After reading today’s passages, use the guiding content below to help you reflect, respond, and engage with one another.
Part of the new creation process is God dealing rightly with evil, corruption, and anything that is not aligned with the goodness and flourishing of His creation. Right judgment against sin is part of how God makes all things new as He deals with all things that have gone wrong (Isaiah 24). God also makes all things new through restoration. He takes the pieces of what has been broken or distorted and restores them to Himself and to what is good, beautiful, and true (Isaiah 25).
In prayer and in the comments, reflect on how God’s righteousness leads to restoration and where you need that in your life now. What images of celebration and restoration did you see in today’s reading?
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144 thoughts on "Undoing and Restoration"
I need to trust that God is tearing me down to build me up again. To not rely on humans but to his grace only.
God can always take what is broken and restore it. He never gives up on us and he is always there and making a path for us to live righteousness.
Praying for a new job and it’s been so tiring finding and then getting rejected. Super discoursing. But I know He is faithful! And He is restoring me! He makes all things new :)
Praying for guidance in my life and how to detect evil when it comes my way and how I can lean on god and how he can help me avoid those situations! I pray for people who don’t see Jesus who are with evil and against good allow them to see the light that Jesus has for us and allow evil to die!
God will restore my body!!!
Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet I will see God in my flesh. – Job 19:26
Single into my older years I often lose faith I will find a helpmate or children/bonus children of my own. But I also trust God has a plan, he hears my prayers and that he is preparing me in this season for so much more! Grateful for restoration and the truth of His promise.
Celebration and restoration… ten lost years redeemed!
He restores me daily – Amen!
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Restoration mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Before I came back to Jesus, my life had no purpose and I was beginning to spiral in almost every area of my life. Jesus restored my life through fellow believers who showed me Jesus’ love and mercy.
I feel as if though the Lord started my restoration and undoing before I even followed him. My life was so unbearable and dark. I could only go to his light. I feel the restoration in my life. Thank you Jesus. You are my king!!!
Right judgement against sin- is how we can acknowledge our wrong doings and that is how God can move through us to restore and make all things new, good and beautiful. We just have to open our hearts and listen to him, he speaks to us! ✨
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I can’t help but reflect on my own life.how The Father has always welcomed me with open arms. He has restored me and through the Holy Spirit, daily renewal and discipleship is what makes my heart beat!
Restoration from my former self
“The earth is utterly broken, the earth is split apart, the earth is violently shaken.” This to me is how sin destroys a person; it makes sense that this is how God will restore humanity to Him. While the thought is terrifying, it is also humbling and necessary. To become new we have to rise from the ashes; the earth has to be reborn.
Amen, I have to remind myself of this often as I see the “utterly broken”-ness around me!
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Amen
I am reminded that there is so much happening that we don’t see or know about. God has been and still is working on restoring His creation (us) to Him. It’s a journey but we don’t have to just be looking forward, we can also look around us and in our lives, right now, to see that restoration. Sometimes that restoration looks very different from what we imagine but it’s there. We just need God to show us where to look. Hope for now and the future. Thank you Jesus. Amen.
second chances…amen!
Restoration from childhood trauma that is still effecting how I think and operate today.
You are good, Lord, and on our own we are destructive. Please guide us and restore us. To you alone be the gkiryb
can this healing begin. After listening to the second weeks podcast, I was encouraged and reminded that we are an extension of His prepping with this restoration that is taking place now! We do not have to sit idly, waiting for His return. We are being called to His Word, to His presence, and His Love; right now, today! When we seek and embrace those things, we can open our hearts and minds to see where He wants us to be in this transformation of His creation! We can stand up in our communities, take action and exclaim, “No more! I will be apart of breaking that cycle of brokenness!”
Generations of unhealthy, unloving, and broken families will come to a halt. He will officially end and break the final cycle of abuse, ignorance and frustration. When a child is created, born and raised by parents who are a victim of that same toxic cycle… it can become habitual. With only one way of restoration (Our Creator)
Amen
Lord I pray you take away anything that is not of you. Show me how to repent of the things that get in the way of truly following you. Restore in me a new heart and make way for your will. Amen
Understanding how God will restore things in the end makes the pain and brokenness of our world more bearable. God is both a God of compassion and love, defeating death and wiping away tears. He’s also a just God who will not allow the evil in our world to go without punishment. I love this duality to his nature that is perfect, because he is perfect. We can trust his plan with complete abandon. And while we mourn the evil we may witness (even within our own hearts) during our time here on earth, there will come a time when all will be made new. His plan has been the same from the beginning. I love that history has always been purposeful, leading up to the long expected moment when Jesus will return again.
It’s stunning to imagine how God literally parted water, something we can’t even hold firmly in our hands. He piled up such a loose thing to border their way to a new land and freedom.
Amen
I celebrate that God saw the brokenness of that time and he still sees it in us today. He has prepared and is still preparing a NEW place for the faithful. This is HOPE that I want ALL to share.
