One Devotion a Day for Women by Janice Thompson by Barbour Books

To From DaTe

Print ISBN 979-8-89151-168-2

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Daily devotions are from 365 Days of Encouragement and Hope for Women, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Prayers are written by Janice Thompson.

Scripture quotations marked kjv are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked msg are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked nlt are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked esv are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

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HoPe, INSPIraTIoN, aND eNCoUraGemeNT

aLL Year LoNG

I pray that God, the source of hope, will ﬁll you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him.

Romans 15:13 nlt

This lovely daily devotional o ers just-right-sized readings that are a perfect ﬁt for your busy lifestyle. These 365 readings feature themes that are important to your heart—including faith, friendship, joy, love, rest, trust, peace, security, and dozens more. As you move through the pages of One Devotion a Day for Women, you’ll be comforted and inspired every day of the year as you experience the refreshing peace and assurance that can only be found through an intimate relationship with the Master Creator.

Day 1

DaNCING IN THe PUDDLeS

And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Psalm 39:7 nlt

They say you can tell a lot about a person’s foundation of hope by the way she handles a rainy day. Does she turn into a Gloomy Gertie, wailing, “Oh, woe is me. . .”? Or does she make the best of a bad situation? A hope-ﬁlled person will realize that abundant life in Christ isn’t just about enduring the storm—it's also about learning to dance in the puddles. So grab your galoshes, and let’s boogie!

PraYer

Lord, I confess that sometimes I whine about the proverbial rainy days I face. I carry on with a sour attitude or a woeful outlook, which certainly doesn’t lift anyone’s spirits, least of all my own. I let hope ﬂy out the window instead of latching on to it. Thank You for the reminder that hope is a precious commodity, one that gives me joy for the journey. More than anything, I want to be an example of biblical positivity no matter the weather. Today I choose to put my hope in You, Lord. Amen.

Day 2

GoD'S PLaN

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

James 1:19 niv

God gives good advice on anger. Often, if we listen carefully and hold our tongues, we don’t become angry in the ﬁrst place. Good communication forestalls a lot of emotional trauma. Hurt feelings often cause us to speak words we regret, simply making the problem worse. So when we feel tempted to react in anger, let’s stop, listen, and hold our tongues for a while. That’s God’s plan for more peaceful relationships.

PraYer

Lord, I’ve often heard it said that hurt people hurt people. That’s deﬁnitely true. The times I’ve lashed out at others were usually times when I myself was hurting. I’m grateful for the reminder that I really can hold my tongue, even when I’m hurting. Especially when I’m hurting. It’s not always easy, but it is possible with Your help. I don’t want to be a tinder box, ready to explode at any moment. Those explosions never end well anyway. Guard my thoughts and my responses, no matter what I’m going through, I pray. Amen.

Day 3

WaLKING BY FaITH

“Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.”

1 Chronicles 28:20 nasb

What a life verse! What a creed to live by! We are assured that our God will never leave us or forsake us. We draw strength and courage from this assurance and are then able to act, to share our faith boldly and without fear because we are never alone. The Lord God—our God—is with us.

PraYer

How many times have I allowed fear to cause me to freeze in place, Lord? Far too many to count! Calamity strikes and my feet suddenly feel like they’re stuck in cement. My heart races. My hands tremble. I’m unable to take a step forward. I forget that You are with me. Then I read a verse like this and I’m reminded that no matter the situation—crisis or pain—I can be bold and courageous! When I realize You’re right there, holding my hand, I’m strengthened from the inside out, knowing You’ll never leave me. Amen.

Day 4

IN HIS HaNDS

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6 niv

Need a sure cure for anxiety? Start praying. As you trust that God has your best interests at heart, no matter what situation you face, His peace can replace concern. God says there’s nothing you need to worry about. Just put all your troubles in His hands, and He who rules the universe yet knows each hair on your head will see that everything works out right. Are you ready to trust now?

PraYer

Sometimes I cling tightly to things that were never mine to hold, Lord. I should release them to You, but instead I grip them like a dog with a bone. Anxiety creeps in and I wonder why I’m knotted up in fear. Then You remind me that I can pass those worries off to You. Your hands are big enough. And You have my best interests at heart. I can trust You to handle each situation in a way that will beneﬁt me, not hurt me. Thank You for that! And thank You for knowing and loving me so beautifully! Amen.

Day 5

INTerIor DeCoraTor

You, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head.

