Take this day to catch up on your reading, pray, and rest in the presence of the Lord.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.”
—John 14:18
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83 thoughts on "Grace Day"
Amen thank God that he will never leave me
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I love that God is with me even when I don’t feel him. ❤️ I pray that I would rely on that truth today!
From John MacArthur –
Beginning in chap. 13, Jesus moved completely away from public ministry to private ministry with those who had received Him.
Chapters 13–17 were spoken by Jesus as a farewell on the night of His betrayal and arrest to communicate His coming legacy to His followers (chaps. 13–16) and pray for them (chap. 17). The cross was only one day away.
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From Easton’s Bible Dictionary –
(Lam. 5:3) i.e., desolate and without protectors. The word occurs only here. In John 14:18 the word there rendered “comfortless” (R.V., “desolate;” marg., “orphans”) properly means “orphans.” The same Greek word is rendered “fatherless” in James 1:27
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Thanks, Vicki and Wendy for the reading prompt! ❤
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Thank You, Jesus for not leaving us hopeless, comfortless, or desolate. You are our firm foundation! Praise You for that! ❤
Amen! ❤️
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Amen ❤
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Thank you Lord… for not abandoning us. For comforting us. For being a gracious loving Father. We praise You. Amen!
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I believe this promise! He said it. I believe it! I know, that I know OUR Jesus is with us even when we don’t “feel” Him. I’m holding onto the very tail end of my two-week break and though I LOVE my job and can’t wait to see the kiddos as I missed them SO much, its back to EARLY morning wake-up time,(4:15-4:30AM) BUT that’s OK as I get hang out with all you early risers. I thank my Father God, my JESUS for allowing me to sleep-in, rest, hang-out with my kiddos and friends and with all-of-you! MY HEART is SO warm and filled with JOY and THANKFUL for you all and for your generosity. Praying for all of you this morning!
MARI – re: law library
You may be able to do some research online at law dot Cornell dot edu – they have federal and all states available
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If you know the regulation or code section (for instance – California Code Regs. Title 2,
§ 554.1), you can search in your browser like this –
Cal. Code Regs. Title 2, 554.1 law dot Cornell dot edu
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It should take you straight to the location
Thank you Searching…I will try that first. Especially since I wouldn’t be able to make it till Friday since its the only day I get off early enough. One-day-at-a-time.
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Something I read this week said that God is “our Father”. And we are fully known by Him.
Fully known.
Deeply.
Personally.
Exhaustively.
There is not a single area of your life that He is not aware of. Even if you are walking through deep valleys and dark storms, God’s guiding hand is on your life and He promises to meet your needs.
Our Father is not indifferent to our needs.
His gaze is always on us.
God knows not only our actions, our hearts, our frame and our days…He also knows best! He is infinite in His wisdom.
Our lives are full of instability, but amid the chaos we are hemmed in behind and before by the God, the Father, who knows us, loves us, and guides us.
This really spoke to me as Steve and I are walking through a deep valley, trying to save his business after we have entrusted it to others during Steve’s health issues in the last 3 yrs. And by the way, thank you sisters, for all of your prayers. The brain cancer hasn’t recurred and he seems to be getting feeling (pain) back in his feet and legs!!
We can have hope and live by faith, knowing that in the end, there is a plan behind the problems we face.
God is using the dark threads and deep knots in our lives to transform us into the image of His Son! (There is a poem about that somewhere).
Our deepest lessons are learned from the deepest suffering! Believers are refined in the furnace of affliction.
Our Father holds us in His saving, sovereign, and loving hands.
We are not orphans!
Amen!
Hugs to all of you on this frosty morning! ❤️
So good. thank you ❤️
So very good and so true. Thank you Gramiesue for these truths. Continued prayers for you and Steve.❤️
Yes, Amen! So good Sue!!
And Praise God for Steve’s continued improvements and clear scans!!
Thank you GramsieSue. ❤ So good and do true. Praise God for Steve and prayers for his continued recovery.
Gramiesue your comments have touched me deeply this evening! He does have a plan and I need to focus my eyes on Him and not get weighed down in the heaviness of the problems. Thank you!
Praying and praising with you!
