Faith Expressed Through Radical Love: Galatians 5:1-15

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” (Galatians 5:6 NIV)

As we continue studying Galatians, Paul addresses those caught up in the trap of religious performance, legalistic rules, and outward rituals. They were debating the necessity of traditional requirements, measuring their spiritual standing by what they did or didn’t observe outwardly. But Paul cuts through the noise of human effort and religious debate with a single, groundbreaking truth in verse 6. Outward rituals, religious status, and human checklists carry zero weight in the kingdom of God. What truly matters—the only thing that counts—is a living faith in Jesus Christ that naturally flows outward in active, self-giving love.

The world teaches transactional, conditional, and self-protective love. Earthly love says, “I will love you as long as you treat me well, meet my needs, or earn my affection.” But the faith planted in us by Jesus Christ produces an entirely different kind of love—an eternal, supernatural love that defies human logic when it is demonstrated on earth.

Who could ever love like this?

The spouse of an inmate: A woman whose husband receives a prison sentence of over a decade. Earthly wisdom advises her to walk away, cut her losses, and protect herself. Instead, grounded in Christ, she chooses to stay, forgive, walk alongside him through the dark years, and help rebuild his life upon his release.
The grieving family in the courtroom: A family whose beloved father was tragically killed by a negligent driver. Standing in front of the courtroom, faced with unimaginable grief and loss, they choose to offer full, radical forgiveness to the person responsible.
Jesus on the Cross: Hanging suspended between heaven and earth, enduring torture, mockery, and betrayal, Jesus looks down at those driving nails into His hands and prays, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Human nature asks: Who does that? The world looks at actions like these and calls them foolish or crazy. But heaven recognizes them as the purest reflection of Jesus Christ. It is a love that cannot be manufactured by human willpower; it is evidence of eternal faith at work.

From Duty to Devotion to Delight

How does genuine faith move from an abstract belief into such radical action? Scripture shows us that authentic faith never remains passive.

In James 2:14–26, James reminds us that living faith is completed and proven by action, famously concluding that “faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26). This isn’t about working harder to earn God’s favor. Rather, it describes the sacred trajectory of sanctification:

Duty: We begin walking in obedience because God commands it.
Devotion: As we behold His grace, our hearts soften, and obedience becomes an act of deep reverence and honor.
Delight: By the work of the Holy Spirit, loving others through action ceases to feel like a burden—it becomes our heart’s greatest desire.

As 1 John 3:18 urges us, let us not love merely with words or speech, but “with actions and in truth.” Our actions always speak louder than our words. When our faith is alive, it produces what Paul calls work produced by faith and labor prompted by love, positioning love as the supreme virtue that outlasts everything else.

If you try to love like Jesus in your own strength, you will burn out, grow bitter, or fail. Human patience runs dry, and human forgiveness has its limits. Paul understood this reality deeply. In 2 Corinthians 6 & 7, he highlights that enduring trials, extending grace, and walking in holiness are possible only through the Holy Spirit, sincere love, and God’s divine power. We simply cannot do it on our own.

This is the fulfillment of God’s ancient promise in Jeremiah 31:33: “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” God did not leave us to struggle under our own impulses. He placed His very Spirit inside us, rewriting our desires and giving us the power to live under His authority. When we yield to the Spirit, He produces in us a supernatural capacity to love beyond our natural limits.

God loves you beyond measure. The Holy Spirit lives inside you right now. Call upon Him! The Lord’s calling for your life is clear and simple: Love Him, and Love Others. He knows it isn’t easy, but He has already given you everything you need to take the next step.

Jesus endured the cross out of sincere, unshakeable love for those who mocked, spat upon, and persecuted Him. He rose again in victory, proving that love conquers sin, darkness, and death. Because that same resurrection power dwells within you, may radical love be more than a temporary goal or a passing season of effort.

May it become a lifelong prayer:

Lord, teach me to let faith express itself through love. Shift my gaze away from self-preservation and anchor it on Your grace. May Your Spirit transform me completely, using my life to show the world a love that points straight to Your glory.

November 6, 2026 0

Getting Ahead of God: Why We Rely on Human Effort (and How to Stop): Galatians 4:21–31

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. Galatians 4:31 NIV

Looking back on my life, I see how many times I tried to take matters into my own hands. When God’s timeline felt too slow, my human nature urged me to jump into action—to make things happen through sheer willpower and self-reliance. Sound familiar? We want God’s plan but often try to achieve it through our own schedule and strategy.

