Soul-filled Sunday ~ What A Friend ~ 8/30/2026

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How do you define the word "friend"?  Do you have a circle of friends or do you consider yourself as having a best friend?  Do you feel "the more the merrier" or "two is company; three is a crowd" best describes your attitude?

Jesus calls us HIS friends and laid down His life for each one of us:

John 15:12-15 (NASB)

12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.

Abraham was a friend of God.  Can you (or I) be called a friend of God?

James 2:23 (NASB)

23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.

I'm going to be studying through The Daily Grace Co.'s book "I Need Thee Every Hour: Hymns That Bring You Closer to Christ" and want you MY FRIENDS to come along for the journey.

In case you haven't figured out what song we're going to be looking at first, it is:

"What A Friend We Have in Jesus"

 by Joseph M Scriven c. 1855.

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
   All our sins and griefs to bear!
   What a privilege to carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
   Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
   Oh, what needless pain we bear,
   All because we do not carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a friend so faithful,
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our every weakness;
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
   Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Savior, still our refuge—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
   Take it to the Lord in prayer!
   In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
   Thou wilt find a solace there.

I'd like us to read each verse and really ponder each phrase.

The book goes into the back story of the writing of the song, but I'd like to focus on the words that were written.

Verse 1:  Do we consider it a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer or do we see it as a right and take advantage?  Do we find our peace in God or do we forfeit our peace and bear the pain needlessly?

Verse 2:  We all have trials, temptations and troubles.  Don't be discouraged!  Jesus knows our weakness and sorrows.

Verse 3:  Weak and heavy laden?  He will give us rest from our burdens.

Now, think back to your original definition of "friend".  Has your definition changed at all?

The book has a REFLECTION at the end of each song's devotional.  This song's REFLECTION is:

What are some ways that this Hymn points your heart and mind to worshiping God?

I hope this Soul-filled Sunday post has \made you think and ponder on your relationship with the LORD.

Please share your thoughts in the comments, and let's be FRIENDS :)

Prayer Requests

~Consistency with this study and sharing it with you.

~Health and safety for loved ones, mine and yours.

~Safety for those heading or have already started back to school.  

For Your Listening Pleasure

Blessings,

Colletta

Soul-filled Sunday ~ 8/24/2025

Scripture Memory Verse

"I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live."

Psalm 116:1-2

Prayer Requests

~Please keep my brother, Danny, in your prayers!  He has to have some tests done.  I'll post more details when we know more about what we're dealing with.

~My Teacher's Assistant orientation is Monday morning at 8am.  I'm nervous and excited at the same time!  Prayers that I do well and find my niche in this position.

~My Bible study time.  I haven't been able to focus very well the last few weeks and that makes it hard for me to sit down and actually study.  I'm hoping to once again work on a routine now that I'll be getting back on a schedule.

~Our Country, and our Leaders.

For Your Listening Pleasure

This is a new song by Megan Woods.  So beautiful!  Enjoy :)

Blessings,

Colletta

Soul-filled Sunday ~ 8/17/2025

Scripture Memory Verse

"Serve the Lord with gladness;  Come before Him with joyful singing."

Psalm 100:2

Prayer Requests

~Many thanks for the prayers for my Dad before, during and after his aortic valve replacement!  He is doing well and perhaps "milking it" a bit according to my Mom.  They couldn't schedule him for Cardiac Rehab until September 11th so we'll know more about his physical capabilities then, but so far so good!

~Laken moved into her dorm room on Thursday...  It has been such an emotionally draining week.  First there was shopping and packing to be done.  Then the actual move-in day.  All went well and I held it together until the hubby and I were on the way home.  Friday, I was very weepy all day.  I gave myself that day to be sad and now I have to get myself busy learning my "new life".

~My Bible study time.  I haven't been able to focus very well the last few weeks and that makes it hard for me to sit down and actually study.  I'm hoping to once again work on a routine.

~My new job!  I applied and interviewed for a position as a Teacher's Assistant with Head Start and they called me the very next day to offer me the job!  I'm hoping that working with littles will fill me with a sense of purpose for this new season of life.

~Our Country, and our Leaders.

For Your Listening Pleasure

This is a new song by Lauren Daigle.  So beautiful!  Enjoy :)

Blessings,

Colletta

Soul-filled Sunday ~ 7/27/2025

Scripture Memory Verse

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Hebrews 11:1

Prayer Requests

~My Dad is visibly perking up after his aortic valve replacement!  His color is much better and his energy is returning.  He goes back to the cardiologist for a post-op visit this week so praying all is well.

~Laken moves into her dorm room in 3 short weeks.  She is getting nervous about classes and meeting so many new people.  I pray that she and her roommate hit it off and become great friends.  Prayers for her, for this mama and for patience during the preparations for move-in day!

~My Bible study time.  I didn't get up any earlier this week but I did get Bible reading time in while drinking my morning caffeine.  Instead of sitting at the table bemoaning the fact that I wasn't still in bed, I've been reading from the Book of Psalms on my phone's Bible app.  I've also been trying to make some evening Bible study time as well.  Prayers are working!!!

~Prayer of thanks that Kaylee had a safe work trip to Orlando, FL.  She flew out on Monday evening and came back Friday afternoon.  Knowing that my baby was up in the sky flying was a bit anxiety producing but she is now safely home!

~Our Country, and our Leaders.

For Your Listening Pleasure

This is a new song by Leanna Crawford.  So beautiful!  Enjoy :)

Blessings,

Colletta

Soul-filled Sunday ~ 7/20/2025

Scripture Memory Verse

"Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

Prayer Requests

~My Dad had his aortic valve replacement this past Wednesday.  They were able to do the replacement using the TAVR procedure and did NOT have to do open-heart surgery!  Praise God!  He came home Thursday afternoon and is doing well.  He is a bit worn out which is to be expected this soon after the surgery.  Your continued prayers for him would be appreciated!

~Laken moves into her dorm room in 4 short weeks.  Prayers for her, for this mama and for patience during the preparations for move-in day!

~My Bible study time.  I'm having a hard time focusing in the evening for my Bible study.  I guess I could try to get up earlier in the morning and have my quiet time with God then.  It is worth considering.  When do you have your study time?

~Our Country, and our Leaders.

For Your Listening Pleasure

Make sure you turn up your volume for this song!  Enjoy :)

Blessings,

Colletta