Scripture Reading: Romans 8:23, John 15:2, John 16:8-15, Acts 2:1-47
In light of the day’s reading, pause to reflect on the specific areas you long to see made new and how Jesus’s ministry calls us to join in that restoration. Let these shape your prayers today.
God’s work on earth didn’t end after Christ ascended to heaven. Instead, the work of making all things new continues because God’s presence remains with us. The Holy Spirit came to continue producing the fruit of new creation in and through our lives.
After you’ve read, spend some time in prayer about where you need the Spirit to work in and through you. Comment/share with the community anything that stood out to you or encouraged you from the reading or your time in prayer.
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48 thoughts on "The Continuing Work of New Creation"
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Thank you God for the Holy Spirit
Such a good passage to read.
“Save yourselves from this crooked generation” STILL VERY MUCH APPLIES TODAY MORE SO THAN EVER. Let us pray for the ones in this generation straying from God that they open their eyes and come to God;
Also, the last verse being “.. the Lord added day by day to the ones saved” He is still working in people’s lives and bringing them home to him. He is always working around us and showing his mercy and grace. What an honor it is to know him and his love.
God is always working all around us but oftentimes we are forgetting to look for him. Sometimes it is very evident in a new job, a new friend, a new place to live etc. Sometimes it is a little more discreet like in a flower waving in the breeze as you glance out the car window as if God is saying, “Good morning child of mine!”
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This brings such deep hope and joy to me. Thank You Jesus, Father and Holy Spirit! Amen
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”concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;“
John 16:9 ESV
”When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth,
John 16:13 ESV. I felt so convicted this morning that all sin come out of a lack of belief/trust in God. Such a heavy conviction. All I could think was Lord I believe help me in my unbelief! Then ERIN K reminded me that the Spirit guides us into all truth. Thank you God for not leaving me in that place but ushering me into your truth through the gift of your Spirit. Praise God!
I need the Comforter to be my comfort. To fully. Rest in Him, knowing that the present difficulties in life are a mere shadow.
The Spirit will guide us into all truth. What a comfort when I am confused and bewildered. The last year was very hard for me, and I feel challenged from these verses to ask God if there is pruning he wants to do there.
So grateful for the Holy Spirit!
“Repent and be baptized every one of you and in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.”
I’ve posted before about wanting this year to be about connecting back to God. I’m hoping to find the courage this Sunday to join a local church in person. I have been attending an online program. Im not sure why it feels so intimidating… maybe because I also have a 6 month old so not sure how she will cooperate! Anyways I would really like to be baptized this year. I was never baptized as a child… which now feels okay to me because I’m making the choice to be baptized on my own.
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The Spirit- I truly desire to hear more, see more, and understand more. Refresh my heart Lord.
I was struck by the contrast of the Tower of Babel, and how God had to confuse & disperse the people, to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which unified everyone in their own language. The beauty & wonder of God to do such a thing is stunning.
Thank you for sharing this. I had never made that connection before.
Thank you for this explanation!!!
Sorry I typed wrong, too! weak not week.
oops – I copied and pasted the lyrics and just now saw a typo – weak, not weak.
Thanks Kelly, I had looked at a later June study this morning but haven’t had a chance to look further.
Someone asked when Dorothy’s last post was…she posted last on June 1, 2023 during the Amos Study.
Late post but finally here!
Rhonda J, I am listening to an acoustic version of Come, Jesus, Come right now and sharing the lyrics below post. Thank you for sharing this awesome song – I have never heard it!
This morning as I read the Scriptures above I was reminded of a time years ago. We live in SC where lots of peaches are grown. I happened to drive by a field near our home on pruning day one year and was shocked to see how many branches were on the ground! It hurt to see that, but I knew it was so necessary for good peach production. Pruning is one of my least favorite gardening chores. I don’t mind pruning away the dead stuff, but the growing stuff? I just want to let everything live, but I know that the plants do better with the gardener’s attention and control. It’s always a great reminder of our Heavenly Father and his care and control in our lives.