Psalm 3:3 nasb

Have you ever caught a glimpse of yourself reﬂected in a window and been shocked at the hangdog image you unwittingly portrayed? Slumped shoulders, drooping head, defeated expression? You can straighten your posture and adjust your face, but if the change doesn’t come from the inside out, it won’t stick. God is our interior decorator. Only He can provide that inner joy that projects outward and lifts our heads. Invite Him in to work on your place.

PraYer

Okay, okay—I confess! I often walk around with slumped shoulders. I wear a defeated look on my face. There are days when I feel like I can’t possibly lift my head or straighten my posture because it’s just too hard. That’s when You remind me that You are the lifter of my head, Lord! When I can’t, You can! And You can ﬂood my soul with joy, peace, patience, and all of the fruits of the Spirit I’m lacking. C’mon in and decorate this heart, Jesus! You are welcome here. Amen.

Day 6

GoD IS IN CoNTroL

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

Matthew 6:27 niv

What does worry gain us? It can’t change the length of our days, except to diminish the health of our bodies. Ultimately, worry is the most self-defeating thing we can engage in. Besides, why should we give in to concern when God controls our lives? He will always set us on the right path, so we don’t have to agonize over life’s details.

PraYer

I’ll admit it, Lord: Sometimes I worry. I fret. I get twisted up with concern about the situations I’m facing. If worry could lengthen my days, I’d live to be a thousand! But the opposite seems to be true. Worry shortens my days. It interrupts my sleep. It causes me to make poor eating choices. It gives me headaches and ulcers. Ugh. Thank You for the reminder that worrying is a choice, one I can control. Today I choose not to worry. Instead, I give my concerns and fears to You, the one who knows me best and loves me most. Amen.

Day 7

DeSIGNer LaBeL

We wish each of you would always be eager to show how strong and lasting your hope really is.

Hebrews 6:11 cev

Our behavior is always on display, and like it or not, we are judged by our actions. . .and inactions. Without an explanation for our behavior—that we’re motivated by our faith to be Christlike—people will come up with their own ideas: Her mama taught her right; she was just born nice; she acts sweet so everyone will like her. Isn’t it better to be up front and give credit to the one we’re emulating? Wear the label of your designer proudly.

PraYer

I don’t always wear Your label loudly or proudly, Lord. Sometimes I tuck it away in my pocket, choosing instead to show my temper. Or my irritation. Or my bitterness. I forget that the world is watching, that I’m supposed to be a reflection of You, my Creator. During those times, Lord, please give me one of those gentle nudges You’re known for. Remind me that reflecting You is a better way to win people to the kingdom than allowing my behaviors to bring division and discord. I want to be a beacon of hope, a genuine reflection of my heavenly Father. Amen.

Day 8

BLeSSING oTHerS

We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it.

1 Corinthians 4:12 niv

God gave Paul many blessings, and the apostle passed them on—even when the recipients didn’t seem to deserve them. Those who cursed him (and they were many, no doubt) did not receive a cursing in return. Instead, Paul tried to bless them. Do we follow the apostle’s example? When we are cursed by the words of others, what is our response?

PraYer

I want to live out that old adage “Blessed to be a blessing,” Lord. My heart’s desire is to be a genuine blessing to others, even those who don’t wish me well. It isn’t always easy, especially when the hits keep coming from people I thought I could trust. But I know I look more like You when I’m blessing others. I’m more likely to draw people to Your Word when I actually obey it. And I have more peace in my heart when I extend blessings instead of curses. Thank You for that reminder today. Amen.

Day 9

INSIDe-oUT LoVe

God has made everything beautiful for its own time.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 nlt

Beauty is a concern of every woman to some degree. We worry about hair, makeup, weight, fashions. . . But real beauty comes only from God’s inside-out love. Once we’re finally able to comprehend His infinite and extravagant love for us—despite our flat feet and split ends—our hearts will reflect radiant beauty from the inside out. Only when we feel truly loved are we free to be truly lovely.

PraYer

The reﬂection in the mirror causes me pain sometimes, Lord. I don’t like the face that stares back at me. The wrinkles. The worry lines. The age spots. Can this really be me? Then I’m reminded that Your idea of beauty is different from my own. You challenge me to live a life that’s beautiful from the inside out, to understand that Your love makes me beautiful no matter how I think I look. May I love others extravagantly so that I can radiate Your beauty to all I come in contact with, Jesus. Amen.

