Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living
224
Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Everyday Living
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Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780310336280 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Zondervan |
| Publication date: | 09/24/2013 |
| Pages: | 224 |
| Sales rank: | 645,670 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.70(d) |
| Age Range: | 18 Years |
About the Author
Lysa Ter Keurst is president and chief visionary officer of Proverbs 31 Ministries and the author of six New York Times bestsellers, including Good Boundaries and Goodbyes, Forgiving What You Can’t Forget, and It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way. She writes from her family’s farm table and lives in North Carolina. Connect with her at www.Lysa Ter Keurst.com or on social media @Lysa Ter Keurst.
Read an Excerpt
Encouragement for Today
devotions for everyday living
By Renee Swope, Lysa TerKeurst, Samantha Evilsizer
ZONDERVAN
Copyright © 2013 Proverbs 31 MinistriesAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-310-33628-0
CHAPTER 1
Don't Despise the Small Stuff
Lysa TerKeurst
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
(JAMES 3:13)
What seems small in your world? By small, I mean that place where your vision is grand but your reality isn't. Is it your influence? Your opportunity? Your business? Your ability to give? Your ministry?
Look at that small place. What do you see?
If what you see is less than encouraging, might you take the bold step of looking at it again? Because hidden within that smallness is a gift—one that will yield wisdom you can't get any other way. If you look closely enough at what seems small in your world, you'll begin to see how "deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom" will create something new in you.
This small place in your world is where humility is birthed. Humility is that glorious and rare quality that doesn't take too much credit. Humility knows real success is laced with heavenward glances, bent knees, and whispered praises to the One. The only One.
He who gives.
And He who withholds. Not out of spite, not out of ignorance, not out of deafness, and certainly not out of comparisons in which others are found to be more deserving. No. He withholds out of protection. With loving restraint, He withholds the big to protect the hidden workings of the small. The small we should not despise. It is in these humble places where we experience the quiet nurture, the holy unfolding, the deep stirrings that draw us closer to the heart of God.
Soon, the soul must choose: haughtiness or humility.
If that soul has never tasted small, it will never develop a humble palate. It will crave only big, until it is so full of big that being big inflates and distorts and never satisfies.
But for the soul that has dined on what is small, humility becomes the richest fare. The taste that satisfies. The thing most desired to be consumed. All things humble will eventually be made great.
Oh, the beautiful gift of small!
There is great delight in knowing the truth about what small really is. Small isn't a belittling of one's calling or a diminishment of one's future. It's simply a place—a grand but unnoticed place. A place we need to protect and remember because it keeps all things big in proper perspective.
Small isn't what keeps us from our grand vision. Small is what keeps us for our grand vision.
Dear Lord, help me to embrace the small. I want to see with Your eyes what You have planned for me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
REMEMBER
This small place in your world is where humility is birthed. Small isn't what keeps us from our grand vision. Small is what keeps us for our grand vision.
REFLECT
When in the past have you "dined on what is small"? How did it feel in the moment? How do you feel about that experience now? What have you learned? How have you grown?
RESPOND
Choose one thing today that you will do "small." Fold and put away your husband's laundry. Bring your boss coffee. Pull your neighbor's trash to the curb. Whatever you choose, ask the Lord to increase your taste for the "small" while you're performing it.
POWER VERSES
Proverbs 22:4; Psalm 37:11
CHAPTER 2
Lord, I Want to Know You
Renee Swope
Those who know your name trust you, O Lord, because you have never deserted those who seek your help.
(PSALM 9:10 GW)
I had heard great things about LeAnn, but I didn't really know her until we worked together. And the more I was with her, the more I discovered traits I admired and enjoyed—especially her dry sense of humor and unique way of making people feel noticed and loved. As our friendship deepened, I also learned LeAnn was dependable—something I discovered only when I needed her help and she came through for me.
I've found my relationship with God grows in a similar way. Whatever I may know about God, I won't really know God personally until I spend time with Him and depend on Him. I learn to trust His heart by interacting with Him and experiencing His character in personal ways.
