Motivational Monday: Keep Going and Keep Growing

by | Feb 4, 2020 | Daily Journaling

Happy Motivational Monday.
Be careful to not get too complacent in your walk with Christ.  Don’t take God for granted.  Here’s today’s video message:

Here are my notes from reading the the Bible.  I hope you are always growing in Christ.
DAY 31 OF 2020
EXODUS 12:14-13:16

  • I would be amiss if I didn’t mention The Passover.  It was mentioned at the very end of yesterday’s readings.  The Passover is a remembrance of the day that the LORD passed over the homes of the Israelites, and not killings their first born like the Egyptians.  This was the final plague, the tenth plague, that God had for Egypt. This is the day of freedom from captivity for the Israelites. The Israelites were commanded to put the blood of an unblemished male lamb around their doorpost, so that when the Lord saw the blood, He would pass-over that home. I encourage you to study up on The Passover. Start here, https://www.gotquestions.org/Christians-celebrate-Passover.html and go further.  I always enjoy the social media postings my cousin’s husband puts on his Facebook page.  He is Jewish and gives eloquent details to each Jewish holiday throughout the year.
  • I couldn’t imagine the sounds and sights the Egyptians heard and saw after this event occurred.  Y’all…listen to God! Obey Him.
  • 430 years. 430 years the Israelites lived in captivity. But now…But God…kept His promise…He always does.
  • The Passover was foreshadowing of Christ.  In vers 46 we read “do not break any of its bones” when referring to the lamb.  Jesus Christ is The Lamb of God. In John 19:33 we read “But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs.”  Then in verse 36 it says, “These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, ‘Not one of his bones will be broken.’”
  • As I read chapter 13, it is a reminder to me that we need to make sure we explain to others (especially our children) why we celebrate the holidays we do.  When I was a teacher, I would make sure students knew why they had a day off from school on certain days. It’s not just for you to enjoy a day away from learning, yet….then I’d explain why this specific day was celebrated.

MATTHEW 20:29-21:22

  • Jesus had the first social media…people “followed” Him everywhere.  He had so many followers…then and today.
  • Prophecy fulfilled.
  • Jesus is Healer.
  • Have faith.  Don’t doubt. You can move mountains with the power God has given to you through Jesus Christ.

PSALM 25:16-22

  • We live in a broken world. Take refuge in the Lord.
  • Put your hope in God.

PROVERBS 6:12-15

  • Worthless and wicked people are constant liars…they will pay a price.

FEB 1 OF 2020
EXODUS 13:17-15:18

  • Where God sends you, He’s already there.  The Lord will go ahead of you and prepare the way. Be confident in His path for you…it’s the best, not always the easiest, yet the best.
  • Listen, we do NOT understand why God does what He does, but we DO know that it will be for His glory.  Trust in His plan.
  • Don’t settle. Don’t settle for slavery to something other than the One True God.
  • When you feel panic wash over you, and you find yourself questioning God, be still and watch God work.  He will fight for you. He will rescue you. Stay calm. Is this hard to do? Absolutely. But trust. Trust in God. I’ll say it again, His path is the best for you.  Watch Him work.
  • Pray, believe, and take action.
  • What.  A. Site!  Every time I read about the parting of the Red Sea, I’m amazed.  Envisioning the wall of water and its sea life towering around and over you…amazing!  And did you read that the land they walked on, the sea floor, that was just covered with water, was completely dry.  Not mushy or muddy. Not squishy or soggy. Dry. Dry ground. Y’all, God provides!
  • When God is for and with you, people will notice.
  • Be in awe of God.  He’s at work daily.  Look up.
  • The Lord is a warrior. Period.  Again…He will fight for you.
  • There is no one like God.

MATTHEW 21:23-46

  • Don’t “cop out” in your decision and reasoning for believing in Jesus Christ. Believe in Him.  Stand strong in your faith. 
  • Don’t just talk the talk, but walk the walk.  Obey God.

PSALM 26:1-12

  • In the notes section of my bible it reads, “Too often we complain about our problems to anyone who will listen and we praise God in private.  Instead, we ought to complain privately and praise God publicly.” Amen. It seems that in today’s world, with social media, many choose to use it as a stage to be negative and share their troubles.  I want to encourage you to use your devices as a way to share praise to God and be the light to others who need it. Give your problems to God, and praise Him with others.

PROVERBS 6:16-19

  • Here are seven things God hates: eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent, a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track, a mouth that lies under oath, a troublemaker in the family.

