Concluding Exhortation

Open Your Bible

Galatians 6:11-18, Jeremiah 9:23-24, Matthew 23:1-36, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

At summer camp, I won an award for having curly hair. The curliest, naturally curly hair. I felt pretty proud of myself that night. The next morning at breakfast I assumed everyone was whispering, “Is that the curly hair queen?” Yes, yes, it is I!

Sigh.

And goodness, isn’t this about the level of all the things we boast about? Things we truly have no control over? We can certainly work hard and make good choices. But our eye color and our physical achievements, our successes and our relationships—aren’t all these things really just gifts from God?

Instead of boasting in what amounts to little more than circumstances from our birth, we are called to boast in the Lord (Galatians 6:14). And “the one who boasts should boast in this: that he understands and knows me—that I am the LORD, showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things. This is the LORD’s declaration” (Jeremiah 9:24).

The Hebrew word for God’s enduring, covenantal love is hesed. In his book Inexpressible, Michael Card defines hesed beautifully as, “When the person from whom I have a right to expect nothing gives me everything.” Our boasting, then, is to be in the undeserved and overwhelming love of Christ, who—while we were His enemies, helpless in our sin—gave His life for us so that we could be children of God (Romans 5:6–11).

Paul’s benediction appeals to this same hesed as he spoke to the Galatian church that had foolishly followed after the false teachings of the Judaizers and wandered from the life of the Spirit. As he had earlier called on them to deal gently with those who are overtaken by sin, so also Paul dealt gently with the Galatians. Why? Because Christ had dealt gently with Paul. And so Paul can boast in one thing only: the hesed of God, seen most clearly in the cross of Christ. He exhorted the Galatians to do the same.

The apostle then blessed the Galatians with a benediction that can only result from the steadfast love of God. Because of God’s undeserved and faithful love, we have fellowship with one another. We have restoration when we are overtaken in sin and reconciliation with those we have offended, including Christ our Lord. Because of His love for us, we are part of the family of God, brothers and sisters, and co-heirs with Christ to the inheritance of God’s eternal kingdom.

Paul went on to bless the Galatians with the grace of Christ, for it is His grace alone which saves, restores, sustains, secures, and transforms us into His own likeness. This He does by the work of His Spirit in our spirits, in our hearts, and in our minds. In Him, we are a new creation (2Corinthians 5:17).

The final note of Paul’s epistle to the Galatians is a resounding praise of Christ, in whom alone we boast. Next time you get ready to toot your own horn over your own achievements, remember that there’s no need to rejoice over ourselves because our Creator already rejoices over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). Let His rejoicing over us be enough, and may we instead glory in Christ alone.

(87) Comments
[x]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

87 thoughts on "Concluding Exhortation"

  1. Emily Tucker says:

    ❤️❤️

  2. Searching says:

    ALEIDA – praying for Victor amid his many troubles. And praying for you, sister, as you stand by him in the challenges.

    1. AZ Walker says:

      Amen praying God will rejuvenate Aleda and praying for you Searching for rest and pain relief.

