         |
 |
     |
The Women of Faith Daily Devotional: 366 Devotions (Hardback)
Clairmont, Patsy (Author)
and Johnson, Barbara (Author)
and Meberg, Marilyn (Author)
|
ONLINE PRICE: $17.59
Retail Price: $19.99
You Save: $2.40 (12%)
 Bulk Discount: $15.99 |
Excerpt
Chapter One
Chapter One
JANUARYHope
May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you. -Psalm 25:21
Hope is a beautiful thing. Like a flower that thrives on sunlight and water, hope relies on the daily sustenance of the Word of God, of prayer, and of experience shared with others who have received the gift. Hope is an elusive bird to those who have no relationship with God or reservation in eternity. Hope requires more than simply clicking red shoes or crossing our fingers. It is a sweet and magnificent benefit of walking with Christ. Hope looks at all that is true about the present, lifts the circumstances of life into the tender, loving hands of God-and exhales in trust. Hope makes it possible to live with our feet firmly planted on earth while our hearts and minds are committed to a vision of life that is far bigger than we are.
A new year is like the fresh, crisp page of an untouched journal. We lift our pen to the first day. This year will hold unexpected joys and sorrows, moments of faith and fear, wishes fulfilled and dreams abandoned. There is much we do not know. But there is much we do know with absolute assurance. We know that God is in control and that his heart is good and merciful toward us. We know that we are not alone. We know that everything that happens in our lives and in the lives of those we love has already passed through our Father's hands. And we know that we are loved. Sheila Walsh
January 1
Ripping into the Gift of Another Year
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. -Psalm 5:3
The first of the month has always been my own personal holiday. I just love ripping the old month off all my calendars and starting fresh on a whole new page. How wonderful to look at those clean, fresh, unblemished squares representing days I haven't messed up yet! And if you think I enjoy throwing away the old month, just imagine how much I love celebrating a whole new year!
God has given us measurements of time so we have some perspective on our lives. Think how hopeless we would feel if we were stuck in some stressful situation and thought it would never end. But God gives us a new morning-a new month, a new year-to start over again and again. With each new start we lift our voices heavenward, laying out our hopes and prayers. Then we "wait in expectation," as the psalmist said, to receive the gifts and blessings-and, yes, challenges-God has planned for us.
Whatever comes, we know he will be there with us, throughout the day, throughout the night, and as we begin afresh tomorrow. Without him, our lives stretch out to a hopeless end. With him we have the endless hope of a heavenly tomorrow.
Father, thank you for giving me a fresh, new start every day, every year. Amen. Barbara Johnson
January 2
Anchored
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. -Hebrews 6:19
The word anchor is used like this only once in the New Testament. The context of Hebrews 6 underscores the impact of each word of verse 19. What is "this hope" that the writer to the Hebrews speaks of? It is the hope that when God gives his word, he cannot lie. In verse 17 we read, "Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath." When a person swears an oath, the solemn affirmation of the truth of his or her words is anchored loosely in human imperfection. But when God makes an oath on his own name, it is immovable and unshakable. It is firm. It is anchored securely in his flawless character.
The writer goes even further by saying that our hope enters "the inner sanctuary behind the curtain." The New International Version Bible Commentary tells us: "That little room symbolized the very presence of God, but people were not allowed to enter it. But hope can. The Christian hope is not exhausted by what it sees of earthly possibilities. It reaches into the very presence of God."
Christian hope has nothing to do with what is going on in this world. Our hope penetrates right into the holiest place, the inner sanctum of God's presence, where it anchors itself to Hope incarnate.
Almighty God, thank you that you are not like imperfect human beings who break their promises. As I place my hope in your solemn word, I can enter the very throne room of heaven and anchor myself in you. Amen. Sheila Walsh
January 3
New Year's Commitment
Commit your way to the Lord. -Psalm 37:5
One of the most reflective times for me is the start of a brand-new year. It wakes up excited anticipation for the days to come.
