Holidays are an intentional time of gathering. Families travel from far away, kids come home for winter break, and grandparents break out a plethora of decorations and sugar cookies. When all of my family sits sprawled in the living room, passing out presents and filling the air with laughter, my heart expands with love as I savor the faces of my favorite people.
The warmth of coming together with friends and family brings a familiarity that’s been formed in us to recognize, because God, who created all life, longs to bring us home to Him.
Throughout the Old Testament, God continually called to His people, the Israelites, as they forgot Him and went their own way. Their sin broke God’s heart, and they often became tangled in their own webs of self-centeredness and pride.
But God never once abandoned them. Through the prophets, who challenged the Israelites and foretold their captivity, God also gave them hope and a reminder of His covenant. He kept His promise: a Messiah who would save His people from their sins and establish an everlasting reign. He would come to free the captives, heal the brokenhearted, and bring beauty from ashes.
This Advent, we celebrate God sending Jesus to earth to become human while fully retaining His deity. He empathized with us, grew up under the law, and then fulfilled the law through His death and resurrection. Humanity at last had the long-awaited One who would set them free. Through Jesus, we are grafted into God’s family, inheriting all the spiritual blessings found in Christ.
Becoming God’s child is available to everyone now, and it’s evident He longs to gather up His people. He makes Himself known through creation, through His Word, and through us with the message of His Son.
This Advent, how can you celebrate the gift of Immanuel, God with us? Could you spread holiday cheer to a family member who could use a little extra? How about paying for the person behind you in the coffee line waiting to order their cocoa? A little Christmas kindness can go a long way when looking into the heart of the people around us who just might be in need of the hope in Christ you have to offer.
In Jesus, God came through on His promise to deliver us. We rejoice and we wait, recognizing that Jesus has come while looking toward the day when He will come again to usher all of us fully and forever into the kingdom of His Father.
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129 thoughts on "He Will Gather His People"
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The way the Lord prophesied His goodness mercy and redeeming plans over Israel before He sent them into exile reminds me of how He clothed Adam and Eve in the garden before throwing them out and marking Cain before sending Him off to wander. We still face the consequences of our sins, yet He is faithful to us!
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Kindness matters and is how we demonstrate Gods love for us to others. I try to pay for others anonymously but have not in awhile. This was a good reminder that I should be spreading more kindness
God didn’t abandon His people and He won’t abandon us.
Hope, He brings that to us, He wants us to have that. He has a plan for us, plans for well being not disaster to give a future and a hope❤️ love the promises our Lord God makes and keeps!
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Amen
I love the hope that Jesus brings; over 2000 years ago and now. God has never left us.
Amen!
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I love the idea of God desiring to bring us close. He loves us so much that He hates the distance that we create between us (sin)! But Jesus has made it possible for us to be grafted into the family of God where we get to inherit all the riches of eternal life that should just be for Jesus. But He is so loving and generous that He offers it to us as well. God is so good!
Amen ❤️
Ladies can you please pray for my new grat nephew? He is one month old and needs to have surgery for a stomach blockage. I’m also praying that the parents will feel a sense of calm during this hard time. Thank you.
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I have always loved Jeremiah 29:11-14. My same nephew and his wife found out that her car needs an unbelievable amount of work. The price was very high. We are lending them a car until they can decide which direction to go in. This is our family that could use a little extra.
Praying for you all, Traci.
Praying for the little one’s surgery and recovery, and for God’s peace to calm his parents’ nerves.
Praying for wisdom in the car decision.
A lot coming at one time for them, thankful y’all are there for support.
Prayed for them financially and that the surgery goes well. Prayed for peace. So glad you were able to provide for them with a car.
Traci; Praying for the little person.. abd prayerful his parents have a calm and a peace at this time..❤️
Praying for him and his parents.
Praying for this little one and the needs of this family❤️
Prayers, indeed!
Praying for God’s protection and healing.
Praying for you and the family❤️
My grandma (my moms mom) has a procedure coming up. No idea what it entails besides a trip to the hospital. So she probably won’t be doing much cooking this year.
