Good morning, loves!
There is just one thing I want to begin with today:
This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
(Psalm 118:24, NIV)
It’s true. He has made this day–we can be joyful in all times. Times of hurting and times of celebration: when our hope is in Him, this joy is possible.
I wonder if you all are still processing the Soul Detox plan we just completed as I am. Perhaps you have a few days to complete yet. So today we’d like to do three things: reflect, prepare, share.
Reflect
Take time today to read through your notes and scribbles from the past 35 days. Where have you been needing to continue detoxing in your life? Are there areas you are holding tightly…areas of your life you know need to be released to Him? He loves you. It pains Him to see you bearing these burdens that He promises to take on for you. Let Him.
Prepare
Starting tomorrow, we will be hearing from eight of you. Eight women in our community sharing their stories. These stories portray a range of emotions, and a God who is sovereign always. Would you pray that God would prepare our hearts? As you read these testimonies, think about the story He is writing for you. Don’t believe that your story is too small, too messy, too drama-free, too anything. He uses all of our stories, we just have to be willing to share.
Share
You have a story. This community wouldn’t be a community without each and every one of you. In your journal, with a friend, in a prayer–share your story.
We will be continuing this posture as we begin a new plan on March 6, The Songs of Ascent. These songs were written to be sung from a heart preparing to enter Jerusalem for Passover. Our prayer is that as we read these verses together, our hearts would be prepared for Holy Week and Easter. {If you’d like a reminder of the upcoming plan schedule, Raechel outlined it beautifully here!}
Join us!
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21 thoughts on "reflect. prepare. share."
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Praying as we ascend, worn out, but still moving. Singing, remembering, enjoying community…here I am, Lord, moving along with the band of believers anxious to reach the peak of the mountain, but frightened too. You lift me up on your shoulders urging me upward so I can glimpse the others around me some ahead, some behind, some crowding along side. You point me to the light that illuminates the apex and then you set me down among the others on solid ground. I continue knowing that not only are you at the end of the journey, but here with me as we climb. Oh Lord my God How wonderful You are!
I’m posting late, but just wanted to get on and say that I appreciate all you ladies SO much, as well! and I probably can’t begin to list everyone–I know I will leave someone out but Cynthia, EllenMR, Linda, Sue, Junebug, jesusgirl AutumnDawn/song mistress, AmyKelly…it has just been wonderful! I know there are others who post fairly often but your names aren’t coming to me at the moment…but just know, I appreciate you all! Also, to those who read and don’t do a lot of post–blessings and appreciation for y’all, too! Just love this community, looking forward to the next devotional!
Song mistress, your interpretation of the Psalms was lovely. I’m reading through these comments at the end of a very difficult day but your song soothed my heart. I’ve read several Bible plans with SRT, but I’m a little late arriving to this forum & community here on the website. Glad I’m here now! I’m really excited to read the testimonies this week. As I posted yesterday, I’ve realized this second time in reading Soul Detox that it is a plan worth repeating. Isn’t it amazing how relevant & timeless God’s word is? Helps me keep a bigger perspective & not become so mired down in my worries & family hardships. God is for us, He will truly see us through – not just to survive but to thrive! I plan on it. Amen.
Soul Detox has been a great study … I feel that I have grown stronger in Christ over the past five weeks as I am surrounding myself with others who can spiritually mentor me, pray with me and study the scriptures both online and at church. I love my church, folks!! I am looking forward to the next part of the online study with all of you (even if I don't post online much)! God Bless each and every one of you.
This has been a great study!! Thanks to all my sisters for making it so "easy" to share. It has been very freeing being able to speak openly without fear of judgement. And your support and kindness has been amazing. I look forward to more studies with all of you!! It feels great to have friends to share with!!
Awesome Jessica!
I’m a people person too and the isolation can be stifling! Thank God these gals started SRT!!
Community and accountability = Non toxic, healthy fellowship!
Good luck in your new church/friendships,
I’m looking for the same thing in my new church too … As you said -God will provide!! :)
*sniffle!*
Wow! I started doing the SRT thing during the Ephesians plan, but it was only until Soul Detox, mid-study, that I got the courage to finally put myself out there (here). I made a commitment to writing comment posts every morning before I do anything else in my day, to help me digest the Word, to keep myself accountable to, to hear God's voice as I typed what He was laying on my heart. I came here for….ME. But sooooo unexpectedly, I have become so connected with our "little" community of women as we seek God's Word together.
I shared tears with some of you as I read about what challenges you face. And celebrate the victories too! Each of us, in different stages, doing this thing called life together. It's truly beautiful! I just want to encourage a couple of you that are on my heart.
