Growing in the Spirit

What’s new?: Keep scrolling for inspiration and encouragement from Rev. Ed (Expectation), Dr. Brown (Handling Life’s Transitions), Dr. Grace (What Matters Most), and Marica Jones (Pray Honest Prayers)

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Be Encouraged!

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8

Ed Sparkman, Pastor

EXPECTATION

New Year, New Things            

My message this month acknowledges that moving into a new year also means expecting “new things.” Often, we allow ourselves to become so satisfied with where we are that we prevent ourselves from having hope for the future. We block ourselves from mentally and physically looking forward to the “new things” that God has prepared for us. We are not required to accept an improved version of the old things. We are to move forward in expectation of receiving “new things.” No matter what we went through last year, or what we have brought with us in the new year, we can still look forward to the “new things” that God has prepared for us. We need to redirect our focus from the old things to the “new things” that will inspire and recharge us. We must encourage and energize ourselves with the fact that God is still writing our story, and not allow anyone to take the pen.

Family, we cannot allow old thoughts, old situations, nor old relationships to prevent us from receiving the “new things” that God has prepared for us. Don’t allow old thoughts, old ways, nor old relations to overtake your expectations. It is a new year, and you must believe that every new day is going to be better than the days before. We must continue to dream, believe, and look forward to “new things” regardless of what is happening around us. You may not be able to see it immediately, but we are reminded by the Apostle Paul that “things that are seen are temporary; but things that are not seen are eternal.” Remember, what is ahead of us is better than what is behind us! -Rev-

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INSPIRATION:

Prayer is our direct line to God. When we are alone in our quite space, He hears us, even if we can't find the right words. We need not show off with wordiness, or grandstanding before others. God is not impressed with these. He already knows our thoughts, and He hears us just fine even when our prayers are plain and our words are few.

Dr. Anthony Brown

minister, gospel singer

Seasons: Handling Life’s Transitions

     “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens …” Ecclesiastes 3:1

“Everything has a season.”  Sound familiar?  It’s an often-heard mantra as we navigate life’s changes and transitions and, in many instances, try to make sense of “what was, that’s no longer, what is.”  As much as we hear and must come to understand that everything must change, it can be difficult to handle, what I’ve begun calling, some of life’s “natural transitions.”  King Solomon’s writing in this opening Chapter of the biblical book of Ecclesiastes walks us through an array of these transitions – life to death, hurt to healing, mourning to dancing, and war to peace.  His, Solomon’s, constant quest for insight and wisdom park as at the door of change, transition, and many of life’s sobering realities.

Perhaps you’re reading this reflection and Solomon’s words are painting your reality. Things are, or are becoming, different.  Change is all around.  Perhaps it’s the death of a loved one, a job crisis, or a serious illness. It could be the need for a new job, a new relationship, a new look, or a new “way of doing something.”  Perhaps, you are aging and what was once simple is becoming more difficult.  Or maybe you’re young and the sound of wedding bells have been replaced by the sound of communication and compromise.  Several of my younger friends have welcomed children into their lives and things will never be the same – it’s called a “natural transition."  The songwriter declared “life is filled with swift transitions,” and I want to suggest in line with King Solomon that one of life’s greatest challenges is dealing with “natural transitions.”  

So, here are some suggestions for handling life’s natural transitions. First, stay close to God. Of course, this is something we should be doing anyway but the reality is we stray.  But during seasons of change and transition we must stay close to God. The fact is it can be difficult to understand the transitions and God will provide that listening ear, that nonjudgmental shoulder to lean on, or that “same yesterday, today, and tomorrow,” presence in your life.  Secondly, talk about what you’re going through.  Of course, you can’t talk to everyone, but God will lead you to persons who will listen, cry, and lament with you.  And yes, I did say cry and lament with you, because often you don’t want someone to give you the answer – you just want to be heard.  And let me add that this “person to talk to” could be in the form of a professional counselor or therapist.  As the saying goes, sometimes you need “Jesus and a therapist.”

