Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are God Who Sees”; for she said, “Have I not even here [in the wilderness] remained alive after seeing Him [who sees me with understanding and compassion]?” Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi (Well of the Living One Who Sees Me); it is between Kadesh and Bered.
Genesis 16:13-14
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
John 20:19
"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
Today's devo truly hit home, especially the part about anxious thoughts. Storms are in the forecast, and I'm praying for nothing severe. There are far too many trees around here leaning at precarious angles all over the neighborhood! I love the last line from the lesson:
"Draw near to Me; receive My peace."
Thanks for your prayers! Do you have any prayer requests today?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding..."
Proverbs 3:5
"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
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
Jeremiah 29:13-14
Favorite quote from today's devo:
Search for Me as for hidden treasure. I will be found by you.
I can't think of a better week for a treasure hunt seeking Jesus, can you?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Friends, I hope you are having a blessed Holy Week so far!
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Our circumstances are forcing me to "accept the limitations of living one day at a time."
I want to ask for you to continue to pray for Shelley and our neighbors who lost their homes or have damage. The tornado has not only impacted her emotionally, she is now behind in school because we went three days without power or Internet. She is really struggling right now. Thanks so much!
Do you have any prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
The word of the day: peace!
"But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you."
Philippians 2:17
"Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
Mark 10:15
Have a blessed Palm Sunday, Friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Romans 12:2
"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first."
Revelation 2:4
"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
Friends, I want to thank you so very much for your prayers. We probably won't have power or Internet until Monday at the earliest, but I'm determined to post on this blog everyday. I'm using my phone's hotspot to post here.
Please keep our neighbors in your prayers. Over 100 houses in our neighborhood were damaged, and there are many that will be torn completely down.
When our power is restored, I will try to write a post on The Sketchy Reader, but for now, I will only post over here everyday.
The enemy might try to win some battles, but he has already lost the war. :D
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
Lamentations 3:24-26
"...but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:31
Friends, Alabama was hit with several tornadoes yesterday. Our neighborhood was hit, and many homes were severely damaged. We lost trees, two cars, and we have a tree on our house.
We have no internet (only my phone's hotspot) nor power. We have a big mess to clean up, but that's okay....I need to workout more!
Please pray for our neighbors who weren't so lucky. Pray for their safety, and pray for the cleanup. There are many trees down, but I am more concerned about the ones that are partially down.
I will try to keep in touch, but there's lots of work to do!
I am claiming the promise of renewed strength today...I love how these devos are so often spot-on!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"And do not murmur [in unwarranted discontent], as some of them did—and were destroyed by the [a]destroyer." ~1 Corinthians 10:10 (AMP)
a. 1 Corinthians 10:10 Perhaps a reference to the angel of destruction whom the rabbis called Mashhith.
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Hebrews 12:28-29
Paul was referencing Deuteronomy 4:24 in his letter to the Hebrews: "For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God."
So today's lesson in a nutshell:
Don't grumble, be thankful, and worship God!
Have a blessed Thursday, Friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
who walk in the light of your presence, Lord."
Psalm 89:15
"For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you."
Isaiah 41:13
There is always uncertainty in our world. Isn't it comforting to know that Jesus never changes: He is always the same, and we can always trust in and depend on Him!
Do you have any prayer requests? Let us know either in comments or via email. Please continue to pray for Shelley and her math class!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from your river of delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light."
Psalm 36:7-9
"I will bless her with abundant provisions;
her poor I will satisfy with food."
Psalm 132:15
"When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten."
John 6:12-13
Abundant and lavish come to mind when reading today's devo. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
I hope y'all have a super abundant Tuesday, Friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Friends, how are you adapting to the time change? I am consuming more coffee in the morning than the norm!
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Philippians 4:4
"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song."
Psalm 95:1-2
We have a homework assignment from today's devo: Practice trusting and thanking Jesus continually.
I'm on it!
I hope you have a peaceful start to the week, Friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
I hope it's a beautiful Sunday wherever you are, Friends!
"Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.”
With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
Isaiah 12:2-3
"Surely you have granted him unending blessings
and made him glad with the joy of your presence."
Psalm 21:6
From today's devo:
I spoke the universe into existence; My Power is absolutely unlimited!~Sarah Young
I cannot fathom that kind of power...a power that can create the universe through language! We are blessed to have a creative God who made us in His image.
Create something beautiful today, Friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."
2 Corinthians 5:5
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
2 Corinthians 3:17
"Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
fulfill your vows to the Most High..."
Psalm 50:14
I'm grateful how today's devo dovetails well with my Weekly Gratitude Project. Bible Study. What are you grateful for today, Friends? Oh, and I'm also grateful for my husband for 33 years (our anniversary was yesterday).
Have a lovely Saturday!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Since we've studied this verse two days in a row, I thought I'd make a graphic for it!
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."
Romans 8:1-2
"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
I confess that the first time I read today's devo, I cringed a little. But when I read it a second and third time, I found it very comforting. (The part about hasty words and actions hit home...)
