Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

Protected Under a Mighty Hand

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Today, I want to introduce you to Connie Rowland from Master’s Hand Collection. Connie’s an artist who highlights sign language in her works of art. She always has hands, in particular, God’s hands on her mind. Her desire is for you to experience God’s hand in a personal way. Below is an excerpt from her new devotional 7 Simple Ways to See God’s Hand in Your Life. I’m sure you’ll find encouragement and inspiration as you begin to see God’s hand for yourself. Here’s what Connie has to say:

 

The burdens and worry of life are never far away. Concerns about family, work, health, etc., are a part of our everyday routine. They can sometimes consume our thoughts and actions, leaving us feeling beaten down, tired, and ready to give up. In this mind-frame, it can be hard to see God’s hand clearly.

Because that’s what we want most when life takes a turn for the worst. To see God’s hand in the middle of the mess and to know we are protected and safe.

This verse is one you might be familiar with. It is quoted often in church or at Bible study. But I’d like for us to take a closer look…

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.                                                             1 Peter 5:6-7

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It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? Just cast all your cares on God and let Him handle them. But, in reality, it’s a difficult thing to do.

Of course, we want to cast our cares on God and know He has them under control. We want to do the right thing and take our worry, regret, and pain to Him.

The problem is, most of us are pretty good at taking them back faster than we left them in the first place. I know from personal experience.

We needlessly carry the worries on our own shoulders instead of leaving them in God’s capable hands.

But we don’t have to continue this crazy game of backsies. We can stop taking our cares back from God and receive the relief He promises.

How?

This verse from 1 Peter offers three easy steps to receiving the benefit of being Protected Under a Mighty Hand. So, let’s dive in…

 

The first step is, to humble ourselves.

Humility goes against everything society believes. They tell us we don’t need anyone; we can do it on our own. They teach us to have a can-do attitude and that our own power will get us where we need to go. They say humility is a bad thing. It will make us weak in other people’s eyes and it will put us lower on the totem pole.

But God doesn’t ask us to humble ourselves to make us feel weak or small. He knows that true wisdom comes from humility.

We are frail and flawed by God’s design. We are created to need Him!

And the only way for us to see the protection of His mighty hand is to humble ourselves and kneel before Him. It’s an act of total surrender and dependence on God. Instead of taking care of ourselves like the world tells us to, we put our lives, our worries, all of it, completely in God’s care. And once we are on our knees, we’ll be in the perfect place to crawl under His mighty hand.

 

The next step, casting our cares upon Him, is not something we do once, and it’s done. It’s a continual process of taking our burdens to God each day and seeking His wise and generous counsel in every problem we face.

God cares for us! He is concerned about every aspect of our lives. We are important to Him. And no matter how long our list of worries becomes, God’s mighty hand is big enough to hold them all! That’s amazing!

So, take your cares to God and receive His wisdom, mercy, and protection.

 

And the last step is to wait for Him to exalt us in due time.

God doesn’t leave us to face our burdens alone. His hand shows us great compassion through hardship and grief. It delivers us from the troubles and worries that threaten to overtake us. And God’s hand lifts us up and exalts us in His perfect time.

 

Under the mighty hand of God… that’s a wonderful place to be. Protected by the most powerful hand in the universe. Comforted and cared for by God’s grace. Carried through the burdens of life.

That’s where I want to be. How about you?

Are you ready to be protected under God’s mighty hand? Are you willing to humble yourself before Almighty God? Will you take your cares to Him and be exalted in due time? I pray that you will… because Protected Under a Mighty Hand is the best place to be!

 

Connie Rowland is the artist behind Master’s Hand Collection. Her art represents God’s hand in our lives by featuring American Sign Language. Each piece is lovingly created to encourage you in your walk with Jesus and to spread the gospel to those who don’t know Him yet.

Want to know more about God’s Hand? Claim your FREE copy of her newest devotional 7 Simple Ways to See God’s Hand in Your Life.  And you can use the same link to view and purchase Connie’s inspiring artwork.

Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, please share to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to make sure you don’t miss anything, subscribe!

And look up these great writers I link up with every week:

Mix it Up Linky, InstaEncouragements, Literacy Musing Mondays, Hello…Monday,

Dream Team link up, The Good. The Random. The Fun.

