This beautifully packaged devotional is unique, written in the form of a letter from the reader to Jesus. Each devotion focuses on topics such as needing to slow down, stress less, rely on His strength, make wise decisions, further His kingdom, as well as praise and thank Jesus. Arranged topically, each entry features a letter to Jesus that reminds the reader that we are not alone with our triumphs or tragedies, and that Jesus walks every step of every day with us. Every devotion has a Bible verse to reflect on as well as a takeaway message for the day, to provide comfort, encouragement, and strength for the reader. At the end of each devotion, there is space for the reader to record their thoughts, prayers, or even write their own letter to Jesus. This book puts life in perspective each day in a personal and intimate way.
This beautifully packaged devotional is unique, written in the form of a letter from the reader to Jesus. Each devotion focuses on topics such as needing to slow down, stress less, rely on His strength, make wise decisions, further His kingdom, as well as praise and thank Jesus. Arranged topically, each entry features a letter to Jesus that reminds the reader that we are not alone with our triumphs or tragedies, and that Jesus walks every step of every day with us. Every devotion has a Bible verse to reflect on as well as a takeaway message for the day, to provide comfort, encouragement, and strength for the reader. At the end of each devotion, there is space for the reader to record their thoughts, prayers, or even write their own letter to Jesus. This book puts life in perspective each day in a personal and intimate way.
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Overview
This beautifully packaged devotional is unique, written in the form of a letter from the reader to Jesus. Each devotion focuses on topics such as needing to slow down, stress less, rely on His strength, make wise decisions, further His kingdom, as well as praise and thank Jesus. Arranged topically, each entry features a letter to Jesus that reminds the reader that we are not alone with our triumphs or tragedies, and that Jesus walks every step of every day with us. Every devotion has a Bible verse to reflect on as well as a takeaway message for the day, to provide comfort, encouragement, and strength for the reader. At the end of each devotion, there is space for the reader to record their thoughts, prayers, or even write their own letter to Jesus. This book puts life in perspective each day in a personal and intimate way.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780310352211 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Zondervan |
| Publication date: | 02/02/2015 |
| Sold by: | HarperCollins Publishing |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 224 |
| File size: | 373 KB |
| Age Range: | 18 Years |
Read an Excerpt
Jesus, I Need You
By Zondervan Publishing
ZONDERVAN
Copyright © 2014 ZondervanAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-310-34392-9
CHAPTER 1
I NEED YOU
Dear Jesus,
Sometimes I forget just how much I need You. How many times have You tried to tell me something, and I haven't listened? I need to listen more. How often have You tried to show me something, but I haven't seen? I need to open my eyes to every little blessing. I need to take time to look up at the sky and down at the earth and recognize the amazing work of the Father's hands. I need to see into the hearts of others so I can sympathize and empathize with them and be a servant to them more often.
Dear Jesus, I need You. Every day, every minute, every second, I need You. Teach me to seek You more every day. Remind me that unless I take time to draw near to You, I will have trouble hearing Your voice and seeing what You want me to see. Jesus, when I read my Bible, reveal Yourself to me. Show me all the ways I need You. Fill up my heart, spare me from the world's distractions, and help me focus on You.
I need You.
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 4:19
We all need a Savior. We all need Jesus. Not only did He save us from our sins and provide our way to heaven, but Jesus wants to save us from anything that gets in the way of our relationship with Him. He wants to fill up your heart with His love. You need Him.
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CHAPTER 2SCATTERED THOUGHTS
Dear Jesus,
My thoughts are so scattered today. The anxiety that comes with too many things to do and getting them all done makes my mind spin out of control. I'm having trouble reeling in my thoughts and organizing them so that I can think clearly and set a productive plan.
Lord, instead of concentrating on my work, I've let whatifs and if-onlies sneak into my head. What if I can't do this? or What if I can't get it done on time? If only I didn't have so much to do! If only I had someone to help me! But I do have Someone to help me—Jesus, I have You!
Why can't I remember to call on You first? You are always with me and ready to help. So help me now, Lord Jesus. Remove those what-ifs and if-onlies from my brain. Gather my thoughts like God gathers the four corners of the wind. Bring them all together—organized, ready, and clear.
Jesus, You are my Helper. Together, we'll get this done.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.—2 Corinthians 10:5
When burdened with so much to do, your thoughts can become anxious and tangled. That's when you need to lean on Jesus. He knows how to calm you, help you sort through all of the mismatched thoughts, and organize them to get the work done. Call on Him in your busiest times. He is ready and willing to help.
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CHAPTER 3GIVING IT ALL AWAY
Dear Jesus,
I have a confession to make. I feel afraid to entrust everything to You. I know that You love me and want only the best for me. Still, it's so hard to give up total control of every aspect of my life. When I have trouble, I'm eager to give You my problems. But when things are going well, I'm not as quick to give my everything away.
