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Overview
Women will find comfort, challenge, and their spirits blessed as they experience an intimate connection with their Savior all 365 days of the year.
Experience an intimate connection to your heavenly Father with the Daily Wisdom for Women new devotional collection for 2019, designed to challenge you to fully trust in Him. Featuring an encouraging devotional reading and prayer for every day of 2019, this beautiful volume provides inspiration and encouragement for your soul. In these pages you'll find comfort, inspiration, and spiritual blessing as you grow in your faith all 365 days of the year.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781683229254 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Barbour Publishing, Incorporated |
| Publication date: | 10/01/2018 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 384 |
| File size: | 1 MB |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
Tuesday, January 1
New Year's Day
WITH US
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us"). Matthew 1:22-23 NIV
* * *
Since before the beginning of time, God has had us in mind. He created a world designed just for us. He placed us in it, and walked with us. And even though we disobeyed, He had a plan for that too. He never wanted to leave us. He has written a story that from beginning to end, and all the parts in the middle, points to one conclusion: "God with us."
Mary didn't know what part in this story she was playing. She didn't know God had been planning for this moment from the time He said, "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3). She didn't know this baby she was about to carry would be called the Light of the world.
But Mary believed. She believed the words of the angel, as did Joseph, a son from the line of the king of God's people. Mary and Joseph believed and obeyed. And that's how they became part of the story.
What part does God have for you to play? Believe what He says to you. Obey. And He will be with you every step of the way.
Lord, thank You for being with me as I begin this new year.
Wednesday, January 2
GETTING TO HOME
But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?" Genesis 3:9 NIV
* * *
When was the last time you played hide-and-seek? How long did it take for someone to find you? Or better yet, how long did it take for you to get tired of hiding? Most people who play this game want to be found. It's no fun to hide forever by yourself. The reward comes when you try to make it "home" before getting caught.
Adam and Eve didn't want to stay hidden alone either. They wanted to be found. And they must have known God would find them. He had been with them in the garden before. So, why hide in the first place?
Shame. Shame causes us to feel bad about who we are. And it makes us forget what we know. But God calls out to us, reminding us. We are His. And the reward comes when we make it home — home with Him.
As you begin this new year, remember who you are. Remember whose you are. Leave behind whatever shame you're hiding behind and just come home.
Lord, I don't want to be afraid to face You. Help me make the choices I need to make to stay on the right path. Help me make it home — to You. Amen.
Thursday, January 3
SURROUNDED
I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side. Psalm 3:5-6 NLT
* * *
There was a time when the average person would never have known what it was like to have thousands of enemies. To achieve those numbers, one might have to be a celebrity — perhaps a hated villain in a movie, or the quarterback who choked in the championship game, or a radio host who opened his big mouth one too many times.
But in this age of social media, one wrong post can earn you millions of followers in seconds. Yet those millions might not like your message. In fact, they may well hate you for it. And they also might just tell you about it. A lot.
But our mighty God knows what it's like to be surrounded by enemy voices. He knows what it's like to have insults hurled at Him. He knows what it's like to have crowds shouting out His name — not in support, but in rage.
The One who faced such hatred is watching over you. He is surrounding you too — but with His love and strength. Wake up in safety and don't be afraid.
Lord, I know You can silence these voices that sometimes bring fear into my heart. Thank You for watching over me.
Friday, January 4
REMEMBERED
Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth. Genesis 9:16 NIV
* * *
Early in the new year, many people, taking the opportunity to get their lives in order, make lists of resolutions. Sometimes those lists start looking like complaint logs: "Here's all the people I won't bother talking to this year." "These are the activities I'm not going to waste time on — AGAIN." "Things I need to get out of my life ..."
Surely none of us has "spending months cooped up with large amounts of smelly, crabby animals" on our list of things not to do in the new year — unless maybe we've been summer camp counselors. But Noah could have had this on his list. Thankfully, he didn't have to think about sailing on the ark again, and neither do we. God made a promise to Noah, his family, and all of us living here on earth: never again would God destroy the earth with a flood.
God put His rainbow in the sky as a sign of this special promise. And several times in scripture, God said He would remember this covenant.
What an amazing thing to be remembered by the Creator of the universe! Perhaps you can add this to your resolution list: "Remember that I am remembered."
Lord, I will remember You. Thank You for remembering me. Amen.
