His Eye Is on the Sparrow
God does not reject or forget us. Ever.
There may be seasons when we FEEL like He is silent or distant, but our feelings are not to be trusted over the facts about God’s character! He never forgets about us or takes a break from caring about every single detail of our lives! He is near us and loves us so much that He is constantly working in our lives, teaching us to become more and more like Christ. What an amazing God.
Dear Jesus, I am overwhelmed. My mind is racing as I contemplate my to-do list and decide where to start. Reveal what I should prioritize, and give me the wisdom to know if there is something I should clear from my schedule. Bring clarity to my mind. Help me feel confident about my choices regarding how to spend my time. Help me put forth my best effort in all my upcoming responsibilities. Thank You for caring about even the most minor details of my life and for being beside me every step of the way. In Your name I pray, Amen.
Dear Jesus, my schedule seems almost unmanageable right now. I feel unprepared to tackle my numerous appointments, commitments, and obligations. Remind me that You will give me the ability to accomplish all You have called me to do. Keep me encouraged through complicated times. Please take away the fatigue I am experiencing. Refresh and revive my soul. Energize me as I complete my tasks. Thank You for being who You are. I am grateful for Your promise never to fail or forsake me. You are so good, and You have good plans for me. In Your name I pray, Amen.
Dear Jesus, keeping a positive mindset with all the chaos and confusion around me is challenging. When I fix my eyes on the world’s problems, please help me focus on You instead. I am so grateful that You promise us peace beyond our understanding. Empower me to embrace Your perfect peace and allow it to radiate from my speech and actions. Direct my thoughts, guide my decisions, and help me calmly respond to crisis situations as they occur. Thank You for the blessing of Your nearness and for loving me so perfectly. In Your name I pray, Amen.
One day we will all stand before God. I secretly hope that when I have the beyond-words experience of standing in His presence, He will tell me my faith was something else.
Okay, not so much a secret anymore, but allow me to tell you why that phrase appeals to me.
The account of the Canaanite woman who approached Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter is found in Matthew 15:21-28.
She cried out for Jesus to help her, and His disciples urged Him to send her away. This is when Jesus reminded them that God had sent Him to take care of the lost sheep of Israel first.
The Canaanite woman could have felt ignored and given up. Instead, she knelt before Jesus and again asked for help. This time, He responded directly to her with a reminder that the Israelites were to take precedence. He said, “It’s not right to take bread out of children’s mouths and throw it to dogs.” This comment would likely be perceived as an insult in today’s context. However, He was using this example to explain the priorities of His ministry, and the Greek word He used for a dog was not a derogatory term. And remember, this is Jesus we are talking about; insulting her would not be His intent. In verse 27 (ESV), she quickly remarked, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” And Jesus’ reply? “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” Scripture tells us her daughter was healed at that instant.
Using the word ‘great’ to characterize the Canaanite woman’s faith is high praise from Jesus! Countless Bible versions of this passage use that same adjective. Still, I will always be enthralled by the Message version’s wording for this particular account: “Oh, woman, your faith is something else.”
How did the Canaanite woman’s faith attain the ‘something else’ label? Even though Jesus did not immediately acknowledge or answer her request, she stayed focused on what she knew: that Jesus was a healer who had performed miracles for numerous people. She did not allow doubt, social norms, or onlookers’ reactions to prevent her from confidently and boldly begging Jesus to attend to her non-Israelite daughter. The Canaanite woman set a powerful example of staying strong in her faith while pressing for recognition and resolution for her suffering daughter.
There are reasons God does not answer all of our pleas right away. God loves us so much that He has a masterfully-designed plan for each of our lives that teaches us to become more Christlike. Sometimes those life lessons require a wait. It is up to us to decide how our faith will be affected by waiting. With His help, we can learn to wait well.
I aspire to live out a great faith like the Canaanite woman did. A faith that trusts there is a growth opportunity attached to the wait. A faith that persists and perseveres. A faith that God will specifically describe as “something else” when I someday stand before Him. I acknowledge that intentional prayer and work are required before I earn that compliment. Today is the perfect day to begin.
