The Life-Giving Spirit

Open Your Bible

Romans 8:1-17, Ezekiel 36:24-30, John 16:1-15

Sure, I was terrible. But it was the fruit flies’ fault.

I’d been at war with them all week, using every trick Google assured me would work. Bowl of vinegar mixed with dish soap? Done. A trap made of fruit and plastic wrap? Yep. Pour diluted bleach down the drain and hope for the best? Affirmative.

I’d done all the internet knew to do, to no avail. The fruit flies were multiplying, not disappearing, and I was over it.

I was trying to cook dinner, plotting against the irritating insects in the interim as the pasta boiled and the sauce simmered. I was annoyed—and not just at the state of my kitchen, but at what seemed to be the state of my life. Why couldn’t I just get it all under control already?  

That’s when David walked in. I married a good man. He is kind, gracious, and funny. And when he walked in the door during my fruit-fly and general-life crisis, I did what any human being would do: I let him have it.

I was as passive-aggressive as I knew how to be, and then some. I started slyly with some innocent questions, and then I went in for the kill, attacking his actions and decisions and, in the end, his character. It was awful. I was awful.

Here is what I cannot for the life of me understand: I had no desire to treat my husband with such unkindness and disrespect. I did not stand there in my kitchen, stirring that spaghetti sauce and thinking, “When he gets home, I’m going to give him a piece of my mind.” Honestly, I don’t know that I’ve ever thought that about him.

I love David. And I love how he loves me. I want nothing but the absolute best for him. But my best intentions were not calling the shots that night. My humanity was.

I’m so grateful for yesterday’s passage in Romans 7. I’m grateful that God not only knows us fully, but He reassures us of this in His Word. I’m grateful for Paul’s confession that so clearly articulates the struggle I feel in my own heart on a daily basis.

I don’t want to sin. Really, I don’t. But I do it anyway. I want to obey the Lord. Really, I do. But I disobey anyway. It’s what Paul says next that must capture our hearts. 

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. 
—Romans 8:2

This verse can seem confusing at first read. But read it again, slowly this time. Read it aloud. Do you hear the desperation? Paul, like me (and like you?), does not want to sin. But in and of himself—in his flesh—he does not have the ability to be sinless. 

Sin is a condition we cannot fix. But Jesus can. He has.

We are more than just our weak-willed bodies; we are souls who have been redeemed by the sinless life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Yes, we struggle with sin. But we do not struggle in vain. Our struggle is a fight—a fight to live in the freedom that is through the Spirit (John 16:13) and has already been secured by the Savior who defeated darkness once for all.

Thanks be to God, for He invites us into a life governed not by our wants or our whims, but by His truth and love.

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56 thoughts on "The Life-Giving Spirit"

  1. Jessica Thomas says:

    I’m reading this 08/08/24 from the UK and my house is being attacked by summer flies which I also cannot get rid of despite trying everything! I find it refreshing to know that I am not alone in my tetchy reaction to my family but that it is my earthly body reacting to my disgust at these flies!

    I keep whispering to myself ‘fruits of the spirit’ in the hope I can restore my home to calm as the spirit who gives life has set me free.

    To my fellow fly fighters, I feel your pain, we are in this together ❤️

  2. Ann Harris says:

    ♥️

  3. Misty Portland says:

    ❤️

  4. Delinda Merry says:

    Amanda! So – I am little behind in my Romans study – so I’m just now reading today’s entry – on August 18th.
    I have a funny question and find the timing quite hilarious… Did you ever find a solution for the fruit flies? We are dealing with nats (in fact I literally swatted at one while I was reading the devotion you wrote ) and just yesterday did the whole baking soda, vinegar, bleach combo followed by the boiling water down the sink… And I’ve had cups with vinegar and dish soap for weeks now (and we have killed a boatload of nats) – but they STILL WONT GO AWAY! I’ve read they are coming up the sink drains (we have them in the kitchen and bathrooms) – but I am at my wits end…Any suggestions?

  5. Portia Strange says:

    Praise God for this Gospel reminder today!