My concern, Jesus, is not knowing. If I give you my everything, I want to know what You plan to do with it. Will You make big changes? You know that I don't do well with change. Will there be valleys along the way and mountains to climb?
I should just trust You. I want to trust You. Why is trust so hard? I pray, dear Jesus, that You will help me with this. Teach me that I needn't be afraid. Help me give You my everything—just maybe not all at once. Take my hand and lead me gently, one step at a time.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."—Jeremiah 29:11
Handing over everything to God can be difficult, especially for those who have been hurt by someone they love. It is important to remember that God is perfect Love. Because He loved us, He gave us His everything—His only Son. Jesus suffered for us so that we will have eternal life in heaven one day. Learn to trust Him. He loves you.
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CHAPTER 4TEMPTATION
Dear Jesus,
Why is self-control so difficult? Whether it's about overeating, spending too much time on the computer, or losing my temper, I sometimes give in to temptation and do what I know is wrong.
I tell myself, "Jesus was tempted, and He didn't give in." And then I remind myself that You are perfect, and I'm not. Oh, how I wish I were perfect and didn't have to struggle with right and wrong.
Jesus, the only way to overcome temptation and maintain my self-control is to keep my eyes on You and remember Your example. You were prepared when Satan tempted You. You knew that tempting might happen, and You were ready. I need to be ready, like You. I need to be ready and face temptation with Your kind of strength, the strength that comes with trusting God. I need to arm myself with Scripture, like You did, so I can fight off those tempting thoughts. When I feel like giving in, I have to remember to stop and ask You to help me.
Jesus, You are always with me. You fill the gaps of my imperfection with Your perfection. Lord Jesus, I trust You. Let's work on this together.
Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.—Hebrews 2:18
Temptation is all around us, but Jesus taught us how to overcome it by setting a perfect example. Read Matthew 4:1–11. You will see that Jesus was prepared; He stayed strong and used God's Word to overcome the enemy. If you'll put His example into practice, You can overcome temptation too.
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CHAPTER 5ON PRAYER
Dear Jesus,
Forgive me. I noticed today that I've been giving You instructions when I pray. You know what I want, and You also know what I need. But when I've prayed, I've told You exactly how I think You should answer my prayer. I've laid my plans before You and asked You to bless them, forgetting that prayer doesn't work that way.
Jesus, I am so used to being in control. It's my job to control things at home and at work to make sure that everything runs smoothly. I'm sorry that I've tried to control You.
You know better than I how to answer my prayer. You know whether to say yes to me, or no. And if you say no, then I can be certain that Your plan is a better one.
I want to pray in accordance with Your will, Jesus, but sometimes I get ahead of myself. Forgive me.
Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.—Proverbs 19:21
If anyone knew about prayer, it was Corrie ten Boom, the famous Dutch woman who was imprisoned for helping Jews escape the Nazis during WWII. About prayer she said, "It is not our task to give God instructions. We are simply to report for duty." Prayer is not only about asking but also about listening. Make your needs known to the Lord, but then trust Him to answer in His own time and way.
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CHAPTER 6JESUS, MY HELPER
Dear Jesus,
There are some things that I'm just not good at—numbers, for instance. When I have to balance my checkbook or do just about any kind of math, I freeze. I've never been good with numbers and I make mistakes. And cooking? I'm not so good at that either, or with creative things like drawing and writing. But, Jesus, the good news is that I keep on trying, and slowly I'm getting better at the things that I find difficult to do.
I'm learning relax and turn my thought processes over to You. You help me to think more clearly. You've taught me to take tasks slowly, one step at a time. When I trust in Your help, You give me hope that I can accomplish what I set out to do. When I make You my partner in a difficult task, then I am confident. There is nothing that You and I can't do together!
So thank You, Jesus. Thank You for being my helper.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord.—Psalm 121:1–2
When you face a difficult task, call on Jesus for help. His wisdom will guide you. Ask Him to lead your thoughts and to help you focus on what you need to get done. If you make Jesus your partner, then you will see your self-confidence begin to flourish. He will help you stay calm and keep trying when you feel like giving up.
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CHAPTER 7I SURRENDER ALL
Dear Jesus,
How many times have I laid everything at Your feet: my problems, my hopes, my prayers, and my life? I surrendered it all to You and then I took it all back. And, Jesus, I did it without one ounce of awareness. My need to be in control is so fundamental that I don't even recognize when I'm doing it.
Lord, I trust You. I am willing to hand over my everything to You, and I believe that You will take it and use it for my good and Your glory. Still, I am so often impatient waiting for Your solutions to my problems or answers to my prayers. When I'm impatient, I react impulsively. I've taken back what I've given You—and for that, dear Jesus, I am sorry!