Saturday, January 5
BLESSED
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew5:4 NIV
* * *
As we look to the year in front of us, we can't help but think of those loved ones who won't be with us. Many people must face entering a new year while still carrying a heavy burden of grief — the loss of a family member, a relationship, or a job. We attempt to make plans and take steps forward, even though the sorrow, loneliness, or feelings of failure drag us down.
But we have this promise: we will be comforted. There will be days that are hard and exhausting, but there will be days of hope and peace too. We may receive comfort from good friends who take care of us in practical ways — bringing us meals, taking us out, just talking, or even sitting in silence. We may receive comfort from reading God's Word and through prayer. Or we may receive relief through serving others.
The point is, we will be comforted. And through that comfort, we will become closer to the Comforter. And that is where the blessing comes. If we refuse to be isolated, if we let others help us, if we let God speak to us, and if we reach out to others, we will no longer be alone in our grief.
My Comforter, I give my burdens to You. Amen.
Sunday, January 6
COUNTING STARS
"Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." Genesis 15:5 NKJV
* * *
One, two, three, four, five ... The night sky is filled with tiny dots of light. How many must there be? Millions? Billions? It's like a glitter explosion on a black tablecloth. Picking up each bit of glitter would be just as impossible as counting the stars.
God knew Abraham could never count the stars. But He wanted to give the man a picture to hold on to — a glimmer of the greatness God was going to display through him. And maybe that's exactly what Abraham needed so he could believe — an image he could understand.
God speaks to us in so many ways. He speaks to us through His written Word. He speaks to us through amazing natural glory. He speaks to us through music. He speaks to us through artistry. He speaks to us through hands of service. He speaks to us through hugs.
As many as the stars in the sky — that's how many ways God has of showing us His plan. All we have to do is keep our eyes and ears open, and look and listen for Him.
Six, seven, eight, nine ... Keep counting on God.
Lord God, help me keep my eyes on You. Amen.
Monday, January 7
GOOD AND ANGRY
God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day. PSALM 7:11 NKJV
* * *
Think of a mother standing up for her child. Picture a loyal guard dog defending his territory. Imagine a police officer determined to capture an offender.
In the right hands and with the right circumstances, anger can be a useful emotional response. It is comforting to know that our God can be an angry God. When we look around our world, we can see so many disturbing things. Poor people being crushed by dictators. Refugees dying as they wait for food or medical care. Parents who harm their own children. It is a relief to know that our God is angry with the same wickedness that angers us.
It is also good to remember that our God is just. We may get angry quickly, without stopping to see all the sides of a situation or to consider all the circumstances. But God sees all and knows all. When He is angry, you can be sure it is righteous anger.
As we get to know Him better, we can trust God to show us what is worth getting angry about, and what isn't. We learn what we should overlook and what we should fight against. And we learn how not to make God angry!
Lord God, I'm so thankful You are a just judge. Help me to know when it is good to be angry. Amen.
Tuesday, January 8
NO WORRIES
So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:34 NLT
* * *
In this part (Matthew 6) of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is teaching about basic practices Christians everywhere try to follow: giving, prayer, fasting. Much of what He teaches is about letting go — letting go of our pride, our grudges, and our need for attention.
Then He challenges us even more — to let go of our worries. Maybe you don't consider yourself a worrier. But imagine every possession you have right now was suddenly taken away, and you had no way to provide for yourself. Could you trust God to take care of you then?
Where do you spend most of your best time? Do you spend it on the people you love? Or do you spend it trying to make more money so you can buy more things? How much time do you spend with God? Do you put Him first in your day, or does He come last?
It's natural to want to provide for yourself and for the ones you love. There's nothing wrong with working hard. But becoming worried or anxious over things is a red flag that your life might be a little out of balance. Remember that the God who takes care of the birds in the barns will not forget you.
Lord, help me trust You more with my tomorrows. Amen.
Wednesday, January 9
JUST ASK
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7 NIV
* * *
We plan. We dream. We worry. We fret. We fight. We strive. We try. We work. We struggle. We aim. We miss.
But the one thing we often forget to do is the simplest action we could take.
We could just ask.
God longs to be a part of our lives. He wants to help us. He wants to involve us in His work. He wants us to fully participate in His kingdom. He wants us to know Him. He wants us to love Him. He wants us to come to Him with every desire — even the ones we don't think He will like. (Remember, He knows what's in your heart before you ask it!)
