365 Days of Grace (eBook)

January

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”

2 CORINTHIANS 12:9 NLT

JANUARY 1

Trust

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.

PROVERBS 3:5-6 NIV

Friendship is a wonderful and vital connection. God created us for relationships and it’s a blessing to have a confidant. Titia valued all her friends and was convinced she could trust them. Then she found out that her friend to whom she had privately revealed her secret had repeated the details as a prayer request. Titia felt betrayed and ashamed. The actions of this previously trusted person left her dealing with heartbreak and embarrassment.

There is one who never lets you down; his name is Jesus. Meditate on his Word daily and it will instruct you in the way you should go. If you need answers on how to respond to those who offend you, go to Jesus. He understands betrayal and rejection like no other. Through his Holy Spirit, he will lead you to forgiveness. He offers wisdom and discernment.

Identify someone you can safely share your burdens with.

JANUARY 2

Yoked

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

ISAIAH 40:31 NIV

If you compare the frenetic work and home life we maintain today to those a few decades ago, it makes us look like we’re constantly moving at warp speed. Remember when we didn’t live on our smartphones, jumping at every ring or text tone? Where did the forty-hour workweek go? We are moving at a pace that is not only zapping our strength but can leave us depleted and depressed.

There is a remedy for all who are beyond exhausted. We must take Jesus up on his offer to be yoked with him. When we’re in lockstep with Christ, he carries the entire burden. There is rest and rejuvenation when we trust our Savior to shoulder the load. Knowing that he alone can supply all we need should drive us to our knees and cause us to open his Word. There we’ll be revived as we sit at his feet.

Eliminate something from your schedule that is sucking your time and energy.

JANUARY 3

On Alert

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 PETER 5:8 NASB

All of us have women in our lives who are not really friends. We would call them acquaintances. And sometimes there’s one in particular who rubs us the wrong way. It’s frustrating when she’s the center of attention. Ronnie was one of those women. She was applauded no matter what she did. It seemed to Julia that she was the only one it bothered. She didn’t like Ronnie even though she pretended. Then in a moment of spiritual clarity, Julia realized that she herself was deceived into thinking that she was the more deserving person.

God’s Word assures us that he is the one who lifts one up and brings others low. If we humble ourselves, we silence our ego. We then have the right mindset to resist the enemy’s lies which can only lead to the temptation of pride. We please the Father when we celebrate the way he uses others for his purposes. Don’t ever believe Satan’s deception that God has forgotten about you. Seek his will for your life, and in his timing, he will complete every perfect plan that he set for you to accomplish for his kingdom.

Humbly ask the Lord if there is any area of pride that you need to deal with.

JANUARY 4

Shame

Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope!

PSALM 119:116 ESV

Desiree was a young mom, and she had overheard a couple of friends talking. Their conversation broke her heart and embarrassed her. She hid her tears until she was home. There was a big event coming up, and she was not included. All the possible reasons they didn’t want to include her tormented her, and she was humiliated. Desiree cried for God for those involved to correct the faux pas. The phone didn’t ring, and she sunk deeper into shame.

The Father draws you to himself, beckoning you to remain in the shadow of his wings as he speaks. The truth is, he will never reject you. You may miss this party, but he has given you hope of the greatest celebration—eternity with him. He reminds you he wanted you enough to die for you. He whispers that you are perfection because he looks at you and he sees his Son. You are loved, treasured, and accepted by the one who matters most.

Sing a song of praise to the Father who gives love and grace to you daily.

JANUARY 5

Resolve

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

JOB 1:21-22 CSB

Lucindy is one of those women who lives in fear that an event will occur, or a phone call will come that will alter her life. She is convinced that imminent disaster is on the horizon—a bad diagnosis, the loss of a job, or the passing of a loved one. The best approach for Lucindy is to brush off thoughts of doom and choose to live closely with the Lord. Responsibilities for daily existence, then, won’t steal each moment. Instead, she can be thankful for every good blessing.

When those tragic times strike, it takes our breath away and we run the gamut of emotions. Unbelief and anger with the inexplicable loss can flood the first few moments. If we can prepare, however, knowing the best thing we can do is turn to God and praise him in the storm, we can be assured that his presence and comfort will envelop us. Regardless of what comes, we must resolve to have the faith that God will carry us through.

Take captive each fearful thought that enters your mind and know that God is in control.

JANUARY 6

Consequences

When David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.”

2 SAMUEL 12:19 NKJV

There are consequences for misguided actions. If we choose to act in a harmful way and it’s a secret from others, God still knows. When David saw Bathsheba bathing on the rooftop, he was overcome with desire for her even though she was not his to have. His lust led to adultery, deception, and the murder of an innocent man. Ultimately, David’s baby boy from that union died.

Although it seemed that David’s affair would be the nail in the coffin of his moniker, “a man after God’s own heart,” it wasn’t. There is forgiveness for any sin, even the most heinous. We must accept God’s discipline for our trespasses, confess them, and be grateful for his never-ending forgiveness. God will never reject us, but he will discipline us so we will grow in Christ. Accept his chastening and be thankful for a heavenly Father whose love for you is graciously unconditional.

Memorize a verse that offers guidance in times of temptation.

JANUARY 7

Look Up

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

PSALM 34:5 NIV

His mercies are new every morning! Despite what may have happened before, God is giving us another day to make better choices, restore relationships, and find new passions that will further his kingdom. There is no reason to bury our faces in a pillow, and there is every reason to look up in praise of the one who watches over us and guides our paths. We are chosen and cherished by our God!

If you hear a voice that says you aren’t worthy, rebuke it immediately. When Jesus was tempted by the devil, he resisted by quoting the Word. Don’t attempt to formulate your own argument, but instead imitate our Savior by saying, “It is written….” God’s Word cannot be refuted, not even by Satan. It can destroy the enemy’s lies when he tells you you’re unloved, not good enough, or shameful. Shut Satan down with Scripture and show him you know how valuable you are to Jesus.

Claim the grace God freely offers and not the shame the devil tries to throw at you.

JANUARY 8

Righteous Road

I will exalt You, LORD, for You have lifted me up, and have not let my enemies rejoice over me. LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me.

PSALM 30:1-2 NASB

When an acquaintance concocted a plan to entrap Elle, she didn’t believe it at first. The shock began to wear off, and she tried to understand the reasons. At first, she was just sad, and then she wondered what she ever did to this “friend.” Elle started to call another friend, Paula, because she knew she could vent to her. It would feel so good to gain an ally. Together they might...