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Standing On The Word – 5/04/2020

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How’s it going? For some it has been rough! Inconsistency, uncertainties, and anxieties are running rampant. Fear, illness, and even death are realities that have become more evident than before. Families are facing financial, domestic, and other crises that cause stress and strain.

This passage offers hope!
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

The Name of the Lord is a phrase that implies the character of God.

He is loving. He is faithful. He is strength. He is merciful. He is all that is lovely and all that is right. In a world where all things seem to fall apart, we can run to the Lord. Why? Because He, like a fortified tower, keeps us safe from the world’s assault.

In Him, we can find the refuge we need.

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Standing on the Word 4/21/20

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The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

This beautiful blessing, often used as a benediction, was brought to the forefront of my mind because of the popularity of the song “The Blessing” by Kari Jobe (Link in comments). The powerful words was a blessing that the priest, would say over the people. These words are just as powerful today. I’m standing on this blessing and declaring it over my family, and over you and your family as well.

The Lord bless you: Like no one else, when the Lord blesses, no one can change it. His blessings are always for our good.
And keep you: His security and protection is perfect. He is a refuge for us.
The Lord make His face shine on you: He doesn’t hide His face, but rather shines on us so that His presence will be evident in our lives.
Be gracious to you: He extends His tender mercy and grace towards us.
The Lord turn His face towards us: He lovingly looks on us, He doesn’t avert His gaze.
And give you peace: He gives us peace, not just peace, but “shalom,” wholeness and well-being.

Again, in the midst of this pandemic, and everyday, this is my prayer for you.

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I WILL Wednesday 4/1/2020

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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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Write the Word 2020 Week 2

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Hello Sparrow’s Song Family!

Welcome to week 2! No matter how week one was, week 2 is here!

Feeling refreshed? Me too. Feeling frustrated? Take heart! This week is a new beginning. Don’t allow discouragement to set as you attempt new things for God.

Feeling alone? Join our Sparrow’s Song group to share in the journey here Sparrow’s Song Facebook group.

Tips for this week:
 1. Remember why you started = so that the Word of God may come alive in you. 
The value of the Word cannot be overstated. It is life for us. It is a well you can draw from when you need to. Nancy Leigh Moss said “As you read, pause frequently to meditate on the meaning of what you are reading. Absorb the Word into your system by dwelling on it, pondering it, going over it again and again in your mind, considering it from many different angles, until it becomes part of you.”(Christianqoutes.com)

We want the Word to become a part of us. It changes how we think, how we speak and how we see the world around us.

2. Consistency is a key to breakthrough! 
Don’t approach this aimlessly, but rather intentionally. Set a time to pray, read and write. Then do your best to stick to it. Each day brings something new, so adjust as necessary.

3. Extend grace, even to yourself! 
Life is real and can be really challenging! Give your self room to grow. Hold yourself, accountable, but give grace when you don’t meet your expectations.

If you are following the suggested scriptures, this week’s focus is combating fear and anxiety. Feel free, however, to continue on the path that you’ve begun. Let the Holy Spirit lead you. I’m here to support you with prayer, encouragement, and resources. If you need help, reach out.

Dear Father, I pray for all my dear friends who have decided to dive deeper into Your Word. Thank You for giving us such powerful Words that will guide us, heal us, and change us. As we yield to Your will, pour into us afresh. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Blessings,

~ Erica
Below is the very first Write the Word Challenge.

I WILL Wednesday 3/4/2020

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It’s I WILL Wednesday!

Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Psalm 43:4

Today’s I WILL passage is found in a journey from pain to praise. At the onset of this Psalm, the psalmist starts by crying out to God. From a place of despair, he seeks God’s help in desperation. He pleaded for vindication and rescue from the assaults of his enemy. The psalmist cried out to God because he confidently knew that God could deliver him. Verse 4, our focus for today, points out a very important thing the psalmist did, he went to the altar. Now an altar, in this time was a place of sacrifice, a place where something changed, a place where something died. Today it’s not so much a place, but the posture of our hearts. Our hearts should be a place where something changes, where something is altered.

This psalmist reminds us that when we come to the altar something will change. It may be your broken heart, it may be your wounded spirit, it may be your wayward thinking, or even your negative outlook. In the presence of the Lord, change happens!

