Light for the Journey: Daily Devotions for Growing Christians

By Carolyn E Benesh

Light for the Journey was written to encourage Christians everywhere to connect with Jesus and the living Word of God. She wants the reader to open the Word first and supplement with her daily devotions. Light for the Journey is meant to be read slowly, preferably in a quiet place with an open heart and Bible.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9798385002726

Carolyn E Benesh

Carolyn Benesh is a writer of daily devotional writings. Many of her devotions reflect on memories of growing up in the Ohio River Valley and memories from her life as a wife, mother, teacher, Bible Study leader, and avid reader of many devotional writings by many other authors. She has been writing for more than twenty years and has shared with many others her gift of writing with positive feedback from her friends and family. She loves to write from her quiet time with the Lord, drawing spiritual applications from her reading, daily life activities, and lifetime memories. She is a faithful church member and loves the Lord, living out her faith daily as God leads. She is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene and has pastored several churches with her husband in Texas and Arkansas. She lives in Texarkana, Texas, and is married to the love of her life, John Benesh. They are parents of three grown children and grandparents to nine, and one great-granddaughter. She spends most of her time reading, studying God’s Word, writing, and sharing Christ by teaching Sunday School and speaking to small groups, including leading a women’s Bible Study at her church.

Book preview

Copyright © 2023 Carolyn E Benesh.

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.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

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 Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Interior Image Credit: John Benesh

ISBN: 979-8-3850-0270-2 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-0271-9 (hc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-0272-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023913036

WestBow Press rev. date: 11/27/2023

Contents

JANUARY

1

JANUARY

A NEW DAY

2

JANUARY

HEART PURITY

3

JANUARY

THE REAL MCCOY

4

JANUARY

GIVE ‘EM GRACE

5

JANUARY

REJOICE

6

JANUARY

BROKEN PIECES

7

JANUARY

VICTORY IN BATTLE

8

JANUARY

IT’S NOT WHAT IT SEEMS TO BE

9

JANUARY

CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS

10

JANUARY

GET A GRIP-DON’T GRIPE

11

JANUARY

INHERITED TRAITS

12

JANUARY

UP A TREE

13

JANUARY

FORGOTTEN FOREVER

14

JANUARY

A CLEAN CONSCIENCE

15

JANUARY

I HAVE PREPARED A PLACE FOR YOU

16

JANUARY

GOD’S PRESCRIPTION FOR WORRY

17

JANUARY

DRIFTING TOO FAR

18

JANUARY

DYNAMITE DUO

19

JANUARY

DISAPPOINTMENT

20

JANUARY

THE WAITING GAME

21

JANUARY

GOSSIP

22

JANUARY

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

23

JANUARY

GOD IS ALWAYS FAIR

24

JANUARY

JESUS NEVER FAILS

25

JANUARY

MEASURING SUCCESS

26

JANUARY

GIVE YOUR PROBLEMS TO GOD

27

JANUARY

MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD

28

JANUARY

UNEXPECTED INTERRUPTIONS

29

JANUARY

NO LIMIT

30

JANUARY

CHILD-LIKE FAITH

31

JANUARY

IF-ONLY-ITIS

FEBRUARY

1

FEBRUARY

A VIEW OF REALITY

2

FEBRUARY

PERSEVERANCE IN PRAYER

3

FEBRUARY

JUDGE NOT

4

FEBRUARY

DIGGING INTO THE PAST

5

FEBRUARY

WAITING ON THE LORD

6

FEBRUARY

YIELD TO GOD’S PLAN

7

FEBRUARY

HUNGER FOR JESUS

8

FEBRUARY

HEAVEN

9

FEBRUARY

PRIDE

10

FEBRUARY

QUIET TIME

11

FEBRUARY

OVERCOMMITMENT

12

FEBRUARY

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

13

FEBRUARY

HIGHER GROUND

14

FEBRUARY

LOVE IN ACTION

15

FEBRUARY

FIERY TRIALS

16

FEBRUARY

LET OTHERS SEE JESUS IN ME

17

FEBRUARY

MONSTERS IN THE CLOSET

18

FEBRUARY

COVERING YOUR TRACKS

19

FEBRUARY

A SERMON IN SHOES

20

FEBRUARY

MEMORY LOSS

21

FEBRUARY

A NEW HEART

22

FEBRUARY

HONESTY

23

FEBRUARY

PRAISE YE THE LORD

24

FEBRUARY

FRUIT-BEARING CHRISTIANS

25

FEBRUARY

PSALMS, HYMNS, AND SPIRITUAL SONGS

26

FEBRUARY

FORGIVEN, FORGOTTEN, FOREVER

27

FEBRUARY

REACH OUT TO JESUS

28

FEBRUARY

GOOD MORNING LORD

29

FEBRUARY

WHEN YOU’RE DOWN TO NOTHING

MARCH

1

MARCH

WITHERED GIFTS

2

MARCH

BREATHING

3

MARCH

DETERMINED TO SERVE THE LORD

4

MARCH

ARE WE TOO BUSY?

