Faith Enough for Today Copyright Š 2020 by Just Between Us ministry. All rights reserved. No part of this booklet may be reproduced without written permission, except for brief quotes.
Cover Design & Layout: Ashley Schmidt Compiled By: Krista Heinen & Sharon Vaught Editorial Team: Suzan Braun, Ann Cook, Shelly Esser, Cherry Lyn Hoffner, and Danae Templeton
Hello Friend, How’s your faith walk? Are the constant demands of daily living making those set-apart times with the Lord few and far between? We can all relate to this challenge, yet we serve a God who longs for relationship with us and for our time spent with Him to nourish our souls and equip us for a life of faith. That is why, in honor of our 30th anniversary, Just Between Us has put together this 30day devotional with you in mind. We hope that Faith Enough for Today will become an inspiring and encouraging tool to enhance your walk with Christ. This devotional is split into six topical sections. Each one has five entries on a single topic along with a verse or short passage for you to read, a story written by a JBU author, a few reflection questions for you to process, and a short prayer. Pursue the devotional in a way that is best for you. It is not necessary to read the entries consecutively—choose different topics in a manner that meets your needs for each day! It is our prayer that as you engage with these inspirational stories and God’s Word, you will walk away having grown deeper in your faith. More than anything, we want you to start each day filled up with hope and encouragement—and knowing that you have just enough faith for today! Blessings, Your JBU Sisters in Christ
Contents
Peace
1 Where Lasting Peace is Found By Jill Briscoe 9 2 Don’t Worry About a Thing By Melva L. Henderson 11 3 A Comforter in Tough Times By Marilyn Pritchard 13 4 Experiencing God’s Peace By Jill Briscoe
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5 The Gift of Peace By Elizabeth Murphy 17
Prayer
6 The Hurt of Unanswered Prayer By Shelly Esser
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7 Improving Your Prayer Life By Elizabeth Murphy
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8 Can You Pray Continually? By Krista Heinen
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9 He Hears You By Elisa Morgan
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10 Relaxing in Prayer By Elizabeth Murphy 29
Trust
11 It’s Safe to Trust God By Jill Briscoe 32 12 Rest Equals Trust By Cherry Lyn Hoffner
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13 Trusting God with Your Purpose By Shana Miller
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14 Building a Legacy of Trust By Suzan Braun
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15 Trusting God in the Journey By Shelly Esser 40
Wisdom
16 Ask for God-Sense By Jill Briscoe
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17 Hidden Treasure By Sharon Vaught
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18 Imparting God’s Wisdom By Jill Briscoe
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19 Seeking God’s Wisdom By Melva L. Henderson
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20 Wise with Our Words By Sharon Vaught
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Identity
21 Nameless No More By Krista Lynn Campbell
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22 Don’t Just Accept Yourself By Krista Heinen
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23 A Heart for Women By Jill Briscoe
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24 A Part of the Whole By Krista Heinen
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25 Made for a Purpose by Jill Briscoe
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Faith
26 How Do You Get Out of a Spiritual Rut? By Linda Justice
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27 A Faith That Follows By Jill Briscoe
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28 Too Little Faith By Krista Heinen
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29 Hanging on to Faith By Elizabeth Murphy
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30 Faith Enough to Finish By Jill Briscoe
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Day 1 Where Lasting Peace is Found By Jill Briscoe
Read: Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 9:6
When Jesus Christ has authority over us and when the government of our lives is upon His shoulders, then the Rule of Peace ensues.
Once, Stuart and I were invited to go snorkeling in the Cayman Islands. We ventured out beyond the reef, accompanied by some young experts who swam as well as the fish they chased to the depths with their spear guns. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Briscoe,” they said, seeing my frightened face. “We’ll be your guardian angels!” So saying, they threw the anchor overboard and followed it! Hastily, Stuart and I followed suit.
Never having snorkeled, I drank lots of ocean and met lots of fish I never knew existed. Every so often, I came up for air. It was rough being on top of the waves, but it was peaceful in the depths. Our “guardian angels” had disappeared, chasing their prey and leaving their prey chasing us! As soon as I panicked and tried to stay on top of the water, I nearly drowned. When I obeyed the scanty instructions I had received and dived deep, I had peace—even among my new “friends.”
That’s how it is when you follow Jesus. If you go deep enough, the waters will be still enough. We need to do what we are told! “In this world,” Jesus said, “you will have trouble” (like being battered to bits on the top of the ocean), but “in me you [will] have peace” (like obeying instructions and diving deep) (John 16:33)!
Reflect: •
Where are you in your relationship with Jesus today? Is it still surface-level, beaten and battered by the things around you? Do you feel like you are going deeper in your relationship with Him?
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• Why are you able to find peace as you dive deeper in your relationship with Jesus? • Where do you need peace today? Ask God to take you deeper in that place.
Pray: Lord, thank You that no matter how many difficult things are going on in my life, Your peace is possible in the deepest part of my heart—a peace that surpasses understanding. Remind me during frantic and uncertain times that You are the Prince of Peace. You hold me in the palm of Your hand and can handle anything that comes my way. Help me to keep going deep with You—I know that’s where lasting peace is found. Amen.
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Day 2
Don’t Worry About a Thing By Melva L. Henderson
Read: Philippians 4:6-7
Not long ago, I was preparing to travel and had been up late taking care of some last-minute details. I went to bed knowing that I would only get a few hours of sleep—my flight was scheduled to leave very early the next morning. When I awoke, I panicked. I had overslept! I jumped out of bed and ran to see the time, only to find it significantly earlier than I had thought. Still shaken, my body struggled to go back to sleep. Anxiety had stolen my rest.
Many of us live our daily lives stressed and worried. Especially now, most if not all of us are suffering from some level of anxiety—fear or worry that manifests because of a real or imagined outcome.
The Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul instructs us in Phil. 4:6 (NKJV), “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” God doesn’t want us to live filled with anxiety. When we are anxious, we are tempted to live out of our fear and our emotions instead of faith or in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Trust—total confidence in God and His Word—is a major ally in the fight against anxiety and worry. When we choose to pray about our circumstances instead of worrying, we show God that our trust is in Him, and He moves on our behalf. When I pray instead of worrying, I acknowledge that His wisdom is greater than my own and, no matter what may be going on in my life, my confidence is in Him. The result is victory.
This is walking by faith. When we choose to walk by faith, God replaces worry and anxiety with His peace and joy. When we walk in fear, Satan replaces our joy and peace with worry and anxiety. Fear is faith in reverse. 11
When you are anxious, in a sense you are still walking by faith; it’s just reversed. You have more confidence in what may go wrong than what God can make right.
When images of failure, loneliness, and confusion constantly bombard your mind, the result is anxiety and fear. However, the Word and the presence of God will remove these worries from your life. When we spend daily time meditating on God’s Word, it fortifies our faith, keeping us grounded in His love. Then, fear and worry won’t have a place within us.
You don’t have to worry about a thing, because God has promised to be with you and take care of you. He promised that He will never leave nor forsake you (Deut. 31:6).
Reinforce these truths in your mind. Let God’s Word dwell richly in your heart. If worry and anxiety plague you, turn to God today! His Word will fill your heart with peace, life, and power. It will not only change your circumstances—it will also change you.
Reflect: • What do you feel anxious about today? Talk to God about it. • How does walking by faith help you replace your worries with God’s peace? • How can God’s Word and truths like those in Phil. 4:6-7 help you experience God’s peace?
Pray: Lord, thank You for the promises that You offer me in Your Word. Remind me that I can trust in You and You will direct my paths, and that in my moments of stress and anxiety, I can find my rest in You. Thank You that You desire to hear my anxious thoughts and prayers and that Your peace is able to fill my heart and mind. Wash over me with Your peace today, so that fear and anxiety won’t get the best of me. Amen.
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Day 3
A Comforter in Tough Times By Marilyn Pritchard
Read: John 14:15-21
The night before Jesus’ death, at His last Passover meal, He had a long talk with His disciples. He tried to warn them about what was coming. He was going to leave them for a while, but He would send them a Helper. This Helper would remind them of everything Jesus had taught them.
They were going to need it, because there were tough times ahead. They would be persecuted, Jesus told them; they would experience great sorrow. He didn’t promise them all sweetness and light. Instead, He warned, “In this world you will have trouble.” Yet, “in me you will have peace… I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
The Helper that Jesus promised them is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. There are many meanings of the word for helper used in John’s gospel. It can also mean “comforter” and “advocate.”
Besides being a cozy blanket that wraps you in its warmth and protection, a comforter is someone who comes alongside you, even in times of trouble when you are sad, angry, frustrated, hurt, or lost. Sometimes they don’t have to say a thing. Just knowing that they’re there, without judgment, wrapping their arms around you, gives you a feeling of their comforting presence. That’s what the Holy Spirit does for you.
An advocate is someone who stands up for you and defends you, whether in a court of law or just to the outside world. Knowing that someone is in your corner, pleading your case to the Father, sometimes with “sighs and groanings too deep for words” (Rom. 8:26, AMP), can give you the confidence you need to keep going, to put one foot in front of the other even in the toughest of times.
