“I really hope he’s listening to this. He needs this message.”
I can’t tell you the number of times those words have run through my mind as I sat in church on a Sunday morning. Who is “he,” you ask? Why, my dear husband, of course!
As I listen to the pastor’s words, I think about the takeaways that many of the people in my life could apply to their lives. After all, it is much easier to judge the actions and intentions of others than to take a look at our own hearts, isn’t it?
Be gracious to me, God, according to your faithful love; according to your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion. Completely wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me.
—Psalm 51:1–3
These words from our supplemental reading beautifully complement our main text today. In Romans 2, Paul is challenging the Romans to truly consider the basis of their judgment of others—which is none. Each of us has one thing in common—our need for Christ. We do not earn this righteousness through our obedience. It is Christ alone who imparts this gracious gift to us!
So often, I believe it is up to me to challenge the people in front of me to be all they can be in Christ—after all, if I don’t say something, who will? But when I choose to judge pridefully instead of discerning my own heart and how to lovingly speak the truth, I have only brought judgment upon myself.
Yes, God desires us to be doers of the Word and not only hearers (James 1:22). But this starts with our personal sanctification, not in attempting to teach others to do what we haven’t learned how to do ourselves.
My role is to be led by the Holy Spirit in submitting to His will for my life. Period. By trying to usurp His authority in the life of another, I am guilty of believing that my ways are better and that I know more than He does. May it not be so!
Sister, you can trust the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those you love. And you can also trust Him to tell you when to speak up for another’s well-being. As you surrender in obedience to Him, may He do for you as David prayed, “restore the joy of your salvation to me, and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit” (Psalms 51:12).
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94 thoughts on "Faith in Action"
I’m leaving it to Him with a willing spirit! Thanking Jesus for his righteousness above all else. Amen
V2 for in Passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same thing. LOVE EVERYONE.
This was a heavy hitter this week
Such a good reminder to look at my own walk first – always.
The last part about trusting the Holy Spirit in the lives of those we love and when to speak up for their well-being really hit home as a first time mom emotionall struggling to discipline a strong willed two year old.
I didn’t even think of this — I just kept thinking about adults , but man did I need to. As another toddler mama, I see you.
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So good! We are not to judge others as we are not blameless. I love the reminder that we must trust the Holy Spirit to be the Holy Spirit and do the work only he can do.
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Thankful for the Holy Spirit, may I continue to trust in it & not in myself.
this was good & convicting. don’t just hear, do.
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Needed this. Thank you for speaking truth in love ❤️
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whew. This has really helped me alot. Because i’m learning on why certain things have taken place in my life recently. I’m getting better at accepting why certain things have happened even though I couldn’t explain, understand why they receently happened. The more I read, listen, and study his word, the more i’m learning that it is all apart of his plan. That I couldn’t elevate and go where I needed to go still doing or hanging with some of the people I was with. Even though I thought we were like minded, we werent. Because God had something else planned for me. Which what i’m starting to seee…. is WAAAAY bigger than any other plan I could have had for myself. I wasn’t prepared. But the seperation and adjustment from that group… is preparing me.
This is so helpful for today. Do not judge but love and look to our own heart.
Even reading this, I thought, “Man, ‘so-and-so’ could benefit from reading this!” Oh how hypocritical we (I) can be. Lord, forgive me for trying to point out a speck in the eye of another while having a plank in my own! Reveal to me my sin, God. Help me mourn over my own shortcomings before I cry out against others.
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Excellent word! May we always point people back to Christ
I’m guilty of thinking of others benefiting from the sermons. Lord, I ask for forgiveness and help me to repent of this.
I love the question too the Holy Spirit to give me a willing spirit and submit my will to Him daily.
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Father let my heart be willing. In Jesus name, Amen
This is so exciting ❤️
I’m so guilty of upholding others to a standard that I can’t keep myself. Lord, I ask for forgiveness Help me to focus on your word and the message it has for me and not those around me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen
I wrote down Psalm 51 cause I need to pray this everyday of my life. I want this.