BloggerClubUK, Tea and Word Tuesday, Purposeful Faith,

GraceFull Tuesday Link-Up, Different Dream,

Let’s Have Coffee, Welcome Wednesday, Recharge Wednesday,

Worth Beyond Rubies, #TellHisStory Link Up, Porch Stories,

Encouraging Word Wednesday, Tune In Thursday,

Stories of Hope, Moments of Hope, IHeart Verse Link Party,

A Blogging Good Time, Fresh Market Friday, Feature Friday Time,

Friendship Friday Blog Hop, Faith on Fire, Traffic Jam Weekend,

Faith ‘n Friends, Dancing with Jesus, Grace & Truth, Booknificent

The Golden Egg

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First things first:  The winner of last week’s giveaway (A copy of Mended:  Restoring the Hearts of Mothers and Daughters by Blythe Daniel and Helen McIntosh) is…Summer Marrero!  Thank you so much to everyone who participated.  And now, on to this week’s post.

 

During my formative years, I lived at the end of a long caliche road in Elm Mott, Texas.  You blink and you miss this little country town driving up Interstate 35 from Austin to Dallas.  My rich friend, Deanna, lived about half way down the road.  Her family owned a bigger plot of land, a golf cart, and a trampoline.  They lived in the only house with more than one story and the road bore their last name.  In my book, Deanna was rich.

 

One Easter Sunday I remember her telling me about the egg hunt they have every year.  Her parents hid plastic eggs all over their property and all the kids and grandkids kept their eyes peeled for the gold one.  All the pretty pastel eggs held candy and fun trinkets.  Those were ok.  But the gold one – it had $50 inside.  The golden egg turned this hunt into a sport.  It was the coveted prize.

 

On Good Friday, we remember that God loved us so much that He made a way for relationship with us – now and for eternity.  Romans 3:23 NIV disputes the myth that we can ever be good enough to earn God’s love and mercy (“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”).  Because we sin, our punishment is death.  And not just the ceasing of life that we all experience here on this earth.  An eternal death that is separation from God – here and forever.  (Romans 6:23 NIV “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a]Christ Jesus our Lord.”)  Jesus, who never sinned, took the punishment for all of us who have.  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8 NIV  He died on a cross, but death could not hold my King.  Jesus rose from the dead, conquering sin and death for us, allowing us to be in relationship with the perfect Creator of the Universe.  It’s too much.  I don’t deserve it.  We can’t earn it.  And in His great love and mercy, we don’t have to try.  Romans 10:9-10 NIV assures us, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”  

 

This is what we celebrate on Easter Sunday (and EVERY day).

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The true “golden egg” of this holiday is this “gift of God”.  This “eternal life in Christ Jesus” when we make Him Lord over the whole of ourselves.  This freedom – worth immeasurably more than $50 – God offers freely to whoever will believe in it.  In Him.  You don’t have to search for this prize.  Our Heavenly Father holds it out to you with an open hand.  If you have questions about how to reach out and take it, I would love to visit with you virtually or in person.  Email me confidentially at [email protected].  I can’t wait to talk to you more about my Savior.  And I pray you find rest and refreshment in your “golden egg” this Easter.

 

“For from him and through him and for him are all things.  To him be the glory forever! Amen.”  Romans 11:36 NIV 

 

Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, please share to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to make sure you don’t miss anything, subscribe!

And look up these great writers I link up with every week:

Mix it Up Linky, InstaEncouragements, Literacy Musing Mondays, Hello…Monday,

Dream Team link up, The Good. The Random. The Fun.

BloggerClubUK, Tea and Word Tuesday, Purposeful Faith,

GraceFull Tuesday Link-Up, Different Dream,

Let’s Have Coffee, Welcome Wednesday, Recharge Wednesday,

Worth Beyond Rubies, #TellHisStory Link Up, Porch Stories,

Encouraging Word Wednesday, Tune In Thursday,

Stories of Hope, Moments of Hope, IHeart Verse Link Party,

A Blogging Good Time, Fresh Market Friday, Feature Friday Time,

Friendship Friday Blog Hop, Faith on Fire, Traffic Jam Weekend,

Faith ‘n Friends, Dancing with Jesus, Grace & Truth, Booknificent

Mending Mothers and Daughters

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Order here

Mothers and daughters.  It’s a complicated thing.