    2. Aleida Polanco says:

      Thank you so much. I truly covet your prayers❤️❤️

    3. Aleida Polanco says:

      Thank you my sister. Your prayers are truly felt❤️❤️

  3. Mercy says:

    Me again. Coming back as the Lord alerted me about something and I need to tell you. He was saying mental illness has been stealing my people’s sound mind. The enemy has caused the madness in the mind to steal my people. Prophesy against it (Therefore, son of man, prophesy against them loudly and clearly- Ezekiel 11:6). So dear shes, mothers, grandmothers, wives,join me as we take authority in the Name of Jesus (Luke 10:19, Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you), so we take our authority given by the King of kings Jesus, we cast out mental illness from our families, from our children, grandchildren, from our descendants coming from us in the future, from our bloodline, we prophesy against all manners of mental illness, anxiety, panic attack, depression, oppression, social fears, fears of success, fear of rejection, negative self talk, self sabotage, suicide, we come against it and we tear its assignments down in Jesus’ Name, we cancel all assignments of mental illness, we cancel its destruction and render it powerless now in the Name of Jesus. We prophesy that the sound mind to be restored to ourselves, to our children/grands and future generations, that none will deal with mental illness no more, by the power of the Lord. We cover our generations and forbid mental illness to come in to cause havoc, and destruction, even death, in our families. We degree and declare the Word of God over our children, that our seeds shall be mighty on the earth (Psalm 112:2), they shall live and declare the works of the Lord. We declare that the warfare that has been released against our children, grandchildren, now or in the future, to end now by the mighty arm of God, for the battle is the Lord (Psalm 35). I encourage you to pray and declare God’s words, and anoint your children’s head with oil, and bless their mind, their brain, speak strength and life over the afflicted kids/grandkids. May victory belong to God’s people. Be blessed dear sisters.

    1. Searching says:

      Amen

    2. Aleida Polanco says:

      Amen and Amen Mercy. My son Victor is one of those victims suffering from mental illness most of his life. I believe that’s why he chooses to make choices that just doesn’t make sense for a 28 year old. I echo all of those prayers for him and for all of our children in our SRT community. The enemy is having a field day with our kids and young adults and we need to put on the armor of God to fight him and remind him that the LORD has already won the fight on the cross❤️

    3. Wendy B says:

      Amen

  4. Mercy says:

    Happy Friday she’s
    I thank God for His word and His sharp truth that brings purity and clarity to our current day church landscape, full of man made doctrines, and demon inspired doctrines that got integrated, which seem deep and divine, but in the end, leads us away from Him, to exalt man and self gratification above God through self righteousness. The thing that stood out and was very dangerous to notice is the verse about the Pharisees who will go through length to make a convert, and then make them twice as bad as a child of hell (For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. Matthew 23:15). When I was a baby Christian, I was “fished” into a Pharisee pastor church, and it took so long to be undone from the self-righteousness snare. Legalism and its many forceful obligations using tactics of shame, guilt, and condemnation were damaging us. Each wrong doctrine has to be identified, unlearnt, retaught. Every behavior that was like a Pharisee, i had to watch, check the inventories, and repent and commit to change. Hard work! It is a scary place to be under a Pharisee. They multiply themselves unto you. I pray that our eyes be opened, our heart be sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and if God tells you to leave, LEAVE! (like He told me), may you have the courage to leave and detach yourself gracefully. It took me a while because of the fear of dishonoring them, but we finally did, we bowed our head and left. Lots of curses and evil words were sent our ways (to my shock). But we did it. Glory be to God.
    .
    LIFTING PRAYERS UP…
    @ALEIDA: I am so sorry for Victor’s car accident. One thing after another, I pray that he will agree to return home, to surrender his wishes, to be in recovery and in safety. He is in such a vulnerable state and I pray the covering of God’s Hand be upon Victor. May the Lord strengthen your heart with hope and comfort in this time. It will be well! Dry bones come back to life.
    @SHARON JG: for successful treatment for Jeff.
    @LAURA DIANE: echoing your prayers on forgiveness. May we be able to do it 70 times 7 by the grace of Jesus who enables us to the difficult thing for His glory, and our own freedom from bitterness.
    @RHONDA J: for strife to cease, love and reconciliation to come.
    @SEARCHING: I am so sorry hearing about the many troubles you are going through. Joining other sisters, we bind the pain and the spirit of infirmity causing this suffering, we bind it and we command it to leave in the Name of Jesus. We speak healing by His Stripes, freedom from pain and misery. We release the power of the Word that God gives rest to His beloved and we believe you shall sleep well. I am believing and pleading with God for you. May all be well.
    .
    Be blessed dear sisters.

