Jun 30
Today’s Truth
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3 NIV)
Friend to Friend
My mom wore a two-carat diamond necklace that hung from a gold chain around her neck. My dad had given it to her for an anniversary. Before you say, “Good for her,” keep reading.
One day, when she was shopping in my little hometown, she walked through an alley separating two buildings. This spunky seventy-something-year-old held several packages and her purse looped over her wrist.
About midway through the alley, three teenage boys on bicycles circled her like buzzards over roadkill. One hopped off his bike and grabbed at her necklace. The others continued circling and keeping watch.
But rather than give the would-be-robber what he wanted, Mom dropped her packages and began hitting the boy over the head with her purse. I kid you not. Who knew people really did that?
She was so mad; she took a few swings at the other boys as well.
“You get out of here you little rascal!” she yelled. “Leave me alone! I’m going to get you, you little…” Truth be known, she probably yelled some words that I will not include in today’s devotion.
I think the guys were so startled that she fought back; they got on their bicycles and scurried away.
A few months later, Mom took the two-carat diamond into the jeweler for cleaning. After close inspection, he dropped his head and said, “Mrs. Edwards, I don’t know how to tell you this, but this diamond isn’t real. It’s a fake.”
We’re not sure what happened. We’re not sure if my dad had been tricked and thought it was real, or if he knew it was a fake all along. He was already in heaven, so we couldn’t ask. (I bet my mom did when she got there though.)
Here’s what I learned that day. What we believe to be true affects the way we act and react. Personally. Spiritually. Emotionally.
And friend, what we believe about the Bible affects the way we act and react. Personally. Spiritually. Emotionally.
Paul states, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV). The Greek word for “God-breathed” or as some translations say, “breathed out” is “theopneustos,” which means “inspired by God” or literally the very “breath of God.”
Some translations use the word, “inspired,” but it’s so much more! Inspired sounds like a creative impulse. God-breathed means that every word in the original text of the Bible originated in the heart of God and was breathed into the heart of man so that they could write down exactly what God wanted to communicate.
Billy Graham said it so well, “The Bible has stood the test of time because it is divinely inspired by Almighty God, written in ink that cannot be erased by any man, religion, or belief system.”
For seventeen years we have started the GiG devotions with “Today’s Truth.” That is because God’s Word is Truth. Cling to that with all your heart.
As we close this season of Girlfriends in God, I want us all to remember what God tells us in 2 Timothy 4:3: “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
Never have I seen Scripture more distorted than I have in the last ten years. It breaks my heart that what the Bible clearly states as wrong is now considered right. And what the Bible clearly states as right is now considered wrong.
How it must break God’s heart when His people ignore parts of The Truth that don’t align with what they want to be true. Let that never be us…Girlfriends in God forever.
Oh sister, cling to God’s Word as the ultimate truth—infallible and inerrant. If there is one truth we want you to hang onto after our time together it is that. God’s Word is true.
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, thank You for these wonderful women we call Girlfriends in God. I pray You will continue to bless them exceedingly, abundantly, more than they can ever ask or think, just as You promise in Ephesians 3:20. We love each and every one of them. You love them more.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Let’s Keep in Touch
June 30, 2023, Girlfriends in God is coming to a close. Thank you for linking arms with us in ministry for the past 17 years. We still want to share life with you! Click here to continue receiving devotions from Sharon Jaynes on Tuesdays. Click here to continue receiving devotions from Mary Southerland on Wednesdays. Click here to continue receiving devotions from Gwen Smith on Thursdays.
Now It’s Your Turn
How does believing the Bible is true change the way you live? React? Act?
Read Psalm 119:105. What does this verse tell us about how God’s Word guides us?
More From the Girlfriends
Speaking of truth, do you believe the truth about who God says you are? Do you doubt it? Let Sharon’s book, Enough: Silencing the Lies that Steal Your Confidence remind you of your true identity in Christ. Don’t let the enemy tell you any different.
Click here to sign up for Sharon’s weekly devotion and receive a FREE ebook, Listening to God Day-by-Day. This is a download.
© 2023 by Sharon Jaynes. All rights reserved.
DearGIG crew – especially Mary, Gwen, and Sharon – thank you for an amazing 17 years. Starting my day with you has been a special blessing. I wish you all the very best! Over the last week I have been feeling that you ladies are a little worried about ending this as well and I just wanted to say that over the years you have equipped us all with wisdom, wonderful books, and CDs that we can reach back to. Your words have helped us/me create a closer relationship with God – I know we will be okay. Like you said, Girlfriends in God forever. Thank you and God bless you all.
I will miss our times together GIG. I think I must have found your website and signed up for your devotionals right after the inception of GIG. If someone would have asked me how long I’ve been reading your devotionals, I think the answer would have been longer than 17 years. Thank you so much, my friends.