TERRI BALDWIN – I have In the Garden (sheet music printed on wood) sitting on my bookshelf and I am looking at it now! <3
DONNA WOLCOTT – Thanks so much for sharing! I printed the list. <3
Finally, SEARCHING, dear sister, thank you for your diligence in finding out about our sweet Dorothy! Oh, how that hurts my heart for us and her friends and family, but at least we know she was secure in her faith and we know where she is. Thank you, also, for contacting the mortuary and sharing the address. I will be sending a card also. <3
I plan to light a candle in honor of DOROTHY as I open She Reads Truth on GRACE DAY if anyone wants to join me where you are. She certainly touched us all and is greatly missed. I think she would not want us to be sad, but to be even more determined to make everyday count for our Lord. Love each and all of you and pray for your needs.
Come Jesus Come (lyrics)
Stephen McWhirter
Sometimes I fall to my knees and pray
Come Jesus come let today be the day
Sometimes I feel like I'm gonna break
But I'm holding on to a hope that won't fade
Come Jesus come we've been waiting so long
For the day You return to heal every hurt and right every wrong
We need you right now come and turn this around
Deep down I know this world isn't home
Come Jesus come
There'll be no war and there'll be no chains
When Jesus comes let today be the day
He'll come for the week and the strong just the same
And all will believe in the power of His name
Come Jesus come we've been waiting so long
For the day You return to heal every hurt and right every wrong
We need you right now come and turn this around
Deep down I know this world isn't home
Come Jesus come
Come Jesus come
One day He'll come and we'll stand face to face
Come and lay it all down cause it might be today
The time is right now there's no need to wait
Your past will be washed by rivers of grace
Come Jesus Come we've been waiting so long
For the day You return to heal every hurt and right every wrong
We need you right now come and turn this around
Deep down I know this world isn't home
Come Jesus come
Come Jesus come
Come Jesus come
Songwriters: Stephen Mcwhirter, Hank Bentley, Bryan Christopher Fowler, Tara Mcwhirter
I need the Holy Spirit to remove my anxiety so I can thrive in living the Lord’s will.
Thank you Searching for finding Dorothy for us! I miss her comments; so much! I sent a card from the funeral home site.
Reflecting on Christ’s ascension, it’s evident that God’s work on earth didn’t simply come to a stop. The Holy Spirit continues to drive forward, carrying on the mission of renewal and transformation.
Since Jesus ascended, the Holy Spirit has been actively at work among us, empowering us to live out the concept of new creation. Take the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. They begin to manifest when we walk in step with the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit serves as our guide, our source of strength, and our means of growth. Through the Spirit’s gentle prompting, we become vessels of God’s grace, fostering change wherever we go.
With the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, the process of making all things new remains ongoing. It’s a continuous renewal, shaping the world and drawing us closer to the realization of heaven on earth.
How amazing to think of the Peter of old and compare to this one, filled with the Holy Spirit, changed by Jesus life and death and resurrection..he was saved and changed quickly. I want to be so bold! Holy Spirit, lead and guide me, speak through me with boldness,courage and such passion! I want people to see Jesus in and through me!
I feel like there are so many places I need to see the Holy Spirit work in my life. I think the main place I need to see the Holy Spirit work is by helping me to walk in peace. I have struggled with anxiety all of my life. I want to trust in his will for my life so that I don’t have to feel like I am controlling it all. He is so much better at holding everything together than me.
Courtney T. I read page129 in the study book too. I read it aloud so it made it so much more affirming. For those who don’t have a study book, this was what was listed.
I am God’s Workmanship, purposefully created. EPH2:10
I am a coheir with Christ. RM8:17
I am wanted. JN17:24
I am found. LK15
I am sacrificially loved. 1JN4:10
I am saved by grace. EPH2:8
I am redeemed and forgiven. EPH1:7
I am free from and condemnation. RM8:1
I am chosen and holy. 1PT2:4,9
I am Jesus’s friend. JN15:15
I am a citizen in God’s kingdom. RM9:26
I am God’s coworker. 1CO3:9
I am an essential part of Christ’s body. 2CO12:18
I am a branch on His vine. JN15:5
I am an ambassador for Christ, sent with His good news to the world. 2CO5:20
I am the salt of the earth. MT5:13
I am the light of the world. MT5:14
I am a child of God. 1JN3:1-2
Amen and thank you Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
Thank you SEARCHING!
