Set Your Sight-FOCUS: Colossians 3:1-14

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV)

By definition, to focus means concentrating your attention or energy on a specific task, or to center your interest on a singular point.

When the Apostle Paul penned the third chapter of Colossians, he had this exact definition in mind. He didn’t just suggest a casual glance toward heaven; he commanded an intentional alignment of our internal compass when he wrote: “Set your hearts… set your minds…”

It’s been said that the way we think molds the way we live. Paul challenges all believers to arrest our human thoughts and bring them under God’s absolute authority. He urges us to place our emphasis on “things above” rather than the fleeting, exhausting ways of this world. In fact, by verse five, Paul gets incredibly practical, essentially telling us that everything earthly and sinful within us needs to be kicked to the curb.

My 11-Month Journey with a God Word: FOCUS

For the past eleven months, God has given me a single word: FOCUS.

While I thought I had a pretty good grasp on why He assigned this word to me, it wasn’t until I deeply studied this passage in Colossians that its full meaning finally clicked for my heart and mind. God didn’t just give me a word; He gave me a framework.

Two supporting scriptures completely solidified this for me:

1. The Mind Shift (Romans 12:2) “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

This verse helped me realize that focus isn’t a temporary New Year’s resolution or a 365-day challenge to be completed and forgotten. It is an intentional, ongoing lifestyle. God is inviting me—and all of us—into a lifetime journey of nurturing His plan through daily prayer, deep study, and the active application of His Word until eternity calls us home. It is a daily, moment-by-moment choice to focus on Him alone.

2. The Thought Filter (Philippians 4:8) “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Talk about a divine checklist for our focus! God lays it out perfectly: we are called to fixate on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable according to His standards.

Practically, this means actively choosing to ignore the office gossip, silencing the worst-case scenario thinking, and rejecting the falsehoods of our culture. It means clinging tightly to biblical reality. I have to intentionally spend my mental energy on things that carry dignity, respect, and integrity. Anything else is just wasted energy—and if I’m honest, I have wasted tons of it over the years.

Philippians continues to convict my heart, reminding me to act in accordance with high moral principles and to value people by treating them with genuine fairness.

To take this a step further, I’ve had to learn to let go of malicious or unwholesome thinking. The minute a toxic, fearful, or bitter thought enters my mind, I have to recognize it, speak directly to it, and reject it in the authority of Christ.

My Prayer: I pray that over time, God will create in me a clean heart as I intentionally strive to direct my mind toward wholesome motives, stepping entirely outside of my fleshy desires.

Finally, focusing on what is lovely and admirable goes hand in hand with what 1 Corinthians teaches us: Let love lead! When we focus on things that draw out the fruit of the Spirit, we naturally begin to dwell on things that are praiseworthy, reputable, and inspiring.

Wow. Thank You, Lord, for sanctification—this beautiful, lifelong journey of refining. I truly need God’s help to fix my mind on the Holy Spirit and to stop relying on my own fragile human nature. As I continue to surrender my mind to Him and allow Him to renew it, my prayer is that I can better understand, accept, and boldly walk out His perfect will for my life.

Over to You…

What about you? When you read Colossians 3:1-2, what is the Holy Spirit stirring in your own heart and mind today? Let’s talk about it in the comments below!

July 6, 2026 0

Shell or Contents? Colossians 2:16-23

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration, or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Colossians 2:16-17 NIV

The Lord created each of us unique in so many ways. Educators see this every day in their classrooms with the different learning styles. Even Jesus taught through parables to ensure those who heard His message could truly connect with it; He knew that a story has a unique way of bypassing our intellectual walls and hitting our hearts.

Analogies, much like parables, are incredible tools that drive home a profound point. This concept came to mind recently as I was reflecting on Colossians 2:16-23, particularly verses 16 and 17.

In this passage, Paul is writing to the church in Colossae out of deep concern. False teachings had slowly crept into the community, causing believers to get off track. They were being persuaded to adopt Old Covenant mentalities, believing it was necessary to follow strict rituals and human regulations to be saved.

To understand what Paul is correcting, let’s look at the analogy of an egg.

