June 01, 2018

Food for Your Writer’s Journey by Sandi Somers


This month’s prompt comes from Karma Pratt.



Nine Scriptures for Writers

God gave me this Scripture to share with you, “I will give you words and wisdom…” Luke 21:15. However, I’m “dry” when it comes to writing a story about it. (Perhaps I’ve been doing too much gardening?)  
In the meantime, I thought of Tracy Krauss’ comment in my April blog: “As an organization, we 'minister to writers so they can minister to others'. I think this sums up why we, collectively, do what we do, for writing is ministry.”
          As a result, I decided to share some meaningful scripture God has given me in times past, as a prayer, encouragement and food for your writing journey.


When you need to remember God’s purposes for you: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…” Jeremiah 1:5.
When you need confirmation of God’s empowerment: “The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed” Isaiah 50:4.
When you have doubts about your abilities and your calling: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it” Habakkuk 2:2. (If you have a copy of 7 Essential Habits for Christian Writers, read Elaine Ingalls Hogg’s devotional, “When a Writer Has Doubts”, pp. 40-41)
When you are discouraged and need God’s encouragement: “I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you’…So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:9-10.
When you are uncertain: “Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness…make Your way straight before me” Psalm 5:8.
When you are afraid: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” John 14:27. (I read once that there are 366 verses in the Bible that tell us not to be afraid. That’s one for every day, including leap year!)
When you go through a rough phase: “I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.”
When life takes over through emergencies, family issues, etc. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” Ecclesiastes 3:1. (Read Janice Dick’s “A Time to Mourn and a Time to Write” here
When you need faith to ask God for something: “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son” John 14:13. (I also love Matthew 7:7-11)


Now over to you. I look forward to your Words from God and what He has meant to you through Scriptures.

12 comments:

  1. I loved this post so much, Sandi - probably because I love the Word! You've given us such a wonderful list of verses for so many occasions and great other resources, too. I hope readers take the time to read further. All of the verses are timely but the one from Habakkuk is one that I have often gone to as far as writing motivation goes.

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    1. I agree with you that the verse from Habakkuk is special. It has long been very meaningful to me.

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  2. All of the "When you..." phrases have applied to me and I'm sure will again. Thank you for the Scripture banquet Sandi. :)

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  3. What Alan said, Sandi. I think most of us have found ourselves in these particular circumstances and these are well-chosen verses to bolster the nutrients we need for the journey. Thanks and God bless . . .

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    1. Thanks, Sharon, for your faithful comments!!

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  4. Thanks for sharing some of your favourite Scriptures with us, Sandi. Isaiah 41:10 is one that has been special to me for many years. I first clung to that verse when I was 500 miles away from my parents at a mission boarding school. It has brought me through many difficult times since then as well.

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    1. Special verses always bring back a memory when God answered our prayers through His Word!

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  5. Thank you for the Scripture verses. A couple of them are particularly helpful reminders at this particular time in my family's life.

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    1. Thank you, Susan. May God strengthen you through this time.

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  6. Wow, God's Word is so rich, so powerful. What a feast. Thank you for sharing!
    Pam

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  7. So glad you found this post and these verses meaningful, Pam.

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