Good morning
It has been a couple of years ago that a friend sent me this website. And I must say it has been the most amazing thing for me. It always spoke to me at the right time. I will truly miss this each morning. For all the ladies that have prayed for my son with the years of drug addiction he was arrested and taken to jail yesterday. So I pray by the time he gets out God has healed him and his family as well. Thank you and I hope your days are blessed.
Dear Sisters and GIG writing team….
I was trying to remember when I stumbled into your web-site, but I’m so glad God led me to finding you!
You all have blessed, we, the readers so much with your testimonies, life experiences and knowledge of His Word.
Thank you. Even though this chapter is closing, I’m sure the next will be a great ” New Thing” with God’s signature all over it!
Blessings to you all.
Thank you ladies for helping me start my day with God (and you) for the last several years. Your devotions have been spot-on what I needed time after time.God’s Blessings to you all in your next adventures. GIG-Deb
Thank you very much ladies for everything, I wasn’t here for so long but what I learnt and how I felt has been beautiful and I thank God for you all. I’ll miss you all. May the Almighty God bless and keep you all in Jesus name. Amen
The end of this devotion brought tears to my eyes:
“ As we close this season of Girlfriends in God, I want us all to remember what God tells us in 2 Timothy 4:3..:”
When Covid hit (a strong delusion, in my opinion) it felt like, if we were fighting in a war, half of our army turned to attack us. Those who I thought were fellow soldiers twisted Gods Word to justify the lies being hammered on our heads from the world. I know that God was not surprised by this and the Lord knows who are His- but it hurt nonetheless. GiG has been such a comfort in this season because I know I will get biblical truth, not watered down, but delivered with love and grace. I can’t tell you how many times the Holy Spirit has used this devotional to speak directly to my circumstances. Our God is amazing… “His steadfast love endures forever”
God bless you all sisters and May we see the Lord in the clouds very soon… Come quickly Lord Jesus.. Maranatha
Thank you, for providing all those morning devotions over the years. I’ve started many days reading your words and bible references. I wish you well with many blessings and will continue to follow you.
Hi Rose,
While Girlfriends in God is coming to an end, Sharon, Mary, and Gwen will still be sending out weekly devotions from their individual sites. While it may look different, the encouraging biblical content will be the same.
To continue receiving devotions from Sharon Jaynes on Tuesdays sign up here: https://sharonjaynes.com/subscribe/gigs
To continue receiving devotions from Mary Southerland on Wednesdays sign up here: https://marysoutherland.com/devotions/
To continue receiving devotions from Gwen Smith on Thursdays sign up here: https://gwensmith.net/subscribe/
We can’t wait to continue doing life with you!
I am so sad this devotion is ending. What a remarkable group of women to speak the Word of God to us each day. Bless each of you for speaking truth to women and helping each of us through the day. I would love to see you publish your devotions in a book some day.
They have certainly been a valuable resource to myself and many women. Bless you ladies for sharing God’s light and life with us.
Hi Andrea,
While Girlfriends in God is coming to an end, Sharon, Mary, and Gwen will still be sending out weekly devotions from their individual sites. While it may look different, the encouraging biblical content will be the same.
To continue receiving devotions from Sharon Jaynes on Tuesdays sign up here: https://sharonjaynes.com/subscribe/gigs
To continue receiving devotions from Mary Southerland on Wednesdays sign up here: https://marysoutherland.com/devotions/
To continue receiving devotions from Gwen Smith on Thursdays sign up here: https://gwensmith.net/subscribe/
We can’t wait to continue doing life with you!
May God continue to bless and guide you and your families. To Gwen, Sharon and Mary. I appreciated your dedication in service. 🙂
Thank you and God bless!!!! ♥️♥️♥️
Dear GIG,
God lead me to your devotions in 2020 when my life seemed to be unravelling. Your love for Jesus and desire to be open with your readers drew me back each day, and soon GIG devotions were part of my morning – Coffee Time with Jesus. As other women have pointed out, God used your devotions to speak to me and transform me to be more like our Saviour and Lord Jesus.
May the Lord bless you as you enter a new season of life serving and being used by God to bring His light and love to those living in darkness.
Fanny
I only found you recently but quickly knew your devotions would richly bless me–and they have. I’m sad that this site is coming to an end, but I have signed up for Gwen’s, Sharon’s, and Mary’s devotions so at least I will still have that! I hope you will keep the site up for a while so that we can go back into the archives and read those devotions. That’s what I always do on Saturdays and Sundays when you didn’t publish.
May God richly bless each of the writers who devoted themselves to blessing us and to each of the ladies who came here every day to share with each other.
Grace and peace on your journey, dear sisters! <3
Sheila,
i just want to share with you this story about Josh. Josh is the youngest son of our dear friends. He had been in and out of
juvenile detentions and state prisons since he was 13. His devout parents prayed for his recovery from drug addiction into
his late 30’s. God kept working on him during his times in prison. Today, he is married and has a son soon to be born.
I am sure there were times when his parents thought all their prayers were futile. But like you, they kept on praying. They did not give up. i don’t know God’s timing for your son, but be encouraged that God is at work. He’s got this.
