1 Corinthians 10:17 One Body

Lent.  We're 4 weeks in and have two to go. This Lenten journey has been one that God has used to change my heart and, hopefully, make an impact on the hearts of those around me.  In the midst of hardship, heartbreak, stress, anxiety, confusion, grief, and frustration, I have continually found an unexplainable peace in the most unexpected moments.  

This peace in the midst of the proverbial storm has given me confirmation after confirmation that I am, indeed, walking this journey hand-in-hand with my maker.  Each step of this journey, though difficult and sometimes seemingly impossible, has been blessed with unearned grace, newfound knowledge, developing wisdom and rapidly growing faith.  

In my Bible study tonight, I read 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1... I was stopped, several times, at the 17th verse of Chapter 10.  I pondered this verse, over and over, mulling back and forth, knowing that God had something to share with me.

When I first started going to our church in February 2014, I met a woman who changed my life.  Every time she met adversity, she countered the attack with faith, love, and an unexplainable peace.  This woman always had the right words, eloquently spoken with grace and confidence. She encouraged me daily to pray and to seek God with my heart, following His guidance as he whispered to my soul.  She never hesitated to take my hands into hers to pray with me in the moments that I most needed tangible evidence of God's presence.  I jumped into involvement in our church with both feet... I felt God there and I wanted to share His presence with everyone - any way I could.  One of the scriptures she focused her ministry on was this one... "We who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."  As we planned the ministry fair together, she continually reminded me that we each ministry in the church is a vital part of the greater body... that together, we embody the Spirit of God.  When we work together, reconciling and embracing our differences as we discover and live into the gifts that God has given us individually, we work together to build the kingdom of God.  Eventually, my friend had to move to another city, 3 hours away and I ended up stepping into the empty staff position that she left at the church. While I could never wear her shoes and walk the journey she did (nor was I called to do that), it has been with her encouragement that I have been able to grow as much as I have over the last two years.  Janice taught me so many things... and continues to do so today... but the first thing I learned from her is that we are all part of one body - the body of Christ - though we are many, because we all share one bread, one cup. 

Peace my friends... be part of the body... none of us can do it alone. 

May God be glorified in all that we do... and may we all recognize His presence in our lives.

~Sara

Genesis 43:1-15 and Mark 4:35-41

In Genesis, Jacob, the father of 12 sons faces a difficult decision.  As he struggles with the task set before him - trusting the fate of his youngest son as he is used as a barter tool in a test issued by his other son, Joseph - Jacob trusts God to grant mercy on his children, regardless of what the outcome may be.  Jacob may lose his beloved youngest son... a result that would break his heart. And yet, he grants his sons a blessing of mercy on the journey ahead.

In Mark, the disciples and Jesus set out in a boat to cross the lake.  As they made their way, a fierce storm arose.  The disciples were scared and they woke Jesus asking whether or not he cared if they were in danger due to the storm.  Jesus responded with a profound thought... he said "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" and then he commanded the storm to be silent and still... and the storm settled immediately.  The disciples were astonished at what they had seen.

These two passages really spoke to me today.  Jacob proved himself to be an honest man who is willing to accept God's will, regardless of the consequences or heartache that it might bring.  Jacob shows his faith in the goodness of God in this situation.  

Over the last couple days, I've been anxious and heavy-hearted about a recent situation that has come to light... questioning myself as time passes and nothing happens.  Today's scriptures reminded me to trust that God is at work - I trust God's goodness and am reminded to trust that I followed His guidance in the hard situations of this week.  Through these passages, God spoke to my heart - Do not be afraid - do you still have no faith?

Lord, thank you for your voice - the voice that whispers to my heart in the moments that I most need to hear it.  Help me, O Lord, to trust that you are at work and that you have granted mercy to me in each and every task that lies before me.

Peace my friends,

~Sara +

Mark 1:11... finished

Tonight, I finished a Bible Journal entry that I started a few days ago... 

The passage (Mark 1:1-11) is about Jesus' baptism.  John submerged Jesus in the river Jordan and when Jesus came up from the water, the skies parted and the Holy Spirit descended - like a dove - and a voice from Heaven spoke... "You are my son, with whom I am well-pleased."  I hope and pray that the time I have been spending with God has pleased Him.