Oh GramsieSue,
Thank you for these precious words. This is exactly what I needed to read and be reminded of as I often feel like an orphan now that both of my parents reside in heaven. I’ve been going through the fire with our son and my husband being in battle. Our mental illness and addiction are hard to live with and the animosity between him and his dad, my husband is killing me. I actually felt as if my body was shutting down the other night. Praise God that His mercies are mes every morning and no matter what happens I get to continue to praise Him and thank Him for who He is. He is good all of the time despite these awful circumstances. God bless you and Steve and I pray that the Great Physician continues to heal Him in Jesus’s name, Amen❤️
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There is so much comfort and hope in this one scripture. Knowing that God will never leave me alone and will return to me fills me with joy. My father passed away many years ago and my mother passed away in 2019. I am adopted as well with no other family except my two young adult children, so this passage has great meaning to me.
Welcome, Helen to She Reads Truth. We She’s are SO glad your’re here with us. I am SO grateful for YOU!!
Hello Helen S
We are so glad you have joined our community of She Reads Truth (She’s ) and that you are communicating your thoughts and needs
we will pray for you and “talk” to you through this forum and this is a safe place for you to speak as freely as you like.
We are a sisterhood and followers of God and we are so glad to meet you
Little life update. They made me and my friend who help run a local cafe officially managers on New Year’s Day. When I was hired back in March 2024, I told them I did not want to be full-time or their manager bc I have another job (Instacart– which I truly enjoy and use to meet neighbors & evangelize). But at this point, we already are acting as managers, so it makes sense to step into it, officially. We are currently still negotiating pay and other responsibilities.
The man who has caused issues is not under me, he basically runs the kitchen (alone) and we are in charge of everything else. Things are not too different as far as his attitude, but God continues to give me wisdom as I work. :)
I am not sure God’s plan for me doing Instacart. Going to try and continue doing it as long as it doesn’t interfere with cafe work.
I hope you ladies are having a good new year. I am offline (social media) for January as usual and feels good ❤️
Still praying for you @Danielle B ❤️
Thank you, Michelle, for the update. Proud of you and your friend, doing what was needed even before being ‘official’ – that speaks highly of you both❤️
Praying for you about the workplace atmosphere and any decisions regarding instacart.
Thank you, Searching — the Lord bless you ❤️❤️
Thank you Michelle P! ❤️
Good morning! I’m catching up on Thursday’s reading. This stood out to me — “We are not alone in this world, and we are not left to our devices. We have power from on high, the Spirit of all wisdom and truth, leading and directing our steps. He empowers us to live in God’s love and in His will.”
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Praising God for His Holy Spirit that dwells in us. His presence is ever with us – we are never alone! Not only is He with us, He gives us power from on high! Which reminds me that “I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13…Praise God the Spirit leads and directs our steps and gives the wisdom we need at the moment we need it! So much to praise God for in all of these truths.
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And today, the reminder that He did not leave us as orphans… My mom passed away January 2011 and my dad October 2022. It was then that I remember saying to my husband, I’m and orphan now. I didn’t truly feel the effects until a year or so later, after the house was sold and now there was no “gathering place” for the family when I came home for a visit. I just came back from RI – a few times during that visit I passed by the road to the home I grew up in – Butter Lane, and it was sad to think – that used to be my home up that road, now it’s not. It saddened me.
But God – He never leaves me, He has not left me as an orphan. He is always my Father and He takes care of me – Praise God for my heavenly Father who never leaves me or forsakes me, I am His and He is mine – forever and ever!!
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Praying for your requests, especially those that I’ve just seen from Thursday’s posts…
@Mari V – prayers for your continuing court cases.
@Deanna Warkentin – prayers that you will continue to be surrounded by family and friends and never feel lonely in spite of your losses.
@Danielle B – that the blood thinners will continue to work to keep away blood clots.
@Sarah M. – That God will ease your pain of being judged by your family.
@Laura – to maintain your goals of treasuring what God has done and is doing in your family.
@Rhonda ❤️
@Tina ❤️
@Traci G. ❤️
@Lynne from Alabama ❤️
@Linda in NC ❤️
@Searching ❤️
@Kelly Neo ❤️
@Foster Mama ❤️
@Grammiesue ❤️
@Cheryl Blow ❤️
@Cee Gee ❤️
And @ all of my sisters here that are far to many to remember – ❤️ – continuing prayers for you all!
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Update on Natalie – she came home from the hospital last night, praise the Lord! Thank you all who prayed for her!!!
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Happy Saturday!
Aw Sharon. ❤️ I pray you feel God’s comfort in the place of your parents. ❤️ love you and peace to you and your family this weekend.
First. Thank you Sharon, your prayers mean a LOT to me. For now I’m just gathering information which will involve a trip the Law Library. Didn’t know there was such a thing. Not sure I know what I’m doing, but God does! Also. Philippians 4:13 is my LIFE verse!! Thank you for sharing!
