Devotions for Living Well by Barbour Books

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Devo ons for Living Well

DAILY INSPIRATION & ENCOURAGEMENT

Print ISBN 979-8-89151-220-7

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Introduc on

Life is full of ups, downs, and lots of in-betweens. And no matter whether you’re in a season of hopefulness or hardship, plenty or poverty, happiness or heartache, you can live well. . .with Jesus! With Him in your life, you have ready access to His enduring promises, His unlimited mercy and grace, His never-ending love and compassion. . .it’s all yours when you belong to Him. Put simply, Jesus makes us better, and He makes us better at life.

Each of these daily devotions will unpack a biblical truth to guide you into living well—today, tomorrow, and all your days to come. Every page features a titled devotional reading, scripture selection, and short prayer starter.

Turn the page and spend some quality time in the presence of the one who loves you most!

taught y ; take to heart my cဩma s.

They’ help y live a lg, lg time, a lg life lived

Day 1 A Lovely Cause for Celebra on

Take a good look at me, GOD, my God; I want to look life in the eye, so no enemy can get the best of me or laugh when I fall on my face. I’ve thrown myself headlong into your arms—I’m celebrating your rescue. I’m singing at the top of my lungs, I’m so full of answered prayers.

Psalm 13:3–6 msg

When you become a Christian and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and leader of your life, it’s cause for serious celebration. Out with the old and in with the new—you’re a beautifully transformed creation of almighty God!

The old you may have been fearful, insecure, doubtful, depressed, and dismayed. But when you accepted the gift of salvation, you surely felt a significant shift within your spirit. With the power of Jesus Christ in you, you’re rescued from the burdens that weigh down the soul. And a growing relationship with the heavenly Father brings about feelings of courage, confidence, belief, joy, and contentment. . .just the things you need to fulfill the wonderful purpose God has for you!

If you’ve chosen to be a Christ follower, make the choice to celebrate—starting today! Thank Him for the gift of salvation. Sing at the top of your lungs! Praise the Lord for your lovely, transformed life!

Father God, thank You for the lovely transformation You’ve begun in my life. Because of You, I am a new creation, and I am so grateful!

Day 2

A Jigsaw Puzzle Life

God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him. . . . He gave me a fresh start. . . .

I haven’t taken God for granted. Every day I review the ways he works. . . . I feel put back together.

2 SamUel 22:21–24 msg

Sometimes life feels like a giant jigsaw puzzle with lots of teeny-tiny pieces—and many of them have gone missing.

David knew what a “missing puzzle pieces” life was like. He experienced it firsthand. But instead of lamenting and keeping his focus on how bad things were, he chose to turn everything over to God. He gave God his whole life—every single puzzle piece—and submitted to Him. David, though imperfect, lived for God. He kept God’s rules and fully depended on God. And though he sometimes failed, David never turned away from Him. And so God rewarded David for his righteousness. He took the pieces of David’s life and put them all back together.

Like David, we too can make the wise choice to give our puzzle pieces to God. When we ask for help, God hears. He will put the puzzle of our lives back together, creating a complete and beautiful picture of beauty, hope, and faith.

Father God, my life sometimes feels like a jumbled mess, and I need Your help! Today, I give all the pieces of my life to You. I trust You to put them all together.

Day 3 e Greatest

“To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt oﬀerings and sacriﬁces.”

Mark 12:33 niv

If asked what the most important rule for living was, could you answer without hesitation? In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus did just that. A teacher of the law asked Him which of God’s commandments was the most important. Jesus did not skip a beat. His answer is the key to a better life. Love. Love Your God. Love your neighbor as you love yourself.

In 1 Corinthians 13, the apostle Paul speaks of love. In verse 13 (niv), he echoes the words of Jesus, writing, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Love is potent. Whether you’re on the giving or getting end, there are few things more powerful. In loving God with all your heart and loving your neighbor as yourself, you too will reap the benefits. In keeping your thoughts positive and focusing on love, you eliminate the negative in your life.

Love does indeed conquer all. Because God is love (1 John 4:8 niv).