The Shell: The Shadow of External Control-Our first encounter with an egg is its outer surface: the shell. Scientifically, the shell is designed as a protective shield to keep harmful bacteria out. It protects what is inside while still allowing essential communication with the outside world through thousands of microscopic pores.

In our spiritual lives, this shell represents external control. The false teachers in Colossae believed that righteousness was achieved from the outside in. They insisted that humans should try harder to be better through rituals, strict behaviors, and rigid sacrifices. Eat this, don’t eat that; drink this, don’t drink that; participate in these festivals and strictly observe those holidays. Paul explains to the church that this is Old Covenant living. Before the arrival of Christ, these outward acts were a temporary shield—a mere shadow of things to come. But under the New Covenant, Christ fulfilled the law and became the ultimate sacrifice for all.

The shell has been broken!

Through Jesus Christ, the external barriers between God and us have been shattered forever. We no longer have to live under the crushing weight of legalism, self-empowerment, or a worldly “YOU got this!” mentality. Christ is all-sufficient. God wants us to live under the authority and achievement of Jesus, not reliant on our own fragile power.

The Incubation Period: The Season of Hidden Growth-With the rigid shell of legalism removed, we are brought to the contents. But before we look at the interior, we have to ask: How do those contents actually change? They change during the incubation period.

An egg cannot develop in the cold; it requires the constant, steady warmth of the parent bird. From the outside, an incubating egg looks completely still and unchanged. Yet, in the quiet darkness, a miracle is unfolding.

This is the process of sanctification. Once we are freed from the shell of legalism, God places us in a season of spiritual incubation. He invites us to rest under the warmth of His presence. You might pray, seek Him, and feel like nothing is changing on the outside. But do not mistake the quiet for absence. God uses the incubation periods of our lives to form our character, develop our faith, and shape our calling from the inside out.

The Albumen: Absorbing His Grace-This brings us directly to the internal design of the egg, which is divided into distinct parts meant to nourish and protect. Let’s start with the albumen, the white of the egg.

This clear fluid makes up about two-thirds of the egg’s internal weight. Its biological purpose is to cushion the center from physical damage, provide hydration, and destroy invading bacteria.

But here is the miraculous part: when the chick cracks through the shell, the albumen is completely gone. It doesn’t leak out, and it isn’t left behind as sticky waste. Instead, during the incubation period, it is entirely swallowed, absorbed, and transformed into the chick itself. The cushion becomes the chick’s actual muscles, bones, and feathers.

What a beautiful picture of the New Covenant! Christ removed the barrier of the law and invited us into His grace. We don’t just float in His love; we are meant to internalize it. Through His Holy Spirit, our sins are consumed, His love is absorbed, and our very lives are transformed. The heavy ritual cushions of the world are no longer required because His grace has become the very structure of who we are.

The Yolk: Embracing Your Core Sufficiency-Finally, we are left with the yolk—the center where the nutrient powerhouse is found. You can think of this as the spark of potential. This is the core place where the Lord gives us the free-will choice to surrender to Him.

When we choose the Lord as our Savior, we accept the truth that Christ is our sole sufficiency. Growth will only happen in Him and through Him. Paul was incredibly clear about this in his letter to the Colossians: Christ is all you need! Any outward acts the world sees from us now should not be rules we are trying to keep, but rather a natural reflection of the inward work Christ has done at our very core.

The Choice is Yours– Paul warns us not to get legalistic about what we think we “MUST” do daily to earn God’s favor. God doesn’t want your rigid rule-following; He wants your heart. He wants you to sit under His authority, follow His will, draw closer to Him, and embrace your sanctification during the quiet incubation seasons of life.

The choice is ours. Will you stay trapped in a shell of legalism, trying to survive by your own power? Or will you accept the fact that the shell is broken, Jesus has made a way, and He wants to grow your faith from the inside out?

Stop trying to rebuild the shell.

Embrace the yolk!

June 30, 2026 0

From Theory to Asphalt: 4 Actionable Ways to Live Out Colossians 2:1-15

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2:15

It’s easy for the Christian life to stay locked in our heads. We read our Bibles, nod along during the sermon, and agree with the theology. But if we aren’t careful, our faith can start to feel like a theory we study rather than a life we actually live.

