Embraced by the King: A Devotional Written for Teen Girls and Young Women

By Linda Kreh

Embraced by the King is a one year devotional written to help teenage girls and young women as they attempt to navigate through a dark and fallen world filled with temptations and distractions. This book is designed to open the door to a better understanding of who you are in Christ and to help you discover just how much Jesus loves and values you as His precious daughter. Daily readings contain Biblical truths, scripture verses and gives the reader an opportunity for personal reflection.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jul 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781512744422

Linda Kreh

Linda Kreh is a recently retired licensed professional counselor living in New Jersey. She received her Master’s Degree from Liberty University. Prior to counseling she taught second grade for 25 years. She has taught Sunday School and has led Bible studies and small groups for teens and adults at Sicklerville United Methodist Church.

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Copyright © 2016 Linda Kreh.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scriptures 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 taken from The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. The Living Bible, TLB, and the The Living Bible logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978 1 5127 4443 9 (sc)

ISBN: 978 1 5127 4444 6 (hc)

ISBN: 978 1 5127 4442 2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016908896

WestBow Press rev. date: 7/11/2016

CONTENTS

January: The Heart of Our King

February: The Language of Love

March: Be Still: Learn to Listen

April: Life is Hard, God is Faithful

May: Arms Wide Open

June: Our God Reigns

July: Following the Father

August: Approaching the Throne of Grace

September: Treasures Awaiting

October: Keys to the Kingdom

November: Worship the King

December: Wearing the Crown

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love

endures forever;

his faithfulness continues

through all generations.

Psalm 100

To my nieces:

Melissa

Danielle

Nicole

Krista

The Lord has blessed me.

Each of you, in your own special way, has brought me great joy.

Continue to keep your eyes focused on Jesus, and in all things,

allow Him to lead.

And to my beautiful mother, Alberta, who is loving and giving and prays without ceasing.

ACKOWLEDGEMENTS

Stephanie Hogan  Thank you for your enthusiasm, for your encouragement and for your prayers when this devotional was just a newly planted seed.

Emily, Hannah, and Madison  I appreciate your input and your suggestions.

Kelly Piatek  My sister in faith, who spent hours upon hours editing page after page of my mistakes. I am so glad your red pen did not run out of ink! I can’t thank you enough. It had to be a labor of love!

My niece, Melissa Koehler  Thanks, Melis, for coming to my rescue with technical assistance.

With appreciation to my family and friends for all of their prayers and support.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

The inspiration for this devotional started in 2010, when a dear friend gave me the journal version of Streams In the Desert for my birthday. Streams In the Desert is my most treasured devotional. Even though I had read this several times in the past, I was very excited as I anticipated reading through it once again.

As I started writing responses in the journal each day, it soon became evident that it was not only about my daily devotions. My focus became two fold. Above all, I wanted to be open and obedient to God’s direction with each response. I wanted the pages to be filled with His words, not my words. I tried very hard to stay out of His way.

Secondly, my thoughts were on my four precious nieces. As never having children of my own, you can only imagine how special they are to me. Each one of them has a spiritual foundation that allows them, even at a young age, to be a light in this dark and fallen world.

I wanted to give them something that would inspire them, comfort them, and in some ways, prepare them for whatever they encountered in life. I also wanted to leave room on each page for them to add their own thoughts.

Even as I continued to write keeping my nieces in mind, God was speaking to my heart, as well. It seems that, what I intended as a gift for my girls, also became a gift to me.

A few years later, I felt the Lord prompting me to write a devotional for teenage girls and young adults. This devotional contains many of the original entries that were written for my nieces in 2010.

INTRODUCTION

When you think of royalty, what comes to mind? Kings and queens from ages past that fill history books? The British royals such as Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles? And let’s not forget the two handsome sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.

Or, do you picture a lush, lavish palace with all the upgrades?

If you are like me, you probably don’t often think of yourself as royalty. After all, that would mean that your parents are the king and queen of something. And that would make you a princess, with all of the influence, privileges, and opportunities that come with being the daughter of a king.

Chances are, no one who will be reading this book lives in a palace. And I think it’s safe to say, at this moment, no one is bowing down at your feet.