In Galatians 4:21–31, the Apostle Paul uses the story of Hagar and Sarah to illustrate two fundamentally different ways of relating to God: a relationship built on human effort versus a relationship grounded in faith and divine promise.

Hagar’s Way: Performance, Strife, and Getting Ahead of God

Hagar and her son Ishmael represent the Old Covenant, born according to the flesh through natural human planning and self-reliance. When we live according to Hagar’s way, we slide into spiritual slavery under religious obligation.In our day-to-day lives, living like Hagar shows up as a performance-based relationship with God. It rests on human effort and leads directly to strife and bondage. When we operate from this mindset, we trap ourselves under severe burdens and fears:

The Fear of Not Measuring Up: Carrying the constant weight of feeling like we are not good enough or fail to meet a standard.

Impatient Self-Reliance: Wanting things our own way and quickly, rather than believing that God’s ways and timing are better than ours.

Daily Anxiety: Feeling stuck in daily burdens—even down to the fear that our daily work will be miserable until retirement—because we rely on our own strength to endure.

When we try to force the outcome, human effort simply cannot perform what only divine grace can produce.

Sarah’s Way: Resting in the Divine Promise

In contrast, Sarah and her son Isaac represent the New Covenant and Heavenly Jerusalem. Isaac was not born because of human cleverness, but through the divine promise of the Lord. Sarah illustrates a relationship with God based on trusting His word, receiving righteousness through adoption, and stepping into true freedom.

Recognizing Sarah’s way in daily life means embracing a divine promise-based relationship with God. It shifts us away from trying to earn salvation or win God’s favor through works, grounding our lives instead in:

Supernatural Grace: Living in the spiritual freedom that Christ has already purchased for us.

Clinging to the Lord: Relying on the truth that God promises all who believe in Jesus will receive the full benefits of His promises.

Quiet Faith: Anchoring our hope in God’s character—knowing He is completely trustworthy, true to His word, and able to use everything for His divine glory.

If we are no longer children of the slave woman, but children of the free woman, how do we walk out this identity in everyday decisions? Living as a child of promise requires learning how to worship in the waiting:

Wait on the Lord: Resist the impulse to rush ahead when answers don’t arrive immediately.
Trust in His Promises: Choose to believe that God’s timing is purposeful, even when the path feels uncertain.
Stop Trying to Force the Outcome: Consciously step back from trying to “make things happen” through self-reliance.
Practice Active Patience: Turn waiting into continuous prayer, worship, and devotion.

A Heart Prayer of Reflection

Thank You, Lord, for Your promises and for loving me so deeply. I am mesmerized by Your ways and how You work throughout Scripture to make Your promises come true. Forgive me for my selfishness, lack of patience, and the times I try to get ahead of You through human effort. Help me leave behind the fear of not measuring up. I want You to be my all-in-all in life, knowing there is constant hope in my future because of You. Amen.

November 2, 2026 0

Beyond the Checklist Mask: What It Means for Christ to Be Formed in Us (Galatians 4:1-20)

My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you… Galatians 4:19 NIV

It is easy to treat faith like a spiritual checklist. Did I read my chapter today? Did I check off the boxes of a “Good Christian”? But walking through Galatians 4:1–20 peels back the outer mask on something far richer. God is not asking for a polished performance or religious effort; He is inviting us into an intimate, unrestrained relationship rooted in His profound agape love.

At the very heart of Paul’s message is Galatians 4:19; he wasn’t asking the Galatians to follow a new set of rules or conform to external expectations. He was aching for an internal reality: for Christ to be formed inside them. Not an outward mask, but an inward transformation.

I feel God calling me into that exact space—to redirect my focus and energy away from performance and into true presence. It means allowing Christ to be formed in me by daily surrendering all I am and have under His authority. It requires moving away from delayed obedience or bargaining, and stepping into immediate obedience without hesitation. When God prompts, the heart’s response must simply be a wholehearted “YES, LORD.” Oh, if only I could stay spiritually anchored to this mindset 24/7. I struggle!

This passage shines a bright light on the contrast between walking in self-effort versus walking in the Spirit in my life:

Flesh: running through life with my own agenda pressed tightly to my chest. It is being quick to judge, reacting defensively, and letting the noise and standards of the world mandate my reactions.

Spirit: letting agape love lead every interaction. It is pausing to pray for someone before forming a judgment, choosing grace over friction, and carrying an unshakeable “YES, LORD” mindset into every room.

