Engagement (31-Day Devotionals for Life): Preparing for Marriage

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Liz Edrington leads teens through practical meditations and thoughtful questions that remind and assure them that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). For teens who struggle with anxiety, this book is a gift! ”

This devotional heavily emphasizes practical ways we can reflect on, and in many cases act on, the insights Tautges unearths in the passages he chooses.”

As you think about your own circumstances, you may feel completely discouraged. The reality of what you are facing can seem so overwhelming that you might feel like giving up. But don’t give up. The circumstances may be too difficult in human terms, but in Christ there is always hope. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope'” (Jeremiah 29:11, TLB). God knows in great detail the devastation caused by tragedy. He understands the pain and sorrow acquainted with grief and loss. He understands because He is all knowing. Furthermore, Jesus endured suffering (see Isaiah 53) and experienced pain—even the pain of feeling abandoned (see Matthew 27:46). And because God is with you always, He knows that you are hurting. He sees your pain, and hears the cries of your heart. You are not alone in your suffering; He is there for you. He can rescue you too. All you need do is take a deep breath of faith, reach out, and take hold of the mighty hand of God. Do not fear the deep, murky waters of uncertainty surrounding you. Though the way seems difficult, and at times impossible, you can be confident in this, “Nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). If you or someone you love struggles with shame, you will be helped and equipped by the tender truths of Scripture that Esther has compiled. This book has ministered to my soul.” I can’t think of a more timely and needed resource for teenagers today than this! . . . This devotional is firmly rooted in God’s Word; it is gracious and truthful and very practical. I plan to recommend it to youth leaders and parents alike! ”

Ed Welch, Counselor and Faculty Member, Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation; Author, When People Are Big and God Is SmallWhile it is certainly true that people often need more than the Word and prayer, they will never need less than the Word and prayer. While our needs include healthy relationships within the church and (at times) medical intervention and other forms of treatment, those means can never supplant our need to draw near to our Father, by his Spirit, through his Son in Word and prayer (Heb. 4:16). These devotionals help to instill in our hearts that this is the first thing we do for help. God is—above all others—our “very present help in times of trouble” (Ps. 46:1). One of the most difficult things we can face in life is loss, and in the aftermath of a tragedy, the pain of loss can be very difficult to cope with. At times, it may even seem unbearable. Because God made us with feelings, there are many other difficult emotions we may experience when grieving or facing tough circumstances. We can feel hopeless, helpless, confused, fearful, anxious, and even angry. Recognizing these emotions, and releasing them in healthy ways, is extremely important in the journey toward healing and wellness. Ignoring or suppressing them can be very destructive, crippling to say the least.

The writer of Psalm 121 says this of God in verse 8, ” He keeps His eye upon you as you come and go and always guards you” (TLB). How does it feel to know that God keeps watch over you and is attentive to every detail of your life? God has given Dave a tremendous gift for writing succinctly and yet powerfully, and here he keeps the gospel and God’s grace at the center of one of the greatest epidemics in our land: addiction. . . . Dave’s book is biblical, practical, hopeful, and focused on our Savior. I highly recommend it.” I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. … This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. (Psalm 34:4,6) John is the Pastor-Teacher of Faith Bible Church in Sharpsburg, Georgia, just south of Atlanta (www.faithbiblechurch.us). He and his wife Lynn have been at the church in Georgia since 1995. The Lord has blessed them with four children.Is there any hope for men and women in the “voluntary slavery” of pornography addiction? Deepak Reju shows that this worship problem can be fought only with a greater love for Christ. This month-long devotional, with reflection questions and practical suggestions for action, gives you the encouragement and resources you need to fight in the war being waged for your soul every day. When you consider all that you are facing, ask yourself, “Is there anything too hard for God?” (See Jeremiah 32:17). Absolutely nothing! No matter what is going on in your life, you can trust that He is in control, and is working everything out for your good (see Romans 8:28). When you wake up in the morning and wonder how you will face the day, God is working it out. When you wonder how you can get through and overcome this difficult time, God is working it out. And when you lay down at night, wondering how you will face the challenges of tomorrow, whatever they may be, God is already working it out. God knows intimately the concerns of your heart (see Psalm 139:1-3), and can provide all the peace, strength, and courage you need. So don’t give up! Confidently hope in Him. Hope … and persevere! Counselor Michael Gembola offers daily guidance, reflection questions, and practical action steps for those who have repented of an affair and want to move closer to God and their spouses.

Write down everything that seems impossible about your situation. Next to each item write, “Nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). Spend a few minutes in prayer about the items on your list, and be sure to thank God that none of those things are too big or too hard for Him to handle. Designed for Joy: How the Gospel Impacts Men and Women, Identity and Practice by Jonathan Parnell & Owen Strachan Megan Hill comes to the rescue with a practical daily devotional full of how-to’s and why-to’s [and], more importantly . . . the ‘who’ of a daily relationship with Jesus Christ.” Jeremiah 32:17 says, “Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You.” What encouragement can you find in this Scripture, when your situation seems too difficult?Facing tragedy, or life storms of any kind, can be extremely difficult. But in the midst of heartache and pain, you can find the hope and courage to go on. With God’s help, the help of caring family members and friends, and the encouragement found in the Bible and other resources, you will receive the necessary strength to overcome. Discuss as a family (or with a friend) how God has worked things out for your good in past times of difficulty. This is a book I didn’t know I desperately needed. The freedom and grace that it offers are a massive gift to the church. It’s so helpful, so practical, and so deeply Christ-centered: I wish every teenager could have a copy.” Liz Edrington invites students to understand their anxiety—but even more to understand the faithfulness and goodness of their Father in heaven. Through this devotional, students really will discover themselves in God’s story and will thus be grounded in the peace of God.” Take from a man his wealth, and you hinder him; take from him his purpose, and you slow him down. But take from man his hope, and you stop him. He can go on without wealth, and even without purpose, for a while. But he will not go on without hope. —C. Neil Strait (1)