Tag: faith

Write the Word-June

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Hello Dear Ones!

Can you believe that we are already in the month of June?  School is coming to a close, seniors are graduating, and summer is upon us. Things are shifting and changing all around us, but we can still be confident that the Word W.O.R.K.S!  I continue to hear stories of renewed faith, hope and joy as you Write the Word.  God is so good.  Keep those stories coming and keep growing in faith.

Look out for our new challenge coming in July!  We are going to Declare the Word for 31 days.  Join us as we speak life into our situations and circumstances and exercise the power of our tongues.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.  Proverbs 18:21

Don’t forget to join us on Facebook for encouragement and giveaways and other fun!

Your friend in the journey,
Sparrow

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Walk This Way

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But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 1 John 2:5,6 To read more, click here

How do we know that we are truly abiding in Him? The surest way to know is that we walk like Jesus walked. Christ’s life is an example to us. His life was always about His Father’s business (Luke 2:49). He walked in constant fellowship and dependence upon His Father, and sought to please Him in all that He said and did (John 12:49; John 14:31).

Because of Christ’s obedience, even to the the point of death, we have life! (Phil. 2:8) And with this life, we should do all that we can to please Him. This begins by allowing God’s Word to transform us. Hear, receive, obey, and apply the Word to your life and you will begin to see change. This is how we walk in the Fruit of the Spirit. This is how we grow in love. When we obey God’s Word and allow God’s love to be perfected in us, we will walk in love towards our fellowman and will abstain from the sinful things of the world. Love and obedience are manifested in our lives when we walk like Jesus.

This is not to physically imitate His movements, but to be an imitator of His actions, closely observing the Word of God to know what He did, how He responded, how He obeyed, how He loved, and how He served. Once you know what He did, do what He did! He has set the path before us, so we cannot go wrong if we walk like Him.

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Write the Word-May

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Hello dear ones!

Still writing? Many have expressed a desire to finish the year strong. Well here you are—a list of suggested scriptures for the month of May! Like always, use them as you see fit. Allow God’s Word to permeate your soul. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16

Happy writing,
Your friend in the journey,
Sparrow

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Mission Accomplished

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I sent three students on a mission to deliver some treats to a buddy classroom.  Twenty minutes later, they had not returned. After finding another teacher to watch my class, I went searching for the three missing students. As I passed the playground, I saw that the class I had sent my students to were at an early recess. I frantically asked the teacher had she seen my students, who were now, in my mind, missing. She said no, but also let me know that they had been outside for about 25 minutes. That said, I ran up to the other teacher’s classroom only to find my three sitting outside her door, patiently waiting for them to return. I was less than pleased, but glad that they were okay. I asked them “why didn’t you just come back?” One little darling answered “we didn’t want to come back until we finished the job.”

After breathing a sigh of relief because I hadn’t lost someone’s children, I began to reflect on a passage of scripture from Isaiah 55:10-11:

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

Precipitation such as rain and snow follow cyclical pattern. When it falls from the sky it doesn’t evaporate until it waters the earth to bring forth growth so that the cycle of sowing and reaping may continue. The rain and snow does its job. It causes the ground and all forms of vegetation to prosper.

More beneficial than the rainfall are the Words of God. It goes forth from the mouth of God for purpose. Every Word spoken has a purpose; a mission for which it has been sent. The powerful Word cannot return empty without accomplishing the purpose for which it was sent. The Word sent forth will accomplish whatever the Lord pleases. Don’t be confused, the Word accomplishes what He wants, not always what we want. Dear friend, this is where trust comes in. We can trust God because He is trustworthy. He cannot lie (Numbers 23:19). We can trust God because He knows what’s best for our lives (Isaiah 55:9). We can trust God because He is working—He is present and actively orchestrating things in our lives to produce good results (Romans 8:28).

Not only do God’s Words produce results, but it will cause us to prosper! Again, this is a matter of trusting God’s will and His ways. Prosperity is not only a matter of material and financial gain, but also of spiritual prosperity where we grow from faith to faith and from glory to glory.  When we grow and move forward in the things of God, we are prospering.

Stake your confidence in the Word of God! Hold on to its promises and apply its precepts. It is powerful and effective, producing great results in our lives. Like my sweet little students, God’s Word will not return without accomplishing its purposes.

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Jesus Prays For Me

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An old song says “Somebody prayed for me/Had me on their mind/Took the time and prayed for me/I’m so glad they prayed/I’m so glad they prayed/I’m so glad they prayed for me.” Most of us can celebrate with the lyrics of this song. Someone, somewhere prayed for me! In my hard times, in times when I did not know, in times when I did not care—someone was talking to the Lord about me! I’m so grateful. I’m even more grateful to know that Jesus prayed for us!

John 17:20-23
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

What a beautiful truth to hold on to.

Jesus prayed that we be protected in this world. Jesus prayed for us to be unified as He and the Father are. There are so many things that divide us in the body of Christ. Jesus knew this, and showed us through His prayer, what He desired His body to be like. Jesus always did the will and work of His Father. They were so close that Jesus did not have to assume or guess what He should do, say, or where He should go—He knew because He knew the Father’s heart. We should be close enough in the body of Christ that we know each other’s hearts. Yes, the Spirit of God will reveal things to us, but I’m talking about being free with one another to share in a transparent way without fear of judgement or persecution. Where we are able to speak into each other’s lives in a way that produces spiritual results. This can only happen when we speak the truth IN LOVE! Fully be able to give correction, and receive correction knowing that the desire is not to tear down but to build up. Lord make us one.