I am believing for you restoration in my life! Thank you Lord for the tearing down and the building back up
Do not dwell on the past … do you not see what I’m doing now in your present … in your future? Oh Thank you my Loving Precious Father! You have brought me through so many storms, so many tribulations Father Your Mighty Right Hand I attribute all my strength and too! Thank You for loving and saving me Thank You for Your Son Jesus Christ! I Love You Father ! I Am YOURS♥️
God is asking- do we not see it? Do we not notice the new things he has in our lives? When I get anxious or worry about the past/future, let me remember He will make a WAY in the wilderness and rivers in the desert! Why should I be scared?
Look for the new things and delight! Notice them!
Sometimes I forget that God is working a restoration in me through His Spirit. He is not finished with me yet, nor will He ever be. Im glad that our Father never gives up on us and that He keeps us
Father, thank you for making all things new—in time. It’s difficult waiting, God. The song Refiners Fire goes through my head when I am waiting. It’s a process, and there is heat, but in the end is beauty that you made, formed, and refined. His righteousness leads to restoration!!!❤️
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After reading Isaiah 2, it helped me to regain my spiritual strength because God alone is sovereign over everything. We just have to wait continually in the Lord and refuse any idols that may want harm our relationship to Jesus.
“The people will hide in caves in the rocks and holes in the ground,away from the terror of the Lord.”
* My Lord, You are my God. You are my Father. You are my protector and King. Yes I fear You oh Lord for You alone are sovereign and covers this world and beyond with your majesty and power. But Lord, I do not see myself running away from you in terror. I will run towards You my King begging for mercy and forgiveness. Hiding will not bring forth any good for me for you never meant for Your chosen ones to tremble in fear but to rise in humble confidence and approach you in prayer and worship. Spare us Lord from Your wrath. We ask for compassion and forgiveness for our sins. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen
Amen!!!
Jesus as the Good Shepherd and the gate, providing guidance, protection, and eternal life. His teachings elicit varied reactions, underscoring the theme of belief versus unbelief. The chapter is a profound reminder of Jesus’ sacrificial love, His divine authority, and the assurance He offers to His followers. It inspires us to listen to His voice and follow Him faithfully in our life journey.
My faith needs to be restored as well as my respect for rest. I need Jesus to heal me inside and out but I am always so go go go t that He often gets lost in the shuffle. I don’t want that to be the case anymore. I want to be restored back to right relationship with Christ.
Alexis Adams I hear what you are saying and am praying for you! I need this as well.
Following in the steps of Jesus, seeking God and making His will my own, this is how we honor God. His righteousness brings peace and heals brokenness, IF we follow after Him and allow His ways to become our ways.
I am so thankful for all of your comments! I was thinking that I miss have the devos bc they help me to understand what I’ve read, but I have you ladies!!! I am humbled by your wisdom and all of your insights. I started out thinking I have no idea how to answer the questions, but now I have a page of notes based on your comments! Thank you! I need restoration in my heart. A renewal. The last few months with my daughter have been very tough on me. Her transition to college very tough on her and I have seen her in very dark spirals. I worry about her daily and this worry has blocked me from focusing on God and kept me wrapped up in my own stuff. Lord please forgive me and help me to trust You and look to you.
The images of restoration I saw was God ridding the world of all evil & everything that doesn’t belong. I saw the celebration of God’S people as they rejoiced.
It’s helpful to refer to this life as a “wilderness.” Life can be tough but there are so many opportunities to learn lessons, to grow in compassion and to be salt and light in the midst of darkness. God gives us opportunities to take part in His good work.
The troubles of the world often feel overwhelming to me, and it’s hard to see restoration in most places. But the prompt today made me reflect that restoration starts in our own relationship with God and our own relationships with those around us. And that personal restoration can only come once we have come back to righteousness in our own hearts – a clean heart before God and justice in our dealings with others. Today’s prompt made me think about examining my own heart before lamenting the rest of the world.
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After watching and reading about some wild and scary things happening in our wond today its so good to read about God ridding the earth of that evil and restoring his traits and his people. It’s given me such peace.

I need physical and mental restoration. I also look forward to the feast mentioned in Isaiah 25:6
That is a lot to take in – wow – so much truth of how people are and have been. Gods plan and judgement and ways are so much higher that I can not comprehend how this will play out – but I am fully committed to holding on til the end, staying faithful and Lord please keep me humble as you do what needs to be done. I love that God makes all things new – now and not yet! Oh how I and we wait on His will to be done.
So grateful to know and be known by our loving Lord God.
Heavenly father, help me to get my focus back on you, and to turn away from all the distractions that keep pulling me in my eyesight from you. Al me lie my ways, align my mind to align with yours. God Perry created me a clean heart over that oh God, and renew a right spirit within me 
My preschooler has had some new issues with negative self-talk. While some don’t know where it’s coming from, I know that it’s me. I am horrible about negativity towards myself. Isaiah lays out God breaking down a sinful place in steps to build a new thing. I see the hurt in my reflect in my daughter as part of that tearing down. With God’s help, He and I can work on building a new thing in me, something better to reflect upon ny daughter.