Dear God, it’s so amazing that love is the key that unlocks the door to a godlier and more empowered life. Help me, Lord, to closely follow Your command to love by better loving You, my neighbor, and myself. Amen.

Day 4

How Sweet It Is!

My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste. In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you ﬁnd it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short.

Proverbs 24:13–14 nlt

Perhaps you prefer a drizzle of honey to sweeten your hot tea; or maybe you enjoy the ﬂavor of honey on a warm, buttered biscuit. Did you know that in addition to being used as a sweetener, honey is also used for its anti-inﬂammatory and antibacterial properties? Honey can soothe a sore throat and even help ease the pain of a mild burn.

In the above verses from the book of Proverbs, Solomon is making a connection between honey and wisdom. He observes that both honey and wisdom are sweet and beneficial. Just as honey sweetens whatever it touches, wisdom sweetens your life!

If you have a relationship with God, you’re already on the right track to finding wisdom. In addition to spending quality time with Him and reading His Word, all you need to do is ask for wisdom, and He’ll provide it for you (James 1:5). “Eat up” every bit of wisdom the heavenly Father provides!

Father, give me the wisdom Solomon writes about in Proverbs. I long to have a life abundant in unshakable hope. . .and a bright future too! Thank You for keeping the promises in Your Word. Amen.

Day 5 From Despair to Hope

Many are saying of me, There is no help for him in God. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. With my voice I cry to the Lord, and He hears and answers me out of His holy hill. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Psalm 3:2–4 ampc

In Psalm 3 we encounter these moving words of David, whose enemies likely longed to see their words—“There is no help for him in God”—come true, hoping for David’s total destruction. And knowing the sin that he had committed with Bathsheba, he probably thought their hurtful words had some merit.

David could have easily allowed himself to be swayed by the world’s words. But instead of allowing himself to wallow in despair, David recalled God’s power, His faithfulness, His protection, and His love. David trusted in God and chose to cling to and focus on his heavenly Father, who “hears” and would no doubt restore David’s joy.

As Christ followers, we can trust God to hear our prayer. . .and we can know without a doubt, just as David did, that God will lift our heads, oﬀering us His protection and salvation from a world that wishes for our downfall. With our trust in God Almighty, we will overcome!

Father God, I praise You for the hope and joy I can only ﬁnd in You!

Day 6

A Mighty Word Keeper

No unbelief or distrust made [Abraham] waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, fully satisﬁed and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised.

Romans 4:20–21 ampc

Need some strength and power? Perhaps some assurance? Look no further than to your God!

Abraham had it right. No thing, no person, no circumstance kept him from doubting God’s Word. Because he was fully assured God would keep His promises, his faith and strength continued to grow. The God in whom he believed, the God who gave life to the dead, also “speaks of the nonexistent things that [He has foretold and promised] as if they [already] existed” (Romans 4:17 ampc)!

What do you think your life would look like if you had the faith of Abraham? How would your life change if you were fully assured that God would keep the word He’s spoken to you and to you alone? What would happen if you remembered, moment by moment, that God is true to His promises to you, to each and every guarantee recorded in the Bible?

Today, tomorrow, and every day, believe like Abraham, and watch God work through His Word.

Mighty word keeper, it’s in Your Word alone that I believe and in Your promises only that I trust.

Day 7

Our Forever Home

Lord, through all the generations you have been our home! Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.

Psalm 90:1–2 nlt

Here the psalmist is praising God. He is celebrating the consistent character of the God who does not change (Hebrews 13:8)—who has been the “home” of humanity since the beginning of time, and who will continue to be our home for all eternity (Deuteronomy 33:27). When you think of home, what comes to mind? What emotions do you feel—comfort, love, calm, family, warmth, acceptance, forgiveness, joy, fun? For some, there really is no place like home. But for others, home isn’t warm and fuzzy—instead, it’s been filled with hardship and strain, sadness and chaos.

No matter what your home is like right now—or has been like in the past—there is good news: We’ve all received an invitation to a forever home with Jesus. And home with Him oﬀers everything our souls crave—peace, beauty, tranquility, grace, love without limits. . . It’s the home we’ve always longed for, and the door is wide open, complete with a welcome mat outside. Take a step inside your forever home today.

