Guideposts - Daily Guideposts 2017: A Spirit-Lifting Devotional

ZONDERVAN

Daily Guideposts 2017

Copyright 2016 by Guideposts. All rights reserved.

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Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

ISBN 978-0-310-34643-2 (hardcover); ISBN 978-0-310-34645-6 (leather edition);
ISBN 978-0-310-3644-9 (large print); ISBN 978-0-310-34646-3 (ebook)

ePub Edition September 2016: ISBN 978-0-310-34646-3

This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

Acknowledgments: Every attempt has been made to credit the sources of copyrighted material used in this book. If any such acknowledgment has been inadvertently omitted or miscredited, receipt of such information would be appreciated.

Scripture quotations marked ( CEB ) are taken from the Common English Bible. Copyright 2011 by Common English Bible. Scripture quotations marked ( CEV ) are taken from Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version. Copyright 1995 American Bible Society. Scripture quotations marked ( ESV ) are taken from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked ( GNT ) are taken from the Holy Bible, Good News Translation. Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Scripture quotations marked ( ISV ) are taken from the Holy Bible, International Standard Version. Copyright 19952014 by ISV Foundation. All rights reserved internationally. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC. Scripture quotations marked ( JPS ) are taken from Tanakh: A New Translation of the Holy Scriptures according to the Traditional Hebrew Text. Copyright 1985 by the Jewish Publication Society. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked ( KJV ) are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Scripture quotations marked ( MSG ) are taken from The Message. Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Scripture quotations marked ( NAS ) 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 marked ( NCV ) are taken from The Holy Bible, New Century Version. Copyright 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Scripture quotations marked ( NI r V ) are taken from New International Readers Version. Copyright 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked ( NIV ) are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. Scripture quotations marked ( NKJV ) are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Scripture quotations marked ( NLT ) are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked ( NRSV ) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible. Copyright 1989 by 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 ( RSV ) are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Copyright 1946, 1952, 1971 by Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked ( TLB ) are taken from The Living Bible. Copyright 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Fellowship Corner photos: Lisa Bogart photo by Lisa Vosper; Mark Collins photo by Kathryn Hyslop; Brian Doyle photo by Jerry Hart; Katie Ganshert photo by Kinsey Christin; Julie Garmon photo by Brad Newton; Edward Grinnan photo by Amy Etra; Rick Hamlin photo by Julie Brown; Jim Hinch photo by Martin Klimek; Debbie Macomber photo by Deborah Feingold; Erin MacPherson photo by Bloom Austin; Roberta Messner photo by Craig Cunningham; Rebecca Ondov photo by Deborah K. Hamilton; Natalie Perkins photo by Kris Rogers Photography; Ginger Rue photo by Patrick Jacks; Daniel Schantz photo by Sherry Wallis; Gail Thorell Schilling photo by Doug Schwarz; Melody Bonnette Swang photo by Crystal Logiudice; Jon Sweeney photo by Pamela Jordan; Marilyn Turk photo by Sarah Clauson; Marion Bond West photo by Michael Schwarz.

Monthly page opener photos: January by Anastacia-azzzya/Shutterstock.com; February by StevenRussellSmith Photos/Shutterstock.com; March by VICUSCHKA/Shutterstock.com; April by Sailorr/Shutterstock.com; May by aceshot1/Shutterstock.com; June by Gelner Tivadar/Shutterstock.com; July by Sandra Cunningham/Shutterstock.com; August by LittleStocker/Shutterstock.com; September by Sunny studio/Shutterstock.com; October by iravgustin/Shutterstock.com; November by Maya Kruchankova/Shutterstock.com; December by fotohunter/Shutterstock.com

Cover and interior design by Mllerhaus; Cover photo of Neerijse, Belgium, by Lars van de Goor/Trevillion Images; Indexed by Patricia Woodruff; Typeset by Aptara

First printing August 2016

Hello, friend.

Welcome to a new year for experiencing Gods great love in personal ways. If you are already a part of the Daily Guideposts family, then you know that these devotions365 vibrant and honest reflections on living with faithwill deepen your understanding of being a cherished child of God. If you are new to the community, were glad youve joined us. Youll find that through the weeks and months and year, youll develop a bond with our writers and other readers, who are praying along with you each day.

One letter we received recently from a woman in Texas, who gives Daily Guideposts to her sister in California, summed up what so many folks tell us: This book keeps us close.

This year marks the forty-first edition of Daily Guideposts! It is published by Guideposts, the organization that shares true stories of hope and inspiration and is home to OurPrayer ministry. These strengths are what make this annual devotional so meaningful. Each days reading includes a Scripture verse, a story of finding God in the everyday moments of life, a prayer, and Bible references for Digging Deeper. At the end of each month, youll find space to write down your thoughts about what youve read. This years overarching theme is In Gods Hands: Dont be afraid, for I am with you. Dont be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:10, NLT ).

Its been our pleasure to work alongside the writers of Daily Guideposts, each one imparting discoveries on how to joyfully remain in Gods hands. This year, youll catch up with longtime friends Patricia Lorenz, Roberta Messner, Elizabeth Sherrill, Brian Doyle, Daniel Schantz, and Scott Walker. Youll connect with younger folks like Natalie Perkins and Logan Eliasen. And youll embrace newcomer John Dilworth.

Daily Guideposts 2017 includes seven special series. Enjoy learning the rewards of giving something away with Erin MacPherson in An Outward Lent. During Advent, revel with Rick Hamlin in The Word among Us. Every month, find out how Rhoda Blecker deals with grief in Overcoming Loss. Journey throughout the year with Julie Garmon in Beauty from Ashes, with Carol Knapp in Lessons in Stones, and with Marilyn Turk in Parenting Anew. For one week in August, join Marion Bond West in Prodigal Homecoming.