5

MARCH

KNOWING GOD’S WILL

6

MARCH

HOLY GROUND

7

MARCH

LAUGHTER LIKE A MEDICINE

8

MARCH

PERSEVERANCE AND PATIENCE

9

MARCH

WE CAN BOLDLY APPROACH THE THRONE

10

MARCH

PROVE IT

11

MARCH

GOD’S ANTIDOTE FOR ANXIETY

12

MARCH

UNFORGIVENESS IS NOT AN OPTION

13

MARCH

THE GOOD OLD DAYS

14

MARCH

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

15

MARCH

PEACE

16

MARCH

THE B-I-B-L-E

17

MARCH

PROCRASTINATION

18

MARCH

SELF-CONFIDENCE OR CONFIDENCE IN GOD

19

MARCH

JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD

20

MARCH

POWER TO OVERCOME FEAR

21

MARCH

SPRINGTIME IN OUR SOUL

22

MARCH

OVERWHELMING DIFFICULTIES

23

MARCH

LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

24

MARCH

THE SOLID ROCK FOUNDATION

25

MARCH

DETOUR

26

MARCH

TOP PRIORITY

27

MARCH

USING LONELINESS AS AN OPPORTUNITY

28

MARCH

IN HIS TIME

29

MARCH

THE FRUIT OF KINDNESS

30

MARCH

MOLDED BY THE MASTER

31

MARCH

BRING DOWN THE WALLS

APRIL

1

APRIL

DISTRACTION

2

APRIL

HAVE A RAINBOW DAY

3

APRIL

A JOURNEY OF FAITH

4

APRIL

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

5

APRIL

REMOVE THE STUMPS

6

APRIL

SHARING THE GOOD NEWS

7

APRIL

THE ANCHOR HOLDS

8

APRIL

DON’T GO TO HEAVEN ALONE

9

APRIL

HIDE THEM IN YOUR HEART

10

APRIL

FREEDOM

11

APRIL

SPIRITUAL NUTRITION

12

APRIL

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

13

APRIL

HEAVEN’S TRIUMPHAL ENTRY

14

APRIL

UNANSWERED PRAYER

15

APRIL

TRADING THE OLD FOR SOMETHING NEW

16

APRIL

NEW CLOTHES

17

APRIL

JESUS, SERVANT OF ALL

18

APRIL

THE BLOOD WILL NEVER LOSE ITS POWER

19

APRIL

IT IS FINISHED

20

APRIL

HE IS RISEN INDEED

21

APRIL

GETTING ACQUAINTED ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS

22

APRIL

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

23

APRIL

THE GREAT PHYSICIAN

24

APRIL

SYMPATHY IN ACTION

25

APRIL

HAVE IT YOUR WAY

26

APRIL

SELF-CONTROL OR LACK THEREOF

27

APRIL

MY PURPOSE

28

APRIL

STANDING IN THE NEED OF PRAYER

29

APRIL

WASTED TIME

30

APRIL

HOARDING IT IN YOUR HEART

MAY

1

MAY

A WHIRLWIND OF ADVERSITY

2

MAY

FORGET IT AND MOVE ON

3

MAY

I SHALL COME FORTH AS GOLD

4

MAY

A SWEET-SMELLING FRAGRANCE

5

MAY

CHRIST PULLING AT OUR HEART

6

MAY

GOD IS NOT MAD AT YOU

7

MAY

IT’S ALL ABOUT CONSISTENCY

8

MAY

HAVE A GOOD DAY

9

MAY

SET FREE

10

MAY

SOME THOUGHTS ON GIVING

11

MAY

GETTING AHEAD OF GOD

12

MAY

HANGING OUT AT THE GRAPEVINE

13

MAY

IT’S NOT AN EASY ROAD

14

MAY

