Tag: hope

I WILL Wednesday 5/13/20

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It’s I WILL Wednesday!

“I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me.” Psalm 57:2

In today’s I WILL Wednesday, we find David in the cave running from King Saul, when an opportunity to kill his enemy stares him in the face. Instead of taking the opportunity to rid himself of the one who literally turned his life upside down and tried to kill him multiple times, David spares Saul’s life.

In Psalm 57, David focuses on the need for God’s protection. He talks about the enemies around him trying to entrap him and kill him. However, it is also here in this situation where David looks past all of what he is going through and focuses on the One who gave him the victory over a bear, a lion, and a giant.

David exclaims that he will cry out to God Most High, to God who performs all things for him. Isn’t that amazing? Surrounded by enemies who wanted to kill him, he knew where his help came from. In a dark cave, far from the palace of which he would one day live, he did not rely on his own ability to get him out. Staring at a complete victory over the one person who has reeked havoc in his life he stepped back and cried out to God. Why is this so important? Because God is the One who can and will perform all things according to His perfect will. David knew that it was only God that could give him the complete and total victory. David knew that it was God who would fulfill His purpose in his life. So even though the pressure of the situation was weighing heavily on his shoulders, David took a step back and he cried out to God, who never fails.

What I love is that David resisted the urge to take things into his own hands. He had been anointed to be the next king of Israel about twenty years earlier. He had fought Goliath, and he had become a mighty warrior for Israel’s army, leading them in several victorious battles. David had even married King Saul’s daughter. Now, right before him was an opportunity! At least that’s what David thought for a moment, but then he remembered that it was not for him to perform, but God (see 1 Samuel 26:9-11). He truly believed the he would be king, and that God called him to that position. If God anointed him king, God would appoint him king at just the right time. David trusted God’s promise and God’s timing.

We all have had times in our lives that backed us into corners and made us question what we are to do. Times where it seems as though you have to make a move that God has not ordained. Even now with the coronavirus upending our lives like no one ever thought possible, we find ourselves in “caves” wondering when will we be free. Don’t move until God says so, because whatever He has promised, he will also perform.

Let’s take David’s example and cry out to God. He and only He can perform all things for us. God will see us through, and He will fulfill His purpose in us. So no matter where you are, or what you are going through, join me today and declare, I WILL cry out to God the Most High!

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Standing on the Word 5/11/20

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“He said to me, ’My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”2 Corinthians 12:9

This passage of scripture taken from 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds me to keep moving, time and time again.

Paul, the apostle, dealt with a “thorn in the flesh,” something that he prayed about three times. God’s answer to Him was “My Grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” I’m not sure how Paul felt, but that’s not the answer we always want to hear when we ask God to remove bad things from our lives. It is, however, the answer that we need to hear. Grace is a precious gift. It is enough to cover. It is enough to sustain us. And it is always available to us. The mighty awesome power of God is completely shown when we are at our weakest. So, like Paul, we don’t have to shrink in shame because of weaknesses; that is when God’s power rests on us all the more.

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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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I WILL Wednesday 4/15/2020

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As for me, I will call upon God, And the Lord shall save me. Psalm 55:16
It is I Will Wednesday!

Today we find David  making a declaration that no matter what is going on in his life he will continue to rely on God, despite what others do.  To get a full understanding of what David is saying, we can look at the previous scriptures where he is noticing those who embrace destruction, iniquity, and wickedness and he draws “a line in the sand” stating he will not follow suit.
In his writing, David  refers to these people as those who would seek the Lord with him and stand beside him; these were not enemies.  I truly believe that their actions broke his heart, but David, (being a man after God’s own heart) had to stand up for God and what he believes.
Have you ever been in a situation where people who are near and dear to your heart suddenly make a decision that lead them on the wrong path? More so, they are so caught up in what they are in that they refuse to listen or return? It can be extremely painful. You miss that friendship, you miss that person you could call on. Your heart goes out to them, and you want to do any and everything to get their attention so that prayerfully they will turn and come back to God.
But just like David, sometimes we have to draw a line in the sand.  As children of God we have to make a declaration concerning our posture and how we are going to react to situations that arise.  “And that ye may put a difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean” Leviticus 10:10
(KJV)
Our declaration has to be the same as David’s, that in spite of what others do, I Will call upon God and I know the Lord will save me.
As the world seems to be turned upside down, I WILL call upon God. As
health issues seem to grow all around me, I WILL call upon God. As I sit here in my home wondering when this pandemic will end,  I WILL call upon God, and rest in the fact that my Lord will save me.
No matter what comes your way, stand on the Word of God and declare with me, “I Will call upon God!”3842085D-8BCC-474F-A54B-51E703957722