We are promised the same Helper that Jesus promised His disciples. As Peter told the crowds in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness 13
of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:38-39). Knowing that we have His Spirit within us, to comfort us and stand up for us, allows us to experience the same peace that Jesus promised His disciples. Reflect: •
How does Jesus care for you based on John 14:15-21?
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Have you ever had an experience where the Holy Spirit “reminded” you of something you knew to be true (like a Bible verse or truth about God’s character) when you needed it most? How did that encourage you?
•
When have you sensed God’s peace through the Holy Spirit, either as a Comforter or an Advocate?
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How do you feel, knowing that the Holy Spirit is always with you?
Pray: Lord, thank You for the gift of Your Spirit in me. Thank You for the love You have for me. Today, help me to lean into Your love and rest in the truth that Your Spirit is my comforter and advocate. Help me to rest in the comfort of Your peace. Amen.
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Day 4
Experiencing God’s Peace By Jill Briscoe Read: Isaiah 9:6; Colossians 3:15; Philippians 4:7; Ephesians 2:14
Christ desires us to have peace. If we do not have it, we miss part of the blessings of being a Christian. Now, there’s a simple statement! But I think we make it too hard, too complicated. We think that peace of mind when we are in the midst of a storm can only be for the super saint who knows how to have super faith. Since most of us know ourselves well enough to know that we are not super anything, we figure such experiences are not for us. No, Christ wants every Christian to experience His peace.
The word “peace” runs through the whole Bible. In the Old Testament, in the wonderful words of a benediction used by the priests, the promise is: “The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Num. 6:26). Here, it is a gift of God.
Where does peace begin? In the words of Job’s friend Eliphaz, “Acquaint now yourselves with him and be at peace” (Job 22:21, NKJV). It begins as we get acquainted personally with the mighty Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.
His Peace enters our hearts by the Holy Spirit. It’s when we allow doubt and fear to dominate us that our peace can be disturbed. As we submit to God and grow in our trust in Him, peace will permeate our lives. We will find continual peace as we have continuous trust in the little things as well as the big.
Every one of us can experience peace. If we don’t, we are living below our privileges. This is the will of God and it is only in the faithful doing of God’s will that peace can be found. When we are focused on God, we will experience the peace of God. 15
Reflect: • Where do you need to experience God’s peace today? • How has your peace grown as you’ve trusted Christ more? • What doubts and fears (little or big) do you need to give over to Christ today? Pray: Lord, thank You for the peace that You offer me. Thank you that You desire for me to live a peaceful life. I confess, many times I don’t know how to live with the privilege of peace that You have given me. Help me to grow in my trust. When I feel anxiety growing within me, help me to put my focus on You, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
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Day 5 The Gift of Peace By Elizabeth Murphy
Read: John 14:27
I was speaking at a women’s retreat at a nearby resort and was invited to bring my family along. My four sons were small at the time and the indoor pool was just too good to pass up, so my husband kept them busy while I spoke to a session of women. My topic was “Finding Comfort in the Peace of God.” They rushed out to the pool and as I was trying to collect my notes; I couldn’t help but look around our chaotic hotel room at the things the boys had left behind. One had a beloved Curious George toy, another a shredded pillowcase that now looked like a ball of rags, and the youngest had left a blanket that’s binding had been rubbed to threads. These were the things they loved. I thought to myself, “Comfort looks different to different people, what a great illustration this would make.” So, I grabbed the beaten-up blanket and went out the door.
Halfway through the talk, there was a small knock on the door. When it opened, my youngest son practically yelled, “You have my mommy and my blanky and they are right there,” as he pointed toward me at the front of the room. The walls were made of glass, and he had seen me holding up his blanket as they returned from the pool. Fortunately, my husband wasn’t far behind because my toddler was both troubled and afraid! He thought his comfort had been kidnapped.
It’s easy to feel that way when everything around us seems unsettled, but our understanding of peace and the comfort that comes from finding it in God is very different from the peace that the world offers. Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). “My peace I leave with you... I give you,” it’s almost like it was an actual possession that He gave to His disciples as He left them. That is how very real the peace of God should feel: something tangible we can hold on to, embrace, and share with others.
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His peace cannot be separated from His presence, it comes with Him wherever He goes, not unlike my son and his blanket. The Amplified Bible says it this way: “Peace I leave with you; My (perfect) peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.” (Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.)
God wants to fill your heart with His peace rather than trouble. Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace, and be thankful.” The peace of Christ is the inner calm of someone who walks daily with Him. When it rules in your heart, it presides over every thought and feeling, to put things in order and save you from distress and distraction.
When my son left for college a few years ago, I found the remains of his blanket under his pillow. I was reminded how easy it is to rely on things that offer no peace at all and how we must constantly pursue the Giver of perfect peace. It is part of growing up in our relationship with God and trusting Him with the many things that He knew would trouble our hearts.
Reflect: •
Think of something right now that troubles your heart. Is there anything you personally can do to make it better? How can you look for Jesus in the midst of it? In what ways do you see Him working, moving, and comforting you?
•
How have you looked to other “blankets” to give you the kind of peace that only God can give you?
•
Thank God for His great gift of peace and how it can change the way you live your day-to-day life.
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Spend time in thanksgiving for all the ways in which His peace has settled your soul.
Pray: Lord, how grateful I am for the gift of Your peace! Thank You that it is deeply personal and prevails over every trouble in my life. It truly does pass all understanding. Help my life to exhibit Your peace to a watching world. I want to live in such a way that I can share Your peace with all who don’t yet know you and in so doing they will find their way to the deeply settled place of Your presence in relationship with You. Amen.
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Day 6
The Hurt of Unanswered Prayer By Shelly Esser
Read: Romans 8:22-27
A while ago, I received an email from a woman I met: “It’s been years since you added my daughter, Betsy, to your prayer list. I want to thank you ‘muchly’ for the wonderful answers of a restored relationship with her… and, best of all, seeing her come back to a strong faith in God!”
I had prayed for prodigals every Tuesday, primarily because of the burden I had for some of my own daughters. I had gladly added her daughter to my list, as I had done for many others. While I rejoiced in her wonderful news, I mourned my own unanswered prayer. For a moment, I ashamedly cried, “Lord, I started this prayer time at your prompting on behalf of my daughters. How could you answer her prayer and not mine!” Instead of being filled with joy, there was a sting of sorrow.
What is it about unanswered prayer that hurts so much? Why is it so soul-wrenching? I think it’s because it directly attacks our belief system, our view of God, and how much we trust Him. Ultimately, it can pose an incredible threat to our faith, but I need to worship God despite what I can’t see: “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1). We must hold on to that confidence.
If I’m honest, there have been times when I have thrown up my hands in my heart and refused to pray on because it felt like my prayers were deficient. But that only broke down my fellowship with God, raising a huge wall. I thought I had to protect myself from the hurt and disappointment that God’s silence brought. As a result, my trust in God began to die a slow death with every unanswered prayer.
Because of the hurt that can develop from no answer month after month and even year after year, we can find it safer to pray as few prayers as possible—but we’re led back again to our trust issue with God. Will we trust 20
Him, or won’t we? Author Lysa TerKeurst says: “God loves us too much to answer our prayers at any other time than the right time.” God sees it all and if He’s withholding an answer, He has a reason—that’s where our trust comes into play. Even when I continue to see my unanswered prayers met with a painful silence, He asks me to pray on—and to seek the companionship with Him that is at the heart of prayer. Ultimately, this life of faith is all about companionship. It’s about a relationship with a person Who knows far better than me what timing is best!
Reflect: •
When have you experienced the hurt of unanswered prayer?
•
How do you respond to God when you experience prayers that are not answered the way you expected?
•
How can you find comfort in trusting that God’s timing is best? What hope does that give you?
•
For what and/or whom do you need to keep praying, even though it seems like God is silent?
Pray: Lord, today I need Your help. I have prayed and am continuing to pray, but it feels like You are not answering me. Help me to have faith to trust in Your timing for the prayers of my heart. Especially keep me from equating my unanswered prayers with Your goodness. Remind me that the silence doesn’t mean You aren’t working. Thank You that You know the bigger plan and have reasons for the delays. Most importantly, use the hurt to draw me closer to Yourself. God, help me to trust You more fully and to pray on. And God, I continue to pray for___________. Amen.
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Day 7
Improving Your Prayer Life By Elizabeth Murphy
Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Matthew 6:6
After years of trying to figure out how to pray, I have discovered a few simple habits that deepen my time of prayer. I have a freedom of soul I’ve never known. My concerns are not different, but my prayers are.
First, I have begun to use a chronological Bible, which has all the books of the Bible put in the order in which the events themselves occurred. Jill Briscoe says, “The Bible is one book. The Old Testament is the New concealed; the New Testament is the Old revealed—with a red thread of redemption running throughout.”
Reading God’s Word in this format reminds me of this truth. As I follow the daily readings, I can almost see the red thread as the stories and events build one upon another. Experiencing the Bible chronologically invites me into the characters’ lives as they unfold and prompts me to pray as never before. I am reminded that there really isn’t anything new in our world. The stories that I read in Scripture are the stories I read in the newspaper with a few minor adjustments—all overshadowed by the same God reaching out to bring His people back to Himself.
