You are halfway through our thematic survey of the Old Testament—keep going!
Take this day to catch up on your reading, pray, and rest in the presence of the Lord.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.
—James 3:17
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30 thoughts on "Grace Day"
Impossible Situation, I am praying for you.
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I pray you all have a great weekend! I love how so many of you ladies share what is going on in your lives!
❤️
I want to walk in the wisdom of the Lord!
Ashley my prayers go out to you and your family. I know what it’s like to lose a family member so young in age. The Lord will watch over all of you.
Kaitlin Schroeder I love both of your posts and am so happy to hear about your boyfriend. Continued prayers go out to all of you.
Continued prayers for all needing prayers.
Thank you to those who are praying for my sister, Carol and nephew, Jake.
This verse says so much in so few words. Had a rough night last night because of thunder storms. They always bother me b/c it was after thunder storms and flooding that my oldest son died. I prayed and read an extra devotion from book by Beth Moore. Hope all is well with everyone.
Mari V. how are you liking the Midwest?
Have a great day and weekend. Churchmouse if your reading this, miss your comments and hope you’re doing ok, been praying for you.
Update on my situation!! Last night was kinda down missing my boyfriend—the house is a little more quiet than it usually is (well not TOO quiet we have a crazy 7 month old pup lol) anyways I get a call from my parents asking if I wanted to grab late dinner they live about 20 min away so I drove to their house and we went to dinner together. The restaurant has a beautiful patio area along street in downtown district, Derek and I went there for many of our first dates. So while we were sitting out there I was a little sad missing those times but also happy cause I got to remember those good times. Not even 10 minutes later I get a call from his mom, the transplant team has FINALLY put him on the list!!!!! Praise God!! Not a coincidence I got news while at a place with such great memories of Derek and I’s new love last summer. The doctors needed to see this strength and stabilization to be confident that he would make it through surgery. They are going to be VERY selective about the liver because of how sick he is (end stage) and he is only 34 and has a whole life ahead of him (that he’s going to use to witness, God has revealed to my heart his will that we go into ministry together). So that makes me really happy they are only going to give him the best liver they can. You guys have no idea how much I appreciate all of your prayers, nothing is impossible with God and steadfast prayer. Please continue prayers for God providing the PERFECT liver his body will not reject, I know God’s got everything under control. He would not be here right now if it were not for me entering his life a year ago, and being there each time God had me there to seek medical attention. This whole thing is just like a narrative unfolding to me and it’s so humbling to see how powerful and loving and merciful our God is. I grew up in church and always kept my faith, but only when it was convenient to me. God has used this season of my life to break me down to my lowest so that he could rebuild me for his plan with my WHOLE heart towards him. And although this storm sucks, Gods shining face through it all has been so comforting now that I have TRULY sought him and I am so blessed he has used this to draw me closer to him cause I’m never going back to life before this
I got chills reading this, so happy to hear God is speaking to you even in the midst of the darkness he’s got you, trust and fall completely in faith into him and HIS plans! You’ll look back and think WOW how great is God that he has worked all of this for good—romans 8:28
Needed this verse today. Love the save and share images!
I want to thank you all for the continued prayers for my son Tanner. It brings me to tears knowing that so many are praying for us.
I have always loved the book of James. I feel it is direct in telling us how to live what we say we believe.
Rhonda your story is my story. I was so embarrassed at my 2nd marriage ending. He was a Christian, but he just walked away. After many years, God brought my unexpected husband into my life. I had no desire to be in another relationship, but God had other ideas. He is a wonderful man. And I’m so thankful.
Praying for your family Ashley.
Happy Saturday ladies! The weather sadly took a turn and will be raining/storming most of today at the beach so I’m not going. I feel at peace (my parents just got back from a week in Texas last night so I spent the morning catching up with my mom which was nice) and need to testify to the Lord’s provision yesterday: I got off work and was ready to embrace some solitude when my one best friend texted me that her nephews (2 and 3 months) were over. I haven’t met her newest nephew yet and it was such beautiful weather so I had a lovely time spending a few hours with my third family holding a tiny baby :). Then I went and treated myself to Chipotle for dinner and went to spend some time at the dog park with my best friend who got the colonoscopy (they were able to rule out some things but still no definitive answers), her boyfriend, and their dog. Boyfriend’s parents ended up coming to the dog park and invited us over to their house for a yummy coconut cake. The Lord provided not one but TWO unexpected opportunities for fellowship and spending time with people I love and I was tearing up driving home last night (and now too lol) that He sent exactly what I needed last night! A friend in California who I cried on the phone too Thursday night also called to check in last night which was such a blessing. God is so faithful and He makes a way in the darkness! Just feeling so much gratitude in my heart. My 92-year-old Christian patient prayed for me yesterday and told me that God wouldn’t be going to so much trouble to remove certain idols from my life if He didn’t have big plans for me. I see God moving and working in this season and I just wanted to share this little testimony with you all <3 Have a blessed weekend!