Back with more reflection my sister friends. None. None of what I confessed or professed earlier today happens with ease & certainly not within my own power. It’s the blood of Jesus that covers & heals. As those gathered before Peter, first, pierced in the heart, then recognition then repentance, then baptism, then salvation, then the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The old body burdened by sin must be relinquished. Before the new body can emerge, restored & rectified.
Thanks be to God.
John 15:2 Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.
I love that. God is “downsizing” all the stuff I don’t need. The stuff that bogs me down. The stuff that doesn’t yield anything good. The stuff with no value. I love it. I can learn a lesson from this.
But I also love that He takes care and nourishes and prunes and watches over the stuff that I do need. The stuff that lifts me up. The stuff that yields something good. The stuff with eternal value. I can learn a lesson from this, too.
I am reposting, now that Day 25 is here…
“ KELLY (NEO)… thank you for posting the readings.
I read the Romans verse but then backed up and went forward. There is so much richness and context surrounding that one verse. We often take note of verse 22, but did you notice that verse 24 ends with the word PATIENTLY (emphasis, mine)? That’s so hard for me… anyone else? Heeheehee!
Be patient as we wait for the new creation that He has promised, sweet sisters. It is so hard to be patient, but we can do it! (One of my preschoolers often says,,, because I said it once, and she is just parroting me… but still… “It’s hard to wait.”)”
Thank you HEIDI and SEARCHING for the info on our Dorothy. I live about an hour north of the KC metro. Depending on the day and time, I might go to represent her sisters from SRT.
SHARON JERSEY GIRL, HEIDI (good to see you!), KELLY (NEO) and others – yes, hoping for the family to feel the love from Dorothy’s sisters here! Sending a card today, and will also try to post on the tribute page as RHONDA J suggested (hopefully family is aware of the page). love you, sisters!
MERCY :)
GWINETH52 :) your comment made me squirm, especially the first section . . . ouch. Thank you.
Things that got my attention today – the pruning that’s needed to bear more fruit. The care shown by Jesus when he said “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” NKJV I know that when I am overwhelmed by information, I don’t retain much at all. Thank you Jesus for knowing us so well. And I’m so thankful for the Holy Spirit, may I pay attention to the guidance provided.
And Peter’s sermon, wow – I had not read this chapter recently. Especially praying Acts 2:37-38 on the world around me today, that hearts and minds would be touched.
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. NKJV
KRIS :)
TRACI GENDRON :) – that song has soothed my heart more than once – for dearly missed loved ones, and for those currently suffering.
TAYLOR – praying your mom and dad recover quickly, praying for your health as well
LYNNE FROM AL – sister, praying for you and for Jack as you adjust to this change. love you!
What stands out to me is the love and generosity of our Lord through Jesus to give us His Spirit to help guide us in our everyday lives. He is with us always. He is speaking with us always. He is listening to our prayers always. He is guiding us always. How loving and generous is that?!? Even after Jesus was mocked, tortured, and killed in public, He still offered us saving grace through His blood. He still offered us the Spirit of our God to guide us and comfort us. And His saving grace and the Spirit was offered to all believers then, now, and in the future.
Today’s teachings are describing our situation today. The groaning from pain and despair is here, if we don’t grieve for ourselves, we grieve for someone else close and dear to us. I am so saddened to hear about DOROTHY’s sudden passing (thank you SEARCHING for seeking her out from the love that compelled you, thank you for the initiative you took). I miss her so much, and i was in tears and grief, and the fact that we could not say goodbye, or even express our thankfulness to her, I just wish I could have done better. Her sister Carol had passed not too long ago, and then DOROTHY went quiet after a while, and who would have thought?
Life is so short. There is a quote that says this, appreciate the small things in life, because one day you will realize the small things are the big things (with the picture of the movie UP). I am lifting prayers for DOROTHY’s son Andrew and dil Dani, little baby George (how cute and tiny he was next to grandma DOROTHY), and other family members.
