A Daily Word for Women E-Book

BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC

• Herausgeber: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Seitenzahl: 418

Beschreibung

Our daily routines sometimes condition us into comfortable living. We settle for repeated rhythms and expect our lives to change. Day after day, month after month, year after year, we find happiness in things that satisfy only our immediate needs and desires. Our hearts long for more, but we settle for less. Time spent in God's presence empowers you to be a woman of grace, strength, and compassion. This devotional presents a motivating word for you to reflect on each day. Allow this daily word to inspire you as you prayerfully consider the Scripture, devotion, and thought-provoking question built around it. Let Jesus disrupt your daily pattern of living and give you eyes to see the alternative life he offers. A life that satisfies beyond your temporary needs and desires. A life that brings light to your heart and home. A life that spills over into the people around you. A life that generates more life. Features: • High-grade faux leather provides durability and exquisite tactile appeal. • Heat debossing on faux leather darkens its color, giving the cover a two-tone appearance and creating indentation which shows off the intricate design and varied texture. • Metallic and matte foil finishing touches are elegantly placed to enhance certain features, capturing attention and adding class for an aesthetic appeal. • This high-quality sturdy Smythe-sewn binding stitches book signatures together creating durability and allowing pages to lay flat when open. Decorative head and foot bands are also added to further complement the overall design. • This matte art high quality paper with a smooth satin touch provides long-lasting vivid coloration and durability. • A beautiful satin ribbon marker conveniently keeps your place so you can quickly pick up where you left off.  

Leseprobe

BroadStreet Publishing

Savage, Minnesota, USA

A DAILY WORD FOR WOMEN

© 2021 by BroadStreet Publishing®

978-1-4245-6376-0 (faux)

978-1-4245-6377-7 (e-book)

Devotional entries composed by Rachel Flores and Suzanne Niles.

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. 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, 1971, 1972, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. 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 (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (TPT) are taken from The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017, 2018, 2020 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission of BroadStreet Publishing. All rights reserved.

Design by Chris Garborg | garborgdesign.com

Editorial services by Sarah Eral and Michelle Winger | literallyprecise.com

Printed in China.