In Colossians 2:1–15, the Apostle Paul isn’t just giving a lecture on abstract theology. He’s handing us a survival guide for our spiritual lives. He’s showing us how to stay grounded when the world tries to pull us in a thousand different directions.

If you’re ready to move your faith from the words to the asphalt, here are four highly actionable steps straight out of the first half of Colossians 2 that you can start practicing today.

1. Do a “Root System” Check

The Verse: “Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him…” — Colossians 2:6–7

Plants survive storms because of their roots, not because of their leaves, fruit, blossoms, etc. In a world that demands we constantly show off our “leaves” (our accomplishments, our curated images, our busy schedules), Paul tells us to focus on what’s happening underground.

The Action Step:

Pick one daily habit to deliberately anchor yourself before the day gets loud.

The 5-Minute Rule: Spend the first five minutes of your morning in quiet reflection or prayer before you open your phone or look at notifications.
The Single Chapter: Read just one chapter of Scripture slowly, focusing on quality over speed.
The Evening Review: Close your day by writing down three specific things you are genuinely thankful for.

Don’t fly solo: Root systems in nature interlock to keep the whole forest standing. Ask yourself: How am I doing this alongside other brothers and sisters in Christ? Reach out to a friend this week and share what you’re doing to stay anchored.

2. Filter Out the Deceptive Cultural Noise

The Verse: “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition…” — Colossians 2:8

We are constantly being captured by our culture. Social media algorithms, news cycles, and podcasts are constantly telling us how to think, what to value, who to vote for, and who to hate. If we aren’t careful, we get taken captive by narratives that look smart but are utterly empty.

The Action Step:

Run a media audit and pay close attention to your internal dashboard while consuming content.

Notice the Triggers: Which voices, accounts, or news outlets leave you feeling anxious, inadequate, angry, or cynical?
The “Unfollow” Cure: Intentionally unfollow, mute, or pause the inputs that pull you away from peace, truth, and love. Replace them with things that build you up.

3. Quit Chasing Validation (Embrace Your Completeness)

The Verse: “…and in Christ you have been brought to fullness.” — Colossians 2:10

Most of us carry a nagging, low-grade sense that we aren’t doing enough, earning enough, or being good enough. We hustle for approval, chase perfectionism, and rely on validation from bosses, spouses, or internet strangers to prove we matter. But Paul drops a truth bomb: You are already complete in Christ.

The Action Step:

Practice a reset this week.

When you catch yourself striving for perfectionism, overworking to prove your worth, or desperately seeking someone’s approval, pause.
Take a deep breath and mentally reset. Remind yourself: My worth is already secured. I don’t need to earn what has already been given.
Turn that pause into a quick prayer of relief: Thank you, Lord Jesus, that I am already enough in You.

4. Leave Canceled Debt in the Past

The Verse: “He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness… he took it away, nailing it to the cross.” — Colossians 2:13–14

Imagine someone paying off your massive credit card debt, and you still stay up all night crying over the statements. Sounds absurd, right? Yet, many of us keep digging up past failures, old regrets, and mistakes God has already dealt with.

The Action Step:

Stop trying to pay a debt that has a balance of zero.

Identify the one past failure or regret you keep punishing yourself for.
Consciously choose to accept that the debt is settled.
Visualize it: The next time guilt creeps back into your mind to accuse you, mentally picture that exact mistake nailed to the cross. See it covered by Jesus, and choose to step forward into the freedom He bought for you.

Which of these four steps hits closest to home for you today?

Don’t try to change everything at once—pick just one, commit to it for the week, and watch how Scripture changes the way you walk.

June 23, 2026 0

Yes Lord, Yes Lord, YES-YES-LORD: Colossians Chapter 1

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Colossians 1:15-20 NIV

Through our Sit, Soak, and Saturate summer series over Colossians, we are taking each chapter in small bits through the lens of actionable steps. Our Monday night study is focusing on digesting each verse by allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal what God may be asking us to do. We are also working on humbling ourselves under the Lord’s authority, striving to become what He needs us to be.

Over the past couple of weeks, we have been studying chapter one. It is another powerful letter written by Paul, where we can glean from his advice. The letter opens with deep gratitude and prayer, then changes into one of the most detailed declarations of who Jesus is.