    1. Searching says:

      Thank you, MERCY❤️

    2. Cee Gee says:

    3. Aleida Polanco says:

      Thank you again so much, Mercy!❤️

    4. Laura says:

      Thank you for this prayer, Mercy. My heart needs an overhaul because I am struggling to forgive and move on.

  5. Victoria E says:

    Aleida I’m not able to see your original post but I am praying for Victor along with the other sisters here.

    1. Cee Gee says:

      VICTORIA, herevis Aleida’s comment:
      ~
      ALEIDA POLANCO says:
      August 23, 2024 at 12:31 am
      Hello my sisters, once again I come begging for your prayers for my son, Victor. He was involved in a pretty serious car accident this afternoon. He missed a blind spot at a signal and hit another car. His car is totalled. Thankfully though just yesterday he finally got the car insured. Liability only though which means he’s lost his car. He’s heart broken because he says that was the only thing he owned and way he could stay in CA. He told me he wanted to sleep and never wake up again because his life is horrible. Those of you who have been praying for him know what he’s been through especially these last 2 years with his bipolar and addiction. It saddens me so much because just a week ago he told me that he was starting to pray again and that he had hope that things were turning around for him finally. He even told me that he didn’t want me worrying about him because he knows I also have other trials in my life right now that I’m concerned about.
      It seems like my son just can not get a break. I’ve been praying for YEARS and it’s one bad thing after another.
      Sisters, please also pray for me because I’m so discouraged right now that I don’t even know what or how to pray anymore for him. So I’m asking the Holy Spirit to intercede for me. All I can do is cry.”

  6. Audren says:

    At church last Sunday, the guest speaker was preaching on the war within of the Holy Spirit vs. the flesh. He said that we are always only one decision away from ruining our lives.
    No action that we can do can farther remove our sin, we are always one decision away from continuing in it. We can do nothing on our own, the Lord is the only One who keeps us moving forward.

  7. Traci Gendron says:

    Deal gently with those overtaken with sin. This made me think we need to also deal gently with ourselves when we get off track.

  8. GramsieSue says:

    To Wendy B:
    I have added you to my prayer list.
    My husband has an incurable cancer along with other health issues so I understand scanxiety. I pray you find treatments that keep you healthy and strong. Natural supplements are what we chose for Steve.
    Hugs to you sweet sister ❤️

    1. Wendy B says:

      Thank you so much

  9. Kris says:

    I just have to say this: After reading all the “woe’s” in Matthew, which are so poignant and true, there is a verse that our devotions don’t add, verse 37, which says “How often I wanted to gather your children together around Me, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.” After all the judgment, after calling them out, God was still yearning to draw them in and save them. He is so gracious and merciful and full of love and compassion for all people. Oh, lets not be unwilling to let God in, lets not be unwilling to let Him change us and make us into the people He desires us to be. Draw near to Him, let Him love you, let His mercies change your heart and life.

  10. Cheryl Blow says:

    We are new creations in Christ! Because of God’s great love for us. He gave us something we did not deserve and could not earn! God is our Good Father!

  11. Cee Gee says:

    “Let His rejoicing over us be enough, and may we instead glory in Christ alone.”
    ~
    Thank you for this excellent wrap-up, Rebecca! You still have great hair, by the way! (smiley face) ❤❤❤
    ~
    I love this older song by Mercy Me:
    Love of God by Mercy Me
    The love of God is greater far
    Than tongue or pen can ever tell
    It goes beyond the highest star
    And reaches to the lowest hell
    The guilty pair, bowed down with care
    God gave His Son to win
    His erring child He reconciled
    And pardoned from his sin
    Could we with ink the ocean fil
    And were the skies of parchment made
    Were every stalk on earth a quill
    And every man a scribe by trade
    To write the love of God above
    Would drain the ocean dry
    Nor could the scroll contain the whole
    Though stretched from sky to sky
    Hallelujah 3x
    O love of God, how rich and pure!
    How measureless and strong!
    It shall forevermore endure
    The saints’ and angels’ song
    Songwriters: Pete Kipley, Bart Millard, Robby Shaffer, Nathan Cochran, Jim Bryson, Mike Scheuchzer.