So good! Needed this!
Holy Spirit help me to speak the Truth w/ boldness, clarity, discernment, love, & passion.
Beautiful reading today. I’m praying I become a doer of God’s Will each day. This today touch on a point I need to work on, not judging others. ❤️
This hit home!!! I am guilty! I am so thankful for this living word tonight! Lord help me be a doer. Create in me a clean heart. Restore the joy of my salvation. Begin in me, Jesus! Amen
#TGBTG
Jesus, thank you for these beautiful words, “God’s kindness leads us to repentance.” How I need this today. We are all works in progress. Teach me wisdom deep within.
What a convicting reading and devotion today. This struck home so much. May the Lord cleanse my heart and the Holy Spirit guide me to trust and repent. Amen.
I surrender my life to you Lord, even though it’s hard at times to not be in control of my life.
Thank you Jesus for helping us realize that we shouldn’t judge others. Thank you for your mercy and the blood of Jesus that wipes our slate clean. Thank you for refreshing our minds and hearts and giving us the grace to be not just hearers of your word, but doers as well. We give you all glory mighty God! Amen!
The devotional and bible reading today was thought provoking, I wondered to myself how often do I judge and not even realize it? This is how the Lord is always working in me, constantly sanctifying His children. Thoughts that creep up at a later date, and I didn’t even realize them. Thoughts of judgement towards others, thinking my ways are better. Reminds me of the verse: “ My thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways are not your ways…” I need to pray everyday that I can see the world through the eyes of Jesus. Then maybe, I won’t be so quick to judge others. Lord help me to see others the way you see them!
I’m praying for each prayer request lifted up today by my SRT sisters. It is such a privilege to pray for you and with you as you each face the listed requests.
I do have a prayer request…I’m having an MRI of my brain tomorrow to see if there is something there causing a lot of falls, dizziness and pulling to the right when I walk. I haven’t even thought much about what the results could be because I’m freaking out about being in that tube. My doctor prescribed some pills to take before the procedure to address my anxiety. Please pray that the medicine will help and that I can be constantly aware of Gods Presence with me in that tube. Thanks so much!
KIMBERLY Z – you and your dad are in my prayers. May God give your dad the peace that passes all understanding and bring healing to his mind and life. May you be assured that God is with you as you face this stressful, hurtful situation.
NICOLE BURKE – I can hear the pain in your situation of depression and anxiety. I have struggled with depression most of my adult life, and every time I have come out on the other side. When that happens, it is always because I get closer to God and to his people. It’s wonderful that you’ve felt the support of this community of sisters in Christ. I pray for happy, fun days with your little one, and for healing for you. I pray The Holy Spirit will lead you to the exact resources you need to address depression and anxiety, and that you experience true, complete healing. God bless you in this journey.
Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? – Romans 2:4. What a great reminder today! I often think things are words for other people other then myself too haha. I have tried to turn my prayers back to myself. When I’m dealing with a difficult coworker I pray they have a good day instead of praying to tolerate them. When I go to church I pray all of us can feel the Holy Spirit instead of just myself. I am praying for all your prayer requests. @HEIDI praying for your sweet niece that she can make the hard decisions she needs too. She’s strong and will only become stronger as mother. I’m asking for prayer requests for my sweet dad. I have had a couple people reach out asking if he’s doing okay as he seems (to them) to seem off. It’s been a little over a year since his suicide attempt and I pray he never feels like that again. It’s hard to not be anxious something like that could happen again. Happy Thursday ladies.
“My role is to be led by the Holy Spirit in discerning His will in my life. Period.” What a true and convicting statement. When I hear the Holy Spirit telling me the way to approach something or someone in my life and choose to pretend it wasn’t really The Holy Spirit speaking, and go the way I think best, I’m headed for disaster. I need to keep today’s readings in my heart and make them a blueprint for my life. I have always loved David’s prayer of repentance, and it seems every time I read it, it applies to me in a different situation, or an old situation that I’m “secretly” holding on to in my heart. I thank The Holy Spirit for leading me to this prayer exactly when I need it most.