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

PSALM 119:130 NIV

Contents

Introduction

January

January 1: Purposeful

January 2: Decisive

January 3: Composed

January 4: Bold

January 5: Abiding

January 6: Appropriate

January 7: Assured

January 8: Character

January 9: Captivating

January 10: Authoritative

January 11: Empathetic

January 12: Empowered

January 13: Doubtless

January 14: Dependable

January 15: Content

January 16: Generous

January 17: Grace

January 18: Informed

January 19: Legacy

January 20: Leader

January 21: Innocent

January 22: Healthy

January 23: Pleasant

January 24: Motivated

January 25: Mindful

January 26: Principled

January 27: Positive

January 28: Maturity

January 29: Patient

January 30: Meaningful

January 31: Mentor

February

February 1: Honest

February 2: Incredible

February 3: Jubilant

February 4: Known

February 5: Forthright

February 6: Exciting

February 7: Enduring

February 8: Deliberate

February 9: Edifying

February 10: Focused

February 11: Reward

February 12: Respite

February 13: Significance

February 14: Love

February 15: Reliable

February 16: Sober

February 17: Tactful

February 18: Splendid

February 19: Trustworthy

February 20: Unafraid

February 21: Steadfast

February 22: Sufficient

February 23: Unique

February 24: Sustenance

February 25: Thoughtful

February 26: Studious

February 27: Self-Control

February 28: Reflective

March

March 1: Polite

March 2: Potential

March 3: Purity

March 4: Responsive

March 5: Quiet

March 6: Heir

March 7: Humble

March 8: Inclined

March 9: Knowledgeable

March 10: Inspiration

March 11: Needed

March 12: Merit

March 13: Permanent

March 14: Mercy

March 15: Attentive

March 16: Beauty

March 17: Celebrated

March 18: Coherent

March 19: Changeless

March 20: Diligent

March 21: Delight

March 22: Constant

March 23: Daring

March 24: Distinguished

March 25: Enraptured

March 26: Faith

March 27: Deliverance

March 28: Awesome

March 29: Authentic

March 30: Capable

March 31: Bountiful

April

April 1: Aware

April 2: Belief

April 3: Adopted

April 4: Abundant

April 5: Amiable

April 6: Complete

April 7: Dignified

April 8: Effective

April 9: Credited

April 10: Convinced

April 11: Rational

April 12: Proficient

April 13: Receptive

April 14: Servant

April 15: Saved

April 16: Satisfied

April 17: Redemption

April 18: Vitality

April 19: Trust

April 20: Unshakable

April 21: Wholesome

April 22: Unashamed

April 23: Teachable

April 24: Resolute

April 25: Reconciliation

April 26: Promises

April 27: Modest

April 28: Intimacy

April 29: Honor

April 30: Heritage

May

May 1: Friendly

May 2: Adoration

May 3: Appreciated

May 4: Brave

May 5: Community

May 6: Brilliant

May 7: Benevolent

May 8: Ability

May 9: Connected

May 10: Decorum

May 11: Consistent

May 12: Decent

May 13: Energetic

May 14: Determined

May 15: Equipped

May 16: Fearless

May 17: Graceful

May 18: Hope

May 19: Identity

May 20: Kindness

May 21: Important

May 22: Life

May 23: Influence

May 24: Honorable

May 25: Lovable

May 26: Intelligent

May 27: Observant

May 28: Peaceful

May 29: Obliging

May 30: Recognized

May 31: Nourishing

June

June 1: Powerful

June 2: Qualified

June 3: Ready

June 4: Respectable

June 5: Renewed

June 6: Secure

June 7: Sensitive

June 8: Rich

June 9: Transforming

June 10: Sympathetic

June 11: Tenacious

June 12: Treasure

June 13: Upright

June 14: Validated

June 15: Uninhibited

June 16: Tremendous

June 17: Watchful

June 18: Understood

June 19: Optimistic

June 20: Passionate

June 21: Pleasing

June 22: Prudent

June 23: Refreshment

June 24: Relevant

June 25: Friendship

June 26: Glorious

June 27: Fervent

June 28: Independent

June 29: Judicious

June 30: Lasting

July

July 1: Justified

July 2: Faithful

July 3: Eternal

July 4: Freedom

July 5: Grit

July 6: Exuberant

July 7: Moving

July 8: Perseverance

July 9: Prayerful

July 10: Persuasive

July 11: Noble

July 12: Proper

July 13: Stamina

July 14: Supportive

July 15: Royalty

July 16: Vibrant

July 17: Warm

July 18: Whole

July 19: Valor

July 20: Wisdom

July 21: Zealous

July 22: Unity

July 23: Valued

July 24: Strong

July 25: Creative

July 26: Courteous

July 27: Affection

July 28: Careful

July 29: Compelling

July 30: Discerning

July 31: Cooperative

August

August 1: Enlightened

August 2: Flexible

August 3: Poised

August 4: Favored

August 5: Happiness

August 6: Inheritance

August 7: Loyal

August 8: Open

August 9: Protected

August 10: Radiant

August 11: Genuine

August 12: Restored

August 13: Shrewd

August 14: Spontaneous

August 15: Tranquil

August 16: Unquestionable

August 17: Vigilant

August 18: Talented

August 19: Understanding

August 20: Efficient

August 21: Accepted

August 22: Adaptable

August 23: Caring

August 24: Comfort

August 25: Disciplined

August 26: Discreet

August 27: Excellence

August 28: Responsible

August 29: Exceptional

August 30: Guidance

August 31: Serenity

September

September 1: Provision

September 2: Relaxation

September 3: Purpose

September 4: Reasonable

September 5: Hardworking

September 6: Virtue

September 7: Worth

September 8: Stunning

September 9: Reputable

September 10: Miraculous

September 11: Resilient

September 12: Sincere

September 13: Elegant

September 14: Driven

September 15: Ethical

September 16: Conscientious

September 17: Blessed

September 18: Certain

September 19: Cherished

September 20: Accountability

September 21: Assertive

September 22: Cognizant

September 23: Alive

September 24: Comfortable

September 25: Acknowledged

September 26: Confirmed

September 27: Competent

September 28: Encouraged

September 29: Active

September 30: Cheerful

October

October 1: Enriched

October 2: Forgiveness

October 3: Goodness

October 4: Helpful

October 5: Insightful

October 6: Gifted

October 7: Justice

October 8: Persistent

October 9: Engaging

October 10: Comprehensive

October 11: Approachable

October 12: Committed

October 13: Enthusiasm

October 14: Admiration

October 15: Considerate

October 16: Established

October 17: Praise

October 18: Refined

October 19: Sanctified

October 20: Skilled

October 21: Vital

October 22: Welcomed

October 23: Witness

October 24: Affirmed

October 25: Astute

October 26: Conducted

October 27: Conformable

October 28: Priority

October 29: Enough

October 30: Firm

October 31: Integrity

November

November 1: Joy

November 2: Moral

November 3: Pardoned

November 4: Prepared

November 5: Relief

November 6: Revered

November 7: Sensible

November 8: Sheltered

November 9: Tender

November 10: Unselfish

November 11: Valiant

November 12: Wanted

November 13: Regarded

November 14: Sure