    1. Searching says:

      ❤️

  12. Laura says:

    From HRT: What mattered to Paul was not what others thought of him; he cared only that everything he said, everything he did, and everything that he was, reflected the beauty and majesty of God as displayed in Christ crucified.

    Yes, Lord, this is what I want my life to be. I fail so often. Please help me to live out hesed. I am struggling right now, to forgive my husband and not be bitter towards him for what he is putting me through. Give me a soft heart towards him and a forgiving attitude. Speak to him and give him the strength he needs to overcome his addiction to alcohol and conquer his thoughts so that he can be peaceful and sleep. We need your miraculous hand in our marriage and our household, Lord. I know that you are faithful.

    1. Rhonda J. says:

      Praying. Why is it so hard…:/

    2. Searching says:

      Lord, we come to You in prayer for our sister LAURA and her husband, that she would have strength in Your truth and be able to truly forgive the many hurts she’s going through. We come to You in prayer for her husband, that he would seek You to love You, to be set free from addiction, to feel Your peace in his heart and mind. Thank You, Lord, for Your mercies that are new every morning and that give us strength for each new day.

      1. Cee Gee says:

        Amen! ❤

  13. Rhonda J. says:

    Sometimes it is so overwhelming our problems, challenges, afflictions and diseases, I just say why God why? Especially for those that love and believe in you, that they have non-ending STUFF?! Big,heavy, crushing…
    We wrestle with these things in the here and now,but when we focus on the Kingdom of Heaven that is awaiting us, only then can we see the beautiful ending. But, doesn’t God promise us beauty, peace and joy in the here and now? Of course He does. My peace has to come in being strong in His presence daily. Reading scripture, praying to Him rather than getting caught up in my own troubles, heart desires, and my own thoughts and roller coaster of thoughts. Meditating and filling my brain with His ways and words.
    I find also that serving the less, attending small groups, and hearing and seeing what God does and IS DOING is key to filling my cup with His goodness and His power to shine in the darkness. Can you imagine going through the trials withOUT our Jesus and the Holy Spirit? We couldn’t, we would seek other bandaids, drugs and alcohol, sex and relationships or any other type of bondage that feels good in the moment but takes us further from the ONLY ONE that can truly give us restoration. He IS a God of RESTORATION, restoring the hard to prevailing and victory! Our ashes do transform to beauty. Our hard hurt heart softens and becomes a heart for Him. WE can overcome She’s. We have our Heavenly Father that provides exactly what we need through Jesus Christ. And He tells us it is better that He goes away so the Spirit can be right there in us. That is still hard for me to grasp, because I want to feel a Superwoman strength and power!! But we have it friends…lets tune into it today and KNOW that our life is in Him and Him in me.

    1. Cee Gee says:

      Perfectly spoken, sister! ❤

    2. Traci Gendron says:

      This morning as I was praying, I thought exactly this. That there was no way I would have made it through Tanner’s illness, Tom becoming sick, without God. No way.

    3. Tami says:

      Amen Rhonda! I understand the roller coaster of thoughts! And I agree that serving in whatever capacity I can helps me to get out of my own head and to count my blessings. I sat with my brother last week during his chemo treatment. For me it was a reality check. Any “problem” I have is nothing compared to his daily physical, emotional, and spiritual battle. I left there with gratitude and a humble, repentant heart for the ways I can get caught up in my own worries and struggles and forget to thank God for my blessings. I also serve as team coordinator for our church’s short term missions trips. Going to 3rd world countries and seeing the poverty, lack of medical access, education, food etc. Each trip always humbles me and returns my focus to what really matters.

