#5verses

So I decided to start in James. I was reading online that James is a good place to start for people to start studying the Bible, so this is where we will begin. I did read through the book of James with a friend once, and it was a good experience, so lets give it a shot! Opening prayer - Always pray before reading the word. Thank you Father, for being with me and comforting when I'm not feeling well. Thank you for friends and family that provide words of wisdom and encouragement when I forget to lean on You. Please forgive me for not trusting You like I should and help me to trust and love You more. Please be with me as I read your word, help me to grow to a deeper relationship with you through this experience and to manage my stress level. Thank You for all you are doing, Amen. Now, onto the word: James 1:1-5  1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, the thou may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. How this applies to my life and my relationship with God Wow! I have really been going through some things lately, I'm looking for a new job and its hard to be patient when you aren't getting any responses. I really felt like God wanted to look for something new, and I don't understand why things aren't working out according to my plans....but thats just it, its MY plans that are failing, not God's plans. Since I am clearly lacking wisdom, I need to ask God for guidance as to what I should do and what HIS plans are, and He will give it to me! In the meantime, I need to be joyful (even if I'm not happy) that I am going through this time and keep believing (having faith) in God's plans for me. I need to develop patience with God's process and realize that He is using this time to get me ready for the plans and purposes He has for me. Closing prayer

This blog just started a study of the Bible, 5 verses at a time. Its pretty good, I plan to follow it. Here is what the author had to say about why the blog was started:

This Journal started due to a doctor's visit. The doctor decided to give me a spiritual prescription because she believed most of my ailments were due to stress. (Sidenote: research has shown 80% of visits to primary care physicians are due to stress)

Anyway, the doctor prescribed that I write down 5 bible verses a day to clear my head, she said writing would help me meditate on them more verses reading them. She then told me a VERY interesting story about a  missionary psychologist who met a schizophrenic man and told him to write these 5 bible verses daily. Not only was the  schizophrenic man's mind healed, he was also able to learn English from writing the entire bible! He then went on to be an English teacher, teaching even some government officials of his country English! He was able to lead many to Christ through his service.

In her prescription, my doctor gave me a few encouraging Bible verses to encourage me on my journey. She also wrote that in addition to reading 5 bible verses daily, I also need to pray for Godly Wisdom, Provision, Plans, Purpose, Victory, and Financial, Physical, and Spiritual health.

I hope to use this journal to keep track of what I read and how God speaks to me through what I read. I also hope to inspire others to pick up their Bibles to read along with me, and start their way to a purposeful, less stressful, healthier life!