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Standing on the Word 4/6/2020

Published on April 7, 2020 by SparrowLeave a comment

A85F14CD-40C4-4BF8-8F19-6BE8E3E6E156 This prophecy of our suffering Savior brings to light more than just the events that took place at Calvary, but also the reason Jesus chose the cross. He bore OUR grief and carried OUR sorrow. Wounded for OUR sins, punished for OUR peace. He suffered because of US, choosing the pain and the shame so the WE might be made free. Take that in this week. Calvary wasn’t just something that happened but it is the greatest gift of love you will ever receive. A personalized gift, just for you and just for me. We will never find a greater love or a truer friend. Thank You Jesus!

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5

Write The Word- April 2020

Published on April 7, 2020 by SparrowLeave a comment

We’re writing through 1 Corinthians! This is a powerful book with so much for us to explore. This is just part one, but still packed with all the power that Word of God possesses. Also, for those who would like to write up until Resurrection Day, here is a special Write the Word guide leading up to Resurrection day.

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I WILL Wednesday 4/1/2020

Published on April 2, 2020 by SparrowLeave a comment

It’s I WILL Wednesday!

I will praise You forever, Because You have done it; And in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good. Psalm 52:9

In today’s passage, David ends Psalm 52 with a beautiful, yet powerful statement of praise and faith to God. It comes after God delivers David from Doeg, the Edomite who was chief herdsman to King Saul and responsible for the deaths of a large number of priests (1 Samuel 21, 22). When David realizes that deliverance had come, he says to God, “I will praise you forever, because you have done it; and in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good.” In those few words, David said so much concerning his faith in God, his dedication to God, and his trust that God can and will bring forth deliverance. Let’s look deeper at the parts of this verse.

“I will praise You forever.” Not only was David making a declaration of his allegiance to God, but he was also speaking to his posture in difficult situations. He says, “I will praise You forever!” In the good times and the bad times; in the happy times and in the sad times I will praise You. David was making a commitment that his posture would not change. Just like David, our posture towards God should not change. No matter what the situation, we should have a posture of praise, and a posture of reverence to God at all times.

“You have done it.” When David proclaimed this message he was talking about his deliverance from Doeg, but we too can say the same thing, “God, You have done it!” You delivered me from my pain.You have delivered me from shame. You have delivered me from all types of trouble. When we take a look back on our lives whether it was years ago or even minutes ago, God has done it (His work of deliverance), in each of our lives. He has delivered us from things we had no idea how we were going to get out of. He provided for us when we had no idea where we would get our resources from. Just like David, we all can say, “You have done it!”

“And in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good.” David’s love and dedication to God was never hidden from the public eye. This is the same King who danced out of his kingly garb in the middle of the streets! He was not ashamed of Who he depended on, He was not ashamed of Who he belonged to. The last part of the verse says, “I will wait on Your name, for it is good.” This is so amazing! He was saying in every situation, he could wait on God, because God never let him down. I’m sure we all have people who said they would be there for us, but unfortunately they ended up letting us down. But not God! His is a name you can depend on. No matter the situation, hold fast to the trust and the faith that you have in Him. He will not let you down, He will be there right on time.

Isn’t it a wonderful thing, to know that God is faithful in deliverance, faithful in His love, and faithful to supply our needs. Oh yes! He is faithful indeed. So like David, make the declaration “I will praise You forever,” and no matter what “I will wait on Your name.”

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Standing on the Word 3/30/2020

Published on March 30, 2020March 30, 2020 by SparrowLeave a comment

I heard a song this morning that reminded me of this beautiful passage (another one of my life verses). Grief, mourning, and heaviness are weights that we can carry, but there is a beautiful exchange our Savior offers to us all. In exchange for the ashes of life, He gives us a crown of beauty. For mourning and grief, He gives us His joy. For our sorrow, heaviness, and sadness He wraps us in a garment of praise (oh that garment of praise!). And then we will be like trees that stand firm in a storm. And not just stand firm, but stand for righteousness because we have been planted by the Lord and we stand in His glory. Are you standing in what seems to be the ashes of a life gone up in flames? Are you consumed by grief? Is depression pulling you down into a bottomless pit? Well, there is a Savior who offers us a great exchange. Our broken, useless, shattered pieces for His wholeness, love, and beauty.

“To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3

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The Fear Factor

Published on March 27, 2020 by SparrowLeave a comment

In the old show, Fear Factor, contestants would come face to face with extreme and bizarre challenges. In the end the contestant that successfully faced their fears and overcame the challenges emerged as the winner and the host would say, “fear is not a factor for you!” Exciting stuff!

But, truthfully, fear is a factor for us all. It is one of the enemy’s most used tactics. It keeps us from truly walking in the things of God. It can stop us cold in our tracks and keep us right where we are with no hope of moving forward. We’ve heard all of these things before. But what HOPE can we give someone who is truly afraid? David shares His heart in Psalm 56. This beautiful song, filled with transparency, can bring hope to anyone who feels fearful.