Lord, please let me see the need for correction in my life before I consider looking to another’s life. Amen
Good evening she’s,
The first two chapters of Romans we have been reading are full of addressing and rebuking sins. It is harsh and blunt, for the sake of Love. Love corrects, and there is protection in correction! I believe it is so crucial to be 100% transparent to address which sin is sin. And the Bible is amazing at calling out sin with all the transparency. The Lord condemns and addresses sin with no vagueness. There is no evil/unrighteousness in Him (Psalm 92:15). To each action (good or bad) there will be an appropriate rendering/reward from God, that verse should give us the fear of the Lord. He calls us to be imitators of Him (Ephesians 5:1), to please Him and to love Him, not to love the world. Between life and death, He clearly calls us to choose life (aka.. choose the narrow road which is hard to walk, go through the narrow gate which requires the humbling of one’s self to fit through. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destructions, and beware, many enter!).
The Bible offers wise counsel, true godly men/ women offer counsel, and there is such safety in the multitude of counsels (I have benefited from heeding so many counsels from you dear she’s over the years) (Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety -Proverbs 11:14 KJV). I don’t know why I wander off toward this direction of counselling, but I find it necessary to live faith as a community, since it’s such a HARD counter culture walk. May the Lord be so kind to surround us with Truth Speakers in our circle. We do not need those who cheer us on in our errors as we are heading to destruction and death.
I have been reading the comments from today and yesterday. Lots to ponder but oh so good! I praise God that the Spirit of Truth is exalted and honored here, and grace is extended (grace and truth came through Jesus (John 1:17). Our feelings & fear must be subdued to the honouring of God’s opinions (truth) over men’s opinions/feelings, and grace is the way to do it.
Lifting our sisters in prayers (NICOLE BURKE, FOSTER MAMA, ALEIDA POLANCO, AIMEE ROGERS, HEIDI, RHONDA, MICHELLE PATIRE, SARAH D and others). I truly believe the Lord will come and bring glory to His Name from your situations, that there will be a turn-around, that you will praise and give credit alone to His Wise & Divine Solutions. Who is like God? Even when we don’t see anything, He is working. In His Time.
Be blessed dear sisters.
Heidi I am praying for your niece. What a difficult situation to be in but God is stronger than any lies of addiction
“Therefore, every one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things,” (Romans 2:1).
Father, please forgive me for ever thinking that I am better than someone who chooses to do the wrong thing, especially when I later do the same thing. I may think I do these things alone, out of the sight or knowledge of others, but You see and know everything I think and do. You see the depths of my heart and soul. Please, Lord, change my heart and make me clean. Forgive me for my pride and foolishness. Help me to choose Your wisdom and follow Your truth and leading. Help me to lean on You and trust that Your way is best. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. Help me to honor You.
God wants us to be doers and Spread his love but we can’t if our own hearts aren’t right. He wants our actions to speak louder.
HEIDI I am praying for your niece and family. SHARON, praying for your sister and that whole situation. FOSTER MAMA I am praying for the situation with your goddaughter. TINA so good to “see” you! NICOLE BURKE I am praying now for you to have clear wisdom and knowledge in your situation. SISTERS- I am so grateful for this group and this study. Let’s remember that we need to be doers as well as hearers, after we check our own hearts.
I also am guilty of hearing words spoken and applying them to everyone (especially my husband) and not myself. Lord, please convict me, so that I can be right with You, before I share with others.
ERB – Your comment was awesome and spoke to me! Thank you
RHONDA J – So good to be back. I’m really getting so much from Romans already. “We are all equal at the foot of the cross”! Sometimes we forget that.