I hope we can each be a blessing to someone today! Y'all are definitely a blessing to me!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy St. Patrick's Day, Friends!
"You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely."
Psalm 139:1-4
"Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."
2 Corinthians 1:21-22
"No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Joshua 1:5
I absolutely love today's devo because it is so comforting, isn't it! I have a prayer request: we are expecting severe weather today in the Deep South, especially in Mississippi and here in Central Alabama. Please pray that God will keep everyone in the path of these storms safe! Since I will be praying quite a bit today, do you have any prayer requests? It brings me joy to read about how God is answering prayer in y'all's lives!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
I found this heirloom rose at the market, and I just had to bring her home!
"I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]"
Philippians 4:13 (AMP)
"A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."
Proverbs 17:22
From today's devo:
"Abundant life isn't necessarily health and wealth; it is living in continual dependence on Me."
Let's all have cheerful hearts today, friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."
Ricki Jill
"But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit."
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NASB)
"...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Ephesians 3:17-19
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10
Please pray for the family of our church's pianist, Anise Morris. She passed away last week, and we're so sad. The St. Stephen's family will truly miss her talent. Anise did an amazing job helping Shanley Belle and Christopher choose the music for their wedding, and she also played the piano at their wedding, too.
Thank-you for your prayers. We can truly feel them for Shelley: She is doing better than expected in her math class.
If you have any prayer requests, please share!
Have a blessed Sunday, Friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
"So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy."
John 16:22
I like that today's devo shines light on perspective and discernment. I needed today's devo and scripture! I hope y'all have a fun Saturday, Friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord."
Psalm 27:14
"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
Happy weekend, Friends! I really love what Sarah Young says about the link between the present and the future when it comes to hope. Hoping is future-oriented, yet we enjoy the benefits of hope in the present.
Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Yesterday was a gorgeous day in Central Alabama!
Another short devo that packs a spiritual punch! My favorite quote:
"The issue is not your strength but mine..."
Thoughts?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
dogwood branch
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you..."
1 Peter 1:3-4
"The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand."
Psalm 37:23-24
"As for God, his way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him."
Psalm 18:30
This week's devos are fantastic so far! Our future is secure, Friends. :D
Do you have any prayer requests? I have one for our daughter, Shelley. She is taking her last college class this session, and it's a math class. She has always struggled with math, and I would really appreciate it if you would lift her up in prayer because she must pass this class to graduate in May. Thank-you!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
This single rose photo was taken yesterday in my art studio. The sun was illuminating it perfectly!
I hope the sun shines on y'all today, Friends!
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness..."
Galatians 5:22
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
"No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."
1 John 4:12
I had to read today's devo several times....There's a lot in those two small paragraphs. I was wondering how these three verses would be tied together in the devo (I always read the scripture first). Sarah did a nice job, didn't she!
I wanted to post all the fruits of the spirit since two are in the next verse...
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.Galatians 5:22-23
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always."
1 Chronicles 16:11
"There are many plans in a man’s heart,
Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand."
Proverbs 19:21 (NKJV)
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33
Happy Monday, Friends! Do you have your week planned-out? I do, but I am open to change if it's His will.
While reading today's devo, I looked up Proverbs 19:21 from several different translations, and I want to share this one with you:
Many plans are in a man’s mind,But it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand (be carried out).Proverbs 19:21 (AMP)
Have a blessed Monday!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you;
your right hand upholds me."
Psalm 63:7-8
"Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]."
James 1:2-3 (AMP)
I hope y'all have a blessed Sunday! Is your church open yet for in-person worship?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."
Hebrews 7:25
Today's devo is short and sweet! Christ is "ceaselessly working on our behalf." We have the Son of God as our intercessor. We are blessed, indeed!
Have a lovely weekend, Friends, and if you have any prayer requests, please share them with us!
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)
"...but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."
1 Corinthians 1:23-24
Today's devo tells us that we should give our problems nicknames in order to approach them with familiarity, but what if those problems (like yesterday's, Lord help me) already have names? :/
If you've ever read the book Where'd You Go, Bernadette, the title character called the obnoxious mothers at her daughter's school gnats. I kept thinking of that book yesterday as I was dealing with a plethora of them. But I did feel badly mid-afternoon when I was reminded that God loves these gnats, and his son challenged me to "love one another."
Friends, how do you deal with the "gnats" in your world?
Today is a new day, and I shall try harder today.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?"
Luke 12:25-26
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Washington is telling us that there is a "credible threat" for an attack on our capital today, March 4th. I have a feeling that there might be a false flag event, however I am encouraged by today's devo because regardless of how the news attempts to keep us in a perpetual state of fear and worry, let's choose not to participate, friends! Instead, let's continue to pray for our country and for unity.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Ephesians 4:1-6
If the world behaved as we are called to do in Ephesians 4, the world would be a much better place! I love today's devo, Friends.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
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