Please help me. Once more, I surrender it all to You. And Jesus, I don't want it back. Help me leave it all with You, forever.
"Truly I tell you," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age."—Mark 10:29–30
Judson Van DeVenter struggled with surrendering all to Jesus. He wavered between his dream of becoming an accomplished artist and God's plan for him to enter the ministry. Finally, Judson made the choice to leave his dream with Jesus. The result? He became a powerful evangelist and hymnist. Perhaps you know his most famous hymn, "I Surrender All." What might the Lord do with your life if you surrender all to Him?
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CHAPTER 8GUIDE ME AND MY CHILDREN
Dear Jesus,
From the day my children were born, I've prayed for them to grow strong in faith and follow You all the days of their lives.
When they were little, it was easy. I read them Bible stories and we sang worship songs together. In Sunday school they learned about You and the sacrifice You made so that we can be together in heaven someday. But as my children are growing older, I see rebellion creeping into their hearts. They are increasingly tempted to follow their peers instead of You, and that frightens me.
I do my best to guide them, but I need Your help, Jesus. Root Yourself firmly in their hearts. Speak to them in ways that I cannot. Lead them to friends who love You, and guide them toward pleasing You instead of those who want to lead them astray.
And guide me also! I want a good, God-centered relationship with my children, one filled with love and trust. Show me if someone or something is taking Your place in their hearts, and teach me how to lead them back to You. Bless my children, Lord, and keep them close to You.
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.—Proverbs 22:6
Charles Spurgeon said, "A child's back must be made to bend, but it must not be broken. He must be ruled, but not with a rod of iron. His spirit must be conquered, but not crushed." But how do I do that? you wonder. The most important thing you will ever do for your children is to guide them into a strong Christian faith. Keep your eyes on Jesus and ask Him to help you. He will.
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CHAPTER 9DECISIONS
Dear Jesus,
First, I want to thank You for blessing me. You have set before me two very attractive paths, and I'm grateful for that. But, Jesus, deciding which one to take is so hard. I've been praying about it, but so far I haven't felt You steer me in one way or the other. Tell me, please: What should I do?
I've thought hard about it. Both paths have benefits for my family and me, but each leads us in a very different direction. Each is quite different from the life we live now. I want to do what's right and what's best for us, not only now, but in the future.
I need Your wisdom and guidance. I've searched Your Word looking for direction, and I've prayed. Now I need You to speak to me. I can't stay stuck in this place of indecision, and my time to decide is running out. Tell me, dear Jesus. Which should I choose?
Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding.... Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.—Proverbs 3:13, 17
When faced with a tough decision, it is always important to pray for guidance and to search the Bible for answers. But what should you do when you ask the Lord to help you decide and He is silent? Sometimes God leaves the decision up to you. Remember, He already knows which path you will choose. And He promises in Proverbs 3:6 that if you keep your eyes fixed on Him, He will direct your paths.
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CHAPTER 10LIGHT MY WAY
Dear Jesus,
I am like a ship lost at sea. Lonely, I search through this dark night looking for a welcoming beacon on shore. I need the light that is You. I need You to guide me home.
You know that I have been drifting without direction. So, Jesus, find me when I pray. Guide me through the pages of Your Word and enlighten me. Help me regain my faith and to trust in You once more.
My belief has been shaken, Lord, but I don't want to give up on You. I know that You have not left me—I have left You! The truth is that I am weak and You are strong, so strong that Your ways are beyond my understanding. Right now, all that is human in me feels raw and abandoned.
Sweet Jesus, guide me back to You. Restore my relationship with You, because that is the only thing that will give me peace.
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.—Psalm 139:23–24
Has some event left you questioning Your faith? When a Christian feels apart from Jesus, it is a lonely feeling. If you find yourself in this situation, dig deep into God's Word and spend a lot of time in meditation and prayer. Ask God to search your heart and remove any barrier that is between you and Him. Trust Him to guide you back to your faith.
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REFLECTIONS ON GUIDANCE
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(Continues...)
Excerpted from Jesus, I Need You by Zondervan Publishing. Copyright © 2014 Zondervan. Excerpted by permission of ZONDERVAN.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Contents
Jesus, I Need Your ... GUIDANCE, 7,Jesus, I Need You ... WHEN I FEEL OVERWHELMED, 31,
Jesus, I Need You ... WHEN I FEEL GRATITUDE, 55,
Jesus, I Need You ... WHEN I FEEL HEARTACHE, 79,
Jesus, I Need Your ... COMFORT, 103,
Jesus, I Need Your ... GRACE, 127,
Jesus, I Need You ... WHEN I FEEL DISAPPOINTMENT, 151,
Jesus, I Need Your ... FAITH AND HOPE, 175,
Jesus, I Need Your ... WISDOM, 199,
NOTES, 223,