Sarah Young - Jesus Calling, 50 Devotions for Comfort, with Scripture References

2018 Sarah Young

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ISBN 978-1-4003-1090-6

ISBN 978-1-4003-1095-1 (eBook)

The Library of Congress has cataloged the earlier edition as follows:

Young, Sarah, 1946

Jesus Calling / by Sarah Young.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-1-59145-188-4 (hardcover)

1. Devotional calendars. 2. Devotional literature, English. I. Title.

BV4811.Y675 2004

242.2dc22 2044005474

18 19 20 21 22 TIMS 5 4 3 2 1

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To someone on the verge of losing hope, I stress the importance of trusting God in the darkwhen youre deeply disappointed and cannot understand His ways. I encourage you to grasp on to Jesus and to His Word, memorizing portions of Scripture that are especially meaningful to you.

The devotions in this book are meant to be read slowly, preferably in a quiet placewith your Bible open. The Bible is the only infallible, inerrant Word of God, and I endeavor to keep my writings consistent with that unchanging standard. 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 Christ; you refers to you, the reader. Scripture references are included after each daily reading. Words from the Scriptures (some paraphrased, some quoted) are indicated in italics and are interwoven into each entry.

Remember that Jesus is Immanuel, God with us. May you enjoy His Presence in ever-increasing measure.

Sarah Young

C OME TO M E with all your weaknesses: physical, emotional, and spiritual. Rest in the comfort of My Presence, remembering that nothing is impossible with Me.

Pry your mind away from your problems so you can focus your attention on Me. Recall that I am able to do immeasurably more than all you ask or imagine. Instead of trying to direct Me to do this and that, seek to attune yourself to what I am already doing.

When anxiety attempts to wedge its way into your thoughts, remind yourself that I am your Shepherd. The bottom line is that I am taking care of you; therefore, you neednt be afraid of anything. Rather than trying to maintain control over your life, abandon yourself to My will. Though this may feel frighteningeven dangerousthe safest place to be is in My will.

L UKE 1:37; E PHESIANS 3:2021; P SALM 23:14

The L ORD is my shepherd ,
I shall not be in want. He makes me
lie down in green pastures, he leads
me beside quiet waters, he restores
my soul. He guides me in paths
of righteousness
for his names sake. Even though
I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and
your staff, they comfort me.

P SALM 23:14

D ONT BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF . I can bring good even out of your mistakes. Your finite mind tends to look backward, longing to undo decisions you have come to regret. This is a waste of time and energy, leading only to frustration. Instead of floundering in the past, release your mistakes to Me. Look to Me in trust, anticipating that My infinite creativity can weave both good choices and bad into a lovely design.

Because you are human, you will continue to make mistakes. Thinking that you should live an error-free life is symptomatic of pride. Your failures can be a source of blessing, humbling you and giving you empathy for other people in their weaknesses. Best of all, failure highlights your dependence on Me. I am able to bring beauty out of the morass of your mistakes. Trust Me, and watch to see what I will do.

R OMANS 8:28; P ROVERBS 11:2; M ICAH 7:7

But as for me,
I watch in hope
for the L ORD , I wait for
God my Savior ;
my God will hear me.

M ICAH 7:7

C OME TO M E FOR UNDERSTANDING since I know you far better than you know yourself. I comprehend you in all your complexity; no detail of your life is hidden from Me. I view you through eyes of grace, so dont be afraid of My intimate awareness. Allow the Light of My healing Presence to shine into the deepest recesses of your beingcleansing, healing, refreshing, and renewing you. Trust Me enough to accept the full forgiveness that I offer you continually. This great gift, which cost Me My Life, is yours for all eternity. Forgiveness is at the very core of My abiding Presence. I will never leave you or forsake you.

When no one else seems to understand you, simply draw closer to Me. Rejoice in the One who understands you completely and loves you perfectly. As I fill you with My Love, you become a reservoir of love, overflowing into the lives of other people.

P SALM 139:14; 2 C ORINTHIANS 1:2122; J OSHUA 1:5

No one will be able to
stand up against you
all the days of your life. As I
was with Moses, so I will be
with you; I will never