And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
2 Corinthians 12:19 (NASB)
Today, April 30, 2021, as well as everyday, should be Dependence Day (on Jesus). Wow, can you believe that this is the last day of April? I hope you enjoy this day, Friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
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
From today's devo:
The secret of being thankful is learning to see everything from My perspective.
Today's devo is one of my favorites so far, Friends. What do you think?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
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 3:22-26
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
How do you wake up in the morning? Are you excited about the brand new day, with all the possibilities it holds, or do you wake-up dreading what is before you? I confess I woke-up a couple of days ago with dread, and I was so ashamed. I quickly asked God to forgive my negativity, and immediately thought about Psalm 118:24: "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice, and be glad in it." Just thinking about the verse helped my attitude!
I hope you have a very lovely Wednesday, Friends!
Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
John 17:20-23
"He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
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 40:29-31
How wonderful is it knowing that Jesus prays for us! Today's devo is short but sweet. My favorite quote is the first sentence:
Come to me with empty hands and an open heart, ready to receive abundant blessings.
How is your week so far? Do you have any prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
who walk in the light of your presence, Lord."
Psalm 89:15
Today's devo illustrates a truth that I've often thought: Attitudes are always framed by expectations and perspective. What a wonderfully uplifting message for today!
Have a super-productive Monday, Friends! Looooooove you all!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
"But you remain the same,
and your years will never end."
Psalm 102:27
I loved dance when I was young, so I appreciate the dance analogy in today's devo. As a dancer must maintain a focal point while spinning (called spotting), we must also keep our focus on Christ as events swirl around us.
Have a Blessed Sunday, Friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
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
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..."
Romans 8:1
Happy Saturday! Please be in prayer for us in Central Alabama as we are expecting more severe weather today. The timing of today's devo is perfect:
"I am always with you, so you have no reason to be afraid."
I hope you have a beautiful Saturday, Friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! Some mornings (like this morning) I need my coffee so I can focus on the devo. What about you? But I am working toward starting my day with prayer first before anything else.
There. Fixed it!
"But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord;
in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death."
Psalm 141:18
"You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)
I loved today's devo because I believe that it gives us permission to say no. :D I've bookmarked it.
Please continue to pray for Shelley. Her last test Monday, and it will determine whether or not she graduates! Thank-you so much!
If you have any prayer requests, please either email me, or leave a comment below.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails."
Proverbs 19:21
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
John 10:27
Friends, I don't know about you, but whenever I read about "trying to make things fit your plans" in these devos, I cringe because I tend to be a planner! It's way past time for me to "let go and let God." I'm practicing.
Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:26-27
Today's devo contains a few hard truths, like:
"I risked all by granting you freedom to think for yourself."
Relating back to yesterday's message, be careful what media you listen to and whom you follow. Friends, today I'm praying that our minds will be governed by the Spirit. Today's scripture from Romans is truly precious!
Have a lovely Wednesday!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:39 (NKJV)
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6
"Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea..."
Psalm 46:2
"Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory."
Psalm 73:23-24
Wow, Friends....wasn't today's devo spot on! TURN OFF THE NEWS!!! :D
I think this is the first time I've "yelled" on this blog, but I did it with a smile on my face. News "programming" is just that: "programing" fear and despair. Not today!
Thoughts? Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
Jeremiah 31:3
I delight greatly in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Isaiah 61:10
Let your face shine on your servant;
save me in your unfailing love.
Psalm 31:16
Christ clothed us in righteousness: We did not clothe ourselves. How comforting is it to know that God's "everlasting love" will never be taken away from us! It is an "eternal transaction!"
I hope you have a super start to your week, Friends! Please pray for continued travel mercies for our children.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was.
Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat. This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.’”
The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed.
Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.”
However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.
Exodus 16:14-20
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7; 19
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
I love the analogy of the daily gift of manna with our daily dependence on Christ's Peace.
Super devo today!
Have a Blessed Sunday, Friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Psalm 112:7
Thank God for providing a coping mechanism through Christ: "This is the way of Peace!"
Have a beautiful and peaceful Saturday, Friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
And they were calling to one another:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
Isaiah 6:3
Happy Saturday, Friends!
From today's devo:
Living a life of thankfulness means acknowledging Christ's authority. "The basis for your gratitude is My sovereignty." With so many crazy things going on in the world lately, I am resting in the knowledge that today's lesson is TRUTH. I can sleep better at night knowing that God is in control!
Thoughts?
I do have a prayer request: Shanley Belle and Christopher are traveling tomorrow to visit with use before their big move to the Midwest. Please pray for their safety!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"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."
Isaiah 12:2
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation."
Isaiah 12:2
Trust me, and don't be afraid.
