Winter E-Book

BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC

• Herausgeber: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017

Seitenzahl: 100

Beschreibung

Winter. It's a season of celebration. A season of beauty and anticipation. A season of snow flakes and scarves, and watching flames dance in the fireplace. We spend time enhancing relationships with family and friends, sharing meals and attending parties. We exchange smiles with strangers and gifts with loved ones. This 90-day devotional will encourage you to spend some time with God, celebrating the gift of his Son. Experience his life, joy, and peace during the busyness of the celebration season. 

Leseprobe

BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC

Racine, Wisconsin, USA

Broadstreetpublishing.com

WINTER:A SEASON OF CELEBRATION

© 2017 by BroadStreet Publishing

ISBN: 978-1-4245-5576-5eISBN: 978-1-4245-5773-8

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.

17 18 19 20 21 22 23  7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The rain and the snow

come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

without watering the earth

and making it bud

and flourish.

ISAIAH 55:10 NIV

CONTENTS

Introduction

Winter Treasures

Come Away

Perfect Friend

Walk Steady

Follow the Arrow

The Writing on the Wall

Believe He Is Good

The Cost of Sacrifice

You Are Cherished

A “Yes” Faith

A Warm Welcome

Emotions

Appetite

No Condemnation

Continual Praise

A Love That Is Felt

Prepared to Serve

Giving Thanks

Rejoice, Pray, Thank

Sin Erased

The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

Tell the Story

Beautiful Girlhood

When Your Heart Is Troubled

We Have Time

Encouragement in God’s Word

He Is Faithful

Confident in Incompetence

The Burning Bush

Hope

True Religion

Humility

Redeemed and Free

Traditions

The Right Rest

Stop and Listen

Journey of Hope

Carry the Story

He Is Love

It’s a Wonderful Life

The Table

Twinkling Lights

Christmas Gift

The Storyteller

What Does God Say?

The Eternal Gift

Giving and Spending

Christmas Truce

Journey of the Wise Men

Boxing Day

The Self Elf

When You Feel Stuck

The Father’s Love

No Words

The Real Thing

Forgiveness

Flip the Switch

Losing to Gain

In Sunshine and Storm

In This Together

Bold and Confident

Dance Unhindered

Eye on You

Doing the Right Thing

Perseverance

Perfect Love

Sanctuary

Money Trouble

Thirst for Pure Water

Perfection

Stillness

Our Father in Heaven

Less of the World

Balance Beam

Mystery and Hope

After the Heart

Rejoice Today

The Good Fight

Gems

Hero

Love Well

The Call for Help

Cheer for the Prize

Clay

Let God Win

Cycle

Highways

New Every Morning

Don’t Be Ashamed

Mind Over Matter

INTRODUCTION

Winter. It’s a season of celebration. A season of beauty and anticipation. A season of snowflakes and scarves, and watching flames dance in the fireplace.

We spend time enhancing relationships with family and friends, sharing meals and attending parties. We exchange smiles with strangers and gifts with loved ones.

This 90-day devotional will encourage you to spend some time with God, celebrating the gift of his Son. Experience his life, joy, and peace during the busyness of the celebration season.

WINTER TREASURES

The day is yours, and yours also the night;

you established the sun and moon.

It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth;

you made both summer and winter.

PSALM 74:16-17 NIV

Those who live in a cold climate understand that winters can get long. As the amount of daylight decreases, it’s easy to find discouragement or depression creeping in. Sometimes this is a direct result of just needing more vitamin D to compensate for the lack of sunlight. But sometimes the Lord allows this to drive you to a place of finding a deeper degree of contentment in him.

God created the seasons. They are his making. Winter treasures are like manna—the same manna would be rotten in the summer. Manna that is provided on a daily basis refreshes us and provides the kind of nourishment we need.

Collect the winter manna you need to get through today. God has more than enough blessing to pour it out again tomorrow.

What is your winter manna? What word is God speaking to you in this season?

God, help me to make the most out of this season. I don’t want to live in complaint or wish away the winter. There are treasures to be found in this place that I don’t want to miss.

COME AWAY

My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away, for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come.”

