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MAY 8 EVERLASTING BEAUTY The things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 CORINTHIANS 4:18 When we think of beauty, we tend to look in the mirror and “reflect” on what we see. But eventually the outward beauty we possess will change and fade away. There is, however, a beauty that does not fade away. This beauty shines out from within us as we allow the love of God to rule our lives. In turn God will work within us to change our priorities and to make us more and more like Him. If we love the Lord, we will make it our aim and our delight to please Him by the way we live. We should look for ways to make Him smile. Let your light so shine that others will see the gift of His love, a beauty that is eternal. Father God, focus my eyes and my thoughts on the things of eternal beauty, not outward beauty. Countryman, Jack. God’s Promises Every Day: 365 Day Devotional. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2023. Print.

MAY 7 GOD IS FOR US If God is for us, who can ever be against us? ROMANS 8:31 NLT God is on our side! That may sound overly simplistic, but we need to cling to that basic truth when the world undermines and even attacks our faith in Jesus. Our culture is becoming increasingly hostile to believers. It is a very real battle, but God has promised to guard our hearts and minds. We also need to remember that God is on our side when we consider the fact that Satan is a stronger, deadlier enemy than any of the world’s threats or weapons. Eternity is at stake in the battle that matters most—the battle between holiness and evil, the battle for our souls. But God promises to protect His people and in truth, He has already won (John 12:31). Lord, even though some days it is hard to be a believer, I will never stop trusting in You. Countryman, Jack. God’s Promises Every Day: 365 Day Devotional. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2023. Print.

MAY 6 GOD DELIGHTS IN YOU He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me. PSALM 18:19 You may be blessed to have someone who seems to love everything about you, who enjoys simply being with you. What a source of joy! But did you know that the Almighty God, your Creator, delights in you as well? Look at the evidence: • He loves you so much He sent His Son to save you (John 3:16). • His love is so lavish that He calls you His own child (1 John 3:1). • He even rejoices over you with song (Zephaniah 3:17). The longer and the more closely you walk with Him, the greater will be your delight in Him … and the greater His delight in you! Lord, the magnitude of Your love astonishes me. Let me never stop delighting in You. Countryman, Jack. God’s Promises Every Day: 365 Day Devotional. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2023. Print.

MAY 5 GOD IS ALWAYS NEAR As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people from this time forth and forever. PSALM 125:2 God’s Word frequently reminds us of His continual presence (Matthew 28:20; Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5). As we walk with God and keep Him the Lord and Master of our lives, let’s remember that He has promised to be with us always. We can take advantage of the fact that we can have constant communication with Him as we live each day in His presence. Can you comprehend what a gift this is? Make it your prayer to be keenly aware of His sweet presence that guides, comforts, and strengthens. Delight in Him who chooses to stay near His people—near you—at all times. Father, You have promised to stay close to me. Remind me of this promise when I feel alone or afraid. Countryman, Jack. God’s Promises Every Day: 365 Day Devotional. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2023. Print.

MAY 4 THE SHELTER OF HIS WINGS Show Your marvelous lovingkindness … save those who trust in You from those who rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings. PSALM 17:7–8 Like a mother hen protecting her chicks, the Lord spreads open the shelter of His wings and invites us to hide under their shadow. What a beautiful and comforting image! When enemies surround and attack, the Lord is our refuge. As we seek our sanctuary in Him, He shows the depth of His “marvelous lovingkindness”: He protects us from those who rise up against us, He cherishes us as the apple of His eye, and He shelters us under His wings. When the days are dark and our enemies are strong, we must remember who has the power to save us—He is our Rock, our Fortress, our Deliverer (Psalm 18:2). He is faithful to save those who trust in Him, tucking us safely under His wings. Lord, Your lovingkindness toward me is endless—and for that I praise You always. Countryman, Jack. God’s Promises Every Day: 365 Day Devotional. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2023. Print.

MAY 3 THE IMPOSSIBLE IS POSSIBLE “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” MATTHEW 19:26 So many times in life we fail to realize that all things are possible through God—He is the God of infinite possibilities. When Jesus spoke these words in Matthew 19:26, He was talking about the ability to choose serving God’s kingdom over earthly riches. But any time we strive to choose God’s will over our own selfish wills, God steps in to make what the world would declare impossible possible. Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” It’s not that we get everything we want, but that we learn to want everything God wants. When we choose to spend time with God, to honor Him, live for Him, and serve Him with all our hearts, we can find true contentment in all the possibilities of our God. Lord, when I think I can’t do what You ask of me, remind me that You make the impossible possible. Countryman, Jack. God’s Promises Every Day: 365 Day Devotional. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2023. Print.

MAY 2 JESUS IS THE LIGHT “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” JOHN 8:12 There are two paths we can walk in this world: the path of light or the path of darkness. We choose which to follow. Both paths have obstacles to overcome. Both are difficult and have their struggles. But the path of darkness is … dark. Those who follow it stumble along on their own. The path of light, however, is illuminated by Jesus Himself. Those who follow it have Him to guide them, to help them, to travel beside them each step of the way. To choose this path is to follow Jesus—to confess that He is the Son of God and trust Him as Lord of our lives. When we choose His path, He lights our way—all the way home to heaven. Jesus, please shine Your light into my life and lead me in the way You want me to go. Countryman, Jack. God’s Promises Every Day: 365 Day Devotional. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2023. Print.

MAY 1 WHAT YOU THINK As he thinks in his heart, so is he. PROVERBS 23:7 Y ou are what you think. That’s the essence of the message behind Proverbs 23:7. And it’s also the impulse behind the words of Philippians 4:8—“Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely … meditate on these things.” We don’t have to ponder long to realize that all those things describe the Lord and His blessings. If, however, our thoughts focus on those things that are wrong—that are untrue, ignoble, unjust, impure, and ugly—then we will quickly find our hearts and lives headed in that same direction. Our view of the world very much affects how we live in and react to it. When we keep our thoughts fixed firmly on the goodness that comes from above, there is no room for evil thoughts to take root—and our lives will reflect what we think. Lord, open my eyes to see all Your goodness, so I can live a life that adds Your loveliness to the world. Countryman, Jack. God’s Promises Every Day: 365 Day Devotional. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2023. Print.

APRIL 30 DELIVERED FROM FEARS I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. PSALM 34:4 In Psalm 34, David praised God for saving him from his many fears. What fears follow you throughout the day? How much do they affect your daily decisions, your daily joy? Have you tried to free yourself from the anxieties that haunt your soul? Have you experienced, like the psalmist, deliverance from those things? If so, you can understand his praise. To be relieved of fear can feel like finally dropping a burden, lightening an unbearable load. We praise our God for this miraculous delivery from all our fears, including our troubles (v. 6), our wants and needs (v. 9), our heartbreak (v. 18), and our enemies (v. 16). When we seek God in our prayers, He hears and delivers us from all our fears. Lord, when I call out to You, You answer. I am so grateful for Your daily deliverance. Countryman, Jack. God’s Promises Every Day: 365 Day Devotional. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2023. Print.