Where verse 19 becomes most personal is in the unexpected turns and quiet spaces. When God doesn’t answer the way I think is best, or when circumstances unfold completely differently than I planned, my flesh wants to rise up in frustration. Even harder is when heaven feels silent.

In those moments, Galatians 4:19 needs to become an anchor for me because it reminds me that spiritual formation isn’t about God aligning with my timeline; it is about God shaping my character into the image of His Son. Silence is not His absence—it is the quiet soil where patience, trust, and deep spiritual roots grow. Releasing my frustration is an act of pure worship, declaring that His wisdom is far greater than my blueprint.

To move this truth from a quiet thought into a lived habit, I am making a space this week to intentionally schedule sacred alone time with God. Not to run through a list of requests, but to sit in His presence, truly listen to His voice, and spend uninterrupted time in worship.

IMMEDIATE OBEDIENCE

Lord, please form Christ in me,

Not in my attempts to polish the daily checklist,

Nor in the noise of my own ambition,

But in the quiet depth of daily surrender.

When my hands want to grab the wheel,

Direct me to immediate obedience.

When the answers delay, and the silence seems loud,

Spiritually anchor my soul in Your agape love.

Here is my agenda & timeline, laid at Your feet.

Let every breath of my life carry one response:

Yes, Lord.

What is one area of your life right now where God might be asking you to trade a rigid expectation for quiet trust in His timing?

October 26, 2026 1

Stand Firm in Grace: Guarding Gospel Truth While Pursuing True Unity (Galatians 2:1-10)

This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a single moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain firm with you. Galatians 2:4-5 NIV

Peace-Just keep peace!

Have you ever found yourself tempted to stay silent or compromise your convictions just to keep the peace? In a world—and often even inside the church—those values avoiding conflict at all costs and taking a firm stand for truth can feel intimidating. Yet, true biblical unity is never built on the foundation of diluted truth; it is anchored firmly in the unchanging grace of the gospel.

In Galatians 2:1–10, the Apostle Paul travels to Jerusalem alongside Barnabas and Titus to present the gospel he had been preaching among the Gentiles. While there, certain false believers infiltrated their gathering, attempting to strip away their spiritual freedom and force Gentile Christians to submit to Jewish legalistic customs, such as circumcision. Paul’s response was immediate and unyielding: he did not give in to them for a single moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain intact for all believers.

As we explore Week Three of the Galatians study guide, we are confronted with a crucial question: Why was it so important for Paul to defend the truth of the gospel instead of compromising for the sake of peace?

If Paul had caved to peer pressure, the purity of the gospel would have been destroyed. Salvation would no longer be a free gift received by faith alone, but a reward earned through human ritual and legalistic effort. Paul recognized that temporary harmony achieved by abandoning core truth is not true peace at all—it is spiritual bondage. Standing firm for the gospel preserves the freedom Christ bought for us.

This raises another vital consideration for believers today: What differences among Christians should never divide us, and what core truths must never be compromised?

What Should Never Divide Us: Secondary preferences, worship styles, cultural backgrounds, dietary choices, or personal traditions ought never to fracture our fellowship. The body of Christ is made up of diverse people with unique stories, and our differences highlight the beauty of God’s grace working across all cultures.
What Can Never Be Compromised: The central truth of justification by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. As cross-referenced in Romans 10:8–13, salvation comes to everyone who confesses with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believes in their heart that God raised Him from the dead. Adding human requirements to God’s grace distorts the gospel completely.

When James, Peter, and John recognized the grace given to Paul, they didn’t demand uniformity; they celebrated unity in the shared mission of Christ.

Living out the gospel together requires intentionality. True unity in Christ is not passive; it demands healthy communication, humility, and active love. Good communication prevents misunderstandings, clears away fear, and keeps our focus aligned on Jesus.

Notice, too, the one specific request the Jerusalem leaders made of Paul: to remember the poor—the very thing Paul was eager to do. True gospel unity always overflows into practical mercy and caring for those in need.

As you reflect on Galatians 2 this week, consider what faith commitment you can carry into your daily walk. Where is God calling you to stand firm on gospel grace, communicate with deeper love, and extend the hand of fellowship to others? Let us guard the truth of Jesus passionately while loving one another fiercely.

September 25, 2026 0

The Approval Trap: Human Validation vs. Divine Service (Galatians 1:1-10)

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 NIV

The pursuit of human validation is exhausting! Would you agree? In the opening of Paul’s letter, he establishes a stark boundary between striving for public applause and serving a divine calling. True spiritual conviction requires a conscious shift in priority from people-pleasing towards absolute fidelity to divine truth.