      1. Rhonda J. says:

        yes, indeed, we can always be thankful for the things WE are not going through. I just get sad for everyone else’s troubles, my heart hurts for them, like your brother. But then again, we are able to do the powerful thing for those in affliction and pray!!
        I have always wanted to do a missions trip. I was signed up to go on my first one in October…but the lady in charge/a friend said..Rhonda there is no way you can do this with your bad back! :( Which I totally agree..I was just hoping! But I do things here, and that’s enough for me, it is an amazing blessing!

        1. Tami says:

          You have your own mission field doing your jail ministry! And here with us as well:)

  14. Mari V says:

    NO need to rejoice over ourselves! Let His rejoicing over us be ENOUGH! Loved this SO much! I am who I am because and ONLY because of CHRIST! I am NOTING without my JESUS! Happy FRIDAY sweeties!!! I admit the TK teachers and the other para and support WE are so glad its FRIDAY!!!

    1. Cee Gee says:

  15. Lisa Keller says:

    How I easily cheapen hesed.. I needed this Word today on a disappointing holiday. Even when people let me down.. I will still rejoice steady in hesed.

  16. Sharon, Jersey Girl says:

    Good morning! I have to run off to an appointment & will be back later to do the devo,
    ____________
    Just wanted to say thank you to all who prayed for Jeff yesterday! He was at peace – I felt really bad that I couldn’t go with him, but God blessed – the two radiation attendants that he will see every day for 28 days, are born again believers!! God is good! Jeff said, “I know I’m at the right place.”
    ____________
    Have a blessed Friday!

    1. Cee Gee says:

      Got to love that provision! That’s a great example of hesed right there! Prayers for those upcoming treatments. ❤ Thanks for this great update, Sharon!

    2. GramsieSue says:

      That’s so encouraging!
      Praying all goes well and healing begins. ❤️

    3. Tami says:

      Awesome news Sharon. A God wink!

    4. AZ Walker says:

      That’s beautiful Sharon, love how God shows up.

  17. Adrienne says:

    In the Matthew reading, I was so convicted… I am so much like the Pharisees sometimes! BUT GOD encouraged me in the 2 Corinthians passage and tells me that He’s got me. This is not to say that we should continue to act as the Pharisees did.
    .
    Lord, help me and Your sweet She’s to be more like you and less like our pharisaical selves. Amen!

  18. Searching says:

    These verses from Jeremiah – attention getting. I immediately thought of all the strutting we see in today’s world, from outright ‘do you see what I have or have done’ to humble-bragging.

    23 Thus says the Lord:
    “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
    Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
    Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
    24 But let him who glories glory in this,
    That he understands and knows Me,
    That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
    For in these I delight,” says the Lord.

    Lord, please guide me and show me when I delight in things I shouldn’t.

    JAZZ NEAN – praying for wisdom as you evaluate job opportunities
    RHONDA J, LAURA and many other sisters – praying for marriages, relationships, husbands and ourselves
    KRISTIN S – praying for your sister and marriage situation
    SHARON JERSEY GIRL – hope the scan went well yesterday (saw your post late), praying as he starts radiation next week ❤️
    TRICIA C – thank you for the praise report!

    Thinking of a couple of songs this morning –
    Jesus Messiah, Chris Tomlin
    God on the Mountain, by several artists (southern gospel)

    Thank you, CEE GEE, for the HRT share yesterday and the song also ❤️

    Sisters, continuing to request prayer for the relentless pain. The wheels of medicine are slowly moving and some temporary relief may come next week, but I desperately need sleep to do my work and to help with caregiving for a family member. Thank you, Love you all❤️❤️❤️

    1. Cee Gee says:

      Praying fervently for that relief so sleep can come easily!!! Praying also for the family member needing your attention – that improvement will come soon so less will be required of you. Praying that temporary relief turns into sustained relief, dear Searching! You are quite the trouper and such an inspiration to us all in that you have kept your attention on the One Who loves us and gave His life for us.
      ~
      Love Jesus Messiah- we sing it often at church. I need to listen to the other song. I know that I know it, too. ❤
      ❤❤
      Adding my amen to your prayers listed. Thanks for doing that each day!

