Every Day with Jesus Devotional: God Loves and Cares for You

God Loves and Cares For You

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INTRODUCTION

This journal was birthed out of a deep, heartfelt desire to encourage family members, friends, and readers who face daily challenges and extreme difficulties.

With this journal, I aim to help the reader develop an intimate relationship with God and to help those who already know Him to become much closer. And for me, it is a call to obey the Lord: What I have invested in you, invest in others.

As an ordained minister, I strongly believe in the power of God, which works through faith and obedience to His Holy Word. And as we commune with the Lord in daily prayer, Bible study, and obedience, we develop a deeper relationship with Him that spiritually moves us to truly know that God loves and cares for us.

Over the years, I have preached the Word of God, taught numerous Bible classes, and conducted seminars on prayer and Christian living, both locally and in other states.

I am actively involved in local and district Christian education in Ohio. And for a number of years, I served as a teacher and also as the dean of Christian education for the Progressive Baptist Association in Cleveland, Ohio. I currently serve as an instructor. I also teach a weekly Wednesday-evening Bible class at Mt.

Zion Baptist Church in Lorain, Ohio. And I attend a Tuesday-and Thursday morning Bible class, where I teach twice each month.

I have a Master’s of Education degree from Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio. I hold a master’s degree in Clinical Pastoral Counseling and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio.

I close by briefly sharing my personal experience as to why I chose the title Every Day with Jesus and the subtitle God Loves You, and He Cares.

For seven years, I went through a very emotional and stressful situation that forced me to rely on the Word of God and prayer in order to emotionally and spiritually survive. It was through this experience that I learned firsthand that Every Day with Jesus was the only way I would survive and thrive. The daily study of God’s Word, prayer, and meditation sustained me emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. It was through this ordeal that I discovered that God really loves me and He cares deeply.

This journal may be used daily as a morning, midday, or evening pick-me-up to provide spiritual insight for your quiet time with the Lord. It can also be used in a group study setting for discussion and sharing, if you desire.

Ideally, if time allows, it is most beneficial to read, study, and meditate on the Word during the morning hours while your mind is clear and not cluttered by the challenges of the day.

As you read through these pages, it is my prayer that you will be drawn closer to the God that I love and to the One who loves us more than our finite minds can comprehend.

My desire and hope is that you will love Him more and intimately experience God’s love and care as you commune every day with Jesus.

Respectfully and gratefully submitted,

Shirley A. Howard

In this journal, you will discover five nuggets for your day:

A title theme for each day

Words to grab your attention

A scripture to ground your thoughts

A brief explanation of scripture to guide your heart

A prayer of meditation to help you center and focus on God’s provision

In addition, space is provided for daily thoughts and reflections, and each month you will find words of poetry and a scripture to further provide peace and calm for your spirit and soul.

Behold, I make all things new.

—Revelation 21:5 (NIV)

HAPPY NEW YEAR

It’s a new day and a new year.

The outcome of it is not clear—

But I will not fear, because Christ

My Savior I revere!

A brand-new year and a new day!

I bow down on my knees to pray:

"Lord, thank You for another year

And another day!"

For down through the years, I’ve

Learned that Your grace and

Mercy are here to stay!

Happy New Year is what I say

With gratitude for each passing Day!

Shirley A. Howard

JANUARY

Cast all your anxieties on him because he cares for you.

—1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

GOD LOVES YOU, AND HE CARES

God loves you, and He cares,

And His grace and mercy He shares.

So wayward hearts He prepares!

God’s love is amazing.

Curious eyes keep on gazing

As new trails, the Gospel message, continue

Blazing!

God loves you, and He cares

More than you will ever know,

For His desire for you is that you will grow.

So day by day, more love allow Him to bestow!

For the Lord cares, as He sits high and looks Down low!

He traces each step as you go!

In all things, you must know that the Lord cares And He loves you so!