November 15: Alert

November 16: Confident

November 17: Earnest

November 18: Covered

November 19: Esteemed

November 20: Fortitude

November 21: Gentle

November 22: Gratitude

November 23: Intuitive

November 24: Thankful

November 25: Necessary

November 26: Perceptive

November 27: Willpower

November 28: Victorious

November 29: Truthful

November 30: Successful

December

December 1: Still

December 2: Resplendent

December 3: Preferred

December 4: Courage

December 5: Charitable

December 6: Agreeable

December 7: Awe-Inspiring

December 8: Safety

December 9: Compassionate

December 10: Support

December 11: Respect

December 12: Triumphant

December 13: Vulnerable

December 14: Unwavering

December 15: Rest

December 16: Received

December 17: Amazed

December 18: Approval

December 19: Righteous

December 20: Sovereign

December 21: Stable

December 22: Ambitious

December 23: Calm

December 24: Meek

December 25: Wonderful

December 26: Breathtaking

December 27: Chosen

December 28: Exalted

December 29: Fascinating

December 30: Exemplary

December 31: Consecrated

Introduction

Our daily routines sometimes condition us into comfortable living. We settle for repeated rhythms and expect our lives to change. Day after day, month after month, year after year, we find happiness in things that satisfy only our immediate needs and desires. Our hearts long for more, but we settle for less.

Time spent in God’s presence empowers you to be a woman of grace, strength, and compassion. This devotional presents a motivating word for you to reflect on each day. Allow this daily word to inspire you as you prayerfully consider the Scripture, devotion, and thought-provoking question built around it.

Let Jesus disrupt your daily pattern of living and give you eyes to see the alternative life he offers. A life that satisfies beyond your temporary needs and desires. A life that brings light to your heart and home. A life that spills over into the people around you. A life that generates more life.

January

God is our refuge and strength,

Always ready to help in times of trouble.

PSALM 46:1 NLT

JANUARY 1

Purposeful

In their hearts humans plan their course,

But the LORD establishes their steps.

PROVERBS 16:9 NIV

With the flip of your day planner page, you can feel it in the air. There is a buzz about the first day of January that moves so many of us to plan. Looking at the blank paper laid before us, we can’t help but get excited at the possibility of new and better things to come in the year. Hope rises as we scribble down each resolution or goal. As women of God, we have specific goals to write down. To live impactful lives, we must submit our plans to God.

First, pray throughout your life, and listen closely to what God might want you to add or to cut out. Listen for relationships that need tending, for forgiveness that needs to be given. God is in the day-to-day just as much as he is in the big moments. Next, instead of focusing only on your goals this year, find a characteristic of God you want to learn more about. Do you want to see his mercy splashed across the pages of this year? Do you want to notice his goodness working all around you? Make an attribute of God a priority for your year along with your goals, and the direction of your year will be God’s way for your life.

How can you join with what God is doing in your life?

JANUARY 2

Decisive

When you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

JAMES 1:6 NIV

We live in the information age. At our fingertips, we have more research, opinions, and knowledge than previous generations could have dreamed of. Though this can be to our advantage, it can also be our downfall. Too much information can create indecisiveness inside of us, paralyzing us. To be decisive women of God, we must be firmly planted in his Word.

The Bible is truth, and what it says should be the final say in our lives. We must continue to turn to God’s Word daily, familiarizing ourselves with the truth. When we do this, we become anchored in truth, and our ability to make wise and good decisions increases. We will know about the character of God, and we will know what to ask for. We will learn to trust God when he sets our feet on a certain path. Keep his Word at the front of your mind, and you will be able to confidently face all that life has to offer.

What decisions do you need to invite God into today?

JANUARY 3

Composed

I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

PSALM 131:2 ESV

What does it mean to be composed? For ages, the church has been telling women to act a specific way, and some claim that to be godly means to be quiet. Is this what it means for us to be composed? What do you do when you find yourself bursting with a message? What about when you laugh a little too loudly with joy? If you are supposed to be calm, why does it feel like God created you to be the opposite?

Sister, take heart. A calm soul does not always mean a quiet personality. A shy manner is not the key to rest your soul in Christ. God has given you specific gifts and abilities; he has made you to reach people in specific ways. Listen to his voice when deciding when to speak and when to remain quiet. Your soul can be undisturbed by the things of this world because it is a soul rooted in Christ’s love. Shake off the stereotypes and shame that might hinder you from using the gifts God has given you. A composed woman is not measured by the volume of her voice, but by the source of the serenity of her spirit, and Jesus is our source.

How can you discern between cultural ideas and the truth of Scripture?

JANUARY 4

Bold

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.

Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you.

I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

ISAIAH 41:10 NLT

If you had no fear, nothing holding you back, what would you do? What would you believe without doubt? What move would you make? There is no time like the present to make bold moves for God. A few days ago, we wrote down our resolutions, our goals, and our dreams. Look at that list again. What could God be asking you to step out into right now? Where could God be nudging you to dream a little bigger?

There is no mountain, no dream, and no obstacle too big for our God. He is the one who empowers us, freeing us from shame and fear, so that we can lives that are bold for his glory. Though it is God who brings the freedom, the victory, and the power, we still have to take the steps. It might be something as small as knocking on your neighbor’s door or something as large as moving to a new home. God is not limited by our circumstances. He wants to move in your life. Take some time in prayer to ask God how he wants you to be bold today.

