Flourishing, calming and remaining… and heading into Week 24 of Bible 180

Last week was a hard week. Reading His Word daily kept me going, kept me looking forward in the midst of pain. I hope it did the same for you.

As I was reading each day, there was so much I wanted to share, but this morning I struggle in sharing them. I worry that words will be judged and someone may read too much into them. It’s such a rough time. But He is here for us.

Please just keep reading, praying, calling out and listening to Him.

A favorite passage of mine when I’m feeling overwhelmed is from our reading in the Psalms:

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God;

I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.

I will praise you forever for what you have done.

In your name I will hope, for your name is good.

I will praise you in the presence of your saints.

Psalm 52:8-9

That passage calms me, reassures me, and reminds me that, with Him, with my mind and heart in focus on Him, I am nourished and strong. I picture wind blowing through the leaves of the tree and the tree bending, and yet still remaining strong and beautiful.

In Him, I am like that olive tree, flourishing. And you can be, too.

Then I am taken to a passage we read this past week:

I am the true vine and my father is the gardener. 

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, 

while every branch does bear fruit he prunes 

so that it will be even more fruitful.  

John 15:1-2

and one more:

Remain in me and I will 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

I wan to to flourish. I want to bear fruit that he ordains. The only way to do that, though is to be in tune with Him. Reading, listening, praying and journaling what I hear help me to do that. I pray that you, also, are able to see how you can hear Him. And I pray that each of us hears Him clearly.

Thank you for continuing to read with me. I love that we are all pursuing Him together, flourishing in the house of God.

Week 24 Reading Schedule

Thanks, again, for reading with me. I am thankful for your encouragement and thankful to know there are others reading the Word daily.

With love,