Natalie Grant - Glimmer and Shine: 365 Devotions to Inspire

Contents

ZONDERKIDZ

Glimmer and Shine

Copyright 2017 by Natalie Grant

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Zonderkidz, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

Epub Edition August 2017 ISBN 9780310758716

ISBN 978-0-310-75865-5

Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

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Interior design: Denise Froehlich

Printed in the United States of America

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To my Glimmer Girls: Bella, Gracie and Sadie

I love that you love Gods word. Never

stop reading it, loving it, living it.

Other Books by Natalie Grant:

London Art Chase

A Dolphin Wish

Miracle in Music City

Light Up New York

Ebook Instructions

In this ebook edition, please use your devices note-taking function to record your thoughts wherever you see the bracketed instructions [Your Notes]. Use your devices highlighting function to record your response whenever you are asked to checkmark, circle, underline, or otherwise indicate your answer(s).

H i there! Welcome to a year of devotion. I love Gods Word. It helps me when Im unsure, makes me feel safe when Im afraid, comforts me when Im sad, encourages me when Im insecure, and instructs me on how to treat my family and friends. Its pretty much the most amazing guidebook for life. Thats why I am so excited youre here! Because I believe it will be all those things and more for you. So take your time and learn more about who God is, and as you do, youll learn more about who YOU are! The more you read, learn, and love Gods word, it will help you glimmer and shine from the inside out!

Its going to be a great year!

Natalie Grant

You wash me in mercy
I am clean

DAY 1

I ts a good year to grow your relationship with God! What will you dare to be?

[Your Notes]

DAY 2

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the L ORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the L ORD God among the trees of the garden. But the L ORD God called to the man, Where are you?

GENESIS 3:89

F or a while Adam and Eve enjoyed perfect harmony with their Creator in the Garden of Eden. But Satan changed it all with one bite of the forbidden fruit and sin entered human hearts. As the serpent slithered away, Adam and Eve hid. They felt ashamed.

Isnt that just like Satan? He hates being exposed, and he really hopes you never feel forgiven. So when we do something regretful, we often try to cover it up with lies, blame, and hiding. God shows his children a better way. He invites us into the light. He gives us a chance to come clean and be free. Where are you? he asks, not because he doesnt know exactly where we are or what has happened. Instead hes beginning a conversation. Hes inviting us back into a relationship, where we can come out of hiding.

When we sin, the shadows seem safer. We dont want our sin in the light. But dont be fooled; dont hide. Instead, remember what Adam and Eve forgot: God is looking for you. Hes inviting you to forgiveness and freedom. Go to him.

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for loving me through my sin. Thank you for looking for me in the shadows and inviting me into the light. I confess to you. Restore me.

DAY 3

If the whole Israelite community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the L ORD S commands, even though the community is unaware of the matter, when they realize their guilt... the assembly must bring a young bull as their sin offering.

LEVITICUS 4:1314

R emember when you got in trouble when you were little? Youd do something wrong, get caught, and then turn your sweet face to your mom or dad. I didnt know! you might have said. Maybe your parents didnt buy the excuse, but they let you off the hookat least that one time.

Back in the Old Testament, it didnt quite work like that. Even if people didnt knowfor realthat they did something wrong, it was still sin. And sin separated them from God. Something had to be done. God told them exactly what to do once they understood they did wrong. He made a way back for them. What a gracious God!

In Jesus, God has made a way back for us. Maybe you believed your friends when they said an action wasnt wrong. Maybe you made a bad decision at school or you crossed other lines that friends or a TV show made seem okay. Then later you realized it was wrong. Its never too late. Talk to God and ask for his forgiveness. His grace is waiting.

PRAYER

Lord, please show me if I have done something wrong without realizing it. I want to have a pure heart. Thank you that I can come to you with anything and find my way back to you.

DAY 4

He shall purify the house with the birds blood, the fresh water, the live bird, the cedar wood, the hyssop and the scarlet yarn. Then he is to release the live bird in the open fields outside the town. In this way he will make atonement for the house, and it will be clean.

LEVITICUS 14:5253

L eviticus is a difficult book of the Bible to read. Dont worry if you find it hard. Its all about instructions for the priests of Israel who lived long before Jesus was born.

A holy God required offerings that proved the people were sorry for their sins. One of those sacrifices was to bring two birds to a priest. One was killed and its blood was mixed with water. This represented that death is the cost of sin. The other bird was allowed to live but was dipped in the bloody water before being set free. As it flew away, the live bird splattered the red liquid all around. This reminded the people that their sins had been paid for and their lives had been bought back by God.

Many years later, when Jesus died for our sins, there was no need to continue sacrificing animals. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice, and his was perfect. But he didnt stay dead. Thats what we celebrate at Easter. Jesus is alive again! The dead bird and the living bird in Leviticus remind us of Jesus. He paid for our sin, came back to life, and neither sin nor death is the end.

PRAYER

Lord, I thank you that you covered my sins with your own blood. Im also grateful that we dont have to perform all the difficult tasks like the Old Testament priests. Im glad I can talk to you directly in Jesus name!

DAY 5

The L ORD said to Moses, Say to the Israelites: Any man or woman who wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the L ORD is guilty and must confess the sin they have committed.