Father God, I accept Your invitation to my forever home with You. Thank You for being such a good Father, for giving me love and grace, peace and comfort—all the things my soul craves!

Day 8 Take Five

The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.

Genesis 2:7 nkjv

How would you describe your physical and mental state today? Are you rested and refreshed, or do you feel weary, worn down by the unrelenting demands and pressures of doing life? We tend to think that the longer and harder we work, the more productive we will be. But when we become fatigued spiritually and emotionally, we eventually reach a point of exhaustion.

You are in control and you can stop the world from spinning. Even if you know that it is impossible to take a day oﬀ, it helps tremendously to make time for a personal “time-out.”

Pause from whatever you are doing for just a few moments and breathe deeply. Shut your oﬃce door, close your eyes, or pause for a second or two in the bathroom. Ask God for a sense of calm and clarity of mind to deal properly with your next assignment. Take time to unwind from a stressful day with a few minutes of “me time” in the car as you drive home. If your commute is short, pull over for a few minutes and let the weight of the day fall oﬀ.

Sometimes the most active thing we can do is rest, even if for only a short time.

Father, help me not to push myself so hard. Help me to remember to take ﬁve and breathe. Amen.

Day 9

A Selfless Request

God said to [Solomon], “Because you. . .have asked for the ability to lead and govern well, I’ll give you what you’ve asked for—I’m giving you a wise and mature heart. . . . As a bonus, I’m giving you both the wealth and glory you didn’t ask for. . . .

And if you stay on course, keeping your eye on the life-map and the God-signs as your father David did, I’ll also give you a long life.”

1 Kings 3:11–14 msg

Why would God give Solomon whatever he asked for? Was Solomon a perfect servant of God? Did Solomon know something we don’t? Maybe Solomon had a secret. . .

Solomon didn’t have insider information, but he did do something very right. When he made a request to God, it wasn’t selfish. Instead, Solomon asked for wisdom. In fact, his request was solely focused on others—the people in his kingdom, to be exact. He wanted to lead his people well. And Solomon knew he’d need God to help him do just that.

Like Solomon, when we walk in God’s way, when we obey His Word and make requests according to His will, He will grant us what we ask for. And He might just add in some extra blessings along the way! Praise Him!

Wisdom giver, thank You for answered prayer. Remind me that when I follow Your will and Your ways, You will bless me beyond measure.

Day 10 Heart of Gold

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10 niv

Do you remember playing with clay or Play-Doh when you were a child? You could mold a blob into whatever you wanted—an animal, a ﬂower, a person, wherever your mood took you. Or maybe you remember building things with LEGO blocks. Again, you had the ability and freedom to create something amazing from individual interlocking blocks. But God, the master craftsman, has the ability to create something much more magnificent—a pure heart within you!

Yet that’s not all! David tells us that the almighty God has the ability to “renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within [you]” (Psalm 51:10 ampc, emphasis added).

No matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been, God renews you just as He has renewed “the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations” (Isaiah 61:4 niv). He can restore to you “the joy of your salvation and grant [you] a willing spirit” (Psalm 51:12 niv), one that will sustain you!

What a blessing! A pure heart and steadfast spirit and joy—all you need for a life of grace and happiness. They’re yours for the asking. So why not ask today?

Dear God, I ask that You create a pure heart within me, renew and fortify my spirit, and forgive me my failures and sins. And Lord, I pray You would also restore the joy of my salvation and bless me with a willing spirit. Amen.

Day 11

No Sh n ng olet Here

And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children.

1 John 2:28–29 nlt

Have you heard the phrase “shrinking violet”? It’s a term that describes a person who’s shy or timid. . .even self-conscious. Does this describe you?

If you are deluged with insecurities and could use a heavenly boost of courage, sister, reread the scripture above from 1 John. This passage holds the secret for standing tall and confident as you await the day of your heavenly Father’s return. The secret is abiding in Christ. Abiding in Him means that you maintain a strong connection with Him, you depend on Him. . .you fully rest your soul in Him, trusting in His promises! Now doesn’t that sound like a beautiful way to live?

