Yeow — happy Monday to YOU! We hope you’ve had a chance to dig into our new devotional, Living the Surrendered Life. We started it just five days ago so there is still time to join us. Simply catch up if you’d like to follow along on schedule, otherwise PLEASE read at your own pace. Like we’ve mentioned before, our intention is to be reading Truth daily. That means the Bible! Those red letter words are so powerful + encouraging, aren’t they?? Don’t let something as silly as a schedule deter you from reading every day :)
I had a moment last week while I was journaling where a Bible verse popped into my mind and I thought, YES! Yes Lord! This is what I’ve been seeking, to know more about the word + be able to recall verses + words of encouragement later on. It felt great. Have any of you felt that yet? Or, maybe you felt that sort of thing years ago and I’m just a late bloomer –wink! Or, maybe it hasn’t happened with a verse, but perhaps with a portion of a devotion from the Soul Detox {our first devotional} or Living the Surrendered Life {our current devotional}?
I peeked ahead at this week’s Living the Surrendered Life devotionals, and you know what? They are really, really good.
Here are some topics we’ll be studying this week: gratitude [Phil 4:11-12], rejoicing always [1 Thes. 5:16-18], faithful prayers [Romans 12:12], following the Lord’s will [James 4:13-15], repentance leads to salvation [2 Cor. 7:10].
I won’t list everything as I don’t want to spoil the way God will be speaking to each of you ;) But ohhh, trust me when I say this week is going to be so so good. Some of my deepest struggles/fears have to do with fearing the unknown.
I wonder if I were to add an extra dash of trust to my day, would life be easier? The quick, uncomplicated answer would be YES, because I would have more faith to let God reveal His perfect timing [Jeremiah 29:11]. I’m really good at focusing on the little details when really, if I could just take a step back I’d see some of those details are beauty-filled parts to the story, not flaw-filled.
Trust.
Such a big, little five-letter word.
Do you ever struggle with things these sort of things?
This week I want to practice more gratitude, rejoicing, faithful praying, all in the form of Trust.
So my challenge for you as you start a fresh week is to prepare your hearts to be able answer these questions: What are you wishing from your past would just go away? Did you know that patience is really waiting without complaining, and do you need to apply this to your life? Do you dodge responsibility? Is the Lord your God truly *everything* to you?
And remember to look for the beauty-filled parts to the story. We are excited to connect below in the comments!
PS. Let’s memorize this bit of Truth as a group for the week:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17
UPDATED: Weekly Truth Lock Screen! Next week we’ll explain how to save it directly to your phone!
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39 thoughts on "Seeing the beauty-filled parts to the story."
wait I'm dying. this is SO AMAZING and I want to be a part of it in any way I can!!! I don't have much time on my hands, but can u add me to the list or something?? Wow! REally though. This just made my day
You can just join! :) Go to the "How" button up top and join the family!!!
This series is changing my life. Thank you so much for organizing this and sharing!
Gratitude!
Love the lock screen idea!
I had been seeing the hashtag "SheReadsTruth" on Instagram and got curious! So, I joined in yesterday and quickly caught myself up to Day 5. When I read Day 5, I just about dropped my phone. My mouth opened, my eyes teared up, "oh.my.Lord.", I whispered.
You see, all weekend, I have felt the Holy Spirit's conviction about how I use my time. I waste a lot of time social networking (which isn't bad in itself), but I know I've been called to intercede for others in prayer. The words "pray without ceasing" wouldn't leave my brain. Day 5, the day I started reading on, was that very message – "praying without intermission".
I love how confirmation comes when you need it most.
Now, I am being more watchful, and keeping an attitude of prayer. I just want to be closer. What better way to be closer than to "draw near to Me, and I will draw near to you."
This is a promise.
Thank you for listening to His heart.
I too have been convicted about areas where I invest my time…really want to practice living out His plan for me.
thank you for this! trust is definitely something i struggle with so i look forward to this week. i know that God is in control and His timing is always perfect!!
I am so glad I pay attention to buttons on bloggers' sidebars. That's how I found y'all :) And I am sooooo glad I did. THIS is exactly what I need right now. God is always on time! :)
I too am LOVING this series! It's nice too that we're all doing this together :) I LOVE how each daily plan feels like it was written specifically for me!
