GOD is striding ahead of you. He walks proudly, with importance in His step, carrying the banner that identifies me as part of His family. He’s covering every second, every nuance of this day. Psalm 139
He’s right there with you. Not just ahead but in front, back, sides, up and down. In my mind, my heart, my soul. He has all of me. He’s covering every second, every nuance of this day. Isaiah 41:10
He won’t let you down. He keeps all of His promises, faithfully. He never fails us.Psalm 145:13
Don’t be intimidated. There are bullies and controllers everywhere, including our inner minds! Stop listening to them. Only God is worth consistently listening to! Deuteronomy 13:6
Don’t worry! Just stop letting whatever is bothering you have such control. God is in control. He has it all covered. Matthew 19:26
I was recently blessed with the opportunity to review Sackcloth and Ashes of the Heart. This book is a somewhat new way to do a Bible study. Sheri Caruso opens each week of the 8-week study with an insightful look at one of the churches of Revelation. This is followed by 7 days of verses to contemplate and pray. The unexpected format was a gift because I decided that I would totally immerse myself in the process. I’m so glad I did.
I chose the book because of its title and expected a great story of someone who had greatly sinned and through a season of repentance and prayer (Sackcloth and Ashes…) was totally forgiven. By the end of the book I discovered that person was me. Praying through the verses each day in my own words helped me understand that not only are the Revelation Churches about individual groups but they have issues that directly apply to me. Wow!
I highly recommend this book to groups and individuals. It is definitely worth the time.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Capture Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Have there been times when you want, really want, to pray the right words but something is blocking it. Of course, you have, we all have. I came across this article by Laura Fleetwood in the Joyful Life Magazine that was tremendously helpful. Check out Prayers for Anxiety.
Blessings to you and yours!
Marie
A Satisfied Spirit/Marie Bungard is a participant in the Joyful Life Affiliate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Joyful Life. A small commission is given on products sold through this affiliate link. Every purchase you make through a Joyful Life affiliate link supports this ministry at no additional cost to you.
Which did you choose to celebrate on October 31st? Reformation or Halloween?
I choose to remember the day as the re-formation of the church. On this day in 1517, Martin Luther is said to have nailed the 95 Thesis, which were a list of his grievances against the established church and its practices at that time, to the door of All Saints Church in Wittenburg, Germany. Many new denominations (all worshipping the same Jesus) were part of the result of his action. Most importantly, for me, is the move toward worshipping as the Spirit guides us and not as a governing body says it must be.
Martin Luther had five basic teachings, called sola (solus, soli) that summed up his thoughts. They are still applicable to all Christians today. Sola is a Latin word (the language of the Church at that time) that means alone, only, single, unique. i.e., God’s word, and His Word alone, is the only Word that matters!
SOLA SCRIPTURA – As followers of Christ, we live by the Word (Scripture) and acknowledge that every Word is the breath of God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
SOLA GRATIA – We, in Christ, by His grace alone, are loved, forgiven, and chosen. Romans 3:24
SOLA FIDE – We are justified by faith alone. Faith is God’s work in us, drawing us closer to Him. Because God is working in us, through our faith in Him, we can’t help but work for others. (See Martin Luther’s explanation of faith here.)
SOLI DEO GLORIA – All glory is to God alone! Psalm 115
These are simple truths and we are called to share them as His Disciples.
Make it happen!
Blessings to you and yours!
Marie
All scriptural links arefrom Bible Gateway. Check it out!
When I wrote the title for this post I thought everyone is going to think this is referring to the fun little game we play with babies and toddlers by covering our eyes with our hands then looking through our fingers and saying, peek-a-boo, I see you! The laughter of children when we play this game is priceless, isn’t it?
I want us to look at this idea of being seen. Genesis 16 tells us the story of Hagar. Sarai was very unhappy because the promise of a child who would fulfill the promise made to Abram was simply not happening. So Sarai took the ‘problem’ into her own hands and decided to do it her way. Hagar was Sarai’s personal slave and she gave her to Abram to have a child with her. When Hagar conceived her ‘better than you’ attitude surfaced and Sarai couldn’t deal with it. She went to Abram with the problem and he told her she could ‘fix’ it herself. Sarai began mistreating Hagar and she ran away into the desert. When Hagar found a spring she stopped and had an encounter with an angel of the Lord who asked her what she was doing and told her to go back to her mistress. He said she would have a son, Ishmael, who would (also) father many people, a great nation, too many to count.
That’s not the end of the story. Before she left the spring/well she named it Beer Lahai Roi which means well of the Living One who sees me. She has named God El Roi or my God who sees me. She recognizes that God does more than play peek-a-boo. He sees her. All of her. Every thought and desire. He sees her.
I want you to see two interesting phrases in this passage (Mark 6:47-48). First, as night fell. What does that have to do with anything. It was a stormy night. Storms bring a kind of darkness in the night that makes it nearly impossible to see anything. Yet, Jesus could see to the middle of the lake and knew they were in trouble. And that brings us to the second phrase, Jesus could see. Are you saying, of course He could, He’s God! Yes, but I think there’s more than that.
Since Jesus is God, He carries all the attributes of God. So, He is the El Roi. The God who sees me. The One who sees everything, every moment, of every day. It’s part of who He is. He wants to see everyone one of us. He wants to take part in our lives. The good, the bad, the fun, the scary… He knew, because He could see, that they needed help. He walked out to the middle of the lake, calmed the waves, stopped the storm, gave them peace, so they could finish the journey.
He does the same for us. He sees all that is happening to us, every moment. What we have to do is trust that He will intervene when the time is right.
Do you trust Him to do what He says He can do? He can stop the storm, heal the sick, give sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf and so much more. Let Him!!!
A Satisfied Spirit 
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