Hi Jennifer! I just wanted to give you some hope that some kids just do that. My daughter is 7 years old and I am not a negative self talker. I didn’t know where it was coming from, but knowing that Satan is the father of lies and what she was saying were lies about herself, I combat the lies with truth. So every time she says a “lie” about herself like “I’m just bad” or whatever, she has to tell me what God says about her and who she is. That she’s a child of a king and has a God who gave himself up for her and all of us because none of us are perfect. That she’s loved and cared for…all the things. We fight with scripture and all that way, hopefully she will hide it in her heart and know how to fight lies on her own one day. You got this mama! Keep fighting for you daughter and for her future, and don’t beat yourself up❤️
❤️❤️ thanks for sharing this idea!!
Lord, please help me to turn away from temptation and wickedness, and turn toward faith and wisdom. Please help me restore myself and get stronger than the previous yeat
I have felt conviction about some of the same things throughout my life and I always find myself going back to these choices. These passages and the reminder that God’s plan is to restore me and make me new is the encouragement I need to continue moving forward from some habits I struggle to break.
Yes I do also. I am like a carbon copy of what you just expressed. Thank The Lord for ALLt things new, including us!!
Sisters,
I want to thank all of you who responded to my (Sarah) post last night about taking care of my precious newborn and how hard things have been lately. I have been a She Reads Truth reader for so long, usually on the app or using a book, and have never once posted a comment. NOT ONCE! I wrote out my comment last night out of pure desperation to get my thoughts out of my head and heart and didn’t expect anyone else to read it, let alone comment. I never would have even made it back to this page except that I’m in central time zone and accidentally did today’s reading yesterday (it was after 11pm here), so I thought I may as well take some time to read through people’s posts. Without this mistake I wouldn’t have had any reason to land back on this page and I never would have seen all your lovely expressions of kindness, grace, and love. I cried and cried reading your words that felt like a balm to my soul. I am so humbled and feel so seen, not only by so many of you, but by the Father who cared enough to make certain I didn’t miss the love and empathy here waiting for me. Blessed by the name of the Lord forever.
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This is so lovely. Thank you.
@Mercy-Thank you for sharing. You are an overcomer! And so proud of you for starting that side business! Prayers for success! God is molding us! Restoration is coming!
The Lord preparing us a feast is such a beautiful image. (Isaiah 25:6)❤️
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Thank you for all your comments!! You have helped me clear up some difficult passages for me! I did not understand what I was reading today. I had to keep rereading the passages!!!! Thank you God and community for giving me wisdom and insight to understand. All will soon be restored:)
So thankful for this reading and personal application for reflection! It is a comfort to know he has not forgotten me and will show me the way I take. Whatever is not if you Lord, strip it away!
I agree with TAN WALLACE. Me too!!
I think I need God’s restoration in letting go of the past, learning to let go of control and fear, trusting in Him and His plan, promises and timing. I have to remember it is a significant journey, a gradual journey, and that allowing myself to surrender and trust in God’s wisdom will bring peace and restoration over time.
Thank You Lord for another year, another chance to right myself in Your path and Your will. I pray for restoration in Your Name, in Your Word, in Your Love. May these pour out abundantly in my life. Amen.
He makes all things new in His time! I trust Him to do it and show me the way. I’m needing his direction and wisdom in the next steps of this season.
I think the perfect form of celebration and praise of our Lord’s restoration in my opinion is Isaiah 25:1.
Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you. I will praise your name,
for you have accomplished wonders,
plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.
Isaiah 25:1
He is accomplishing wonders and we should praise and exalt Him.
@MICHELLE PATIRE: healing and strong recovery. I hope you will feel better soon. Sickness is hard.
@EILEEN DOWD: forgiveness and reconciliation for your brothers.
@SAMANTHA WARMACK: God’s healing for your dad’s cancer and encouragement through you for the nourishing of his faith in Jesus. You have your hand full.
@TARA B: for your aunt, and the separation aftermath for you, children and husband.
@TIFFANY C: for joy, strength, motivation, and complete shift that lethargy be gone.
@DEIRDRE TWYMAN: shooting victims, families and healing for community. So sorry. Prayers for your marriage, relationships.
@SONJAB: clarity in understanding God, His Word and His guidance, blessings and protection over you and children.
@LYNN FROM ALABAMA:❤️
@RHONDA J:❤️
@TINA: prayers for joy and comfort. Hope you are feeling better.
Lifting you she’s in prayers. May the Lord bring the restoration that our hearts so earnestly long for, that through Him and by Him we are made whole and complete. He has a good plan for each of us, a plan of hope and an expected future.
Be blessed dear sisters.
Thank you @MERCY for your prayers! My aunt is in hospice and we are just waiting for the Lord to take her home.
I’ve been asking for restoration in various parts of my life for a few months now. After todays reading I’m realizing that as long as I’m aligning myself with God and his word, he will help me do just as I’ve been searching to do. Getting rid of any bad habits to make room for the new.
I feel convicted about the idols I have in my own life. Sometimes I idolize myself and what I have. I definitely don’t think I’m perfect, but I try to find perfection in myself and in keeping my house looking nice. I find my identity in those things instead of God. I pray that I would focus on Jesus instead of those idols.
