Carey Scott - Nevertheless, She Was Blessed: Inspiring Devotions and Prayers for Women

2022 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.

ISBN 978-1-63609-349-9

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Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked VOICE are taken from The Voice. Copyright 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked TPT are from The Passion Translation. Copyright 2017, 2018, 2020 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ThePassionTranslation.com.

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Gods blessings abound, but sometimes we dont see them. We find ourselves weighed down by worries of the world, stressed out by scary situations, and carried away by chaotic circumstances and we miss the amazing things God is doing in our lives. Now, as ever, we need reminders that were seen and loved by the Lord. We need reassurances His hand is moving mightily. And we want to know our obedience to Him matters.

Let this book open your eyes and prepare your heart to recognize the beautiful and powerful gifts from God present in your life right now. Through its pages, let Him redirect your attention from earthly battles to eternal blessings. And be encouraged that God is alive and active. You may be struggling today; nevertheless you are blessed!

For by grace you have been saved by faith. Nothing you did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the love gift from God that brought us to Christ! So no one will ever be able to boast, for salvation is never a reward for good works or human striving.

E PHESIANS 2:89 TPT

What a blessing to realize your salvation has nothing to do with how good you are or how much you do. You cant earn it. And you cannot pay for it. Instead, recognize it as a gift from God through His Son, Jesus. As women, we are used to being doers. We are hard workers who juggle a million different things at once. From managing a home to managing a staff, our to-do lists are lengthy and weighty. But when it comes to faith, its not about striving or organization. Its about responding to Gods gift of salvation by embracing His truth.

Dear God, thank You that salvation is a gift and not something I must work for. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

What delight comes to the one who follows Gods ways! He wont walk in step with the wicked, nor share the sinners way, nor be found sitting in the scorners seat.

P SALM 1:1 TPT

Every time you choose Gods way over the worlds way, that intentional choice sets you up for a blessing. Not only does it bring you closer to God, but it puts more distance between you and the enemys plans. It builds a barrier between you and the wicked. And it keeps you focused on the good things God is doing in your life. Even when the journey takes you through the valley, your spirit will be in step with His as He guides you safely through. You will feel delighted by your courage and confident to stay committed to the Lords way, not tempted by the worlds.

Dear God, bless me with the courage to always choose Your way over anything the world offers. There is no substitute for Your goodness! In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Youre blessed when youre at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

M ATTHEW 5:3 MSG

When was the last time you were at the end of your rope? We all find ourselves there at times, often more than wed like. Weve never thought of it as a good place to be. Its never a positive, right? Being at the end of our rope is usually a negative. But todays scripture challenges us to see it another way. Consider that when you get to that place, it means theres more room for God to manifest in your situation. When you give up control, it allows Him to step in. What a huge blessing, if you really think about it!

Dear God, thank You for shifting my perspective to see the blessing of being at the end of my rope. I know its a good place because less of me means more of You, and thats always the best way. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

He will be standing firm like a flourishing tree planted by Gods design, deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss, bearing fruit in every season of life. He is never dry, never fainting, ever blessed, ever prosperous.

P SALM 1:3 TPT

Deeply rooted, ever blessed this is what its like when you connect your life to Gods. When you embrace who He is and grow in your relationship with Him, it deepens your roots of faith and holds you steady when the storms come. And they will. Chances are they already have. Whats more, the time spent cultivating community with the Lord allows you to be a fruit bearer regardless of whats happening in your life. You will always see the silver lining. You will have peace and joy even in the messiest times. And youll find a deep desire to let Him guide your life, blessing you along the way.

Dear God, its a blessing to be deeply rooted in You. Help me flourish as I invest in our relationship. I want to know You more! In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Youre blessed when you feel youve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

M ATTHEW 5:4 MSG

This verse is a powerful challenge to see the difference between what is most important and who is most important in your life. Too often we blur the lines and cannot distinguish the difference. Maybe whats most dear to you right now is your career or your health or your finances. Its become almost an automatic decision to place that above everything else in your life, including God. But when what is most dear is taken from usfor whatever reasonclarity eventually comes. Its faith that opens our eyes to realize these idols have replaced the Lord. And when you see it, be blessed as you realign priorities.

Dear God, help me keep You above all else in my life. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.