I would like to share a bit of what we discovered in the first half of chapter one. In verses 1-14, we found many actionable steps for our daily walk with the Lord. If you are like me, some days my walk is worthy to be counted, but then there are days…!!! Paul gently tells us what God desires of us daily.

The first is to pray without ceasing for spiritual growth, not only for us but also for those we know. It is to be in tune with His will through spiritual wisdom and understanding. This is not a common prayer I pray. It is such a powerful request and life-changing action when we live for Him and not ourselves.

The second item in verse 10 is living a life fully pleasing to God. Again, I am a work in progress, aligning my daily choices and attitudes with the Father’s character. It does remind me of the importance of knowing God and His attributes through Scripture study, so I know what to model my life upon. What about you?

Verse 10 also reminds us that as we grow in intimacy and knowledge of God, action is a component. The more I know Him, the more I love Him, and the more I desire to grow and bear fruit. It seems to go hand in hand.

Next is hardship! Yes, your word for this might be life! However, God does not expect us to white-knuckle our way through these valleys. He promises to strengthen us with His glorious power so we can have great endurance and patience, accompanied by joy. Paul is a prime example of perseverance with great joy. I cannot imagine going through what He did and still claiming it all joy. What an actionable step for us to continue to work on. Several of us have challenged ourselves to rely on His power and not our own.

Finally, within this first set of verses, verses 12-14 prompt us to constantly thank the Father for delivering us from the domain of darkness and transferring us into the kingdom of His Son. This is the Savior aspect of Christ Jesus. However, let us not forget to embrace Him daily by allowing Him to be LORD over our lives.

Yes Lord, Yes Lord, YES-YES-LORD! It sounds so easy and simple to just say YES. As we all know, it is a battle between our flesh and spirit.

My best analogy for this action is a strong, sturdy tree versus bamboo. When the strong storms come, and the wind blows, the tree fights against the force. It refuses to allow the circumstances to change its direction, and many times it SNAPS! However, bamboo is flexible and can bend and sway with the wind. It can endure the storms and the winds because it goes with the flow and authority of nature. It embraces change and adjusts accordingly because it knows it is best to surrender to a higher authority than its own desires. Therefore, it builds endurance and knowledge in how to survive what comes its way.

Here are some takeaways for these first fourteen verses:

The Action God Asks of Us	Verse Reference	What It Looks Like Today
Intentional Intercession	vv. 3, 9	Praying for the spiritual wisdom and discernment of your friends and family.
Fruitful Living	v. 10	Doing good works while actively studying to know God better.
Joyful Endurance	v. 11	Relying on God’s strength to stay patient and positive during trials.

How do you approach Scripture study? Have you ever thought about an actionable lens view? We are finding that God is speaking to each of us through His Word by giving Him margin to reveal what He desires. Sitting, soaking, and saturating. What a beautiful concept to truly digest Scripture and allow it to transform our lives.

Every lady has been walking away each week with one actionable step to carry out. I love the accountability and the full reliance on God’s Word to guide daily life. He truly does hold all things together for His glory if only I will humble myself under His authority second by second.

We encourage you to give it a try. Give yourself a week to study and reflect on Colossians 1:15-29. Read it, study it, listen to sermons, and find other translations. Find an actionable step and try carrying it out for a week. It is a rewarding challenge.

Here is a jumpstart view for you:

Christ-First Focus vv. 15–18 Evaluating your life to ensure Jesus holds the #1 priority, not your own ambitions.

Spiritual Steadfastness v. 23 Anchoring yourself in the truth of the Gospel so you aren’t easily swayed by changing cultural tides.

Active Discipleship vv. 28–29 Investing time to mentor, teach, or encourage someone else toward spiritual maturity.

Let us know what you think and how it went. We would love to hear from you!

June 22, 2026 0

Colossians: Why We Are Slowing Down Our Bible Study This Summer

…being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:11-14 NIV

Welcome to our summer series! This June and July, we are doing something a little unconventional: we are hosting an online class on Monday nights covering the book of Colossians.

Yes, you read that right. We are spending several weeks on a book that is only four chapters long.

Why take so much time for such a short book? Because this summer, we are completely rejecting the rush-through mentality. Instead, we are approaching God’s Word through a Sit, Soak, and Saturate mindset.