FOSTER MAMA – Prayers. When our lives are going smoothly, we forget how many are suffering. I’m sorry that your goddaughter mother is feeling so helpless.
Being a doer of the word and not just a hearer is hard. To try and teach others what we have not yet learned to do ourselves. I heard a phrase a long time ago in Al-anon, “keep your side of the street clean”. Get your focus off of someone else and onto yourself. Not in a selfish way, but a self love kind of way. To learn to walk in the ways God would have us walk. It is a continuous learning journey.
CAROLINE BRIDGES: I found your comment thought provoking… :) And I may not fully be reading your intent, were you referring to earning/maintaining the Holy Spirit within us? To that, I understand Scripture to be upfront in reminding us that it is only. through. grace – God’s grace – that we can recieve His salvation and if we attempt any “earning” in that, we have removed grace since grace cannot have any earning or it is no longer grace – His free, un-deserved gift to each of us. And once we have received salvation by our belief in Him and Jesus, we can celebrate that we have then been sealed (as in permanently closed up!) with the Holy Spirit within us – who will not leave ever (yay!!) (Ephesians 1:13). For sure we can deafen our spiritual-ears to His prompting and direction – but he’s in us , if we want him or not! ha! :) I just wanted to offer that response, if in fact you were wondering/speaking about the possibility of losing the spirit or not “deserving” it enough…. we never can or will deserve it. That’s the point – praise God – He just gives it free and clear!! :) :) :) :)
HEIDI – Your niece is in a tough spot, but she is not his savior. It is enough to stay sober on your own let alone worry about him. And to have an addict around a new baby will not go well. I pray she can find the strength to leave him. He needs to be sober for a good year. Usually it is not a good idea to even be in a relationship until you have a year of sobriety under your belt. I pray she is working her program and will continue to stay clean for herself and her baby.
AIMEE ROGERS – just got on here at 1:15 est and saw your post… praying that no matter the outcome you and all involved will have confirmed, peace-filled hearts that God’s will has been done in this situation and His hands are firmly holding each of you. Asking Him to fill the judge with all Divine knowledge and wisdom as decisions are made, that the judge have insight and discernment provided by the LORD Himself and the enemy will have zero ground, zero authority, zero victory in any of this today..
keep us posted!! Stand so strong!! :)
I am SO. guilty of hearing sermons/words for other people!!! LOL!!! And it’s SO tough for my personality because I am a DOER. I need ACTION! I am a visionary at heart and want to physically improve upon everything I see… ha! But unfortunately this leads me to try and improve on others and that’s not typically taken so well. Or even necessary. I’ve had to intentionally remind myself that sometimes God would like to speak to people personally, “but thanks so much for offering to help Him out”…!! I have had the experience of a word timed by Him for me to speak, as well as a word time by ME for me to speak, and the results are quite different, even when my heart has been in the right place. We are often so much better off listening and asking questions, then MAYBE sharing our own experiences – instead of pouring advice and unintended judgement on others… practice makes progress, right?! :) :)
SHARON/JERSEY – thank you so much for that update.. wow that is a lot. I’m so sorry for her struggle. I’m grateful she has you and her God and her faith in what He has for her! He hasn’t failed yet and won’t start now, right??! :):) Will keep her in my prayers…
These devotionals and group of women have been such a support these past several months! It is such a privilege to pray for your requests as well! I’m a mom of a wonderful two year, but I have been struggling intensely with depression and anxiety. I feel I have reached a breaking point and am seeking the right solution. Please pray for healing and clear leading and guiding from the Lord!
I love Psalm 51
Psalms 51 is the prayer of my heart. Not to say I don’t judge others because I have and have had to repent! So thankful for the Holy Spirit reminding me to worry about my own “plank” and not someone else’s “speck!”
– [ ] So thankful for this group of Christian Sisters gathering together each day to encourage and pray for and with each other, to learn from each other and to bless each other with our honesty and conviction to walk in the way of the Lord.