Praying your grandma’s procedure goes well & she recovers quickly!
Praying for grandma, Caroline ❤️
Praying for your grandma that the Lord’s hand sustain her.
Caroline this is the year to do something different ❤️
The holidays can bring so much joy and also remind us of the ones we have lost. I pray that everyone who is missing a loved one during this advent season is filled with peace and love. The Lord sees our tears and hears our prayers. ❤️
The part of todays reading/reflection that I can’t help keep coming back to is the command God give’s the Isrealites to pray for and actively seek the well being of the city/country that were residing in (temporarily). There is so much in our nation and our communities that we can be in prayer about. A song came to mind (that I have actually not heard for awhile) “You said” by Hillsong. I’ve included a a portion of it here:
“You said, “ask and you will receive
Whatever you need”
You said, “pray and I’ll hear from heaven,
And I’ll heal your land”
You said Your glory will fill the earth
Like water the sea
You said, “lift up your eyes;
The harvest is here, the kingdom is near”
You said, “ask and I’ll give the nations to you”
Oh Lord, that’s the cry of my heart
Distant shores and the islands will see
Your light, as it rises on us”
I noticed that too, Lauren. Our nation…
Happy Friday shes. I love Isaiah 61 very much. I would read this sometimes and encourage myself. The first five verses I like to consider as “job description” for the church. This is restorative work for the body of Christ. I listened to a sermon a while back spoken by a young lady (who was in fashion designing now in ministry), she called young people to not run away from pain. If you see pain, discern that it’s the right direction of your audience, don’t run toward the opposite direction. Let’s unpack. “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies”. Can we handle someone else’ depression and grief? The Bible says, trials are common to all people and our suffering are not unique. There’s a song that goes.. “Nobody knows the troubles I have seen” my husband used to sing this jokingly, I think he got this from the donkey in Shrek. Jesus knows the troubles we have seen, and so many others on this earth experience pain daily. I used to walk through a dark period myself that lasted a few years long, and everyday I asked God why. Now I know. It is to help someone else. Sometimes our pain is to equip us so we know how to “comfort the brokenhearted”, so we may be able to handle their depression, and we “may be able to comfort those in every tribulation through the comfort with which we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:4).
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Isaiah 61 outlines the nature of God’s restorative mission in details, which the five-fold ministry trains the Church to carry out. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers embody these, but all believers are to engage in them at some level. Are we supposed to be comfortable ministering to the poor, brokenhearted, prisoners, and those who mourn? If we follow His pattern in Isaiah 61, we inevitably will interact with people whose lives are messy, distressed, and unstable. This does not mean we must be reckless or ignore boundaries, but it does mean the ministry environment will rarely be “clean,” predictable, or emotionally convenient. Patience, compassion and endurance have to be our core disciplines. And that takes godly training and character building.
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How do we recognize the audience we are to minister to?
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The poor (economically or spiritually), signs: confusion or instability in decision-making, financial instability, asking for help, inconsistent work, desperation.
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The brokenhearted (intense grief, emotional volatility, repeated disappointment, mistrust of relationships, anxiety around connection, quiet sorrow, sometimes expressed in withdrawal).
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The captives/ prisoners (literal or figurative): addiction cycles, mental or emotional bondage, feeling “stuck,” powerless, or ashamed, patterns of sin that feel unbreakable.
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Those who mourn (recent loss of death, divorce, job, identity, community, disorientation “Who am I now?”, sadness that appears disproportionate to current circumstances.
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The “Desolate Places” / “Ruined Cities” People : these are individuals whose entire life structures need rebuilding, multi-layered dysfunction (family, finances, spiritual life, purpose), little sense of future, worn-out self-esteem, tangled generational patterns… which calls for long term discipling, structure building, consistent encouragement, practical coaching.
