Spiritual Gifts

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12 - Now, concerning Spiritual Gifts... continue reading here.  Go ahead... we'll wait. :) 
Observations: Key words: Gift, Variety but One Spirit - Paul points out that there are a variety of gifts but the Same Spirit... a variety of activities but the same Lord... a variety of activities but the same God.
Application: Spiritual gifts are given generously and specifically by God, to us, for His purposes. God asks us to be a conduit for the gifts of His spirit to flow through us.  The thing about a gift is that it isn't a gift until it's given away.  Think about a gift that you'd like to give to your child, or spouse, or best friend, or parent... you look for a special gift that they would really appreciate... something that screams "This is especially for you!"  If you spent months looking for this gift, and then another several months saving up to purchase that gift, finally buying it and then hiding it in the bottom of a closet, is it still a gift for them? No!  It's a thought... it doesn't become a gift until you give it away.
Prayer: Lord, help me to recognize the gifts that you've given me, the gifts that you've bestowed upon others, and the gift of your unconditional love and grace.  Help me, Father, to be willing to share my gifts so that those whom I share these gifts with will know that they come from you... so that your presence is evident in me and my life.  Help me remember that all these gifts are from you... they do not originate within me, but in you and it is merely my responsibility to be a conduit for your gifts.

Peace  to you, my friends,

~Sara

John 15:1,6-16

In my reflection tonight, I followed the S.O.A.P. method to guide my study.  You can read more about this method here.  

S. (Scripture): John 15:1,6-16
For today's Bible journaling, I sought today's Daily Office readings (Psalm 15, Acts 1:15-26, Philippians 3:13-21, John 15:1,6-16).  For a more in-depth explanation of how I choose what scripture to journal on, read this post. You can find and read today's scripture here.  

O. (Observation):
Key words were "abide" and "remain"
Key phrases were "my words abide in you" and "I call you friend"

A. (Application):
As I read through the scriptures several times, I began to see images in my mind.  This passage of scripture brought to mind several images and it was difficult to choose just one... so I incorporated many of them.  
I taught my weekly class tonight and we discussed many of the key words, phrases, and visualizations/images that caught different people's attention.  My Bible journal entry reflects many of the things we talked about and was inspired by a collaboration of the participants' ideas.  
Today, I faced a very difficult situation... a circumstance that I felt led to deliver a message... It was not received as it was intended and the person felt attacked.  It broke my heart that this is how the situation played out and my heart is heavy, knowing that the pain they are experiencing is due, in part, to the message I delivered.  For months, I have prayed for this person and about situations I have observed or endured. Last night and this morning, prior to speaking with them, I remained in prayer... I read scripture... I sought God and I felt burdened by the task that was ahead of me.  I feel I did the right thing and tonight's scriptures confirmed that for me.  I did abide in God... in His word... in His Spirit.  I did seek His guidance and Godly council and I did hear His voice.  I did lay this burden at the foot of the Cross and it IS in God's hands.  Tonight, despite the happenings of the day, I am at peace and I have had an unexplainable peace throughout the past 48 hours.  I know that this is a result of trusting God.  I know that He will uphold me in my own weakness.  I have been physically and emotionally exhausted but I have been revived spiritually through abiding in Him.

P. (Prayer):
Help me abide - remain - live in you, O Lord... so that your words remain top-of mind.  Guide my actions... guide my thoughts... guide my words.  Thank you, Lord, for your presence and your peace. Amen.

Peace give I to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Peace give I to you.
Until tomorrow,
~Sara

Psalm 19

The S.O.A.P. method of Bible Journaling is a great method of guidance to remind you of all the steps to a rounded out conversation with God.  S.O.A.P. is an acronym for

Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer

Scripture:

Today, the daily office of the Episcopal Church listed Psalm 50 [59,60] or 19, 46; Genesis 39:1-23; 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:15; and Mark 2:1-12. Upon suggestion of a friend, I opted to reflect on Psalm 19 today.

Observation:

In reading the Psalm in three different translations, I struggled to pull out a single word that drew my attention.   This whole song really spoke to my heart and I found myself fixed upon verse 14... "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."  

Application:

As I read through the passage, and it described what is perfect, trustworthy, right, clear, pure, true... things more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey, I was reminded of the recent journaling I did on Philippians 4:8.  In Philippians, Paul reminds us to fix our thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable and excellent and worthy of praise.  Paul is essentially telling disciples of Christ to fix our thoughts on the things that David describes in Psalm 19... God's instructions, decrees, commandments, commands, reverence, and laws for these things are perfect, trustworthy, right, clear, pure, true, desirable and sweet. 

