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For over 25 years Proverbs 31 Ministries' mission has been to intersect God's Word in the real, hard places we all struggle with. That's why we started this podcast. Every episode will feature a variety of teachings from president Lysa TerKeurst, staff members or friends of the ministry who can teach you something valuable from their vantage point. We hope that regardless of your age, background or stage of life, it's something you look forward to listening to each month!
Kaley Olson:
Hi, friends. Welcome back to The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, where we share biblical Truth for any girl in any season. I'm your host, Kaley Olson. I'm here with my co-host, Shae Hill.
Shae Hill:
Thanks, Kaley, I'm so excited to be here this week, and I'm also so excited that we're doing a special five-day podcast takeover this week, featuring audio devotions from Lysa TerKeurst's newest devotional: You’re Going to Make It: 50 Morning and Evening Devotions to Unrush Your Mind, Uncomplicate Your Heart, and Experience Healing Today.
Kaley Olson:
Uh, it's going to be such a good week. And while we assure you that the devotional experience is much better with a physical copy in your hands because there's something special about being able to hold the book and process and add your own thoughts and prayers, this listening experience this week over the next five days is going to be a special time for all of us. Each day you're going to hear Lysa read an excerpt from her devotion, a statement of truth to remember, and then end with a prayer to receive. We hope that these short devotions are something that you can find helpful for right now wherever you are but also come back to whenever you need to know that you're not alone. If you want to get the full devotional experience right now, you can secure your copy of You're Going to Make It by visiting p31bookstore.com. Now, here's Lysa reading her devotion titled “Does It Really Matter if I Read God's Word Today?”
Lysa TerKeurst:
Isaiah 55:11, “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (ESV).
Morning. Do you ever feel overwhelmed when you sit down to read your Bible? Me too. Especially when hurtful situations leave me worn out and worn down, unmotivated to spend time with God. When we are in these desperate places, it's easy to want God to rain down right-now wisdom, full of immediate answers and solutions for what's breaking our hearts. But spending time in God's Word offers us so much more than quick fixes. You see, the Bible doesn't just give us instruction for today. It also plants wisdom in our hearts for the future. How? Well, God already sees everything coming our way, and that means He knows exactly how to begin preparing our hearts today for tomorrow.
I've seen this to be true in my own life. Recently I was at a women's gathering where I was about to walk on the stage and study the Bible with others, and just minutes before, I got a call that sent my anxiety soaring, the tightness in my chest quickly gave way to a flood of tears. The news absolutely devastated me, but I had an assignment before me, so I took a deep breath. I wiped my tears. I whispered the one shred of truth I could remember from Bible verses that had been on repeat in my mind. God is faithful. He is living water for my soul. See Isaiah 55:10-11, John 7:38, John 4:13-14. Then I turned to my friends who were with me and said, "This is what it looks like to walk in the strength of the Lord. Never forget this: He is always faithful."
I stepped into studying Scripture and was astounded by the power of the Holy Spirit that poured out over our gathering. I don't tell you this to highlight my own strength because, frankly, I didn't feel like I had much at that moment. But if you're asking yourself, "Does it really matter if I read God's Word today?" Remember that storing Scripture deep in our hearts prepares us for the unpredictable moments, the unforeseeable circumstances, the moments that take our breath away, leaving us no other option but to trust God to carry us through.
I have found in my own life the days I feel like opening God's Word the least are the days I need God's Word the most. Let's open God's Word today. Whether you feel like it or you're not sure you can, even if it's just one or two verses, read Scripture. You can start with the passages I mentioned earlier or go to one of your old favorites. More than just reading His words, we must choose to receive them. Even more important, we must live them. The more we apply God's teaching to our lives, the more it becomes part of us, for today, for one day, for every day.
Now, here's a statement to remember as we walk into today: The days I feel like opening God's Word the least are the days I need God's Word the most.
A prayer to receive before tomorrow: Jesus, on the days I'm tempted to cut out time spent in Your Word, remind me of what I've read today. Time spent in Your Word is never wasted. Thank You for the way Your words provide direction, instruction and wisdom, both for today and for the future. In Jesus' name, amen.
Shae Hill:
Thanks for tuning in to this special episode from Lysa TerKeurst. And don't forget to stay tuned for four more devotions coming this week. Before we let you go, maybe there's a friend God laid on your heart who needs to hear this message because she's been struggling to connect with Scripture. Sharing this podcast episode is an easy, simple way to encourage her right where she is and will let her know that she's not alone.
Kaley Olson:
And lastly, don't forget there are so many more devotions included in You're Going to Make It, and you can secure your copy of the devotional today by visiting p31bookstore.com. At Proverbs 31 Ministries, we believe when you know the Truth and live the Truth, it changes everything.