“But this starts with our own personal sanctification”… well if that doesn’t just hit the nail on the head.
Every time I feel like I’ve arrived out of one sim pattern another tears it’s ugly head. Anyone else? Lol Thank the Lord for His grace. Create in me a clean heart O God!!
**PRAYER REQUEST**
Uhg I can already tell this morning will be super interrupted.. I need to finish the reading to comment , but have a PRAYER REQUEST for my niece – the one who has been sober for a bit over a year now that you all have been so faithful to prayerfully support in the past.
I’m not sure if I mentioned on here, but she is pregnant and her “fiance” whom she lives with is really struggling to stay sober. Well- truthfully, he’s not staying sober. He wants to. But it’s not happening. She is 21, pregnant, only a year sober, having to financially support herself, her guy, this pregnancy… it’s beyond overwhelming. She has wisely implemented some boundaries, giving him timelines of sobriety in order to be able to participate with the pregnancy, birth, etc… The thing is, her guy is so great. I really like him and you can see that in his sober-days, he is an unbelievably great man. Like so many, he’s been trapped in the lies of addiction and just cannot seem to get out. My niece is terrified of fully letting him “on his own” bc she’s pretty sure he’ll die. She has already had to revive him with Narcan twice this past year… She is slowly coming to the recognition (in her head I think, not yet her heart fully) that if he can’t stay sober on his own without her setting boundaries, driving him to/from work, keeping tabs on him constantly, etc) that it’s not truly sober – it’s just waiting until the space is clear to do what his addictions are driving him to do. Prayer for wisdom; strength; peace in all things; guidance; courage; and whatever necessary (such as housing) should a break-up be necessary.. Thank you ladies – I know God hears you and I know He acts for His children… ❤️
@Heidi – my sister Arian had been living with my dad these past 12 years, ever since my mom passed away. My dad passed away in October, the house was bought by one of our nieces. Arian had 6 months to look for a place to live, she is a single mom and works as a substitute teacher. Her income only allows her $900 a month for rent – which is unheard of! She had to move out by June 30, she has been at family friends, who has an apartment, for 2 weeks. This family doesn’t want to rent but said my sister could stay for 2 weeks while she continues her search. The 2 weeks is up on Friday and she is no closer to having a place of her own than she was before. My sister is a believer and has faith as big as a mountain! She is trusting that God will provide…I live 3 hours away…thank you for your prayers, and for asking.
I think this means that we have to earn and maintain our spirit.
Lord- change my heart. Remove the judgment of others as well as my judgment of myself. I am not worthy of Your forgiveness yet I still receive it from You everyday. When the judgement of others seeps into my mind pull me back to your mercy and forgiveness-Amen
God used his and your words in my heart today Jessica. Thank you for being obedient to his leading.
James 1:22-25
**be doers and not just hearers. This speaks to me on many levels. All talk-no action, all ears-no obedience, all action-no depth, all insight-no wisdom/discernment.. this is what happens when we try to do things on our own!! But when we wholeheartedly pursue and fully trust God, that’s where the balance, marriage, depth and alignment of these things comes in and happens. May we align ourselves with You and Your Way Lord, it is only through You that we can achieve and understand things. Thank You for Your faithfulness and perseverance!! Help us persevere to You, and You alone. Amen.
Psalm 51:3-12
**there’s a LOT in these verses, but a willing spirit, and crushed bones that rejoice are what stand out to me!! Crushed bones are extremely painful, uncomfortable, and DO NOT heal on their own!! There are lots of analogies in here, but for me, this exemplifies what sin does and what God does for us!! Sin crushes us, we crush ourselves.. but God teaches us to rejoice in our suffering. He makes Himself known in it!! Rejoicing in suffering is a HARD thing to do, but when we choose to do it, the results are AWE-MAZING!!! He alone can secure, restore, forgive and heal. He requires only a willing penitent heart. Lord, may we humble ourselves, repent and praise You in the midst!! You are the faithful fulfillment of everything we could ever need. Let us TRUST and praise You always!! Amen.
