365 spirit-lifting devotions that celebrate the gift of life and the gift of grace: highly readable; elegantly designed; addresses concerns of today's readers; makes a perfect gift.
365 spirit-lifting devotions that celebrate the gift of life and the gift of grace: highly readable; elegantly designed; addresses concerns of today's readers; makes a perfect gift.
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Overview
365 spirit-lifting devotions that celebrate the gift of life and the gift of grace: highly readable; elegantly designed; addresses concerns of today's readers; makes a perfect gift.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781617955020 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Hachette Nashville |
| Publication date: | 09/02/2014 |
| Sold by: | Hachette Digital, Inc. |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 384 |
| File size: | 671 KB |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
Grace for Each Day
365 Devotions and Prayers
By Worthy Publishing
Worthy Inspired
Copyright © 2014 Worthy Inspired, a division of Worthy Media, Inc.All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-61795-502-0
CHAPTER 1
Day 1
This Is the Day
This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 NKJV
What do you expect from the day ahead? Are you expecting God to do wonderful things, or are you living beneath a cloud of apprehension and doubt? The familiar words of Psalm 118:24 remind us of a profound yet simple truth: "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (KJV).
For Christians, every day begins and ends with God's Son and God's promises. When we accept Christ into our hearts, God promises us the opportunity for earthly peace and spiritual abundance. But more importantly, God promises us the priceless gift of eternal life.
As we face the inevitable challenges of life-here-on-earth, we must arm ourselves with the promises of God's Holy Word. When we do, we can expect the best, not only for the day ahead, but also for all eternity.
* * *
When we meditate on God and remember the promises He has given us in His Word, our faith grows, and our fears dissolve.
Charles Stanley
Today's Prayer
Dear God, the Bible contains many promises. Let me trust Your promises, and let me live according to Your Holy Word, not just for today, but forever. Amen
Day 2
Grace for Each Day
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23 NKJV
Despite our shortcomings, God sent His Son so that we might be redeemed from our sins. In doing so, our Heavenly Father demonstrated His infinite mercy and His infinite love. We have received countless gifts from God, but none can compare with the gift of salvation. God's grace is the ultimate gift, and we owe Him the ultimate in thanksgiving.
Christ sacrificed His life on the cross so that we might have eternal life. This gift, freely given from God's only begotten Son, is the priceless possession of everyone who accepts Him as Lord and Savior. We return our Savior's love by welcoming Him into our hearts and sharing His message and His love. When we do so, we are blessed here on earth and throughout all eternity.
* * *
The grace of God is infinite and eternal. As it had no beginning, so it can have no end, and being an attribute of God, it is as boundless as infinitude.
A. W. Tozer
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, You have offered Your grace freely through Christ Jesus. I praise You for that priceless gift. Let me share the good news of Your Son with a world that desperately needs His peace, His abundance, His love, and His salvation. Amen
Day 3
Life Abundant
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 10:10 NKJV
The 10th chapter of John tells us that Christ came to earth so that our lives might be filled with abundance. But what, exactly, did Jesus mean when He promised "life ... more abundantly"? Was He referring to material possessions or financial wealth? Hardly. Jesus offers a different kind of abundance: a spiritual richness that extends beyond the temporal boundaries of this world.
Is material abundance part of God's plan for our lives? Perhaps. But in every circumstance of life, during times of wealth or times of want, God will provide us what we need if we trust Him (Matthew 6). May we, as believers, claim the riches of Christ Jesus every day that we live, and may we share His blessings with all who cross our path.
* * *
The only way you can experience abundant life is to surrender your plans to Him.
Charles Stanley
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, You have offered me the gift of abundance through Your Son. Thank You, Father, for the abundant life that is mine through Christ Jesus. Let me accept His gifts and use them always to glorify You. Amen
Day 4
Strength for Today
So because of Christ, I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in catastrophes, in persecutions, and in pressures. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10 HCSB
Life is a tapestry of good days and difficult days, with good days predominating. During the good days, we are tempted to take our blessings for granted (a temptation that we must resist with all our might). But, during life's difficult days, we discover precisely what we're made of. And more importantly, we discover what our faith is made of.