SONG OF SOLOMON 2:10-12 ESV

Some say that romance is dead. It’s not for God: the lover of our souls. He desires nothing more than time with his creation! It can be a little uncomfortable to have his gaze so intently upon us though. We’re nothing special, after all! Not beauty queens, academic scholars, or athletic prodigies of any kind. We might not be musical, or crafty, or organized. Our house might be a mess, and we could probably use a manicure.

Do you feel a bit squeamish under such an adoring gaze? There is good news for you! You are, in fact, his beautiful one! And he does, indeed, want to bring you out of the cold winter. He’s finished the watering season and it is finally—finally—time to rejoice in the season of renewal.

How do you feel under the gaze of the Almighty God?

Don’t be ashamed; he loves you dearly.

Heavenly Father, I don’t know why I feel uncomfortable under your gaze. You love me more than anyone else ever could! Regardless of how unworthy I think I am, I want to rise up and come away with you.

PERFECT FRIEND

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

REVELATION 3:20 NIV

God created you for relationship with him just as he created Adam and Eve. He delights in your voice, your laughter, and your ideas. He longs to fellowship with you. When life gets difficult, do you run to him with your frustrations? When you’re overwhelmed with sadness or grief, do you carry your pain to him? In the heat of anger or frustration, do you call on him for freedom? He is a friend that offers all of this to us—and more—in mercy and love. He is worthy of our friendship.

The friendship he offers to us is a gift of immeasurable worth. There is no one like him; indeed, there is none as worthy of our fellowship than God Almighty, our Maker and Redeemer. Train your heart to run first to God with your pain, joy, frustration, and excitement. His friendship will never let you down!

How is God better than any friend you could ever have?

God, you are the perfect friend. If I think of all I need in a friendship, I know that I can find it in you. Thank you that your friendship surpasses all of my expectations.

WALK STEADY

Direct my footsteps according to your word;

let no sin rule over me.

PSALM 119:133 NIV

What is it about high heels? Every family album contains a photo of an adorable toddler attempting to walk in Mama’s shoes, and every woman remembers her first wobbly attempt to appear graceful in that first pair of pumps. How did she make it look so easy, so elegant? Most of us also have a memory of a not-so-graceful stumble or even a twisted ankle; yet, somehow the stiletto retains its appeal. Who hasn’t relied on the steady arm of an escort or companion in far more sensible footwear?

Walking with Jesus is a little like learning to walk in four-inch heels. Others make it look so easy, gliding along apparently sinless while we feel shaky and uncertain, prone to stumble at any moment. Will we take a wrong step? Fall flat on our faces? (Do anyone else’s feet hurt?)

In which aspect of your walk do you feel the most steady and certain? The least? Share your confidence and your concerns with the Savior, and invite him to lead you in both.

I lean on your strong arm today, my Savior; steady me and direct my steps.

FOLLOW THE ARROW

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.”

ISAIAH 30:21 NKJV

Decisions, decisions. It seems a week never goes by without our needing to make at least one important choice. Whether job related, relationship motivated, or something as seemingly innocent as how to spend a free Friday, wouldn’t it be nice to have an arrow pointing us in the right direction—especially if we are in danger of making a wrong turn?

According to God’s Word, we have exactly that. When we truly desire to walk the path God sets us on, and when we earnestly seek his voice, he promises to lead us in the right direction. His ever-present Spirit is right there, ready to put us back on the path each time we wander off.

Consider the decisions before you right now. Who are you turning to for guidance? Lay your options before God, and then listen for his voice.

God, I come to you today and ask for your wisdom. I want to be led by you. You know the path that is best suited to fulfill your plan for my life. Help me to be obedient to you as you show me which way to go.

THE WRITING ON THE WALL

I will be careful to live an innocent life.

When will you come to me?

I will live an innocent life in my house.

I will not look at anything wicked.

I hate those who turn against you;

they will not be found near me.

Let those who want to do wrong stay away from me;

I will have nothing to do with evil.

PSALM 101:2-4 NCV

What types of messages do we allow to enter our homes on a daily basis through television, social media, internet, magazines, smartphones, or even our own conversations? Do we take the time to really ponder and evaluate the ideas that we absorb even subconsciously?