started this journal challenge because I realize that at times, we have a hard time spending time with God daily.  BUT if we had a flight to Hawaii every morning at 5am that was an all expense paid trip.. we would be at the airport on time. We would MAKE time to pack.. & check in on time. Let's make SPENDING time with GOD a priority.

How amazing is it.. that hundreds of us.. will journal & write our "day" that we're on. This aint for show'-- it's us, spending time with God daily & letting Him change us from the inside out. Writing the day on your journal is ONLY for accountability.

So, what will you need?

A Journal! (this is mine! You can get it at my Pinky Promise Store (www.pinkypromisemovement.com)  (I like pretty journals) lol

Notecards! I swear by notecards! I use these often as it does something to your brain as you write down the scriptures. Then, I meditate on them throughout the day. So write out the scriptures longhand-- based on what God places on your heart to study & to meditate on.

Here's an example of how you'll start your journal. I always start mine with "Dear Daddy"-- and be sure to write the CONSISTENT day. The point of this journal challenge is to get you to be consistent in spending time with God daily. So day 1, day 2, day 50, day 56.. etc.

This is my favorite bible. The Life Application Bible- NLT version. I purchased it from a Lifeway Christian store. It's a GREAT study bible that breaks stuff down.

Ok, so now that you have all of the materials-- you may ask-- HOW do I journal?!? What do I say??! As I blogged before with "How to Spend Time With God"  - so be SURE to read that entire blog if you're joining this challenge. But to answer your question-- I look at my journal like my diary to God. I just pour out whats in my heart. I thank Him for being God-- I tell Him I love Him. I tell Him whats going on in my life & my struggles. PRIOR to this-- I put on worship music, sing out to Him & pray (as I said, be sure to read my blog)-- doing those things will help UNCLUTTER your mind from all the stuff going on in your head. I write what God shows me about the scriptures on my journal & whatever else. Remember-- you have to treat your relationship with GOD like a RELATIONSHIP. Except He already knows you.. He created YOU. But He still wants to hear from YOU.  After I write to God.. I just get QUIET. Sometimes, He shares things with me.. sometimes-- I just sit & enjoy His presence & hear nothing.. I just meditate on WHO HE is.

So the challenge starts WHENEVER you read these words. You could be reading this a month after todays date.. but I challenge you to get started in TODAY. Today is day 2  of being consistent for me. I'm excited. Just the time I spent with God today.. was so beautiful, so amazing. I'm thankful for this accountability challenge.

Before I close out.. know that satan is gonna attack you. You'll be sleepy, too busy, or whatever else. Remember that you'll desire WHAT you give your attention too. So shut your phone off, Facebook & the TV. No distractions. 

Let's go!!!!!!

God loves YOU like CRAZY!

Heather Lindsey