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How do we avoid running away from these people for self-preservation? (lol real question). There needs to be strong mindset that can sustain us without burnout. Assignment awareness: we need to tell ourselves “this is the exact kind of person Isaiah 61 prepares me for” before we set out. Struggle will come, but it is not a sign to flee, it is a God-given call. Identify the pain that you’ve been through, it’s usually the assignment since your audience will have the exact or similar issues you used to have. Boundaries and level of access when helping: healthy limits, we can love sincerely WITHOUT giving unlimited access. Expect mess, not Perfection (I wish someone told me this, why are these things not taught in church!): when working with wounded people, slow progress and setbacks are normal. Avoid Savior Syndrome (so important!): we are not responsible for outcomes, GOD is, our role is obedience, presence, and proclamation, if we are not mindful of this, the blame game and comparison from satan and the pharisees, and other “christians” etc. can cause us to quit and hide in cave season.
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So based on Isaiah 61, the “audience” consists of: the materially or spiritually poor, the emotionally wounded, the oppressed or addicted, the grieving, the unstable or rebuilding, those who no one else has patience for. These are ministry targets. Ephesians 4 show how the five -fold ministry also align with each category.
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There are strategies to establish boundaries when serving difficult or draining individuals. Not every person is our long-term assignment.
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We can ask God, “what portion of healing am I called to provide?” A word, a connection, a prayer, a relationship? When we know our portion, it takes the weight off and prevents burnout.
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Maintain boundaries (this is healthy and not selfish): no constant crisis-rescue behavior, no violating our family’s health or our emotional limits, give clear expectations for meetings or help.
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We need to discern fruit from noise: watch for willingness to grow (amen SEACHING, “you are not willing”), repentance, honesty, teachability. We must stay compassionate without taking ownership over the mission/ person: It is God who heals and changes heart, we participate, but we cannot produce the outcome, ditch the “we must fix them” mindset, we are partnering with God only.
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While serving/helping, we must protect our spiritual life at the same time: healthy rest are non-negotiable, prayer life, spiritual discipline, and alone time with God must go on, to be recharged and restored to the Source (Jehovah Jirah).
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Long notes but I felt led to share and go into details. Thank you if you make it this far.
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Prayers for our precious hearts today:
SHARON JERSEY GIRL ❤️- comfort and strength for your cousin’s family, oh my.
KELLY (NEO) ❤️- for your mom and the sudden pass away of your step dad.
SEARCHING ❤️- strength for LW & KB for the funeral; for Judy to have grace and help caring for her husband’s declining state.
I am deeply sorry sisters for the pain you are walking through. May the Lord strengthen us as we uphold these families up and offer the emotional support they need, while we ourselves lean on God, our steady Rock, our emotional pillar and sure foundation.
Be blessed dear sisters.
I did make it, sister, but will need to spend time going over it more slowly. Thank you for sharing ❤️
I made it, too. ❤️
You have a gift. Thanks for taking the time to share.
Thank you Mercy. This is so informative and worth the share. Thank you.❤️
I made it. Thank you Mercy ❤️
Thank you for sharing! So good!
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I stopped by my Grandma’s on my way to work. She just lives down the road from me so I try to check on her. I left with a slew of Christmas cookies, sugar cut out cookies with icing. As I’m sitting here drinking my coffee and eating my grandma’s cookies I read “and grandparents break out a plethora of decorations and sugar cookies. When all the family sits sprawled in the living room, passing out presents and filling the air with laughter, my heart expands with love as I savor the faces of my favorite people.”
So much love in those rooms. If we can muster up this much love for our families and those close to us, how much MORE does our Heavenly Father love us??? In our human weakness, we can love our family so deeply, how much more does He love us and long to gather His children into His presence, to surround us with a love far greater than anything we have ever known? The picture overwhelms me because I know how much love are in rooms on Christmas. Love for those there and love for those that no longer are. God, who created ALL life longs to bring us HOME to Him. This is what the Lord of Armies says.. this is the Lord’s declaration. Signed, sealed, and delivered.
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Needed this.
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What great reminders of encouragement and hope we read today, both from the Word and the devotional.
“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. You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. I will be found by you”—this is the Lord’s declaration.