The Danger of the Check-the-Box Quiet Time

Oftentimes, we find ourselves reading through Scripture just to check it off a list. We follow a daily reading plan, skim a quick devotional, or review notes from a Sunday sermon. While God’s Word is always inspiring in the moment, if we don’t stop to marinate in the goodness of His truth, we easily toss the Bible aside, move on to the next task on our to-do list, and walk away completely unchanged.

Ask me how I know… because this was my exact lifestyle for years.

But the Lord wants so much more for us. He wants us to embrace sanctification—the lifelong journey of becoming more and more like Jesus. He desires for us to sit with His message, soak it in, and let it prompt us into action. That is what it truly means to live under His authority.

The catch? Change takes time. We are creatures of habit, and retraining our minds to override our naturally rushed, fleshly desires doesn’t happen overnight.

Studying for Action, Verse by Verse

This summer, a group of incredible women is walking together to study Scripture differently. As we read and digest Colossians, we aren’t just looking for information—we are looking for action. We are intentionally slowing down to hear the small promptings of the Holy Spirit, taking an in-depth look at each verse, one by one.

This past week, our challenge was to find and carry out at least one action step from verses 1–14.

For some, that meant holding ourselves accountable to relying on God’s strength instead of our own self-sufficiency.
For others, it was praying daily for the fundamental spiritual needs of our families.

On Monday night, we gathered online to share how the Holy Spirit prompted us to meditate on these truths until they began to reshape our very nature.

Trading Exhaustion for Divine Fuel

Let me give you a beautiful example of how this looks in practice. Colossians 1:11 opens the door to reflect on the exact areas of your life where you feel the weakest right now:

In your parenting (When patience is wearing thin)
In your career (When burnout feels inevitable)
In your relationships (When friction causes distance)
In your health (When physical exhaustion takes over)

This verse is a direct invitation to let God’s glorious might step into those exact spaces. It’s an opportunity to pray for the unique spiritual fuel that only He can provide.

The SSS Process in Action:

SIT: Write out the verse and post it prominently where you can see it throughout the day.

SOAK: Let the goodness of the Word rest deep within your soul without rushing to the next task.

SATURATE: Allow the Lord to flood the specific area of your life that has been gnawing at your heart and robbing you of joy.

Without intentionally handing these heavy areas over to the Father, we experience a slow depletion of hope that eventually drains us completely dry. Imagine the immense strength and relief you could gain after an entire week of simply sitting, soaking, and saturating just one verse!

Moving Into the Week Ahead

Our homework for this coming week is to reread the second half of Colossians chapter one with a fresh vision. We are taking these verses and looking for potential areas where God wants to work in us and through us.

It makes me wonder: Did the Apostle Paul have this exact concept of deep meditation in mind when he penned these words centuries ago?

What About You?

Have you ever stopped to analyze your reflection time with Scripture? Do you find yourself rushing through chapters, or are you resting in them? Could the Sit, Soak, and Saturate method be exactly what your soul needs this season?

Jump right in and give it a try this week! If you do, leave us a comment below—we would absolutely love to hear how the Holy Spirit is prompting you.

Check back with us throughout the summer for updates on our journey. The Lord has amazing blessings in store for us as we intentionally marinate in His Word, verse by verse.

June 14, 2026 1

Bible Study-A Slow Simmer

Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. Ezekiel 3:10 NLT

The Art of the Slow Simmer:

Quality Over Quantity and Ditching the Divine Checklist

Most of us treat Bible reading like a sprint, trying to get through it so we can check the box and feel like a Good Christian. At Refining Ministry, we prefer the slow-cooker method.

Here’s how we roll:

1. The One-Chapter Challenge-Instead of racing through the whole Bible in a month, we hang out in one chapter for an entire week.

Why? Because speed-reading the Word is like inhaling a five-course meal in thirty seconds—you might get the calories, but you’ll miss the flavor (and probably get spiritual indigestion).
The Goal: Depth, not distance. Give the Word time to settle into your soul.

2. The Holy Spirit’s Highlighter-As you sit with that chapter all week, pay attention. Usually, the Holy Spirit will pull a “neon sign” move and bring one specific verse to light.