How can you be bold today?

JANUARY 5

Abiding

“Abide in Me, and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit itself,

unless it abides in the vine,

neither can you, unless you abide in Me.”

JOHN 15:4 NKJV

Abide is possibly one of the most important words in the Bible. It is essential to the believer’s life to learn how to abide in Christ. To abide means to dwell. Think of your home. What’s the difference between a house and a home? A house is just a structure. You feel comfortable and safe in a home. It’s the place you can most be yourself and let your guard down.

God did not send his Son to create distance between him and humanity. He sent his Son to dwell with us, be close to us, and draw us closer to himself. God wants you to be at your most vulnerable and open in his presence. We are trained well in the art of superficial relationships. It is now time, through study of the Word and prayer, to learn how to have a deep relationship with Jesus. He is trustworthy and kind. Abiding in Christ will lead to obedience to his Word, and it will also lead to fruit for his glory. Jesus is calling you to come home today, to dwell with him and learn from him. Won’t you answer his call?

How do you abide in Jesus?

JANUARY 6

Appropriate

In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.

JUDGES 21:25 NIV

This short phrase from the book of Judges speaks volumes about the state of the culture of God’s chosen people during that time. The standard for what was deemed good was reduced to whatever a person felt was appropriate for them. Driven by their sinful natures, some of the more horrific stories in the Bible follow in the book of Judges. A people left to their own devices will bend toward their sinful nature, twisting and mutilating truth until it is unrecognizable.

With our current culture screaming for everyone to follow their own truth, the familiarity to the Judges passage is eerie. As women of God, we know better. We have the solid, unshakeable, unchanging Word of God to root our lives. The Word of God tells us what is appropriate for life and what is not. We must adopt his standard as our own standard for truth if we desire to live a life that glorifies Christ. Examine yourself today. In what ways are you adopting the attitude and lifestyle of what is right in your eyes, instead of humbly asking God what is right in his eyes?

What opinions of the world have you adopted? Do they align with God’s Word?

JANUARY 7

Assured

Being fully assured that what God had promised,

He was able also to perform.

ROMANS 4:21 NASB

Two little girls were arguing in the backseat of a car. One claimed that no one can know what happens to you after you die. The other one, wise for her seven years and having recently come to an understanding of the gospel, proclaimed, “Yes I can! I’m going to heaven, and I know that because my daddy told me it’s true.” The beauty in this little girl’s statement is multifaceted, but what stands out most is her confidence in the truth her daddy had told her. She had complete, assured faith that what her father had said was true.

The Bible is full of the Father’s promises to us. Promises for eternal life, rewards, peace, his presence—the wonderful list goes on and on. Let us be like that little girl, full of confidence in what our heavenly Father has promised us. Let us tell others about these promises, knowing that God always keeps his word. No lie is found in him. What peace can come from this great assurance!

How can you remember God’s promises today?

JANUARY 8

Character

We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.

ROMANS 5:3-4 ESV

Scan the headlines and you will find it: another pastor or spiritual leader caught up in a sinful scandal. It’s heartbreaking and discouraging but no longer shocking to us. It does bring up questions within us, one of which is probably, “How can this be avoided?” Dear sister, you are a spiritual leader in whatever capacity you serve in now. At work, at church, as a mother, as a friend—leadership has many faces.

The most important part of maintaining integrity as a leader is the character development you do when no one is watching. The deeper life, the internal life, matters far more than the exterior. Are you daily in God’s Word? Are you in communion with him through prayer? Do you have people around you that you can confess your sins to and who lovingly call out sin in your life? Think of it like an iceberg. The top of the iceberg, the part we see, is probably ten percent. The strength and mass of the iceberg lies in the ninety percent we don’t see, the part below the surface. That’s your character. What is making up your ninety percent?

How can you grow in character and produce change?

JANUARY 9

Captivating

“Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

JOHN 4:14 NKJV

Go ahead and read all of John chapter 4. It’s a story most are familiar with. The story of the woman at the well is a look at a woman who becomes captivated by Jesus. When we encounter Jesus, we cannot help but be changed. As your life in Christ grows through time in his presence, Christ becomes more and more precious to you. Through experience, you start to understand why the disciples left everything to follow him. You understand why, when Jesus asked them if they would turn away from him, they declared, “Where else can we go?”

You can also understand the woman at the well, who was so struck by his presence that she declared it to the entire town that had shunned her. A life captivated by Christ is a transformed, bright, shining life. Examine your own life. Does Jesus captivate your soul, or do you find other things sitting on the throne? Make sure Jesus is on the throne of your heart today. Let him consume your passion.

How can you keep your eyes from wandering and your heart from straying?