PLAYING CHURCH

15

MAY

GOD IS PASSIONATE ABOUT YOU

16

MAY

YOU CAN COUNT ON HIM

17

MAY

GIVING FROM OUR HEART

18

MAY

AN INVITATION TO DINNER

19

MAY

SHARING OUR FAITH

20

MAY

CRYING OUT TO GOD WITH A HEAVY HEART

21

MAY

OUT OF HIS WAY

22

MAY

HE NEVER CHANGES

23

MAY

TRUST AND OBEY

24

MAY

KEEPING VALUABLES SAFE FROM BEING DESTROYED

25

MAY

PASSIVE OR ACTIVE WORSHIP

26

MAY

THE HIGH PRICE PAID FOR FREEDOM

27

MAY

CHECK THE CALLER ID

28

MAY

JESUS CARES

29

MAY

MY HIDING PLACE

30

MAY

TESTIMONY MEETING

31

MAY

HEAVENLY FATHER DISCIPLINE

JUNE

1

JUNE

HOUSE CLEANING

2

JUNE

JESUS, MY HEALER

3

JUNE

FEAR NOT

4

JUNE

YOU CAN’T HAVE ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER

5

JUNE

IN THE CALM

6

JUNE

THINGS WE LEAVE BEHIND

7

JUNE

PAVING THE WAY

8

JUNE

A REAL TRUE FOREVER FRIEND

9

JUNE

NEVER OUT OF HIS CARE

10

JUNE

THE ROAD OF SELF-DENIAL

11

JUNE

GOOD INTENTIONS

12

JUNE

HE WILL COME TO OUR AID

13

JUNE

TONGUE TWISTER

14

JUNE

SING UNTO THE LORD

15

JUNE

TAKING THE EASY WAY OUT

16

JUNE

FAITH IS THE VICTORY

17

JUNE

BUT WE’VE ALWAYS DONE IT THAT WAY

18

JUNE

GOD’S BENEFIT PACKAGE

19

JUNE

GOD’S THOUGHTS TOWARD US

20

JUNE

DON’T LOSE HEART

21

JUNE

HEARTACHES

22

JUNE

BILLBOARD CHRISTIANS

23

JUNE

GOD HAS HIS NAME ON IT

24

JUNE

SINS CANCELED

25

JUNE

COMPLAINERS BEWARE

26

JUNE

WAKE UP O SLEEPER

27

JUNE

YES LORD

28

JUNE

FINDING GOD IN THE SILENCE

29

JUNE

STAY OUT OF SATAN’S TERRITORY

30

JUNE

LET’S MAKE A DEAL

JULY

1

JULY

WHITE IS ALWAYS RIGHT

2

JULY

GOD’S AMAZING PATIENCE

3

JULY

LIVING IN PEACE

4

JULY

THE NEED TO BE FREE

5

JULY

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY

6

JULY

NEW BEGINNINGS

7

JULY

MENDING NETS

8

JULY

SEEKING ADVICE

9

JULY

LACKING WISDOM

10

JULY

UNPLEASANT DISCIPLINE

11

JULY

QUICK FIXES

12

JULY

RUNAWAY

13

JULY

HOLDING ONTO YOUR INTEGRITY

14

JULY

JESUS, MY PROVIDER

15

JULY

KEEP THE FAITH

16

JULY

CHOSEN TO BE ON GOD’S TEAM

17

JULY

DECLINE

18

JULY

THE SOLID ROCK

19

JULY

SATAN’S NETWORK OF TEMPTATIONS

20

JULY

BECAUSE WE HAVEN’T ASKED

21

JULY

OUR SUNDAY BEST

22

JULY

THE NAME OF THE GAME

23

JULY

OVERFLOWING PRAISE

24

JULY

ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER

25

JULY

REMEMBER THE JOURNEY

26

JULY

I FOUND THE KEYS

27

JULY

NO ROOT, NO FRUIT

28

JULY

GUEST OR PERMANENT RESIDENCE

29

JULY

KEEPING FAITH IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES

30

JULY

NEGATIVE ATTITUDES