Look at the psalmist’s altar experience. At the altar, he remembered his God; at the altar, a praise burst forth. At the altar, his pain turned into praise. He began to speak to himself! The psalmist asked himself, “ Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues?” (v. 5MSG). Then he had a reality check, and told himself, “Put your hope in God” (v. 5).

At the altar, we can gain an objective view of ourselves! Am I wallowing in self pity? Have my circumstances clouded my thinking? Is what I’m going through bigger than my God? NO! Then adjust your thinking, adjust your speaking, and place your hope where it belongs, in God.

Are you in need of a change? Does depression, negativity, and self pity need to die in your life? Do you need to journey from pain to praise? If so, remember this psalmist and share in his declaration, “l WILL go to the altar of God.”

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Write The Word Challenge 2020

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Whoohoo!

It’s the ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY for Sparrow’s Song Ministries/The Word W.O.R.K.S.’ Write the Word challenge.

For a year now we have been putting the Word of God above everything else. Through this year God has blessed us so much and there’s no going back now!So for those of you who are new to Sparrow’s Song, I challenge you to branch out with us and Write the Word. And for those who have been in the journey for some time now, let’s keep going!

The Word of God is so important in our lives. It’s more than words on pages, it’s living and life giving.

The Word of God is a wellspring to a dry and thirsty soul.

The Word will strengthen a weary heart.

The Word can redirect your focus towards purposeful things.

The Word brings comfort to wounded souls.

Yes friends, THE WORD (STILL) W.O.R.K.S.

Starting March 1st (for the second time), with one verse, or as much as you want, we’re going to journey into the Bible together. We’ll do it little by little, with no pressure! No study guide or workbook. Just the Word. How? By writing it. When you write the Word of God in your own handwriting, it helps you get a better understanding of what you’re reading, and it helps you to remember it. Studies have shown, writing makes it easier for our brains to store, retain, and recall information. What better content to store, retain, and recall than the Word of God.

Join me in our Write The Word Challenge. For the next 31 days make the Word of God a priority. The challenge will run from March 1-31, 2020.

I hope you decide to join us (or rejoin us) in this challenge! Invite your friends! We are excited to continue diving into God’s Holy word with you all.

It’s so easy to sign up, just enter your first name, email, and comment the words “I’m in 🙋‍♀️”, down below, OR comment on our Facebook Post, and we’ll send you suggested templates, and scriptures to get started, as well as other helpful resources and encouragement.

Also, like our Facebook page and follow us at http://sparrowssongministries.com

Don’t know what you’re going to write in? Try Sparrow’s Song’s Scripture Writing Journal. https://www.amazon.com/dp/108124285X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_

 

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You Were Made For This

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It’s the last week in January. I hope you are still pushing and moving forward, doing what God assigned you to do. Don’t let 2020 be like every other year; we start great but quickly fizzle out. This year we want to see what we have been praying for. We want to see the fruit of our hearts burning desire. We want the assurance that we are walking in His will for our lives.

Well, can I tell you something? Yes, you! You need to know that you were made for this!

Ephesians 2:10  tells us “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

In Christ we’ve been made new! A work of art, touched by the Master’s finger of love, made into a masterpiece. He took our messed up lives and made something beautiful, so that we can do the good works that God predestined for us.

Before you knew your name, there was a divine assignment designed just for you. Jeremiah 1:5 recounts God’s Words to the prophet Jeremiah. “Before I even formed you in your mother’s womb, I knew all about you. Before you drew your first breath, I had already chosen you to be My prophet to speak My word to the nations” (The Voice).

Likewise, Paul shared his testimony in Galatians 1. He too, tells how he was chosen from his mother’s womb. Paul wasn’t called because of anything special he had done, but by God’s sovereign election, Paul was made to do the work of the Lord.
You too, were made for this!

Whatever your “this” is, is a divine calling by an all-knowing God. You were created for good work! Before any training, before any degree, before you were born, you were made for this! So you cannot fail! You were created for this!

Read the other posts in this series:

Write the Vision (2020,  

The Limits of Your Best,

Do Not Despise Small Beginnings

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