That’s awesome Taylor! God has put you on my heart lately, so I am praying you continue to feel His presence, provision and guidance as you trust in Him. ❤️
@IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION, I am feeling you and praying for you and healing…and for your husband.
Sweet sisters in Christ, you are all loved and protected by the One who really and truly matters. You know who I’m talking about! God our Heavenly Father who protects us and knows our every wish, need, prayer. Trying to always trust Him with our wants and desires. It’s hard sometimes but then He knows that. After all we are created in his image. He knows all the desires of our hearts but only He knows what is best for each of us. Blessings and lotsa prayers for all of y’all this weekend. ❤️
Impossible Situation, praying for you. You are held by the Most High. You are held by El Shaddai (Psalm 91). Jesus is with you to comfort you.
Good morning Sisters. The encouragement I find here can’t be explained. I rarely post but always read through the comments and feel like I know so many of you!
May I ask for your prayers? I’m catching up on my reading this morning and read SOS. I’m overcome with sadness and anxiety because my marriage (33 years) is basically a formality at this point. I’m praying for God’s wisdom and waiting on Him (for years at this point). I’m married to a narcissist and every day is a struggle. SOS only magnifies what I don’t have.
I thank God for going before me and making a way even though I don’t see.
Hoping you all have a blessed Saturday!
@ Impossible situation. I am sorry to hear that, I can only imagine what it must be like. I will pray for you.
RAMONA, ANGIE, VICTORIA E ..so glad you have been following along with Maura and I!! Going through Isaiah together has definitely been a incredible blessing and we were both excited to see chapter 43 in yesterday’s reading!!! God is so good!!!
KAITLIN SCHROEDER, Thank you so much for sharing and keeping us updated!!! My heart stopped and PRAISED Jesus with every single line you wrote!! SO EXCITING!!!! God is truly AWESOME!!! My continued prayers are with you, your boyfriend and his family!!!
ASHLEY, praying for you today ❤️
MAURA, thank you so much for your kind words yesterday…I actually teared up when I read them ❤️ ..and the Lord used what you said to me (and to yourself) to minister to a place in me that I didn’t realize needed it.. I felt like my soul and my spirit got a really comforting (((hug))) that’s staying with me… so Thank you!!! p.s. I am a person who really and truly appreciates candor, so I’m glad you were bold!!
Isaiah 48… I got a lot out of this chapter!! I LOVE how God knew (& still knows) EXACTLY how to communicate, and what to do to get our attention!! I find this very comforting… I also love how He is declaring Himself…and that He leaves no other option, than for people to stop and acknowledge Him!! He is the sovereign Lord, our redeemer, THE Holy One!! Verses 17-18 sum this up in a simple but awesome way: “17 I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. 18 If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.” SO Good!!!! Verse 21 “They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts; he made water flow for them from the rock; he split the rock and water gushed out.” showed the incredible history of our God’s faithfulness too!! This whole chapter is filled with nuggets!!! …I also thought a lot about Isaiah (the person) while reading this chapter.. what it must’ve been like for him…speaking and declaring the word/s of God to people… me? I would be terrified, not of God or of rejection or of speaking out, but of getting something wrong or conveying it the wrong way… I need to let God speak through me UNFILTERED, like Isaiah did!! Lord, please help me with this. Amen.
Here are the verses I highlighted:
Isaiah 48:4-13
Isaiah 48:16-19
Isaiah 48:21
Hope all you wonderful ladies have an amazingly blessed day!! Rest in His presence and let Him rejuvenate our souls!!
Happy wkd friends!
Today is my wedding anniversary of 11 years! I celebrate that God brought exactly what I prayed for into my life 13 years ago.
My testimony begins with my falling to my knees in despair after the failure of my second marriage. I had always been a Christian but had never really given my whole self over to the Lord and let him be essential in my life. I thought with my second marriage I was finally established, I had a precious 2-year-old joy of my life and had gotten it together after a collapsed first marriage. But my then-husband decided he didn’t want to be in it, and all I could do was fall apart. Those feelings of I can’t do this on my own, Dear Lord, Help me, embrace me, hold me, there was no one else. Sometimes you have to be empty for the Lord to GET YOUR ATTENTION, to force you to look up! I was my own self, in control of myself, and was failing again. BUT God, Life doesn’t work if you don’t put Jesus in the center of it. So there I was, in a place I didn’t want or ask to be. Thank goodness I had Godly friends at my work that I could talk to and invited me to their church, and that changed my life. I started listening to Christian music, having those ugly cries as you are driving down the road! I wrote in my journal (never before), all my lamment cries, my hopes, my prayers. And then wait…and wait…and jump into quick relationships to feed my lonesomeness. Sin always has consequences and leads down the wrong path. But I kept repenting, and making sharp turns back. Over and over again. Finally I gave over my loneliness and heartbreak to God, again, and waited. But God…it all came to fruition. But HE needed to develop me in all those years (6 or 7, which were a long time in your 30’s, single motherhood). It’s crazy what time does, and develops your story and you can look back and see exactly God being in every step of the way, if you let Him!