The Pivot: When that verse hits you, stop. Don’t rush to the next chapter.
The Conversation: That verse is your open door. It’s God saying, “Hey, let’s talk about this one specifically.” It becomes the anchor for your prayer and your focus.

3. Relationship vs. Ritual-If you’ve been carrying spiritual guilt because you didn’t do the daily devotional, the private reading, the 5:00 AM prayer closet, and the Greek word study—drop the baggage.

The Truth: God doesn’t want to be a task on your To-Do list; He wants to be the person you’re doing life with.
The Shift: We aren’t checking boxes; we’re walking hand-in-hand. It’s a dialogue and all about the relationship.

The Method: SIT • SOAK • SATURATE

*Phase*	*What it Looks Like*
*SIT*	Stop the hustle. Give God your undivided attention for a moment, even if it’s just five minutes of quiet.
*SOAK*	Let that one highlighted verse marinate in your mind. Think about it while you drive, fold laundry, or answer emails.
*SATURATE*	Let that verse change your flavor. When you’re saturated with a Word from God, it starts to leak out into how you treat people and how you see the world.

The Bottom Line: The LORD isn’t looking for a marathon runner; He’s looking for a friend who stays for coffee. One verse, one prayer, one conversation at a time.

March 29, 2026 0

Reframing Prayer: From Monologue to Dialogue

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV

Most of us treat prayer like a voicemail we’re leaving for a very busy person: we talk fast, hit the highlights, and hang up, hoping someone actually listens to the recording. We’ve been taught that prayer is something we do—a discipline to master or a box to check off a spiritual to-do list. But when the words run dry, and the checklist guilt sets in, prayer starts to feel less like a lifeline and more like a heavy lift.

What if we stopped trying to find the right words and started listening for them instead? The secret to a vibrant prayer life isn’t discovering a secret technique; it’s shifting the entire framework from a monologue to a dialogue. As we often say in Refining Ministry, it’s about moving past the mechanics and into the intimacy.

“It is not about mastering a technique. It’s about deepening your intimate relationship with God and finding a new level of conversing with Him.”

If you’ve ever felt “wordless,” or if your spiritual life feels more like a textbook study than a living relationship, it’s time to reframe the conversation. It’s time to Sit, Soak, and Saturate.

Here are three invitations to help you stop performing and start conversing.

1. The Invitation to Echo: The Bible is your prayer book. When you find yourself wordless or feeling like your prayers are flat, look to the authors of Scripture as your personal tutors.

How to do it: Don’t just read the words; inhabit them. Add your name.
The Echo: Let David’s raw cries in the Psalms become your cries. Let Paul’s infectious joy in his epistles become your joy.
The Result: Scripture navigates the conversation for you, providing the vocabulary for your heart’s deepest needs.

This may be the perfect avenue when you feel you cannot muster the words. Let God’s Word provide.

2. The Invitation to Converse: We often treat the Bible like a textbook to be studied rather than a conversation to be joined. Let your time in God’s Word open a door to having a conversation with Him.

The Cycle: God speaks through the Scripture. Breathe in His truth and exhale your prayer based on the Holy Spirit’s prompting.
Turn the Verse into a Response:
- Does it touch a wound? Turn it into a petition for healing.
- Does it show God’s glory? Turn it into an act of worship.
- Does it call for action? Ask for the strength to bring it to fruition.

Remember, the subject matter does not have to be only about you. Think about your friends, family, acquaintances, and the world itself. The realm is broad. Let the Bible direct your thoughts and prayer topics.

3. The Invitation to Focus: Let the Word define the topic. Scripture acts as a diagnostic tool, bringing to the surface what needs to be discussed with the Father. It prevents “squirrely” or distracted prayers by giving you a clear anchor.

When the Word reveals…	Turn your prayer toward…
Heavy Weights	Health, finances, or relationship struggles.
Recurring Sin	Confession and the power to “shake it.”
God’s Promises	Bold requests and spiritual battles.
His Character	Thankfulness and intentional adoration.