It’s been a revelation to take a thought that comes to mind in a morning reading and let it unfold throughout the day. I meditate on it while I go about life. It’s almost as if God tells me who and what to pray for as I read His Word and even prompts me about how to pray. The first and last thoughts frame the rest of the day and begin to slowly fill the space in between.
The second habit that has changed my prayer life is reading Scripture before I turn in at night. I am using Scripture along with the words of others from resources like The Book of Common Prayer (written by Thomas Cramner in 1459) and The Valley of Vision—A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions (Edited by Arthur 22
Bennett in 1975 and containing works from as far back as 1810). These prayers and devotions were used when saturating yourself in Scripture was the highest goal.
When I read Scripture at night, my dreams are different, my sleep is more peaceful, and my waking thoughts pause for just a moment to recall the words of the night before.
The third piece of un-puzzling my prayer life is reading prayers out loud. There is something about letting the words enter my mind and come out of my mouth that takes them deeper into my heart. It’s been said that “he who prays out loud, prays twice.” I am finding this to be very true.
When it is well in my prayer life, I find that it is well with most of life. Nothing has changed, and yet everything has because the Keeper of my soul is at the forefront of my thoughts.
Reflect: • Which of these three prayer ideas stood out to you and why? • Is there one that you want to implement in your life? What will you do this week to make that happen? • What can you do to deepen your prayer life? • How does prayer keep “the Keeper of your soul” at the focus of your life?
Pray: Lord, thank You for the gift of prayer. Thank You that You desire a relationship with me. Help me deepen my relationship with You by becoming a better pray-er. I want to be excited about prayer and to crave more intimate time with You. And Lord, when I show up... would You meet me there? I want to lean more deeply into prayer, so that I may know You more. Amen.
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Day 8
Can You Pray Continually? By Krista Heinen
Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
I love to daydream. My mind is always wandering through reality, fiction, the past, and the future. I’ve heard of this mysterious “box” men possess called the “nothing box”—a space where they are able to go in their minds and think about nothing. I do not have this box.
Throughout my day, I allow my mind to wander as I go about what needs to be done, whether that’s at work or with my husband, watching my son, cleaning, or whatever else I might need to do. After the birth of my son, Jackson, I struggled to get my feet under me. I felt like I never had any time. I wrestled with what it meant to spend time with God while exhausted and anxious.
And then God gave me a wonderful gift: He helped me see that I could talk to Him continually. First Thess. 5:17 says, “pray continually”—other versions say “without ceasing.” I’ve always loved this verse, but didn’t fully understand what it meant until now. In the first few months of Jackson’s life, I began cultivating this mindset. Instead of letting my mind wander down any and every rabbit hole, I began to train my mind. In the moments of quiet when I nursed my son, or while getting ready for bed, or any time I didn’t need to be thinking about a specific task, I turned my mind to prayer. I learned what it means to pray without ceasing. My prayers became an ongoing conversation that I had with the Lord from morning until night. As I thought of Him, I talked to Him and laid my heart before Him. Cultivating continuous prayer has been a beautiful process for me.
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Reflect: •
What might this look like in your own life?
•
Would you consider living out 1 Thess. 5:17 and praying continually?
•
What is one way you could start praying more throughout your day? (Begin today!)
Pray: Lord, thank You for inviting me into continuous prayer. Thank You for hearing me as I cry out to You. Help me to embrace prayer without ceasing. As I go about everything I am doing today, remind me to have an ongoing conversation with You. Help me to seek Your guidance, lifting up my family and other concerns, listening to what You have to say as I go about my daily routine. Help me to make this a daily habit. Amen.
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Day 9
He Hears You By Elisa Morgan
Read: Psalm 66:16-20
How do you know that God hears you? I mean, really hears you?
We fear for the vulnerable in our world. We ask that they be protected. As the numbers of those being infected by the virus grow, does God hear us?
We worry about our jobs. Will we keep them, or be laid off? The next round of cuts is just ahead. Does God hear us?
Over my lifetime, I can count on one hand the number of occasions when God specifically and personally revealed that He does, indeed, listen to my cries. •
My Hannah-like pleas for a child (1 Sam. 1:10-11) were answered, after nearly five years, through adoption.
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My late-night prayers for a teen who was tardy for curfew ended with them eventually arriving home.
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Communal prayers for a ministry’s financial need broke forth into praise when the day’s mail arrived with a generous check.
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And a begging howl that God would return me across international miles to my husband’s side during a health ordeal was answered when I arrived, and he survived.
In each moment, I sensed God coming near to reassure me that He was listening and responding to my prayers.
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to Sarah’s prayers for a child (Gen. 16:11)
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to Israel’s groans under slavery (Ex. 2:24)
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to Moses on Mount Sinai (Deut. 9:19)
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to Joshua at Gilgal (Josh. 10:14)
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to David crying out for deliverance from Saul (2 Sam. 22:7)
Onward into the New Testament, God became the spoken Word, Jesus, who walked the earth and listened in the flesh (John 1:14). Today, God’s Spirit hears the groans of all of creation as we wait for our ultimate union with Him (Rom. 8:26-27).
In 1 John 5:14, we read, “If we ask anything according to his name, he hears us.” The word for “hears” is “akouo,” and it means “to pay attention and to respond on the basis of having heard.”
Yes, God hears us.
At the crescendo of God’s hearing presence for you and me is the reality that God hears her. Over and over in the Old Testament, God hears and responds to the needs of named and unnamed women: of Sarah, Hannah, Rachel, and Leah to bear children, of Deborah for wisdom, of Esther for courage, and of Rahab for faith. Jesus hears woman after woman, offering ever-lasting water to a foreign woman at a well, restoring a demon-possessed son to his grief-stricken mother, receiving the spilled out offering of Mary of Bethany, turning to appear in the flesh before Mary Magdalene’s broken heart in the first resurrection moment. Still we forget. We assume that God hears everyone but us. We worry that we’re too insignificant to turn His ear. When we gather, we can remind ourselves and each other that we are, indeed, heard by God. 27
Reflect: • How does God’s history of listening to His people, especially women, throughout Scripture help you when you are doubting that He hears you? • If you were to list times when you knew that God heard you, what would be on your list? • How does your faith increase, knowing that God hears your prayers?
Pray: Lord, thank You that You hear me. Thank you for the times I listed above when You heard my cries. Thank You for being a God who cares about the pleas of His children—of my pleas. Help me to truly and deeply know that You hear me. Lord, I want my trust in You to increase. In moments of doubts, remind me just how much You care about me and how every prayer of my heart is heard by You. Amen.
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Day 10
Relaxing in Prayer By Elizabeth Murphy
Read: Psalm 33:12-15
On a rainy Saturday morning, I poured my heart out to God in prayer as I marched around my neighborhood. I tried to start by praising God for who He is and thanking Him for all He has done and will do, but I just couldn’t—my mind was full of things that had me distracted.
Need #1: My youngest son was preparing to leave for college, far away and all alone. I was afraid he would be lonely, and I knew for sure that I would be. I prayed that God would be real to him in practical ways and continue to transform his life. I saw glimmers of faith that needed to be fanned to flame and suddenly he was leaving the nest. My job didn’t feel finished yet!
Need #2: My friend with nothing to spend, and two weeks to plan, needed a wedding dress. This wedding was an important step in God’s continuing transformation in her life. It was taking place in my backyard and I had promised her a dress but had not found anything that worked. This job wasn’t finished either!
I am not sure if I even said please or ended with amen, but it was the best I could do. Later in the morning, I went garage sale shopping. There was only one house that was open on this very rainy day and amid mostly junk, a wedding dress hung from the rafters of the garage. There were no other clothes for sale and, in the darkness, the white stood out dramatically. I asked about the size and price and the gracious seller agreed to let me take it to my friend with the promise to come back with money or return the dress. It not only fit like a glove, but she loved it. I returned to the seller with all the money I had in my purse, half of what she was asking, and she happily agreed to make the sale. It really was a miracle!
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Through tears, I realized God had heard my distracted heart. I felt confident of His care for my son because I saw His tender care in the provision of the dress. My prayers were all about me, me, me. But God still showed me compassion and wants us to tell Him the things on our hearts. Psalm 33:12 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.” Consider means “to think carefully about, especially in order to make a decision; to contemplate; reflect on.” The New Living Translation says it like this, “he made their hearts so he understands everything they do.”
I have often prayed that God would give me His thoughts on something, or that He would help me consider His ways, but I never thought He would consider mine. I believe that He does this out of His great love and compassion for us and so that our prayers will be answered in the way that is best for us. Because He created us, He alone knows what’s best. The author and preacher, Tim Keller says he prays like this, “Dear Jesus, please answer the prayer I would pray if I knew what You know.” I would add, “and please help me to remember how carefully You have considered everything I do.” Reflect: •
Think of an unexpected answer to prayer, something immeasurably more than you could ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20) and thank God for how He carefully considered You in His answer.