The words of the 14th verse of this Psalm pull on my heartstrings as this is often my prayer... that others hear God's voice... not mine.  I pray that my thoughts are fixed upon the things that God wants me to notice and ponder... that my focus is fixed upon His will instead of my own.  The first priest I encountered in the Episcopal Church, Fr. Theodore Atwood, often began his sermon by reciting these words... and they have stuck with me for 17 years.  

During the Bible Journaling class that I taught today, I walked students through some basics of lettering and font... using the font to evoke the feeling that the word gives to me; so I did my rough draft on the white board today. 

 As the day went on, I imagined what illustration that I wanted to add to the illustrated words that I had already meditated on.  Here is what the page in my journaling Bible looks like...

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the beauty of today... for your presence in each moment of the day and for your guidance and gentle nudges for me to join you in this journey.  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Amen.

Have you tried this method?  What are your thoughts?  What method or template are you drawn to in your own study?  Share your thoughts and responses in the comments below!

Peace my friends,

~Sara

Philippians 4:1-9

Today, I opened my Forward: Day by Day book and saw that Philippians 4:8 was highlighted and reflected on by this month's writer... I squealed in joy as I realized I've been wanting to journal about this particular verse for weeks!  Philippians is one of my favorite books of the Bible... it's so uplifting and reminds us of the basic, simple day-to-day things that God asks of us through his disciple, Paul. Chapter 4 of Philippians, in particular, is full of encouragement!

I encourage you to meditate on these verses and journal today... spend some quality time with Jesus as he speaks to your heart.  Begin with a prayer, asking for the Holy Spirit to sit with you... to be present with you... and to help you hear the words that God has for you today.  Ask for understanding, comfort, encouragement, and peace... I promise, you will not be disappointed!

...........................................

S (Scripture): Philippians 4:1-9
O (Observation): key words - pray. peace. rejoice. think.
                            key phrase - settle your disagreement; Fix your thoughts upon
A (Application): My heart has been heavy this week for a particular situation in which animosity, selfishness, personal desire, anger, and vengeance has been the focus.  Yesterday, the message I got from God was to be quiet and wait for HIM to move.  Today, the message I heard LOUD and CLEAR is that I can't let MY focus be distracted from HIS peace.  In giving attention to this situation, it has made me worry and feel anxious and angry and sad.  While it isn't a sin to feel these things, it is a waste of time.  God reminded me today to TRUST HIM in times of trial... to not worry but to bring my worries to Him through prayer and trust that He is at work.  One of the phrases that caught my attention was "settle your disagreement" in verse 2.  Why is this important?  It's important to settle disagreements because when we remain at odds with others, we retain anger and pain and countless negative feelings that bring us down - in turn, this blocks the light of Christ from shining forth through us.  Instead, Paul tells us to think about those things that are TRUE, HONORABLE, PURE, LOVELY, COMMENDABLE, EXCELLENT, AND WORTHY OF PRAISE because these are the things that bring us peace through Christ Jesus.  Bad things happen... disagreements are normal... and more often than not, we tend to focus our attention on the negative things that are happening in the forefront of our lives and we forget to notice the good things that are happening around us at the same time.  We allow these disagreements, tragedies, and perceived threats to our happiness to place blinders on our eyes, hiding the good things in our lives.  Paul tells us to think about these things because evil does NOT win... and it doesn't deserve the spotlight that we tend to put it in.  When we allow these negative things to overcome our focus on the positive things around us... the things that we VALUE... we allow the devil to steal our joy and peace that is rightfully ours through Jesus.
P (Prayer): Lord, help me to remember to leave my worries at your feet and trust you to take care of me.  Help me, rather, to see the good... the pure, the honorable, the true, the lovely, the commendable, the excellent, and the things that are worthy of praise so that I can have the peace that is promised to me in you.  Shed light, oh Lord, on the areas of my life that I allow to overcome me with negativity so that I can put those things in their proper place - out of focus.  I do not want to forget or ignore the negative things that are happening, but I want to keep them in perspective with the GOOD things in my life.  Help me to model this example to others so that we, as your body, can glorify your name in all that we do. Amen.

Until tomorrow...
Peace, my friends... ~Sara

Habakkuk 3:1-18

Good morning!  (and it really is a beautiful morning, isn't it?)  Today, I sat with God, my cup of hot coffee, and my Bibles and I felt hopeful and radiant and joyful.  Why?  Because I found HOPE in the scriptures...  

S (Scripture): Habakkuk 3:1-18

O (Observation): key words - "Rejoice"; "I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us."