One of the primary habits we carry out through Refining Ministry is studying one chapter a week. Then, as we study the chapter in-depth throughout the week, the Holy Spirit usually brings one verse to light. It is this verse that directs our focus and opens the door to a conversation with God. We let this verse deepen our spiritual walk and become a part of our daily lives before rushing to the next chapter.

Christians often feel guilty for not doing all things every day: reading the daily devotional, having private Bible reading, spending time in prayer, etc. God doesn’t expect us to check all the boxes every day. He doesn’t want to be a checklist-He wants to be in a relationship with you. Walking hand in hand, doing life together.

SIT-SOAK-SATURATE your life one verse and one prayer at a time.

March 27, 2026 0

The Bible: An Invitation to Pray

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

As we reflect on our relationship with the Lord, we might ask, ‘How do I grow? How do I get closer to the heart of God?’ And we all know the common response, don’t we? Read your Bible and pray.

It’s a good answer. It’s a true answer. But if we are honest with ourselves… sometimes those two things feel like chores on a to-do list. We read the Word, then we close the book. Then we move to prayer, and sometimes… we stall.

Have you ever sat down to pray and felt—just for a second—a sense of ‘spiritual writer’s block’?

Have you ever felt like your prayers were repetitive, or dull, or wondered if you were doing it wrong? Maybe they feel like short-circuit prayers.

Have you ever felt like you were speaking into the air, reaching for words that just wouldn’t come?

What else comes to mind?

What if I told you that you don’t have to find the words? What if the words are already waiting for you? How would you feel if we said, “There is a sure way to pray in step with God?”

Dr. Phil Collins suggests that when we separate Bible reading and prayer, we miss a spark. But when we combine them—when we pray the Scriptures—our Bible reading becomes a conversation, and our prayer becomes an echo of God’s own voice.

Think of it this way: To pray the Scriptures is to anchor your heart to a specific text and let it navigate your conversation with the Father. You aren’t just reading history; you are breathing in His words and breathing them back out as your own.”

The Bible offers Prayer Invitations:

The Invitation to Echo: The Bible is a prayer book. From the raw, honest cries of the Psalms to the perfect structure of the Lord’s Prayer, these are your ‘tutors.’ When you don’t have the words, use theirs. Let David’s cry be your cry. Let Paul’s joy be your joy. This is the simplest way to let Scripture navigate your conversation with the LORD.

The Invitation to Converse: When reading a story or a parable, we often look for the lesson or main takeaway. Another thing we can add is looking for a person. Often, this is where you can make a connection. If a verse touches a wound, turn that thought into a petition. If a verse shows you God’s glory, turn it into worship. If a verse calls you to action, ask for the LORD to help you bring it to fruition. Let it be a cycle—He speaks, you respond.

The Invitation to Focus: God’s Word can help identify what to talk to Him about. Time reading and digesting Scripture is an opportunity to let the Bible work through you and direct your prayers. The passage may bring to light a specific weight on your heart for yourself, others, or the world. (health, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, finances, spiritual battles, and emotional matters.) It might shed a brighter light on an annoying sin you can’t seem to shake. God’s Word can ignite a spirit of thankfulness and a need to worship. When you let Scripture define the topic as you discover His promises, this is the perfect breeding ground for your prayer.

These three invitations are open doors to help us with our prayer life. They present ways to push through, not knowing what to say or feeling like our prayers are flat. Scripture allows us to echo God’s Words, invites us to spend time talking to the LORD, and directs our focus so our prayers aren’t squirrely.

Let God’s Word be your prayer guide.

March 25, 2026 1

PRAYER RETREAT: June 26-28, 2026

PRAYER IS… | An Intimate Weekend of Prayer Renewal

June 26–28, 2026 • Medicine Park, OK

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. James4:8a

Escape to Medicine Park, Oklahoma, for a weekend dedicated to deepening your conversation with the Lord. Whether you are looking to refresh your spirit or completely redefine your prayer life, this is your invitation to encounter Him in renewed, creative ways alongside a community of women. Expect a weekend filled with:

Deep Connection: Growth in your relationship with the Father.
Creative Worship: Encountering Scripture and prayer in new formats.
Joyful Community: Plenty of fun and laughter.

Registration is open!