•
What prayers are you struggling to pray? Make a list of them and ask God to answer the prayers you would pray if you knew what He knows.
Pray: Lord, what a gift that You are not only all good and all powerful, but You are also kind and loving to all You have made! Help me to relax in prayer, to trust that You understand my heart, and that even if Your answers are hard to hear, they have been carefully given. You alone understand. Thank You that You care about the things as seemingly insignificant as a wedding dress. I praise You that no request is too small for your love, or too big for Your power. Amen.
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Day 11
It’s Safe to Trust God By Jill Briscoe
Read: Psalm 56:3-4, 11
Are you good at taking risks, or are you frightened to trust God in case you are let down? The psalmist made it clear that because he trusted in God, he had no reason to be afraid: “In God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?” (Ps. 56:11).
God is trustworthy whether we trust Him or not, but He desires for us to trust Him so that we don’t have to worry. Anxious Christians are not good ambassadors for their faith. In the end, it isn’t the amount of trust we have, it’s the object of our trust that matters.
All my life, I have been afraid of speaking in front of people. What would happen if I forgot what I had to say? Would they listen to me? What if I said something wrong? Could I trust God to hold me safely and use me to help people?
Over many years, I have found the object of my faith totally reliable. I have given myself to Him, confident that He is worthy of carrying me through, and have found my fears groundless and my faith well-grounded.
It is safe to trust God. God is not a frayed rope. He can always bear our weight—we can count on it!
Reflect:
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How can you trust God more in your life?
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What fear have you had most of your life? How can trusting God help you overcome it?
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Are you good at taking risks, or are you afraid to trust God? Why?
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David declares “I trust in God and am not afraid” (Ps. 56:11). What fears are you carrying today? How can trusting in God relieve your fears? Hand over your fears to Him today.
Pray: Lord, teach me to truly trust You and depend on You for every uncertainty and fear I have. I waste too many days and nights worrying about how I can control my life, or what I should do. Help me to trust that You are at work, and that You will carry me through every situation I face no matter how challenging. Grow my little seeds of trust into great faith. Amen.
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Day 12
Rest Equals Trust By Cherry Lyn Hoffner
Read: Psalm 4:8
I’ll be honest, I’m not particularly good at trusting God. I constantly question what He’s doing. How is the Lord making me dwell in safety in the middle of a pandemic with millions of people around me fighting each other over masks, politics, and race?
I’ve had this conversation on trust with God before. The first time I remember really meditating on this verse, I was on a personal spiritual retreat with Jesus. I assured God that I did not think Him untrustworthy, I simply didn’t know how to trust Him. God reminded me of Prov. 3:5-6. “You do it with all your heart, Cherry, and stop leaning on your own understanding of whatever is going on. Acknowledge Me in everything you do. Then I will make your paths straight.”
Now, I’m a perfectionist—giving up control is not my thing. God continued, “You keep taking back what you give to Me. You know in your heart that I will take care of you, but you need to give Me control. You need to let go of the idea that everything must be ‘perfect.’ If you will surrender it to Me, then one day you will have the perfection you crave. You will have peace, you will have rest, and you will have them all for eternity. In this life, everything is fleeting. Beauty fades. Innocence is lost. Hurt creeps in. But I have promised never to leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5), and I never will. You are my treasure.”
In that moment, I should have felt the overwhelming presence of God, yet overwhelming loneliness crept in, so much so that I told my husband I thought I would have to come home early. After a long pause he said, “I think you should try to push through it if you can.” I clearly was not fully accepting what God was saying to me. I took a break at a local coffee shop and returned ready to listen to some Fatherly wisdom. 34
When I returned, I opened Resting Place by Jane Rubietta and came across an interesting equation: Rest equals trust. Sure, I take days off and vacations, but do I ever really rest? She was speaking of a rest of the soul, a rest from taking over; from driving the bus, from control. It is a rest that says, “I am relinquishing the keys to the car and saying, Jesus, take the wheel.”
That’s when the light finally came on. I never seemed to understand that kind of rest before because I was too busy driving to realize that I was sitting in the wrong seat! Trusting God is letting One drive who is infinitely more capable of getting me to where I need to go.
So, in the middle of a pandemic, listening to friends scream at each other from opposite political poles, and berating each other over masks, how can I dwell in safety? How can I sleep in peace?
Rest equals trust. I let Him drive. I don’t need to worry. I don’t need to run ahead of God and tell Him what needs to be done. I can simply cry out to Him with my cares and He answers them according to His will. God is good and He can be trusted above all others, but it is impossible to trust Him when I am in the driver’s seat. I can’t say, “Jesus, You drive,” and then get behind the wheel—trust doesn’t work that way. Trust hands Him the keys, gets in the passenger seat, and enjoys the adventure.
Reflect: • Are you behind the wheel or in the passenger seat in your relationship with God? • In what areas of your life do you trust God? Where are you lacking in trust, and how can you begin to trust Him there? • Do you believe that God is good? Faithful? Kind? Loving? Study passages on those attributes of God to build your trust in Him.
Pray: Lord, forgive me when I don’t trust You as I should. Teach me to get out of the driver’s seat, let go of the wheel, and let You drive so that I might dwell in safety and sleep in peace. Amen
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Day 13
Trusting God with Your Purpose By Shana Miller
Read: Proverbs 3:5-6
Fourteen years ago, I sat on the edge of a canyon in my hometown of Twin Falls, Idaho, and felt God calling me to minister to others through writing and speaking. Since then, He has confirmed my purpose many times by opening numerous doors that I could not have opened myself. Directly after my days at the canyon, I trusted Him to lead me. I worked hard, but didn’t stress or panic if things didn’t turn out exactly how I envisioned.
Somewhere along the way, I started walking in my own effort rather than in the Spirit. I stopped fully trusting God. I wanted to reach my goals in my time, in my way. As a result, I became driven to succeed, so much so that I wasn’t just working hard toward my purpose. My constant striving led to emotional, physical, and spiritual exhaustion. Not to mention I was cranky and had a lack of peace.
Over the years, God has slowly been smoothing off the rough edges of my stubbornness and softening my heart toward doing things His way. The funny thing is, I didn’t even realize how inflexible I had become until one morning I felt the last bit of selfish determination slip away. I have finally given in. Joy came and tears flowed. Thank You for rest, Lord.
I am overjoyed that I am now experiencing the genuine fulfillment that comes from following God’s purpose for my life. Yes, I am still working, but I am letting Him guide me a whole lot more.
Here are three things I learned through this experience: celebrate the little successes; stop striving (it only leads to panic) and rest in the unknown; and trust God’s timing to unfold your purpose.
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It’s easy to become demanding when we don’t trust God to guide us in our purpose. Remember, we are here to serve Him; He is not here to serve us. Forgetting these truths will land even the most well-intentioned person in an emotional and spiritual ditch.
As you move toward your purpose and plans, remember to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6).
Reflect: • Where have you found yourself striving instead of trusting in God and His timing? • How do you need to follow God in His purpose for your life? If you are struggling with God’s purpose for your life, ask Him to show you what it is. • How can you let God have His way in your life today? • What does that mean for you?
Pray: Lord, please help me. It is so easy to try to do things in my own strength. When I’m not careful I slip into trusting myself instead of trusting You. Help me today to live out Prov. 3:5-6, to trust in You with everything in my life. Thank You that Your plan and purpose for my life is good. Help me to live in Your will. Amen.
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Day 14
Building a Legacy of Trust By Suzan Braun
Read: Psalm 28:7; Hebrews 11
I stared at the faded picture with intense emotion—even after all these years—doubtful that anyone but me knew that behind my smile, painful tears had been trickling down my cheeks. It was our first family photo memorializing that we really weren’t a family anymore. My parents were in the midst of a heated divorce. My college graduation day had arrived, and our lives were in broken pieces. To be perfectly honest, that photo taken following the ceremony had been the one redemptive moment of the day.
All the memories came flooding back. Attorneys had instructed my parents to make the long drive to campus separately and not even be in the same room throughout the celebratory weekend. My brothers were struggling too—none of us knew how to navigate this mess. If it had not been for my dear college friend who arranged for her family and mine to share several meals together at her sorority house, I don’t think I would have made it through those two days.
I came to faith in Christ as a freshman in college. My most fervent prayer during those first years of my spiritual walk had been for God to heal my parent’s marriage. I knew that their relationship was severely damaged, but my trust in a God who could do anything kept me believing that reconciliation would occur. When it did not happen, I was dealt my first major blow of doubting Him. Wasn’t God faithful to answer our deepest prayers of longing for something so important? Couldn’t I trust Him to right the wrongs in my life?
So began my journey, as it does for all of us, as we travel through a life that embodies great joy and sorrow, doubt and faith, hope and despair. Reading about the giants of the faith in Hebrews 11 helped me realize that God had a long history of being trustworthy. Many other passages in Scripture like Isaiah 26:3-4, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, 38
for the Lord the Lord Himself is the Rock eternal,” encouraged me to lean on Him each time my trust factor waivered.