A (Application): The world that we live in today is corrupt.  It hurts my heart to see leaders falter and show no repentance or sorrow for their wrongdoings.  They justify themselves and it's so disheartening.  There are leaders in schools, in government, in society, etc... There are even leaders in the church who stray from God (we all do, don't we?) and lead believers down the wrong path.  There are natural leaders who do not realize the power of their influence - and some do - but they lead their followers astray... rejoicing in their own wants, desires, and needs, rather than focusing on the wants, desires and needs of God.  This is not new to our time... it has been happening since the beginning of time.  It is the very reason that God sent the flood that we read about in the early chapters of Genesis.  The point of today's scriptures is this... though the world may crumble around us... God's wrath is due and will be poured out on evildoers.  We will witness these things... we do everyday.  There is suffering and pain and hatred and fighting... famine and barrenness, and fruitless efforts... but the believer will rejoice in God anyway.  The true believer knows that God's anger is justified and sees that discipline must ensue in order for God to be glorified in the end.  Many people ask (Habakkuk included) why God allows evil people to prosper while the righteous suffer.  God answers... They don't prosper - not in the long run.  Eventually, their evil deeds will catch up to them and the wrath of God will fall upon them.  For now, though, as believers, we rejoice in the knowledge and assurance that God is doing what is right and just and good... for the sake of those who love Him.  

P (Prayer): Thank you, Father, for your love and discipline... your willingness to be patient with me through my transgressions, mistakes, and failures. Help me to learn from those things rather than dwell in them.  Lord, help me to wait quietly, resting in the knowledge that your Plan is known fully to you only. Walk with me today and hold my hand.  Remind me gently to hold on to your guidance through every situation and circumstance - trusting only YOU and my faith in your goodness. Amen.

Where do I pull my scripture verses from?

I read several devotionals, off and on, fairly regularly. Most often, I read the Forward, Day by Day by Forward Movement (www.forwardmovement.org).  On each day, at least four scripture readings are assigned and there is a brief meditation of a writer's interpretation of one of the assigned texts.  Today's choices were Psalm 37:1-18; Habakkuk 3:1-10(11-15)16-18; Philippians 3:12-21; and John 17:1-8.  Today I chose the Habakkuk reading because, simply put, I'm not very familiar with that book of the Bible and it peaked my interest.  Other suggestions for scripture are taken from www.lectionarypage.com.  I am Episcopalian.  In the Episcopal church, we follow a liturgical calendar that determines the readings for each day.  A phone app that I have, the "electronic Common Prayer" ($9.99 by Church Publishing, Inc.) provides the daily lectionary too. Another phone app that I use regularly ("Bible" by Life.Church) provides a daily scripture -which is most often different from the ones listed in the liturgical plans - and sometimes I use that one.  The point here is that I pull scriptures from several resources - and that's okay!  In Bible Journaling, you do what works for YOU and GOD.  This is special time for you to spend in communion with Him - and he has a special message for you, personally.  

I hope you will share your journaling with me.  If you aren't journaling, that's okay... spend some time with God as your read through scripture and ask God what it is that He would have you remember today.  If you ARE journaling, I'd love for you to share your reflections in the comments section below.  Thank you for joining me today.

Until tomorrow,

Peace give I to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Peace give I to you.

~Sara

Isaiah 58:1-12

S. Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-11
O: Observation: Key words - help, pour yourself out
A: Application:   God makes himself clear about the type of sacrifices He wants us to make.  Rather than withhold superficial things for fasting, marking ourselves as sacrificial in the eyes of others but continue to give in to the desires of the flesh in private, God wants us to do the opposite.  He wants us to serve Him and sacrifice our own lives, our own desires, our own comforts for the sake of others.  But wait... there's more... He wants us to do these things in private.  God knows our hearts... he knows our intentions.  If we are serving to make ourselves look good, He knows.  If we are serving others to serve ourselves, He knows.... and He loathes that.  It's dishonest and impure.  It's selfish and it does not demonstrate love.  God is glorified through true, pure, wholehearted living and THAT is what He wants from us... THIS is the kind of fasting that He wants from us... to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to remove the chains that bind people, to free the oppressed... to HELP.  To lend a hand.  And to do it when no one is looking - for the sake of glorifying and loving Him.
P: Prayer: Lord, help me to remember that I am here on this earth to love and serve you through loving and serving my fellow man.  Help me to show love to the people that it is hard for me to love.  Help me to have honest, loving conversations.  Help me to not seek glory or recognition from man, rather, increase in me the desire to glorify and recognize your face among men.



Until tomorrow...
Peace give I to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Peace give I to you.
~Sara