  6. Beverly Watley says:

    Amen

  7. Tami C says:

    Amanda thank you for being so transparent and really clarifying the meaning of what Paul was saying about sin. I have the same struggle with my heart posture towards my husband some times, and I can be disrespectful and passive aggressive, not wanting to do it but not being able to pull back either. Thank you for sharing your heart

  8. Lara-Turiya Molitschnig says:

    ♥️

  9. Ashley White says:

    ❤️ amen

  10. Mercy says:

    @LAUREN GW, praying for you.

  11. Terri Baldwin says:

    Regeneration by the Holy Spirit brings a new and Divine life to the soul, though in a feeble state. And the sons of God have the Spirit to work in them the disposition of children; they have not the spirit of bondage, which the Old Testament church was under, through the darkness of that dispensation.

  12. Maria J says:

    Amanda thank you for the devotional. It spoke not only to me but my daughter and her young boys. After reading it aloud I was told by a very wise three year old:
    “Meeme you don’t have to worry because God loves you. He loves you and you don’t have to worry either because He loves you AND (with emphasis) He cleans up our messes. And then we get to eat spaghetti. “

  13. Lehua K. says:

    Praying for you, LAUREN GW and the other Shes whose requests I am reading. Also praying for those who have not shared but have requests in their heart ❤️

  14. Lauren GW says:

    Living in the flesh is slavery- this spoke to me today!

    I want the freedom of living in the spirit! Dealing with several difficult situations now. My husband’s PTSD is getting worse and the military is trying to take his pension and say his pTSD is not from the navy. I can’t trust him alone with the kids right now. My mom has a mass in her lung which is probably her cancer, back and terminal. Work is crazy and I’m trying to do it well despite all the other crazy.

    Every day I’m trying to do it on my own. Trying yo fix and control situations I have no business controlling. By the end of the day, I’m irritable, short tempered, and hate who I am and how I’m behaving.
    I want to TRUST in Gods spirit, trust in his provision, and be led by his spirit, not my own ways of doing things. My own sin here is leaving me feeling trapped and locked in by the end of the day

    (Sorry, long, hope that made sense)

  15. Claire B says:

    Tracie Gendron….ditto. I hear words come out of my mouth and I am appalled. Thank the Lord he has given me people on earth that love me and the Holy Spirit to make me listen to my words.

  16. Claire B says:

    ♥️

  17. Mariah Addington says:

    Lord, thank you for giving us a way to still be with you.

  18. Victoria E says:

    We have not received a spirit of slavers to fall back into fear! Thank you Teresa Donley, Kimberly Z, Shannon L, Kelly (NEO) and others for praying for me. The situation is slightly improved but not at all resolved. I would love so ringed prayers for God to resolve this and for peace. Melanie Mayer I am praying for Juliana. Jill Pirhalla I am praying for your mom and for tou. Mari V- prayers for Caleb. Theresa- prayers for your childcare and work- life balance.

  19. Rhonda J. says:

    Congrats Mari V on getting the job!! I’m sure you will be great at the new position! Praise God!

  20. Mercy says:

    I love this verse “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1 KJV). It was pointed out to me that many translations leave out the end part that says “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit”. It is an important part -this is our solution and anthem to stay OUT of CONDEMNATION. I was pondering on this, and I see this whole statement is from God’s view, but from the worldview, people still condemn us Christians day and night. To the world, we are still condemned harshly, as haters, as not loving (by their standards which is approving and encouraging liberal ungodly lifestyles and choices). This is GOD’s defense statement for us.
    I am so thankful! He knows the struggle we have with the flesh, as Paul lamented yesterday why we keep doing what we hate. How wretched. The flesh often leads us astray big time if we don’t rule over it, to death ultimately, if we let it have its reign (Romans 8:6). Let repentance come when we fail, and let us not condemn ourselves either. Even to allow our closest family to witness our repentance by humbling ourselves toward them to apologize and fix the mistakes (the ministry of reconciliation).”All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). Like many dear she’s, I also shared the same struggles with Amanda. My husband too, the innocent man walked into the raging war between me and my pile of dishes, and he had it too. But by grace, when I came to my senses (spirit-led), I had to apologize that I was not kind to him earlier (the fruit of the flesh ruled over me), and if he could forgive me, and I offered to make him a batch of his favourite cookies (or a different compensation depending on time). SIN is a condition we cannot fix, but Jesus can (amen), so when we yield to the Spirit of God, we can avoid sin intentionally, knowing the triggers/ the luring for it. And next time (fingers crossed), as my husband walks in, I am NOT gonna let him have it… all by the sweet grace of God! Praise the Lord that He can!

