Tracey Mitchell - The Invitation to Intimacy with God

The Invitation to Intimacy with God

2018 by Thomas Nelson

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ISBN -13: 978-1-4002-1117-3

ISBN -13: 978-1-4002-1118-0 (eBook)

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Contents

WEEK CONTRIBUTOR

Introduction

The Invitation was created by fifty-one women as a reminder of Gods love and grace. Nothing we say or do goes unnoticed by the Father. He is attentive to our needsin fact, He never takes His eyes off of us.

Living in a fast-forward culture, its easy for us to feel overlooked, forgotten, or uninvited. We long to be recognized, hunger to be included and to feel valuable as well as to be a part of something greater than ourselves. The good news is, through Gods Word and moments alone with Him, we can discern our worth and discover our value.

It is our prayer that this devotional will help you see how important you are to the Father. He wants you to feel accepted and affirmed. He is inviting you to experience the depths of His love and mercy.

Tracey Mitchell, Hon. D.D.

Author, Speaker, TV Host

Dallas, Texas

WEEK 1MONDAY
Live and Love Fiercely

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the L ORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

JOSHUA 1:9

O ne night at a conference a woman came forward and asked if I could pray with her. I quickly agreed, and she leaned forward to whisper her prayer request. Before she could get the words out of her mouth, I gently stopped her and said, I already know whats on your heart.

Looking confused, she asked, How can you know what I am about to say?

I said, The grief is written on your face.

Tears formed as she collapsed in my arms. Over the years Ive discovered most women silently suffer from things no one knows about, even though sharing their issues with a sister would have brought them healing. Sometimes the private struggles we face spill out in ways we least expect.

No one claws through the trenches of faith without coming out soiled. Daughters listed on Gods highlight reel of faith werent the spoiled kind, rather the soiled kind. They were women just like you and me, who were brave enough to deal with private issues of infertility, insecurity, anxiety, abortion, addiction, adultery, and other concerns that would steal our healing. Our awkward stabs at trying to be perfect leave no great impression on God. But when He sees us weak-kneed and clawing forward, His eyes remain glued on our situation, and we find hope for healing.

Father, help me live courageously. Let me be vulnerable and rely on the strength of my sisters.

WEEK 1TUESDAY
Make Something Beautiful of Your Scars

The L ORD will accomplish that which concerns me; Your [unwavering] lovingkindness, O L ORD , endures foreverdo not abandon the works of Your own hands.

PSALM 138:8 AMP

W hile praying with a lady at a womens conference, I noticed a tattoo on her arm and asked about its meaning. Tears filled her eyes as she whispered, This is Gods personal promise to me. During the depth of my addiction, these words brought hope and freedom. Inked in my handwriting, I designed it to cover the scars of where I once cut myself. Now the trace marks of destruction have been replaced by promises of fatherly acceptance. Engraved in a loopy script was Psalm 138:8.

Most people have experienced seasons in their lives that they would rather not remember or would like to simply blot out entirely. Maybe it was a time when you made a terrible decision, did the wrong thing to get ahead, or turned your back on your faith. Although you wish you could erase those choices and forget how you messed up, those memories dont just go away. The good news is that God can turn those hurtful mistakes into something beautiful. Just as He did with this woman who had been caught up in addiction, He can turn our horrors into a testimony that will honor Him.

If you are finding it difficult to let go of past mistakes, begin to agree with Gods promises for your life. He is a compassionate Father who longs to move you into a place of victory and blessing.

Jesus, please redeem the mistakes of my past and engrave Your promises on my heart.

WEEK 1WEDNESDAY
Step into Something New

Lord, if its you, Peter replied, tell me to come to you on the water. Come, he said.