Has your faith been put to the test yet? If so, then you know that with God's help, you can endure life's darker days. But if you have not yet faced the inevitable trials and tragedies of life-here-on-earth, don't worry ... you will. And when your faith is put to the test, rest assured that God is perfectly willing—and always ready—to give you strength for the struggle.
* * *
The roots grow deep when the winds are strong.
Charles Swindoll
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, in the dark moments of my life, help me to remember that You, my Savior, are always near and that You can overcome any challenge. Keep me mindful of Your love and Your power, so that I may live courageously and faithfully today and every day. Amen
Day 5
Infinite Love
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 NASB
Christ's love for you is personal. He loves you so much that He gave His life in order that you might spend all eternity with Him. Christ loves you individually and intimately; His is a love unbounded by time or circumstance. Are you willing to experience an intimate relationship with Him? Your Savior is waiting patiently; don't make Him wait a single minute longer.
* * *
Christ is like a river that is continually flowing. There are always fresh supplies of water coming from the fountain-head, so that a man may live by it and be supplied with water all his life. So Christ is an ever-flowing fountain; he is continually supplying his people, and the fountain is not spent. They who live upon Christ may have fresh supplies from him for all eternity; they may have an increase of blessedness that is new, and new still, and which never will come to an end.
Jonathan Edwards
Today's Prayer
Thank You, Lord, for Your Son. His love is boundless, infinite, and eternal. Today, let me pause and reflect upon Christ's love for me, and let me share that love with all those who cross my path. Amen
Day 6
God's Assurance
I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world.
John 16:33 MSG
Are you a confident believer, or do you live under a cloud of uncertainty and doubt? As a Christian, you have many reasons to be confident. After all, God is in His Heaven; Christ has risen; and you are the recipient of God's grace. Despite these blessings, you may, from time to time, find yourself being tormented by negative emotions—and you are certainly not alone.
Even the most faithful Christians are overcome by occasional bouts of fear and doubt. You are no different.
But even when you feel very distant from God, remember that God is never distant from you. When you sincerely seek His presence, He will touch your heart, calm your fears, and restore your confidence.
* * *
Believe and do what God says. The life-changing consequences will be limitless, and the results will be confidence and peace of mind.
Franklin Graham
Today's Prayer
Lord, You are my Savior and my Sustainer. I will be safe with You in Heaven, and I am safe with You here on earth. Today, I will trust in Your promises, and I will be a confident, obedient, purposeful servant to Your Son. Amen
Day 7
Let God Decide
A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 NKJV
Are you facing a difficult decision, a troubling circumstance, or a powerful temptation? If so, it's time to step back, to stop focusing on the world, and to focus, instead, on the will of your Father in Heaven. The world will often lead you astray, but God will not. His counsel leads you to Himself, which, of course, is the path He has always intended for you to take.
Everyday living is an exercise in decision-making. Today and every day you must make choices: choices about what you will do, what you will worship, and how you will think. When in doubt, make choices that you sincerely believe will bring you to a closer relationship with God. And if you're uncertain of your next step, pray about it. When you do, answers will come—the right answers for you.
* * *
God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him.
Jim Elliot
Today's Prayer
Lord, help me to make decisions that are pleasing to You. Help me to be honest, patient, thoughtful, and obedient. And above all, help me to follow the teachings of Jesus, not just today, but every day. Amen
Day 8
Confident Christianity
You are my hope; O Lord GOD, You are my confidence.
Psalm 71:5 NASB
We Christians have many reasons to be confident. God is in His Heaven; Christ has risen, and we are the sheep of His flock. Yet sometimes, even the most devout Christians can become discouraged. Discouragement, however, is not God's way; He is a God of possibility not negativity.
Are you a confident Christian? You should be. God's grace is eternal and His promises are unambiguous. So count your blessings, not your hardships. And live courageously. God is the Giver of all things good, and He watches over you today and forever.
