Tag: Vision

Standing on the Word 3/30/2020

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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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Write the Word 2020-Week 4

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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.

You Can’t Miss God’s Appointment (Vision 2020)

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You can’t miss God’s appointment.  1 Samuel 16:1-13

Samuel was sent to anoint a king. God led him to the house of Jesse. Jesse had several sons. I’m sure they varied in height, skill, and gifting, but they were all Jesse’s sons.  One by one, they came before Samuel and each time Samuel said “no, that’s not the one.”  Samuel didn’t make this determination based on what he saw, but based on the leading of the Lord.  At the end of the procession of sons, Samuel had to ask, “Is this all? I know that I’ve come to this house for a purpose, so there has to be more!”

So Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Then Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest. He is tending the sheep.”

Now, here is where I have heard it said that David’s father excluded him from the gathering purposely because he thought, “surely, this one can not be the King.” While others believe that it was just the custom that the youngest not be present at the gathering.  Either way, David was not invited to dinner.

Samuel was so sure that he was at the right house that he said “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”  Whether or not they intended for David to be excluded, nothing would continue until he was present.

So Jesse sent for him and had him brought in. . .Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

This very familiar story spoke clearly in my spirit today, and I hope that it will encourage you too.

There are somethings that you will be excluded from.  It may be intentionally, or inadvertently.  Either way, you will not miss your divine appointments!

The enemy tries to discourage us with rejection and exclusion.  Sometimes it may feel like others are holding you back from walking into the vision God gave you. Dear friends, you’ve gotta keep on pressing.  It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve been looked over. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve been passed over.   When God says, “you are the one” nothing can stop you.

What David did was key.  He continued to walk in obedience.  Earlier in this chapter, it says when Samuel came into the town the elders trembled, asking if he had come in peace.  Surely, word had spread through the town of the priest coming to offer sacrifice.  David had to know what was going on at the house. His brothers, most likely, spoke of this gathering.  David, however, didn’t demand to be present or barge his way in.  He continued to  faithfully care for the sheep placed under his care.

There was no way David was going to miss this divine appointment!  And you shouldn’t miss yours.  Stay in the will of God and be faithful in all that He has entrusted into your hands.  That God appointed assignment will not evade you.  In His timing, those that ignored you, neglected you, or simply overlooked you, will see God shine through you!

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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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A Fresh Yes (Vision 2020)

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2CC44279-339D-4975-8D3F-49F7DE182724“But, have you moved yet?” This is something I used to say to my children, as I reiterated my initial directions. Even after the eager “Yes ma’ams” the assigned task would STILL go incomplete. See, I can tell my children to do something and they can say yes, but if they don’t make a move to do it, has their heart really said yes? I had to really think about this. Is that how I treat God and the things of God?

In moments of worship, prayer, and meditation (and sometimes in moments of emotion) I will say, “yes!” But when I look back on many of those moments I see that I’ve done little to nothing in efforts to accomplish what He’s told me to do. In some cases, I’m sitting on my “yes”, and haven’t even moved.

God still wants a “yes” from His children! But our “yes” should be coupled with actionable steps of obedience. When you say yes, go ahead and take that first step. Put feet to your faith!

What is truly keeping you from walking in obedience? Is it the money? Lack of support? Fear of the unknown? Has too much time passed? None of these things can limit our God. When He calls you, He equips you with everything you need to accomplish the task.

It’s time to evaluate. Are you sitting on “stale” yeses? Are you walking in delayed obedience (which is disobedience)? Have you lost momentum? Has fear and doubt paralyzed you? Do you think too much time has passed? Be assured, God has not changed His mind.

Take heart friends! Jonah did not obey God immediately. The Word tells us that Jonah heard God’s call, but chose to walk in disobedience. He totally went the opposite way! (Jonah 1-1:3). After a storm, being thrown overboard, and 3 days in a big fish, Jonah decided to do it God’s way. The third chapter of Jonah starts with a beautiful, redeeming phrase, “The Word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time” (Jonah 3:1). Ok, so you haven’t been swallowed up by a big fish, but it can seem like fear, timing, and other ‘hope thieves’ will swallow you up.  You need to break free!

Break free by saying yes! A yes from the heart. Then walk in obedience. Take an actionable step of faith and watch God move. Whether it is inhibitions, fear, or that you just don’t know where to begin, start by giving God a fresh yes, then take the first step.

Like Sparrow’s Song Ministries on Facebook! Sparrow’s Song Ministries

Check out the other blog posts in this series:

Write the Vision (2020)

The Limits of Your Best

Do Not Despise Small Beginnings

You Were Made For This

Don’t Throw It Away (Vision 2020)

 

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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Don’t Throw It Away (Vision 2020)

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It’s the second week in February, and it’s time for a vision checkup! We all started the year strong, but where are we now? Are we still going? Has discouragement set in? Have you given up?

What ever point you find yourself at today, I’m writing to encourage you. I’m also writing to encourage myself. It’s with tears that I write, but this Word of God is burning in my heart “do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.”   Hebrews 10:35

The writer of Hebrews wrote this passage to Christians who had become discouraged. They were contemplating giving up their belief in Jesus and going back to Old Covenant methods and customs. But God gave this gentle reminder.

Confidence, in this passage, in its truest translation, indicates bold faith in what God has promised. It is strong confidence that what God promised, He will do. Don’t throw that confidence away, because it is what you need to endure.  Verse 36 explains, “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.”

Whoa! What I NEED is confidence, bold faith in God’s promises. It keeps us going so we can’t throw it away.

When it looks like you have failed, don’t throw it away.
When friends walk away, don’t throw it away.
When growth is slow or stagnant, don’t throw it away.
When doors close, don’t throw it away.

The second part of Hebrews 10:35 gives us reason to hold on. When you hang on to your confidence, you will be richly rewarded. What has God promised? What vision has He given you? Can you see it in the Spirit? Can you grasp hold to it with your faith? The glorious reward from the Father will be more than you think or even imagine. As verse 38 explains, “the just shall live by faith!” Because we believe God, we should live with confident expectation. When we live By faith, we don’t concern ourselves with what it may look like, but at each step of the way, ask yourself “What has God said?”.

Please, dear friends, don’t throw away your confidence! There is a rich reward awaiting you if you just keep going.

Pray with me,

Father, help me have bold faith to hold on to the promises You have given me. Come what may, help me to keep going until I see the evidence of everything You’ve promised. You are faithful and Your Word will never fail, so Father, help me believe.
In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Confess:
I WILL live by faith.
I WILL stand firm on every promise God has given me.
I WILL not be moved by circumstances that come against me.

Read other posts in this series, Vision 2020

Write the Vision (2020)

The Limits of Your Best

Do Not Despise Small Beginnings

You Were Made For This

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