What keeps us from asking Him for what we need or want? Maybe we don't feel worthy. Maybe we don't know if it's appropriate to do. Or maybe, just maybe, we don't really believe what He says. Or maybe we're afraid of the answer.
But friends, what have we got to lose? Just ask.
Lord, I know You will give only what is good for me. Remind me to come to You first with everything I need. Amen.
Thursday, January 10
NOT FORGOTTEN
God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish. Psalm 9:18 NIV
* * *
They are children hanging on to scraps of blankets in a shelter where there is no privacy.
They are young women, fleeing from danger to a land they don't know, leaving family far behind.
They are men with guns, driven to desperate acts with false promises for glory.
They are prisoners, beaten for their beliefs.
They are sick, they are cold, they are lost.
They feel all alone. But they are not alone.
Sometimes it's easy to look around our world and feel despair. It seems there are too many people hurting — how could we ever help them all? But we must not give up hope because we must not give up on God. And God promises that He will not forget every single person who is in need. He will bring them hope. And we may be just the people to help Him do that.
What can you do today to remember someone in need? You might be able to donate to a food pantry or serve in a soup kitchen. You might be able to lead a child in Bible study or visit a patient. And you can always pray.
Don't waste time worrying about all that you cannot do on your own. Just imagine what you can do with God!
God, in all my busyness, let me never forget people who are struggling every day. Amen.
Friday, January 11
BECAUSE
Because you believed, it has happened. Matthew 8:13 NLT
* * *
Quick: If you could have anything you wanted to happen right now, what would you ask for?
What came to your mind? Maybe you'd want healing for a loved one, or for yourself. Maybe you'd want one more day with someone who is gone. Maybe you'd ask for freedom from debt. Maybe you'd want a new job. Maybe you'd like a trip to an amusement park.
The centurion was a man with great responsibility and great courage. These officers in the Roman army would lead their men into battle — not hanging back and barking orders, but going first into the fighting, risking their lives to motivate their men to risk theirs.
The centurion risked his reputation to seek out Jesus and ask the Rabbi for help. Not that he thought he was too good to be seen with Jesus. On the contrary, he didn't think himself worthy for Jesus even to come to his house.
But the man was confident about two things — Jesus' ability to heal and his own authority to give orders. And because he showed this faith to Jesus, the man's servant was healed.
What kind of faith do you have? What are you confident about? Have you shown this to Jesus? Seek Him out. Talk to Him. You never know what might happen, just because you believe.
Lord Jesus, I come to You today to ask for __________. I believe in You. Amen.
Saturday, January 12
RUN TO JESUS
Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. Matthew 8:26 NIV
* * *
Sailing on a large sea can be a little scary, even in the best weather. Sailing in the midst of a furious storm can be terrifying.
But for a storm to frighten the disciples of Jesus — some of whom were experienced fishermen — it must have been severe. The story from Matthew 8 tells us that the storm came up suddenly, and waves swept over the sides of the boat. The disciples ran to wake up Jesus, who was calmly sleeping through the event.
Before we go further, realize this: they ran to Jesus. Jesus wondered why they would come to Him, and yet be so panicked. But at least they came to Him. They knew He would be able to help.
What kind of crisis are you in right now? Perhaps you are not riding the waves in a little boat, being tossed about by angry waters — but maybe you are in a situation that feels just as stressful and overwhelming.
Run to Jesus. He's in charge. Even the wind and waves know they've done wrong when Jesus comes to yell at them.
Lord, I honor You as the boss of my life. Give me orders and I will follow. Amen.
Sunday, January 13
HE RULES
"The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?" Psalm 11:3 NLT
* * *
Somehow the psalmist from thousands of years ago has voiced the thoughts of many who live today — many who see the shootings and murders and abuse and wars humans perpetrate on one another, and wonder, Why is this happening? What can we do to stop it?
Humans will always be humans. We are flawed creatures — products of the Fall — living in a broken world. We will always find ways to hurt each other, and justifications to do it. But even when it seems law and order has been abandoned, and peace is far away, the righteous can do one thing. They can trust God. Because no matter what, "the LORD is in his holy Temple; the LORD still rules from heaven" (Psalm 11:4 NLT).
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Daily Wisdom for Women"
by .
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