Romans 2:1-7
**God’s judgement is based on Truth. Are we aligning ourselves with His Truth or with our own? It is easy and comfortable to live our own truth, but aligning ourselves with God and living His Truth & Way is challenging and uncomfortable!! If we are comfortable, we are NOT growing. I think of a plant bursting through a seed, the seed must be cracked wide open in order for the plant to even begin pushing through to the sun, some plants push through soil, some through cement or rock, but they do push through!! Persistence is the key and the fruit!! May we be persistent in our walk with God.. let us choose HIM and NOT our flesh!! May we consciously recognize that God’s grace, kindness & compassion are intended to lead us to repentance. Not excuses or justifications, but REPENTANCE!! For we are without excuse!! Let us lay bare our hearts (even the hidden vulnerable things) and be penitent before You God. Let us submit EVERYTHING to You!! Thank You for judging us Father (we make horrible judges) and thank You for helping us grow and push through!! You deserve ALL the Glory, Honor and Praise!! Amen.
Praying and lifting up all the requests spoken and unspoken before God!! May we all see Him in unexpected and needed ways today!! ❤️
May I look inward instead of outward knowing I have a Savior who washed me clean. Help me not to judge others but be kind and always forgiving. I pray others can forgive me too.
I pray that God will create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. That the only person I would “judge” would be myself…I barely know my own heart, how can I know anyone else’s? We each have the same Spirit and I must let Him move and have His way, in myself and every believer around me…
Praying for all the requests!
Tina- So good to see you this morning! And Traci, so glad your back!
Whoa, Good Morning Sisters, this study is kicking off with a bang! It was hard to keep up with all the comments the first day, making it up towards 100! (This is following Genealogy with lowest amount of comments ever I believe!) Romans are so good and So timely!! I know I really feel like I try and try to do all the right things, but we all just still fall so short. Then, just like that I am prideful, envious, or judging. We all are equal at the foot of the cross. That means I am equal with Billy Graham and the homosexual, and even my “needing the sermon” husband in the way that we ALL can only be enough through the saving grace of Jesus! There IS NO other way to be good in the eyes of God. We choose to receive, and that is where it matters. Nothing else in this life is more important! In my opinion, it’s after we accept Jesus that we can get into the struggle with each other of what’s what. But, if we sit back IN the peace of Jesus and LET the Holy Spirit lead and guide us, then maybe it can be easier. I don’t know, it is hard. Sometimes I feel peaceful, then other times it seems like all the caus of life overwhelms. Thankfully we can go to our Savior, the Word of God, meditation, fasting, an elder or other brothers/sisters, and SRT for guidance and encouragement!
Lord give me discernment, give me wisdom, help me to not be judging to others, yet may I judge sin with your perfect eyes. I want to LEAD people to you and give them love, and that includes those in prison AND my husband and family. I am just hearing on Greg Laurie that there are 3 reasons for church:
Glorify God
Edify us
and to Bring people to God. The church is not the temple, it is a hospital for all sinners. We need to remember this. The body is THE temple of the Holy Spirit. The temple needs cleaning regularly. Bringing every thought into obedience of Jesus Christ. Clean us up Lord. We can’t clean up other people, only you Lord can do that.
“Paul is challenging the Romans to consider the basis of their judgment, which is NONE”
This reminds me of something I read a while ago. When we judge others, we are attempting to sit on God’s throne. How uncomfortable is that?! May we always leave the judgement to God.
@ JESSICA MATHISEN, extremely powerful devotional…my husband too rreeeally should be listening to sermons more closely and often ;)
(Thank you for convicting my heart to look inside first — you hit the nail on the head.)
As for my request above / below — please don’t forget to pray for our almost 9 year-old goddaughter watching as her mother struggles so much — that she would have God’s peace.