From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.
I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
Psalm 61:2-4
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.
I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
Psalm 61:2-4
"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV)
The above verse teaches us that as the Law of Old Testament points us to Christ (because we are incapable of keeping it, therefore need a savior), but the Spirit's ministry of grace is intended to make us like Christ (source). It also illustrates that the veil in the Holy of Holies was ripped from top to bottom when Christ gave up his life for us. There is no longer a separation between us and God, both figuratively and literally.
Sweet lessons for today, Friends! I hope you have a beautiful Thursday!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him."
1 Corinthians 15:20-23
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain..."
Hebrews 6:19
From today's devo:
You can also find many hints of heaven along your pathway, because the earth is radiantly alive with My Presence.
"Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth."
Psalm 108:5
(This one is a freebie, LOL!)
I hope you have a glorious day today, Friends! Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
"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
"Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always."
Psalm 105:4
I know I say this often, but today's devo is spot-on for what I needed to read at this moment in time. I'm praying for guidance for all of us. Will you join me?
What are your thoughts, Friends? Do you have any special prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Today is a rose kind of day....
Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah. So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”
Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.
There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test.
Exodus 15:22-25
The above verse perfectly sums-up the message in today's devo, doesn't it! It is difficult to trust and be thankful when things don't seem to be going our way: It truly is "a moment-by-moment choice."
Friends, I hope you have a beautiful spring week! I love you all!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
"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)
"He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand."
Psalm 40:2
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light..."
1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)
Let's praise The Light of the World: Jesus today! Do you have any prayer requests?
Please pray for me. I'm feeling a little under the weather.
Have a blessed Saturday, Friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:38-39
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Exodus 33:14
If the choice is to practice Jesus's presence or to practice the presence of problems, I pick Jesus's presence!
I need to work on my focus, though...
I hope y'all have a very happy weekend, Friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
Genesis 28:15
I love starting off my day with a well-written reminder that Jesus is always the same, and his love for us is constant.
I want to thank y'all for your prayers for Shelley. She is caught-up in her class, and she has a C (required for graduation), and she only has two more tests remaining. Statistics class is hard for her, but because of prayer and hard work, she has more confidence.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"But now, Lord, You are our Father;
We are the clay, and You our potter,
And all of us are the work of Your hand."
Isaiah 64:8
When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You,
“I shall seek Your face, Lord.”
Psalm 27:8
Friends, I don't have the energy to "swim upstream." Do you? My prayer for us today is that our wills (and Christ's will for our lives) will be in perfect harmony!
Delight yourself in the Lord;And He will give you the desires of your heart.Commit your way to the Lord,Trust also in Him, and He will do it.Psalm 37:4-5
Please share your prayer requests in comments (below) or send me an email!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call upon the name of the Lord.
Psalm 116:17
The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.Genesis 3:2-6
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."
1 John 1:7
Friends, I posted the graphic (above) to encourage Shelley. Please continue to pray for her as she has another math test today.
Today's devo really hit home: "When you focus on what you don't have or situations that displease you, your mind also becomes darkened." I want to "walk in the light" by "offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving," especially given our current circumstances.
Do y'all have any prayer requests? Please share them in the comments section below or email me.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
This little dogwood survived the tornado.
"But we have this treasure in earthen containers, so that the extraordinary greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves..."
2 Corinthians 4:7 (NASB)
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it."
Isaiah 30:15
According to today's devo, the Holy Spirit should be the basis for our confidence, and the companion verses certainly confirm this truth. Life would be so much easier for me if I would rely on Christ's sufficiency as my strength. I have something specific to work on today, Friends!
I truly loved today's dev. Did you? What are your thoughts?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Happy Resurrection Day, Friends!
"Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling."
Zechariah 2:13
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars."
2 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJV)
"He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake."
Psalm 23:2-3
Today's devo is encouraging!
"I monitor all your efforts and am blessed by each of your attempts to seek my face."
I hope you all have a blessed Easter with your family and friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"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
"So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable."
2 Corinthians 4:18 (AMP)
This devo reinforces the power of prayer, doesn't it! I want to thank y'all for praying for Shelley. She has turned the corner in her math class.
I hope y'all are having the very best Holy Week, and enjoy your Holy Saturday.
Peace!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Good Friday, Friends!
"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19
"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
2 Corinthians 4:17
In today's devo, Sarah Young talks about the weeds in our heart that compete with the Peace Jesus planted there. The weeds are the opposite of the Fruits of the Spirit, and they (the fruits, not the weeds) have been on my mind and heart lately because I've been working on them.
What are your thoughts about today's devo?
"Against such things there is no law."Galatians 5:23b
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