Sharon, my mom passed away in May 2009 and my dad passed away February 2010. I remember having the same thought of being an orphan and it surprised me! Like you I have no gathering place anymore. Both of my sisters are gone and I can’t break through to my only surviving sibling (brother). I am so THANKFUL for you sweet sisters in Christ! Praise Gid Natalie got discharged. Prayers for her and the family during recovery. ❤
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Thankful for Natalie’s improvement!!
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Thank you Sharon!
You remain in my heart and prayers, Danielle! ❤
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❤️❤️ thank you! God is using you all in my life as an encouragement in all the growth He is doing in my life!
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Vicki M prompted me to further look to the context of this verse and I read all of John 14 – such a rich passage. A few verses earlier, ‘Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 Once we acknowledge and profess with our own hearts that He is the way, we further read He does not leave us alone and the promise of His presence is ours. A relationship with the Lord surrounds us with His presence. What a great comfort that is. My father passed away 9 yrs ago and in those earlier days of loss, there was a numbing feeling of father loss and “now what” even though my Mom was (is) still with us. It was indeed a loneliness but I did feel a great comfort from the Lord and His presence. In the last few years especially, I have faced loneliness in different ways; the season of life altering illness and unknowns on the heels of still in place covid restrictions,followed by less connecting to protect my frail health, trying to heal and recover. Launching kids into adulthood, empty nesting- all of these coincided. I have had to physically be alone for countless stretches of time while battling anxiety and significant medical trauma PTSD. There was/has been these gut punch moments that have been incredibly difficult. And yet, not once did I feel abandoned by my Jesus. I had/have questions, I cried out to Him, I prayed and I always new He was faithfully present. Knowing that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and years ago making Him the Lord of my life, set me on a path of seeking Him, abiding in Him and knowing the Truth of who is He. And so, even in the valley of the shadow of death, in the darkest night of the soul, I knew (and know) I am not abandoned or alone. These truths are what I cling to, the words of Jesus are precious and a great hope that we are not alone. Thank you, Father.
As always ladies, the sharing, insights and encouragement for you all is truly a blessing. Thank you❤️
What a tribute to Jesus’ love and your faithfulness.
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“These truths are what I cling to, the words of Jesus are precious and a great hope that we are not alone. Thank you, Father.”
Amen, Wendy! Thank you for this moving testimony of your faith walk. ❤ Hugs, dear sister!
Yes, Amen!
Thank you, Wendy – moving testimony of faith ❤️
Thank you Wendy for sharing your heart ❤️
You are a blessing to us with a powerful testimony and continued faith!
Amen! So powerful. Thank you Wendy.❤ There’s so much encouragement in your testimony for us. But I’m so sorry you’ve had to carry so much.
Wendy thank you for sharing more of your testimony! It’s a great encouragement to me!
So thankful that we never walk alone. God has also given us our church, other believers (the body of Christ) for our family.
One morning after Taner died, as I was praying, I remember crying out for my mom. She had died 3 years prior. I needed her so badly right then.
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But God was there. He offered me comfort. He gave me strength to endure such a tremendous loss. He comes to us when we call out.
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The word Orphan…I look at it differently now. When are you too old to call yourself an orphan? I have already lost both parents (Praise God they are in Heaven and I will see them again). But I have been without both parents since I was 43. (I am now 46). I do feel like an orphan, though I have older people in my life who like to love on me. Just curious. But this verse…I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.” John 14:18. It means so much more these days. I am so grateful that I can lean into my God for comfort and peace; for security and hope. He is there and He will never leave me. What a blessing that is. ❤️. Lifting you in prayers this cold, Saturday morning!
So thankful, Jesus!
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SHARON JERSEY GIRL – praying for
Natalie, Andrew & Vanessa.
I just turned to the context of this verse.
‘… the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long the world will not see me any more, but you will see me. Because I live you also will live.’
I wonder if the disciples really understood then what Jesus was promising them. Maybe it wasn’t until they saw his resurrected body that they remembered this promise. Or maybe it was when they received the Holy Spirit that they understood – He had not left them as orphans.
I lost my mother to cancer at 15. My father was never much present as I was growing up, or after she died. So although not an orphan per se, I know the lostness and confusion of the absence of a trusted parent who I could turn to with everything and in everything.
BUT GOD! (as Tina reminds us).
