Journaling God's Word by Ruth O'Reilly-Smith

Journaling God’s Word by Ruth O’Reilly-Smith

How a journey of obedience to God led to a whole new book by Ruth O’Reilly-Smith

Growing up in a Christian home, I’ve always treasured the Bible, but it was only as an adult that I finally read through the whole Bible. I spent years reading my favourite stories, verses and books from the Bible but when I was asked to write devotionals for a global publication, I had to become more disciplined in my study of God’s Word. I was expected to submit three devotionals every month, based on two Old Testament books and one New Testament book. It wasn’t long before I was hungry for more of God’s Word though, whether I had a deadline to work to or not.

I found that as I wrote about what I was learning through reading the Bible, my journaling with God changed. I was taught how to journal as a teenager in church. I’d write a letter to God and then imagine what He would say back to me, based on what I’d read in the Bible. When I look back at my journals, I can see how my walk with God has grown.

I’m a radio broadcaster and just before Lent 2020, I asked the listeners what they were giving up for Lent. I flippantly said I’d probably give up alcohol and chocolate and went to the next song. As the song started playing though, I felt that I should give up Netflix. I knew this had to be God. I was in the middle of a series I was enjoying, so it couldn’t be me and why would the devil want me to give up Netflix? I’d also recently been on a journey of surrender and obedience to God so I knew this was a test. I gave up Netflix.

I then also felt that God wanted me to journal during my morning devotionals. I like to read the Bible and pray before I get out of bed and I do occasionally journal, so this wasn’t anything new, but from the first day of Lent when I started journaling, I knew this was something different. These letters from God were so beautiful. I found myself weeping as I sensed He was speaking to the core of my being.

Covid-19 was sweeping across Europe and in the midst of all the uncertainty, fear and panic, I looked forward to being still first thing in the morning so I could hear the voice of my Maker over my life. Within days, I knew this was going to be a book and so was birthed, God Speaks – 40 Letters From The Father’s Heart, a beautiful hard-cover devotional journal, published by Authentic Media. After Lent and Easter, I tried to go back to watching that series on Netflix but I’d lost my taste for it. I do enjoy watching programmes and films, but they no longer have the same hold on me. God’s Word nourishes us like nothing else does and when we still ourselves and prepare our hearts, He will speak and we will hear.

Ruth O’Reilly-Smith

Ruth was born in South Africa and has lived in the UK since 1999. Here she met and married her husband and they have twins. Ruth started out in radio in 1995 and currently hosts This Is My Story on UCB2, which is part of United Christian Broadcasters, a national Christian radio station broadcasting across the UK. Ruth wrote for Our Daily Bread Ministries publication for a number of years and is the author of God Speaks – 40 Letters From The Father’s Heart, published by Authentic Media. Ruth posts regular Bible study blogs on her webiste. Her Christian faith is central to all she does and her heart is to communicate God’s love in as tangible a way as possible.

Website: ruthoreillysmith.com

Twitter: @RuthOnRadio

Instagram: @ruthoreillysmith

Facebook: @ruthoreillysmithpage

LinkedIn: Ruth O’Reilly-Smith