Many life situations over the years, good and bad, have caused me to keep building a legacy of trust and hope in my heart—knowing that through it all, God is faithful. None of us are granted a life without pain or doubts, but as we learn to trust Him more, we can be thankful in all things knowing that He is working out His good plan in each of us.
Now, almost 45 years later, I’m staring at another picture. This one includes my husband and me, our two sons and daughter, our son-in-law and daughter-in-law, and our two little grandsons. This time, there are no hidden tears of sadness on my face. My heart is full and I am trusting that God’s faith, hope, and love are being passed on to the next generations so that they can reflect to our world the God of hope, who will fill them with all joy and peace as they trust in Him!
Reflect: •
What is happening in your life right now that is causing your trust to waiver? Make a list and present it to God, asking Him to help you work through the emotions that are causing you to doubt His care for you in each situation.
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Select three Scripture verses on trust in your Bible that speak to you and commit them to memory.
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Remember that God loves you right where you are and desires for you to release all your doubts and fears to Him; talk to Him about each one as you lay them at the foot of the cross.
Pray: Lord, without You in my life, it seems impossible to trust. Thank You for being with me every day, so that I can lean on You, cast all my cares on You, and rejoice as You help me build a legacy of trusting You alone to pass on to others. Amen.
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Day 15
Trusting God in the Journey By Shelly Esser
Read: 2 Corinthians 12:9; Psalm 9:9-10
One of my favorite books is The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. God recently brought to mind a heartfelt exchange in the book between Corrie and her father, when she was a young girl.
Corrie was upset after learning that her father would die one day. As was his habit, he sat down at the edge of her bed to tuck her in.
“Corrie,” he began gently, “when you and I go to Amsterdam—when do I give you your ticket?”
Corrie sniffed a few times, “Why, just before we get on the train.”
“Exactly. And our wise Father in heaven knows when we’re going to need things, too. Don’t rush ahead of Him. When the time comes…you will look into your heart and find the strength you need—just in time.”
That moment in the book came flooding back to my memory while we were about to get on a train that was completely unfamiliar to us and that we were unprepared for. Our lively 13-year-old daughter was facing serious surgery. I heard my heavenly Father’s whisper amidst my fears, “When will I give you the ticket?”
“When I get on the train.” And as we were just about to board the train, watching the daughter we loved being wheeled into surgery, God gave us the ticket we needed—a ticket overflowing with a supernatural strength enabling us to deal with the moment at hand, passengers He provided for support for the journey, and a grace that enabled us to know that it can be well with our souls even when it’s not well with our circumstances. 40
Your loving Father knows all about your present circumstances and is waiting to hand you the ticket—but you have to trust Him. His supply never runs dry; it is never overburdened. He is never surprised. Interestingly, He doesn’t promise help before help is needed. No—when we are on the edge of our need—we can trust Him completely because His hand is always stretched out.
We must trust God by getting on the train and into the journey before we can claim the promise. When we get on the train His presence is there; He walks with us. His power and work are displayed best in the trials—in the tough spot that tries our faith—because true faith trusts God and believes before it sees. This faith sustains us in the most trying places, when everything around us seems to contradict God’s Word.
We are still waiting on the Lord (Ps. 27:13-14). We have not yet reached our destination—for whatever reason, it’s not time for us to get off the train. I don’t know what’s around the bend, where this journey intends to take us. I do know that God’s ticket of grace continues to be sufficient in this place. And in the words of Father Ten Boom, “our wise Father in heaven knows when we’re going to need things.” When the time comes, we will look into our hearts and find the strength we need—just in time, because we can trust Him to give us all we need for the journey. Reflect: • What journey do you need to trust God with today? • How do you feel, knowing that God will give you the ticket as you board the train of your circumstances? • How have you seen God’s trustworthiness in other journeys you’ve been on? How does that help you today? Pray: Lord, I have to admit that this journey I’m on has shaken me. I’m feeling weak; I’m feeling helpless. Thank You that I don’t have to worry about tomorrow or what’s next or what’s around the bend of this journey, because You’re already there, ready to give me the ticket just in time. Help me to trust You and rest in You. Thank You that, while nothing else is certain, Your trustworthiness is. I praise You that I don’t ever board the train alone... You are always with me to give me everything I need. Amen.
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Day 16
Ask for God-Sense By Jill Briscoe
Read: Ecclesiastes 7; James 1:5
Practical, down-to-earth “life skills” are in much demand today. Wisdom, or God-sense, is a priceless commodity. Have you ever needed to know what to do or say? I’m sure you have! In this crazy world, we often find ourselves in human dilemmas that call for far more than our small human ability to solve. We need wisdom, so where do we start learning these spiritual street smarts? In the spiritual realm. We can turn to the wisdom of Ecclesiastes in the Word of God. “And who is sufficient for these things” (2 Cor. 2:16, KJV)? He is! For this we have Jesus, who is our Wisdom.
To keep our heads and lead lives of sanity in a world gone crazy, we need the wisdom of Solomon. Wisdom is spiritual intelligence. It’s being savvy about managing your life choices and behavior. It’s deep knowledge that copes with your fallenness and learns how to relate to fallen people living alongside you in a fallen world. It’s down-to-earth good advice. It’s being part of working out difficult relationships and helping others to do the same. It is far more than human intelligence, people skills, or a good education. It’s the “know how” to know “when and what” to say or do in a complicated situation. Wisdom is given by the Spirit of God when we become a Christian. God is faithful to keep on increasing our wisdom as we continue asking—and studying His Word. Ask God for some God-sense as you face all the unknowns of today!
Reflect: •
Can you think of another example in the Bible who was wise or modeled wisdom? What can you see from their example that you can apply in your life?
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Where in your life do you need wisdom or God-sense? James says that if you need wisdom, ask for it. Ask God now for wisdom in your current situation. 43
Pray: Lord, thank You for sharing Your wisdom with me when I ask for it. Help me to become a wise woman in my daily life and decision-making. Grant me the wisdom of Solomon. Help me to grow in Your wisdom daily. It can be so easy to simply rely on what I know and not to use my God-sense to help me. Thank You for Your Word that guides me in the ways of wisdom. Amen.Â
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Day 17
Hidden Treasure By Sharon Vaught
Read: Proverbs 2; James 3:17
The other day, I found myself frantically looking for a lost object. We have all been there, maybe car keys, the TV remote, or your purse, but in my opinion the worst is the cell phone. I felt completely lost without it. What if someone needs to contact me? What if there is an emergency? My calendar is on there! All my pictures are on there! I was full of worry and anxiety. I eventually enlisted the help of my four-year-old son and, together, we looked for “buried treasure.” We did eventually find it, but how silly and ashamed I felt for getting so worked up over it.
As I think back to that day of searching for my missing phone with my son, I wonder: Do I search that hard for wisdom? Do I get that anxious if I lose my Bible? Do I drop everything and make God’s Word a priority? I was not proud of my answer. Proverbs 2 tells us that if we call out for wisdom, if we seek to understand, if we search for it with passion, then God gives us wisdom and knowledge. We are blessed to have a God who freely gives gifts such as wisdom. Do not miss the opportunity to add to your knowledge by calling upon the Lord.
Reflect: •
What is one area in particular where you have been searching for wisdom?
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God promises wisdom for those who are actively searching for it. How can you do your part by seeking it, instead of expecting God to give it to you with no work? What steps might He be calling you to, specifically?
Pray: Lord, I ask that You help me seek You with the same passion as searching for hidden treasure. Help me to see the true value of knowing You and Your will. I am sorry for the times when I have put too much attention on objects and tasks that are less important than You. Help me to become a wise woman filled with godly wisdom. Amen.
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Day 18
Imparting God’s Wisdom By Jill Briscoe
Read: Psalm 40; Isaiah 50:4
Isaiah spoke of the Christ who would come to earth with the “know-how” to bring His words into the hearts of the weary. As His Father had taught Him, so would He speak.
When Christ was about to leave this world, He promised to send the same Spirit of truth that indwelt Him to indwell us (John 14:16-17). This way we, too, can have the “know-how” to speak a word to the weary at the right time and in the right way. Our part is to wake, morning by morning, to hear what He has to say and to “be open” to understanding His will! Then, we are ready for anything and anybody.
You and I are promised the “know-how” to answer a troubled teenager, even if we haven’t had time to read a book on child rearing or pick up the phone to ask a friend’s advice! We will discover that we can cope with an unbeliever’s questions, however young we may be in the faith. We will find that the Christ within us will make our tongue know what to say to the weary ones around us, seasoned words that will help to ease their sufferings. In Christ we are promised both the “know-how” and the “know-when” that we cannot possibly know without Him!
Reflect: •
How are you using the gift of wisdom? How can you use it to help others?
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Can you think of a time when God granted you wisdom and it was just what you needed? What was the result?
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Ask God to give you the “know-how” today, as you interact with people in your life. Who do you need to give a word of encouragement to?
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Pray: Lord, I get so afraid that I will not know what to say when I have the chance to step in and help someone. Thank You for this encouragement that You have already given me the “know-how” to be Your voice in this world. Help me to pause and hear Your wise counsel morning by morning so that I understand Your will for my day, so I am ready to encourage the people you put in my path today with a wise word from You. Amen.
