Patricia Mitchell - Everyday Gifts

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Copyright 2014 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.

Print ISBN 978-1-62836-879-6
eBook Editions:
Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-63058-582-2
Kindle and MobiPocket Edition (.prc) 978-1-63058-583-9

Writing and compilation: Patricia Mitchell in association with Snapdragon GroupSM Tulsa, OK, USA.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without written permission of the publisher.

Churches and other noncommercial interests may reproduce portions of this book without the express written permission of Barbour Publishing, provided that the text does not exceed 500 words or 5 percent of the entire book, whichever is less, and that the text is not material quoted from another publisher. When reproducing text from this book, include the following credit line: From Spiritual Refreshment for Women: Everyday Gifts, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the H OLY B IBLE : N EW I NTERNATIONAL V ERSION . NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked NCV are taken from the New Century Version of the Bible, copyright 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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

Scripture quotations marked MSG are from THE MESSAGE. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken 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.

Cover and interior design: Greg Jackson, Thinkpen Design

Published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683 www.barbourbooks.com

Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.

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In the routine and busyness of our everyday lives, we often overlook Gods many gifts. Ranging from the familiar (how natural to take them for granted!) to the spectacular (how easy to forget who made it possible!), Gods goodness surrounds us wherever we are. He continues to offer His gifts, even when we hardly notice.

Everyday Gifts is a book of relevant and meaningful devotions inviting you to pause and give thanks for one of Gods many blessings. Each day, you will find an uplifting message designed to help you live a gifted life, a life of heightened mindfulness and appreciation of all that God has given to you. As His Spirit continues to work in your heart and mind, He will lead you to deeper spirituality, increased awareness of His presence, and a more vibrant relationship with Him.

Go through the book page by page, or pick out one each day that you would like as your prayer focus. Either way, Everyday Gifts is here to bless you as you praise God for all His gifts of goodness and life.

We all live off his generous bounty, gift after gift after gift.
J OHN 1:16 MSG

If you seek him, he will be found by you.

2 C HRONICLES 15:2 ESV

W ho is God? What is He like? Most important of all, How does He feel about me? If you are asking any of these questions, ask no longer! Gods answers rest in scripture. Through His revealed Word, the Bible, God has given you a gift: the ability to discover who He is, what He is like, and His attitude toward you. His message has the power to open the eyes of your heart to the miracle of His creation and the wonder of His presence. His Spirit gives you an ever-increasing ability to love Him with pure, transcendent, soul-deep love.

Do not neglect the gift that is in you.

1 T IMOTHY 4:14 NKJV

W hen you think about Gods unconditional love for you, you might ask, Why me? Of course, God has an answer! He loves you because He is love. It is not because of anything you have done or will do, it is simply because youre you. Gods love equips you with the ability to extend His love to those around you, offering to them the kind of patient, forgiving, and kindhearted love He showers on you. The gift of being able to bless the lives of others with your love brings even more love into your life of love!

My cup runs over.

P SALM 23:5 NKJV

S o you are thinking about God, a heavenly Father who created the world and everything in it. The same sent His Son into the world for the sole purpose of inviting everyone into relationship with Him. Whats more, Gods Spirit continues to work in the hearts of believers, offering strength and comfort, guidance and protection. How outlandish is that? So are the gifts of faith, grace, kindliness, peace, and mercy that He showers on you with uncommon abundance. You have because He gives and gives, and gives some more. Yes, His abundance could easily be described as completely outlandish!

Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?

E STHER 4:14 NIV

O ne look at the news and you are no doubt struck by the overwhelming number of needs in the world. Yet what often gets lost in the flow of heartbreaking headlines is that there are also an overwhelming number of ways to make things better. Beginning with your thoughts and attitude, words and actions, an abundance of opportunities come across your path every day. It is your heart and your hands that God uses to do His work in your corner of the world, and He has blessed you with everything you need to do it.

Immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us.

E PHESIANS 2:5 MSG

N o matter who you are or what you have done or where you have been, God accepts you as His own. His acceptance is a gift He gives; it is not something you or anyone else can earn. In fact, those who try to earn Gods acceptance by proving themselves through the things they say and do are missing the whole point! Gods acceptance is a gift of grace, and you cannot buy or pay for it. A gift is free, because the giver chooses to give it to you. God chooses to accept you. Its that simple!