Day 10

HoLD oN To HoPe

The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

Proverbs 10:28 niv

Trusting in Jesus gave you new life and hope for eternity. So how do you respond when life becomes dark and dull? Does hope slip away? When no obviously great spiritual works are going on, don’t assume God has deserted you. Hold on to Him even more ﬁrmly and trust that He will keep His promises. Truly, what other option do you have? Without Him, hope disappears.

PraYer

Sometimes hope feels like a lifeline, Lord, one that I can choose to hang on to. . .or let go of. How many times have I released my hold, giving in to fear instead? (Way too many to count!) Today I choose to hold tight to You even when I feel like giving up. You are a God who keeps His promises. You’re not letting go of me, so I won’t let go of the hope You’re giving me. My prospects are bright as long as I keep hanging on! Thanks for that reminder. Amen.

Day 11

GraNTer oF DreamS

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulﬁlled is a tree of life.

Proverbs 13:12 nlt

As a teenager, I dreamed of writing a book one day. But life intervened, and I became a wife, mother, occupational therapist, and piano teacher. My writing dream was shelved. Twenty-five years later, after my youngest chick flew the coop, God’s still, small voice whispered, “It’s time.” Within five years, the divine granter of dreams delivered more than seventy articles and nine book contracts. What is your dream? Be brave and take the first step.

PraYer

I’m such a dreamer, Lord! There are so many things I want to do—with my life, my time, my gifts and talents. Thank You for awakening dreams in me in accordance with Your plans. I can count on You to make all of the arrangements, and I know I can always trust Your timing. So I won’t fret when “my turn” seems late in coming. It will arrive at exactly the right moment. Until then, I continue to place my trust in You. Amen.

Day 12

a GoDLY eXamPLe

“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 19:14 nkjv

When He walked this earth, Jesus loved children. He never shut them out. Though their youth gave them little credence in Israel, He saw the faith potential in them. Certainly the children loved Jesus too for His kindheartedness. Do we shut children out of our lives because we are too busy or have more “important” things on our minds? If so, then we need to take an example from Jesus. For a new take on God’s kingdom, spend time with a child today.

PraYer

Jesus loves the little children. These are more than just lyrics, aren’t they, Lord? You genuinely love them with Your whole heart. They mean the world to You and are worthy of Your very life. What’s more, You want us to exhibit that same kind of love to the little ones in our path. Today, make me more sensitive to the children You’ve placed in my circle. May I be a light, an inspiration, a positive beacon of hope in this dark world. May children and grown-ups alike see in me a reﬂection of You. Amen.

Day 13

eVerYDaY BLeSSINGS

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.

Psalm 33:18 niv

The Lord of all creation is watching our every moment and wants to fill us with His joy. He often interrupts our lives with His blessings: butterflies dancing in sunbeams, dew-laced spiderwebs, cotton-candy clouds, and glorious crimson sunsets. The beauty of His creation reassures us of His unfailing love and fills us with hope. But it’s up to us to take the time to notice.

PraYer

How can I ever begin to thank You for the everyday blessings You’ve placed all around me, Lord? A toddler’s giggles. A snowcapped mountaintop. A rushing river. A wriggling puppy’s tail wagging in joy. Fluffy clouds in a bright blue sky. These and so many other miraculous blessings await me if only I will look! Today I ask that You open my eyes and my heart to the good gifts right in front me. May I see these things for what they truly are: miracles! Amen.

Day 14

GoD oF ComForT

[God] comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

2 Corinthians 1:4 niv

When you hurt, God o ers you comfort. No trouble is so large or so small that He will not help. But after you have received His strength for the trouble at hand, do you share it in turn? Comfort isn’t meant to be hidden away but rather passed on to those in similar need. As part of the body of Christ, we—the church—should be sharing the knowledge that God cares for and strengthens all His children.

PraYer

You are the God of all comfort, Lord, and there have been so many times in my life when I’ve needed that comfort. In fact, there were moments when I felt sure I wouldn’t make it. Then You intervened in Your gentle, loving way, calming the storm and bringing strength to these weary bones. I know I’m not promised a hurt-free life. That’s a given. But knowing You’re right there, and that You genuinely care, makes all the difference in the world. Thank You for loving me so well, my awesome Comforter! Amen.

Day 15

SToP THe roLLer CoaSTer

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God!