When we call on Him, seek Him, look to Him He is there offering us restoration, hope and a future. What a great comfort and peace this is. Thank you Lord ❤️
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Specific and Random Musings for Today.
Isaiah 61:1-5. This is the Old Testament or the Good News of the Hebrew Bible that is fulfilled in Jesus. Jesus had a very determined and specific mission outlined before He was born of a woman:
1. to bring good news to the poor
“Blessed are the poor in Spirit”
2. to heal the brokenhearted
3.to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners.
” Woman, thou are loose.” Is one example of many. On the Cross, He freed us all.
4. to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of our G-d’s vengeance
5. to comfort all those who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion
He comforted and provided a Comforter the Holy Spirit. He did make room for the Gentiles and offered them the same benefit to the Jews.
The first exile was when Adam and Eve were thrown out of the garden. There have been many exiles.
As a student of the Holocaust in a secular sense, I can see how G-d used this terrible, horrible, crime against humanity to birth the nation of Israel. The satan meant to destroy the Jewish people in the ovens of Hitler and his henchmen.
G-d had made a promise to Abraham.
The book of Ezekiel tells the story of a vision. Dry bones in a valley coming back to life. I believe this was God resurrecting the nation of Israel from the concentration camps and birthing the nation of Israel in 1941.
Isaiah 66:8 poses the question: ” Who has heard of such a thing? Who has seen such a things? Can a land be born in one day or a nation be delivered in one instant. Yet as as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her sons.”
Prophecies can have multiple meanings. To end, I will say Jews are one reason I believe in God. If it had been for G-d the promise keeper, keeping his promises to Abraham there would not be Jewish people. G-d is real and working as powerfully now as He was in the days of Abraham, Jacob, and Issac.
The Ancient of Days has not failed to keep one of his promises.. His light has not grown dim or his power weakened.
Way maker /Promisekeeper Leland
Verse 1 (x2)
You are here, moving in our midst
I worship You
I worship You
You are here, working in this place
I worship You
I worship You
Chorus
Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
Verse 2
You are here, touching every heart
I worship You
I worship You
You are here, healing every heart
I worship You
I worship You
You are here, turning lives around
I worship You
I worship You
You are here, mending every heart
I worship You
I worship You
Chorus (x2)
Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
Tag (x2)
That is who You are
That is who You are
That is who You are
That is who You are
Chorus
Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
Bridge (x4)
Even when I don’t see it, You’re working
Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working
You never stop, You never stop working
You never stop, You never stop working
Chorus
Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
Tag (x2)
That is who You are
That is who You are
That is who You are
That is who You are
Chorus
Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
Great sharing & song ❤️
I love that song. Thanks for reminding me of it. Such strong and beautiful words!
Amen and amen! The story of our lives now intertwined in the story of Jesus! Beautiful! I was struck too how He gave instructions for living in a foreeign land, to seek the welfare of the city they were in exile, and that God had already set a time when He would again rescue them, and there is a time that has been set when He will return and into His glorious presence for eternity we will go!
I loved the imagery of today’s message that comes from scripture itself! God uses birds a lot to remind us of his care. Gathering his “headstrong and off in every direction”…children under his wing of protection!!It is quite the imagery!! We don’t want the protection until we want the protection! Just like our toddlers! Thinking they can do it. Just like our teenagers thinking they know it all! Just like our twenty-something thinking they know better. Ay, yi!
We live and we learn. We fall and cry. The storm comes and we WANT shelter. Our life becomes ashes and ruins and we want gardens and beauty!!
HE offers all that. And though it’s not always grand, or perfect…we DO have eternal shelter coming!! The sick healed, the broken made whole, the captives free! We can have it in our Spirits now, because Jesus came to be one of us…to show us the way! He gives us a light to shine in the dark, the means to help others, and the Holy Spirit in us to Magnify his Glory!
I love the song Holy Forever, now put in Christmas version!! And like Cee Gee shared, He is our “living Hope! At Easter, Christmas and everyday!!
I’m not sure if I shared, but this week as we are in PEACE…it comes from the Hope we have first, in Him!! Sent to us!! But then laying down every burden to Him! And knowing that he gathers us to protect us through everything, with us, in us, always. What a blessing and gift. I rejoice in that today!