31

JULY

THE BALM IN GILEAD

AUGUST

1

AUGUST

GOD’S SECRET PLACE

2

AUGUST

HIDDEN HURTS

3

AUGUST

GOD’S LOVE IS FOREVER

4

AUGUST

FEELINGS–CAN WE TRUST THEM

5

AUGUST

TUG OF WAR

6

AUGUST

THE HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS

7

AUGUST

THE LOVE OF GOD

8

AUGUST

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR OUR LIFE

9

AUGUST

RESTORATION

10

AUGUST

THE BLAME GAME

11

AUGUST

TOUCHY CHRISTIANS

12

AUGUST

LET YOUR WORDS BE FEW

13

AUGUST

ABIDING IN CHRIST

14

AUGUST

WELCOME HOME

15

AUGUST

SMALL TALK

16

AUGUST

KINDNESS ACCOMPANIES BLESSING

17

AUGUST

HE WILL NEVER LOSE POWER

18

AUGUST

DISCOURAGEMENT

19

AUGUST

TOO CLOSE TO THE FIRE

20

AUGUST

RUNAWAY RAMP AHEAD

21

AUGUST

STAND UP FOR YOUR CONVICTIONS

22

AUGUST

A WAY WITH WORDS

23

AUGUST

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING

24

AUGUST

APPRECIATE THE MOUNTAINTOP

25

AUGUST

PARALYZED BY FEAR

26

AUGUST

LIGHT

27

AUGUST

THE REAL PURPOSE OF PRAYER

28

AUGUST

I KNOW I CAN

29

AUGUST

IT’S NOT A BED OF ROSES

30

AUGUST

YOUR SLIP IS SHOWING

31

AUGUST

SETTLING DISPUTES

SEPTEMBER

1

SEPTEMBER

BEEN IN THE STORM

2

SEPTEMBER

FORGIVE NOW

3

SEPTEMBER

MY BFF

4

SEPTEMBER

HE DELIGHTS IN US

5

SEPTEMBER

WATCH AND PRAY

6

SEPTEMBER

OLD-TIME RELIGION

7

SEPTEMBER

DON’T LET THE WORLD CHANGE YOU

8

SEPTEMBER

RICHES AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW

9

SEPTEMBER

SPIRITUAL VISION

10

SEPTEMBER

GATEKEEPERS

11

SEPTEMBER

ENCOURAGED IN THE LORD

12

SEPTEMBER

ARE YOU READY?

13

SEPTEMBER

GUARD AGAINST TEMPTATION

14

SEPTEMBER

TAKE A BREAK

15

SEPTEMBER

HOLY BIBLE, BOOK DIVINE

16

SEPTEMBER

NO LONGER HELD HOSTAGE

17

SEPTEMBER

HALLELUJAH ANYHOW

18

SEPTEMBER

KEEPING UP WITH MY FRIENDS

19

SEPTEMBER

WE HAVE HEARD THE GOOD NEWS

20

SEPTEMBER

LOVE NEVER FAILS

21

SEPTEMBER

BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS

22

SEPTEMBER

BE ALERT, ARRIVE UNHURT

23

SEPTEMBER

I AM AVAILABLE

24

SEPTEMBER

A GIFT

25

SEPTEMBER

JOY COMES IN THE MORNING

26

SEPTEMBER

WARNING LIGHTS

27

SEPTEMBER

GOD REMEMBERS

28

SEPTEMBER

SEEKING GODLY COUNSEL

29

SEPTEMBER

DON’T GIVE UP

30

SEPTEMBER

KNOCK ON WOOD

OCTOBER

1

OCTOBER

RUNNING AHEAD OF GOD

2

OCTOBER

THE SHORTCUT COULD BE A DELAY

3

OCTOBER

DAILY RENEWAL

4

OCTOBER

THE FOUNTAIN

5

OCTOBER

CONDEMNATION OR CONVICTION

6

OCTOBER

JESUS CHRIST IS THE HIGHEST

7

OCTOBER

PEACE IN GOD’S PRESENCE

8

OCTOBER

GOOD! BETTER! BEST!

