Be Strong and Courageous

Morning & Evening devotional
1. Auflage 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4245-5960-2
Verlag: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: 6 - ePub Watermark

E-Book, Englisch, 736 Seiten

Reihe: Morning & Evening devotionals

Morning and evening, God is with you! The circumstances of life may have you feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, discouraged, or even depressed. But God's promises aren't dependent on your situation. Because his love for you is unchanging and his goodness knows no end, you can choose to believe that today will be great from the minute you wake up to the moment you lay down to sleep. Find the courage, hope, and joy that is abundant in God as you reflect on these devotional entries, scriptures, and prayers-twice a day. No matter what comes your way, you can rely on the faithfulness of God. He will be the strength you need for every moment.

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Leseproben

JANUARY 1

Continual Praise

PSALM 113:3 NKJV

What would it look like to be a woman who praises God from the time she awakens each morning until the time she falls asleep each night? Not only would we be pleasing God as we worship him constantly, but we would also effect an incredible change in our personal outlook.

As we go about our day, we can look for reasons to praise God. Out of an overflow of a heart of thankfulness, we will share God’s goodness with those around us and give them a reason to praise his name as well.

PSALM 113:3 NLT

Intentional, continual praise can only naturally result in intentional, continual joy. When we choose to look at each moment as a moment in which to be thankful and worshipful, then we will find in each moment beauty, joy, and satisfaction.

As we reflect on the day, let us do so with a heart of praise. Let us choose to remember how God’s goodness echoed in everything around us.

Take a moment to reflect on the goodness of God shown to you today.

JANUARY 2

Something New

ISAIAH 43:19 NLT

Whether you have generated a color-coded list of goals, dreams, and an execution plan for this year, or you’ve banned resolutions and vowed to make this just another year, the clean slate represented by a new year is filled with an undeniable air of expectation. Deep down inside, there is a part of us which thinks, “This could be my year!”

Guess what? It your year. This day, and every one that follows, is yours. It is yours to choose who and how to love, to serve, and even to be. And the choice you made in spending time with God represents the choice to take this journey in his company. That is a beautiful place to start.

ISAIAH 43:19 ESV

The excitement of a new bauble or gadget pales in comparison to the promise of a new beginning. What a blessing to know you can start over each year, each month, each day with a God who makes a way in your wilderness. He creates refreshing rivers in your desert.

Watch closely for the new things God is bringing into your life this year. Choose to spend time gleaning wisdom and encouragement from his Word each day.

What new things can you imagine God doing for you this year?

JANUARY 3

Fresh and New

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 NIV

When we accept Christ as our Savior, we get to start over, as if from scratch. Our old, ugly lives and selfish ways are forgotten, and we are brand new. Oh goodness, aren’t you thankful for it?

We all have plenty of days we could happily erase: memories of bad choices we made and poor decisions followed through. But we can give those regrets to God and start again—every day if we need to!

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 NLT

Every day, we get to stand before our King and hold our heads up high, knowing we are forgiven and clean. There’s no checklist of our sins and faults, no remembering the worst of our mistakes.

There is nothing in this world that can take away past regrets. Only the tender love of our Father’s heart flowing down in abundance upon us, can make us new.

How do you feel when you think of God’s love washing over you and making you new?

JANUARY 4

All in Love

1 CORINTHIANS 16:14 ESV

Humans are emotional beings. We are motivated and impacted by our feelings and those of others. We speak harshly in anger, embark on adventures because of curiosity, lash out when embarrassed, and give to those in need through empathy. Emotion is a gift, but if we allow ourselves to be overly driven by our human passions, they will misguide us.

As followers of Jesus, we can check our hearts and continually remind ourselves to act in love. Everything God does is motivated and backed by overwhelming love for us, and that’s the example we should follow.

1 CORINTHIANS 16:14 NIV

We can’t trust our emotions to drive us—they are too unpredictable. But we can choose to do everything in love. Acting in love is always the right course of action; it neutralizes any sinful attitude or motivation.

The positive effect of love on our lives is undeniable; love brings us closer to God and more into his likeness. As we become more like him, we are able to choose love over other emotions that spring up so quickly.

How do you take control over your emotions and choose to love?

JANUARY 5

Powerful Kindness

ISAIAH 63:7 NCV

The Bible says that the kindness of the Lord leads people to repentance: not his anger, not his wrath—his kindness. There is power in kindness: a power that moves souls and changes lives. We can subconsciously equate kindness with weakness, but it’s the exact opposite.

We can trust God and turn to him often, confident that his mercy is present, even in suffering.

ISAIAH 63:7 NLT

The Israelites turned their backs on God too many times to count. But what we see time and time again in their story is that God was still good. He showed them mercy; he gave them good things. He was kind to them.

Of course, Israel wasn’t spared consequences and trials, but the people knew God’s promises and trusted him. In the same way, we can trust God and turn to him often, confident that his mercy is present, even in suffering.

Can you see God’s goodness in your life even through the consequences of your choices?

JANUARY 6

The Fear Factor

PSALM 56:3–4 NLT

David did not hesitate to admit when he was afraid! King Saul was pursuing him and so great was his terror that he ran to the enemy’s camp—an unlikely place to find refuge. It was bold and risky, but perhaps King Achish would not recognize him, or might consider him a deserter and an asset.

Unfortunately, David was found out, reported to the king,...