JANUARY 10

Authoritative

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing people what is wrong in their lives, for correcting faults, and for teaching how to live right.

2 TIMOTHY 3:16 NCV

In many northern parts of our world, little villages spring up on lakes and rivers in January. Tiny houses cluster on the frozen water, inhabited by ice fishers. You can even see people driving their vehicles across miles of water that has become ice. Many checks and tests have been done by fishermen and local officials to make sure the ice is reliable enough to hold the weight of vehicles and trailers. The fishermen display quite a bit of trust in the DNR’s authority and other sources as they roll onto the icy tundra.

In the same way, the Bible is our authoritative source that we cast all our weight upon. It will never break out from under you; it is never unreliable. The Bible is the Word of God given to us, and it has so many wonderful uses in our lives. No matter what you are looking for, make sure the authoritative standard for truth in your life and worldview is the Bible.

How can you build your life on God’s Word, knowing it will never fail you?

JANUARY 11

Empathetic

We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

HEBREWS 4:15 ESV

To be known is one of the deepest desires of the human heart. However, we humans go to great lengths to protect our true selves from the pain that can occur from being exposed and left unloved or abandoned. Even in our most intimate relationships, we try to hide away, afraid of the repercussions that would come if they truly knew us.

The beauty of our relationship with Christ is that he knows. He knows all about all the parts of you that you hide away, the parts that you think are going to make him not love you. He not only knows your deepest weaknesses, but he has felt them. He’s not looking down on you, shaking his head in disgust at your weakness. He’s also not warily patting you on the back, full of pity and wondering how you could be this way. He is empathic toward you and your weakness. He gets it. He came to earth, fully man and fully God, so he could fully empathize with us.

How can you draw near to Jesus today?

JANUARY 12

Empowered

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.”

ACTS 1:8 NIV

Even though Jesus came back and taught the disciples after his resurrection, the great commission he gave them before his final ascent must have felt like a daunting task. This is evident to us as we find them at the beginning of the book of Acts, huddled at home, afraid. Jesus told them to take the gospel to the whole world. What an overwhelming command!

You will face many things in your life that will be overwhelming. Maybe some are the big dreams you wrote down at the beginning of the year, or recent news that came out of left field. Whatever your situation, the same truth that was available to the disciples is available to you. You have been given authority, strength, and confidence to face whatever it is by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God. He is not a lesser being or a poor substitute teacher. You have the spirit of the living God living inside of you. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is what you are empowered with today.

How do you feel empowered when you are overwhelmed?

JANUARY 13

Doubtless

“Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.

LUKE 24:38-40 NLT

Contrary to popular belief, it is not a sin to doubt. Certainly, doubt can be a vehicle that drives us to ungodly ends but doubt in and of itself is not a sin. We should allow our doubts to drive us into the arms of our Savior. There is no question, hesitation, or doubt you may have that is too big for him. He welcomes you and your questions with open arms.

In our Scripture today, Jesus knew exactly what Thomas needed to see and hear to quiet his doubts. He brought his doubts to Jesus, and Jesus brought faith. This exchange is not exclusive to Thomas; it is available to us as well. Shame will tell you to bury your doubts and continue marching. Fear will ask you to act on your doubts and abandon your faith. Knowledge will tell you that you can find all the answers elsewhere. Jesus requests that you give your doubts to him. They do not scare or frighten him. He confidently knows how to answer and lovingly guide you through anything you can throw at him.

What is your tendency with your doubts? Is it shame and fear, or knowledge and communion with Jesus?

JANUARY 14

Dependable

You can’t trust a gossiper with a secret; they’ll just go blab it all.

Put your confidence instead in a trusted friend, for he will be faithful to keep it in confidence.

PROVERBS 11:13 TPT

God created us to be in relationship with him and with each other. Women tend to be especially relational, both to our advantage and to our harm. Some of the deepest wounds can come from other women, especially sharp, arrow-like words that strike deep. Children merely need a good game of tag and quick question to form friendships; it feels a lot harder to make new friends as we grow. That’s why a good friend is such a treasure.

One trait of good friends is their dependability. Can those around you rely on you? Are you trustworthy? The Bible talks a lot about our words and their power. A woman of God will value the dependable trait and will strive for it in her relationships. God has proven to be dependable toward us, and we should mirror this in our relationships with other people. When trust is built, a wonderful friendship can flourish. Perhaps there are situations where we need to confess something to restore a relationship, or forgive someone who hurt us. We need to be dependable friends.

How can you turn away from gossip and turn toward being a dependable friend today?

JANUARY 15

Content

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

PHILIPPIANS 4:12 NIV

We often attribute contentment with squashing the desire to have more. It is easily linked with being thankful, a good quality to possess as a believer. But what if we took contentment one step further? What if we exalted our lack, because in that lack we had confidence that we would see more of Christ? Paul doesn’t list situations like having a smaller TV or making fewer shopping trips as the situations in which he has learned contentment. He lists real, stomach-gnawing hunger.