Psalm 43:5 nlt

For women, ruts of depression are often caused by careening hormones. Hormone ﬂuctuations can cause us to spend countless hours weeping without knowing why—or to bite someone’s head o , lose precious sleep, or sprout funky nervous habits. Knowing that this hormonally imbalanced state is only temporary, we must be intentional about placing our hope in God and praying that He will turn the downside up!

PraYer

Sometimes I feel like my emotions truly are on a roller coaster, Lord. One day I’m up-up-up, and the next I go plummeting down. I know some of this is hormonal, but I’m also aware that You’re bigger than all of that. You can settle me down, calm my nerves, and show me how to respond in ways that are honoring to You. Most of all, I can trust You to see me through every season of life, no matter how unpredictable, and keep me going with hope for a better tomorrow. I praise You even in the turmoil! Amen.

Day 16

LooK To THe SHePHerD

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. Psalm 23:1 niv

Regardless of your physical circumstances, if Jesus is your shepherd, you never have to want spiritually. No matter what the world throws at you, you can be at peace. No fear overcomes those who follow the shepherd as their King. He guides them through every trial, leading them faithfully into an eternity with Him. Are you lacking contentment today? Look to the shepherd for peace.

PraYer

I think about the little sheep in the ﬁeld, Lord. She’s completely dependent on her shepherd. He guides her to food. To water. To shelter. To safety. He makes sure enemies are kept away. When she goes astray, he brings her back with his staff. In short, he’s totally got her covered! It’s the same with You. When I’m fretting, wondering how my needs will be met, where I’ll live, what I’ll do. . .You’re right there—leading, guiding, and protecting. I love You, my precious shepherd! Amen.

Day 17

mY reFUGe

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

Psalm 46:1 nlt

What is your quiet place? The place you go to get away from the fray, to chill out, think, regroup, and gain perspective? Mine is a hammock nestled beneath a canopy of oaks in my backyard. . .nobody around but birds, squirrels, an occasional wasp, God, and me. There I can pour out my heart to the Lord, hear His voice comfort me, and feel His strength refresh me. We all need a quiet place. God, our refuge, will meet us there.

PraYer

Life is noisy, Lord! There is chaos all around me. The TV blares. The children squabble. My boss spits out orders. My coworkers ﬂit by intermittently, their chatter never-ending. And somehow, in the middle of it all, I’m supposed to ﬁnd a quiet place? The only way I can discover such a sanctuary is to take the reins and make myself do it! Thank You for the reminder that it’s not only possible; it’s necessary for my well-being. Today I choose to draw myself away to a place of refuge where I can spend time with You, my comforter and my strength. Amen.

Day 18

WaTCHFUL LoVe

I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.

Philippians 4:11 nkjv

Paul wasn’t writing about a grit-your-teeth kind of contentment. He had learned to trust deeply in God for all his needs, so the apostle didn’t worry about future events. His strength lay in God, who cared for his every need, even when churches forgot him.

We too can be content in Jesus. If the boss doesn’t give us a raise or an unexpected bill comes in, He knows it. Nothing escapes His watchful love in our lives.

PraYer

Lord, it’s taking me awhile to understand this word contentment. Some days I think it’s a feeling. Other days I think it’s a state of mind, a choice. You want me to be content no matter what I’m going through—when I have little or when I have much. When I get my way and when I don’t. Sounds like this is a moment-bymoment decision on my part, to choose to be content no matter what. It’s going to take courage. So today I ask for just that— courage to be content regardless of what comes my way. Amen.

Day 19

STINKIN’ THINKIN’

Let’s be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 nasb

Women’s hats aren’t as popular as they once were, but you wouldn’t know it by my closet. I love accessorizing with a perky hat to make a statement, to disguise a bad hair day, or to keep my brain from sautéing in the sizzling Florida sun. The Bible says we need to protect our minds from bad spiritual rays too. Nasty input produces nasty output: stinkin’ thinkin’. When we’re tempted to input a questionable movie or book, let’s don our salvation helmets and say, “No way!”

PraYer

Guarding my thoughts isn’t always easy, Lord. Sometimes they ping around in my brain so fast I can’t keep up with them! My imagination gets the best of me and terrifying thoughts compound, one on the other, until I’ve developed a scenario in my head that is so big and scary I can’t seem to overcome it. That’s when I’m reminded that I need to have Your thoughts, not my own. Today, Lord, ﬁll my mind with truths from Your Word. No matter what I’m facing, I want Your perspective, not my own. So please guard my heart and my thoughts, I pray. Amen.