The Lord has been helping me to deal with the wounds of rejection. I did not realize how deep that can do. In the past year He has allowed betrayals and rejections to happen to reveal the heart of men. People may not love me, but they love what I do for them, my service and loyalty and generosity. God revealed their hearts really well about this truth. The verse today that I feel so convicted, “Stop regarding man, in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?” (Isaiah 22:22 ESV). Maybe someone needs to hear this, I knew I did, “if you get rejected by a man of God, it does not mean God rejects you”- Lisa Bevere. Today I came across this truth from Lisa on her conversation with John youtube channel, about rejection (2 parts), and it suddenly put everything together. It is by God’s grace. God allowed me to see through their teachings, how men’s rejections has sent me into a fear complex, that affects many other areas of my life. And even in the area of business, to name one, the Lord shows me why I was so fearful in setting up a store, launching these business ideas, is because of fear of rejection (people say no, leaving bad reviews, etc.), all stemming from how my mom rejected me, my pastor rejected me. I did not even know that has paralyzed me because I cared for people. May we guard our hearts and whom we love, and how we love. “Stop regarding man”. I never knew how complex human psychology is. But today, I am so thankful to come across the wisdom Lisa said that reveals my “stuckness”. He wants me free. The Lord is kind, but His word cuts deep. I will be pondering on the goodness of the Lord in hard places, so that we may grow past what men approve or limit, and grow deeper into the things of God, despite the rejection of men. Many spiritual leaders used to say, it is so lonely when you go higher with God, surely that rings true. May we learn and grow by His grace past our fears and traumas. I thank God for you dear sisters. Be blessed.
@MERCY thank you so much for sharing this. Just reading how God has connected the dots for you, and how you are processing it. I love reading these experiences bc it helps me as I go. I always enjoy your comments, praying for your journey of healing!
I love the way the passages tie up in our reading of how God “is doing a new thing.” I live in the Southwestern U.S. Desert, and the way it feels to receive rain in the desert, to even have a glass of iced water on some days ..that’s the way it feels to me to read this scripture. I feel refreshed ♥️ and, It makes me want to keep my eyes open for what God is doing because he says “do you not perceived it?” Instantly, I feel a perspective shift, and I’m ready to look for what God is doing..I’m ready to see the kingdom of God building and growing right where I am today..It gives me and energy, and strength to join in with the ongoing work that God is ALREADY doing here and now. I love that God’s word can do that. I love how true and sure His promises are. Praying that you all are blessed today by this reading as well! Grateful how many have shared that they are! Praise the Lord!
I think of my life and how much restoration has happened and how much more is needed. Thank you Potter for continuing to repair, rebuild, polish and draw me near. Prayers lifted as I read. Thank you all for your insight and wisdom sharing. Hugs dear sisters!
I need restoration in my spiritual warfare that I deal with everyday. Also in my tongue for I am quick to anger. I ask God to help me overcome those things and to stay strong in His Word everyday. The restoration that I see in these verses speaks loud when I read about how God will overcome all evil and corruption to make things new and better.
“Forget the former things: do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” (Isaiah 43:a8-19) What a great verse for this new year – 2024! It’s something I need top apply. Most days I’m really good, but then there are the days I reflect on the past – the relationship with my dad that I never had, not because I didn’t try, but because he just didn’t know how. He passed away a year ago October. What’s done is done, it can not be redone. I have to move forward. I heard someone say today, “if you’ve been hurt by someone or life has been hard – do something good for someone else, take your mind off yourself.” What great advice, and though I don’t think this woman is a believer, it is so scriptural. Nothing in this world is about us, although we tend to make everything about us – it is about Him, Our Father God, our Lord & Savior. I will purpose to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. Hebrews 12:2
So many of you mentioned that you are seeking restoration in relationships – marriage and families. I so often take for granted the wonderful relationship that my husband and I have…please know I am praying for you all.
@Tina – it’s good to see you back – prayers as you continue learn how to navigate your loss.❤️
Also praying for @Aimee D @Tiffany C. @Ellen Dowd @Michelle Patire @Grammiesue @Catherine McVey @Shamra Hicks @Jane Blore @Kenady Shope @Stephanie Wilsey’s daughter @Lynn from Alabama
Welcome to SRT @Netta Gentry & @Dana Martinez!
Have a blessed weekend my sisters – love and prayers for you all! ❤️❤️
❤ God is so good.
Because God is good, He will restore all things to right relationship. Though it may not be in the timing I would hope, because I trust God and His goodness, I can trust that he will continue to refine me, restoring me to right relationship with Him and His creation.
There is so much in all these verses. From worship of the work of our hands to the earth being stripped completely bare and totally plundered. Our pride and loftiness. Ton honoring the Lord!
Isaiah 2:3 Come let’s go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of Jacob. He will teach us about his ways so that we may walk in his ways.
We come up to the mountain every morning studying God’s word. I pray that it will settle in my heart. This also made me think of a favorite song of mine from Patty Griffin – Up To The Mountain:
I went up to the mountain
Because you asked me to
Up over the clouds
To where the sky was blue
I could see all around me
Everywhere
I could see all around me
Everywhere
Sometimes I feel like
I’ve never been nothing but tired
And I’ll be walking
Till the day I expire
Sometimes I lay down
No more can I do
But then I go on again
Because you ask me to
Some days I look down
Afraid I will fall
And though the sun shines
I see nothing at all
Then I hear your sweet voice, oh
Oh, come and then go, come and then go
Telling me softly
You love me so
The peaceful valley
Just over the mountain.
