What is Friday's Reflection?
Every other Friday, I post a new Scripture, discuss my reflection of it, then give you the chance to do the same. By participating, you will have the chance to win prizes, as well as the opportunity to meet other Christian teens. =)
The Point System
Yes, there will be a point system, just like the Monday's Minute Challenge. =)
Earning Points:
*To make this more simple, please include the amount of points you will receive at the top of your post. Be sure to calculate correctly!
2 points: If you answer one of the questions. (Details below)
5 points: If you respond with your own reflection. (Details below)
10 points: If you post your response on your blog.
10 points: If you pin either the above picture or today's Scripture to Pinterest.
10 points: If you join the Prayer Circle. (Details below)
Points Tracker:
TW Wright: 35
Karina: 110
Sarah: 140
His Princess: 14
Prizes:
50 points: You will receive a badge for your blog saying that you are a participant at Friday's Reflection.
70 points: You can submit your own playlist for Friday's Playlist (see below).
90 points: You can submit a Scripture that will be used for Friday's Reflection.
110 points: You will receive a free ebook of PURPLE MOON.
150 points: You will receive a personalized handmade notepad.
Today's Playlist
I think listening to worship music is a great way to get into God's presence. So every Friday, I will post 3 - 5 worship/Christian songs that are currently on my playlist. Feel free to listen to them as you work on today's reflection!
"Another Hallelujah" ~Lincoln Brewster
"Set the World On Fire" ~Britt Nicole
"My Romance" ~Rick Pino ft. Kari Jobe
Today's Scripture . . .
"Delight yourself in the Lord,
and He will give you the desires of your heart."
~Psalm 37:4 (ESV)
My Reflection:
My mom used to remind me of this verse all the time when I was in middle school. I would tell her of all the dreams I had of being an author, actress, and magazine editor one day, and she would tell me to seek God first, then He would give me the desires of my heart. This is why I never had much doubt I would become an author one day: I'd had the desire since I was three-years-old. And according to Psalm 37:4, God could give me the desires that were on my heart, no matter how impossible they seemed (and as long as they were aligned with His Will).
However, this doesn't mean we should seek God simply because we want our dreams to come true. God knows our intentions. And keep in mind that our dreams cannot become our idols. There is a reason God wants us to seek Him first, before these dreams: so that our main desire will be to live for Him. It is only then that God can begin to open the doors for our dreams to come true.
Your Turn . . .
Answer the questions below to earn points! You will receive
2 points per question that you answer. And if you post your response on your blog and link back to this post, you will receive an extra
10 points!
*To make this more simple, please include the amount of points you will receive at the top of your post. Be sure to calculate correctly!
- Have you ever placed any dreams before God? What was the result? +2 pts
- Has God ever given you a desire of your heart? +2 pts
- List steps that you are going to take to put God first in your life. +2
- What are the desires you think God has placed on your heart, and how could you use them to bring Him glory? +2 pts
- Discuss your own reflection of this Scripture (as I did above -- at least one paragraph). +5 pts
Don't forget to check back to read your responses and interact with others!
Prayer Circle
If you choose to participate in this Prayer Circle, you can email me a prayer request at any point throughout the week. Every other Friday, I will send an email to those in the prayer circle with the updated prayer list, as well as the new Scripture for that week. You will also receive 10 extra points by joining.
Email me at christiswrite (at) gmail (dot) com if you wish to participate! =)
Hey, I was really happy to see the verse for this week, 'cause it's one of my favorites. :)
ReplyDeleteMy Reflection: I've always had two different thoughts on this verse. One is like Tessa put; that if you seek God first, He will give you the desires of your heart. Because if I'm putting my dreams above Him, then why would He want to give them to me? It might only pull me farther away from Him, when He needs to be the utmost priority in my life. My second thought is that it could also mean as we draw closer to Him, delighting ourselves in Him, the desires we have would change to reflect the desires He has for us, and those are the ones He will give to us. The DEEPEST desires of our hearts, the ones that we might often bury under all the lesser wants. I've been discovering that what I want can truly only be discovered through Him.
1. Have you ever placed any dreams before God? What was the result?
I'm not sure if I've ever actually put a dream above God. I've gotten angry before when I feel like He's keeping something I want (and would be good for me, to my flawed way of thinking) away from me for no good reason. In reality, I know He has very good reasons and oftentimes He gives me something far better. :)
2. Has God ever given you a desire of your heart?
Yes, He has. A couple times. In the most recent instance, my desire being given to me didn't come about until after it felt like He was taking away all chance of it happening. He is just far better to me than I deserve. :)
3. List steps that you are going to take to put God first in your life.
Literally put Him first- spend time in His word first thing each morning. I find I have a better day when His word is fresh in my mind, helping me to stay on the right path.
4. What are the desires you think God has placed on your heart, and how could you use them to bring Him glory?
There are two huge desires I have on my heart- one is to be a writer (I'd like to write Christian YA, but I'm open to His leading), and the other is to be a stay-at-home wife and mother. Obviously, one way I could bring Him glory through that is to raise my children to be strong Christians. :) Otherwise, I would just try to be a bright light shining into a dark world, same as I am trying now.
Total points: 13