Every Good Work

Hi friends! It’s Cristin here! Thanks for stopping by to hang out with me today. I just love making things: painting, using fun stickers and die cuts, and of course using all the colors!!! I was thinking today that one of my favorite parts of bible journaling doesn’t actually involve any paint or products. It’s right before I grab my supplies and before I do any sort of art at all. It’s the few moments that I stop and pray. I stop for a minute and take the time to have a little chat with God. I like to ask God for help understanding His Word, and that I can learn what he wants to teach me. If I’m reading something challenging, I ask Him what it means. I like to take that time to connect and check my heart. Then create, create, create!

I know someone who has been following Jesus a long time. A lot longer than I have been. So, I asked her about her spiritual habits and how she matured as a believer. She told me something so simple. Many years ago she was challenged to read her bible every day (she told me she read 10 chapters a day, so that she could read the bible in 3 months). She said she kept reading for a while and didn’t notice anything different. That is until one day someone told her how much she had changed and that’s when she realized what had happened. God had changed her!

I was reading in 2 Timothy 3 this week, and I was impressed again how God’s word changes our hearts. Look here in verses 16-17 where Paul instructs Timothy about this:

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT

I think it’s so amazing that God wants to teach us more about Himself. The Word is so alive (Hebrews 4:12), and can change us powerfully.

Around my house are a lot of Black-Eyed Susans. These perennial flowers are so bright and cheery! Last fall after they bloomed, my husband cut them down to just a few inches above the ground. Very early this spring I worried that we had killed them, and they wouldn’t be back. But slowly I saw leaves appear and they started growing. And now they are 3 feet tall and it’s almost time to cut them down again.  I couldn’t see the very gradual, daily growth, but I can see the result of the growth. Sometimes I notice that from day to day I don’t see any change in my heart, but looking back I can see how He has changed it.

I love how Paul says God prepares and equips us to do every good work. It’s kind of a relief to know that God is preparing us to do the good work, and what I mean is that sometimes I get so focused on getting things done and I start thinking it’s all on me. If I had to produce all the preparing and equipping, we’d be in trouble, because I’m going to forget something! I love that He’s already thought it through! We can ask Him to open our hearts to what He wants to teach us.

Thanks for joining me today, friends! <3, Cristin

additional supplies: Martha Stewart Craft Paint 32088 Surf