Psalm 51 is a favorite of mine. David’s heart on display and crying out to God is an example I often need to bring my sin to God and then rely on His promise of forgiveness. Giving my sin to God… My sin is not my identity, I am this child, loved and cherished.
Hi Sisters,
Huge PRAYER REQUEST for our goddaughter and her single mom!! (I have mentioned them at various times in the past) — they are desperately looking for housing and it has reached the point that she feels they are on the verge of HOMELESSNESS! This is profoundly affecting Mom’s mental health (contemplating ending her life e.g. feeling she isn’t good enough to raise / provide for her daughter and just TIRED OF STRUGGLING in this life!!). Truly her life has been extremely challenging since childhood.
Please pray! We are her only true support but have more limited ability to help her than I think she understands; please pray WE CAN help her and/or she finds a merciful landlord who disregards the MANY reasons not to rent to her!! (The housing market in our city is such that there are bidding wars for a single, horrible, overpriced dwelling and even “great” renters may be rejected.)
She has requested a meeting to talk to us but, I’m worried we won’t have much to offer. In addition, we will be out of town (and cellphone range) for a few weeks when she may need us most!!
In the eyes of the world, her situation is hopeless and doomed — Lord Jesus, let it not be so. Please remind us all You are the God of the Impossible. Amen
(Sorry so long. Thank you my sister’s for praying all my requests.)
Good morning, everyone. I rarely post, but I’m here every day, reading the devotional and everyone’s comments, which I find as helpful and uplifting as the devotionals. We all are dealing with so many similar situations. But we live in a fallen, sinful world. I feel like you all are close friends, all over the world. You were an answer to a prayer request of mine several months back for a community of Christian women. I stand in agreement with the prayer requests. May God continue to work on our hearts and minds and may we continue to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in love.
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Hello @Tina! You are around! @Claire B had just asked about you the other day!
@Miriam- I am thankful for your post yesterday addressing @Lisa Z’s comment. It is good to remember the freedom we have in Christ. I also think about the law of circumcision and how it is brought to light that this law is no longer necessary for God’s chosen people. We have a new covenant in Jesus! I am pretty sure this topic we are studying in tomorrow’s reading :) at least that is the next section of Romans 2.
I’m thankful we can have healthy discourse on sensitive topics. You are brave @Lisa Z for sharing first :) may God continue to guide us all in love and help us to keep silent when our words hurt rather than help!
@Kimberly Z- thank you for praying for me!
@Aimee Rogers- the Lord bring justice to this case at 1PM. May He bring great help to these children and may you all have His peace in this difficult situation. I pray their minds are guarded by His Spirit as decisions are made. I pray they are able to process all the emotions that come from this decision in a healthy way. May the Lord bless your family and bring light to what seems dark. Lord, I thank you! In Jesus’s name, Amen!
What stuck out to me in today’s readings was how God is a just judge and “desires truth in the inward parts” (Psalm 51:6 NKJV).
Ooof. Nothing like a quick conviction from the Lord. When I was reading the passages I kept thinking about a friend of mine, and was contemplating sending her the verses…. Then I read the devo. Phew. Thankful for the Lords grace and mercy.
See these requests and praying.
So thankful for today’s message – hits me on a very deep level. As difficult as it is, I am so grateful for God’s mercy in revealing my sin and rebellion against Him. How much more horrible would it be to not find out the truth until it is too late! Father, may we have your compassion and mercy towards those around us and be bold enough to speak and share your truth when and how you lead us to. May we overflow with great love and kindness as we dwell in your presence – as it says in Jeremiah 17:7-8: ““Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Aimee – praying for you, the family, and the judge involved in this hearing. God is with you!
Thank you for this today!9
Thank you, JESSICA MATHISEN. Glad you have joined the SRT writing team.
TINA!❤️❤️❤️
AMIEE ROGERS – may the judge move on behalf of the girl and her son.