Shirley A. Howard

JANUARY 1: GOD’S LOVE

There is nothing that God cannot do, nothing

that He cannot see you through!

Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV) says, I have loved you with an everlasting love.

When you take God’s hand by faith, He will begin to reveal His plan for your life. Learn to trust Him amid the fear, pain, and tears. You may never know why things happen as they do, but you must believe that Christ loves you more than you can think or imagine. Look to Calvary, and you will begin to see.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I thank You for the first day of this new year. I come with some doubts and fears in my heart. But I know that You are God and that all power and healing rest in Your hands. Lord, You know my sorrow and pain and the anguish within my heart. Help me to know and understand who You are. Show me Your healing power and the purpose in all that I experience. I ask this in Jesus’s name. Amen.

JANUARY 2: ENDURE

As you endure, I’ll give you a heart that’s pure

As you trust Me, you’ll discover that My love

For you is sure!

John 1:1–2 (NIV) says, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

A new beginning is marked by a new year. Just keep trusting in Jesus Christ as you allow His Word to resonate in your heart. The more you learn of Him, the more you will experience His love for you. You must believe that it is through Christ that each victory is won. He is the Living Word from beginning to end.

Prayer

Holy Father, I thank You for this day of a new year. Teach me to trust You more and more as the days go by; this I ask in Jesus’s name. Amen.

JANUARY 3: ENDURANCE

Lord, when you help me to mature, You also teach me to endure And through Your Holy Word and prayer, my faith is made sure!

Isaiah 43:2–3 (NIV) says, When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

God sees and cares for you even when it looks and feels as if He doesn’t. He is right by your side, waiting to be your guide. In the rivers of difficulties and trials, the Lord is with you and won’t allow you to drown. And the fire of oppression and pain will not consume you because the Lord is with you. He will never leave you alone.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day. It’s not all I desire it to be, but because I know You are with me, I can make it through one day at a time. Thank You for keeping me. Continue to encourage my heart in Jesus’s name. Amen.

JANUARY 4: SEE MORE CLEARLY

A New Year to see God more clear—the reading

of God’s Word and prayer draws me near!

The Lord empowers me to handle the doubt and fear!

So, I trust Him to wipe away each tear, as He

shows me—to His heart, I am held dear!

John 3:16 (NIV) says, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

The Holy Word gives comfort in knowing that God’s love for humankind has no limits or bounds. Not only does God love us, but He proved it by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and rise from death. You must personally believe that Christ died so that your sins would be forgiven. Within your heart, do you know that God loves you unconditionally? Stop and observe the evidence of God’s love in your daily life.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for sending Jesus to die for me. I know that You love me and that You care about what I’m going through. Because I live in a fallen world, I know there will be pain and suffering, but by Your stripes, I am healed. I claim Your healing today in Jesus’s name. Amen.

JANUARY 5: I CAN SEE

Today I can see that through prayer and the Word of God I’m being set free! I trust You to make me what You desire of me!

Proverbs 3:5–6 (KJV) says, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

So often it is difficult to trust anyone, even the Lord. Sometimes, we forget that the Lord knows what is best for us. The Lord desires for you to trust Him completely (nothing doubting) in every choice that you make. I challenge you to carefully think and pray and then trust the Lord to lead you where He desires for you to go.

Prayer

Lord, calm my fears and dry my tears. Remove the doubts that creep into my thoughts. I don’t understand the reason for all that occurs in my life, but I trust You to see me through it. Show and give me Your heart. Allow me to see things as You see them. Amen.

JANUARY 6: REJOICE IN THE LORD

Lord, today I bless Your name from the center of my heart.

I am grateful that You are my one true God!

Psalm 118:24 (NIV) says, This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

There are days when the last thing we want to do is rejoice, when our mood is down and our situation is out of hand, filled with sorrow, pain, or guilt. But like the psalmist, we can be honest with God about how we feel. Take a moment, and quiet your spirit as you meditate on His goodness. Allow your heart to be filled with thankfulness and praise.