However, dear ones, it is my hope that these pages will remind you of, who you are in Christ, and that you will seriously consider how much the King loves you as His precious daughter.

Our Father in Heaven is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. You are His child, His daughter. And yes, that makes you royalty!

I know that it is not easy to live in a world that does not value the things of God. I pray that as you read the pages and entries for each day, you will be encouraged, uplifted, comforted, and filled with Truth.

Daughters of the King

I am a daughter of the King.

My Father is King of all nations.

He has all things at His disposal and

the ends of the earth are at His feet.

His wisdom defies human understanding

and His power and authority cannot be contained.

I am a daughter of the King.

My Father is mighty enough to conquer kingdoms,

yet tender enough to cradle me in His arms.

The problems of this world are on His shoulders,

yet He is never too busy to hear my cries.

I do not wait in line to have an audience with the King.

He has been with me from the beginning,

and He will be with me to the end.

I am a daughter of the King.

I was born into royalty

and blessed with an inheritance that this world cannot conceive.

I have a past that has been wiped clean,

and a future that has been bought and paid for.

I am a daughter of the King, but…

I am not an only child,

for, my sisters are many.

Let us rejoice together as

DAUGHTERS OF THE KING!

Linda Kreh, 2010

January

The Heart of Our King

January 1st

A new year is upon us, ready or not! Let us step into this new year with hope and with excitement as we anticipate all that the Lord has in store for us.

Let us not be fearful of any uncertainty that a new year might bring, but let us walk with confidence and trust that our futures are secure because the Lord goes with us.

Put it all in His hands: every moment, every day, and every situation.

Let’s get excited about what the Lord has in store for us in the days, the weeks, and the months ahead.

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.         Deuteronomy 31:8

As you think about this new year, would you rather walk through it with Jesus or walk it alone? Explain.

January 2nd

As this new year unfolds, help us, Lord, to choose what is best, to choose the way of eternity, not the way of the world.

Even as there are temptations all around you and negativity that consumes your thoughts at times, ask Jesus to help you stay focused on what’s really important and make that a priority.

Don’t settle for what is good, or what is better, but allow God to lead you toward what is best.

To know the Father’s heart is to love Him and trust Him.

Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.          Joshua 24:15

What is the difference between the way of eternity and the way of the world? Why do you think the majority of people choose the way of the world?

January 3rd

God’s ways are not our ways and our ways are not His ways. There is quite a lot we do not understand about God. But, even as our knowledge of His ways is limited, we can trust His perfect will for our lives.

His ways will never be fully known to us, but they can be fully trusted. Our God is faithful and loving. He loves you as His beautiful daughter…

And that will never change!

See I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.         Isaiah 28:16

What comes to mind when you think of yourself as a beautiful daughter of the King of kings? Do you believe that He has a specific plan for your life? Do you believe that Christ will provide all that you need in order to accomplish that plan?

January 4th

The Lord knows those who are His. Those who belong to Him (2 Timothy 2: 19).

There is nothing this world can throw at us, that we cannot rise above.

He is our Shield.

There is nothing we cannot face with confidence.

He is our Strength.

There is nothing to fear. We belong to the King of kings! And no one can snatch us out of His hand (John 10:28).

No one is like you, O Lord; you are great, and your name is mighty in power.         Jeremiah 10:6

What does it mean to you to know that the Creator of the universe knows you by name?

January 5th

Several years ago during a trip to France, I saw Mont Blanc for the very first time. This massive mountain has snow covered peaks that extend high up into the heavens. What a magnificent sight, even from a distance!

Standing in the valley and looking up, the mountain is awesome in its size and in its beauty. Standing at the top and looking down, I stood amazed at the Lord’s beautiful creation.

To me, Mont Blanc is a visual reminder of God’s faithfulness. It shall not be moved. It stands strong, unwavering, in all of its splendor.

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains.         Psalm 36:5,6

What crosses your mind when you get a beautiful glimpse of the Lord’s creation? Can you think of a time when God’s creation took your breath away?

January 6th

The Lord of lords, the King of kings.

He is the Lord of the impossible. Never predictable. Always incredible!