The peaceful valley
Few come to know
I may never get there
Ever in this lifetime
But sooner or later
It’s there I will go
Sooner or later
It’s there I will go
Lord, when I start to look more like the world and less like you, stop me! Convict me and change my heart. I thank you for the restoration that has taken place in my life and I pray for continued restoration in all the places of me that are broken, hurting, sinful, ect. Restore to me the joy of my salvation every morning. Amen!
Thank you Lord for showing up in my life even when it’s in ways that I wouldn’t choose. When I look back, I so clearly see your hand in every decision!
The biggest place I need restoration in my life is remembering how poerful God is and also how His pace is so much slower than mine. I am in a season of in-betweens. Dating for 6 years but not married, living in a temporary house where I have no clue where I will go next. I want to trust that God is working out all the details and he knows my heart’s desires. I want to slow down and enjoy each day that he has laid in front of me instead of trying to rush to the next thing/keep up with the rest of the world!
Dear Heavenly Father, please grace me with your forgiveness so that I may one day live with you.
I need restoration in the depth of my relationship and understanding of God and scripture. I want to crave more and I know that will come from discipline and prayer and trusting Him. I saw the beauty of restoration in today’s scripture when it talks about God swallowing up death forever and wipe away all our tears.
SARAH…..When I was a young (although I was considered and older mom) and first time mom, a dear friend told me to SLEEP when my baby sleeps. Not to worry about the house or anything else, but to SLEEP when my baby slept which meant I was sleeping during the day. TODAY, that precious sweet baby is 22 years old. How I sometimes want to go back to holding him in my arms. AND today, he is still very sweet and loves his mama and his sister.
Isaiah 25:6 On this mountain, the LORD of Armies will prepare for all the peoples a feast of choice meat, a feast with aged wine, prime cuts of choice meat, find vintage wine.
I love this verse and so many other verses where a life with Christ is paralleled to the enjoyment of food. Pleasure and feasting. As someone who helps women improve their relationship with food and body in my work, I notice the stark contrast to the messages we get from diet culture about food to the way it is used to describe an abundant life with Christ in the Bible. This is particularly true this month as food is positioned to be something we use (or don’t use) to change our bodies.
@Sarah – I hope you read all these encouraging messages. Grace to you, new mom. You will get through this. Praying that for all you moms raising your babies now ❤️
I know this is not as big as issue as many others are facing, but I have been home for three days sick and am dreading the coming snow storm bc it means another two days at home. I have been feeling really upset and unproductive this way. God said He would provide financially for me, which I trust, but I feel useless and annoyed at my body. I am a very conscious person of staying healthy, so when I get sick it feels so anti-me. Lol. I know not every person here is so privileged. I spent many years enslaved to an eating disorder and overweight as a child, so now that I am closer with the Lord I am diligent in keeping routines of health, as to be a good steward and stay well.
Anyways. Please pray that I don’t waste my time, even though I am sick. Also praying for healing which hasn’t fully come yet.
@Kerry and @Libby K- really enjoy your testimonies. ❤️
Happy FRIDAY sweet She’s!! My last day,(actually still have the weekend) before school/work starts back up on Monday. When reading Isaiah 43:16-19 verses 18-19 reminded me of my senior quote back in 1986! (Yep, almost 37 years ago) I am almost sure or at least I think the Paul reiterates these verses in Phil 3:13-14 when he is talking about forgetting what is behind and straining for what is ahead. Phil 3:13-14 was/is my senior quote. I remember as a young christian (I had only been saved for about 2 years when I graduated) loving this verse and how important it was for me to leave my old self behind and move forward. Today in 2024 almost 37 years later (May 1986) its still important and after going through a difficult marriage, it’s vital for me to move forward. I will never forget what happened to my kids and I, BUT I can move forward and forgive (and have set boundaries). My kids and I were just having that conversation in the car yesterday one of them is still having hard time. WE extended grace! And I love how my son just loved on his sister, no pressure, simply just LOVED on her.
The reading was heavy today with destruction but lead to the beauty of restoration. The image of a surgeon repairing an infected part of the body came to mind. If he does not completely clean and disinfect the corrupted/infected area, then any attempts to repair and restore that part of the body will be in vain. The infection will return and the process will have to be repeated or corruption will continue. This is like what Isaiah describes. The destruction and annihilation of sin is hard to read about and digest, yet there can be no complete restoration and healing without the destruction of sin and corruption. The joy will come. God will make all things new, but the old must pass away first.
I am new here!! Started with the advent reading and now joining the She’s! The first couple of readings were very hard, but then I saw the beauty and what he is really wanting for us!! Behold I am doing a new thing…he is doing a new thing and we can as well!
