"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
"...and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:20
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
Happy Saturday, Friends! I hope you're taking the devo's advice today by "slowing down your pace of living." Today is our last devo post from Jesus Calling. We will start Happy Today beginning Monday. Are y'all excited? I am!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
(NKJV)
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
As an artist, I love that there is a biblical standard for beauty. You won't find much talent and beauty in the art world these days as the industry is full of "conceptual art," and is used for money laundering.
Friends, I hope you will enjoy God's beautiful world this weekend.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
Matthew 22:37
Happy Thursday, Friends! Today's art day for me. How about you?
I love the analogy of the anchor in today's devo, of not being adrift.
Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
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.
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:1-4; 23-24
Happy Wednesday, Friends! I love the AMP version of 1 John 4:18. God did not create us with a spirit of fear, nor can fear be compatible with God's perfect love. :D
I haven't heard from many of y'all this week. If you don't have any prayer requests, do you have any praises?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
Romans 12:12
"But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet."
1 Thessalonians 5:8
"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..."
Hebrews 6:18-19
Happy Tuesday, Friends! How is your week going so far?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."
Psalm 32:8
"Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight."
Psalm 119:35
Happy Monday, Friends! Today's devo is perfect for the start of a work week because its focus is on obsessive planning. Are you an obsessive planner? I tend to be. I suppose that the lesson is sometimes our plans don't align with God's, and we need to allow Jesus to direct our paths more and worry less.
Psalm 143:8 is beautiful, isn't it!
Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
John 10:27
"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)
Next month, we will begin Max Lucado's Happy Today. If you have friends you think might would enjoy journaling with us, please invite them!
Jesus reveals himself in so many ways to us. My prayer for you is to go out and have a blessed Sunday, seeking Jesus and his messages! (Please pray that I will do the same :D )
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Saturday Morning, Friends! Lately we've learned some interesting, biblical truths about thankfulness:
- It's a discipline
- It's a sacrifice
- It's a door to Jesus himself
Have a safe weekend, Friends! I want to give an update on my friend and her daughter's trip to Russia. They're home in the US, and everything couldn't have gone better. They are so grateful for your prayers. Not only did they get to meet the daughter's birth family, but they also were able to see the family's Russian au pair that lived with them when the daughter was in elementary school. Her name is Anastasia, and she as the sweetest young woman. She's happily married, and she needs your prayers as she and her husband are having infertility problems. Thanks so much!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16
"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
2 Corinthians 3:18
God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
Exodus 3:14
Ask My Spirit to live through you, as you wend your way through this day.
Happy Friday, Friends! Last year I'd marked today's lesson as one of my favorites. :D
Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Heirloom roses from Jemison, Alabama
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord."
Ephesians 5:8-10
"But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers."
Matthew 23:8
I've been seeing several references to authenticity in my world lately. I suppose I'd better pay attention!
Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel has said this,
“In returning [to Me] and rest you shall be saved,
In quietness and confident trust is your strength.”
But you were not willing...
Isaiah 30:15 (AMP)
I know that today's devo is about having confidence and trust in the Lord because we don't need to trust our own insight nor understanding, but I also wanted to share the AMP translation of the Bible since both verses for today's devo is quoted from it.
I had never really read it before reading Jesus Calling. I ordered a small copy of it, and I do enjoy using it as a reference. That's all....just wanted to share.
Prayer requests? Thoughts about today's devo?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
"As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?"
Psalm 42:1-2
...so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky...
Philippians 2:15
Happy Tuesday, Friends! Today, I hope we can sparkle and "shine brightly in today's dark world." I love that from the devo!
Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."
Ephesians 6:16
"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 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 1:5-7
"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
Happy new week, Friends! I want all of us to pray for each other. I think several of us are under spiritual attack, and today's devo is timely since it reminds us about the armor of God. I know that I will read this devo several times today.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
(AMP)
God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
Acts 17:27-28
What I love best from today's devo (other than the scripture):
Ask me to open your eyes, so that you can find me everywhere.
Hebrews 11:1 is one of my favorite Bible verses. Have a blessed Sunday, Friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with me."
Song of Songs 2:13
"...but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:42
Today's devo is a reminder to all of the Marthas that Mary made the best choice. Let's try to be more like Mary today, Friends!
Today is my husband Trip's birthday! Please say a special birthday prayer for him, please and thank-you!
Have a blessed Saturday!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"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.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him."
Psalm 40:2-3
"Why are you in despair, my soul?
And why are you restless within me?
Wait for God, for I will again praise Him
For the help of His presence, my God."
Psalm 42:5 (NASB)
I agree with the part of the devo that says:
"Self pity is a slimy pit. Once you fall in, you tend to go deeper and deeper in the mire."
This is a slimy pit free zone! I love you, Friends! Have a great weekend!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Pale pink and white astilbe
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:34
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
"Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us."
Psalm 62:8 (NKJV)
Today's devo is a not very gentle reminder that Jesus commands us not to worry about tomorrow: It's a command, not a suggestion. This makes sense because if we go through our day depending on His strength, then we don't have time nor opportunity to worry about tomorrow.
Prayer requests?
In case you missed yesterday's post, click HERE for information about our new study starting in August!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"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
Today's devo is about how we approach the "path of life." How is your journey progressing so far this week, Friends? I need to lean on Jesus's strength today because the millennials have worn me out! ;P
Prayer requests?
I have an important announcement:
Ricki Jill
"...in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—"
Ephesians 2:7-8
"Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest."
Hebrews 3:1
What a lovely, comforting devo! Rather than "looking inward to fix ourselves," why not look to the one who sees us "clothed in His righteousness!" Amen!
Go out and have a beautiful Tuesday, Friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."
Acts 4:12
"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."
John 16:24
I do hate it when I hear people say "Jesus Christ" as a curse rather than a blessing. Let's all try to utter his name tenderly today. It will make our Monday that much better!
Have a blessed week, Friends! Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me..."
Exodus 20:4-5
The devo discusses how today’s idols are more subtle than ancient ones; however, some of the ancient cults never went away. If anything, today they are more emboldened and not trying to hide who they are and what they believe. Stay frosty, Friends. I love you all!
Until next time…
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
"The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries."
Revelation 17:4
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."
John 15:13-15
I long for you to trust Me enough to fully be yourself with Me.
Have a happy Saturday!
Until next time…
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
"...and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."
Deuteronomy 30:20
"So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them."
Genesis 1:27
I'm praying for energy to keep up with these young adults this weekend!
I actually remember today's devo from last year. I appreciated the imagery of "weaving webs of anxious confusion, and sticky webs of worry." What a lovely visual for something we can do without!
I hope you have a fantastic weekend, Friends!
Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."
John 15:11
From today's devo:
Be prepared to be blessed bountifully by My Presence, for I am a God of unlimited abundance.
I hope you are blessed bountifully this weekend, My Friends. I know we will be blessed as Molly our niece is driving up from New Orleans tonight for a visit. Please pray for travel mercies for her!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
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