    @CAPRICE ROBINSON: praying for your friend/coworker’s surgery and recovery, and for you. I am so sorry. It must be so hard. But God can turn things for good even when it looks so bad.
    @MARI V: praying for your job’s transition, and for good job for your son Caleb and his moving.
    @SHARON JERSEY GIRL: accommodation for Arian.
    @RHONDA: healing for your body. I am sorry that you are going through such a struggle! Hugs.
    @ALEIDA: continued prayers for Victor, healing for your husband and yourself.
    Be blessed dear sisters.

  21. Teresa Donley says:

    I am praying for all of your prayer requests.
    VICTORIA E –  full resolution from the difficult situation at work and for you to be able to get rest
    KRISTINE LOUGHMAN –  I pray for your new school year, and I am so impressed that you are dedicating it to “Relentless Gratitude.” A am praying for relief from the pain of plantar fasciitis
    KRISTEN –  I am praying for your first day back to school, and I am praying for you and your students to have a successful school year. I am also praying for Jan, Tom Clark, baby Sawyer and his family for healing and for salvation. I am praying for your husband’s health, and for the financial issues that he is facing.
    THERESA –  I am praying for your childcare situation, and for your work issues I am praying that you are able to find a good work/home balance. I am praying that you will find joy in each day. 
    MELANIE MAYER –   I am praying for your daughter, Julianna, that you will receive good news and answers from her recent neurological workup. I am also praying for your husband that he will re-discover joy in his life. 
    MARI V – I am praying for you in your new position at work, and for Caleb as he travels to California to look for work. I pray he is soon able to find the job that uses his education. Congratulations to you and to him on his college graduation!
    JILL PIRHALLA – I am praying for your mom, that answers to her collapse will be found. And I’m praying for you and your dad as you navigate this uncertain time.
    RHONDA J – I pray for relief from chronic pain, and for the strength to deal with it when it is so bad. I’m praising God that He is using you in Jail Ministry and the other activities you engage in each week.
    CAPRICE ROBINSON – I pray for you on your last day of work before your coworker’s surgery. And I pray for the grief you feel about the last time you saw you dad and granddads before their deaths. May God bring peace and comfort to your heart.

  22. Teresa Donley says:

     I think I may have hit post too soon; if so, I apologize.
    I am so glad that Paul shares with us his struggles with sin. When he says that he does the things he does not want to do, and does not do the things he wants to do, I can so relate! it seems that every day I find myself asking forgiveness for the same old sins. And also every day I don’t do something that I really wanted to do. Thank God that Paul shared with us that this is a common human condition. I am so thankful to God for the forgiveness of my sins! I pray that the Spirit will fill me each day, and that I will tune my ear and my heart to him.

  23. Samantha A says:

    *a hope and a future, and choosing us to be your ambassadors of light in the darkness ♥️

  24. Samantha A says:

    Jesus, thank you for not only saving us from the problem of sin but adopting us, giving us hope and

  25. Caprice Robinson says:

    Today is on the hard side as it is my last day work with my favourite coworker because he goes for surgery. There is a strong possibility that he will not come back to this job after recovery. I am grieving this and I love him and will miss him. We have work together for almost 2 years. He has seen me through my hardest time when my dad died at 59 from a bacterial infection acquired after colon surgery. So I am grieving the last time saw loved ones this week. My two grandpa’s when they died and my last time I saw my dad.

  26. Caroline Bridges says:

    I think this means that we’re not supposed to listen to our guts even though they’re always right. Also, I’d like to think that they’re talking about our human flesh.