9

OCTOBER

COME AND DINE

10

OCTOBER

IN LIGHT OF ETERNITY

11

OCTOBER

DISTRACTIONS

12

OCTOBER

LIFE AFTER DEATH

13

OCTOBER

PROJECT COMPLETE

14

OCTOBER

REJOICE, THE LOST HAS BEEN FOUND

15

OCTOBER

DREAM BIG

16

OCTOBER

I HEARD THAT BEFORE

17

OCTOBER

SATAN’S METHOD OF OPERATION

18

OCTOBER

PAYMENT WILL COME

19

OCTOBER

DISTRACTIONS

20

OCTOBER

WE HAVE THIS HOPE

21

OCTOBER

GATHERING TOGETHER

22

OCTOBER

TRAIN AND DELEGATE

23

OCTOBER

WHO’S CALLING, PLEASE

24

OCTOBER

GOD’S EVERLASTING LOVE

25

OCTOBER

COMFORT FOR THE BEREAVED

26

OCTOBER

WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS

27

OCTOBER

TIME MANAGEMENT

28

OCTOBER

THE OLD MIFF TREE

29

OCTOBER

THE MERRY-GO-ROUND OF LIFE

30

OCTOBER

LOVE, SWEET LOVE

31

OCTOBER

GOD IS BIGGER THAN THE BOOGIE MAN

NOVEMBER

1

NOVEMBER

ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER

2

NOVEMBER

GOOD IDEAS OR GOD’S IDEAS

3

NOVEMBER

PASSING ON A HIGH VIEW OF GOD

4

NOVEMBER

THE TROUBLE WITH SELFISHNESS

5

NOVEMBER

ALL SATAN’S APPLES HAVE WORMS

6

NOVEMBER

CAUGHT IN THE FENCE

7

NOVEMBER

GOD’S PROMISES ARE TRUE

8

NOVEMBER

I’M SOMEBODY

9

NOVEMBER

FRIENDS

10

NOVEMBER

GIVE THE WORLD A SMILE

11

NOVEMBER

DESTINATION HEAVEN

12

NOVEMBER

FORGETTING GOD

13

NOVEMBER

BE A GOOD SAMARITAN

14

NOVEMBER

STOP! LOOK! LISTEN!

15

NOVEMBER

WHAT IS THAT SMELL?

16

NOVEMBER

INCREDIBLE GRACE

17

NOVEMBER

LOOK IN THE MIRROR

18

NOVEMBER

DRIFTING TOO FAR FROM THE SHORE

19

NOVEMBER

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD

20

NOVEMBER

STRENGTH IN WEAKNESS

21

NOVEMBER

BLESSED

22

NOVEMBER

THINGS

23

NOVEMBER

THE JOY OF LAUGHING

24

NOVEMBER

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

25

NOVEMBER

ABUNDANCE

26

NOVEMBER

BEAUTIFUL FEET

27

NOVEMBER

CROSSING THE FINISH LINE

28

NOVEMBER

OUR GOD IS AWESOME

29

NOVEMBER

COMPLAINERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

30

NOVEMBER

KEEP THE FIRE BLAZING

DECEMBER

1

DECEMBER

I CAN’T KEEP IT TO MYSELF

2

DECEMBER

THE GREAT ESCAPE

3

DECEMBER

OUR TROUBLES WON’T LAST FOREVER

4

DECEMBER

WILL JESUS BE THERE?

5

DECEMBER

OLD FASHIONED IDEAS

6

DECEMBER

GOD KNOWS WHAT IS BEST

7

DECEMBER

QUIET TIME

8

DECEMBER

MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB

9

DECEMBER

LET THE SUNSHINE IN

10

DECEMBER

BUILT ON THE ROCK

11

DECEMBER

ARE WE ALMOST THERE?

12

DECEMBER

PERFECT RESTORATION

13

DECEMBER

AVOID BROKEN PROMISES

14

DECEMBER

HOW TO AVOID WILDERNESS WANDERINGS

15

DECEMBER

HOARDING BLESSINGS

16

DECEMBER

CALLED TO SERVE

17

DECEMBER

BIRTH PAINS

18

DECEMBER

WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS MEAN TO YOU?

19

DECEMBER

A STRANGE WAY TO SAVE THE WORLD

20

DECEMBER

WAITING

21

DECEMBER

THE STAR

22

DECEMBER

IN GOD’S PERFECT TIMING

23

DECEMBER

GOD’S MESSAGE TO THE ENTIRE WORLD

24

DECEMBER

WHEN LIFE SHATTER YOUR DREAMS

25

DECEMBER

CHRISTMAS WITHOUT JESUS

26

DECEMBER

FOLLOW THE LEADER

27

DECEMBER

SATAN’S MAGNIFYING GLASS

28

DECEMBER

TRANSFORMATION

29

DECEMBER

THINK YOU’RE HAVING A BAD DAY?

30

DECEMBER

DON’T GIVE UP

31

DECEMBER

SAYING GOODBYE

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version. Public domain.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

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 taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from The New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked CEV are taken from the Contemporary English Version®, Copyright © 1995 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked PHILLIPS are taken from The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission.I want to dedicate this book to the memory of my dear Florida Dad Richard D. Lupton. He was my pastor, friend, and confidant who shared many endless blessings and encouragement for several years with me. I am grateful for his unwavering belief in me and for inspiring me to write this book. Your memory will forever be cherished in my heart until we meet again. Thanks, Dad.

JANUARY

LIGHTHOUSE

1

JANUARY

A NEW DAY

Today, everything is brand new. The slate has been wiped clean. The time has come to put the old to rest and begin a new chapter in our lives. Will things be any different than they were last year? Believe it or not, it is entirely up to you.