Jesus prayed that through us, the world would know His love. We have an assignment to the world. We must show the love of Christ. Just as He was moved with compassion when he saw our needs, we must be also. We will see the needs of people when we look through the lens of love. Be eager to show God’s love. Look for opportunities to share, give, and impact lives. Lord, help us to show Your love.

Jesus prayed for our sanctification. We are to be in the world (physically) but not of the world (avoid having a worldly mindset). We need to know how to exist in this world that is not our home. He prayed that we would be sanctified through the truth of His Word so that we can live in—but not be culturally ingrained in—this world. The Word is a lamp and light that illuminates our path. Lord help us to walk in Your truth.

This beautiful prayer gives us strength and fortifies us as we walk. But what’s equally beautiful and fortifying is that Jesus STILL prays for us. Romans 8:33-34 speaks of this; as the enemy accuses, Jesus sits on the right hand of the Father making intercession for us! His earthly mission is complete, but His love and care for us never ceases. I’m so glad He prays, I’m so glad He prays, I’m SO GLAD He prays for me.

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Learning to Stand Still

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Learning to stand still may seem like an odd thing to learn. It takes little effort; just do it, right? Wrong! Learning to stand still is difficult for many. Take my second grade class, for instance! I don’t mean a physical posture, but rather a heart posture. One that disavows human effort and stakes it’s hope on the power and ability of God.

In the 14th chapter of Exodus we see the people of God being pursued by Pharoah and his army. They found themselves standing between the Pharaoh’s army and a sea in front of them. At that point, they began to complain. They expressed their regret, they expressed their anger, they expressed their frustration, and they expressed their fears. Then Moses answered,“Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13-14

Moses told them first, do not fear. Fear is an overwhelming emotion. Sometimes fear makes you run. You want to retreat or remove yourself from the situation. Other times fear makes you fight. Like a bear backed into a corner, you feel like the only thing to do is come out fighting. Rarely does fear make you stand still.

But that is exactly what Moses told the people to do next, stand still. Standing still involves planting your feet firmly.

God has given us something to stand on—something on which we can plant our feet.

We can stand in faith
We can stand in hope
We can stand in trust
We can stand on the Word

It’s difficult in uncertain circumstances, but we must be still!

Don’t sway! Don’t allow the things that come make you sway back and forth or side to side. Stand firm and trust God.  James tells us that a double minded person is unstable in every way. (James 1:8) Don’t allow your circumstances to make you waver.

Don’t lean! Don’t allow impatience or self-reliance cause you to take steps or make decision apart from God’s will. Proverbs 3:5 reminds us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding”.  

Moses then tells the people, “The Lord will fight for you, just hold your peace.” It maybe even more difficult to be silent than it is to be still. Oftentimes we don’t know what to do, but if you are anything like me, I always have something to say! It’s usually the wrong thing. Complaints, negativity, and doubt fills my mouth, then my heart, until it filters to my actions. In times of trouble, it is important that we speak God’s Word into the situation or be silent. Your words will fail, but His Words lead to victory.

King Jehoshaphat faced a similar situation (2 Chronicles 20). Nearby enemies had come together in attempts to defeat Judah. Jehoshaphat prayed. He was honest, “I don’t know what to do; but Lord my eyes are fixed on You” (v.12). He admonished the people not to fear or be alarmed, because, “the battle is not yours, but God’s” (v.15). King Jehoshaphat had to give a command to trust, just like Moses did; “You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:17.

There’s the command—Stand still! It can be difficult, it can feel counterproductive, but we must learn to stand still. Sometimes we stand between the enemies taunts and what seemed impossible. We want to react, we want to fight, we want to run, but God says stand still. Plant your feet firmly on the Word of God, and watch Him fight for you! FE870A96-4D50-4E34-AA15-D89198FCAAD6

Help My Unbelief

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d2ce5b30-5d06-4c09-862f-8169f142f5a4“He doesn’t think you like him,” the parents of one of my challenging students said. “Of course I LIKE him, I LOVE all of my students,” I replied. “I know that Mrs. Bryant, but he doesn’t know that. And he NEEDS to know that.” Something happened to cause this student to doubt my for care for him.  This conversation forced me to look introspectively to explore some truths. But it also made me think about the damaging effects of doubt in our lives.

A story of a desperate father appears in the book of Mark 9:14-29.

This man’s son was vexed with an evil spirit and the father was desperate to see his son delivered. One day he found himself face to face with Jesus. Sure this man had heard about the miracles and the healings, but the child has been this way for a long time and doubt had set in. He took his son to the disciples and they could do nothing. In his desperation he cried out to Jesus “if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” (v. 22) Jesus replied, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (v. 23)

This weary father said, “I believe, but help my unbelief.” (v. 24) The very honest confession revealed the man’s heart. I know you are good Lord. I know that you are able. But something is keeping me from stretching out in total faith. I don’t know what that thing was for this man, but, in all honesty, I know what it is for me. I believe God! I believe in His power and His ability. I believe He can do the impossible, but will He do it for me? Circumstances, timing, insecurities, and low-self esteem can all foster doubt even in the lives of believers.

I would love to say that I’m a faith GIANT, but the truth is I struggle with doubt. It’s easy to try to hide that fact, but it’s better to confess it. When I’m honest with God, He meets me right where I am. Right there at the place between hope and uncertainty, I’m reminded of His love. Between expectation and apprehension, I’m reminded of His promises to me. Where I waver, I’m met with His truth! And I must work to make that truth my reality. This starts by being honest with God. Tell Him where you struggle. Confess His truth despite what you’re feeling. Confess it until it becomes your confession! Watch doubt melt away so that you may receive everything the Father has for you.