DEAR DOROTHY, if you can read this (may the Spirit of GOD bring the message to where you are), thank you for sharing your life ups and downs with us, for the prayers we got to partake with you, that you tirelessly lifted up to interceded and cover those around you, thank you for loving God despite the turmoil and heartbreaks, to keep your joy in the Lord! We love you and we miss you.
I remembered she always asked us to pray for Finley the little girl she cared for, her sister Carol, and nephew, and the story of her son died in drowning at a young age. I had to remind myself that “to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Lord help us.
Thank you KELLY (NEO) for checking on my eye (I appreciate you and the details you care, as God is in the details), I got some episodes of recurring attacks in the past few days, the recurrent corneal erosion (RCE) came back, though not as severe, my eye hurt at the first awakening and was somewhat swollen and vision got blurred. It has been a fight, BUT I know Who will win. I know the purchased price has been paid at the cross for my health. The battle is the Lord’s (so I gave it all to Him, to win). Surrendering in these moments is hard, but it gets better with practice. God has already done His part. It is our faith that draws things and transfers them into our realities, may we draw healing from the Lord, like the lady with the blood issues, she crawled to God and TOOK the healing by faith. May we keep our hallelujah as the weapon to go forth. This reminds me of the song Hallelujah, don’t let the enemy cut our hair (strength), and draw the hallelujah from your mouth.
Thank you so much for your prayers for my husband. There was a strong shift, and I pray it stays the course. I appreciate you all so much for your kindness and compassion for me, and for one another as we see daily. Thank you for modeling love, fellowship, and prayers. Just like what we read in Acts today, we saw signs, miracles, wonders and awe when the apostles gathered together (as we she’s gather together).
The Scriptures always cheer me up. And today, in the LAST DAYS (we are here, the tough last days era), His Spirit will be poured out on ALL flesh (not just Christians, all flesh, even young children), people will prophesy (yes to prophesying!), see visions, and dreams, God’s ministers, male or female regardless will prophesy. Isn’t that just wonderful? The power of prophesy and proclaiming. Father, we thank you for the gift of prophesying that you gift to us, we thank you for the dreams and visions we shall see and have seen, we thank you for the gladness of our heart because of Your Presence, that our flesh will rest in hope, that we won’t be abandoned to see decay and corruption, we thank you for the paths of life that have been and will continue to be revealed to us, we thank you that we won’t be shaken because You are at our right hand. We thank you that You have overcome this world. May these promises manifest in our lives and our families’ lives. To those who believe, anything is possible. Help us if there’s any thorns of unbelief. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen. I bless you Lord.
Be blessed dear sisters.
Good Day Shes
Where do I need the spirit to work in me?
Freeing me from wrong choices & priorities. Spending inordinate time shopping for things I don’t need & thoughtlessly consuming snacks & meals that lack nutrition. Being judgmental & restrictive of others & myself. Practicing self righteousness. Displaying & expressing envy & resentment. Mistaking knowledge of God for knowing God. Praying my resurrected body has left these not of the spirit behind.
Where do I need the spirit to work through me?
Extending grace to others, my step-daughter especially. Understanding the moods of my husband. Forgiving the past hurts. Leading me into truth, not lies. Changing the “have to dos” to “get to dos”. Shining the light on friends & family. Nurturing my prayer life. Grounding me in His “beauty, goodness & truth”. Reminding me daily it’s about Him, it’s about not me.
Come Holy Spirit. Breathe the breath of life on each child of God gathered here.
Laying bare our heart, mind & soul.
Searching restlessly for the joy of your presence.
Have a transformative day, my sister friends, wherever the Spirit takes you.
Amen & Amen
Oh to put a face to our beautiful DOROTHY..
Thank you SEARCHING for your determination to bring our DOROTHY home to our hearts..
I have been looking over old notes and comments and I am so very thankful for her, and the journey we were on together.. DOROTHY has been called home, but we journey on knowing that all things are being made new even in our grief..
Rest well DOROTHY. Your job is done.. Thank you for everything..❤️
God bless you all dear hearts..❤️
When was her last post Tina?
Thank you Heidi and Searching! It was so wonderful to read about our dear sister Dorothy and see her lovely face!! I think we should definitely all leave notes of love for her on the obituary guest book and how she shared with us her love for her family and encouraged all of us every day!