Daughter of God, you have no reason to be a shrinking violet when you’re a child of the one and only King! Ask Him to walk alongside you every step of your journey. He won’t let you down!

Father God, I come to You today with an insecure heart. Help me to see that You are with me in every moment and that I have no reason to be timid or self-conscious when I have You in my life. Amen.

Day 12 B nging Light to the Darkness

“You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you?

I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14–16 msg

When you say yes to a relationship with Jesus Christ, something deep inside of you transforms. You now carry within yourself the light of the Holy Spirit. . .and along with this beautiful transformation come purpose and responsibility:

1. Be a light to others. Shine!

2. Go public with the change God has made in your life. Don’t keep it a secret!

3. Be generous with others. Share!

And in doing so, you’re sure to prompt others to open their hearts to the grace and love of Jesus.

When you know your future is secure because of your relationship with the heavenly Creator, why would you even want to keep it to yourself? When He works in your heart, you’ll want to shout His praises from the rooftops for all to hear.

Father God, I will shine my light for You today!

Day 13 Take Cover

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will ﬁnd rest in the shadow of the Almighty. . . . He alone is my refuge, my place of safety. . . . He will rescue you. . .and protect you. . . . He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings.

Psalm 91:1–4 nlt

Imagine a helpless baby bird snuggled up safe and cozy in the warm, ﬂuﬀy feathers of his mama. There, under her wings, he is protected, cared for, sheltered from the dangers of the outside world. In the nest, mama bird will shield her baby from the storms and deliver daily meals to keep him healthy and growing stronger every day. This is a beautiful picture of how the heavenly Father cares for us. There will always be danger in the world. There will be troubles and worries that plague our minds and pain our hearts. Yet when we know Jesus, we live in the “shelter of the Most High.” And there, we are safe and secure. He will cover us and rescue us from the hard things. . .and in the safety of His presence, we can truly rest and find comfort for our weary souls.

When you find yourself in need of rescue, run to the Most High! Take cover under His wings of protection and love!

My refuge, my God, thank You for being my safe place. In You I take comfort. In You I ﬁnd sweet rest.

Day 14

Expressions of Goodness

It is a good and delightful thing to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises. . .to Your name, O Most High, to show forth Your loving-kindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night. . . . For You, O Lord, have made me glad by Your works; at the deeds of Your hands I joyfully sing.

Psalm 92:1–2, 4 ampc

Some people record their blessings. They keep a journal where they write down the good things that happen every day. This helps them maintain a positive outlook on life and serves as a great reminder that the bad days really aren’t all bad. There is some good in every bad day too!

Here in Psalm 92, something good has happened, and the psalmist is celebrating and showing his delight in song: “You, O Lord, have made me glad by Your works; at the deeds of Your hands I joyfully sing.” Journaling your blessings and singing about them—both are wonderful expressions of the heavenly Father’s goodness in everyday living.

This world, while often diﬃcult, doesn’t have to leave us down and depressed. When we belong to Jesus, we have the promise of His blessing. We have the benefit of His kindness and goodness. And if we keep our focus on those things, our emotional wellness will benefit mightily. Praise Him!

God, You are so, so good. Help me to keep my focus on Your loving-kindness. Thank You for these wonderful things that happened today. . .

Day 15

Your Favo te “Go-To”

The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. . .rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

Psalm 91:14–16 nlt

Who do you call when you need advice? Who listens when you need to talk? Who has your back, lending unwavering support or a helping hand when you need it most? Surely there’s one person who is your go-to, most trusted human being of all time.

But has your “go-to” person ever broken a promise? Left your urgent text unopened or unanswered, your important call unreturned? Humans, even the very best of them, let us down sometimes.

But there is one who can be trusted every second, every minute, every hour of every day of every year. His name is Jesus. And when we trust Him wholly, when we love Him completely, He makes good on all His promises and—even better!—He oﬀers us many wonderful things in return. He assures us of His presence. His rescue. His honor. His reward. His salvation.