The book of Judges features a fascinating story that illustrates how this same dynamic happened in the life of a man named Gideon. No one expected much of Gideon, including Gideon himself. He belonged to a weak tribe and described himself as the least important member in his family (Judges 6:15). So it was not surprising that he was somewhat skeptical when the angel of the Lord appeared to him, called him a mighty warrior, and announced he would defeat a powerful enemy army. At this point, Gideon only knew about God. He had heard of God's faithfulness in other people's lives, but he didn't know God personally.
Asking for a sign that it really was the Lord talking, Gideon obediently set out a meal of bread and meat. When the angel touched them with the tip of his staff, fire flared from the rock on which the meal sat, consuming the food. Instantly, Gideon realized this individual was indeed the angel of the Lord. "Alas, Sovereign Lord!" he exclaimed, "I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!" (Judges 6:22).
Gideon was terrified. Immediately, the Lord said to him, "Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die" (Judges 6:23). Then "Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace" (Judges 6:24). God revealed His character by demonstrating His power and by giving Gideon peace. Now Gideon not only knew about God, he knew God personally.
Just like my relationship with LeAnn has deepened as I've gotten to know her better, my relationship with Jesus has grown over time. I've come to love Him more as I've experienced His unfailing love for me. I've learned to trust Him as I've gotten to know His heart and His character. And it's much easier to trust someone I know.
One way to know God better is to focus on one of the Bible's names for God. For example, if we want to know God as our healer, we pray to Jehovah Rapha and ask for the healing we need—spiritually, emotionally, mentally, or physically. If we want to know God as our provider, we pray to Jehovah Jireh, ask Him to meet our needs each day, and then look for His provisions.
We will grow in our relationship with Jesus and our confidence in Him will deepen as we live in this promise: "Those who know your name trust you, O Lord, because you have never deserted those who seek your help" (Psalm 9:10 GW).
Dear Lord, I want to know You by name and experience the fullness of all that You are. Help me trust and follow You more and more each day. In Jesus' name, Amen.
REMEMBER
We learn to trust God's heart by interacting with Him and experiencing His character in personal ways.
REFLECT
What captivates you about God's names?
RESPOND
Keep a list of God's names with you to remind you of who He is.
POWER VERSES
Proverbs 18:10; Genesis 22:13–14; Judges 6:24
CHAPTER 3
Found Hope
Nicki Koziarz
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (ROMANS 15:4 NASB)
We were out of options the day the sheriff 's car pulled into our driveway. After a series of unfortunate events, things had gone from bad to worse to hopeless.
The officer's smile did nothing to relieve the discomfort of this dreadful moment. As she handed me the papers, I began to cry. Acknowledging the baby in my arms and the toddler peeking out from behind me, she kindly said, "I'm sorry."
"Thank you," I whispered, as I slowly closed the door.
I read through the official documents. Elaborate legal terms, laws I didn't understand, and words in bold letters conveyed the dreadful news: "You must vacate the premises within thirty days."
Foreclosure.
It was unwanted and unavoidable. It felt shameful and embarrassing. It launched our family into an aching process of letting go.
The carefully painted mustard-yellow walls: I would miss them. How would I survive without the afternoon play dates with my neighbor and her children? And what about all those economical hot dog dinners my husband and I ate so we could save just a little more to buy this home?
Any hope I had left faded fast. Hope wasn't something I could muster on my own. I knew I needed access to a greater hope—the kind of hope the apostle Paul describes: "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope" (Romans 15:4 NASB).
During this devastating season of broken dreams, I needed the deep, historical roots of hope the Bible offers. I could find hope because Abraham and Sarah found hope by believing God would give them a child in their old age (Genesis 15, 17–18). I could find hope because Ruth and Naomi found hope by trusting God would provide for them after they lost their husbands (Ruth 3). I could find hope because Mary and Martha found hope when Jesus raised their brother from the dead (John 11).
As I closed the door to our home for the last time, I accepted this place of brokenness. But I also made a choice to find hope no matter what. I found hope when my daughters excitedly explored our new rental home. I found hope when my mom cheerfully helped unpack our boxes. I found hope when my husband's heart drew closer to mine through this difficult experience.