Prayer

O Lord, I will rejoice in Christ my Savior. Thank You for Your goodness and love, which I experience each new day that You give. Teach me to rejoice and be glad in Your presence every day. Today, I choose to rejoice and be glad! Amen.

JANUARY 7: LIFT UP MY HEAD

On the days that are filled with sickness and dread,

Lord, come alongside and lift up my bowed-down head!

Hold me close so I won’t be afraid!

Psalm 145:14 (NIV) says, The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all those that are bowed.

Sometimes your burdens seem more than you can bear. You may begin to wonder whether you will make it through. Be assured, in your heart, that God is able to lift you up above your circumstances. He is a Burden-Bearer and a Heavy-Load Sharer. Allow Him to teach you how to trust Him. Expect the Lord to bring you out.

Prayer

Lord, I trust in You. I rely on You to lift up my bowed-down head. I wait patiently and expectantly for Your healing touch. I cast all my cares and concerns on You, Lord. Help me to be strong today and face what I must in order to be victorious in Jesus’s name. Amen.

JANUARY 8: MY SHIELD

You, O Lord, are my Shield, and by Your Word,

the arm of God’s might is revealed!

It teaches me that You are the God who is real and are touched by the sickness that I feel, so, praise and worship to You, I give!

Psalm 3:3 (KJV) says, But Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

When we face trials and tribulations, we feel like giving up. But, by faith, we hang in there when we are seriously let down by life because we know that there is one hope—Jesus Christ. We know that His glory will be seen through the things He has promised. God promised to be shield and buckler.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your provisions. Teach me how to live one day at a time; teach me how to forgive. Protect me from the enemy’s snare by guarding my heart and mind against wayward thoughts, words, or deeds. Lord, shield me from negative thoughts from the enemy. Show me Your will for my life. Amen.

JANUARY 9: GOD HEARS ME WHEN I PRAY

Lord, when I pray, I am confident that You hear.

It is Your holy and righteous name that I revere.

I invite Your Holy Spirit to draw near!

Psalm 4:1 (KJV) says, Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

The psalmist cried out to God to hear his prayer. We also plead with Him to give relief in the midst of our distress. He alone is able to fulfill our greatest need. It is our trust in the Lord that assures us of His mercy toward us.

Prayer

Lord, I am thankful that you hear my faintest cry. I am grateful that you are touched by my infirmity and weakness. Lift me up when I am weak and feel alone. Reassure me that I am Your own. Strengthen me on every leaning side. Touch my body and take away the pain as You minister Your healing touch. I pray in Jesus’s name. Amen.

JANUARY 10: LORD, HELP

Your grace and mercy is from everlasting to everlasting,

And in Your holy presence I am continually basking!

Psalm 6:2 (NIV) says, Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

The Lord knows what we are going through, and He is touched by our pain and afflictions. He knows our weaknesses and shortcomings. He loves and cares for His own, and He has promised to be with us in all that we go through. Do you trust in the Lord?

Prayer

Lord, I thank You for Your love and care. You know my weaknesses, and You will keep Your promise to never put more on me than I can bear. I trust You to be with me in my weakest hour and uphold me with Your mighty hand of power. Heal my body, and be my strong, high tower. Amen.

JANUARY 11: A REFUGE IN TIMES OF TROUBLE

Jesus is my Hiding Place! He is my Protector

and Provider—my Jehovah Jireh!

I come before Him and fall at His feet. His

peace and power are my holy retreat!

Psalm 9:9 (NIV) says, The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

In times of trouble, do you seek your own council, or do you seek the council of others? There are times when we do seek the council of others, but seeking guidance from God is best. He knows what you need and can provide the proper solution for your problems. He offers relief from oppression and depression.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being my refuge in times of trouble. Thank You for coming alongside and uplifting the burdens that press so heavily upon me. I am grateful and confident that You are