What was the past year like for you? It could have been an amazing, trouble-free year, and you can look back happily without any regrets. However, if you are one of many looking back with regrets, you are not alone.

So often, there are things we wish we hadn’t done. That monthly car payment has been too big of a heavy load. "If only I would have waited." The harsh words spoken to a loved one may have driven a wedge between a family member and yourself. You wish you could take them back.

Some of us may regret not doing something we should have done. That last opportunity to tell someone we love them is gone forever. Although you and I can’t change the past, we can make a brand-new start.

The key is never to live focusing on the regrets of yesterday but supporting the opportunities God will give us in the future. He longs to do something new in our life if we allow Him.

Zig Ziggler once said, Yesterday ended last night; today is a brand-new day, and it’s yours. So, embrace the new year and move forward!¹

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:18–19 NIV).

---

¹ https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/zig_ziglar_617792

2

JANUARY

HEART PURITY

Several years ago, I attended a meeting held at a friend’s house where they discussed the importance of including fruits and vegetables in our diet. Powerful body-healing chemicals found in fruits and vegetables help to fight oxidation in the body. Many studies have proven that they can help reduce the risk of cancer. The American Cancer Society says consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables can help reduce your cancer risk²

At this time of the year, everyone focuses on setting goals to maintain a healthy body. Drinking at least eight glasses of water daily and avoiding eating red meat is best. Also, experts advise eating plenty of lean meats like fish and chicken.

Just as our physical bodies need to be clean, our spirit man needs purification also. What we take into our souls should be getting just as much attention.

Jesus was an advocate of heart purity. He said, What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person (Mark 7:20–23 NIV).

The cure for all these acts of our sinful nature is taking in pure Living Water so the blood of Jesus Christ can flow freely through our spiritual veins.

Keeping our hearts pure will prevent our spiritual arteries from becoming clogged with sin, allowing the blood of Christ to flow freely to reach the blood vessels of the soul.

What is clogging your spiritual arteries and preventing the blood from flowing freely?

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² https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/diet-physical-activity/eat-healthy/add-fruits-and-veggies-to-your-diet.html

3

JANUARY

THE REAL MCCOY

The other day, while I was shopping, I handed the clerk a $100 bill. She quickly took a special pen and put a mark on it to verify its authenticity.

Identifying currency is necessary today since many bills are being duplicated. As a result, they are passed as authentic. A high-quality counterfeit bill will always look genuine to the majority, but those familiar with real currency will quickly recognize the counterfeit.

Since the beginning of time, Satan has been in the business of counterfeiting. Throughout the gospels and the letters written by the apostles, there are many warnings of counterfeits. Jesus practiced exposing them so His disciples would be aware of their hypocrisy. He shares a story about a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was sleeping, his enemy sowed weeds among the wheat. Once the grain grew and formed heads, the weeds also appeared. It all looked the same. Only an expert farmer could tell the difference (Matthew 13:24–30 NIV).

Just because someone goes to church and carries a bible does not prove they are Christian. Scores of people claim to live good lives. They claim to talk the talk and walk the walk. However, sooner or later, the truth will be evident to others; there has been no visible fruit.

Are you blending in and looking like everyone else? Are you a counterfeit Christian, a genuine follower of Christ? Only a regenerated heart can produce real fruit.

When the world puts its mark on you, will you prove to be The Real McCoy?

4

JANUARY

GIVE ‘EM GRACE

It just isn’t right, I declared. I believed they were my friends. How could they do me this way? I’ll never forgive them for this unfair treatment.

Those were some of the thoughts I had several years ago when my friends walked away. Months later, I still struggled with feelings of abandonment and all the emotional baggage, including holding a grudge.

Bitterness is like a poison, increasing the chance of many health issues such as ulcers and high blood pressure. Like a malignant tumor, it was sapping my system of much-needed energy, leaving me vanquished and spiritually bankrupt and physically, mentally, and emotionally drained.

The writer of Hebrews warns that bitterness will destroy us, but others may also be affected– See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many (Hebrews 12:15 NIV).

Persistent bitterness will affect you and your relationships as well.

Are you harboring bitterness in your heart against someone? How does it affect your relationship with the Lord, family, and friends? The apostle Peter advocates that we, as stewards of God’s grace, should pass the same grace on to others, overlooking their faults and loving them just as God has loved us (1 Peter 4:10–11 AMP). Ask God to show you where you stand.

At Calvary, God freely gave His grace to all. Will you also extend that same grace to others?