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From the devo this morning: He kept His promise: a Messiah who would save His people from their sins and establish an everlasting reign. Thank you Jesus! What stood out this morning was Jer 29:14…”I will restore you to the place from which I deported you.” I am no longer a foreigner! Thank you JESUS! Happy Friday sweeties!
“God has made a home among His people for both Jews and non-Jews. It is true that Christians can still suffer exile, in a sense. We have no permanent land here (Hebrews 13:14Open in Logos Bible Software (if available), 1Peter 1:1Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)), and we still experience loss. But in another sense, we are not exiles. We are at home because Jesus Christ is our home. And if Christ is our home, we can be at home wherever we are, even as we look forward to our full homecoming.”
Written by Elliot Ritzema- He Reads Truth
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He is our HOME;
He is our HOPE!
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Wiersbe notes:
True hope is based on the revealed Word of God, not on the dream messages of self-appointed prophets (v. 8). God had given His people a gracious promise to deliver them, and He would keep His promise. God makes His plans for His people, and they are good plans that ultimately bring hope and peace. His people have no reason, therefore, to be afraid or discouraged.
In every situation, however, God’s people have the responsibility to seek the Lord, pray, and ask Him to fulfill His promises, for the Word and prayer go together (Acts 6:4).
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SONG SHARE:
Living Hope by Phil Wickham
How great the chasm that lay between us
How high the mountain I could not climb
In desperation, I turned to heaven
And spoke Your name into the night
Then through the darkness
Your loving kindness
Tore through the shadows of my soul
The work is finished, the end is written
Jesus Christ, my living hope
Who could imagine so great a mercy?
What heart could fathom such boundless grace?
The God of ages stepped down from glory
To wear my sin and bear my shame
The cross has spoken, I am forgiven
The king of kings calls me His own
Beautiful savior, I’m Yours forever
Jesus Christ, my living hope
Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me
You have broken every chain
There’s salvation in Your name
Jesus Christ, my living hope
Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me
You have broken every chain
There’s salvation in Your name
Jesus Christ, my living hope
Then came the morning that sealed the promise
Your buried body began to breathe
Out of the silence, the roaring lion
Declared the grave has no claim on me
Then came the morning that sealed the promise
Your buried body began to breathe
Out of the silence, the roaring lion
Declared the grave has no claim on me
Jesus, Yours is the victory, whoa!
Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me
You have broken every chain
There’s salvation in Your name
Jesus Christ, my living hope
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
Wow, Cee Gee. Thanks for sharing what Eliot wrote. One of the Hebrew names of God is HaMakom and the meaning is. “The Place.” G-d and Jesus are places of refuge, and places of comfort when we mourn. i love singing ” You are my Hiding Place”
I get super excited when ” G-d and Jesus” the Place”comes up.
Wow I never heard of that name of God. Thank you Tanya. “You are my hiding place” is one of my favorite songs too, we practiced this for a duet one Christmas. It has such personal meaning for me.
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Tanya, thanks so much for sharing that! I love that sing, too, especially the Maranatha Singers’ version. ❤
How did you reply several times successfully CEE GEE? When on my computer I could only respond ONCE. And now I’m on my phone, for the second once. Haha. Your tech saavy tips to navigate this limitation please ✨❤️❤️
Same..but she told us the other day not to click the “save my info” box…and that worked for me and can now do multiple replies!
Great comment above…I copied it all to save since I work with so many that I need to keep it in check!! Such good wisdom!
Interesting. Thank you Rhonda. It worked!
Rhonda and Mercy: ❤❤❤!!!
I hesitated to share this song because I coukd not validate it’s authenticity, BUT I listened to it and it is beautiful.
Jesus IS our unshakable love (and hope)!!
Chris Tomlin – “Unshakable Love” | Lyrics Video
He is our home. He is our hope..