Have you chosen to follow Jesus? If you have, praise Him! If you haven’t, it’s not too late!

My Lord and Savior, I trust You. I love You. Come into my heart. I want to follow You, praise You, and honor You all my days.

Day 16 Kno ng Ch st

Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.

1 John 3:4–6 nlt

There is no stability in the sinful life. Sin is complete and utter lawlessness. When we sin, we’re ignoring God’s rules—we’re behaving as though they don’t exist. We’re acting as if God’s commands are of no consequence.

It’s tempting to write oﬀ each and every sin as an innocent “mistake”—a misstep that we didn’t mean to take. But the truth? When we sin, we Christ followers are usually making a conscious decision to disobey God. We know in our heads and our hearts that we’re entering into sin—and yet we do it anyway.

The good news is we’re fully equipped to win the battle against sin by knowing God’s truth and practicing it every day. Set aside daily time to read the Bible and spend time in the heavenly Father’s presence. Truly get to know Him—He’s on your side and will help you battle any temptations that come your way.

God, I want You to have ultimate authority over my life. Help me to know You better every day and understand the truths of Your Word. Amen.

Day 17 Everything Set Right

I’m whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy; I’m singing your song, High God. The day my enemies turned tail and ran, they stumbled on you and fell on their faces. You took over and set everything right; when I needed you, you were there, taking charge.

Psalm 9:1–4 msg

In this psalm, we find David singing praises to God, the doer of great things—the one who sets everything right. David isn’t praising half-heartedly, oh no. He’s putting his whole heart and soul into it. He’s “whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy.” His entire being is directed in praise to almighty God.

We can experience this same kind of bubbling-up joy that David did. Because when hard times come, when nothing is going our way, we can trust our heavenly Father with the outcome. He can—He will—transform our troubles. He knows just what we need. And if we give control over to Him, He’ll set everything right in His perfect timing.

Ask God to take charge of your life, starting right this very minute. And once He begins to work, remember how He is always there when you need Him. Share with others the great things He has done for you. Telling of God’s awesomeness. . .what a wonderful way to praise Him!

Today, I ask You to take complete charge of my life, Lord. No matter what, You are always the one who can set things right. I praise You!

Day 18

Deliverance

Deliver me from my enemies, O God; be my fortress against those who are attacking me.

Psalm 59:1 niv

The Lord’s Prayer is likely the most recognized prayer in the Christian world. And it continues to be learned early in the lives of most people. Jesus used it to teach people how to pray. Part of the Lord’s Prayer includes the words, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13 niv). Sound familiar?

In Psalm 59:1, David wrote very similar words when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. God heard David’s prayer and protected him.

Although David needed deliverance from a physical attacker, enemies can take many forms. Perhaps you’re battling illness or experiencing diﬃcult times. Whatever or whoever your enemy might be, raise your voice to God and He will deliver you.

Reciting the Lord’s Prayer can bring peace to your mind and calm to your soul. Give it a try. Based on Matthew 6:9–13 and Luke 11:2–4, here’s the full prayer:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.

Day 19

He Keeps His Promises

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 niv

Unimaginable. That must describe the hopelessness the disciples felt as they saw their Master die on the cross. All the promises they held dear—all their feelings of hopeful expectation—were shot down with those final words: “It is finished.”

Some of Jesus’ followers may have remembered His earlier words assuring them of His return. But in the face of certain death, those words of victorious life must have been hard to accept.

We all experience moments of hopelessness in our earthly journeys. The death of our dreams, the crashing down of our hopes, the promises of God seemingly unfulfilled. . .we are no more immune to disappointment than Jesus’ disciples were.

In the end, though, Jesus’ promises held true—He did prevail no matter how dark that first Good Friday looked. We can always trust the words of our Lord. He knows the plans He has for us, and He has the power to see them through.

Hope and a future, prosperity and peace—we can trust that even when things seem hopeless, God is still at work, carrying out His promises.

Thank You, Jesus, for being at work in my life. Thank You for having a perfect plan and for keeping Your promises. Give me faith to believe in You even when it seems like everything is going wrong.