  27. Traci Gendron says:

    Oh how I relate to the devotional today. I wish I didn’t, but I too have used words that I shouldn’t have. It is important to look back and see the changes that God is making in us. I’m far from perfect, but not as bad as I once was. It gives us hope. We know we will sin, but we are much more aware when we do.

  28. Laura says:

    I am getting so much out of Romans this time around as well. I love how the Holy Spirit reveals fresh truth through God’s Word when we are ready for it or need it. The podcast is excellent this week – I highly recommend it and since I listened to it in the car, plan to listen again when I can take notes. To KRISTINE LOUGHMAN – I just retired after 30 years of public school teaching and I completely understand the temptation to jump back into the eye roll, gossip, etc. of school. I have felt the same way after really feeling like I grew spiritually through the summer with more time to read and reflect, and then got frustrated that I didn’t keep that same “spiritual” level when I went back to school. My encouragement to you is this: don’t give up, keep your eyes on the Lord, pray every morning on the way to school to be a light in the darkness, to be strong in the Lord and to speak truth. God is faithful to hear our prayers. I did this (almost) every morning on my way to school, and I did get stronger, and bolder, little by little, as I submitted to God’s way and not the work-place way. It is worth the fight, because so much light is needed, everywhere, but especially in the public school system right now. God bless you and your school year this year.

  29. Mari V says:

    Happy mid week sweet She’s!!! another beautiful devotional! Thank you, Amanda Bible Williams! Thank you sweet She’s For your encouragement and walking this journey with me. Continued prayers as I venture onto this new position. ALSO, please pray for my son Caleb he just left for Southern California to look for work as he will be moving there next month sometime once he graduates. Technology today has already allowed him to apply and send his resumes. For now he’s looking to work at a local coffee shop until he can find his REAL job. I’m so proud of him he’s graduating with A college degree.

  30. Jill Pirhalla says:

    Prayers please. My mom is in ICU. She has been battling ovarian cancer 14 yrs now. She has been doing great off and on over the years. She suddenly collapsed when road tripping with my dad. She has been in ICU for two days with being on life support. So many tests have been ran and showing nothing wrong. Prayer please.

  31. Cheryl Blow says:

    1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. – Romans 8:1-2

    So thankful for our freedom from condemnation and the gift of the Spirit to help lead godly lives. How I need this!

  32. ERB says:

    John 16:1
    **such a POWERFUL statement!! Let us follow in Jesus’ example and live fully submitted and surrendered to God. Amen.

    Ezekiel 36:26-27
    **Yes Lord!! Let our hearts be soft and malleable.. let us be open to Your Spirit, to what You want to establish and the work You want to do!! Thank You Lord for Your faithfulness!! Amen.

    Romans 8:1-7
    Romans 8:14-17
    **The flesh is hostile towards God and is UNABLE to submit. If we set our minds on the flesh, then we will live according to it, being hostile and hard hearted!! Wow!!! That wakes me up!!! Am I submitting to the Spirit? ..which is life and peace, and Who call us sons & daughters, heirs and coheirs!! Am I suffering with Christ..living the Way He showed us, no matter the cost? Am I choosing God and putting Him above everything else? Definitely makes me stop and think!! God, please adjust and align us.. help our focus not to be on ourselves and self preservation but on You and You alone!! This is an easy ask, but HARD to do in practice!! Help us practice and live this out!!! All for Your Glory, Honor & Praise!!! Thank You for Your Son Jesus and for fulfilling and uniting the law under Your Spirit. SO Grateful!!! We are no longer captives, we are FREE!!! Help us live in the freedom You have given, humble us and help us realize the depth and cost of our freedom. Let us choose You always!!! Amen.

  33. Sharon, Jersey Girl says:

    I can so relate to what Amanda Bible Williams is saying, as I’m sure most of you can too. Why is it that we lash out at the ones closest to us?? It is because we give in to the flesh, we surrender to sin when we should be claiming the victory through Jesus Christ. I’ve done it more times that I’d like to admit, but this truth I will “park at” – “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.” I am free indeed! Free from the bondage of sin and death – thank you Jesus!! It is only by yielding daily, hourly, minute by minute that I will have victory over sin. Father God, please remind me through out today and the next and the next – of Your ever presence. It is through walking in the Spirit that I will be able to say no to sin and yes to You. Please help me to walk in Your Spirit today. Amen.