The biggest restoration I need in my life is to recognize that I am not in control and that I can trust in God’s plan and timing. We had our first baby this fall and all the time leading up to it I stressed about finding our perfect home and was crushed when the one I thought was for us fell through. We never ended up finding a home and still live in our small place that is family owned. I was so angry and heart broken only to realize now that this home is such a blessing for us. Not having to worry about a mortgage allows me to stay home with my baby. God had greater plans. I want to always remember this in times of stress and anxiety about where my life is going next.
Ive chose this year to use the serenity prayer daily..
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
Wow, I guess where I need restoration in my life is to be able to trust more! I’ve always been a worst case scenario person. God has been teaching me to let go of that in order to walk in His joy again!
Oh but that last verse! That just sung to my heart! He is making all things new! I love that God is a God of reclamation and restoration!
I would ask for mighty prayers this afternoon, ladies, as I meet with my sister and then my brother after 7 years! My brother Tom is a Christian but won’t forgive our older brother for past wrongs. Would you please pray that God will allow my brothers to actually meet and reconcile? It’s a very tall order but God is the author and creator of miracles and can make everything new! Thank you She’s!!!❤️❤️❤️
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I think we all need restoration. Which is why we all long for the day of Jesus returning! In the ‘in between’ I pray we stay anchor led to Christ, rooted in His word and guided by the love He shows us (through His mercy) every day! Lord help me be obedient to You alone (not my selfish ways) and put You first everyday! Happy Fridays She’s! Peace and love to you all! PS Sarah- hang in there sister ! I feel obligated to tell you as soon as you and babe get into a better rhythm of sleep something will change (either teething, or gas from starting food, the list can go on forever) so please hold on tight to God and the strength only He can provide. As a mom of three I vividly remember many late nights (early mornings) crying out to God while hold my precious babe trying to get them to sleep and then being nudged to just sit in the moment and be held by God. Also I always sang Jesus loves me while rocking my kids to remind me of whose arms I was being held in. You got this girl!!!
I need restoration in my life. I need God to keep me on the right path and give me wisdom and understanding for situations in my life.
Ouch! Today’s readings are tough for many in our world. But He has allowed us to believe that He saves us. Let us share that with the multitudes around us, sweet sisters!
What a call to open my eyes to see my own heart for what it is to its core. How I need Jesus to forgive, redeem, and restore. These words were so encouraging to the hope we have even when we are being disciplined. The hope we have even when all feels destroyed. My dad was recently diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. It’s metastasized to his bones and other regions, and he is new to a relationship with Jesus. I was able to encourage him this morning with ”He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”“
Isaiah 25:8-9
I have a 3 month old, and a 4 year old, and I’m just so grateful to be back in the word again ❤️
Isaiah 2:11 The pride of mankind will be humbled, and human loftiness will be brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted on that day.
Isaiah 25:8 When he has swallowed up death once and for all, the Lord God will wipe away the tears from every face and remove his people’s disgrace from the whole earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
Isaiah 43:19 Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.
The consequences of sin! Mankind has taken freewill and run with it. Like He did with Adam and Eve in the garden, He will deal with sin once and for all. We see His compassion again in 25:18.
43:19 is like a breath of hope rising out of the debris left behind.
TINA – So good to see you back! Continued prayers! ❤
There’s so much in the scripture readings today, but the thing that stands out to me is how God is cleaning out all the stuff that doesn’t have value. He’s getting rid of things that don’t matter to our eternal life with Him. And that is something we can do now. We can simplify our lives and focus on the things that matter eternally. Like I’ve said before, I work in finance/financial planning. I see people store up financial riches only to leave them all here for someone else. Houses are sold, bank accounts are divided up, retirement accounts are transferred to a beneficiary. None of this stuff is of importance to eternal life with Jesus. Yes, I believe we should be smart with money, be frugal, be generous givers; but to spend a life time storing up something that only has value on this earth is not God’s plan for us. Matthew 6:33 is a very familiar verse: Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and “anything we need God will give us”. (quotes are my interpretation). We can start having a little bit of heaven in our lives now when we turn away from what culture tells us we need and focus on God and being righteous people, and trust that He will give us what we need to live here joyfully. I love that God is always in the business of restoring us, restoring us to a full intimate relationship with Him which brings joy and peace to our daily lives now.
Hi Shes, I need some prayer and support. Last night, I realized I have an issue with lethargy and it’s affecting my work. Looking back, lethargy affected my academics and extracurriculars in high school and especially my academics in university. The passages I’m leaning into are Ecclesiastes 3 (a time for everything, this is a time for work) and Colossians 3:17 (do everything for Jesus and give thanks).
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Please be praying for the community of Perry Iowa. They had a shooting at the high school yesterday and my heart just breaks for them. Lord, please be close to the children, teachers, and families of those affected. Please help them and draw them to You. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Restoration in my marriage and in family relationships. I can’t control what others do but as long as it depends on me, Lord, help me be at peace with everyone.
Blessings to you Sonjab. (I’m sorry, but for some reason I’m not able to reply directly to your message.) I was a single mom for a really long time. I can tell you that the Lord is your best and strongest support in raising your kids and just doing life. I’m married now, and my husband is amazing, but it’s still no less true that God is my ultimate source. Rely on him for strength, guidance, patience, your daily bread. I’ll be praying with you as well. Love you, dear sister!