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Day 19
Seeking God’s Wisdom By Melva L. Henderson
Read: Exodus 33; Proverbs 4:ll
There were many times when Moses went into God’s presence with questions and lacking direction, but he always walked out with answers and clarity. He was wise enough to know that he alone did not have what it took to lead the people to the place that God wanted, so he continually humbled himself and sought God’s wisdom. The time Moses spent in God’s presence taught him to wait for clarity from the Lord when making decisions. There, he learned to depend on God completely.
No matter what you are doing in life, if you desire to be like Moses, you’ll have to position yourself continually before the face of God. Moses successfully led the people of Israel out of Egypt because he maintained his position in prayer, seeking God’s wisdom and direction daily. Moses knew exactly what he needed to do. Whenever there was a time of uncertainty, he went back to God for clear and precise direction, because he knew that he couldn’t go it alone.
God has a specific plan for your life. He has a plan designed to bring you and those around you to a place of blessing. While figuring out God’s will can be difficult, God is the revealer of the plan and He does so when you take the time to come before His throne to seek His wisdom for your life.
Reflect: • When you need wisdom, how can you learn to turn to God first? • How can you catch yourself when you start going it alone without God? • How can you be more intentional about having a continual conversation with God throughout your day? 48
Pray: Lord, help me to turn to You first when seeking wisdom. The more I know You, the more I will know the desires and plans You have for my life. My longing is to seek You, just like Moses, so that I can accomplish the tasks You have before me. Help me to be an example to those around me as they watch me seek You. Amen.
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Day 20
Wise with Our Words By Sharon Vaught
Read: Proverbs 31:10-31; James 1:19
I am currently in one of those busy seasons. You know those times when you can’t keep up with everything on your to-do list and your family calendar looks like a toddler’s art piece because of all the colors, add-ons, and chaos. I feel like I am being pulled in every direction. There is not enough of me to go around to everyone and everything.
Proverbs 31 is known for being the chapter in the Bible about a woman of noble character. Honestly, the verses can be overwhelming. Verse 18 even says “her lamp does not go out at night”—she never stops! She plants fields, sells items, runs a household, and raises her children. It takes great wisdom to do all the tasks for which she is responsible. This passage also tells us that “she opens her mouth with wisdom.” The Proverbs 31 woman knows what to say and, maybe more importantly, when to say it. She gains all this information or wisdom from the Lord, because of her closeness to Him. In other words, she fears the Lord.
We may not be planting fields every day or going to markets to sell our handmade items, but we have the ability to live wise lives. We, too, can be women of noble character through the way we live our lives, choosing when to open our mouth with wise words.
Reflect: • Think about a time when your words were unwise. What were the consequences? How can you prevent yourself in the future from speaking words you regret? • How hard is it to hold your tongue at times when you need to show wisdom?
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What do you need to work on more: knowing what to say or when to say it?
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Who do you need to apologize to for your unwise words? Plan to take steps today to mend the relationship.
Pray: Lord, some days the to-do lists are long and I feel discouraged. Please help me lean into You and experience Your closeness. I need Your help to live by wisdom. I want to be able to bless You and bless others by living according to Your Word. Help me know when to use my words to bring benefit to each situation. Make my words wise. Amen.
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Day 21
Nameless No More By Krista Lynn Campbell
Read: Psalm 139:1-18
His nametag read: Trainee. Not Bob or Jim, just Trainee. My heart ached for him as the line snaked through the small post office. Slow and unsure, Trainee stopped to seek advice from his supervisor. When I approached the counter, he apologized for the wait and explained his in-training status. I nodded my head. His namelessness brought back similar nameless memories.
Years before, I had returned to teaching as a substitute at a local Christian school. Eager to begin, I checked into the elementary office and gathered my lanyard. The green paper tucked inside the plastic sleeve read: SUBSTITUTE. Not Mrs. Campbell, just SUBSTITUTE, in all capital letters. To me, it said, “Kick Me.”
My enthusiasm popped like a balloon. Was it necessary to declare my substitute status? The students and staff would recognize me as the fill-in teacher. Frustrated and dejected, I walked to my classroom with my scarlet word dangling from my neck. Hello, my name is Substitute.
Trainee and Substitute were nameless to others, but when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, my namelessness vanished. My new names, written in the precious blood of Jesus Christ, are sprinkled throughout His love letter.
Friend “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15).
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Heir “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Rom. 8:17).
Daughter “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord” (2 Cor. 6:18).
A New Creation “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here” (2 Cor. 5:17)!
My encounter with Trainee reminded me how the Enemy desires to strip us of our names and our identities. He deceives us into believing that we live in anonymity. God Almighty says otherwise. The Good Shepherd knows His sheep by name (John 10:14). We are never nameless to God. He knows us and calls us by our names: friend, heir, daughter, and new creation. What an honor to wear nametags identifying who we are and whose we are!
Reflect: •
Have you ever felt nameless before? What does that feel like?
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What is the most meaningful name given to you by God and why?
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How does having a new name in Christ influence how you live and how you feel about yourself?
Pray: Lord, thank You! Thank You for giving me a new name. Thank You for calling me friend, heir, daughter, new creation, and so much more. Thank You for caring for me in such an intimate way. Help me to rest in the names You give me and to release all the other names that have hurt me over the years—the untrue names that I have clung to, instead of my identity in You. Amen.
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Day 22
Reflect: •
What is your reaction to the suggestion to not accept yourself?
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What are some of the pitfalls that you could fall into by becoming too complacent with your sinful nature?
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Paul says that we are to “clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,” and that we are to forgive (Col. 3:12). Which of these areas do you need to grow in? What is one step you can take today to grow in that area?
Pray: Lord, thank You for loving me. Help me to love myself the way You love me. Keep me from becoming complacent in my relationship with You and how I live out my life. Help me to choose every day to clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience—and to forgive others as You have forgiven me. Remind me that my true identity comes from who I am in You. Help me to grow more and more into the likeness of Jesus. Amen.
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Day 23
A Heart for Women By Jill Briscoe
Read: John 4:4-42
Jesus had a heart for women. In fact, the disciples were astonished to find Him speaking with a woman, especially a woman of the despised Samaritans—a woman who had five husbands before and was living with a sixth man at the time she talked with Jesus! Yet, Jesus saw her need. She thirsted for relationships to fill her empty life. “Wouldn’t you like to have that thirst quenched?” He asked her.
We would do well to ask all thirsty women the same question. With broken marriages, many women are searching for their identity, and happiness in a meaningful union. But you can’t quench spiritual thirst with a marriage—however meaningful it may be!
“God is Spirit,” Jesus reminded the woman of Samaria. His Spirit is like living water and quenches our thirst. “Sir,” she said, “give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw from the well.”
Today we can ask Him to do that for us, too. We can simply say, “Jesus, I need you; Jesus, I want you; give me Your living water.” We will need to leave our sinful lives behind us as the Samaritan woman left her bucket, but then—like the woman at the well—we’ll never thirst again, because Jesus fills us up and makes us new.
Reflect: •
What does it mean to you that Jesus has a heart for women? How can that deepen your love relationship with Him?
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What are some places where you have searched for your identity outside of Jesus?
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What happens when we make our identity anything other than Christ?
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How can you find comfort in knowing that Jesus cared about the Samaritan woman right where she was in her sin? What hope does that give you, that Jesus loves you right where you are?
Pray: Jesus, I thirst—Quench me; Jesus, I hunger—Feed me; Jesus, I’ll share—Send me. Amen.
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Day 24
A Part of the Whole By Krista Heinen
Read: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” How amazing is it that God designed us to be a part of something so much bigger than ourselves? We live in a very individualized society where self is promoted and celebrated, but God had something very different in mind for us. As followers of Jesus, God calls us to belong to a body of believers coming together, sharing our gifts, and worshipping Him as one.
God has called us into local communities and congregations so that we are able to be stronger together. As we read in 1 Cor. 12, we also have a role in the church body. Each of us has been equipped with gifts that we can share with our church to help build up the body and allow everyone to flourish. What gifts do you have that God has given you to build up the church? Are you using them?
We have created a model where a few people get to use their gifts and everyone else just sits on the sidelines. This doesn’t seem consistent with what we read in 1 Cor. 12. God doesn’t say that only some of us are parts, but that each of us is a part that is necessary and important to the body. So, as you reflect today, think about your church. Do you have a church home? What part do you play in your church? And how can the part you play better serve to build up and encourage those around you?
Remember, you are not alone. We were created to belong to the body together—God’s family—giving us greater identity and purpose in our lives. Together, we’re better able to spread the Good News of Jesus to those around us.
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Reflect: •
What does it mean that you are part of the Body of Christ? How does that impact the way you view yourself? How is this part of your identity as a believer?
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What gifts do you have that you can use to build up your church?
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How might God want you to build up the body of believers with your gifts?
Pray: Lord, thank You for allowing me to be part of the Body of Christ. Thank You that You didn’t design me for the journey of faith all on my own. Show me how I can use my gifts to build up my church. Use me to be an encouragement to those around me. Help me to see this important part of my identity in Christ. Amen.
