Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

First Friday Prayers: Galatians 1:24

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FFP Gal 1:24 by Lauren Koepf Sparks

 

I have a new motivational theme verse for my life!  I’m sure I have skimmed over it many times reading the works of Paul but it struck me anew a few weeks ago and have been praying it for myself and my people ever since.  Let’s get into Galatians 1:24.

 

In this letter to the Galatian church (first chapter), Paul shares some of his missionary travels, ending with Syria and Cilicia.  He explains that the Judean churches did not know him, but had only heard that “the man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” (v. 23 NIV)  In response to this Paul exclaims:

 

“And they praised God because of me.”  Galatians 1:24 NIV

 

Oh, I can think of no better thing that could be said of me!  I want to live the kind of life that points people to our great and powerful God.

 

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about God using my weaknesses and warts.

I pray people will see what I was and praise the Lord for the change.  I want people to see what I am (a work in progress) and glorify God for ministering through a mess like me.

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 If you ever look at me and see Jesus, I thank God for his grace and mercy.  Anything good in me is Him in me.  And I hope others see it.

 

So I pray:

 

Gal 1:24 prayer by Lauren Koepf Sparks

 

Modify this First Friday prayer to be appropriate for the person (or yourself) that you are praying for.

 

Praying for you in this.  And don’t forget to share on social media or with a friend who could benefit.  It would mean so much to me.  And if you don’t want to miss a Praying God’s Word post, subscribe over on the right hand side of this page.

Lauren

Now for this week’s featured post from the link up!

 

Karen “Girl” Friday presented an amazing case in How to Manifest Moments of Heaven on Earth.  Eternity starts the minute we say “yes” to Jesus.  And I, for one, need to start acting like it!

 

The Link Up

 

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

 Now Let’s Link Up!

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

 

 

If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!  Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

To find some great places where I might be sharing this post, click here.

 

 

First Friday Prayers: Matthew 7:24

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first fridayHello and welcome to the relaunch of our series on praying scripture.  Praying God’s Word Wednesdays will now be First Friday Prayers.  You can find First Friday Prayers right here on the first Friday of every month.  I so appreciate the enthusiasm you have shown for these segments and your desire for them to continue.  Our weekly prayer times will now be once a month, but my sincere hope is that you have already developed a habit of praying scripture that we will continue together and that you will carry out throughout the week in your time with the Lord.

 

Now, before you start thinking that I am all business, I want to fill you in on an important holiday today.  It’s National Underwear Day!  Celebrate however you like, but the day puts me in mind of how vital it is to have the proper foundation.

 

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

Matthew 7:24 NIV

 

Jesus finishes a sermon here with a parable.  He tells the story of two men.  One who built a house on rock and one who chose a site of sand.  If you know this tale you know that rains and wind came upon the houses.  Which one do you think withstood the storm?

 

Our Savior tells us that the rock we should build our lives on is scripture.  And it’s not enough to believe the words of God, we must obey them.  Live them.  This is the way to build a life that withstands the the storms of life.  So I pray these words for someone near and dear to me:

first friday

 

Modify this First Friday prayer to be appropriate for the person (or yourself) that you are praying for.

 

Praying for you in this.  And don’t forget to share on social media or with a friend who could benefit.  It would mean so much to me.  And if you don’t want to miss a Praying God’s Word post, subscribe over on the right hand side of this page.

Lauren

Now for this week’s featured post from the link up!

 

Deborah Rutherford and I seem to be living parallel lives.  At the very least, God is teaching us some similar things.  Maybe you could use the message in Here’s My Calendar, God.

 

The Link Up

 

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

 Now Let’s Link Up!

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!  Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

To find some great places where I might be sharing this post, click here.

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