I too need so much restoration in my life.
I’ve currently come across this Bible and my desire for building my relationship with God. I want this year to be a year of strengthening and enlightenment in my faith. I love reading your comments because I struggle with understanding. I have an idea but you all put it so simply. I’m so thankful. As a single mom I struggle with Gods plan for me and my family. But I feel like this desire to know him more is him telling me to focus and rely on him . And him Only. So thank you for breaking it down and making it easier for me to grow in understanding his word .
I’m seeking restoration in my family unit as there is so much pain shame jealousy and hurt. I want healthy boundaries , mutual respect peace, joy and love . I pray God makes all things new as his word says for the adults but more importantly for the children. I need restoration financially as I navigate new landscapes as a business owner. I’m working on discipline order and joy this year so the restoration and renewal of my mind and spirit daily is paramount.
I know that god doesn’t expect us to be perfect but to continue to right according to his will. The idea of restoration helps me to know that even though we have lived lives of sin, God makes us new again and creates us in his own image. It’s our responsibility to listen to God and what that is….enter the Bible.
This was a tough read this morning. But we need to read ALL of His truth. Not just the promises that make us smile and feel good. But how disobedience is corrected in a sense.
Good morning, sweet SRT sisters! I am up early today for an appointment so want to take a moment to call out some names of sisters I am praying for. I wish I had time to comment on each one but you know what your needs are and, most importantly, God knows. JANE BLORE, SHERYL, SHAMRA HICKS, CATHERINE MCVEY, MARGARET BENTON, SARAH, STEPHANIE WILSEY, MARISSA, SARAH D, MERCY and TINA, MARYA, GLORIA DALEBOUT, GRAMIESUE and all others that are constantly in my prayers—God sees your needs and your heartaches. He will carry you through!
Love to all! ❤️
So many areas I need restoration of my heart. My job, marriage, anxiety & worry. But God You make all things new. Ignite in me a passion for the life you have put in front of me. In Jesus name, Amen
Aimee, your words are written as if they were mine. Praying for you my sister in Christ. ❤️
After all the destruction from the previous chapter, I love the imagery from Isaiah 25:4. God purges the evil, but then provides refuge for and poor and needy. He is shelter in a rainstorm, shade from the heat. It’s hard to read those beginning versus, but he has to deal with the sin and evil in order to make things new. I need daily restoration, purging the pride from my heart so that I can reap the reward of His refuge and shelter.
Reading the undoing is terrifying because I know areas where I am extremely lacking. I struggle with idolizing social media and other people’s lives, and not living my own Christ centered life. But I found hope and celebration in Isaiah 43, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”
This past year, while it’s been rough reading the ways in which God’s people (and thus, us too) have been disobedient, it’s also given me hope because God has restored them when they truly repented. However, it is both encouraging, yet slightly terrifying, when I see the condition of our current world. What does God thinks when He sees our world today? When He sees the word so readily available to all, yet so many do not repent either because they do not believe in God or they are guided by faulty Christian doctrine interpreted to fit their lives and not the other way around. As my pastor says— we know how this story ends and we are in the winning team. But what about those who don’t know the good news of the Gospel? So, my prayer is that God equips and uses us to give more of ourselves to His great commission and point the stray sheep towards Him, so that one day they can experience the fullness of His love and can experience when He will restore humanity and make the whole universe new again.
January 5
Isaiah 43:
3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
Father, I am so grateful for restoration. I am precious and honored in your sight. I am loved by you. Thank you for gathering me and my family. We are created and formed for your glory. Hallelujah!
He is making all things new…we are coming to the end of the ages, to His Second Coming. While things will only get worse before getting better, we know He is returning soon…one day soon He will wipe away the tears and we will worship Him face to face. A joy and a delight I can’t fully comprehend but I am just so excited for this day and all He is doing and going to do!!!
First – if you haven’t listened to this weeks podcast you should!
My celebration image is the feast. Breaking bread together. I want to be part of the new things!
Dearest Sarah,
As a mother to a 3-month-old who just recently started sleeping through the night, I see you. The newborn phase is a super tough one, but it won’t last forever. It’ll gradually get better as your baby grows and you both learn each other. I’m praying for you right now.
God also sees you and cares deeply for you. One of the things that I love most about God is that, even though He manages and moves big things like nations and stars millions of light years away, He loves and takes delights in even the smallest things, like single-celled organisms, sparrows, and even us. He rejoices over us with singing. He cares about and numbers every hair on our head. He’s the God who sees us; and He sees you, dear Sarah. He hears you. May His Spirit comfort, refresh, and renew you.
Tina I agree. It’s a bit rough first thing in the morning. Thankful for the reminder that this is not our home.
Thank you for your comments and insights, ladies! Such an encouraging balm. I agree with Karen – – God’s righteousness is necessary for restoration. And His justice, making all things right again. Returning that which needs to be returned and paying out that which needs to be paid. God is indeed doing a new thing. I wonder if our response will be like the response to these readings… A mix of fear and trepidation and joy. What will the restoration look like? What means will He use? But, through it all, He is full of goodness and love. He takes care of His children.
