In the past five years our family has experienced heartache,the loss of a daughter, a new job and subsequent move, many changes, a crazy adoption journey, redirection and financial uncertainty. Each day, I wake up, and my only choice is to surrender to the fact that God sees it all and He is my only CONSTANT and He is Always, Always in Control.
In recent months, there has been one resource that has helped me trust God more completely and run to Him and Him only on the days when I feel so overwhelmed. I have been so blessed to be a part of the review team for a new 12 week Devotional entitled "God is My Refuge" by author, Kathy Howard (http://www.kathyhoward.org/god-is-my-refuge)
I recently blogged about how much Kathy's chapter on Healing had ministered to me on a day when I was feeling so very weak and burdened. You can read about that here:
http://www.butterflykissesntastydishes.blogspot.com/2013/01/god-is-my-refuge-when-i-am-weak-and.html?m=1
If you are struggling with fear, brokenness, worry, illness, weariness (this applies to all us mamas :-)), grief, discontentment, temptation, loneliness, or facing troubles of all kinds, then this devotional will be a huge blessing to your soul. Below I have included an interview with author, Kathy Howard, so you can understand more about the book and her heart for helping women find refuge in God through prayer, time in His Word, and scripture memorization.
I pray you each consider using this resource in your daily quiet time. I wanted to share one of my favorite worship songs that helps me remember that God alone is my REFUGE and NOT FOR A MOMENT WILL HE FORSAKE ME. Blessings dear friends!
"Not For A Moment" by Meredith Andrews:
God Is My Refuge: 12 Weeks of Devotions and Scripture Memory for Troubled Times
Interview with the author, Kathy Howard
1. How can this devotional book help and encourage Christian women?
Christian women are not immune to trials and difficulties. In fact, Jesus clearly warned His followers that we will have trouble. We live in a fallen world and the effects touch everyone. However, believers have a safe place to go in the midst of trouble. Our God invites us to take refuge in Him. He is our “refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.”
Most Christians believe God can help, but many don’t know where to go in the Bible to find the comfort, peace, and guidance He longs to give. God Is My Refuge provided the direction Christian women need to discover, understand, and apply the “ever-present help” only God can give.
2. What makes God Is My Refuge different from most other devotionals?
God Is My Refuge is more of a purposeful quite time guide. The overall intent for the book is to help women discover the help God offers in times of difficulty. Each day’s devotion includes the following components:
• Scripture reading of 5 to 8 verses
• Brief illustration and commentary on the verses
• Three questions for personal reflection and application
• Prayer prompt
• Memory Minute
Each of the 12 weeks focuses on a specific area of trouble like financial need, illness, broken relationships, grief, or fear. Each week highlights a verse that the reader is encouraged to memorize to internalize God’s truth. The daily “Memory Minute” gives quick, practical steps to facilitate memorization.
3. Tell us about how God used this book in your life while you were writing it.
Not long after I began working on this devotional our family entered a time of crisis. God used every moment I spent searching His Word and studying His promises to minister to me in my time of trouble. I needed what I was preparing for others. He comforted me with His Words of love. He filled me with the peace that can only come from Him. He strengthened me with the presence of His Spirit. God has truly been my refuge and ever-present help.
4. This devotional includes a Scripture memory component. Why is this important?
Memorizing God’s Word solidly entrenches it in your heart and mind. When you internalize His truth like this, God can use it to minister to you in powerful and personal ways:
• Provide you with comfort, encouragement, peace, and strength (Col 3:15-16; Ps 1:1-3)
• Give you guidance and wisdom (Ps 37:31; Ps 119:24, 98, 105)
• Foster your spiritual growth (2 Tim 3:16-17; Heb 4:12; 1 Pet 2:2)
• Prepare you to share your faith with others (1 Pet 3:15; Acts 18:28)
• Fill you with joy and pour out His blessings (Ps 119:24, 47, 103; James 1:21-25)
5. Memorizing Scripture overwhelms many Christians. How does God Is My Refuge help readers overcome this?
Memorizing Scripture is often overwhelming because we are looking at the “big chunk.” We see the end – having a verse or section memorized – and think “there’s no way I can do that!” You’ve heard the old saying about how to eat an elephant? The answer is “one bite at a time!” The same is true with memorizing Scripture. This devotional gives readers small, daily, doable steps to help them succeed. One bite at a time, until the verse is memorized! We also review all the verses throughout the course of the devotional to help them stick.
6. What is main takeaway of God Is My Refuge?
Christians will have trouble in this world, but God is there is help us in the midst of it. He will not leave us to stumble around on our own. He has the desire and power to help us. We just have to turn to Him. This devotional helps us do just that!
For more information about God Is My Refuge, and to download a free day’s devotional, visit Kathy’s website:
To purchase a copy of God Is My Refuge on Amazon:
Christina, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about "God Is My Refuge" and how God has used it to encourage you with your readers! May He bless your family and give you all His best in the days ahead!
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