The last few days, I have spent a lot of time in prayer... for others.  I have prayed that the peace of the Holy Spirit would descend upon my friends, family, co-workers, and many others.  I have seen God answer prayers and I have also heard His voice... "Be still and know that I am God."  While I may not see the fruit from the seeds that I scatter, I know that God is at work.  I know, because His peace has descended upon me... softly... like a dove.

Here's a picture of the journal entry from the other day...

Here's the finished entry from today...

I pray that you have peace as you approach tomorrow.

In Him,

~Sara

Just A Closer Walk With Thee

Just a closer walk with Thee

Grant it, Jesus, is my plea.

Daily walking close to Thee,

Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

This is the song that has been running through my head today... It's been an emotional day for me... In dealing with the hardships of motherhood, an indescribable physical pain in my back (I'm pretty sure I pinched a nerve), empathizing with the frustrations and pain of some of the people around me and being overcome with tears of joy as I described the feelings that pour over me as I see others drink in the word of God in the same way that has touched me so deeply.  God is at work and I see evidence of His hand in every aspect of life... even the hard parts... the really hard parts.



I chose not to meditate on any one scripture today but I have spent so much time with God. The words of this song have reminded me that my chief goal in life.  I was recently invited to sing with the contemporary band in our 10:15 service and this is one of the songs that we led the congregation in singing.  I felt so blessed as I raised my voice in song to lead others in the same request.  My heart was filled with peace as the Holy Spirit descended on me... gently... like a dove... as I drew closer.  Even as I reminisce, I feel blanketed by an overwhelming peace.  Despite all the struggles of the day, as I lay my head to sleep tonight, I will rest in Him.

My journal entry today is simple and yet, layered.  I wrote the words of this song... drawn on the opening page of my Bible in various fonts that flowed from my fingertips.  I chose to draw these words on this page as I hummed the tune and took comfort in God's response to my plea, to remind myself that the goal in this Bible journaling endeavor is to draw closer to Him... not to show how artistic I am... not to practice my hand at painting... not to boast about my relationship with God... and certainly not to shame anyone else for their endeavors or non-endeavors towards a closer walk with Him... This is about my relationship with my maker... the lover of my soul... and just as I want to draw nearer to my husband in this life as we grow closer together, I desire even more to draw nearer to the heart of Jesus.



Be blessed, my friends... draw nearer.

Until tomorrow,

~Sara

Mark 1:1-11

Mark 1:1-11... John the Baptist baptized those who turned from their sin and asked God for forgiveness.  People came from Judea and Jerusalem to John the Baptist, confessing their sins .  John preached about the one who would come after him... he told the people that, although he baptizes with water, someone greater will come to baptize them with the Holy Spirit.  Then Jesus came to John to be baptized... when Jesus came up from the water, the skies parted and the Holy Spirit descended on him.  The scriptures described the Holy Spirit as descending like a dove. A loud voice billowed that this was, indeed, the Son of God, with whom the Father is well-pleased.

What a sight to behold, huh?! Can you imagine the looks on the faces of those who were watching and hearing the voice of God?

The Holy Spirit descended... it didn't fly down... it didn't jolt anyone with fear or take over abruptly... it descended....like a dove. What does that look like - to descend like a dove?  I imagine it's comparable to that feeling you get when you feel whole - in the embrace of your children or husband... in the moment that you know you've fulfilled a greater purpose.  Have you ever worked at a soup kitchen and fed the poor?  Have you ever spent time with someone who just needed to feel like they belonged to something - like someone cares?  Have you ever been the embrace of comfort to a hurting heart?  The feeling that these acts of service and care - acts of love - evokes is one that fills your heart... it's a soft descending of the Holy Spirit upon us. This is what I imagined the speculators might have felt.

This journal entry is not finished... and neither am I.  The colors aren't as vibrant as I'd like them to be... just as my life isn't as radiant as, I'm sure, God wants it to be.  What areas of life need the descending of the Holy Spirit?  I can think of several areas that I could use some comfort in... 

Lord, help me become the woman you want me to be... help me to make decisions and interact with others in a way that will allow others to experience the feeling of the Holy Spirit descending upon them... and in my own heart.  Thank you, Father, for the gifts of this life... for the gift of the Holy Spirit... for the gift of your love.

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

Until tomorrow,

~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