"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
2 Corinthians 4:7
"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 14:26-27
My prayer today is thanksgiving for Christ's presence of peace. Today's devo is a blessing after the year we've had.
Have a blessed and peaceful New Year's Eve, Sweet Friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
2 Corinthians 5:17
"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 2:10
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
1 John 4:7-8
"Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
John 15:4
Today's devo is perfect for reflection and a new beginning. 2 Corinthians 5:17 is a lovely Bible verse for this time of year!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Blessed is the one
who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods."
who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods."
Psalm 40:4
"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?"
Psalm 56:3-4
"Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge."
Psalm 62:8
"You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal."
Isaiah 26:3-4
From today's devo:
"Consistently trusting in Me is vital to flourishing in My Presence"
God cares about even the little things in our lives. Nothing is too trivial, and nothing is too big for Him to handle. Clearly today's devo's theme is trust! I enjoyed the trust theme in today's Bible verses :D
What are your thoughts about today's devo?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging."
Psalm 46:1-3
"Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
who walk in the light of your presence, Lord."
Psalm 89:15
It's going to be a great week when your devo reminds you of the fake news and fear-mongering media. We were not created with a spirit of fear! Why should we be afraid when God is our refuge and our strength?
Have a peaceful day, Friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Since ancient times no one has heard,
no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you,
who acts on behalf of those who wait for him."
Isaiah 64:4
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
John 15:5
"For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light."
Psalm 36:9
I really loved today's devo (I actually needed this one today). It thrills me to imagine that perhaps "my peacefulness" would bless someone. I confess that I have not felt the peace that a Christian should feel (especially this time of the year), but I am working on it!
I hope that you are feeling the Peace of the Lord this Sunday morning!
I love you all!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:15-18
"The eternal God is your refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.
He will drive out your enemies before you,
saying, ‘Destroy them!’ "
Deuteronomy 33:27
"But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation."
Psalm 13:5
"Jesus is the gift who continuously gives!"
I hope y'all are having a wonderful Christmas season. Do you celebrate through Twelfth Night? We do!
What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
Until next time...
Merry Christmas!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Merry Christmas!
"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ."
2 Corinthians 4:6
"Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness."
Philippians 2:6-7
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,“Glory to God in the highest heaven,and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”Luke 2:13-14
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich."
2 Corinthians 8:9
I hope you have a very Blessed Christmas. This year's Christmas is very different from the ones we've celebrated in the past. But maybe the blessing of this year is we can quietly ponder the mystery and wonder of God's love via the birth of Jesus.
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”).Matthew 1:23
Until next time...
Merry Christmas!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Before the mountains were born
Or before You had given birth to the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are [the eternal] God."
Psalm 90:2 (AMP)
"To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
Colossians 1:27
Colossians 1:27
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."Colossians 3:15
The last verse explains what we are called to do: Let peace rule our hearts with thanksgiving.
So thankful to celebrate Christmas with my family. My heart is full!
Until next time...
Merry Christmas!
Ricki Jill
Happy Christmas Eve Eve
"...which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen."
1 Timothy 6:15-16
"Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
Today, if only you would hear his voice..."
Psalm 95:6-7
"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"
Romans 8:32
"We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."
2 Peter 1:19
I love the last line in today's devo:
"Rejoice in all that I have done for you, and My Light will shine through you into the world."
We have an opportunity today to rejoice and let our little lights shine! I hope you have a blessed day, Lovelies! Do you have any Christmas Eve Eve traditions with your family?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Christmas tag journal
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
Luke 1:35
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."John 1:14
"When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
Matthew 2:9-11 (NKJV)
"Because of the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise (the Messiah) from on high will dawn and visit us,
To shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
To guide our feet [in a straight line] into the way of peace and serenity."
Luke 1:78-79 (AMP)
I read today's devo last night after looking at the Christmas star. The wise men set out on their journey, found Jesus, and worshiped him because of a star. I love everything about the Christmas story!
Could you see the Christmas star from wherever you were last night?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Anyone excited about tonight's "Christmas Star" (the convergence of Saturn and Jupiter)?
"I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory."
Psalm 63:2
"For we live by faith, not by sight."
2 Corinthians 5:7
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
John 11:40
Advent is truly the season of miracles. And while we anticipate Christ's second coming, let's look for the miracles (big and small) God lavishly gives us, His children.
I had the best weekend with my daughter. Thanks for your travel prayers: I appreciate them so much! I read your comments and prayer requests while I was away. I will answer them this afternoon (I have an appointment this morning), and I have been praying for those of you requesting prayers.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him."
John 2:11
"The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, 'He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.'
The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar..."
Luke 23:35-36
A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day.