His power cannot be contained, nor can it be understood. Nothing is beyond His reach.

His ways exceed all expectation. He holds nothing back.

Our Father mightily and lovingly opens the floodgates of heaven and pours out His blessings on all who put their hope in Him.

He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, and miracles that cannot be counted.         Job 5:9

Do you believe that nothing is impossible with God? Have you ever witnessed His power and His love in an impossible situation?

January 7th

When we lean on God, we are acknowledging that we cannot bear the burden alone. We are also expressing that we do not want to bear it alone.

Throughout the Bible, the Lord repeats, I will be with you. This is a promise that I find great comfort in. Just knowing that the Lord is always with me gives me strength and hope.

Be assured! You are never alone! The Lord and Savior is with you, and regardless of your situation, that will never change!

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.         Matthew 28:20

As the Lord invites you into a relationship with Him, are you hesitant in any way to accept the invitation? Explain.

January 8th

I believe that God is active and involved in every detail of our lives. Even if we might not feel His presence, we know that He is with us.

Psalm 121 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible and it is one that I have leaned on many times. It tells about the watchfulness of God. He watches us day and night. Nothing is hidden from Him.

He is the Maker and Creator of all. The Maker and Creator of us!

He is our Helper and our Protector. Even as we are at rest, God is at work.

The Lord watches over you  the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.         Psalm 121:5,6

What do you think is meant by the watchful eye of God?

January 9th

Let the things that you know overshadow the things that you feel.

Know that the Lord is always with you.

Know that He is all that you need.

Know that His grace is sufficient for you.

Know that He only wants what is best for you.

Don’t allow your feelings to interfere with the Truth.

Stay focused on what you know… and on Who you know.

I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

         Philippians 3:8

Can you remember a time when your feelings overshadowed the Truth? Why is it important to know the TRUTH?

January 10th

Does your view of God change when you are facing trials and hardships? Do you think that maybe He has fallen asleep at the wheel? Do you wonder if the Lord has forgotten all about you?

Honestly, I am sure that we can all relate to these questions at some point in our lives. But, the truth is…

Even as we are questioning, Lord, where are You? God is right there beside us. He is faithful. He does not leave us alone to fend for ourselves. He wants us to trust Him in all situations.

Believe in His faithfulness. He will never leave you!

But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, You are my God. My times are in your hands.         Psalm 31:14,15

Have you ever asked God, Where are you? Do you know the answer to that question?

January 11th

When you give your cares to Jesus, you no longer have to carry them around. What good does it do for you to carry all of that weight on your own?

You can have complete confidence that the One Who hears your prayer, will answer your prayer. The One Who sees you struggling under all of that weight, is the One Who will help you carry your load.

Our Lord is loving and gracious. He lightens your load and works on your behalf. How awesome it is that He is so willing to bear your burdens!

For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.         Psalm 108:4

When the world is weighing you down, are you quick to seek the Lord for help, or are you reluctant to seek Him out? Explain.

January 12th

Only the Lord can redeem what sinfulness has set out to destroy. His forgiveness is complete with no strings attached.

I am so thankful that we have a Heavenly Father Who so freely forgives and seeks to restore what has been lost.

There is nothing that we have ever done and nothing that we will ever do, that the Lord God cannot redeem. He will lovingly heal, mightily transform, and gently redirect.

He is the Lord of restoration and is the only One Who can put the pieces back together.

But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.         Nehemiah 9:17

Is there something going on with you right now that needs to be healed or restored? Do you believe that the Lord is willing and able to redeem any situation that has been affected by sin?

January 13th

What would you be willing to trade?

Would you be willing to trade your riches for Godly riches?

Would you be willing to give up your strength, in order to live in God’s strength?

Would you be willing to trade in your agenda for God’s agenda?

With God, there are no even exchanges. What He wants to give us far outweighs any sacrifice we could ever make.

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.         Psalm 34:8

How do earthy riches compare to God’s abundance?

January 14th

Adversity is inevitable. It shows up when we least expect it. But, as unpredictable as life is, we can always count on the faithfulness of our Lord and Savior.

We can stand on the certainty that we are never alone. We can count His promises as Truth and daily experience the love that He