    2. Laura says:

      Praying, Searching, that you will feel relief from your pain. I am so sorry that you are going through this.

    3. Lynne from Alabama says:

      Praying for relief from your pain every day, sweet sister! ❤️

      Love your song suggestions today! Both of those songs are on my praise and worship playlist!

    4. Cheryl Blow says:

      Praying

    5. GramsieSue says:

      Praying for relief from the pain.
      Thankful for you dear sister. ❤️

    6. Searching says:

      Thank you, dear sisters, for your prayers ❤️❤️❤️

  19. Aimee D-R says:

    Father that I rest in Your gifts and Your plan. In Jesus name, Amen

  20. Kelly (NEO) says:

    Loved this: “there’s no need to rejoice over ourselves because our Creator already rejoices over us with singing”
    .
    TAMI – praying with you that the Lord will bring just the right roommates for your daughter.
    .
    WENDY B – thank you for sharing your situation with us. Joining the others on prayer for the Lord’s presence to be tangible through the struggle.
    .
    CHERYL BLOW – so sorry about Brian. Praying for Martha and the family. And for Kristy.
    .
    AG – prayers for the newborn’s situation. May doctors have wisdom in her care.

    1. Searching says:

      Once again joining KELLY in praying for these sisters needs. Needs that are so big, but not too big for our God.

    2. Tami says:

      Thank you Kelly! And for the reminders of other prayer requests!

  21. Tricia C says:

    Thank you all for praying for my FIL, MIL and even me with my stomach yesterday. They are both doing well. The surgery went great and my stomach is recovering.

    I am so grateful that we can go to the Lord, even when we don’t know what to say, because the Holy Spirit will speak on our behalf.
    I am also grateful for the Hesed Love that is offered to me. Wow. I am boasting in that right now. Nowhere else can I experience that kind of love and devotion…But God.
    Praise God!
    Have a blessed weekend my dear SRT family.
    Tricia

    1. Kelly (NEO) says:

      ❤️

    2. Cee Gee says:

      ❤❤❤

    3. Searching says:

      Praise to the Lord for your good report! ❤️

  22. Tina says:

    When the person from whom I have a right to expect nothing gives me everything.”
    .
    This sentence right here floored me!
    It’s like not buying a lottery ticket and yet winning the lottery. Or, waiting for my deserved punishment/outcome but instead am not only given freedom, but a hope beyond hope covered in grace forever!
    .
    HESED love!
    .
    What did I do to deserve that!
    If boasting were about all the wrong things, sinful things, or stuff that deserve consequence then get ready for my list.. have you got a day or two? Or perhaps a year? I am a wrong ‘un, no doubt!
    .
    BUT GOD..
    His undeserved and faithful love, the HESED OF GOD, covers me daily, restoring, sustaining, securing and transforming me (though slow, for I am weak) into His likeness, again, and again, as each day, through the free and unmerited favour of God (grace) I am made a new creation.
    Glory Hallelujah, Thank you God.. Thank you.
    .
    I UNDERSTAND AND KNOW YOU, LORD GOD, for You show me faithful love, grace, mercy. justice and righteousness on the earth..
    Thank you Father God, Thank you.
    .
    In Paul’s words I will say..” ..But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ..
    Sisters, may the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.. always.
    AMEN.
    .
    Happy Friday dear hearts, wrapped always in love, hugs and prayers for a God blessed day..
    Much love.
    Tina.❤️

    1. Kelly (NEO) says:

      “transforming me (though slow, for I am weak)”
      O but Tina, God has eternity to work on us, so be patient :-)

    2. Searching says:

      Sweet TINA ❤️ there are many wrong’uns here, including me especially. Thankful for God’s saving grace and forgiveness, washing us white as snow.

    3. Tami says:

      I am a wrong’un too. Thank God for his mercy!