The differences between seeking the favor of humans versus living under God’s authority:

Dimension	Seeking Human Approval	Seeking God’s Approval
Primary Driver	Cultural trends, fear of rejection, and the desire for social acceptance.	Unconditional divine acceptance, spiritual truth, and authentic calling.
Message Clarity	Prone to compromise, watering down complex truths, and avoiding necessary confrontation.	Clear, direct, and unadulterated declaration of core principles.
Ultimate Outcome	Chronic emotional fatigue, fluctuating self-respect, and spiritual stagnation.	Lasting peace, clear identity, and absolute fulfillment of purpose.

WOW! I have found myself doing all the above! I am learning that living under an “audience of one” means acknowledging that human praise cannot anchor my identity or be a substitute. I have some deep scars from seeking human approval. What about you?

Paul expresses profound astonishment at how rapidly we can drift away from foundational truths toward “different gospels” that substitute grace with performance-based legalism. When core truths are mixed with secondary cultural demands, the original message is completely compromised. Gary Hamrick says, “Jesus plus anything ruins everything!’”

True transformation relies entirely on unmerited favor and an accomplished rescue from modern destructive patterns, rather than a checklist of rigid behavioral performance regulations. Paul makes it clear that introducing self-righteous conditions or human-made rules to a system of grace creates a subtle form of bondage that discredits the completeness of the original foundation.

How can we live with divine focus?

Shifting our focus away from crowd-pleasing requires systematic personal adjustments. It requires us to refuse to bend the foundation truth to satisfy temporary human opinions. This immediately spurs me to pray, “LORD, give me the courage to seek Your approval above anyone else.”

As a call to action from Galatians 1:1-10, I pray we can pinpoint the specific situations where fear of human disapproval prompts a compromise of personal core values or ethical standards, and we stand firm against cultural trends that pressure us to dilute God’s gift of salvation for quick, human validation.

What is your prayer and call to action when you reflect on Galatians 1:1-10? I would love to hear your thoughts.

September 14, 2026 0

CALL TO ACTION: Colossians 4:7-18

Photo by Nur Andi Ravsanjani Gusma on Pexels.com

You’ve got to move it, move it!! Your action matters!

Have you ever read Scripture, pondered the meaning, then closed God’s Word without an action plan or a way to saturate your life with God’s way of living? I know I have – over and over, time after time. Often I ask God to create in me a pure heart, yet I do nothing on my part. OUCH!

Refining Ministry has been leading others in how to deep dive into their Bible for seven years. Each study has revealed wisdom and discernment in how to allow God’s Word to transform hearts and minds. One thing we have found to be true always: Christ alone is the sole source and substance of spiritual maturity regardless of our religious beliefs, education, or special giftings. Our intimacy with Him is more important than anything else.

This summer we engaged in a slow walk through Colossians by approaching each verse with a vision of action. Together, we have been watchful for the LORD and held ourselves accountable to seek God through an act of obedience based on the Scriptures we studied. It has not always been easy, but it has been very rewarding.

The slight mindset change and the intentionality allowed each of us to embrace humility and obedience as a method of worshiping the Father. It has forever changed how I get dressed every morning…clothe yourself in compassion, gentleness, humility, kindness, and patience…Colossians 3:12. (The verse is hanging in my closet and has allowed me to stay under God’s authority when life gets hard!)

It has been a privilege to lead like-minded women each Monday night this summer through the book of Colossians. Paul’s words have pierced my heart along with the sweet love and devotion of each lady who participated in this Bible study. I can say I have experienced the true meaning of walking hand in hand with my beautiful sisters in Christ. I am forever grateful.

As we close out Chapter 4, here is an example of how we have studied and digested Paul’s words verse-by-verse. I pray it encourages you to action as well.

Be an Encourager and Restorer (Verses 7–11)

Paul highlights ordinary people who brought him comfort. Notice Mark here—the same Mark who had previously deserted Paul, now restored and useful.
Action: Lift up fellow workers and offer grace. Think of someone serving in ministry, a leader, or a friend who is weary or recovering from a setback. Send them a voice text, card, or message of genuine encouragement this week.

Labor Ferociously in Prayer for Others (Verses 12–13)

Epaphras, who is described as “always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.” Prayer isn’t a passive sideline activity; it is active spiritual work for the maturity of others.
Action: Pray for spiritual endurance, not just physical comfort. This week, pray for the ladies in your church/small group to be able to stand firm, mature, and fully assured in God’s will.

