Other books in the God’s Love series: GOD’S LOVE FOR FATHERS GOD’S LOVE FOR COUPLES GOD’S LOVE FOR FRIENDS 2nd edition, 1st printing 2015 Selection and arrangement © Scandinavia Publishing House 1999. Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. A co-production from Scandinavia Publishing House, Drejervej 15, 3rd floor, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark. E-mail: info@sph.as Web: www.sph.as All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher. Quotations and paintings selected by Scandinavia Publishing House Edited by Tomas Vium Olesen Design by Ranilo Cabo / Line14 Cover painting by William Henry Midwood Printed in China ISBN 9788771324754
ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE WORD OF GOD
God’s
Love
For Mothers
We pray that this book will help shine God’s glory and grace into your home, and provide guidance and encouragement in your daily walk with God. Those who put this book together, first considered it only as a nicelooking gift book that would combine Bible verses and fine art. But as we proceeded, the project developed to include a variety of topics relating to motherhood. The result has become a devotional book. We hope you will take moments out of your busy schedule to browse through it, reflect on God’s Word, claim a promise, or simply enjoy the beautiful art. Motherhood is an important stage in your journey with God. You are in a vulnerable spot—a place where God may seem remote and withdrawn. But take courage, you are not alone. All mothers have more or less felt this way. Motherhood is in some mystical way a time when we learn to die, when we learn to let go of our own lives for the sake of someone else’s. Therefore, feed on God’s Word and let His promises flow from you into the young life with which He has entrusted you. Your word is a lamp for my feet, and a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
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GOD’S LOVE FOR MOTHERS
Contents God’s Promises Mothers.....................................................................15 Love ..........................................................................................16 Guidance..................................................................................19 Discernment.............................................................................22 Upbringing...............................................................................25 Wisdom....................................................................................28 Home........................................................................................31 Work.........................................................................................34 Heart’s Desire...........................................................................37 God’s Promises for Your Family.........................................................39 Priorities...................................................................................40 Marriage....................................................................................43 Husband...................................................................................46 Generations..............................................................................49 Womb.......................................................................................52 Infancy......................................................................................55 Childhood................................................................................59 Adolescence..............................................................................61 Young Adult..............................................................................64 Grandchildren..........................................................................67 Special Children.......................................................................69
God’s Promises for Special Occasions................................................73 Thanksgiving............................................................................74 Birthday....................................................................................77 Anniversary...............................................................................80 Separation.................................................................................83 Reunion....................................................................................86 God’s Promises in Dark Times...........................................................89 Struggle and Searching.............................................................90 Anxiety......................................................................................93 Trials.........................................................................................96 Perseverance..............................................................................98 Brokenness................................................................................101 Illness........................................................................................104 Grief and Mourning.................................................................107 Healing.....................................................................................110 God’s Promises in Light Times...........................................................113 Recovery....................................................................................114 Blessing.....................................................................................117 Happiness.................................................................................120 Success......................................................................................123 Responsibility...........................................................................125
God’s Promises for Your Spiritual Life...............................................129 Fruit of the Spirit......................................................................130 Prayer........................................................................................133 Waiting on the Lord.................................................................136 Worship....................................................................................138 Scripture Meditation .............................................................. 141 Relationships............................................................................144
GOD’S PROMISES FOR MOTHERS
Love
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Psalm 139:1-6
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GOD’S LOVE FOR MOTHERS
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103:8
As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you. Isaiah 66:13
Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” Isaiah 49:15
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Guidance
For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. Psalm 48:14
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:3-4
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“The Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” Luke 12:12
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9
I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. Leviticus 26:11-12
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Discernment
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:26-27
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19
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GOD’S LOVE FOR MOTHERS
For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Proverbs 2:6-11
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:15-17
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Upbringing
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:5-7
Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire. Proverbs 29:17
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For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completion comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 1 Corinthians 13:9-11
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Deuteronomy 4:9
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11
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GOD’S LOVE FOR MOTHERS
Wisdom
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5
For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes 1:18
Buy the truth and do not sell it— get wisdom, instruction and insight as well. Proverbs 23:23
For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6
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She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26
Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account. Ecclesiastes 3:15
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
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Home
Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:13
Be kind and compassionate to one another. Ephesians 4:32
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27
“The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.” 1 Kings 17:14
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Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2
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Work
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3
Then the LORD your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. Deuteronomy 30:9
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“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
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Heart’s Desire
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. Psalm 20:4
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
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