And finally, as you handle life’s natural transitions, you must believe that the pain, frustration, uncertainty, and confusion of “natural transitions” will pass. That’s what the King said in his writing – The Lord will “turn your mourning into dancing.”  And that’s what a trusted friend said to me recently when the world stood in shock at the death (by suicide) of Stephen “tWitch” Boss, known for his work as the DJ on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." “If,” she said, “he would have only realized that whatever he was going through would pass.”  I am praying for all of US as we learn to handle life’s “natural transitions.” -Anthony-

Dr. Grace Miranda,

Ed.D, CSC

Who Matters Most

“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple” (Psalm 27:4, NIV).

When things around me begin shifting, the one thing I have learned to do is shift with it. The end of 2022 was filled with joy and pain (a lot of pain). Smiling and being strong when inside you are crying and feeling weak is not something you can do on your own or keep up. I struggled to keep shining for Jesus as family illnesses and death plagued our family. And then I read the following by Christine Caine: “There are so many things in our world today fighting for our attention and pulling us in different directions. I’ve learned that, amidst this reality, the key to living a life not driven by stress or fear is to live with a God-first focus. We can’t afford to just fit Him in. He needs to be at the center. He needs to be our one thing. Only then will our lives find peace and meaning. Only then will we experience the lives we were created for, enjoying the wonder and gift of His presence each day”. These words hit hard and made me realize that I wasn’t living with the level of trust in God needed to navigate through the turmoil of death and illnesses hitting my family. After sitting with all that had transpired, I was reminded that God always has me. There is not a minute that passes that His eyes are not on me. “Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good” (Psalm 25:6-7). Everyone is going through something all over the world. If we will remember life is not about us and that God sees it before any of it happens. And then look back over our hardest moments, we made it and are stronger because He strengthen us for and through every storm. It truly matters who matter most to you. Be a Light “There is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” Amanda Gorman “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” Charles R. Swindoll “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32 NIV). Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” ( Galatians 6:10 NLT). Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” Be devoted to one another in brotherly love” (Romans 12:9-10 NIV). “Inhale, exhale, it is well, it is well. All of this is part of the story you will tell.” Moran Harper Nichols May we remember Who matters most and seek to be the light shining bright for His glory. Life truly is not about us. -Dr. Grace-

Marcia Jones, survivor/overcomer

One morning in 2009, my friend Marcia was on her way to work and was involved in a terrible car accident that left her paralyzed. She has been confined to a wheelchair ever since. Her life forever changed that day. Yet she is a real life example of what it means to persevere and to hold onto your faith even in the midst of challenges. ❤️

PRAY HONEST PRAYERS

I recently went through a particularly rough time. I was a little depressed but I didn't want anyone to know  it. I became a pretender. I would say everything was good when it wasn't.  When I prayed   I wouldn’t open up completely with God. I felt distanced and distracted. What is the best way to be transparent with God? I believe First Peter 5:7 gives us the answer. "Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you."  Polite little prayers with a bunch of formal words hardly get you anything.  I would like to translate First Peter 5:7 by saying PRAY HONEST PRAYERS and be bold as the lion of Judah. Casting your cares is like wanting to get something far away from you. You "sling it" hard and deliberate. And that's what God wants us to do with our cares. He wants us to unload our frustrations, disappointments, unfulfilled dreams, anger at Him. He is saying to us "Throw it my way, I can take it."  Until you come clean with God, you have not fully opened your heart to Him. He wants your entire heart.  This allows Him to do a work in your life. I challenge you to pray HONEST prayers that allow God to move in your life in amazing ways. Remember, when you focus on your limitations they will only grow.

Also, one of the missing ingredients that allows us to receive from God is "patience. "Patience is ever so powerful.  Ask Job. You need patience to be an overcomer. In Matt 24:13 Jesus said, "He who endures to the end shall be saved." Impatience is possibly one of the main reasons prayer go unanswered.  When you become impatient you start to wonder and wander and ultimately get out of faith.  Sometimes we find it hard to be patient. To keep believing what the Bible says when we don't see anything happening. It is at that point you should patiently keep saying, ---the Bible says it and I believe; therefore it will happen!  We have to remember that faith is an action word. It is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. 

Faith is a force that is built into you by knowing and believing God's word. It allows you to hold on until you get what you asked God for. Patience gets prayers answered. Patience, along with growing your faith, helps you achieve more in your prayer life. If your patience and prayer life need to be stronger, work towards developing a better relationship with God in those areas. So if you want to grow spiritually, acknowledge your weaknesses and work on them. Be Blessed! —Marcia-

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