5

JANUARY

REJOICE

Can Christians be joyous all the time? We might turn our Bible to the apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians to answer that question. The book of Philippians is known as the Joy Epistle. Rejoicing is a recurrent theme in all of Paul’s letters. Joy bubbles out from every pore of his life.

Even from his jail cell, Paul’s soul was overflowing with joy. He encourages the Philippians that he is praying for them joyfully because of their partnership with him in the gospel. (Philippians 1:4 NIV).

In verse eighteen of the same chapter, he tells them he is rejoicing that Christ is still being preached and people are still being saved. The result was that the gospel was being spread even more. (I Thessalonians 5:16 KJV).

Paul encourages the Christians in Thessalonica to Rejoice evermore! Peter echoes the same theme when he urges his readers to Rejoice with joy unspeakable! (I Peter 1:8 KJV).

Paul’s life was a living demonstration of undiminished joy despite the worst possible circumstances. Therefore, He had no hesitation in boldly encouraging the church to Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, rejoice! (Philippians 4:4 KJV). Always means always!

It is easy to rejoice when everything is going great. But when the bills are overdue, and all the circumstances around us come crashing in, the joy test will be where the rubber meets the road.

Christ is our source of joy. Although things may not go well, we can still maintain that joy. Nothing can take it away. So, beloved, I say to you, rejoice!

6

JANUARY

BROKEN PIECES

Fix it, Mommy. With tears streaming down his face, my four-year-old brought me one of his Matchbox cars. It had broken into several pieces. He loved his Matchbox cars and would play with them for hours. With childlike faith, he knew all he had to do was bring his broken bundle to me. He was sure I would do everything I could to repair it for him.

Our lives sometimes may fall into a bundle of broken pieces. Somehow, pride gets in the way, and we try to fix it ourselves. We can do it, we think, and so we struggle to fix it ourselves. After several attempts, we realize there is nothing we have been able to do to fix our broken toy.

I think of the great hymnist, Joseph M. Scriven, whom God inspired to write in the third verse of What a Friend We Have in Jesus, "O what needless pains we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.³

What are you struggling with today? How long have you been trying to fix things on your own? Isn’t it time to bring your broken toys to Jesus? He can repair them, you know?

First Peter 5:7 (NIV) encourages us to Cast all your care upon Him for He cares for you; He wants you to bring all the broken pieces to Him and place them in His experienced hands. Will you quit your struggle and allow Him to do it? Just place the broken pieces at the feet of our Savior. He will know what to do.

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³ (What a Friend We Have in Jesus Joseph M. Scriven, 1855 copyright Public Domain TimelessTruths.org)

7

JANUARY

VICTORY IN BATTLE

One of the gifts my seven-year-old granddaughter opened on Christmas morning was a teddy bear that quoted scripture when squeezed.

One morning, the bear did not speak any scripture. Quickly, we opened the pouch on the back of the bear and checked inside, thinking maybe the batteries were dead. We tried installing new ones. Unfortunately, there was still no power. Eventually, we discovered that although the bear had come equipped with the necessary power, we still needed to turn on the switch.

In the Old Testament scriptures, we read that Israel’s armies were always equipped with power for battle against the fiercest of enemies. God had given them the strength to defeat even their most powerful enemy. First Samuel 17 relates the story of Goliath, a champion Philistine giant who went before Saul and his army ready to fight. He stood and shouted to the Israelite army, Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man, and let us fight each other! Upon hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified (I Samuel 17:8–10 NIV). They ran from the Philistine giant in great fear.

The Israelites had forgotten who had called them to enter the Promised Land. They had seen God fight for them several times but failed to trust God for victory. Their focus was on the enemy rather than on God.

Many Christians today need to regain their focus. God has promised us victory amidst the battles we face today, but rather than trust God, we have become fearful and avoid dealing with the issues. We need to remember whose army we belong to.

What battle are you facing this week? No matter how overwhelming life’s difficulties may seem, there is nothing too big for our God to handle. The apostle Paul in Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) reminds us that God can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power at work within us. He is our constant source of power. We only need to turn on the switch.

8

JANUARY

IT’S NOT WHAT IT SEEMS TO BE

Baked potatoes and all the trimmings sounded like an excellent idea for lunch. I went to the neighborhood grocery store and bought two of the largest baking potatoes available. I couldn’t wait to get home to pop them in the microwave oven. Those potatoes were going to hit the spot!

As the potatoes were baking, I set the table and set out all the condiments we like to use for our culinary masterpiece. The potatoes were piping hot and ready to serve in about thirty minutes.