 

Her children arise and call her blessed;  Proverbs 31:28a

 

Yeah, that ain’t happening in my house.  My 14 year old daughter loves Jesus, and she’s mature enough in her faith to understand that her relationship with God should affect the way she treats me.  But oh, the hormones and insecurities and growing pains and emerging wings.  At times the sass and disrespect just explodes out of her like a balloon blown up past capacity.  Other times I can see the battle waging inside of her as the war continues between us.  And I am no innocent in the matter.  As much as I love her (it’s so painful at times), her words and tone can prick my pride like nothing else.  Anger, confusion and hurt feelings = more hurt feelings – hers.  What hills are worth dying on?  What can I let go for the sake of harmony and what will lead her into a life of crime and sloth if not dealt with?  When should I apologize and when should I insist that she?

 

Being a mom to a daughter is hard.  Just last week, I said these words to my beautiful girl, “How are we going to rewrite this story so I’m not always the villain?  You know I am FOR you, right?”  I know I’m not alone.  Every time I bring the subject up with friends or acquaintances (anyone who will listen, really), I receive sympathy, understanding and similar stories in return.   Mended:  Restoring the Hearts of Mothers and Daughters by Blythe Daniel and Helen McIntosh has put me on the path of rewriting the story.  Written by a mother/daughter duo, they draw from their own personal anecdotes and Helen’s doctorate of Education in Counseling Psychology to provide a resource that is both relatable and helpful.

 

Advice From This Book on Mothers and Daughters

 

One of the biggest wake up calls from this book is that,

“When it comes to words, every one of them matters.”

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 Luke 12:12 tells us that “The Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”  And the solid advice from the book that goes right along with this scripture is to “Intentionally speak slower than you normally would so you can make sure you aren’t saying things too quickly for your mind to register.”

 

While praying to “ask Him for clarity and guidance on what [I] need to do to break away from and begin a new path…” I’ve realized that my normal parenting style – that of lecturer – may not work well at this stage in my girl’s life.  I view every infraction as an opportunity for a lesson.  And while that may be true, teenagers hear lectures about as well as we hear the teacher in episodes of Charlie Brown.  With 14 years of instruction already behind us, leading by example may be the better route.  Especially in the areas of love, respect and forgiveness.  The authors point out that “Forgiveness isn’t just an act we walk through; it’s a way of life we choose.”  My takeaway?  Apologize and ask forgiveness often.  The tutorial is in the living illustration.

 

I’m working to “Let down defenses and pick up unconditional acceptance.”  After all, my daughter is pretty amazing.  She plays volleyball, makes A’s, loves Jesus and loves to tell others about Him.  She can sing, act, and is a fiercely loyal friend.  She feels things deeply and gives her Mama all the feels.  And even if she wasn’t all those things, I would still be so proud to call her mine.  She is one of God’s great gifts and I’m so grateful to have a front row seat to see all the ways He will use her.

 

The authors and Harvest House Publishers generously provided me with a copy of this book for review and they extended their generosity to you!  I have one extra copy of this book to giveaway to a lucky reader.  If you are not a current subscriber to my blog (I rarely email more than once a week with the new post), click subscribe and sign up.  That’s all you have to do to enter.  If you already subscribe (thank you!), leave a comment on this post.  I will select one reader from comments and new subscribers randomly on 4/18 and mail the book to you!  

 

I also want to remind you that links in this post are affiliate links and should you choose to purchase this book (or anything else) once you’ve clicked my link I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you to help offset the costs of this website.  Thank you in advance!  

 

Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, please share to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to make sure you don’t miss anything, subscribe!

And look up these great writers I link up with every week:
Mix it Up Linky, InstaEncouragements, Literacy Musing Mondays, Hello…Monday,
Dream Team link up, The Good. The Random. The Fun.
BloggerClubUK, Tea and Word Tuesday, Purposeful Faith,
GraceFull Tuesday Link-Up, Trekking Thru, Different Dream,
Let’s Have Coffee, Welcome Wednesday, Recharge Wednesday,
Worth Beyond Rubies, #TellHisStory Link Up, Porch Stories,
Encouraging Word Wednesday, Tune In Thursday,
Stories of Hope, Moments of Hope, IHeart Verse Link Party,
A Blogging Good Time, Fresh Market Friday, Feature Friday Time,
Friendship Friday Blog Hop, Faith on Fire, Traffic Jam Weekend,
Faith ‘n Friends, Dancing with Jesus, Grace & Truth, Booknificent

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