* * *
If we indulge in any confidence that is not grounded on the Rock of Ages, our confidence is worse than a dream, it will fall on us and cover us with its ruins, causing sorrow and confusion.
C. H. Spurgeon
Today's Prayer
* * *
Lord, when I place my confidence in the things of this earth, I will be disappointed. But, when I put my confidence in You, I am secure. In every aspect of my life, Father, let me place my hope and my trust in Your infinite wisdom and Your boundless grace. Amen
Day 9
Living by the Book
He who despises the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
Proverbs 13:13 NKJV
The Holy Bible contains thorough instructions which, if followed, lead to fulfillment, righteousness, and salvation. But, if we choose to ignore God's commandments, the results are as predictable as they are tragic.
A righteous life has many components: faith, honesty, generosity, love, kindness, humility, gratitude, and worship, to name but a few. If we seek to follow the steps of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we must seek to live according to His commandments. Let us follow God's commandments, and let us conduct our lives in such a way that we might be shining examples for those who have not yet found Christ.
* * *
Bible history is filled with people who began the race with great success but failed at the end because they disregarded God's rules.
Warren Wiersbe
Today's Prayer
Lord, Your commandments are a perfect guide for my life. Give me the wisdom to walk righteously in Your way, Father, trusting always in You. Amen
Day 10
Counting Your Blessings
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8 KJV
How will you direct your thoughts today? Will you obey the words of Philippians 4:8 by dwelling upon those things that are honorable, just, and commendable? Or will you allow your thoughts to be hijacked by the negativity that seems to dominate our troubled world? Are you fearful, angry, bored, or worried? Are you so preoccupied with the concerns of this day that you fail to thank God for the promise of eternity? Are you confused, bitter, or pessimistic? If so, God wants to have a little talk with you.
God intends that you experience joy and abundance. So, today and every day hereafter, celebrate the life that God has given you by focusing your thoughts upon those things that are worthy of praise. Today, count your blessings instead of your hardships. Thank the Giver of all things good for gifts that are too numerous to count.
* * *
Developing a positive attitude means working continually to find what is uplifting and encouraging.
Barbara Johnson
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, help me have an attitude that is pleasing to You as I count my blessings today, tomorrow, and every day. Amen
Day 11
An Intensely Bright Future: Yours
I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
John 10:10 MSG
Are you excited about the opportunities of today and thrilled by the possibilities of tomorrow? Do you confidently expect God to lead you to a place of abundance, peace, and joy? And, when your days on earth are over, do you expect to receive the priceless gift of eternal life? If you trust God's promises, and if you have welcomed God's Son into your heart, then you believe that your future is intensely and eternally bright.
It takes courage to dream big dreams. You will discover that courage when you do three things: accept the past, trust God to handle the future, and make the most of the time He has given you today. No dreams are too big for God—not even yours. So start living—and dreaming—accordingly.
* * *
Set goals so big that unless God helps you, you will be a miserable failure.
Bill Bright
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, my hope is in You. Give me the courage to face the future with certainty, and give me the wisdom to follow in the footsteps of Your Son, today and forever. Amen
Day 12
Enthusiasm for Christ
So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness.
1 Peter 1:13-15 MSG
John Wesley advised, "Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn." His words still ring true. When we fan the flames of enthusiasm for Christ, our faith serves as a beacon to others.
Our world desperately needs faithful believers who share the Good News of Jesus with joyful exuberance. Be such a believer. The world desperately needs your enthusiasm—now!
* * *
We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about.
Charles Kingsley
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, let me be an enthusiastic participant in life. And let my enthusiasm bring honor and glory to You. Amen
Day 13
We Are All Role Models
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
Whether we like it or not, we are role models. Hopefully, the lives we lead and the choices we make will serve as enduring examples of the spiritual abundance that is available to all who worship God and obey His commandments.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Grace for Each Day by Worthy Publishing. Copyright © 2014 Worthy Inspired, a division of Worthy Media, Inc.. Excerpted by permission of Worthy Inspired.
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