    @Kristen, @Melanie Mayer, @Rhonda J, @Theresa, @all my SRT sisters – praying for your requests today. May God answer in His time, in His way, according to His will.

    A blessed Wednesday to you all…it’s a blessing to read all of your comments!

  34. Donna Wolcott says:

    Thank you Amanda for your commentary this morning, hit home! Thank you to all the sisters for their comments also. Prayers lifted for your joys and concerns. Wishing you all a day of peace.

  35. Antoinette Burnett says:

    Amen

  36. Holly says:

    I loved this message. I have written the key part out in big block letters: SIN IS A CONDITION WE CANNOT FIX. BUT JESUS CAN. HE HAS. At first it touched me because I remembered all the crazy times in just the past month or two where I let my humanness take over and was ashamed afterwards but then I re-read it and it brought home to me the times I complained of others actions or became upset with them because I expect them to not sin. That is a totally unrealistic expectation. Jesus died not just for me but for everyone else who I get irritated with when they are human. I will remember these words because I will meditate on them when I see them on my whiteboard and remember they apply to everyone I meet during my day. Thanks.

  37. Rhonda J. says:

    @Theresa–Thank you so much for the prayers you give for me. It is so special to see/hear when someone lifts you up specifically, by name, to our heavenly Father. They are so appreciated. The pain that never goes away gets very tiring. I am trying to not let it wear me down, which is almost impossible! What IS possible is to keep looking to Jesus, find comfort and do unto others, as I can! I have days throughout the week that keep me going- Pain group yesterday, Jail ministry today, my Starved group on Saturday, and then church! on Sunday! It keeps me in a happy place serving God! Prayers for you in this busy season! Summers can be (well, ARE) hard for working moms! Love ya!

    Tina, you got me singing that song by Andre Ripp “The Love of God.” “Where would I be, where would I be, if it wasn’t for the love of God.” “If it wasn’t for my failures and mistakes…I would never know the depths of HIS grace…” So, so true. The more we realize OUR sin, the more precious the cost!! wow.

    Love reading and the comments last couple of days. Each of you are so special!! We all have our stories and struggles, our testimonies of where we were and where we are!! I pray as I go to my Jail girls today…that they will Choose to lean into God and what he has in store for them, or they can choose to go their fleshfull ways and get caught in more struggles and tunnels. It’s so hard to convey sometimes the beautiful LOVE OF GOD and how he can turn anything…anything around!! Thank you Lord Jesus for saving us, and leaving us the Holy Spirit!! (It’s better then He himself being here with us!! Wow! wow!!!

    Be blessed today dear She’s!! Praying for your needs! :)

  38. Sharon, Jersey Girl says:

    @Kelly Neo – thank you for asking & praying! She is all adjusted and doing well.

  39. Michelle Patire says:

    @Tina — oh I love your story, today! It is amazing to have someone be a witness to our change “way back when” :) what grace and hope!

    I really appreciated Amanda’s devotional, today. I think every one of us can relate when it comes to family. Whether it is the family we marry into or the family we are grown up in. I was just reflecting on this yesterday. I was unnecessarily mean to my mom yesterday and as I realized it wasn’t because of her. It’s because I’m frustrated with living with my family as a 30 year old women, was angry with the Lord bc of that, and decided in my flesh to take it out on her. So yeah, I can relate Amanda. My frustration with life and circumstances leads to anger against those who are closest in proximity to me. Sigh. Lol. But there is hope … I know God’s ways are perfect but my heart is still trying to make sense of it in the natural.

    @Theresa – praying God would help you find balance in your home and work life. That your “yes” would be your “yes” and your “no” your “no”– good boundaries and commitments to them! I pray peace to your children as they navigate all this with you! May God show Himself faithful to you. <3

    @Mari V- Congratulations!!! God is good! May He be with You in this new opportunity!