For the last few months, I have had the privilege of leading a Ladies’ Bible Study at my church. When the former leader asked me to consider taking her place because she would be moving out of state, I prayed and soon believed God gave me the green light to say yes. Confidence in my Bible-Study-leading skills did not accompany that belief; however, God reminded me that He never puts a task in front of us without promising to give us the ability to fulfill it as He walks right beside us.
As I gain experience facilitating our weekly Bible Study, I also gain knowledge and insight from the dear ladies who attend each Tuesday morning. We have been studying different names and attributes of God. I want to share a few of the thought-provoking points from our discussions, and I pray it is meaningful to you!
The story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:1-51: David willingly stepped up to fight Goliath, who was brazenly mocking the Israelite soldiers and their God. (Isn’t it surprising and disappointing that absolutely nobody in the army was willing to put themselves out there as David did?)
David’s eyes were not on himself. He did not think he could defeat the giant using his own strength and implementing his own methods. His eyes were not on Goliath either. If he had dwelled on the fact that Goliath was almost 10 feet tall, nearly 400 pounds, and was wearing a coat of armor well over 100 pounds, he would not have had the courage to take on that intimidating giant.
Where were David’s eyes? They were on God – His almighty, all-powerful God who protected him when he fought a bear and a lion. His eyes were on the God he had complete confidence in to help him in this wildly daunting feat.
The story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22:1-14: What did Abraham think when God commanded him to take Isaac to Mt. Moriah? I had never noticed before that in verse 5, Abraham tells the men with them to stay there with the donkey, as he and Isaac were going to worship, and then they would be back. They would both be back. Clearly, he was obedient to God; he had the knife raised above Isaac when God told him to stop. Immediately he saw the ram caught in the thicket, which became the sacrifice instead of his son. He must have had a good feeling that God would somehow give his son back or not have him go through with it, or…something, because he said they would both be back. There is faith in God, and then there is FAITH in God! Abraham had incredible faith and trusted God’s ways, even when they did not make sense in a human way of thinking.
God provided at the very last second – when things looked the darkest. Again, Abraham had the knife raised in the air, ready to follow the command that God had given him. And at that moment, God said stop. God came through. Again. God provided. Again. And that story is not just for that time and that place. It is a promise of continued providence for all believers.
Hello, friends! I’m praying for you to feel extra hopeful and encouraged in your faith today.
This vlog is an encouragement to bloom where you are planted at this time – even if it is somewhere you weren’t expecting to be!
To view my most recent vlog, please click the link: https://youtu.be/FnhvDAFetnk
When a Biblical figure earns a mention in Hebrews 11 (also known as the Bible’s faith chapter), it is worth diving into their story and contemplating what we can learn from it.
Hebrews 11:7 says, “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”
When we turn the page to Genesis to read Noah’s part of the story, we discover that he had found favor in God’s eyes and that Noah had deemed God worthy of wholehearted faith.
Noah had never seen rain or floodwaters, but when God told him a flood was coming that would destroy all living creatures, he believed Him. When God said something, Noah believed it without requiring visual evidence or further clarification.
God gave Noah precise directions concerning the measurements and materials to use in the ark’s construction, and he followed them to the letter. Genesis 6:22 says, “Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.” And Genesis 7:5 says, “And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him.” Noah had no interest in cutting corners or half-heartedly attempting to complete his assignment.
It might have seemed ludicrous to the typical bystander when Noah built a gigantic ark. If Noah had been motivated by people’s reactions, this story could have gone in a different direction. However, as we have found, Noah’s motivation was wholehearted faith. And that wholehearted faith produced wholehearted obedience.
Noah’s wholehearted way of living had history-changing, life-altering results:
Although God may not command us to build a gigantic ark anytime soon, if we respond to Him with wholehearted faith and obedience, we will see history-changing, life-altering results in our own lives.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to see who You truly are and that You are worthy of our wholehearted faith and obedience. Give us the desire and courage to follow You wholeheartedly. Amen.
If they form their opinion about you without knowing the facts, their opinion doesn’t matter. On the other hand, if they form their opinion about you while knowing the facts…their opinion still doesn’t matter. 😉
Let’s talk about God’s opinion. That is the one that matters.
Here is a tiny glimpse into how highly He thinks of us: He loves us so much that He sent His son to die for us. He loves us so much that He redeems us, restores us, and renews us. He loves us so much that He gave us unique gifts, personalities, and stories to share with the world.