It is good to praise the Lord
and make music to your name, O Most High,
proclaiming your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night,
to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
and the melody of the harp.
For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord;
I sing for joy at what your hands have done.
How great are your works, Lord,
how profound your thoughts!
Psalm 92:1-5
Today's devo was unexpected: I wasn't expecting the cross so close to Christmas, especially the mocking of Jesus' identity.
Prayer requests? I will have some downtime today before I'm traveling again.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans."
Proverbs 16:3
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33
Today's devo reminds me of an experiment I used to do with my students. I took 2 cups of unshelled walnuts, which represents what God wants us to do, and a cup of rice, which represents what I want to do. When I placed the rice in a 2 cup measuring cup first, the walnuts (what God wants us to do) doesn't fit. BUT, when I placed the walnuts in first, and then added the rice (what I want to do), then the rice fills-in around the walnuts, and there is time for everything!
It's a hard balance, isn't it!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.' "
Isaiah 30:20-21
"For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]!"
2 Corinthians 4:17 (AMP)
I enjoyed today's devo because it reminded me of the blessings of having a teachable spirit. An appropriate devo for Shanley Belle's graduation day!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ."
2 Corinthians 4:6
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled."
Matthew 5:3,6
"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority."
Colossians 2:9-10
"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord."
Psalm 150:6
Last night I was listening to Amy Graff's broadcast, and she was talking about how she starts her day thanking Jesus for everything and turning every negative thought positive. It was a great message I needed!
Please pray for me as I travel to Baton Rouge for Shanley Belle's graduation. I truly appreciate it!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed."
Isaiah 50:4
"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first."
Revelation 2:4
"See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you."
Isaiah 60:2
Darkness does cover the world, but thank God we have Jesus because he is the Light of the World!
"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." 1 John 1:5
Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
I added the little drawings of jingle bells to my Christmas ornaments.
Silverpoint on silverpoint-primed journal paper
"Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
Romans 8:23-25
"God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."
Hebrews 6:18-20
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Romans 15:13
My Lovelies, be prepared for news coming at us fast this week. Let's continue to pray 2 Chronicles 7:14 for our nation. I love you all, and I appreciate your prayers, too.
Thank God for the hope of heaven; let it strengthen, comfort, and encourage us today.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Hebrews 13:8
“Meaningless! Meaningless!”
says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless.”
Ecclesiastes 1:2
"...in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:6
I find it interesting that we have King Solomon's lesson in today's devo, don't you? We really don't know what is going on in this world, but God does. He is in control, he loves us, and he has overcome the world.
Have a peaceful day, Lovelies. You have been on my heart and in my prayers!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"...on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you."
2 Thessalonians 1:10
2 Thessalonians 1:10
"One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple."
Psalm 27:4
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own..."
1 Corinthians 6:19
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..."
Ephesians 3:20
Although we should strive to "take time for being holy" everyday, I like that today's devo falls on the Third Sunday of Advent this year. I'm taking this day to rest, read, and listen. I need a break from social media and all other "noise" today.
Have a blessed day!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose."
Romans 8:28 (AMP)
Then Job replied to the Lord:
"I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know."
Job 42:1-3
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."1 Peter 5:7
"For we live by faith, not by sight."
2 Corinthians 5:7
We do live in a fallen world that is abnormal. So many incomprehensible mysteries that it should be comforting to us to live by faith and not by sight.
How are your Christmas preparations coming along?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light."
Psalm 36:9
"Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him. When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.
Sarah said, 'God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.' And she added, 'Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.' "
Genesis 21:1-7
Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].
Hebrews 11:1 (AMP)
I love how today's devo is written: I want to collaborate with Jesus, and I think it's wonderful that our God is a creative God! I also like that today's lesson is about patience which is so appropriate during Advent.
Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
"So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10
"...even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast."
your right hand will hold me fast."
Psalm 139:10
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds..."
James 1:2
Fun fact: Isaiah 41:10 is the most often quoted Bible verse in our home, and always has been with the exception of Ephesians 6:1. ;P
The best fact from today's devo is that our future will be a trouble-free eternity.
What are your Christmas plans this year? I heard yesterday that our church has suspended in-person worship.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Silverpoint on silverpoint ground-treated paper
"Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me."
Psalm 23:4
"Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."
Psalm 9:10
"Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me."
John 12:26
Are you often called out of your comfort zone? I was convicted when I read this quote from the devo today:
"Your desire to live a risk-free life is a form of unbelief."
Although I know that the quote was not a direct quote from the Bible, it is a biblical principle. The one that sticks out in my mind about taking risks for Christ is:
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me...' " Matthew 16:24
Sorry I got a little wordy today....today's devo struck a nerve with me.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
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