Elsewhere in Scripture, he talks about being beaten to near death, being shipwrecked, being abandoned by friends. Still, he found contentment in those situations because Christ was sufficient to cover any deficit. His joy did not swell on the unreliable waves of his circumstances or possessions; his deepest joy was Christ. The contentment message of being happy with what you have is good, but it’s not enough. With contentment, we must learn to be at peace with what we do not have, knowing that in all those areas, Christ is enough.

What does being content mean to you?

JANUARY 16

Generous

Give freely and become more wealthy;

be stingy and lose everything.

The generous will prosper;

those who refresh others

will themselves be refreshed.

PROVERBS 11:24-25 NLT

Get-rich-quick systems and businesses who promise to change your life with wealth abound in our world. Here in Proverbs, the author is not presenting another pyramid scheme. He is pointing out that to be a Christian means to be generous. It should be a defining quality.

Have you ever met a family that has a physical feature that defines them? For instance, you see that fiery red hair, and you can say, “Oh, that’s Jim’s kid.” As God’s kids, we should mark our lives with generosity. This is not limited to money. It should penetrate all areas of our lives: our time, our money, our resources. The gospel’s change in our lives takes us from living with a tight fist to an open hand. It enables us to release the grasp we have on all our assets and act in the same manner of our Savior, generously giving all.

Is generosity a marker in your life for others? Or do you hold a tight grasp on what you have?

JANUARY 17

Grace

By grace you have been saved through faith.

And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.

EPHESIANS 2:8 ESV

This word grace gets thrown around in Christian culture more often than a baseball in an extra-inning game. With all that traction, it can easily lose its power, becoming commonplace to us. Far from common, grace is the factor of our religion that sets us apart from all others. In man’s great pursuit (and rejection) of God, many avenues and religions have formed. Islam, Jehovah’s Witness, Latter-day Saints, Buddhism, and on and on the list goes. What sets Christianity apart?

The key is grace. Grace is not us working our way to God. Grace is not God measuring us to see if we meet the standard of holiness. Grace is a gift that we don’t deserve, given to us by God. Christianity is the only religion that makes it not about what we do and all about what God does. What he does for us is summed up in this precious word—grace. Let its power transform you today as you dwell on this word.

Has the word grace become commonplace to you?

JANUARY 18

Informed

“Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”

MARK 7:6-8 ESV

In this passage, Jesus is calling out the hypocrisy of the well-learned Pharisees. When we become believers, we get to know God better through study of his Word and prayer. This leads some to pursue higher education in the Bible, known as the study of theology. For those of us that don’t go that route, there is still an abundance of books by Christian authors, pastors, and teachers on all areas of knowledge about God.

These resources in and of themselves are not bad, and many can be helpful to our growth. However, in our quest to gain knowledge of God, let us not lose the intimacy of a relationship with God. Striving to be informed is not a bad pursuit, but like many pursuits, it can become an idol. In a marriage, if you only focus on facts about a person, you are more of a biographer and less of a lover. To have intimacy, one must pursue experience, give time, and express vulnerability. Let us not forget that we are not just participating in a religion of research. We are pursuing a relationship with the God of creation.

In the pursuit of knowledge, have you made Jesus more of a professor than a friend?

JANUARY 19

Legacy

We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD,

about his power and his mighty wonders.

PSALM 78:4 NLT

There is a song by a popular Christian artist that talks about legacy. She sings poetically about how when she is old, she hopes that the one thing that her children and those around her remember is that she treasured Jesus above all else. When considering legacy, many people focus on material possessions or their life’s work. As Christians, the legacy we should seek is just what the singer describes. May those who meet us say that we treasured Jesus more than anything else.

We have an enemy, Satan, whose purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. He wants nothing more than to steal this legacy from you and destroy any testimony you may have. We must be careful keepers of our legacy. It is helpful to step back and to look at our lives. What would your kids, friends, or family say you treasure most? Your phone? Your career? Your pets or home decor? How are you using your assets and time? What occupies your thought life the most? These self-evaluating questions can help us to see if Jesus is our legacy, or if we’ve been deceived.

Prayerfully consider the questions listed above.

JANUARY 20

Leader

He shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them with his skillful hands.

PSALM 78:72 NASB

You might not view yourself as one, but most of us are leaders. If you are a mom, you are leading your kids. You might not hold a title at work, but others still see your example. At church, you are a woman of God, and that is known and observed by all around you. There are so many layers to your relationships, and you are called to be a leader in at least one.

In Psalms, we are told that leadership starts on the inside. You cannot lead others if you are not tending to your own soul. What you do in unseen moments ripples out to all the seen moments of influence, whether you are influencing one or thousands. We must be women who cultivate a deeper life of prayer, worship, and time in the Word. Through these and other spiritual disciplines, our inner life will flourish with wisdom. From this flourishing, we can properly lead those around us. Remember, you cannot pour from an empty cup. Let Christ fill you if you desire to pour into the lives of those around you today.