Psalm 56 was written during a time when David was running from Saul. He ran to the Philistines. He fled from one enemy to escape another! David found himself in an overwhelming crisis! This account is found in 1 Samuel 21:10-15.

David fled from Saul because he was afraid. David acted like a madman to escape the Philistine king because he was afraid.

David was afraid.

And sometimes, so are we.

In the Bible study Trustworthy, author Lysa Terkeusrt makes this profound statement, “I can sometimes feel afraid, but I don’t have to live afraid.” Yes! Fear is something we all feel at times. We can’t, however, allow fear to consume us. Before we allow fear to paralyze us, we can reach to Our Father.

Psalm 56:3-4 shows two coexisting realities for David, fear and trust. Yes, coexisting. David says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” David couples two thoughts to combat the fear he felt.

The two thoughts could read like this:
When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.
Because I trust in You I will not be afraid.

David doesn’t deny that fear exists. Instead he tells us what to do when we feel fear—trust. That trust in the middle of a storm leads a courageous life—because I trust You, I will not be afraid.

Let’s read Psalms 56:3-4 again, in The Voice Translation—
When struck by fear, I let go, depending securely upon You alone.
In God I place my trust, I shall not let fear come in.

Courageous living is not the result of the absence of fear, but it is the result of confident trust in God even when we ARE afraid. Leaning and depending on the only One who calms my fears blocks out the fears that attempt to destroy my security.

Is fear a factor for you? If so trust God!
Pour out your heart to God! Tell Him what you are feeling. Run to Him, trust Him and then fear will no longer be a factor for you.

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Standing on the Word 3/23/20. (The Word W.O.R.K.S)

Published on March 23, 2020March 23, 2020 by SparrowLeave a comment

I’m standing on this entire Psalm that begins with one of my favorite passages: “God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). The psalmist goes on to tell how he thwarts fear by trusting in God who is our refuge. The 10th verse, however, is a departure from the psalmist writing in the third person to God Himself giving us a directive. He says “be still.” In this passage be still literally means “to sink”, “to relax, or drop”. It is a wake up call to stop striving in your own efforts to fix a problem you cannot fix. He also says “know that I am God.” In the face of your problem, acknowledge who your God is! He is the Conqueror who is mighty to save! He is the Great Physician who is able to heal. He is the Strong Deliverer who can set us free. He is the One we run to; the only refuge that is sure and constant. This call was to the nations, and it is still for us today. Plan ahead, be careful, use precautions, please. But in the inward man, that place where you struggle with fear, anxiety, and unrest, be still. Sink! And acknowledge your God. He is your refuge and strength.

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10 5D3FB252-3F0E-4423-BB80-2A33FE635354

Write the Word 2020-Week 4

Published on March 22, 2020 by SparrowLeave a comment

Welcome to week 4! The finish line is so close in the Write The Word Challenge. But it doesn’t have to be YOUR finish line. Hopefully we’ve all come to fall in love with God’s Word more and more.

Just learned about the challenge? It’s still a great time to get started. You can start your journey today! And share your journey with us! In times like these, we need the sweet reminders of God’s love for us that are found in His Word. We need hope like never before, and the Word of God is our source of hope because the Word lets us know that God is still in control!
This is just one passage that brings me hope; Yes, it is one that I stand on.
Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand
-Isaiah 41:10
This and many other truths can wash over you in this time and help you stand, so you will not fall.
Share your journey with us in the Sparrow’s Song Facebook group. We would love to hear from you! As you write this week, take time to focus on the value of the Word of God, more importantly, its value to you! 2 Timothy 3:15 says All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. God, through the Holy Spirit, breathed His Word into human authors to give us a gift like no other. It is the perfect gift! A love letter, personally addressed to us. Yet it is also practical and functional. The Word teaches us; it rebukes while bringing correction. We are trained in right living through the Word. As a result, we become worthy vessels of honor who are ready and able to do the work and will of God. What a gift!

Tips for this week:
1. Include your Family. My entire family is involved in this challenge and it is such a blessing to us all. I challenge you to invite your spouse, children, and siblings to be a part of the challenge with you.
2. Memorize scripture. You can memorize verse by verse, or chapters. Some have even ventured to memorize whole books of the Bible. Don’t be intimidated. Start where you are. There are lots of ways to do it. Sticky notes, index cards, put it at the top of your to-do list where you’ll see it often, or use an app like Bible Memory or FighterVerse for guided practice.
3. Don’t give up on yourself. Where ever you are, keep going!

Let’s pray: Father, We thank you for Your Words. They are the lifeline we need in every area of our lives. Help us to make the necessary application that will lead us to Your peace. I believe every promise in Your Word and I receive them now.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For those who are interested, below is the Word W.O.R.K.S. from March 2019.