    @Kristine Loughman- prayers for your first day back at school, as well as @Kristen :) may God be your guide and peace, as you serve the next generation. I also think of @Sarah D as she prepared for her new job in a classroom. May the Lord be near all you teachers and caretakers of children. It might seem repetitive or mundane at times, but may God open your eyes to see the real work He is doing through your obedience day after day. You are stewarding the lives of the next generation! Moms here too ;). May you be blessed with eyes to see!

  40. Misty Randolph says:

    ❤️

  41. Melanie Mayer says:

    Romans has hit me hard this time around. I have read it countless times but this time I feel like I am Paul saying I’m never enough and only with God am I good. It’s funny the longer you walk with Jesus the more dependent you are on him. My Julianna ( the one who I asked for prayer for last week) had another neurological work up. We get the results next week and please pray for my husband. Life is getting the best of him and his joy is gone. It’s hard to continue to smile and our kids ask sooo many questions.

  42. Jen B says:

    Oh how I wish I could stop my flesh from sinning. Amanda’s words really resonated. There are times I find myself lashing out for no reason and I wonder why I did it. I pray for self-control to not hurt others with my words or deeds. I am thankful for God’s grace and goodness.

    I am praying for all of the requests posted here.

    @Kristine – have a wonderful first day back at school.

  43. Maria Baer says:

    Today me eyes and self parked in this verse— “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” – John 16:7 We know that the crucifixion of Christ for our sins was horrible, gory and traumatic. And yet, out of that comes so much. It is one of the milestones of the gospel, and rarely we talk about the spirit, and how as humans we lost the spirit until that moment. For some reason I’ve always felt comforted by the spirit, even in the darkest moments. I’ve always felt that the Spirit has been near, giving me clarity and discernment. I am so thankful for loving us, and for your son’s sacrifice that allows us to walk in the Spirit daily. So grateful for the grace we receive every single day, even when we don’t think we are.

  44. Julie Hurst says:

    How many nights are we kept awake by recounting our regrets of the day? Thank you for tying your devotional and confession to the pi’s chapter of Romans and giving we the regretful relief….

  45. Kristen says:

    Good morning! Here are some notes from my study Bible for verse 8:14: Spirit of adaption-In addition to justification and freedom from condemnation (v 1), believers are taken into the family of God and are inwardly persuaded by the Spirit that they belong there!

    This is something to really ponder! I know that I’ve condemned myself and other have condemned me too, but we can be justified, free from condemnation, and taken into His family! This is absolutely amazing! God’s mercy is astounding!

    Prayers for you all. @Kristine L I am heading to school today too. It’s not our first day yet though! I understand what you are saying! Praying for you! It is easy to get caught up in the negative. May we be lights this year and May our words and actions be Spirit led. May we draw others to Him and not away. May people see that we are different, and want to know why. Then, let’s give the glory and credit to the Lord!

    May I ask for continued prayer for Jan, Tom Clark, baby Sawyer and his family for healing and salvation. Also, for my husband’s health and for issues dealing with finances that he may find out about today! I would appreciate prayer too! Thank you all.

  46. Theresa says:

    This really touched my heart this morning. These last few weeks have been such a struggle for me. We are without our usual childcare for the summer and so I’ve been piecing together camps, babysitters, and just roughing it out. I work full time from home and while I love my job, things are very stressful right now at my company. The combination of my work conditions and all three children under foot while I’m working these past few weeks has not resulted in my finest moments. I woke up this morning desperate for a few quiet moments to myself (my daughter who’s 1 has been teething and waking up between 4:30 and 5 lately too) and I am so thankful that God met me here. My humanity has gotten the best of me lately, but God is able to cover even my ugliest moments.

    VICTORIA E- praying for your situation and that God will grant you rest.

    RHONDA- praying for you

    KATIE L- praying for the visitations between your son and your mother in law.

    And I would appreciate your prayers too, my fellow she’s, as I continue to try a balance my work with my home responsibilities for the final weeks of summer. I want to find joy in this extra time with my kids home and not just be slogging through to get to the other side. Have a wonderful day, everyone!