Kari: As you walk through the long road of recovery with your daughter, may God's hand continually be on that situation and pull you all through.
Ellen MR: For the struggle you have with your son. I just know the Lord will give you the strength to deal with all the ups and downs. We only want the best for our kiddos, so I am praying that you will continue to see those little miracles that break through in his life each day.
Songmistress: Thanks for sharing the song of your heart with us again. I, too, tend on the side of melancholy and isolation. I'm not sure if that is just the way we "creative types" are made up. But what I do know is that those times do help us to appreciate the "Son" when it…He…is shining on us. Sometimes the only way to express it is to sit at the piano, to sing, to write…to get it out! Praying for many good "sunny" days to come, lovely.
To all the "regulars", I feel so honored to share my mornings with you all! Cynthia, jesusgirl71, Sue, EmilyC, Ibukun, lisabethjean LeahTvt…(I just know I'm going to miss someone, but I will catch ya at some point)…you have all blessed me!
I don't know about you ladies, but I'll be here again for the next plan. Hugs all around!
I am a very social person. Always have been. I don't do well without interaction with others. However because of this "need" I have had more toxic relationships than healthy ones. Although I DO have good ones, the toxic ones, as we learned can overpower the bad. Many of these relationships came from old friendships from school and years back, so letting them go just because of that was hard enough. Many of the "good" ones I have, I don't interact with very much so I just couldn't let go of the bad, because I didn't want to lose the interaction. As I was going through the Soul Detox plan, it became more and more apparent that this needed to change. We have recently became involved in a new church and I knew relationships would eventually come out of it, but later rather than sooner since I haven't had opportunities to get involved. One of our friends, the ones who got us to go to the church, invited me to her baby shower. I was so excited!! And it's funny because that day I woke up with a horrible stomach ache and felt sick. I knew the enemy was trying to stop me from going, but I over came it, told Satan he wasn't going to win. Now I have quite a few new friendships that have bloomed and they all go to our church! They are all encouraging and wonderful people to be around. This was Saturday, 2 days before the end of the "detox" plan. God is good…he always provides for your needs, even if they are silly to some…..now I see what relationships should be and sometimes you just have to let go and get the toxic out of your life and God WILL provide!
INSTAGRAM: "jessica_dev"
TWITTER: "@Jessica_Dev"
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Ladies, what a blessing this journey has been. Like you EllenMR, my faith is still newer, and I feel my wisdom is growing from all of your reflections. I treasure the personality’s that I am discovering and the learning I receive from all of your journies. And that is what it is all about…our journey on the path to righteousness.
May we continue on with SRT and this new plan that leads us into Jerusalem. I am excited to dive in and find those beautiful nuggets of wisdom that are interspersed throughout the Psalms.
Autumn dawn, your music strums through the chords in my heart. Beautiful.
The Lord Bless you and keep you all!
And thanks to Cynthia and Ellen MR for the kind words. This has been a blessing and such a good reminder to me. I look forward to our next journey together.
Oh, it's good to be able to reflect and digest what I've learned (or relearned) through the soul-detox. I was here all last week, just quiet because the last week of soul detox was sort of hard for me…in a slightly different way. I tend to isolate myself; I can be become very reclusive due to the depression I struggle with. So, I don't have so many close relationships – toxic or otherwise, really. This is an area God is working on – me reaching out and connecting more with others. Becoming a part of #SheReadsTruth is helpful because it gives me a chance to be accountable as well as a place to contribute and be a blessing, too (other than just when I sing or lead praise and worship – which is good, very good…but I know I am not limited in my blessing others to only that).
I got a lot from Soul Detox: the determination to keep on, to not give up on challenging the lies of the enemy (the thoughts and negative self-talk), the determination to not be a slave to anything, because I was (re)made to be free. I have been challenged and encouraged, and I thank you all for your support and prayer along the way, dear sisters – it means SO much to me. Soul Detox is all about renewing the mind, and really just sticking with it until the mind is really renewed. It's also made me more dependent on God's grace, more aware that I can't do anything to change myself in my own strength – it's ALL about looking unto Jesus and depending on the Holy Spirit's work within. It's made me cry out daily, moment by moment, for the grace to overcome every evil tendency. I read something today from Joseph Prince that summed it up nicely: "God’s Word declares that we are being transformed into His image from glory to glory, not by working, but simply by beholding. So, beloved, keep your eyes on Jesus. As you see Him doing the supernatural, you too will be able to do the impossible and rise above your circumstances."
I will take away with me a vibrant renewed awareness that God is doing a work in me, and that I can cooperate with that by giving my attention to what He is doing (working WITH, instead of AGAINST Him, in other words).