Amen..❤️❤️
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Amen❤️
Earlier this morning I was just talking out loud to the Lord. I asked for encouragement – anything big or small, something to give hope for the future…and then I read Jeremiah 29:11. I know this was written as a promise to the Israelites, not to me but it does give a ray of hope because it reminds me that God’s way is perfect and best and whatever happens in my life is for my good and for His glory…my next thought was, maybe I’m not seeking Him with all my heart – as much as I think I am. I need to find me a place to get completely alone with God, for an entire day and read, meditate on His word and commune with Him in prayer. Where will that be??
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UPDATE: Many of you have prayed in the past for my cousin Scott who has been battling cancer for a number of years. Sadly he passed away yesterday and I don’t know that he ever accepted Christ. I reached out to him numerous times and shared the gospel in a FB messenger text, but he never responded so I don’t know if he read it or not. So sad. Please pray that his family will be comforted and that they will come to know the Lord personally.
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Be blessed sisters. Hugs and prayers are sent your way.❤️
Will pray that God send just the right encouragement to your heart and so sorry to hear of Scott’s passing. ❤️
So sorry to read this, Sharon. May God give your family comfort and peace as you process this together.
Praying for comfort for Scott’s family and for them to know Jesus personally. And for all of our lost/prodigals to have soft hearts, and have their eyes, ears, hearts and minds opened to the truth of the Gospel and accept salvation.
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Prayers for you to find that time and place to be completely alone with God. ❤️
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You are a blessing!
SHARON, praying you have peace knowing you offered the hope Scott needed. Will pray for his family that in their griefthey are open to Jesus.
Joining my sisters in prayer for your family, so sorry to hear of Scott’s passing.
I’m sorry to read this Sharon. Praying for you and your family.
Sorry for your loss, Sharon.
I am so sorry for your family’s loss, Sharon.
Praying that what you shared with your cousin was received and he was able to make a decision ❤️
Lord, give me strength to praise rather than despair. Remembering that You are constant even when life is stormy. Thank you for loving me.
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Amen Linda J
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Amen!
Coming to mind this morning is the persecution of Christians in many parts of the world, unchecked in many places. Praying for them.
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Jesus’ words in Matthew 23:37 ….. “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!”
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“but you were not willing!”
Praying for the lost, especially those who have heard about Jesus and have been told of His birth, life, death, resurrection and the gift of salvation He offers – and have rejected Him. Praying for those that are fooling themselves, Christians in outward appearance only.
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KIMBERLY Z – always good to see you ❤️
CRISSY HUNTER ❤️ “Or bypass You because I do not see You like I would a friend in a coffee shop to catch up”
MERCY ❤️ “the fine print … learning the finer details of the Bible …Blessed are those who seek wisdom and knowledge consistently to put into practice. So when satan comes and tests us in the details, “did God really say..?” you answer back “lopsided grace”. Arm yourselves with the word little by little everyday.”
YVONNE WALDRON ❤️
KRISTY ❤️ gratefulness, that He wants to be known by me
CEE GEE – ❤️ song shares
MIA FAITH ❤️
RHONDA J thank you for Tosha’s update, praying for her and these circumstances
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Prayer requests –
For LW, KB and family – memorial service for their loved one is today. They all have a long road of grief and healing ahead.
For Judy and her husband that I met in a long term care facility recently – he has some health issues that now require a wheelchair and is declining mentally due to dementia. When I saw them this week, he seemed to have lost a lot of his ability to communicate. They do know the Lord and she is encouraging and coaxing him as best she can on this long, lonely, painful road as many here have experienced and are currently experiencing.
Searching – praying along with you for the lost. I will also continue to pray for LW & KB and family. Praying too for Judy and her husband. ❤️
“You were not willing.” Ugh!
Praying for LW, KB, Judy and her husband for what they each stand in need of❤️
Amen
I love the section of the verse in Isaiah, that says “garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair”. It was one of those moments when you read a passage you’ve read so many times before but it strikes you different this time. This passage was that for me this morning. It’s lasts been a passage of hope and promise, but this phrase practically leapt off the page today. Wear your garment of praise today with boldness and keep despair at bay. Like a cape that you wrap yourself in to keep the weather out.