I don't make New Year's resolutions. No! I have learned that my best intentions collapse into an early grave by January 15. I have been resolving to lose thirty pounds by the end of the year for the past thirty-six years. Baby, please . I have resolved to be completely out of debt by the end of the year. Yeah, sure. Every time I make that my goal, I see something else I "need" within twenty-four hours.
But there is one promise I have been able to keep from year to year: My commitment to grow closer to the Lord. A personal reminder of my commitment is under the glass cover on my desk.
Instructions for a New Year
Devotion-
Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful. -Colossians 4:2
Wisdom-
Show wisdom by your good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. -James 3:13, 17
Blessings-
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. -Psalm 34:1
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. -Psalm 103:1-2
Now those are New Year's resolutions I want to make!
Lord, I commit my spirit and my life to you, in Jesus' name. Amen. Thelma Wells
(Continues...)
Details
- SKU:9780310240693
- UPC:025986240691
- SKU10:0310240697
- Qty Remaining Online:156
- Publisher:Zondervan Publishing Company
- Date Published:Jan 2002
- Pages:384
- Language:English
- Weight lbs:1.3
- Dimensions:5.68 X 8.84 X 1.03
Similar Products
 (Hardback) |
 (Hardback) |
 (Hardback) |
 (Hardback) |
Chapter Excerpt
Chapter One
Chapter One
JANUARYHope
May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you. -Psalm 25:21
Hope is a beautiful thing. Like a flower that thrives on sunlight and water, hope relies on the daily sustenance of the Word of God, of prayer, and of experience shared with others who have received the gift. Hope is an elusive bird to those who have no relationship with God or reservation in eternity. Hope requires more than simply clicking red shoes or crossing our fingers. It is a sweet and magnificent benefit of walking with Christ. Hope looks at all that is true about the present, lifts the circumstances of life into the tender, loving hands of God-and exhales in trust. Hope makes it possible to live with our feet firmly planted on earth while our hearts and minds are committed to a vision of life that is far bigger than we are.
A new year is like the fresh, crisp page of an untouched journal. We lift our pen to the first day. This year will hold unexpected joys and sorrows, moments of faith and fear, wishes fulfilled and dreams abandoned. There is much we do not know. But there is much we do know with absolute assurance. We know that God is in control and that his heart is good and merciful toward us. We know that we are not alone. We know that everything that happens in our lives and in the lives of those we love has already passed through our Father's hands. And we know that we are loved. Sheila Walsh
January 1
Ripping into the Gift of Another Year
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. -Psalm 5:3
The first of the month has always been my own personal holiday. I just love ripping the old month off all my calendars and starting fresh on a whole new page. How wonderful to look at those clean, fresh, unblemished squares representing days I haven't messed up yet! And if you think I enjoy throwing away the old month, just imagine how much I love celebrating a whole new year!
God has given us measurements of time so we have some perspective on our lives. Think how hopeless we would feel if we were stuck in some stressful situation and thought it would never end. But God gives us a new morning-a new month, a new year-to start over again and again. With each new start we lift our voices heavenward, laying out our hopes and prayers. Then we "wait in expectation," as the psalmist said, to receive the gifts and blessings-and, yes, challenges-God has planned for us.
Whatever comes, we know he will be there with us, throughout the day, throughout the night, and as we begin afresh tomorrow. Without him, our lives stretch out to a hopeless end. With him we have the endless hope of a heavenly tomorrow.
Father, thank you for giving me a fresh, new start every day, every year. Amen. Barbara Johnson
January 2
Anchored
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. -Hebrews 6:19
The word anchor is used like this only once in the New Testament. The context of Hebrews 6 underscores the impact of each word of verse 19. What is "this hope" that the writer to the Hebrews speaks of? It is the hope that when God gives his word, he cannot lie. In verse 17 we read, "Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath." When a person swears an oath, the solemn affirmation of the truth of his or her words is anchored loosely in human imperfection. But when God makes an oath on his own name, it is immovable and unshakable. It is firm. It is anchored securely in his flawless character.
The writer goes even further by saying that our hope enters "the inner sanctuary behind the curtain." The New International Version Bible Commentary tells us: "That little room symbolized the very presence of God, but people were not allowed to enter it. But hope can. The Christian hope is not exhausted by what it sees of earthly possibilities. It reaches into the very presence of God."
Christian hope has nothing to do with what is going on in this world. Our hope penetrates right into the holiest place, the inner sanctum of God's presence, where it anchors itself to Hope incarnate.
Almighty God, thank you that you are not like imperfect human beings who break their promises. As I place my hope in your solemn word, I can enter the very throne room of heaven and anchor myself in you. Amen. Sheila Walsh
January 3
New Year's Commitment
Commit your way to the Lord. -Psalm 37:5
One of the most reflective times for me is the start of a brand-new year. It wakes up excited anticipation for the days to come.
I don't make New Year's resolutions. No! I have learned that my best intentions collapse into an early grave by January 15. I have been resolving to lose thirty pounds by the end of the year for the past thirty-six years. Baby, please. I have resolved to be completely out of debt by the end of the year. Yeah, sure. Every time I make that my goal, I see something else I "need" within twenty-four hours.
But there is one promise I have been able to keep from year to year: My commitment to grow closer to the Lord. A personal reminder of my commitment is under the glass cover on my desk.
Instructions for a New Year
Devotion-
Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful. -Colossians 4:2
Wisdom-
Show wisdom by your good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. -James 3:13, 17
Blessings-
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. -Psalm 34:1
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. -Psalm 103:1-2
Now those are New Year's resolutions I want to make!
Lord, I commit my spirit and my life to you, in Jesus' name. Amen. Thelma Wells
(Continues...)
Other Titles In This Series
| Title | Date Released | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Best Devotions of Luci Swindoll | 2001-10-01 | $9.99 |
| The Divine Adventure | 2003-01-01 | $5.27 |
| I'm Not Wonder Woman, But God Made Me Wonderful! | 2006-01-01 | $17.59 |
| All Cracked Up | 2006-01-01 | $14.07 |
| Contagious Joy: Joyful Devotions to Lift Your Spirits | 2006-02-01 | $14.07 |
| Since You Asked: Answers to Women's Toughest Questions on Relationships | 2006-02-01 | $14.07 |
| Life! Celebrate It: Listen, Learn, Laugh, Love | 2006-02-01 | $14.07 |
| Laughter & Latte: Joyful Inspiration for Women | 2006-02-01 | $12.99 |
| Listen Up, Honey: Good News for Your Soul! | 2006-02-01 | $13.19 |
| Life in the Blender: Blending Families, Lives, and Relationships with Grace | 2006-02-01 | $14.07 |
| Learning to Breathe Again: Choosing Life and Finding Hope After a Shattering Loss | 2006-05-01 | $12.31 |
| Fancy Free!: Life Filled with Dazzling Hope | 2007-02-01 | $11.43 |
| What These Girls Knew: How Girls Back Then Talk to Us Today | 2007-03-01 | $13.19 |
| Dancing Bones: Living Lively in the Valley | 2007-03-01 | $14.07 |
| Amazing Freedom: Devotions to Free Your Spirit and Fill Your Heart | 2007-03-01 | $14.07 |
| Free Inside and Out | 2007-03-01 | $14.07 |
| Dramatic Encounters with God: Seven Life-Changing Lessons of Love | 2007-03-01 | $13.19 |
| Infinite Grace: The Devotional | 2008-02-01 | $14.07 |
| Glimmers of Grace: Sparkling Reminders to Encourage You | 2008-02-01 | $11.43 |
Look For Similar Products By Subject
 |
 |