  47. June Pimpo says:

    Walking in the Spirit on a daily basis is where we all want to live. Holy Spirit, we need you, come equip us today. There’s legalism and then there’s lawlessness. A spirit filled life separates the two.

  48. Tricia Cavanaugh says:

    Kristine Loughman, I pray you have a wonderful first day back and that you can speak Jesus to those around you, in word and/or deed.

  49. Aimee D-R says:

    Oh Father thank You for Grace and Mercy through the Lord Jesus’s Blood!

  50. Kelly (NEO) says:

    “For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did.”

    Help me surrender my will to Yours, Lord. It is the only way to overcome the pull that the “flesh” (sin nature) has on me.

    VICTORIA E – sorry that you are struggling with sleeplesness over your situation. Praying you can truly turn it over to the Lord and rest in peace.

    MIA FAITH – continued prayers for your grandchild’s recovery.

    GRAMSIESUE – praying the Lord gives Steve wisdom with his business

    SHARON, JERSEY GIRL – how is your future D-I-L adjusting to new meds?

    SEARCHING – continued prayers for your friend’s mom’s heart surgery (recovery?)

  51. Kristine Loughman says:

    It’s my first day back to school as a teacher! Obviously it’s a bummer to end my summer schedule, but this summer particularly because I feel like I’ve drawn closer to God these past few weeks. Instead of a 4:30 am alarm going off so I can hustle through a workout, my injury has kept me in bed, reading my Bible each morning and reading your comments and prayers. It’s been an unexpected joy to commune here with all of you! This morning I chose to wake up a few minutes earlier than I needed to in order to continue this routine. And still some of you beat me to the comments – more joy! As I start the school year, I’m already feeling Paul’s lament – why do I do the things I know I shouldn’t?! (Feelings of frustration, gossipy eye rolls, choice ugly words…lots of opportunities for sin!) So grateful God views us through the filter of Jesus’s sacrifice. I’m going to dedicate this school year to “Relentless Gratitude”. Even though God knows I’m going to sin again (and again, eye roll), he’s got forgiveness at the ready, all I have to do is ask. So grateful! Thank you, She’s, for lifting me up these last few weeks. I covet your prayers today!

    1. Kelsey Davis says:

      Fellow teacher praying for you!

  52. Elaine Morgan says:

    I can’t wait for the day when I will sin no more.

  53. Cheri Reid says:

    ❤️

  54. Tina Blankson says:

    Thanks be to God, for He invites us into a life governed not by our wants or our whims, but by His truth and love.

    Indeed, THANKS BE TO GOD..

    Where would I be, without Him? Without His truth and love?
    I remember a situation some time back, involving our dog and the owners of another dog.. it was not pretty! I, was not pretty!
    The sadness at the time was that my 10 year old grandson was with me.. he couldn’t wait to tell his dad when we got home of how ‘awesome’ Nanna, had been. How Nanna had used choice words he didn’t even know Nanna knew, or for thst matter, had heard Nanna use before this day!

    BUT GOD..

    I will never forget my sons response, because for me, though I had sinned in my outburst, I felt hopefilled in his words..

    “Don’t be acting like you’ve never used choice words before, I remember you from way back when..”

    Exactly, WAY BACK WHEN! Those heady days before my serious relationship with Jesus.. and the Word, Truth and Love of God..

    I have been changed more than I know. I have been reshaped in my thoughts and actions, but sometimes the ‘old me’ pops up, not necessarily as a reminder of who was, but as a marker of how far I have come by His grace..

    Because of His love and truth,
    I am changed..

    I am changing.

    AMEN..

    Happy Wednesday dear hearts, covered in prayers and ❤️love..

  55. Chelsea Wilson says:

    10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. – Romans 8:10 I don’t know if I’ve read this verse with understanding before. When I share the gospel and someone gets saved I try to explain why even though they are a Christian sin will still happen, but they are already forgiven! Our bodies are not go to Heaven, it’s our spirit. The spirit is what is continually being made righteous once we are a believer. The body will remain in sin, the flesh is where the sin problem remains. Hallelujah!