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

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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 46:105D3FB252-3F0E-4423-BB80-2A33FE635354

I WILL Wednesday 3/18/2020

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It’s I WILL Wednesday!

“For I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me.” Psalm 44:6

Today’s I WILL passage is more of an I WILL NOT.  Like many other Psalms, this one was written by David. David was a highly skilled warrior and experienced many victories in battle even as a teenager. In fact, his big introduction to the world was on a battlefield when he defeated Goliath with a slingshot and five smooth stones ( 1 Samuel 17).  Here we see David speaking opposite of what a warrior would say when he says “I will not trust my bow, neither shall my sword save me”.

Wait a minute, David was a highly trained and skilled warrior! When opposing kings heard that David and his army were on the hill or in the valley waiting to come in and wage war, knees trembled, fear rose, and people fled for their lives. Just the thought of David’s anger being turned in their direction caused people to retreat and rethink their actions.

You would think this would produce an arrogance in David, but instead, this great warrior humbly admits that his many victories are not gained through physical warfare. David could boldly say this was because he knew his victory was not in the sword or the bow. His victories did not come from having the best strategic plan in the battle.  People greatly admired David and would wonder “how was he so successful in battle?” David gives this answer in Psalm 121:2 “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Even though David was a warrior among warriors, he knew that he could do nothing without God. It didn’t matter the size of the enemy, the victory would only come from God.  It didn’t matter how much planning he did, the victory would only come from God.  It didn’t even matter if it looked like the win was “guaranteed” the victory would only come from God.

We should say the same thing in our lives today.  No, we don’t go around with a bow and sword (except for the Word of God). However, we are tempted to place our trust in the things we have or the things we’ve obtained. Nothing we have, be it education, skills, knowledge, or financial prosperity—NOTHING can secure our victory apart from Christ. Therefore we should not place our trust in these things. I’m not saying don’t use these things, because we should. David would never go out into battle without his sword or bow, but he didn’t put his trust into those things, he put his trust in God alone. The only one who can save us and secure our victory.

1 Corinthians 15:57 says “But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

So, as you face situations in your life, especially amid this COVID-19 pandemic or any other thing that may be plaguing your lives, confess like David, I WILL NOT put my trust in my bow.  I WILL NOT put my trust in my sword!  But I WILL trust God!

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Write the Word 2020

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Hello Sparrow’s Song Family!

It has been one year since the launch of the Write the Word Challenge and we are celebrating how God has sustained us, revealed Himself to us, and has never failed us!

We have been blessed to become acquainted with some wonderful people who have become members of our Sparrow’s Song community from all over the world!  So to ALL of our newcomers, WELCOME!

Now let’s get down to the Word. This month we are kicking off Write the Word with a study of the major themes of Ephesians.  Ephesians is a foundational book that tells believers key truths about our position in Christ, our walk with Christ, and how to stand against spiritual attacks from the enemy.  I will also add last year’s guide so that you can choose from the two, or feel free to use your own.

Just like before we are just writing the word. This format is just a guide for you. If you wish to write different scriptures please don’t feel like that is not okay BECAUSE IT IS!

One last thing, if you are new to Sparrow’s Song Ministries, we invite you to join and follow the Sparrow’s Song Ministries Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/sparrowssongsong/#
Here you will be able to join an online community where people are striving for a closer relationship with God, receiving encouragement from others, and also encouraging others who are in their own personal journey in Christ.

So here we go… Let’s write The Word!

~ Erica

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