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Day 25
Made for a Purpose By Jill Briscoe
Read: Isaiah 64:8
My self-esteem received a boost when I realized that the heavenly Potter does not have an assembly line. Each piece has been handmade; each pot is totally unique. Each is beautiful in its own way, especially when standing on the right shelf, fulfilling the function the designer had in mind for it. For example, a pitcher should pour well, without dripping, have a handle that is easily grasped, and be strong enough to carry the weight it will hold. It has been made for a specific job.
God has shaped us within and without for the function of our future, having a specific place and use for us. He said of the apostle Paul “…This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles” (Acts 9:15). Paul was chosen for the function of his future and painted with the colors of his culture. Decorated with his Jewish heritage and patterned by his marvelous education, he was glazed with a brilliant intellect and fired in the furnace of necessary affliction. Everything that had gone to make up the man called “Saul of Tarsus” had already been recorded in the Potter’s manual well before he ever met Christ on the road. He had been fashioned to sit on many a Gentile shelf and bear Christ’s name before the lost world of his day.
There will be a shelf for you to sit on, too, and there will be a shelf for me. Maybe it will be in the home, raising your children, or in the office, building bridges of friendship with confused friends, or in the hospital, old people’s home, or even visiting those in prison. There will be a shelf on which to settle and a reason for our being there. If we are not to fail to fulfill the Potter’s purpose, we will need to remember we have been painted with the colors of our culture and shaped for the function of our future. We can discover we have been uniquely handmade for the occasion.
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Knowing God’s purposes gives us a sense of our identity in Christ and helps us submit to His processes. Life on the Potter’s wheel, after all, can sometimes give us the impression that we are going round and round in circles, getting nowhere. But this need not be true. If we know that the Potter has a purpose for making us as we are and putting us down where we are, then we must believe that there is a process going on as He makes us what He would ultimately have us to be.
Reflect: • How does “knowing God’s purposes help you to submit to His processes?” • Today, what shelf are you sitting on? How, in that place, can you bring glory to God? • How does realizing that you were made for a purpose bring you encouragement?
Pray: Lord, thank You for forming me for a purpose. I pray that today I would embrace the shelf that You have placed me on. I ask You to help me honor You with my thoughts and my actions in that place. Help me to bring glory to You through all that I say and do. Thank You for giving me so much value by having a specific purpose for my life. Amen.
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Day 26
How Do You Get Out of a Spiritual Rut? By Linda Justice
Read: Revelation 2:2-5
We’ve all seen it: a husband and wife seated across from each other at a restaurant—their glazed eyes never meeting, saying nothing. I’ve promised myself that I would never let that happen in my marriage, or my relationship with Jesus. But it did. Recently, I went through a series of losses, job changes, relational brokenness, and weariness. Nothing seemed to be working. I was disappointed in the church, my circumstances, myself, and ultimately God. The disappointment grew into disillusionment and the delight I once experienced had faded.
It doesn’t take any effort to get into a rut—just keep doing the same things over and over. Don’t deviate from the norm. Stay away from creativity. And, most importantly, take the relationship for granted.
Relationships suffer when dynamics are stifled by the same old routine day after day—especially the same old damaging thought patterns. My walk with God mirrored that of the church at Ephesus. They were hard-working, discerning, and persevering; but they had lost their first love.
Jesus told them to remember, repent, and do the deeds they had done at first (Rev. 2:2-5).
Here are some ideas to rekindle your spiritual fire: • Experience creation. Take a walk outdoors and meditate on His wonders (Ps. 19:1-6). • Pray using another’s words. Use biblical prayers or prayer books to jumpstart yours—like David’s in the Psalms. • Plan a God-hunt. Look for ways when the Lord has shown Himself throughout the day—answered prayer, encouragement through someone, or a way He used you. 64
Use music. Play your favorite Christian music, or grab the hymnal off the bookshelf and sing your
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favorites. Resurrect memories of God’s faithfulness from the past. Meditate on each hymn. Look up Scriptures that come to mind. Make a date with God. Light a candle and read an inspirational book, or take a day to be alone with
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Jesus. Look at photos. Pray when viewing the photos, enjoy the memories, and then praise God for the gift
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of family and friends (Ps. 143:5). •
Make use of technology. Feed your soul with an online Bible study.
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Rally the troops. Call on the family of God for prayer (Jas. 5:16).
It was the gentle tug of God’s voice and the intercession of my friends that eased me out of the rut. The disillusionment has vanished, and the delight has returned!
Reflect: •
Have you ever experienced a rut in your faith like this? What happened?
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What one new thing are you willing to try this week to breathe fresh life into your relationship with God?
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What things can you do to prevent yourself from losing your first love/Jesus?
Pray: Lord, thank You for desiring a relationship with me. Restore again to me the joy of my salvation. Remind me of the love I had at first. Help me to see You with fresh eyes and be excited and passionate in my relationship with You again. I don’t want to fall into a rut, but to enjoy my relationship with You and bask in our love relationship. Amen.
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Day 27
A Faith That Follows By Jill Briscoe
Read: Galatians 5:25
When we first come to our faith in Christ, we feel we can conquer the world—with God’s help, of course! We wonder if the Spirit will be able to keep up with us. After a little going, a little knowing, and a little growing, we begin to realize that this “walk” of faith requires training, stamina, and expertise. We cannot help asking ourselves the question, “How long will I be able to stay caught up with the Spirit?” Further down the hard course of life, tripped up by sin, or distracted, like Martha (Luke 10:38-42), by much serving, or just plain jaded with the constant fight of faith, we find ourselves fervently echoing Paul’s exhortation to simply “follow” the Holy Spirit.
God delights to hear and answer that request. He wants us to follow. He doesn’t wish to see us galloping ahead or dragging behind, but following, going where He goes, arching as one person toward the finish line.
The Holy Spirit is described in Scripture as the Helper. He will not walk for us, He will walk with us and lead us; and make no mistake about it—He won’t stop going even if we do. There is grace to help in time of need: strength for the day, confidence for tomorrow, direction in the dark, company in the light—even power to plod—and it’s all within our reach. It is His to supply, and it is ours to use.
Reflect: •
Where are you in your faith journey today? Do you still feel that power to conquer the world? Are you feeling tripped up or distracted?
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What does it look like for you to follow where the Lord leads? What is one way you can embrace that today?
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How does the Holy Spirit help you live out your faith? What steps can you take today to rely on Him with the things that are troubling you?
Pray: Lord, I know that to truly live out a life of faith, my faith in You must be real and sincere, or it is worthless. Help me to keep in step with the Spirit and live out my love for You daily, especially in my home and my workplace, so that my family, friends, and coworkers can see Your faithful presence in my life. Amen.
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Day 28
Too Little Faith By Krista Heinen
Read: Matthew 14:22-33
Oh, Peter. Anytime I read stories about Peter in the Bible, I shake my head and say, “Why, Peter? You started so strong.” For years, I’ve judged Peter’s choices and lack of faith. But if I’m being honest and I really search my own heart, the truth is that Peter and I are not that different.
In Matthew 14, Peter boldly steps out of the boat (probably more than I would be willing to do), but then he looks around. He sees the wind and gets scared and begins to sink. How does Jesus respond? “You of little faith” (Matt. 14:31). Ouch. That must have stung. Yet how often would Jesus be able to look at me and say the same? “Krista, you of little faith.”
It’s not that I want to have too little faith, it’s just that I get distracted. The storms and hardships of this life come, and I begin to waver. I look to the left or to the right and I take my eyes off Jesus—the One who goes before me, who guides me, who tells me not to fear.
I was recently in a women’s study on the book of Philippians called What Matters Most by Karen Ehman. In one session, she described how we are often prone to gazing at our circumstances and glancing at God. We’ve got it backwards. We should spend our time gazing at God and glancing at our circumstances.
When difficulty comes, and it will come, will your gaze be on God? Will your faith be strong enough to survive the storm? If you are like me and you find you often have too little faith, be encouraged by Peter’s story. The moment he cries out for help, the Bible says, “immediately” Jesus rescued him (Matt. 14:31). Maybe that is the reminder you needed today if you find you have a lack of faith. Cry out to Jesus. 68
Reflect: • When have you found that you have had too little faith? What happens when you start to doubt? • Where is your gaze and what are you glancing at today? • If your gaze is not on God, what are some things you can change to help your focus be more on Him?
Pray: Lord, thank You for loving me even when my faith is lacking. Help me in my unbelief. I want a faith that is strong and immovable. Show me how I can strengthen my faith today. Help me to gaze at You and only glance at my circumstances. Every day, help me to choose You and draw me deeper into relationship with You. I love You. Amen.
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Day 29
Hanging on to Faith By Elizabeth Murphy
Read: James 4:8a
I have read this verse in James on days when my faith is weary, my confidence in His promises feels fragile, and I can’t seem to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I’ve often wondered, “What does it mean to come near to God?” “Isn’t He always near?” Every morning, as I wait for the coffee to brew, I say out loud: “I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me” (Ps.16:8, NLT). Even though I say it daily, I don’t always trust it.