Now, I am VERY MUCH looking forward to the Songs of Ascent. You should all know by now that I am a Psalmist at heart and a real lover of the songbook of Israel! And, speaking of Psalms, I will leave you with the video I made for my version of Psalm 139:23-24 (I mentioned before that I didn't have a video for this one, but I was working on it… here it is at last)… I think it's perfect as we reflect on Soul Detox and the work of God in us, praying for God to lead us in the way everlasting! I hope it will bless you :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZSzP6x7RjE
Missed you while you were away!
Thanks so much for posting your beautiful video. You have been an inspiration to me in so many ways throughout this study. In fact, I printed out one of your comments and pasted it in my journal because it said all of the things I was having trouble finding the words to say! I, too, entered into this study with a need to detox the negative talk in my head, the thoughts that came from Satan and with depression tha strips some of the joy from life. Praying for both of us to stay strong in the Word and not buy in to the enemy's lies. Blessings to you!
This has been an amazing journey Ladies!!
All of you have seen me thru some critical times and I really don’t have the words to express how dear all of you have become to me!
Not having much family, and friends that were run off a long time ago, your support and especially your prayers have transformed what was once a lonely life into a fulfilled life with community and fellowship! And not to mention faith! In the Lord and in people once again…
Cynthia, from the first post you had me! I think we’re close in age, but I thought to myself “I want to be like her when I grow up- soaked in the word and wise!!” I still have some growing up to do, but I’m already wiser, thanks to you! ;)
Other greatly appreciated posts from Rockinitat55,
Brandi, Kim, AmyKelly, LindaG, Sue, Cathy, Ibukun,
EmilyC, Jesusgirl, Leah, JuneBug, Lisabethjean, Autumn and truly soo many others!! Each and every post has something
to impart and to learn from, I can’t say enough.
I’ll stop my Oscar acceptance speech now, but the warm feelings that I have for y’all at SRT won’t-
Thanks for making me feel so not alone and so welcome to something so GOD INSPIRED!!
Looking to the future and all the studies to come,
I pray for Blessings for all my SRT Sisters !
Thank you Jesus!
FOR HIS GLORY, AMEN!!
All of you ladies bless my life daily. I don’t post very often, but I am here with you all, reading and praying, following along, being inspired, being encouraged, even convicted and awaken at times, all the while being drawn closer an closer in my walk with our Heavenly Father. I look forward to continuing this study and these relationships as we are learn more and grow in God. Thank you all for everything you have shared and for all the inspiration you all continue to share daily.
In His Love,
Andi
I really loved the Soul Detox plan, it really hit home for me! As a newly reaffirmed believer, there are so many areas in my life that I am detoxing but mostly importantly, I have been able to stand firm to those commitments even when someone tries to persuade me, I know my goal to living a more Christian life is more important than falling back into my same ways.
I am so glad that I have found this website and am happy to be able to share this with all of you ladies!
Can't wait for the next plan!
This has been a great study! The comments have been very encouraging to me as the community I live in doesn't seem to understand that sometimes the healthiest thing is quitting some aspect of your social life, or dropping a toxic person from your life in order to be healthiest. I've been rebuked and looked down upon for stopping my involvement in a toxic group and dropping friendships that were unhealthy, but I know it was the right thing to do, group opinion be darned.
Thanks She Reads Truth community for encouraging me when people only seemed to look down on me for trying to do the right thing for me. Thanks for all who have emailed me and shared their own stories of similar trials in life!
Thank you for this time of reflection. Although I realize I do not have to post daily, I thank God for the sense of accountability it give me being apart of this community. I am so blessed to have an opportunity to commune with women of God such as yourselves!
AmyKelly213, Ellen MR, LindaG, JuneBug, Sue, Jesusgirl71, Lisabethjean, LeahTvt, Candacejo, Inukun (way in Nigeria), Autumn Dawn Leader (miss you)…
…just to name a few…you touched my life in a way that is indescribable! I pray this is just the beginning of some long lasting online community relationship. Hoping for a chance to maybe meet some of you one day. Be blessed and continue producing much fruit!
It was an honor doing bible study with you, Cynthia! On mornings I didn’t know which words to write I could come on here read your comments and be encouraged. You ARE a blessing. Shout out to Ellen MR, Candecjo, Autumn, Allison, Leah, Junebug, Jesusgirl71, lisbethjean, Sue, Mish, and all you other women on here. Praying for you all and hoping you were richly blessed by this devo
thanks for the shout-out! Definitely a blessing as is also doing life with you all!