Isaiah 25:6-8 “On this mountain, the Lord of Armies will prepare for all the peoples a feast of choice meat, a feast with aged wine, prime cuts of choice meat, fine vintage wine.
On this mountain he will swallow up the burial shroud,
the shroud over all the peoples, the sheet covering all the nations.
When he has swallowed up death once and for all, the Lord God will wipe away the tears from every face and remove his people’s disgrace from the whole earth, for the Lord has spoken.”
It is vereses like this that give me hope when I am weary of doing good, of loving my neighbor, of turning the other cheek, of walking the extra mile, of asking for forgiveness…
MARYA – sorry for your loss. Praying the Lord give you a tangible sense of His peace in your grief.
Some Harsh reading this early in the morning in the first couple of Isaiah passages..
BUT GOD..
Thankful for the latter readings.. Phew!
Chapter 43, verse 18 says.. “Do not cling to the events of the past, or dwell on what happened long ago.. ”
That is a hard one! I don’t think I cling to the events of the past, I do remember them however, and yes, some days, my heart hurts as I remember, does that mean I dwell there? Hopefully not.
Verse 19, brings hope.
BUT GOD..
Watch for the new thing I am going to do.
It is happening already– you can see it now!
I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there.
SELAH.
What words of Hope. What words to sooth a heart, longing for restoration and undoing of the past.
Sitting in these words today as I navigate life, knowing my God is ahead of the game, making things new..
BUT GOD..
AMEN..
HAPPY Friday, dear hearts, Happy Friday!
Is. 43:19 I am doing a New Thing! In this New Year 2024 I believe God has so much more in store and he is opening up New Doors. What New Things are you doing in and Through our Lives oh Lord?
The readings in Isaiah provide a sound of comfort. A comfort in knowing that God knows and sees all, and will address all accordingly through His righteous judgment. God’s righteousness judgment establishes His foundation for restoration to be realized on this Earth, thus the lives of His people – that is Us!!! Thank you Lord!
My dearest SRT sisters, Thank you so so very much for your kind words, that for sure have felt like a letter from home! Soothing, loving, encouraging, and a salve for my soul and aching heart.
My daughter when she was younger, used to say to me when she had a pain.. “Put a plaster on it, make it better” YOU have been my plaster, with your prayers.. Thank you!
Feeling the love and care of each of you beautiful ladies, Again.. Thank you.
Sending love and hugs wrapped in prayers for all, requests or otherwise..
Emmanuel God with us..
Amen.
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Dearest SARAH, Congratulations on the arrival of your little one!❤
As a mother, grandmother and recently becoming a great grandma, I wonder if I could say to you, this little person, will only be this little for a short season.. As they grow and find strength and bones get stronger, life for you will take a different turn..you will get the much needed sleep, and the wisdom will come as you find your feet in the amazingly wonderful, yet scary job of being mom. Your struggles are early day’s struggles, trust me, it will get better.
You are doing wonderfully. Keep asking God for the strength, He is there with you.. This season shall pass and life will be glorious and gay as the little one also finds a rhythm of sleep.
You are doing beautifully..
Every blessing and prayers for a good and God blessed day for you and your little one..❤
God as my refuge from the storms and hope for His people. Good will silence the violent!
This is a hard set of readings to reflect on. I have a newborn baby who I love to pieces, but most of my prayers right now are me earnestly asking the Lord for strength, for sleep, for wisdom as I make a million tiny decisions a day to try and take good care of this precious life that’s been entrusted to me, even as I struggle to survive myself. Maybe it’s just where I’m currently at emotionally, spiritually, and physically, but I felt discouraged as I read these scriptures, as if my own situations are too small for God to care for in the grand scheme of things, not to mention that it always hard to read about God being the Lion, not just the Lamb.
Sarah – even though the “big things” are happening all around us, God is still concerned with the things that we consider small. Funny story for you. I received a bird feeder for Christmas and I love it. Birds have been gathering and I love seeing all the different kinds. So I was telling my friend about it over coffee and how I wish I would have kept this book of birds that my grandma had when I was growing up. Very next day, I went to a vintage store and what is right in front of me? That very book! All of this to say, I felt like it was a wink from God. He cares over even the littlest things that we think are silly. He cares that having a new baby is TOUGH. He cares that being tired and sad and not knowing how to parent is probably weighing you down a bit. And He cares about this all the while He cares that there are awful wars and evil and sadness all over His creation. I hope this helps you today. Your problems aren’t too small for our Father.
He really does care about the small things. We moved country’s with only a suitcase each and shortly after we landed in a new country my father passed away. This week I was feeling heart sore about having to leave keepsakes and heirlooms – specifically an antique bowl my father had given me. Having lost both my parents and not having anything tangible to remember them by see silly in light of these verses right? But the very next day there was a gift on my doorstep from some one I met 2 months ago – in it was an antique silver platter. It came with a letter describing its history and a heartfelt encouragement and expression of their joy that we were here. It was an invitation and a reminder to me that we are now a part of Gods inheritance – he is doing something new. Creating paths in the wilderness and rivers in the dessert. God really is our father who knows the inward cries of our hearts and blesses us without us even asking,