Praise God for #she reads truth!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm really enjoying this new series. I'm learning so much about not only scripture, but also about our amazing God, his unconditional love and even about myself.
This devotional seems so fitting for me and my husband right now, but I think especially me. My husband and I are 25 and have been married for almost three years. We live with his parents and both have part time jobs. I have been struggling lately to be content and really trust in God. I agree that it is something you have to do constantly throughout the day. It is really hard to trust when you do not know the future.
Just trust that he has a plan for you and your husband. Give in to him completely. I agree that you must work daily and often throughout the day to keep God in the forefront of your mind.
My husband and I are also Living with our in laws at the time. It’s so hard. I understand completely. We can talk if you want anytime. [email protected]
This is a great site!!! I’ve been doing the studies whenever I can, which isn’t easy because as soon as you decide to do it, Satan steps up and says oh no you’re not! And starts creating a TON of distractions. But thanks to god being waaaaay more powerful, I’ve been doing it. An let me tell you…I want MORE! I love this. Thanks for the accountability.
I'm laughing… only because I UNDERSTAND! Push through it, girl! Show Satan who is boss ;D
Oh trust. Yes, I struggle with that one! So that is my challenge for the week, need to work on that trust! And I love focusing on gratitude and rejoicing – it's so easy to get pulled under in a woe is me attitude on certain things, this will help in a more positive outlook – built on trust in HIM!
Rejoicing. Yes!! Let's keep lifting each other up + looking for ways to rejoice!
I am already encouraged by this study. I'm so blessed to be surrounded by this group. This post is wonderful and I am really looking forward to this week. Gratitude and trust are so very important in our daily walk!
Really enjoying this so far—I really needed the accountability to grab a few minutes of truth everyday no matter how busy I am.
Isn't it amazing how easily we can put off even just a few short minutes? I'm really working on giving Him my FIRST Fruits … not my leftovers! Let's keep encouraging one another!
well said, Kacia! :)
Mary — take it day by day. Don't stress yourself over reading it daily, try to find enjoyment from the quiet/encouragement it'll bring you.
Are you going to have the iPhone wallpaper for this one? I didn’t see it up yet?
Hi Amy — yes! This will be available early afternoon :)
Can’t wait for the iPhone verse! Thanks to last week’s I memorized my first verse in years!
I am grateful for where God has brought my marriage and my life. The irony is that we are in a place of "need" financially, but in a place of "abundance" in family, faith, love and life. I pray i remember my God is the God of my needs AND my abundance
Hey Jenn! I wanted to encourage you with your comment. Zack + I are in a similar situation. Keep praying that the Lord will show you what's right, how to get past this tough period, how to be grateful where you are *right now*. xoxo
I'm excited about this week! Ready to get started off fresh!
I just joined a new church yesterday alongside my family and rededicated my life to Christ. I've been away too long and I'm starting a new chapter in my life and I know I need Him.
EEEK — what an exciting day yesterday was for you + your family! We're glad you're joining us Christen! xoxo
Oh my goodness, Christen! What exciting, biggest moment of your life chapter! Couldn't be more honored to be reading His word + challenging one another together!
Christen – so excited that you joined a new church!
I'm somewhat new, a friend pointed me in this direction and I couldn't be more thankful for that. As I read through today's blog, I find myself in tears. God is meeting me right where I am and poking right where I hurt. I have avoided confronting some major things in my past because I am so terrified of the pain. Terrified of reliving or rethinking through any of it. I'm nearly paralyzed. I really feel like God has been telling me "Now is the time!" and I truly believe SheReadsTruth is going to be a tool in this journey. I also know that many of you will end up praying for me after seeing my comment, so thank you for that.
Sweet C.J. — of course we will be! Taking a moment to do so right now! xoxo
Praying for you right this moment, C.J.!
I am loving this new series and so happy to be joining in. I am gleaning so much from it…. and love that she has us making a gratitude list each day! Thanks ladies for leading us!!!
"But ohhh, trust me when I say this week is going to be so so good. Some of my deepest struggles/fears have to do with fearing the unknown."
Hooboy…sounds like this week is gonna kick me in the pants, too. ;)
I'll meet you at the park, we can wallow in our pants-kicked pains together ;)
SO incredibly thankful for your ladies obedience to this calling! i'm loving these series and many simple truths are re-rooting themselves in my heart … thank you!