The biblical definition of faith is “trusting what you cannot see” (Heb. 11:1). I can know that God is right beside me, but because I am struggling to see where and how He is moving in my life, I can lose pieces of my faith and my nearness to Him. Then I remember that His coming near to me—making Himself seen, heard, and even felt—is dependent on one thing: my coming near to Him. I am always sadly shocked to realize I am indeed the problem.
I was walking with my granddaughter the other day without being very sensitive to her two-year-old legs. She quickly began to sag and then sniff before she finally just stopped and cried out “hold you, GramE!” (our own version of Gramma and Elizabeth). What she meant was, “Hold me!” She needed to be carried. I’ve learned from her older sisters that the best way to do that is a piggy-back ride, so I reached for her outstretched arms and hoisted her onto my back. At first she clutched my neck but eventually, once I settled her safely into my embrace, she let go. She didn’t seem to understand that she had a part in this. I didn’t drop her, but I did have to lean further forward to keep her safe. It wasn’t very comfortable and she seemed vulnerable in that position, but I held on tight until we arrived safely home. The success of a piggy-back ride has to do with the distribution of weight between both parties, which is why it works so much better if, while I am holding her, she is holding on to me—when we are drawing near to one another. 70
When my faith falters, it is usually because I have slipped in my grip on God. I’m still close by, but not as dependent as I could be. I trust in the fleeting things of this world that can never hold me fast. I read His Word, but do not let it sink deep into my soul and change me. I trust the opinions of others and easily neglect both fellowship and worship, both attitudes of the heart that only God and I can really see. Sometimes I simply let go of God by accident, when troubles weigh me down, and sometimes by choice when I’ve let life crowd my faith.
“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders” (Deut. 33:12). I am always safely carried on the broad back of God. He leaned all the way to earth to send Jesus to the cross to make sure of that, but when I don’t do my own holding on, my faith falters. The author Catherine Martin says, “Faith and trust are like muscles that grow with use.” They are strengthened when we use them to cling tightly to Him.
Reflect: •
What are you holding on to?
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Are you letting God carry the heavy weight of your burdens while doing your part, or are you putting your faith in yourself to just handle things?
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How would clinging to God change your life right now?
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How does it comfort you to know that as you come near to God, He comes near to you?
Pray: Lord, how reassuring it is to know that You call me beloved and You desire rest for me in the shelter of Your arms. Please forgive my little faith that forgets Who You are, what You have done, and how desperately I need You. Thank You that in my most faithless moments, You never lose faith in me. No matter how often I loosen my grip on You, You will never loosen Yours on me. Please remind me how near You are and show me afresh how I can draw near to You. Amen.
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Day 30
Faith Enough to Finish By Jill Briscoe
Read: Lamentations 3:22-23 Are you a morning person? I’m not. I can stay the course at night, but I am a bear in the morning. But I am a Christian, so in another way I am a morning person, in fact, I am a “morning by morning” person! If we don’t find the morning-by-morning way to live the Christian life, our faith will not survive. We will never find faith enough to finish. Faith that works is a faith for every moment of every daily day.
The faith I experienced in order to trust God when my father died may desert me today when my child gets sick. The trust that I was able to model to my children when I received some ominous medical news can fly out the window when my daughter goes out on her first date! Why is it that faith that worked yesterday may not work today? Is it God’s fault or mine? Well, it’s not God’s fault, so it must be mine!
God is faithful all the time. I am faithful some of the time. God is good all the time. I am good occasionally. God is full of compassion all the time. I can get a twinge of compassion on Thanksgiving or when the Salvation Army rings their bells at Christmas. I am good at exhibiting mercy to people who have hurt others but bad at offering the same mercy to someone who has hurt me! So, it is obvious that I am not God! The problem is that I am me, but people expect me to be like God—loving, good, compassionate, and merciful all the time.
To be more like God and less like me, I need to stay close to Him. The secret of faith for every moment is that I seek Him out morning by morning, evening by evening, every day. The more I make sure He is my constant companion, the more godly, or God-like, I will become.
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What can you do when you are faced with such distress that your faith becomes shaky? Maybe you are watching the destruction of your highest hopes and fondest dreams. You need a faith that works in the face of overwhelming trouble. Perhaps you experienced faith in the face of adversity yesterday and yet find yourself struggling with faith enough for today. Moment by moment, morning by morning, God desires to supply you with faith enough to finish.
As we learn to draw on the faithful God who loves us and provides for us, we will find that morning by morning God’s grace will be sufficient. God’s mercy will sustain us. God is God enough! That grace is available to us by faith through prayer. Prayer makes it possible for limited people to meet an unlimited God. As we deepen our relationship with God through prayer, we will discover faith that works—and faith enough for today!
Reflect: •
What stood out to you as you read about the difference between God and yourself?
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“God desires to supply you with “faith enough to finish.” What might this look like in your life?
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How can you prioritize your time with God, which is “the secret of faith”?
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How does it comfort and strengthen you to know that God gives you enough faith for each day?
Pray: Lord, thank You for being ever faithful, good, and compassionate. Thank You that Your mercies are new every single day. Help me to turn to You every day. Where my faith is lacking, strengthen me. Where I fall short, lift me up. Where I skimp on compassion, help my love to overflow. Increasingly, help me to develop a faith that works in every part of my life. Remind me that You give me enough faith for today. Amen.
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About Our Authors
Suzan Braun has been the circulation manager and assistant editor for Just Between Us magazine for the last 23 years. She and her husband have three adult children, a son-in-law and daughter-in-law, and two adorable grandsons and live in Wales, Wis.
Jill Briscoe was born in Liverpool, England. She has partnered with her husband in ministry for over 50 years, written more than 40 books, and traveled on every continent teaching and encouraging ministry leaders. Jill is the founder of Just Between Us. She can also be heard regularly on the worldwide media ministry called Telling the Truth. She and her husband, Stuart, live in southeast Wisconsin.
Krista Lynn Campbell is a retired elementary school teacher and freelance writer. She advocates for children living in poverty. Krista and her husband live in Pennsylvania. To connect with Krista, visit kristalynncampbell. com. (Her blog offers stories inspired by children from her travels.)
Shelly Esser has been the editor of Just Between Us magazine for 30 years. Additionally, she is an author of My Cup Overflows and has been involved in leadership and helping women grow in Christ since college. She and her husband have four adult daughters and two sons-in-law, and live in Menomonee Falls, Wis.
Krista Heinen is a pastor, freelance writer, and speaker who loves opening up the Word and diving in with people. Krista has a Master’s in Divinity from Bethel Seminary and lives in New Berlin, Wis., with her husband Greg and their son Jackson.
Melva L. Henderson is an author, speaker, and regular columnist for Just Between Us magazine. Additionally, she is the founder of The Milwaukee Give, a humanitarian outreach, and co-founder and president of World Bible Training Institute, an accredited Bible college. She is wife to pastor Ervin, mother of five, and a grandmother. Connect with her on Melvahenderson.org, worldoutreachbtc.org, Facebook, or Twitter.
Cherry Lyn Hoffner is a freelance writer and editor living in Northwest Indiana with her husband of 25 years, Dave, and their black cat, Pyewacket. She serves as the communications assistant and teaches women’s Bible study at Bethel Church in Crown Point, Ind. She enjoys blogging at mindingmymatters.blogspot.com.
Linda Justice is a pastor’s wife who serves alongside her husband. Additionally, she enjoys organizing, teaching, and reaching others with God’s love. She is a grandmother of 12, and manager of a local thrift store.
Elisa Morgan has authored over twenty-five books. She is a speaker and co-host of Discover the Word and God Hears Her. (Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, or Google.) For twenty years, Elisa served as CEO of MOPS International. Elisa is married to Evan, and they have two grown children and two grandchildren.
Elizabeth Murphy has been a sought-after speaker for the last 30 years. She serves on several non-profit boards, teaches Bible studies, and is an author and regular columnist for Just Between Us magazine. She and her husband, Mike, have four sons and three granddaughters. They live in Brookfield, Wis.
Marilyn Pritchard is a freelance writer who lives in southeast Wisconsin with her husband of 37 years. She has served her local church by coordinating a weekly women’s ministry, contributing to its Bible study curriculum, and coaching small group leaders. She currently serves on the boards of two nonprofit organizations. In addition to growing in her love for Jesus and other people, Marilyn is passionate about baking, blogging about baking, and being available to her three adult daughters whenever they call. Shana Schute Miller is the author of Betrayed by God?, 30 Days of Hope, and over 500 articles and blog posts. She has hosted her own nationwide radio program on CSN International, is a former writer and editor for Focus on the Family, and is a regular contributor to Wisdom Hunters. Shana’s mission is to help people with everyday life through biblical truths.
Sharon Vaught is a graduate from Crossroads Bible College in Rochester, Minn. She holds bachelor degrees in Biblical Studies and Theology and Youth and Family Ministry. Sharon has worked and served in several churches and ministry organizations. She is married to Jason and they have two children, four-year-old Aaron and eight-month-old Lydia. They currently live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.