Many of my journal entries where I believe God has spoken have come from personal Bible reading or study.  It’s an amazing thing that God gives His Holy Spirit to us, enabling us to have the Author of the Book right with us as we read!!

From the journal . . . . April 1996

Matt. 26:27-28 And He took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it,²⁸ for this is My blood, which confirms the covenant between God and His people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.

Lord, I can’t walk in forgiveness if I don’t confess sin.

1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Lord, most of my sin I can only confess to You because it is the product of a selfish heart inclined toward evil thoughts that I seldom share with other people.

Gen 6:5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually.

If I confess to K that I think she is too negative, petty, and judgmental, will that help her?  Can I say I am sorry for my opinion of her short comings?  Is that acting in kindness to her?  Would it help?

I believe my sin is against You, God, and it is You to whom I need to confess. Your word tells me that I am not to judge the servant of another.  She is Your servant, so why am I judging her?

Romans 14:4 Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive His approval.

Oh Jesus. I need more of Your spirit overflowing, making my heart pure and charitable to others.  Oh, my Jesus.  This is me.  The true sinful me.  I am sorry.  I get so distracted when I’m with others that I forget You have called me to love, teach, and encourage the body of Christ.  I really want to, God.  Please Lord, show me what I need to do to lessen these negative thoughts and attitudes.  And Jesus, I need to change some actions as well

And I Believe God Said:

Daughter, act on what you know to be right.  I will work on your heart.  If you listen, I will tell you.   Mind your own business.  Your husband, your children.   Look for good.  Encourage the good.  Remember, that is your gift.  But be honest.

Titus 2:4-5 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children,  to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.

Those words are pretty straight forward. Do what you know to be right. And trust God to work on the heart. Focus on your own business.  Confess to Him honestly when you know your thoughts are not pleasing to Him.   

James 4:17 Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth. and the meditation of my heart. be pleasing to you,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Practically speaking, I’ve also found that memorizing scripture helps me to get my mind in the right place. Philippians 4:6 is one of my favorites.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Singing and speaking praises to Him helps too!