February 2026 - Scripture Journaling Plan

I have a confession to make, part of the reason I chose to journal the New Testament over the next year is because I am enrolled in an 8 month class for Bible teachers and I knew it was going to be a lot of work in addition to creating monthly journal plans. I was doing what self help gurus suggest, thinking of my future self, and I’m glad I did because this class is a lot so far! However, we also serve a gracious and benevolent Heavenly Father, I say that because already this journal plan has been such a gift to me!

The book of Matthew has been hard and good and confusing all at the same time. Hard because, hello, the Sermon on the Mount! I will never read that portion of scripture without seeing how woefully short I fall in being Christ-like. And good because of the beautiful revelation of who Christ is and what he came to do. I loved reading the birth story of Jesus even though we just read it during Advent, I never get sick of hearing how Mary and Joseph responded to God’s immense call on their lives. Finally confusing because no matter how many times I read the Word of God, there are always things that just don’t make sense to me. But that's ok too, I fully believe that my understanding will come when I’m ready for it .

None of this should come as a surprise to me, the Word of God is alive and it creates new life in us whenever we read it. It really is such an incredible gift. If you’re like me, a digger, you may be feeling like a chapter a day is almost too much. What verses do you choose to write out? Some days I feel like I could transcribe the entire chapter, that’s why it’s so important to go slow and why there are two days built in to each week to get caught up. Don’t allow the enemy to rush you or create anxiety in you if you can’t do it all. Better to drill down and really get something than skim over it to stay on schedule and miss the treasure that God has for you. 

This month we will finish the book of Matthew and start the book of Mark, there will be some repetition but trust the Holy Spirit, sometimes we need to see things multiple times before we “get it.” One really good practice I’ve acquired is to pray before I read God’s Word. I need help understanding God’s intended meaning, I need my heart softened to be able to take in correction or conviction, I need help to keep my mind from drifting, and I need to approach the Word of God with the right motives. I came across an abbreviated version of this prayer a number of years ago but recently read this expanded version and I now pray it before I read each morning. I’m sharing it here with you:

           *Incline my heart to you, not to prideful gain or any false motive. That is, focus my affections and desires upon you, and eradicate everything in me that would oppose such a focus.

           *Open my eyes to behold wonderful things in your Word. That is, let your light shine and show me what you have willed to communicate through the biblical authors.

           *Unite my heart to fear your name. That is, enthrall me with who you are.

           *Satisfy me with your steadfast love. That is, fulfill me with the fact that your covenant love has been poured out on me through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

-John Piper                    

I believe in you and I’m praying for you, you got this!

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