  23. Aleida Polanco says:

    Hello my sisters, once again I come begging for your prayers for my son, Victor. He was involved in a pretty serious car accident this afternoon. He missed a blind spot at a signal and hit another car. His car is totalled. Thankfully though just yesterday he finally got the car insured. Liability only though which means he’s lost his car. He’s heart broken because he says that was the only thing he owned and way he could stay in CA. He told me he wanted to sleep and never wake up again because his life is horrible. Those of you who have been praying for him know what he’s been through especially these last 2 years with his bipolar and addiction. It saddens me so much because just a week ago he told me that he was starting to pray again and that he had hope that things were turning around for him finally. He even told me that he didn’t want me worrying about him because he knows I also have other trials in my life right now that I’m concerned about.
    It seems like my son just can not get a break. I’ve been praying for YEARS and it’s one bad thing after another.
    Sisters, please also pray for me because I’m so discouraged right now that I don’t even know what or how to pray anymore for him. So I’m asking the Holy Spirit to intercede for me. All I can do is cry

    1. Tina says:

      ALEIDA, today’s Bible reading from Youversion is from Romans..5:3-5
      .
      We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God’s approval, and his approval creates hope. This hope does not disappoint us, for God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to us.
      .
      I know it is hard to boast right now in all these situations BUT GOD, He is in these moments with you. He promises to NEVER leave you or Victor, EVER, not in any trial or situation, He is with you, and He will not let you or Victor down.
      Do not be discouraged dear sister, you have us SRT to hold you up when words fail you.. when your heart is sad and you feel unable to see through the rough.. we are here, we will share in your burden, just as when that glorious day comes and Victor is free from his burdens of hopelessness and addiction we will be here to rejoice with you. For now, we hold you and yours close in prayer for grace, mercy and hope wrapped in His HESED love to cover you both as you lean into the hope poured into us by the gift of the Holy Spirit.
      He is near, always. Hold fast to Him..
      Much love.
      Tina.❤️

      1. Laura says:

        Loved the YouVersion this morning. So cool that Christians all around the World are reading the same verses together! Love that!

      2. Aleida Polanco says:

        Oh Tina, thank you so much for those words of encouragement. I’m so very blessed to have this community of SRT sisters. I truly feel so much peace when I read everyone’s comments about our study and especially the prayers. Thank you!!

    2. Sally B. says:

      So very sorry about this next hard thing for Victor and you! Praying for God’s very real presence with you both.

    3. Tricia C says:

      ALEIDA,
      I am in agreement with Tina. We are holding you and Victor up in prayer. God will comfort you and the Holy Spirit knows just what to say in your groanings to the Lord. Blessings to you and your son.

    4. Kelly (NEO) says:

      Ugh, so sorry for Victor’s added burden. Praying for you both.

    5. Karen Elizabeth says:

      Oh, I’m so sorry to hear of this newest burden and trial for Victor. Holding you all up in prayer today ❤️

    6. Michelle P says:

      Alieda, God will not waste these troubles… though Victor is suffering, I believe God is speaking through these trials. I pray this only shows him more and more his need for Jesus. You can not see inside his heart, and the ways God is likely using these situations to show him his absolute need to depend on God over himself. I pray and believe God hears your prayers and our intercession for Victor. Just as we read in Galatians 6:7 yesterday, the NLT says God’s justice is not mocked. He does not see your labor of love for your son and turn a blind eye. (Hebrews 6:10). I pray you keep laying all this at Jesus’s feet. You are not meant to carry it. We are here for you. I pray you keep reaching out to your local community for prayer too – whether in person or over the phone. I pray the voice of others making intercession lifts your spirits and renews your hope. ❤️

      1. Laura says:

        Amen to all of this!

    7. Adrienne says:

      ❤️❤️❤️

    8. Rhonda J. says:

      Oh Aleida, so sorry it feels like it can’t go right for Victor, but as other wise She’s said, God DOES know how this situations are working for his very good. We cannot see it, but we are coming along beside you in prayer for you and him. I pains our mother’s heart when our kids hurt, but God is working with you for them.