Reposted today’s thoughts now that day 25 is “live”
“For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
Thankful that it is God the Spirit who calls people to salvation and not dependant on my witness of living a righteous life! It is my responsibility to go and tell of God’s love and mercy to our broken world.
SEARCHING-thanks for the info on Dorothy’s funeral home info ❤️
MERCY – how is your eye?
STACEY BROTHERS – praying you have relief today
CHANGED LIFE – continued prayers for your paster and his family
MARI V – thankful you received encouragement yesterday
HEATHER LANDERS – how is your husband’s recovery?
CATHERINE MCVEY – praying you have peace about your upcoming treatments
GAYLE CRAIK – praying you are encouraged and strengthened today by the Comforter
crowd is deeply moved by Peter’s sermon and asks what they should do. Peter instructs them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and they will receive the Holy Spirit. About three thousand people are baptized and added to the Church.
new believers devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. Everyone is filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. They share everything they have, sell property and possessions to give to anyone who has need, meet together daily, break bread in homes, and eat with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. The Lord adds to their number daily those who are being saved.
the dramatic coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, marking the birth of the Church. The disciples, empowered by the Spirit, begin to speak in different tongues, amazing the diverse crowd gathered in Jerusalem. Peter takes this opportunity to preach about Jesus Christ, leading to mass
I’m so thankful for the Holy Spirit that The Father sent. He teaches us, prunes us, convicts us and helps us live our lives for God! We have not been left to flounder on our own.
The other point was how the early church grew and was a community. We cannot do this on our own. We need our brothers and sisters in Christ to help us and we need to help them. Iron sharpens iron. We need to be in a church and in a community of believers to build each other up.
Reposting on today – 1/25 – the correct day…
My thoughts from today’s readings…
Romans 8:23 – My body groans the awaiting of the redemption of my body, but does my heart? Am I truly with eagerness and anticipation waiting to be with Christ, or do I love this life way too much?
John 15:2 – What does my “tree” look like? Do I have many fruit bearing “branches”, or are my “branches” few and sparse?
John 16:16 – Jesus said, “…after a little while you will see me.” Although the disciples expected to return in their lifetime, after a little while – we are living in the “after a little while.”
Acts 2:42-47 – I love this passage of scripture! This new testament church was everything we model after today!…they devoted themselves to Christ’s teachings, to fellowship, and the Lord’s supper. They had everything in common, they met regularly, prayed together, ate and praised God together, AND people got saved daily…Sounds like a little bit of heaven to me!
@Taylor – prayers for your mom & dad to recover quickly from covid, and prayers that you do not get covid or the flu, that God will put His protective shield around you.
@Kelly Neo – thank you again for posting the scripture!
@Searching – thank you for finding and sharing the information of Dorothy. She will be missed. She was on my prayer list many times over the years. How awesome it would be if we “flooded” the family with cards!
Have a blessed day my dear SRT sisters!
I forgot you can’t list websites in the comments – I was trying to post the link to Dorothy’s obituary.
An easier way is to just put the name of the funeral home (Muehlebach Funeral Care) in google and then you can search “Dorothy” after clicking “Obituaries”.
Here is a link to Dorothy’s obituary for anyone interested…
https://www.muehlebachchapel.com/obituaries/dorothy-saller
An easier way may be to just put the name of the funeral home (Muehlebach Funeral Care) in google and then you can search “Dorothy” after clicking “Obituaries”.
SEARCHING: THANK YOU!!!!!! I hope we can all flood her family with joy from her impact on this earth… ❤️
KELLY (NEO) and others who would like to send a card to Dorothy’s family (I posted earlier this week that I was able to find out that she passed away last July, memorial service will be this spring) – the funeral home confirmed they will handle forwarding of any cards received. I think it would mean so much to her family to know what an encouragement she was to women around the world.
Muehlebach Funeral Care
Attention: Family of Dorothy Elizabeth Saller
6800 TROOST AVENUE
KANSAS CITY, MO 64131
Day 25 was late in posting to SRT this morning, so there are several comments on Day 24 for today.