Kathy Howard - God Is My Refuge: Twelve Weeks of Devotions and Scripture Memory for Troubled Times

Are you in the middle of an overwhelming situation? Have you recently experienced a loss? Are you or a family member facing an illness, job loss, or personal crisis? Are you just struggling with life in general?

God sees. He knows all about your circumstances. And He cares. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7). He invites you to come to Him with all of it. Cast your careson the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteousfall (Ps. 55:22). He desires to be your help and strength. God isour refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Ps. 46:1).

This devotional book is designed to help you bring your cares to God so you can experience what only He can provide. He wants to comfort you in your grief, give you hope in times of discouragement, and fill you with joy in seasons of sadness.

Over the next twelve weeks, immerse yourself in the promises of Gods Word. Each week focuses on a different challenge that life may throw your way, from material needs and illness to broken relationships and loss. Through the five days of devotions each week, you will experience Gods heart for you in the midst of that struggle.

The first devotion of each week highlights a verse for you to memorize. (I memorize from the New International Version, but you use the translation you like best.) I strongly encourage you to accept the challenge of memorizing these twelve Scriptures over the course of this book. Memorizing Gods Word solidly entrenches His truth in your heart and mind. Then, through it, God can minister to you in powerful and very personal ways. Here are just a few ways God can work in your life through His Word:

• Provide you with comfort, encouragement, peace, and strength (Col. 3:1516; Ps. 1:13).
• Give you guidance and wisdom (Ps. 37:31; Ps. 119:24, 98, 105).
• Foster your spiritual growth (2 Tim. 3:1617; Heb. 4:12; 1 Pet. 2:2).
• Prepare you to share your faith with others (1 Pet. 3:15; Acts 18:28).
• Fill you with joy and pour out His blessings (Ps. 119:24, 47, 103; James 1:2125).

The thought of memorizing Scripture is overwhelming for many Christiansme included! Thats why this devotional gives you daily, doable steps to help you succeed. You can do it, and the effort is more than worth it. God will use His Word in your life to care for you.

Note: One thing you should have ready in advance is a way to record and store your memory verses. Here are a few suggestions:

• Index cards and a recipe box.
• Blank cards the size of business cards and a business card file. (These files look a bit like small photo albums and come in various sizes.)
• Card stock cut to fit a photo album with plastic sleeves. (You can cut your paper the right size: 4x6 or 5x7.) Also, if you need additional space, consider keeping a journal or notebook to write your responses to the reflection questions or to record your prayers each day. You may find great blessings in being able to look back and see how God has worked in your life and heart over the weeks of this devotional.

God is our refuge and strength,an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1