Hope is at the core of our faith in Christ. As we allow His hope to flow into us, it will flow through us even in the most difficult circumstances. If you are struggling today, take heart. Look back at those in the pages of Scripture who had hope. Allow their hope to give you courage and hope for your future. Hope heals our broken dreams.
Dear Lord, thank You for the hope You give me to heal the broken places in my life. I ask that You would give me the strength to find hope today. In Jesus' name, Amen.
REMEMBER
When life's broken places lead us to Jesus, ultimately we will find hope.
REFLECT
Why do you think it is so challenging to find hope in the midst of our dark circumstances?
RESPOND
If you are feeling hopeless, reach out to a friend or two. Ask your friends to share an experience in which God gave them hope.
POWER VERSES
1 Peter 1:3; Romans 5:5
CHAPTER 4
Into Her Pain
Samantha Evilsizer
"A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him." (LUKE 10:33 MSG)
My friend was suffering. She didn't have to say a word; I could see it all in her eyes: I need someone to crawl into my pit with me. I need someone to help me out of the pain.
I felt a lump in my throat as she poured out her grief. Circumstances had beaten her down and left her emotionally half dead on the side of life's road. Obvious quick-fix phrases darted across my mind: Time heals all wounds. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. God's timing is perfect. I recognized them for what they were—a way to ease my own discomfort and bypass her pain.
"But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by" (Luke 10:31 NLT).
I didn't want to disrespect my friend with a walk-by—stepping over her pain with thoughtless words. Words withheld are better than careless words. Clichés offer no comfort. Be still. Listen. Administer mercy.
"A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him" (Luke 10:33 MSG).
Comfort comes from a still presence, a listening ear, a merciful hand. Comfort couples the truth of God's Word with merciful deeds. Comfort answers the call to step into the pit.
"He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable" (Luke 10:34 MSG). The Good Samaritan loved with what resources he had.
My friend's healing journey began that night as we sat together and she poured out her pain. I didn't have much to give her, but a simple offering from a willing heart is capable of great things. I listened and administered mercy. "You will learn to trust again, to believe in goodness again." Later, others offered counsel, covered her in prayer, and spoke words of truth. Together, we tucked arms under our friend, lifted her up and out of the pit.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Encouragement for Today by Renee Swope, Lysa TerKeurst, Samantha Evilsizer. Copyright © 2013 Proverbs 31 Ministries. Excerpted by permission of ZONDERVAN.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments 11
1 Don't Despise the Small Stuff Lysa TerKeurst 13
2 Lord, I Want to Know You Renee Swope 15
3 Found Hope Nicki Koziarz 17
4 Into Her Pain Samantha Evilsizer 19
5 Being Thankful Changes Everything Lysa TerKeurst 21
6 A One-Cup Life Glynnis Whitwer 23
7 Silencing My Soul Wendy Pope 25
8 For Our Greater Good Micca Campbell 27
9 Mastering the Waves of Adversity Trade Miles 29
10 When Friendship Is Tough Lysa TerKeurst 31
11 Wait for Me Lynn Cowell 33
12 If Only T. Suzanne Eller 35
13 When Things Are Out of Our Hands Samantha Evilsizer 37
14 Don't Throw Away Your Confidence Renee Swope 39
15 Did I Really Say That? Wendy Blight 41
16 The Moment Lysa TerKeurst 44
17 Making the Most of Loneliness Glynnis Whitwer 46
18 Unfolding Amy Carroll 48
19 Coming Back Luann Prater 50
