Sarah Young - Jesus Calling: 50 Devotions for a Thankful Heart

2017 by Sarah Young

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Tommy Nelson. Tommy Nelson is an imprint of Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations used in this book are from: The Holy Bible, New International Version. 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIVand New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

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

Scripture quotations marked ICB are taken from the International Childrens Bible. Copyright 1986, 1988, 1999 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken the Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Epub Edition December 2018 9781400324378

ISBN 978-1-4003-2436-1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Fortner, Tama, 1969

Jesus calling: 365 devotions for kids / Sarah Young; adapted by Tama Fortner; edited by Kris Bearss.

p. cm.

ISBN 9781400316342 (hardcover)

1. Devotional calendarsJuvenile literature. I. Young, Sarah, 1946II. Bearss, Kris. III. Young, Sarah, 1946Jesus calling. IV. Title.

BV4870.F67 2010

242.62dc22 2010017099

Printed in China

18 19 20 21 22 DSC 5 4 3 2 1

CONTENTS

W hen we come to Jesus with a thankful heart, we can set aside worries and enjoy His presence. This grateful attitude helps us focus on our blessings and look for the miracles Jesus weaves into our lives.

Through gratitude, the Word of Christ can live in us (Colossians 3:16). This is important because the Bible is the only perfect Word of Godwithout errors. As you spend time in the Word and in this devotional, be assured that I work hard to keep my writings consistent with the unchanging truths of Scripture.

I have written from the perspective of Jesus speaking, to help readers feel more personally connected with Him. So the first person singular (I, Me, My, Mine) always refers to Jesus; you refers to you, the reader. Ive included Scripture references after each reading. Words from the Bible (some paraphrased, some quoted) are written in italics.

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

I t is not possible to thank Me too much. I love your praises. Sometimes your praise is an unplanned, in-the-moment, you-just-cant-help-yourself sort of thing. Perhaps you have just received one of My blessings or have been overwhelmed by the beauty of My creation, and you are just bursting to tell Me about it. I love that!

Other times, you stop to think about My blessings, about My Presence in your life. And you decide to thank Me. I love that kind of praise too.

When you are struggling with a problem, pray about it. Then go ahead and thank Me for the help you know I will give you. This kind of praise means you know I am in controland I love that!

Fill up the spare moments of your life with praise, and you will find that your life is filled with Me.

PSALM 22:3; PSALM 146:12

T ry to see each day as an adventure, planned out by Me, your Guide. Instead of trying to make your day into what you want it to be, open your eyes to all the things I have prepared just for you. Each day is My precious gift to youand you only have one chance to live it. Trust that I am with you every minute, working in your life. And then thank Me for this dayno matter what happens.

Expect surprises! When you live your life with Me, no day will ever be boring or predictable. Dont take the easiest path. Dont just get through the day. Live it! Be willing to follow Me wherever I lead. Even when My way seems scary, the safest place to be is by My side.

1 PETER 2:21

C ome to Me with a thankful heart. I have made this day for you so that you can enjoy My Presence in it. Dont worry about tomorrow. Rejoice in today. Look for the many blessings and miracles that I have put into this day. If you look for My Presence in your life, you will find it.

Come to Me with all your needs, big and small, knowing that I will take care of you. When you are not worried about what is happening in your life, then you are free to truly live. I want to give you that freedom. Turn your heart over to Me and I will fill it with peace and joy. And there will be no more boring days!

PSALM 118:24; PHILIPPIANS 4:19

I know that sometimes you doubt yourself. You worry what people think about you. You are afraid that youre not good enough. You think no one cares.

I want you to bring those fears and doubts to Me and let Me give you peace. Accept yourself as the person I created you to be. Dont wear yourself out comparing yourself to others. Instead, be thankful for how I made you, and trust Me as I guide you through this day.

As you learn to live with Me as the Center of your life, My Peace will fill you up. You will stop worrying about how you look and what other people think of you, because you will be too busy living the life I have planned for you.

PSALM 29:11; NUMBERS 6:2425; PSALM 13:5

I ts tough to be still and quiet. There are so many things you could be doingplaying outside, talking to a friend, going to the game. But there are times when you have to be stillwhen you are sick, when you have finished your classwork, or when others need you to be quiet. Instead of wishing away this time, use it to listen for Me and to thank Me for My Presence in your life.

Some of My greatest work is done when you are still and quiet. That is when you can hear Me whisper to your heart.

ISAIAH 30:15; 2 CORINTHIANS 12:9