BLESSINGS for the Morning Prayerful Encouragement to Begin Your Day Susie Larson 7
2014 by Susie Larson Published by Bethany House Publishers 11400 Hampshire Avenue South Bloomington, Minnesota 55438 www.bethanyhouse.com Bethany House Publishers is a division of Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan Printed in China All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means for example, electronic, photocopy, recording without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC. ISBN 978-0-7642-1293-2 Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are 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 Scripture quotations identified The Message are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations identified NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations identified NLT are 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. Scripture quotations identified TLB are from The Living Bible, copyright 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. Cover design by Brand Navigation Interior design and art direction by Paul Higdon Author is represented by The Steve Laube Agency
To Lizzie, Kristen, and Anita God loves you deeply And so do we To Jesus May You breathe fresh life into every soul who picks up this book. Knowing that we get to spend eternity with You is the greatest blessing of all. You re our greatest treasure.
To You, My Friend 8 Blessings for the Morning Persevere With Feisty Faith 10 Heaven Rejoices Over You 12 Blessed in Every Way 14 Ready for a Change 16 He Wants You Strong 18 Look Up and Sing 20 His Grace Strengthens You 22 Believe for Greater Things 24 God-Moments Everywhere 26 Trust Him, He s Got You 28 Embrace Today s Grace 30 Walk in Faith 32 Fresh Favor and Perspective 34 A Glimpse of Glory 36 Healed, Strong, and Whole 38 Springtime Expectancy 40 Choose Life 42 Do Not Quit 44 Joy and Strength 46 Confident in God 48 Motivated and Purposeful 50 Remember and Dream With God 52 Breakthrough and Renewal 54 Fresh, Unfailing Mercies 56 Worship Wins the Day 58 There s a Place for You 60 Prayer Changes Things 62 Filled to Overflowing 64 Free to Be You 66 Release Your Cares 68 Simplify and Refresh 70 Sow Generously 72 Humility and Tenacity 74 Peace to Your Storm 76 Seated With Christ 78 Forgiveness and Mercy 80 Don t Give Up 82 Hold Your Ground 84 Break Free 86 Spacious Places 88 He Loves and He Restores 90 A Fresh Outpouring 92 God Is Doing a New Thing 94 Your Next Place of Promise 96 See Yourself Through His Eyes 98 God Is in Control 100 Give Him Access to You 102 Unshakable 104 The New You 106 6 Susie Larson
Contents Trust Him Fully 108 Abundantly Blessed 110 A Playful Moment 112 Energized and Purposeful 114 Keep Walking 116 A Heart Like His 118 Wisdom to Guard and Guide 120 Awaken Your Faith 122 Say Yes 124 Believe, Then See 126 Still Waters 128 He s With You 130 In Step With Him 132 Surrounded With Favor 134 Satisfied and Strengthened 136 His Goodness 138 Be Strong, Take Heart 140 A Divinely Paced Life 142 Guard Your Heart 144 Receive, Believe, Live 146 Ready to Respond 148 Do Not Fear 150 God Will Move 152 What s Best for Your Soul 154 Live in Response to Him 156 He Loves Your Loved Ones 158 He ll Empower You 160 Bursts of Joy 162 You re Someone He Loves 164 Know Him More 166 Before the Breakthrough Comes 168 Any Day Now 170 Treasures in the Valley 172 Pray, Plant, and Believe 174 Surprised by Joy 176 Receive! 178 Pray Powerfully 180 God Is Near 182 Rest While He Works 184 Rest, Revival, and Renewal 186 Divinely Called 188 Blessings for Specific Needs and Occasions A Restful Weekend 192 Stepping Out in Faith 194 No Condemnation 196 Christmas Eve 198 Christmas 200 End of Year 202 Acknowledgments 205 Blessings for the Morning 7
To You, My Friend God loves you with an everlasting love. He is faithful, wise, and true. He is a miracle-working, soul-saving, life-transforming God. And He cares deeply about you. As you work your way through these pages, may you grow to know on a much deeper level what you possess when you have Christ. He is above all, in all, and through all. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He promises never to leave you, never to forsake you, and never to let go of your hand. Life on earth is hard sometimes, but life with God is always good, always beautiful, and forever eternal. The Lord wants you to last long and finish strong, and He s the one who will keep you strong to the end. May these blessings be yours in every way. Susie Larson Also, please don t miss the blessings near the end of the book for specific needs and occasions, including a Restful Weekend, Stepping Out in Faith, No Condemnation, Christmas Eve, Christmas, and the End of Year.
Blessings for the Morning
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 10 S u s i e L a r s o n BlessingsForTheMorning-HC_interior.indd 10 5/27/14 9:15 AM
Persevere With Feisty Faith May you make up your mind to persevere and not quit. May you refuse to be bullied by your fears or diminished by your insecurities. May you rise up in the knowledge that God made a masterpiece when He made you! May you embrace the grace to abound in every good work in spite of enemy opposition. Overwhelming victory belongs to you because you belong to Him. Walk with feisty faith today! He s got you. Susie Larson, Blessings for the B l Morning e s s i n g s for the M o r n i n g BlessingsForTheMorning-HC_interior.indd 11 11 5/27/14 9:15 AM
The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 nkjv 12 S u s i e L a r s o n BlessingsForTheMorning-HC_interior.indd 12 5/27/14 9:15 AM
Heaven Rejoices Over You May you in spite of your critics move forward in faith. May God s song over your life drown out every lesser voice. May you look up and rejoice because heaven rejoices over you. Remember who you are today! In Christ Jesus you possess all you need. Your name is written on His hand. Your desires are especially close to His heart. His call on your life fits you perfectly. Be watchful and thankful today. Jesus is with you. Susie Larson, Blessings for B thel e Morning s s i n g s for the M o r n i n g BlessingsForTheMorning-HC_interior.indd 13 13 5/27/14 9:15 AM