I just thought this story might help others in a similiar situation of waiting. Let God work in you, and wait…and listen, and follow. I have listenened to Christian music all these years because it feels my spirit and keeps my focus on Jesus all day, every day. I have such a deep connection to Jesus that I never did in the 30 years before that moment I hit my knees. So stay strong sisters in the valley. And stay thankful on the mountains! My husband is my best friend and I am so blessed and thankful for him, albeit the communication problem most recently. I still appreciate prayers for that. Marriage is ongoing work and good if only Christ-centered. Be blessed friends!
@Rhonda J thank you for your testimony! I relate to the experience of waiting, my husband and I have been waiting for God’s blessing of a child and I have definitely gotten closer to God through it.
Kaitlyn Schroeder, Praising God with you and asking for continued healing for your boyfriend’s liver. How awesome God is! Good Morning Early risers, Kelly and Searching! What a good verse today James 3:17, Praying for the pure, peace loving, mercy filled, gentle, compliant, unwavering, without pretense wisdom we can only get from the Lord and I so need. Joining your prayers. Ashley, praying you and your family all feel God’s love wrapped around you holding you close in this time. I am so sorry for your loss here. Traci G, praying God’s complete healing for Tanner, I know it takes such strength from Him when your mama heart feels helpless and your child is suffering. Sending you love-and praying peace for you. ERB, neither of us opted out today, so I read Isaiah 48, thinking maybe you will too, but will be glad to read your response later this weekend or Monday. Hoping your weekend is His peace, this week has been heavy, but full of His grace. Trying to keep my eyes on the One who loves me and let the hard things fall away. A long chapter, but as always Isaiah brings good words. Isaiah 48:8-11 drew me in to wonder as in verse 9 – He says “For my own name’s sake I delay my wrath, I hold it back from you, so as not to cut you off.” I realize sometimes in reading the Word my own sense of thinking sometimes that God is always about doing what is best for us, and how self focused I am in this. These verses again help me realize that God is God and because of who He is, faithful, mighty, merciful. He moves because of who He is, not because of my idea of Him. Yes what He does is always the best for me, but because He is true to Himself. I hope that makes sense. Then verse 10-11 that he refines as silver, and tested them in the furnace of affliction, for His own sake. As it says He can not let Himself be defamed and will not yield His glory to another. Thus the warning against idols again and again, He can not be defamed or have His praise stolen and especially by a block of wood or whatever we put above our Almighty God. Humbled by it all. 17-22 the if you had listened then this blessing run and we see what His desire was even as He was unable to bless His heart had wanted to bless Israel. Okay, that’s all I have. Thinking tomorrow to take a break, Joy to your weekend ERB and all my Sisters. Angie, loves your story of meeting an SRT sister and the One day we shall all meet in Glory. I have an Angie at work, who is really a sweet lady and I have told her about you and how I sometimes imagine because of her sweet spirit and the amazing woman you are that you are her twin. And when I see her I remember to pray for you. ❤️
Thank you so much MAURA ❤️
Reading through yesterday’s comments slowly. I so appreciate what everyone shares. It brings such a richness to the reading to see it through different experiences. The discussion of scripture and its meaning is a tradition that goes back to the beginning.
Also, whispering prayers for those requests sprinkled among the comments. ❤️
Thankful for all of you SRT friends. May you all find moments of rest and rejuvenation this weekend.
Ashley – Praying for you and your family. May you all sense God’s love and peace today and in the days ahead.
In addition to Searching’s mentions
Erricka – continuing to pray for your friend’s husband.
Fostermama – prayers for peace and that God will be glorified in the adoption proceedings.
Jennifer Collings – continuing to pray for you and your family in your grief.
Dorothy – prayers for Jake to get the help he needs.
Tina – continuing to pray for Ollie and his mom.
Maureen CK – continuing to pray for Liam’s recovery
STRUGGLING – your are loved!
I read all of James 3 this morning – good reminder of how powerful our words are!
ASHLEY – I am SO sorry for your loss. Will be praying for you and your family today, and for the Lord’s comfort and strength as you honor your brother at the memorial service.
TRACI GENDRON – praying for Tanner, and for you.
KAITLIN SCHROEDER – Praise the Lord! Thankful for the amazing turn around and will continue to pray.
SUSIE H – praying for your wayward adult child. I was one for too many years and praise the Lord that He was waiting when I came to my senses.
LAUREN – welcome! Praying for you.
TAYLOR – praying for your best friend and that the colonoscopy went well, and for answers needed for her health. Enjoy your time alone today at the beach! I am a lifetime loner (although married for many, many years) and love the peace and quiet when I can find it – hope you can tap into peace with the Lord today.