I/(we) share the same promise as the disciples – “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you”. And He didn’t abandon me and He came to me! He is with me and remains with me. I know Him and He is in me. Because of Jesus I am my Father’s child. I am a daughter of a King.
I rejoice and rejoice! I am so very thankful for His faithful love that never lets me down and never leaves me alone!
Happy Saturday, sisters!
Amen! So good!
Thank you for prompting me to look at the entire passage and for sharing your testimony. I’m sorry you experienced such a significant, life changing loss at a tender age. Praise the Lord for the ways He has carried your heart and met you.
Thank you, Vicki
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NLT- Puts it 18 No, I will not Abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.
Have you ever felt abandoned? Alone? Left? Yes, I assume we all have at some point on our journey. But oh how our hearts hurt when we think of “orphaned” children. No one to love and mother them, take care of them, to nurture them. It breaks our heart. Just those abandoned dog commercials, where they are sickly skinny and shivering in the cold can make us cry and want to send money. But we all have an orphaned soul down in us because no one can fill it except our Father in Heaven. We were made for him. He created us in the womb in his likeness, to be his children. The misconception is we are all his children, true everyone is loved by God, but we don’t become his until we receive the salvation of Jesus, becoming a co-heir with him. So until we accept this precious gift we will always feel a hole, a longing in our soul for love in a way that only a Savior can provide.
I have to admit I took this great gift mostly for granted since I grew up a Christian, the same way I did my parents! I loved them and cherished them but you know, didn’t spend “real” time with them until much later in adulthood. And then after my mom died did it really hit me how valuable she was to me. My dad is still here, and just yesterday while talking with him he said how none of us were living near him to come fix a broken door. He was throwing a jab of how we all moved away. (although it’s been decades!) It makes me sad that we are far away. He feels abandoned, and that breaks my heart.
Lord, I am so thankful that we can be reunited with you through your Son Jesus! That we are never truly abandoned with You, the restorer of our Spirit! That our Father in Heaven made a way for us all, if only we receive it, the true gift, of everlasting, eternal life. I am a daughter. I am forever loved, belonging, sheltered, known, seen!! It is an overwhelming, beautiful, amazing emotion and I am humble and grateful! Praise God, amen!
❤ you said it so well, Rhonda!
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Knowing I’m never alone though I’m physically alone has given me such solace lately, especially the last few days. I was with my parents in Delaware and my dad went with me to the ER Monday. I initially was anxious about coming home and being alone. But God was with me and makes His presence known to me. I’ve been listening the song Tremble by Mosaic at bedtime and often find the lyrics in my heart and mind when my sleep is a struggle.
Waiting with anticipation on your return Lord Jesus!
Lifting you to Jesus, dear friend! ♥️
Joining with Carol in lifting you up, Danielle. He has you. ❤
Have prayed you feel the Lord’s strength and presence near abd surrounding you❤️
You’re sister are here with you sweet Danielle!
** YOUR Sisters!
You remain in my heart and prayers, Danielle! ❤
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Thank you sweet sisters! I’m grateful for you all! As an extrovert aloneness is hard, yet God is repeating to me to come to Him first.
I became an earthly orphan 6 years ago, when my mum died. My daddy had passed away, 4 years earlier. I do remember thinking I am an orphan now..
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BUT GOD..
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He says through Jesus, who knows His time is coming to suffer and die on the cross for our sins, our mistakes.
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I will not leave you as orphans, I am coming to you..
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KJV, says..
I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you..
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Here’s my take on this verse, our earthly parents cannot and could never make such a promise, when they are called home, BUT GOD can..
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I am so very thankful, that No matter the journey, we are never left alone, or on our own. NEVER, EVER, because we are promised that Jesus is coming TO us,
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I had a picture of the Father running towards the prodigal son, as I wrote.. I image His coming TO-WARDS as we fall into sadness, and or grief or heartbreak.
Thank you Lord God, Thank you for your Son, Jesus, who came not only to redeem and save us, but to be with us through the thick and thin..
Thank you Father God, Thank you.
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Happy Saturday ma dears!
He is near.. Always..❤️
Yes!! (Our great God) Came down to us…as a baby in a manger…to live among us… and then when Jesus went back to Heaven… He sent His Holy Spirit to live IN us!! What a wonderful Father, Son and Holy Spirit! ♥️
Yes! He always comes toward us to meet us in whatever we are carrying. ❤
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Amen
Thank You Lord Jesus Christ!
Amen God is so faithful
This idea of loss, isn’t it why we fear death, this don’t need to fear death if we will never loose God.