Price: $210 per person (includes 4 meals) IF YOU WANT TO STAY OFF-SITE: $185 per person
Space is limited. This small-group setting ensures a personalized, deep experience where every voice is heard and every soul is seen.
Begins Friday at 5:30 and ends Sunday at 11:30. (Canyon/Amarillo participants: Carpooling is available)

All-Inclusive Registration: $210 Registration

Your retreat experience includes:

Two nights of peaceful lodging in the Wichita Mountains. (2-4 to a room)
Four meals on-site.
All retreat materials and creative resources.

Note: Due to limited space, full payment is required to secure your spot. Registration is non-refundable after June 6th, but is fully transferable.

Meals: We will gather around the table for four shared meals:

Friday: Dinner
Saturday: Breakfast & Dinner (Lunch on your own)
Sunday: Breakfast

Bottled water and coffee are provided throughout the weekend. Refrigerator space is cozy, so please bring a small cooler for any personal perishables.

Packing List: Pack light, dress comfortably (casual is the rule), and don’t forget:

A Physical Bible (Let’s turn real pages together!)
A Small Gift: Something with spiritual or prayerful significance to you. (Think meaningful, not costly! Wrapping is optional.)
Personal Favorites: Your go-to snacks, specialty tea, or that specific coffee creamer you love. Snacks are not provided, but encouraged to bring and share.

Registration is open! Please use the QR code below to register:

Let’s refresh, relate, and redefine—together.

Questions? Send us an email: refiningjourney@gmail.com

March 12, 2026 0

The Toxic Inside: When the Contamination is You.

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV

What comes to mind when you hear the words contaminated, filthiness, defilement, pollution, and toxic? For me, I immediately feel a call to action: find the Lysol, mask, gloves, solution, etc. Honestly, another initial response might be to find an escape route from the area under siege from the awful state.

But what if the thing contaminated is ME! Not exactly an item where I can separate from or run away from. What can I do? How can I cleanse myself? Where is the root cause? And the list continues as I ponder the solution.

In 2 Corinthians 7:1, Paul is very clear about contamination. The overall message is that this is a state we all find ourselves in. He looks at the condition from an internal and external lens.

The External (Flesh):

Externally, there is pollution all around affecting us. However, this is also our own fleshly actions, words, and habits. Ex: aftereffects of the tongue, “rotten/corrupt words” or digital/social distractions, or toxic complaining. This is where accountability can be applied.

The Internal (Spirit):

This is about our thoughts, motives, and “heart-squirrels.” It is my hot mess area where my mind squirrels onto things outside of God’s goodness, such as pride, envy, or malice. For me, it is the struggle between my heart and my head. It is a constant battle of staying focused, letting God lead, and getting out of the way. This is where the surrender can be applied.

When studying the entire chapter 7 in 2 Corinthians and then reflecting on the application, I began thinking about “finding a solution” for my contamination internally and externally. Let me share three takeaways:

I need cleansing, and I do not possess the independent power to do so. Thank goodness, true cleansing is God’s work. He promises us that we can receive purification through the efficacy of Christ’s blood and the acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Savior.

I must embrace sanctification. The Holy Spirit lives within me. The Spirit works inwardly to assist in the process of purification. It is about perseverance: staying on the right course and choosing to live under the authority of the Lord daily.

I can strive to do the opposite and find healthier habits. If I determine my “contaminants” and pair them with “opposing” virtues and spiritual disciplines, I can choke out the contaminants. This was an ah-ha moment for me.

Below is an example of embracing an opposing mindset. I pray this perspective helps you begin determining your own contaminants and finding a solution that you can embrace as well:

The Spiritual Decontamination Chart

Contaminant	The Opposing Virtue	The Practical Habit
*Worry*	Faith & Trust	*The Sacred Pause:* 60 seconds of silent gratitude.
*Pride*	Humility	*Anonymous Service:* Help someone without taking credit.
*Bitterness*	Forgiveness	*Prayer for Enemies:* Specifically name them in prayer.
*Lust/Gluttony*	Temperance	*Fasting:* Skip a meal or social media to reset.
*Deceit*	Truthfulness	*Evening Examination:* A 5-minute honesty audit.

Which of these ‘opposing habits’ do you need to lean into this week? Let’s encourage each other in the comments below.

March 7, 2026 0