FEB 2 OF 2020
EXODUS 15:19-17:7

  • Why do we doubt the Almighty’s provision?  When times get desperate, He will provide. Cry out to the Lord.  Let Him know that you need Him.  
  • Listen carefully to the Lord.  Do what is right in his sight. Obey His commands. Be blessed by Him.
  • Don’t just listen to God…be active…Do.
  • God provided Frosted Flakes…okay, not the Kellogg’s brand, but God’s.  He provides what we need.
  • When some folks didn’t follow God’s command to gather only the food they needed for one day (they became either greedy or untrusting), their leftovers were spoiled and the odor was horrific from the maggots.  So I can imagine that when Moses told them to collect enough for two days they may have been skeptical about having leftovers because they didn’t want to experience the stink again. But God had a plan. Again, He provided for their needs. It reminds me that we may be lenient in following and question the route presented to us by God, but we need to have faith.  He’s got this. Just like we read in Matthew a couple of days ago…don’t doubt God, have faith in Him.
  • For 40 years they ate the same food, that was provided by God daily.  We don’t read that they complained about it all those years, once they got used to it.  Then, God moved them and they began complaining again because of nothing to drink. Did they forget about God’s previous and continuous provisions?  Are we the same with complacency? Do we get complacent and start taking God for granted? Maybe this was God’s way of reminding them, “Hey, life isn’t perfect.  Hard times will come. Keep moving. Don’t fret because I will provide. Just take notice and appreciate where your supply comes from.”  Strive to not be the Christian who just checks off a “religious” list, yet continually grow in your “relationship” with Christ.  Be satisfied in God, and don’t take Him for granted.  Keep going and keep growing.
  • The Lord is with you.

MATTHEW 22:1-33

  • After reading yesterday and today’s events, it seems that Jesus was on a roll with the Pharisees.  He told them one parable after another. When you question God, be prepared for answers.
  • Jesus invites ALL to come to Him.  Will you accept his invitation?
  • Notice that He invites the good and the bad.  Yet, once we accept Jesus’ invitation we must change.  I’m not talking about just a change of clothes, but change our hearts and minds.  Change our way of living. Live for Him. Those who truly are transformed and accept Christ will be with Him for eternity.  
  • Pay your taxes.

PSALM 27:1-6

  • Oh just go read these verses.  Glory!!

PROVERBS 6:20-26

  • Obey God’s word.  It will lead, protect, and advise you.


FEB 3 OF 2020
EXODUS 17:8-19:15

  • Moses was a spiritual leader.  Others helped him do the will of God by holding up his arms while Joshua was in battle.  Our pastors have a lot of responsibility. I can’t imagine the 24/7 calls the pastors of my church receive to help others.  We need to be like Aaron and Hur and help our spiritual leaders. When they are weak and tired, encourage them. Help hold them up so that God’s work will continue in a successful manner.

MATTHEW 22:34-23:12

  • I could just stop at verse 37-40.  These are, to me, the backbone of right living as a Christian.  When you love the Lord with ALL your heart, soul, mind, and strength, then you will discover that loving others, even those who can be difficult to love, comes easier and even natural.  This commandment is one I’ve said and prayed for my kiddos and self almost everyday of our lives. I’ve found that when you love with the love of God, living for Him is evident and overcoming life’s obstacles is doable.  
  • You can’t out smart God.
  • People may know what the Bible says, yet not always live the way God tells us to.  When you dig deep into the Bible and grow in knowledge and wisdom, you won’t only know it, but will allow it to shine through you to others.  You’ll desire to live for God and not for self and others.

PSALM 27:7-14

  • God wants to have a relationship with you.  He wants you to come to Him and chat it up. Talk to God and listen to Him.
  • Whatever age or stage you are in in life, I hope that you will pray verse 11a, “Teach me how to live, O Lord.  Lead me along the right path.”  Newsflash…He does this through His word.  Read the Bible.
  • Waiting is often difficult.  Waiting patiently can be sometimes nearly impossible.  We are reminded to be brave and courageous and to wait patiently for the Lord.  He has a plan. Just breathe. Rest in Him and His goodness.

PROVERBS 6:27-35

  • You know the saying, “When you mess with fire, you’re going to get burned”? Well, this pretty much comes from scripture.  In verse 29 it pertains to…when you mess with another man’s wife, be ready to pay the price.
  • Make wise decisions, and don’t become a fool

Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie