Autumn E-Book

BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC

• Herausgeber: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 120

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Beschreibung

Autumn. It's a season of beauty. A season of reflection and gratitude. A season of sweaters and jeans, and watching flames dance on logs under a cool starry sky. We spend time counting our blessings, jumping in leaves, and bundling up in blankets. We adapt to new schedules, consider our priorities, and make plans for the future. This 90-day devotional will encourage you to spend some time with God being refreshed in his presence. Experience his love, life, and goodness during this season of thanksgiving. 

Leseprobe

BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC

Savage, Minnesota, USA

Broadstreetpublishing.com

Autumn:A SEASON OF THANKSGIVING

© 2018 by BroadStreet Publishing

978-1-4245-5579-6eISBN: 978-1-4245-5776-9

Devotional entries compiled by Michelle Winger.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ Scripture quotations marked (NCV) are taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org. Scripture quotations marked (NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (TLB) are taken from The Living Bible copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Design by Chris Garborg | garborgdesign.com

Edited by Michelle Winger | literallyprecise.com

Printed in China.

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You have enlarged the nation

and increased their joy;

they rejoice before you

as people rejoice

at the harvest.

ISAIAH 9:3 NIV

Contents

Introduction

Leaves that Never Wither

Renewal

Your Heart’s Desire

No Sacrifice

He Knows

Prepare Him Room

Accepting Praise

Being Known

Our Strength

True Friends

Priorities

Embracing Solitude

Silence

Fear

Just Ask Him

Free to Do What?

Our Destiny

No More Thirst

You Are Beautiful

In Times of Doubt

Victory

True Healing

Nobody’s Perfect

Please Remain Seated

Not Our Power

Trust the Light

Living by Faith

Trying to Please

Our Comforter

Everything in Love

Finding Peace

Source of Life

Slow to Speak

Mixed Messages

Where Credit Is Due

Seeing the Good

My Way

Like You Mean It

Game of Opinions

Ruled with Grace

Weary to the Core

Relevant Now

Hidden Blessings

Working Together

Flip the Switch

Choosing Wisdom

Building Your House

Finding Love

Lighthouses

Choose Obedience

New Life

Losing to Gain

In Sunshine and Storm

A Life of Worship

Power without Limit

True Riches

Overcome the Obstacles

In This Together

Bold and Confident

Dance Unhindered

Eye on You

Truth about Legalism

Writing on the Wall

He Is Good

Our Beautiful Girlhood

We Have Time

The Burning Bush

Humility

True Religion

Cost of Sacrifice

Peace in Obedience

Storytelling

Appetite

Continual Praise

Love that Is Felt

A Warm Welcome

Emotions

No Condemnation

Perseverance

Perfect Love

Sanctuary

Money Trouble

The Right Rest

Pure Water

Prepared to Serve

Giving Thanks

Rejoice, Pray, Thank

Perfect

Stillness

It’s a Wonderful Life

Introduction

Autumn. It’s a season of beauty. A season of reflection and gratitude. A season of sweaters and jeans, and watching flames dance on logs under a cool starry sky.

We spend time counting our blessings, jumping in leaves, and bundling up in blankets. We adapt to new schedules, consider our priorities, and make plans for the future.

This 90-day devotional will encourage you to spend some time with God, being refreshed in his presence. Experience his love, life, and goodness during this season of thanksgiving.

Leaves that Never Wither

They are like trees planted along a riverbank,

with roots that reach deep into the water.

Such trees are not bothered by the heat

or worried by long months of drought.

Their leaves stay green,

and they never stop producing fruit.

JEREMIAH 17:8 NLT

If you live in a cooler climate, then you’ve probably experienced the gorgeous season that is fall. Each year, the leaves slowly turn to shades of golden yellow, orange, and red. It’s a thing of beauty, but eventually, the leaves wither and die, then fall to the ground.

All too often, the same can happen with our relationship with the Lord. We get that initial fire for him; we burn brightly with it, but lose our way and fall away from him. If we keep our trust in him, he tells us that our spiritual leaves will never wither. He wants our lives to be like trees that continually bear fruit.

Do your days resemble an evergreen, or do you feel like you have begun to wither? Replenish your soul by spending time in the Lord’s presence. Plant your roots deeply in him, and let him water your mind, body, and spirit.

Are you bearing good fruit in your spiritual walk, or have you begun to fall away?

God, I want to burn forever bright for you. Help me to stand up to the heat and the wind if that’s what faces me today. Give me the assurance that I won’t fall.

Renewal

Teach me your way, Lord,

that I may rely on your faithfulness;

give me an undivided heart,

that I may fear your name.

PSALM 86:11 NIV

It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t love fall. The gorgeous colors; the return of scarves, sleeves, and cute boots; the peaceful silence of a home where kids have returned to their classrooms—all invite a spirit of renewal.

As the outside air begins to change and leaves begin to fall, a clean slate seems entirely possible. Think of the amazing things you could achieve in God this year. It can start today! Even when life is humming along quite nicely, the idea of a fresh beginning is irresistible. For some of us, the transition from summer to fall feels more like New Year’s Day than New Year’s Day does.

Spend some time dreaming with God about what this fall might bring to you, and what you might bring to it.

If God were to purify your heart, where would he begin?

God, teach me your ways. I am so hungry for you to refresh my heart and bring new things into my life. Give me a fresh perspective. As I think about this week, or the rest of the year, I ask that you show me new beginnings. Keep my heart pure so that I can clearly hear your direction.

Your Heart’s Desire

Make God the utmost delight and pleasure of your life,

and he will provide for you what you desire the most.

PSALM 37:4 TPT

What did you want more than anything else in the world when you were little? Maybe having a pony or being a princess were the most delightful things you could imagine back then. What do you yearn for now? How different are your adult-sized dreams?

We’ve all heard that God loves to answer our prayers and to grant our desires. Should we expect him, then, to give us whatever we want? Study the verse, and notice in particular the first part. When we delight in the Lord, he gives us the desires of our heart. If we delight in financial success, washboard abs, or highly accomplished children, God makes no promises. This does not mean we are wrong for wanting these things, just that God isn’t necessarily invested in making them happen for us.

When we delight ourselves in the Lord, he places desires in our heart and we realize just how well he knows us. Delight in the Lord today and see what he drops on your heart.

Take an honest look at the things you long for, dream about, and desire. What do they reveal about your relationship with God? What changes, if any, do you need to make?

God, let my heart be full of love for you before I begin to ask for provision of my desires. Let me delight in you today and always.

No Sacrifice

“I don’t want your sacrifices—I want your love;

I don’t want your offerings—I want you to know me.”

HOSEA 6:6 TLB

Imagine this: In order to prove his undying love for you, the man of your dreams just quit his job and donated all his possessions to the poor—and is now living in a tent in your front yard! Just as we would not be particularly romanced by someone proving his love by surrendering his belongings, God does not want our sacrifices.

We don’t need to make a grand gesture, we just need to sit down and read his Word. He wants us to want him more than anything. He doesn’t want our stuff. You may think that you haven’t proven your interest in God because your days seem meaningless. You might not do anything spiritual or particularly worthy of praise.

Right now, however, you have chosen to sit down and think about the Lord. This is what he is after, your heart. Be blessed as you sit with him for a while.

When you consider the only sacrifice God wants from you is some of your undivided attention, what happens in your heart? Share this with him today.

God, I want to be with you. Thank you that I don’t have to prove my love in grand gestures. You are pleased with my desire to know you. Help me to know you more even today.

He Knows

The Spirit helps us with our weakness. We do not know

how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself speaks

to God for us, even begs God for us with deep feelings

that words cannot explain.

ROMANS 8:26 NCV

There are days prayer feels like an unknown expression. We know we want something—we sense an ache or longing—but can’t quite identify it. Other times, we’re simply in too much pain to focus. We need, we need… but we can’t get the words out.

“What do I want?” we cry. The Holy Spirit, because he lives inside us, knows us so intimately he can actually step in and pray on our behalf. He knows even when we don’t.

If your day is filled with stresses of all kinds, it can be overwhelming to know where to start with the time that you have dedicated to sit down with the Lord. That’s why we have the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes we don’t need to use words, we just need him. Rely on him to speak on your behalf.

What is your weakness right now? Thank the Holy Spirit for knowing your heart and expressing it when you can’t.

God, let your presence wash over me right now. I need you to pray for me because I just don’t have the words. Thank you for knowing my heart.

Prepare Him Room

“He must become greater and greater,

and I must become less and less.”

JOHN 3:30 NLT

Imagine your life if all you ever did was add to your possessions. Unless we want to be featured on a certain, very popular reality television show about people with far too much stuff, bringing new things in necessitates taking old things out. We don’t build a bigger closet, we go through and select which items to donate. We don’t build a bigger garage, we trade the aging sedan, SUV, or minivan for a newer, better model.

So too, when we accept Christ’s sacrifice and the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our hearts, we must make room. Old habits must make way for fresh, inspired new ways of being. As his presence grows inside us, the old ways diminish. When we allow Jesus to increase in our lives, things like jealousy, bitterness, and insecurity need to be bagged up and taken out so that graciousness, forgiveness, and the confidence Christ offers can move in.

Can you create room for Jesus, today? Allow your time with him to build the desire to know him more.

How much space are you allowing God right now, and how much are you holding onto for yourself?

God, help me push aside the old to create room for the new. Give me renewed joy today in knowing that you are becoming a bigger and better part of my life.

Accepting Praise

If I must boast, I will boast of the things

that show my weakness.

2 CORINTHIANS 11:30 NIV

“You did an incredible job; you’re so talented!” Quick, how do you respond? Going beyond thank you and actually accepting—embracing—the kind words being spoken about us is difficult for many. As little girls, we’re told it’s rude not to say thank you when complimented, but society, and our peers, also send an opposing message: we’d best not be perceived as boastful. So what should we do?

Accept compliments, but acknowledge that your best qualities are gifts from God. Talk freely about the ways God made you special, and how infinitely special you find him. It is freeing to learn that everything good about us is actually about Jesus. Every good gift, from beauty to a lovely singing voice to the ability to sink a three-pointer on the basketball court, is from him.

You’re not full of yourself; you’re full of him! Even better, every time we mess up is an opportunity to brag about his perfection. After all, we’re only human. We can’t do anything on our own.

Where have you messed up lately? Can you allow your weakness to be exposed to others?

G