    9. Lisa Keller says:

      Dear Aleida.. I am so so sorry for the weight of all these hardships in the past your son’s life and yours. Please know Jesus will always kneel to heal.. there is no place so low. I totally understand how we want some wins for this life- I have mental health challenges in our home too. I’m realizing that God knows what our hearts need day to day and even when so painful. I I will intercede for Victor to see beyond his loss and to the power of God sustaining his life as a real sign of purpose and plan. I will pray for a great restoration too!!! Biggest hugs

    10. Mia Faith says:

      Aleida, praying now. We have a similar situation with our family. Several grands who struggle with mental health issues. It’s been devastating for all of us. You’re not alone!

    11. Cee Gee says:

      Aleida, you and Victor remain on my heart. I know it hurts to live through this new episode, but echoing our sisters here that God has His Hands on Victor and will bring Him through it. Hopefully Victor’s prayers will help him to see that God is in control and will work it all to His glory. Encourage him to keep praying even as you struggle. These are tremendous growing pains, for sure, but God is there! Hugs, mama! ❤❤ I look forward to the day of rejoicing!

    12. Laura says:

      Dearest Aleida, I echo the comments already made by other sisters. As I was reading your post, I was relating so well to all that you were saying. It’s had to imagine and even harder to live through, but God does not waste any situation. He uses it all for our good. So even though it doesn’t seem like there is anything good happening, He is there, with Victor, working. I have to pray often for my own wayward family members (as Michelle P. stated) that God would be with them and speed up the process of “getting to the end of themselves.” We need to understand and feel our need for Jesus and Jesus alone. Sometimes it takes a lifetime for people to get there, before there is turn around and falling into Christ’s arms. I don’t want it to take a lifetime for my own family members and I know you don’t either. I will be joining the others in praying for your son that he will “get to the end of himself” and look to Jesus for his peace and his hope. May God also comfort your heart today, dearest Aleida. I feel your pain. It is not easy. I have spent days crying over my child, like you. My heart is joined with yours in praying for healing and restoration.

    13. Cheryl Blow says:

      Praying

    14. GramsieSue says:

      Oh, Aleida, I’m joining with all our sisters in prayer over Victor, you, and your family. My heart hurts for you…
      But God…
      He is greater than all we face.
      Hugs to you sweet sister. ❤️

    15. Mari V says:

      On my way to work praying for your Victor.

    16. Cathy McVey says:

      Dear Aleida, my mama heart hurts for you. I can’t think of anything harder than seeing your child hurting and you can’t do anything to help. Jeremiah 29:11 comes to mind this morning. “For I know the plans I have for you” this is the Lord’s declaration – “plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope”. I have prayed that over my son so many times and have reminded God of his word. It’s so hard not to want/be able to come in and swoop them up out of their hardships. But God! Praying hard for you and Victor that God will take all these hardships and use it for good. Stay strong dear sister. Lifting you all up in prayers this morning. ❤️

    17. Audren says:

      Oh Alieda…my heart breaks for you and Victor. I don’t have any words to offer. Just know that your heart’s cry is heard by our unchanging God, and by us here too. Lifting you up in prayer

    18. Tami says:

      Aleida I join with the others here for prayers for you, Victor, and your family. I pray that God would bring “dry bones to life”. That He would resurrect Victor and bring him to a place of surrender at the feet of Jesus. I’m praising God that he was not harmed. And I’m praying for your mother’s. My heart breaks reading about what is going on. But we have to believe God will redeem this season and bring beauty from ashes.

    19. Rhonda J. says:

      I just realize that we hadn’t praised God for His protection that Victor is okay!! If the car was totaled, then it was a pretty good hit? And the other people were fine..that is a blessing right there! The car is just a physical loss, and again, brings praise or defeat..lets point to praise and pray that Victor will feel God’s provision in other ways!