20 In the Midst of Dirty Dishes Sharon Glasgow 52
21 Easy Isn't the New Good Lysa TerKeurst 54
22 Emptying and Filling My Nest Van Walton 56
23 Listening to God Renee Swope 58
24 Exploding Melissa Taylor 60
25 Battle in the Night Lynn Cowell 62
26 Broken Places T. Suzanne Eller 64
27 I Gotta Die Karen Ehman 66
28 Just a Little Sin? Lysa TerKeurst 68
29 When Life Breaks You Samantha Evilsizer 70
30 If God Loves Me, Why …? Renee Swope 72
31 "Harmless" Little Lies? Glynnis Whitwer 74
32 Calming the Mama Drama Lynn Cowell 76
33 A Complete Waste of Time Lysa TerKeurst 78
34 Living in a Season of "How Long?" Wendy Pope 80
35 Do I Really "Get" God? Micca Campbell 82
36 But I Have a Right to Be Angry Trade Miles 84
37 On Eagles' Wings T. Suzanne Eller 86
38 Chasing Love Lysa TerKeurst 88
39 A Sparkling Confession Rachel Olsen 90
40 When You Feel Like You're Not Enough Renee Swope 92
41 What My Checkbook Says about Me Glynnis Whitwer 94
42 When People Drive You Crazy Luann Prater 96
43 Bad Moments Don't Make Bad Moms Lysa TerKeurst 98
44 The Bitter Root Wendy Blight 100
45 The Trials of Friendship Melissa Taylor 102
46 Tool, Toy, or Tangent? Karen Ehman 104
47 Letters to Pastors Lysa TerKeurst 106
48 The Invisible Battle Trade Miles 108
49 Always Pray (And Don't Give Up) Rachel Olsen 110
50 The Opinion Blender Amy Carroll 112
51 Lost T. Suzanne Eller 114
52 When My Mean Girl Wants to Come Out Lysa TerKeurst 116
53 Sacrificial Love Samantha Evilsizer 118
54 Do I Have Father Issues? by Glynnis Whitwer 120
55 Lord, I Need Your Help Renee Swope 122
56 Longing to Be Pursued Lynn Cowell 124
57 Asking God for the Impossible Lysa TerKeurst 126
58 The Honeymoon Life Sharon Glasgow 128
59 When You Can't See What God Is Building Trade Miles 130
60 When Your Mess Becomes Your Message Micca Campbell 132
61 When God Hurts Your Feelings Lysa TerKeurst 134
62 A Simple Thank You T. Suzanne Eller 137
63 Never Alone Samantha Evilsizer 139
64 Me and My Mama Mouth Karen Ehman 141
65 An Unaccepting Heart Wendy Pope 143
66 When Your Husband Has Given Up Lysa TerKeurst 145
67 She Stands Alone Glynnis Whitwer 147
68 Filling the Gaps Lynn Cowell 149
69 Letting God Fill My Empty Places Renee Swope 151
70 How to Let Peace Rule Samantha Evilsizer 153
71 The Treasure of Thrown-Away Food Lysa TerKeurst 155
72 I Need Her T. Suzanne Eller 157
73 Define Yourself Wendy Blight 159
74 Interrupt Me Luann Prater 161
75 When I Need to Trust Him Nicki Koziarz 163
76 The Need to Know Lysa TerKeurst 165
77 Following My Husband's Lead Renee Swope 167
78 God Never Wastes Our Pain Glynnis Whitwer 169
79 More than Crumbs Trade Miles 171
80 A Call and Response Samantha Evilsizer 173
81 Affair Proof Your Mind Lysa TerKeurst 175
82 What's Your Message? by Lynn Cowell 177
83 I Can't Think Straight! by Glynnis Whitwer 179
84 Swim Lessons T. Suzanne Eller 181
85 But I Really Don't Like Her Samantha Evilsizer 183
86 Why I Want to Be More Leaky Lysa TerKeurst 185
87 Unexpected Grace Trade Miles 187
88 Finish What You Start Glynnis Whitwer 189
89 When Doubt Won't Go Away Renee Swope 191
90 A Hopeful Future Samantha Evilsizer 193
91 Mistaken Identity Karen Ehman 195
92 Mean Girls Lynn Cowell 197
93 Three Marriage Lies Lysa TerKeurst 199
94 Your Thoughts Have Wheels Trade Miles 201
95 God Is Working on Your Behalf Samantha Evilsizer 203
96 An Overloaded Life Glynnis Whitwer 205
97 Choice Points T. Suzanne Eller 207
98 When Worry Makes Me Weary Renee Swope 209
99 Another Chance Samantha Evilsizer 211
100 Jesus Loves Those in Messy Marriages Lysa TerKeurst 213
Appendix A Knowing God by Name Renee Swope 215
Appendix B Bible Versions 216
Meet the Authors / Meet the Contributing Writers 217
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