Please know that there are prayer warriors (that you are not aware of) praying for you, your family and your son. And though
GIG’s is coming to a close, the prayer warriors will still be there supporting you in prayer.
May God’s blessings be with you today.
I am so glad that God brought GiG to me. Through your daily devotions it has brought light to my darkness and TRUTH and love to my heart. I too have signed up for Gwen’s, Sharon’s, and Mary’s devotions and I thank GOD for bringing me to your site. May GOD bless each and every one of you.
To Gwen, Sharon and Mary… I will truly miss the morning GIG devotion… I’ve been with you for so many years and each day seemed to be spot on♥ God is so good like that. I’ve forwarded many to my daughters and friends through these years. Every ending is a new beginning and I have signed up for all three of your devotions (Isaiah 43:19). Thank you and may God richly bless you all for your devoted service and continued well-being. GIG Audrey.
Thank You GIG Team ~ you have truly been a blessing ~ Best Wishes in your Adventures In God ❤️
Amen, I need prayer. I’m pregnant and don’t have much support from my husband or anyone. I just looked up abortions this morning even though I don’t believe in it. Please pray for a miracle for my situation and that I’m able to bring this baby into a good life with a loving family. Thanks girl friends I’m god
I want to thank each of you for all that you have done to share this wonderful devotional ministry with us. I discovered Girlfriends in God over 15 years ago, during the beginning of what would turn out to be a very difficult and tumultuous journey in my life. This is not an understatement when I say that Girlfriends in God truly helped to save my life. You will be truly missed. May God continue to bless your lives in your future endeavors of proclaiming God’s word.
While Girlfriends in God has come to an end, Sharon, Mary, and Gwen will still be sending out weekly devotions from their individual sites. While it may look different, the encouraging biblical content will be the same.
To continue receiving devotions from Sharon Jaynes on Tuesdays sign up here: https://sharonjaynes.com/subscribe/gigs
To continue receiving devotions from Mary Southerland on Wednesdays sign up here: https://marysoutherland.com/devotions/
To continue receiving devotions from Gwen Smith on Thursdays sign up here: https://gwensmith.net/subscribe/
We can’t wait to continue doing life with you!
Thank you so much girlfriends in God for sharing your lives with us. I have grown in my walk through the daily devotionals which have graced my mornings everyday. I wish this was not ending as truly you have changed lives. May God eternally bless you for allowing yourselves to be used by Him.
Shalom
While Girlfriends in God has come to an end, Sharon, Mary, and Gwen will still be sending out weekly devotions from their individual sites. While it may look different, the encouraging biblical content will be the same.
To continue receiving devotions from Sharon Jaynes on Tuesdays sign up here: https://sharonjaynes.com/subscribe/gigs
To continue receiving devotions from Mary Southerland on Wednesdays sign up here: https://marysoutherland.com/devotions/
To continue receiving devotions from Gwen Smith on Thursdays sign up here: https://gwensmith.net/subscribe/
We can’t wait to continue doing life with you!
Thank you so so much! You ladies have blessed me so much with God’s word so many times as a new christian and even now at 28 years old. I found this page about 8 years ago and although i’m sad it’s ending. I will cherish all of this and the way you guys shared personal testimonies forever.
While Girlfriends in God has come to an end, Sharon, Mary, and Gwen will still be sending out weekly devotions from their individual sites. While it may look different, the encouraging biblical content will be the same.
To continue receiving devotions from Sharon Jaynes on Tuesdays sign up here: https://sharonjaynes.com/subscribe/gigs
To continue receiving devotions from Mary Southerland on Wednesdays sign up here: https://marysoutherland.com/devotions/
To continue receiving devotions from Gwen Smith on Thursdays sign up here: https://gwensmith.net/subscribe/
We can’t wait to continue doing life with you!
Lord, I pray for my Sister in Christ (anonymous) but she is seen by You. Send forth Your ministering angels to minister to her of Your love, peace and courage to give life to this precious baby. Give her clarity of mind and Hope for the future. Make a way where there seems to be no way, for You are the God of the impossible.
My Sister, don’t do it, I had an abortion 33 years ago and carried self-condemnation for many years until the Lord showed me His love by giving me salvation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!❤️☝🏽🙏🏼
I found GIG recently, about 8 months ago, and have loved reading the devotionals. Thank you for being speakers of truth and being beacons of light in such a dark world!
While Girlfriends in God has come to an end, Sharon, Mary, and Gwen will still be sending out weekly devotions from their individual sites. While it may look different, the encouraging biblical content will be the same.
To continue receiving devotions from Sharon Jaynes on Tuesdays sign up here: https://sharonjaynes.com/subscribe/gigs
To continue receiving devotions from Mary Southerland on Wednesdays sign up here: https://marysoutherland.com/devotions/
To continue receiving devotions from Gwen Smith on Thursdays sign up here: https://gwensmith.net/subscribe/
We can’t wait to continue doing life with you!