HEIDI – welcome back. Praying for you and your family to be able to quickly settle into your new place
Oh man, todays reading was so rich, especially with the accompanying devotional. A big old “judge not lest you be judged”. But so true. In reading yesterday’s comments as well, it’s clear there have been so many people hurt by Christians who are fine with pointing God’s judgment at them, but keeping God’s mercy and forgiveness for their own sins. I’m guilty too! We as Christians should be on the front lines of love and I fear that’s so often not the case. God, look at MY heart, show me MY failings, and let me not worry about anyone else’s.
correction — “found my eyes going down to the *comments*”
Good morning my late-to-bed, early morning rising sisters and TINA (yaaaaaay!) across the pond…
I have yet to do the readings but, found my eyes going down to the readings as my heart aches in response to my prayer request and finding SO many themes in common already… relationships that never should have been this hard, unnecessary estrangement, profound love for children that don’t come from my body, feeling precious crucial time is being wasted….Lord, You know the pain and desperation in my heart has been heightened lately but I do trust You…I beg You to move, yes in Your time, but MIGHTILY both in me (and husband) and the whole situation! According to Your will, I ask first for healing then restoration. Lord I pray that any influence of the enemy in my home would be completely obliterated!
@ ALEIDA POLANCO praying
@ AIMEE ROGERS, I will be in the dentist’s chair at that time and praying.
Sisters, please pray alongside me.
Praying
JESSICA MATHISEN, What truth you speak this morning…
May I, Lord God, not judge others as though I have it all sewn up, when in fact I am far from ‘sewn’, let alone, ‘up’! I, for sure, have no right whatsoever to judge.. NONE at all..
Lord, in your mercy hear my prayer, in Jesus’s name I pray..AMEN.
Happy Wednesday ladies, wrapped in love, hugs and prayers from across the pond..❤️
@ Aimee Rogers: I will continue to pray tomorrow for this hearing. Our God is a God of impossibilities and if it’s His will He is able to bring victory in this situation!
Good morning Shes. As I read today’s study I felt the Lord telling me once again to stop trying to control my circumstances by pointing fingers at those involved (especially my husband) and work on my own sin with the Father. Before doing today’s study I asked God to help me see the good in my husband as it relates to our son Victor and my husband’s relationship with him, his son. There’s always been a lot of tension between them and here we are again, as Victor isn’t speaking to either one of us, but I know he’s especially angry and hurt with his dad – as usual. I’m always stuck in the middle of them two trying to play the part of the Holy Spirit. Again I was reminded today to let go and trust in the Lord and only in Him to soften and change their hearts – as well as mine❤️
This is my first time posting, but I just had to share.
From Our Daily Bread Ministries
Note: This devotional came on the same day as the day three readings for this Bible study!
Title: Wash Me!
Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7
“…after Bathsheba is introduced (2 Samuel 11:3), she’s no longer named until the conception of Solomon (12:24). In between, she’s always referred to as “the wife of Uriah”—no doubt underlining the author’s intent of exposing the heinous nature of David’s actions both with her and with Uriah.” ~ Bill Crowder
This is the first time I have been to this page and found it blank. I just realized it is because it is after midnight. I thought I had missed a day so I did Tuesday and Wednesday just now. I always do mine at night right before I go to bed so maybe that is a God thing that I am the first to post. I have a custody hearing tomorrow for a 17 year old and her 2 year old son. I mentioned them in the last study if any of the same group is here. They were in a bad situation and we felt led to help them. Please pray that God’s will is carried out by the judge. We have already seen marked improvement in the little boy and his mom is happy. Her dad is also here filing for custody of the baby. They live 5 hrs away and I don’t think that is a good situation either. I told her it was her decision. We aren’t blood family but we have treated both of them like they are. We even rearranged our whole house so they could each have their own room..a first for both of them. We are not rich by any means but we feel that God is leading us to this so He will lead us through it. Please pray. The hearing is at 1 EST.