CHAPTER 1
January
I have chosen the way of truth; I have obeyed your laws. —Psalm 119:30
JANUARY 1 MORNING
God Listens
I cry out to the Lord; I pray to the Lord for mercy. Psalm 142:1
You can talk to God because God listens. Your voice matters in heaven. He takes you very seriously. When you enter his presence, he turns to you to hear your voice. No need to fear that you will be ignored. Even if you stammer or stumble, even if what you have to say impresses no one, it impresses God, and he listens. He listens to the painful plea of the elderly in the rest home. He listens to the gruff confession of the death-row inmate. When the alcoholic begs for mercy, when the spouse seeks guidance, when the businessman steps off the street into the chapel, God listens.
Intently. Carefully.
The Great House Of God
God wants to hear what you have to say. How does that make you feel?
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JANUARY 1 EVENING
Packed for a Purpose
He has filled them with skill. Exodus 35:35 NKJV
You were born prepacked. God looked at your entire life, determined your assignment, and gave you the tools to do the job. Before traveling, you do something similar. You consider the demands of the journey and pack accordingly. Cold weather? Bring a jacket. Business meeting? Carry the laptop. Time with grand-children? Better take some sneakers and pain medication.
God did the same with you. Joe will research animals ... install curiosity. Meagan will lead a private school ... an extra dose of management. I need Eric to comfort the sick ... include a healthy share of compassion. Denalyn will marry Max ... instill a double portion of patience.
God packed you on purpose for a purpose.
Cure For The Common Life
How has God packaged your life? List some tools he has given you and describe how you might use them for his purpose.
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JANUARY 2 MORNING
A Chosen People
You are a chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession. 1 Peter 2:9
Do you ever feel unnoticed? New clothes and styles may help for a while. But if you want permanent change, learn to see yourself as God sees you: "He has covered me with clothes of salvation and wrapped me with a coat of goodness, like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding, like a bride dressed in jewels" (Isaiah 61:10).
Does your self-esteem ever sag? When it does, remember what you are worth. "You were bought, not with something that ruins like gold or silver, but with the precious blood of Christ, who was like a pure and perfect lamb" (1 Peter 1:18–19).
The challenge is to remember that. To meditate on it. To focus on it. To allow his love to change the way you look at you.
When Christ Comes
You are so valuable to God that he sent his Son to die for you. Does that encourage you? In what other ways has he shown you his love?
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JANUARY 2 EVENING
The Lord Is with Me
You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 NKJV
You are with me."
Yes, you, Lord, are in heaven. Yes, you rule the universe. Yes, you sit upon the stars and make your home in the deep. But yes, yes, yes, you are with me.
The Lord is with me. The Creator is with me. Yahweh is with me.
Moses proclaimed it: "What great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us" (Deuteronomy 4:7 NLT).
Paul announced it: "He is not far from each one of us" (Acts 17:27 NIV).
And David discovered it: "You are with me."
Somewhere in the pasture, wilderness, or palace, David discovered that God meant business when he said: "I will not leave you" (Genesis 28:15).
Traveling Light
God is always with you. How can this truth bring positive changes to your life?
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JANUARY 3 MORNING
Worthless Worry
I was young, and now I am old, but I have never seen good people left helpless or their children begging for food. Psalm 37:25
We worry. We worry about the IRS and the SAT and the FBI.... We worry that we won't have enough money, and when we have money we worry that we won't manage it well. We worry that the world will end before the parking meter expires. We worry what the dog thinks if he sees us step out of the shower. We worry that someday we'll learn that fat- free yogurt was fattening.
Honestly, now. Did God save you so you would fret? Would he teach you to walk just to watch you fall? Would he be nailed to the cross for your sins and then disregard your prayers? Come on. Is Scripture teasing us when it reads, "He has put his angels in charge of you to watch over you wherever you go" (Psalm 91:11)?
I don't think so either.
In The Grip Of Grace
What things do you tend to worry about? List some of God's promises in Scripture that will remind you not to worry.
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JANUARY 3 EVENING
Loaded with Love
He ... loads me with love and mercy. Psalm 103:4
It's time to let God's love cover all things in your life. All secrets. All hurts. All hours of evil, minutes of worry.
The mornings you awoke in the bed of a stranger? His love will cover that. The years you peddled prejudice and pride? His love will cover that. Every promise broken, drug taken, penny stolen. Every cross word, cuss word, and harsh word. His love covers all things.
Let it. Discover along with the psalmist: "He ... loads me with love and mercy." Picture a giant dump truck full of love. There you are behind it. God lifts the bed until the love starts to slide. Slowly at first, then down, down, down until you are hidden, buried, covered in his love.
"Hey, where are you?" someone asks.
"In here, covered in love."
A Love Worth Giving
God has loaded your life with mercy and love. What hurts and worries do you need to bury beneath that...