We can rest knowing that is His opinion of us!
But also… let’s not rest so well that we are content to say, “This is just who I am,” because God gives us daily opportunities to evolve into the person He created us to be.
“God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus.” Max Lucado
I have two challenges for myself and you!
1. Let’s not allow anyone’s opinion of us to affect our attitude.
2. Let’s obey God as He lovingly shapes us to become more like Christ.
Here is a new phrase I’m going to embrace, and I invite you to embrace it, too: “You can think what you want about me. I’m over here doing my best to become all God created me to be.”
Have a great day, Friends!
Romans 15:13 is a beautiful verse that can be a brief, heartfelt prayer for your loved ones. Often when a specific person comes to mind, or I see a particular person in a hallway or grocery store, I feel compelled to say a prayer for them. It may be as simple as “Lord, help her to feel Your presence today,” or “Lord, remind him that You are in control and can always be trusted.”
I’m praying Romans 15:13 for you today, Friends! Would you agree we could all benefit from being filled with more joy, peace, and hope? The Holy Spirit is ready to fill all of us with all of that when we ask Him! I pray you will be encouraged when you think of the joy, peace, and hope God has in store for us.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13
Click here for the printable!
Friends, I would like to share some prayers with you.
As a mom of four children who are all in their twenties, there are some specific things that I pray about for them. The first prayer below covers some of those…the desire to be there for my children, but to not interfere. It’s a fine line, isn’t it? I’ve crossed it, straddled it, and avoided it etc. at various times. 😀
The next three prayers are based on Colossians 1-3. Of course, these can be prayed for your children no matter their ages, but they are geared toward a little bit older age group.
I have also included printables…so please feel free to download, print, post etc. these prayers and/or share them. Thank you!
Prayer for Parents of Adult Children
Dear Lord, please give me the wisdom to know how much and when to offer assistance to my adult children. Help me discover ways to express and demonstrate that they can call on me for advice and support and that they can also count on me to know when to step back, even when there is potential for them to fail. Stop me from picking up pieces from situations they are assigned to learn from. Please do not allow me to interfere in their maturation process. May they always know that I trust them, pray for them, cheer for them, and love them dearly. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer for Adult Children Based on Colossians 1-3
Dear Lord, I pray that my children will seek Your wisdom in their lives diligently. May they consistently pursue and display that wisdom in their decisions. Strengthen them with Your power. Please help them to be bold and confident in their faith. Reassure them that with Your help, they can endure and even thrive when they face challenging circumstances. I pray their actions and words will radiate joy to everyone they encounter. Deliver them from the darkness of sins that have led them astray, and instill in them the desire to walk in Your glorious light. May the forgiveness and redemption You have granted them be an inspiration to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen. (Based on Colossians 1:9-14)
Dear Lord, I pray you will remind my children of Your presence and Your faithfulness through every obstacle and hardship they will undoubtedly face. Inspire their hearts to be firmly rooted in their faith. May Your Word saturate their minds, give them clear discernment, and prepare them to guard against deceptive teachings. Reveal Yourself to them and grant them an overflowing thankfulness to You for Your countless blessings.
Help my children see that You are all they truly need. Give them the courage to walk the path You have set before them. In Jesus’ name, Amen. (Based on Colossians 2:6-10)
Dear Lord, help my children focus on You above all else. Teach them to filter their thoughts through Your grace, mercy, and love. As Your Word says, may they “put to death” anything that belongs to “their earthly nature” and rid themselves of “anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language.” Give them the desire to lead truthful lives, potentially influencing others to know more about You. May their characters be defined by compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, and may forgiveness come naturally. Lord, I pray the love of Christ will be evident in all that they say and do. In Jesus’ name, Amen. (Based on 3:1-14)
***For printables of the prayers: Click here
God doesn’t think like us. (Thank God😉)
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)
His ways and thoughts are far beyond our comprehension. Sometimes that can be frustrating and cause us to wonder, “What in the world is going on in my life right now?” But it’s good to remember that His love for us is far beyond our comprehension also – which means even when we don’t understand His ways, His deep love for us guarantees He is doing what is best for us.
Sometimes what God says is best doesn’t make sense in our human way of thinking, but if I know one thing, it’s that God knows what He is doing.
Let’s choose to trust Him more and more each day.