Do you tend to your inner life, or do you ignore spiritual disciplines while leading from an empty cup?

JANUARY 21

Innocent

Your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.

ROMANS 16:19 ESV

There are people specifically trained to identify counterfeit money. They teach that the best way to identify a counterfeit is not to study all the various counterfeit bills or methods, but to study and know the actual one inside and out. Learn its textures, images, and what specific markers it has. Then, you will have a better chance of catching a fake later.

In today’s verse, Paul gave some of his final words from prison to the church in Rome. In the previous two verses, he spoke of false teachers attempting to deceive the church. Paul’s exhortation is to not concentrate heavily on the false teaching. Instead, he encourages believers to do the same as those who identify counterfeit bills. To be innocent to the false teachings that are coming, we do not spend our time diving deeply into them. We need to instead drink deeply of the living water, the Word of God. We need to know the truth: how it feels, how it looks, how it applies. Don’t worry about deception; make yourself wise in the knowledge of the Lord.

Do you worry about getting caught up in false teaching?

How can you focus on truth more than false teaching this week?

JANUARY 22

Healthy

“I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,” declares the LORD.

JEREMIAH 30:17 NIV

The Hebrew word shalom is more than a greeting. It means wholeness, completeness. Shalom is the perfect word to express the desire of the Father’s heart for your life. We are not made to live fragmented lives, with our spirituality neatly tied up in our Sunday morning box, our families in another box, our sex lives in another box, our physical health in another, and so on.

God created us for wholeness. When he says he desires healing and health for you, it’s more than just a physical thing. Emotional, spiritual, physical—God can restore it all. He wants us to be whole, integrated people who worship and bring glory to him with our whole lives, not fragments. The power of the Holy Spirit will bring down the walls you have between the sections of your life and enable you to live a healthy, vibrant life that flows naturally from your spirit.

What areas of your life are you boxing off from Jesus? Ask Jesus to show you how to pursue holistic, healthy spirituality today.

JANUARY 23

Pleasant

The LORD is all I need, he takes care of me. My share in life has been pleasant; my part has been beautiful.

PSALM 16:5-6 NCV

If you’ve read Scripture’s accounts of David’s life, you might scratch your head a bit at this phrase he writes in Psalm 16. Sure, he is considered one of the great kings of Israel and called “a man after God’s own heart.” However, there are accounts of him being on the run and hunted for years, multiple attempts on his life, the loss of his first-born child, adultery, murder, and a mess of a family life with his grown kids. How could his share have been pleasant amidst all that pain?

The answer is that David considered his inheritance, his lot in life, to be God himself. He is writing here that his focus is not on the circumstances, but on the Lord. The presence of God in his life is what made his life a pleasant life. Can you say the same about your life? When you look back through the hard times and the good times, do you see the presence of God as being evident and good in your life? Jesus is our inheritance, the greatest treasure, and the source of having a pleasant life.

Do you consider the presence of God as pleasant in your life?

JANUARY 24

Motivated

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

ROMANS 5:8 NIV

Our motivations are the inner reasons behind the things we do. Beneath every one of your actions, there is a motive, whether good or bad. God’s actions have motives, too, and one of them is you. Brimming with love and compassion for you, Jesus walked the road to the cross. It was love that motivated him to let the Romans nail his hands and feet down. It was his perfect passion for you that sent him through the hours of pain and separation from the Father. It was his desire to see you restored to peace with himself and the Father, and he kept wanting it until his last breath.

This was the motivation—you. No length was too far for the Father to go to restore you to himself. And while the Father was overflowing with the motivation of love, you were exiled from him, lost in your sin, and in rebellion of the very love that wanted to save you. This is the greatest love story ever told, this motivation of a father who stopped at nothing to bring his children home.

In your relationship with God, do you see the overflowing love he has demonstrated toward you?

JANUARY 25

Mindful

I will remember the deeds of the LORD;

yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.

PSALM 77:11-12 NIV

In an understandable pushback against modern spirituality, some Christians have abandoned the spiritual discipline of meditation and mindfulness. Scripture, however, mentions meditation over sixty times. It is a worthwhile discipline to meditate on Scripture and to focus our minds on the things of Christ. For a Christian, meditation is remembrance. When we slow down, command our souls to focus on Christ, and remember the goodness of his mighty deeds, our lives are changed.

Studies show that anxiety and stress are lessened by meditation. Imagine that discipline coupled with the power of God’s beautiful Word and a focus on his presence! When we meditate, we acknowledge that God’s presence is a current reality. We align our souls with the truth of Scripture, bringing ourselves joy and peace. Take today’s Scripture and meditate on it. Break it down; what deeds of the Lord can you remember in your life? What miracles have you experienced? How has God worked in your life? What are his mighty deeds? How might this knowledge change your current mental state? Find peace in the presence of God.