I called my husband to the table; we cut our potatoes in half and made a well to saturate it with butter and sour cream. To our dismay, inside the potato was a large cavity that had turned black. We threw the potatoes in the trash and made ourselves a sandwich.

In the book of Genesis chapter 3, the serpent took Eve to a tree in the Garden of Eden and offered her a beautiful piece of fruit. Genesis 3:6 tells us the woman saw the fruit; it was pleasant to the eyes. She took the fruit, ate it, and then shared it with her husband. Immediately, they realized they were naked and tried to hide from the holiness of God. They had been deceived.

The fruit was beautiful on the outside, but as Satan always does, he showed Eve how appealing it was but didn’t reveal the awful disease inside. He still uses that tactic today to entice men and women into his web of deceit.

What does Satan have on display that is appealing to you? The scriptures tell us that Satan is ‘like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8 KJV). If we accept his offer, Satan will never reveal the future for us and hopes we will fall into his trap. Therefore, as the apostle Paul warns us in his letter to the Corinthian church, we must be on guard, Lest Satan should get an advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices" (II Corinthians 2:11 KJV). He is the master of deceit.

9

JANUARY

CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS

In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1 KJV).

God created Earth, the planet we call home, in six days, and God saw it was good! (Genesis 1:9 NIV).

No other planet in our solar system like ours can support human life. The air we breathe contains carbon dioxide, water, and oxygen, and the percentages of each are perfect for human life to survive.

Scientists tell us that the amount of water vapor continually suspended in the air is approximately 54,460,000,000,000 tons. Science estimates that water is 773 times the weight of air⁴ yet, in His mighty power, he separated the bodies of water on Earth from the water above the planet. His incredible creation reveals what strong power our God displays.

When Christ comes into our lives, Paul states in I Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) that we are a new creation in Christ Jesus. Our lives were empty and without purpose, like the earth before creation. With His wondrous, transforming power, He touched our lives, separated us into a new atmosphere of living, and made it possible for us to breathe new life through His Word.

Have you received His transforming touch in your life? Open the Word and take a deep breath! Let Him reveal His mighty power in and through you.

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⁴ https://biblehub.com/sermons/auth/boardman/water_and_its_wonderful_

transportation_by_clouds.htm

10

JANUARY

GET A GRIP-DON’T GRIPE

You know them! They are the people today who seem to be just plain miserable. They gripe about everything. The prices are too high. The product offered could be better quality. The worship service was too long or didn’t last long enough. The hospital food is terrible, or they don’t give enough on the plate to satisfy a bird. These people are never satisfied. They are chronic gripers.

A recent medical survey was recently conducted concerning chronic gripers. Amazingly, the study indicated that those who complained seemed to live longer than those who are always calm.⁵ Some seem to believe that expressing their dissatisfaction is their calling in life. Each morning, they get up dissatisfied and go to bed with the same spirit.

In Numbers 11:1, we see Israel caught up in griping and complaining about their misfortunes. The Lord heard them and was not pleased.

Life does not come with a certificate that states we will be exempt from problems. We will always have disappointments, schedule changes, and even illness. Something will always challenge our comfort zones. Avoiding negative attitudes will free us from the habit of griping.

What are you unhappy about today? Griping puts us in the hands of the enemy and encourages discontent. We must be alert to the enemies’ trap to slip into an attitude of griping, so get a grip and don’t gripe! Do all things without murmuring and complaining.

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⁵ https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1986/10/08/people-who-complain-live-longer-

study-says/

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JANUARY

INHERITED TRAITS

We have inherited certain physical traits and personal characteristics from our parents. My father has blue eyes, and so do I. Then, we inherit certain personality traits from one or both of our parents. If one of our parents is quiet and reserved and you are as well, you probably inherited that character trait from one of them. I have a daughter who talks excessively and has been since she learned to talk. Her daughter inherited that character trait from her and also talks a lot. Talking comes naturally for them.

The Word of God tells us we are all born with a sinful nature. We call it Adams’s sin or inbred sin. Often, these traits of inbred sin are displayed through our actions and reactions. We don’t have to try to act according to that sinful nature. Living according to our sinful nature comes naturally because we were born in sin.

When we are born again, our inherited traits of unrighteousness change, and we take on a new nature– the nature of Christ Jesus.

According to Romans 8:5 (NIV), Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. When the Spirit of God lives within, we are transformed and take on traits of righteousness. Others will see the change and know you are a child of God.

What character traits exhibit Christ in your life? Do others know you are a child of God by how you live, or is it evident to others that you are living according to your sinful nature? Those who live according to their sinful nature