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Love this, Cathy!!
Thank you for pointing out this phrase. My version says, “festive praise instead despair.” As I struggle with anxiety, a good reminder that I can replace it with festive praise, in His name.
Thank you for the encouragement to “wear the garment of praise” today. ❤️
Thank you Cathy for this visual and encouragement to wear my garment of praise today and each day. ♥️
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Read your comment at just the right moment this morning. Thank you for pointing out that phrase and expounding! ❤️
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Coming together- may we all find our community
Amen❤️
“He will come again to usher all of us fully and forever into the kingdom of His Father.”
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While I long for this day to come quickly, it is sobering how many have not yet heard or have not surrendered their hearts to Jesus.
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Lord, help me to follow Your lead and speak of You and Your saving grace to those You send my way.
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Requesting prayers for my family, especially my mom. My stepfather died suddenly yesterday morning in their home seemingly from a heart attack. He was 77. Per his wishes there will be no memorial service. Today would have been their 39th wedding anniversary. Thank you, Shes.
Oh my Kelly. I am so sorry to hear this! I have prayed right now.
So sorry for your loss. Praying your mom feels God’s peace and comfort.
Oh, Kelly, I am so, so sorry for the loss, the timing, the circumstances, the suddenness. Praying for comfort, for healing and for wisdom and guidance in the decisions and adjustments in the coming weeks and months. Love you, sister.
Yes! I add my echo and amen. So very sorry, Kelly! ❤️
Yes, echoing as well. So sorry for your mom. Lord be close to her.
A reminder you just never know what a day may bring, to always know God is there though for us.
I echo that prayer, as well.
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I am so sorry for your loss, Kelly.
I am so sorry. I will be praying for your family, especially your Mom.
Oh Kelly, I am so sorry for your family’s loss. Sending prayers for comfort and peace.
Prayer up right now ❤️
May your mom and all of you feel God’s comfort and peace.
I have prayed for you and your family. May God give you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
So sorry, Kelly. Praying for your mom and your family.
Kelly I am so, so sorry to hear of your stepdad’s sudden passing. Prayers for you, your mom and the rest of the family. ❤️
So sorry for your family’s loss, praying for peace in this for you all
Praying for your Mom, you, and your family. I pray for peace and comfort for all of you.
Kelly, I just prayed for you and your Mom. It’s so difficult to lose someone close to you anytime but it’s more profound during the holidays. May God’s peace bring you and your Mom comfort. May you have the opportunity to just sit and be still with her. I have a feeling that she will need someone to just sit with her at the beginning or ending of the day.
The Lord look on her and give her much comfort and strength.
So very sorry for your loss and have prayed for you and your family ❤️
So sorry for your family’s loss. Praying for you all, especially for your mom.
Thank you, all ❤️❤️
Praying for your mom, I am so sorry. We truly just never know.
I’m so sorry to hear this. So sorry for your loss. Praying for your mom and you as you process this sadness. May God bless your family during this difficult time.❤️
So sorry for your sudden loss. Praying for you and your mom!
Praying for peace and comfort for you and your family, Kelly.
Oh I am so sorry. Prayers for your family and especially your mom. ❤️
Praying for the Lord’s comfort over your mom and family dear Kelly. I am so sorry.
So sorry for your loss, Kelly. Sounds hard for your mom to have no service. Praying for peace.
So sorry for your loss Kelly!
Praying God’s comfort for your Mom and strength for you as you
Minister to your family.
Praying for your family, especially your mother. May God give you comfort and strength during this difficult time ❤️
Happy Friday, She’s. Today, may you experience the Jubilee that our Messiah purchased for you!
“This Advent, we celebrate God sending Jesus to earth to become human while fully retaining His deity. He empathized with us, grew up under the law, and then fulfilled the law through His death and resurrection. Humanity at last had the long-awaited One who would set them free. Through Jesus, we are grafted into God’s family, inheriting all the spiritual blessings found in Christ.”
What more can we say?? Thank You, Jesus and Amen!