How can you acknowledge that the presence of God is near?

JANUARY 26

Principled

Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

ROMANS 1:20 NIV

Take some time today to read the entire chapter of Romans 1. Paul is setting up a long letter explaining that the gospel is for both Jews and Gentiles. In the first chapter, he expounds upon the state of humanity. He talks about how men denied God, even though, as today’s verse says, his presence and power have always been visible.

Without a spine, the body crumbles. Without a worldview, a person is drawn into all sorts of sin. Tossed like the wind, there is no telling what direction you will head if you do not have a biblical worldview. This means that what God says needs to be the spinal cord, the guiding direction for your life. This makes you a person who is not led astray by what others say or even by the own sinful desires of her own heart, but rather a principled woman who stands firm on truth. The strength of God is available to you if you choose to align your life with God’s way and his Word. Feeling weak in some areas? Ask God for an adjustment this morning.

Do you base your principles and decisions on the Word of God or your own heart?

JANUARY 27

Positive

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

PHILIPPIANS 4:8 ESV

What is the opposite of positive? Negative. And in what area of our lives does negativity tend to run wild? Our thought life. As women, we can struggle with a wide variety of negative thoughts. Relationships, body image, self-esteem, our abilities—it seems the enemy wants us to run a never-ending treadmill of doubt and envy.

It’s time to step off the machine. In Romans, the Bible speaks of renewing our minds to be like Christ’s. Here in Philippians, Paul also gives us some ammunition to fight with when these thoughts come. You can work through this Scripture as step-by-step instructions. First, identify your negative thought. Then ask, is it true? What does the Bible say about the matter? Is it honoring of yourself, of God, or of others? Does it promote a fair assessment? Is it from the Spirit, and is it holy? Continue through the verse. Use Scripture to find positivity. This practice, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance, help us step off the treadmill of negative thoughts and walk in pace with him.

What negative thoughts repeat themselves in your mind?

JANUARY 28

Maturity

Solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

HEBREWS 5:14 NIV

From sports to the arts to career progression, when someone wants to get better at their craft, they practice. They train. They put in the work, and this enables them to grow, learn, and become better at whatever they are working on.

The same is true of our Christian walk. In today’s Scripture, solid food and milk represent spiritual food. Just as a child begins on milk and progresses to steaks and vegetables as they mature, Christians are to progress. Protection from false teaching comes through growing in knowledge of the Word of God. It comes through being in his presence in the good times so that you know what his voice sounds like in the hard times. The only way to discern between good and evil is by the power of the Holy Spirit and the wielding of his Word. Start training yourself for maturity in Christ. One way to train is to memorize Scripture. This embeds God’s Word in your soul for times when you need it the most.

What are some other ways to train for maturity?

JANUARY 29

Patient

I waited patiently for the LORD;

and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.

PSALM 40:1 NKJV

We live in a fast-food culture. We are growing more and more accustomed to having our wants and needs met as instantaneously as possible. Couple that with the fact that we are also living in a culture that despises suffering, and you have a recipe for impatience. Our desire for comfort insists that we not sit in the discomfort of a God who doesn’t answer the way we want or as quickly as we want. This makes us push back against a God who convicts when we want validation. In many ways, our culture trains us against godliness instead of for it.

We are to be women who wait patiently on God. We do this because we trust in him and his timing and will obey him over our human desires. God is near. God is listening. Keep your heart in the posture of openness toward him and ask for extra patience if you are waiting on him today. Waiting is not a passive game; it is an active action that is focused completely on the Lord.

What are you patiently waiting for today?

JANUARY 30

Meaningful

Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.

1 CORINTHIANS 10:31 NRSV

A woman once said that when it comes to home decor, she only fills her house with meaningful items. The temptation is ever-present to grab the latest trendy thing off the shelves at the local department store. Instead, she tries to be intentional about what she puts in her home, from the art on the walls to the vase on a shelf. She asks herself if the items bring her joy. If they are meaningful to her in some way, then the items get to stay.

This selection is the key to living a purposeful life. There is not room for everything; too many things create clutter and chaos. A life of purpose is a life that has picked out the meaningful things that give God the glory to prioritize. This doesn’t necessarily mean flashy or big things, as even ordinary events can honor God. This means analyzing our schedules, our money, our goals, and our hobbies to see what brings meaning to us and glory to God, and what we should probably kick to the curb.

How can you create a life of purpose by analyzing your habits?

JANUARY 31

Mentor

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

TITUS 2:7-8 ESV

In this chapter, several people are instructed in who to teach and how to teach them. In Titus’s case, he is instructed to set up mentorship-type systems amongst the believers. This is important today, too. It is vital for believers to be a part of a local, Bible-believing church. It is equally as important for believers to go deeper into that body, mentoring and being mentored by fellow believers.