This mornings Bible reading and journaling(SOAP-search it on my blog for more details) was very helpful.

S-Scripture- Psalm 1:3, “They are like trees planted along the riverbanks, bearing fruit each season.  Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”

O-Observations- The verse before describes why it is that they bear fruit.  It is because they delight in the Bible and meditate on it day and night.

A- Application- Message says you thrill on God’s Word and chew on it day and night.  Bible reading and mediating on it are key things when following after Jesus.  I know I want to be productive and bear fruit.  I don’t want to be a fruitless tree.  Later in the New Testament- an author talks about the fruit of the Spirit(things you will bear in your life as you seek after Jesus): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control.  These are all things I want to be producing in my life.  Some days I have felt withered, dried up and empty with not much else to give.  It is often in those withered seasons I am not rooted by the riverbank collecting water/life from the source, God’s Word.  I am not reading and chewing/thinking on His Word often.  I am actually just busy, running around and doing my own thing- on my own strength.  “I have too much going on today to take time to read a few Bible chapters and then soap” or I continually choose 20 minutes of extra sleep instead of reading and journaling.  Then I am left waking to the sound of a crying kid-starting my day at a frantic pace but not necessarily a fruitful pace.

P-Prayer- Lord help me to regularly plant myself in your Word.  Help me to chew on it regularly.  It is your Word that wateres my souls and grows me.