Katherine J. Butler - Pocket Meditations

Living Expressions invites you to explore Gods Word and express your creativity in ways that are refreshing to the spirit and restorative to the soul.

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Pocket Meditations

Copyright 2020 by Ronald A. Beers. All rights reserved.

Cover and interior illustrations by Lauren Lowen. Copyright 2020 by Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

Designed by Jackie Nuez

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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ISBN 978-1-4964-1812-8

Build: 2021-04-21 22:33:58 EPUB 3.0

W HETHER YOURE NEW TO THE B IBLE or have been immersing yourself in its message for years, the same wonderful truth applies: You will reap eternal benefits each time you meditate on its timeless wisdom.

As you begin your journey through Pocket Meditations, keep in mind that we all meditate on something at various points throughout each day. To meditate is to focus your thought and attention on one particular matter. For some, it might mean contemplating schedules or agendas. For others, it may involve thinking deeply about current worries or getting bogged down with past regrets or failures.

While the word meditation has some unfortunate baggage these days, the practice is actually essential to the Christian faith. We must think deeply about Gods Wordreflecting on what it says about him and pondering what it reveals about us and our world. We cannot internalize the truths of God unless we slow down and ingest them.

The concept of meditation is mentioned throughout the Bible: Joshua said we should meditate on Gods law day and night (Joshua 1:8). David prayed that his meditations would be pleasing to God (Psalm 19:14). Meditation is also mentioned in several psalms (48:9; 63:6; 119; 145:5).

What do you meditate on most often? How might your life be different if each day you chose to pause and meditate on Gods Word? This book is designed to help you do that. Every page provides a well-known and inspirational passage from Gods Word as well as a devotional thought to prompt you to meditate more deeply on its message.

Here are a few tips before you begin:

1. Read (and reread) each Bible passage slowly. Gods Word cannot sink into your heart through skimming. Take a breath before you read, and then allow your mind to settle on each verse.
2. Give yourself grace. Its hard to stay still and focused. Thats why meditation is considered a discipline! If distractions arise, remind yourself that replacing old thoughts with new ones takes time. Let go of preoccupations as best you can in order to engage with the Scriptures.
3. Remember that you are reading Gods Word, which is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12, emphasis added). It always produces fruit. You may not feel any different in the moment, but trust that God will accomplish great work in you through these meditations.

God bless you as you think deeply about his Word, his character, and his presence in your life!

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

The first five words of the Bible reveal so much to us about God: In the beginning God created. Gods Word begins by affirming that he existed before anything else and that he alone brought all things into existence. He didnt use other materials to form the heavens and the earth; he created all things from nothing. This concept is almost impossible for us to grasp, yet it reminds us of his power, sovereignty, and wisdom. If God is able to speak all things into existence, how much more can he be trusted to handle the impossible areas in your own life?

God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

To be created in Gods image means we resemble Godin our ability to create, reason, rule over animals, and be in relationship. How amazing it is that God didnt create us to be his puppets but to resemble and represent him in this world! How often do you thank God for seeing you as worthy to share his image? Since God treasures you this much, surely he has something important for you to do in this world.

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the L ORD , meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

The book of Psalms begins by stressing the importance of obeying the lawGods Word. This passage contrasts a life of delighting in the Word of God against a life of following ones own way. Which most resembles your own? Do you come to Scripture for advice or rely solely on human wisdom? Does it seem that you are fruitful and thriving or dry and withering? Ask God for help in learning to love his Word as you continue through this devotional.

Is anything too hard for the L ORD ?

Abraham, who was nearly one hundred years old, and his ninety-year-old wife, Sarah, were childless when God told Abraham the unexpected news that Sarah would finally have a child. Imagine living that long without seeing a deep desire of your heart come to fruition. Sarahs hope for a child had likely dwindled with each year that passed until at last she deemed it impossible, laughing at the prospect. But God responded, Is anything too hard for the L ORD ? These words combat despair, hopelessness, and pessimism. They remind us that God can do anythingyes, anything. God sees the desires of your heart. He knows the pain and helplessness you feel because of that impossible situation in your life. What might God want you to keep hoping for as you choose to trust him with the impossible?