Build Community Around God’s Word (Verses 14–16)

Faith grows in community, rooted in Scripture. Nympha offered her home space; Paul urged them to share God’s written truth.
Action: Open your life and anchor your relationships in truth. Intentionally invite someone into your life for spiritual community this month—opening your home, inviting someone to your next bible study, sharing how Scripture has impacted you.

Complete the Mission God Gave You (Verses 17–18)

Finishing well requires intentional effort and reliance on God’s grace during hard times.
Action: Don’t quit on the assignment God placed in front of you. Name the specific assignment God has called you to right now (raising children, a tough workplace, a church role, a hard marriage) and commit to seeing it through.

July 27, 2026 0

GALATIANS: 12 Weeks Through Grace and Freedom

Unfiltered Truth. Real Freedom. Deep Grace. 12-Week Study of Galatians starting September 7th!

If I had to pick one writer in the New Testament whose voice cuts right through the noise, it’s the Apostle Paul. His passion is contagious. He’s bold, straightforward, and isn’t afraid to throw in a bit of holy sarcasm when defending the truth. Paul is definitely not a fence-sitter—he makes it crystal clear where he stands.

That’s why we are so excited for what’s next. Galatians is Paul’s passionate letter defending justification by faith alone, breaking down religious legalism, and defining what it truly means to live led by the Holy Spirit.

Over 12 weeks, we’ll walk verse by verse through all six chapters together. We’ll be using our Sit, Soak, and Saturate study method—a rhythm that teaches us how to slow down, ask deep questions, pray Scripture, and apply God’s Word to daily life in a completely fresh way.

Whether you’ve never opened a Bible before or you’ve been studying for decades, you belong here. We’ll simply open our Bibles together, one day at a time, and let God’s Word do what it always does: refine us.

Class Details:

Start Date: Monday, September 7^th, 6:00 pm CST
Length: 12 Weeks (Six chapters, verse-by-verse)
Location: Online via Zoom (with digital resources provided)

If you’ve been wanting to build a consistent Bible habit, or if you’re longing to deeply understand your identity in Christ, this is your invitation.

Ready to jump in? Send us a message (refiningjourney@gmail.com) or comment below to get your Zoom link, class schedule, and study resources!

July 26, 2026 0

Stepping into a New Season: Why Embracing a “God-Word” Changes Everything

Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:7-8 NIV

Hello, Friends!

Have you ever experienced a season where God handed you a single word—and that one word began to reshape how you viewed your circumstances, your mindset, and your daily walk with Him?

A few years ago, I shared a post here on Refining titled “3 Reasons for Embracing a God-Word.” I talked about how stepping away from human resolutions and leaning into a Spirit-led focus gives us a framework for true spiritual growth. It anchors us when life’s storms rage and reminds us to set our minds on things above (Colossians 3:1-2).

Today, I want to extend a personal invitation to you to step deeper into this journey with us.

Why Focus on a God-Word? When we allow God to speak a specific word into our lives for a season—whether it’s FOCUS, SURRENDER, ABIDE, or COURAGE—three powerful shifts begin to happen:

It Shifts Our Mindset (Romans 12:2): A God-Word isn’t a temporary trend; it’s an ongoing, daily transformation that aligns our thoughts with His truth.
It Anchors Us in the Storm: Circumstances fluctuate, but a word grounded in God’s promises becomes a weapon of faith (a sword!) when life feels heavy or uncertain.
It Refines Our Daily Walk: It moves our faith from theory to practical application, guiding how we pray, act, and love others every single day.

You Are Invited to Join the Journey. Spiritual refinement was never meant to be walked alone. Whether you’ve been seeking clarity in a deep valley or you’re eager to deepen your reliance on Scripture and the Holy Spirit, there is a place for you here. We are gathering a community of believers who are ready to stop being caught off-guard by life and start standing firm as mighty warriors in faith.

Here is how you can jump in today:

Email us: Come be a part of our upcoming online session for four weeks in August. Email us at refiningjourney@gmail.com before August if you are interested.
Virtual Class: Monday nights at 6:00 pm via Zoom. We will send you the link and workbook.
Book: It is optional to purchase the book, ONE WORD, by Jon Gordon. You may check your local library or buy a used copy.

Let’s Walk Together. You matter, and your journey matters to God. I look forward to watching how He moves in your life as we surrender our plans and embrace His authority together!

In Grace & Truth,

Genna

Refining [Spiritual Growth]

“Embracing a journey of refinement under God’s authority with an eternity mindset.” — Jeremiah 24:7

July 26, 2026 0

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

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