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Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV
B L E S S I N G S for the E v e n i n g Finding Peace in God s Presence S u s i e L a r s o n 7
2013 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 978-0-7642-1163-8 Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations 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 HCSB are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. 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 NIV 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 NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Cover design by Brand Navigation Interior design Bethany and art House, direction a division by Paul Higdon of Baker Publishing Group, 2013. Used by permission. Author is represented by The Steve Laube Agency
To my mom, Pat Erickson, and Kev s dad, Dean Larson, who lost their beloved spouses this year May the promised blessing of seeing your loved ones again bring comfort and encouragement to your souls. Love you so much. 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 Coming Against the Enemy 56 He Is Faithful 58 Blessings for the Evening Right Place, Right Time 60 God s Unshakable Love 10 The Rock 62 A Brand-New You 12 Grateful Living 64 The Lord s Goodness 14 From Fearful to Joyful 66 Seeing and Hearing God 16 Freedom in Christ 68 Heaven Is on Your Side 18 Praises to the Most High 70 A Healthy Rhythm 20 A Heavenly Aim 72 Sowing and Reaping 22 A Fruitful Life 74 Stepping Out 24 Step-by-Step With God 76 Fresh Joy, Fresh Faith 26 Your New Future 78 A Renewed Life 28 A Mighty Move of God 80 Christ in Focus 30 Sacred Moments 82 The Battle Is the Lord s 32 Tomorrow s Promise 84 Abounding Grace 34 Secure in Christ 86 Hearing God s Voice 36 Living With Expectancy 88 An Eternal Perspective 38 Good Gifts 90 Love in Action 40 Mighty to Save 92 Gritty Faith 42 A Peace Offering 94 Rest for the Weary 44 A Shield of Love 96 Equipped for Victory 46 A Thankful Heart 98 God Is Working for You 48 Your Story and God s 100 A Personal Revival 50 A Full-of-Life Life 102 Let God Carry the Load 52 Through God s Eyes 104 Covered by God 54 Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Fully Group, Restored 2013. 106Used by permission.
While You Rest 108 Purpose in Every Step 110 A Quiet Place 112 A Better Tomorrow 114 You Can Rely on Him 116 Fearing God, Not Man 118 Following His Lead 120 God Is for You 122 Abundant Living and Giving 124 Harvest Time 126 Valued 128 Beyond Imagination 130 God Will Lead You 132 Faith-Filled Eyes 134 Rooted in Love 136 Reaping Results 138 Life-Giving Water 140 Facing Down Fears 142 Your Defender and Protector 144 Shelter in the Storm 146 Glimpses of Glory 148 When You d Rather... 150 United With Christ 152 Incomparable Power 154 A Godly Inheritance 160 Desires of Your Heart 162 The Right Focus 164 Created for Good 166 Healing Joy 168 New Heights 170 In (and From) God s Hands 172 Tenacious Faith 174 Your Divine Purpose 176 Unhurried Days 178 A Secure Heart 180 Morning Mercies 182 From Impossible to Possible 184 Releasing Your Burdens 186 An Unlimited Supply 188 Blessings for Specific Needs and Occasions Sabbath Rest 192 Grief 194 Thanksgiving Day 196 Christmas 198 Spiritual Warfare 200 Disappointment 202 Contents An Ever-Present Help 156 When Bethany You Are House, Weak a division 158 of Baker Publishing Acknowledgments Group, 2013. Used 205 by permission.
To You, My Friend God loves you with an everlasting love. He is faithful, wise, and true. He is a miracleworking, 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 One more thing: Don t miss the blessings near the end of the book for specific needs and occasions, including Sabbath Rest, Grief, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, Spiritual Warfare, and Disappointment.
Blessings for the Evening
I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow not even the powers of hell can separate us from God s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38 39
God s Unshakable Love May the Lord awaken you to fresh and powerful revelations of His love. May He stir in you a deep desire to read His Word and stand on His promises. May He lift you up so you can see your life from His perspective. May He put a joy in your heart that makes you glad and others smile. And tonight, may you wrap yourself up in this wonderful truth: Absolutely nothing can separate you from His love! Sleep well.
There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.... The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:1 2, 11
A Brand-New You May God s opinion matter far more to you than man s opinion. May His dreams for you speak louder than your fears. May His forgiveness wash over every sin from your past. And may you rise up in the morning with the knowledge that He s made you brand-new, through and through. No spot or stain on you! Rest well tonight.
You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 118:28 29 NIV
The Lord s Goodness May the Lord bless you with deep, nourishing sleep tonight. May you wake up fresh and renewed, ready to face the day. May you find the time to pause in His presence, listen for His voice, and give Him thanks for all He s done and for all He s about to do. You are His beloved, and He is yours. His banner over you is love! Sleep well tonight.
Your eyes are blessed because they do see, and your ears because they do hear! Matthew 13:16 HCSB
Seeing and Hearing God May God bless your eyes so you begin to see everyone and everything redemptively. May God bless your ears so you ll only hear words consistent with His voice and His song over your life. May God bless your heart that you may be a wellspring of life for others. And may God bless your hands and feet that you may tend to His business during your time on earth. Your life matters deeply to Him. Rest in that fact.
Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Heaven Is on Your Side May you learn to trust God in increasing measures. When He calls, may you follow where He leads, step out without having all of the information, speak up without having all the answers, and look up when your circumstances threaten to weigh you down. May you live, breathe, and speak as one who is ensured victory and equipped to do the impossible. Sleep well tonight, knowing that all of heaven is on your side.