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    The Joy of My Heart: Meditating Daily on God's Word
    The Joy of My Heart: Meditating Daily on God's Word
    The Joy of My Heart: Meditating Daily on God's Word
    Ebook409 pages10 hours

    The Joy of My Heart: Meditating Daily on God's Word

    By Anne Graham Lotz

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    About this ebook

    Known for her remarkable gift for weaving spiritual truths into everyday life, Anne Graham Lotz offers insightful meditations on Scripture in this yearlong collection of daily devotions. The Joy of My Heart includes a beautiful ribbon marker and notes section for deeper reflection.

    Each of the 365 devotions include:

    • a meaningful Scripture verse from the NKJV Bible
    • reflections and meditations from Anne Graham Lotz on topics such as eternity, grief, and faith

    With a presentation page for thoughtful gifting, The Joy of My Heart is a beautiful present for:

    • men and women looking for a concise collection of daily devotions and Bible verses
    • birthdays, Mother’s Day, and the holidays

    Called "the best preacher in the family" by her father, Billy Graham, Anne will draw you to a deeper relationship with Jesus. She asks us to join with her in "life-changing discovery as, day by day, we learn more about God." The Joy of My Heart invites us to engage with Scripture as we meditate on our heavenly Father's relentless love and grace.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherThomas Nelson
    Release dateOct 2, 2004
    ISBN9780529124470
    The Joy of My Heart: Meditating Daily on God's Word
    Author

    Anne Graham Lotz

    Anne Graham Lotz, hija de Billy y Ruth Graham, es la presidenta y directora ejecutiva de AnGel Ministries, una organización sin fines de lucro que apoya sus esfuerzos por llevar a las personas a una relación con Dios por medio de su Palabra. Inauguró su ministerio de avivamiento en el año 2000 y ya ha hablado en los siete continentes y en veinte países extranjeros, proclamando la Palabra de Dios en estadios, iglesias, seminarios y prisiones. También es la galardonada autora de trece libros, entre ellos Magnífica obsesión.

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      Book preview

      The Joy of My Heart - Anne Graham Lotz

      s1

      The

      JOY

      OF MY

      Heart

      ANNE GRAHAM LOTZ

      MEDITATING DAILY ON GOD’S WORD

      9781404101166_INT_0003_001

      © 2004 Anne Graham Lotz.

      All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

      Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of Thomas Nelson, Inc.

      Published in association with the literary agency of Alive Communications, Inc., 1465 Kelly Johnson Blvd., Suite 320, Colorado Springs, CO 80920.

      Compiled and edited by Terri Gibbs

      Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The New International Version of the Bible (NIV). © 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

      Other Scripture quotations are taken from the following sources:

      The King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. The New King James Version (NKJV), © 1979, 1980, 1982, 1992, 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.

      Cover designed by Jack Kotowicz, Velocity Design Group.

      Interior designed by Robin Black, UDG|DesignWorks,

      Sisters, Oregon.

      ISBN: 978-1-4041-0116-6

      Printed in China

      9781404101166_INT_0005_001

      Your statutes are my heritage forever;

      they are the joy of my heart.

      PSALM 119:111

      9781404101166_INT_0006_001

      GOD’S WORD IS THE JOY OF MY HEART . . .

      Many years ago I began a pilgrimage to know God, and that pilgrimage continues to this day. I don’t know Him today as well as I want or should, but I know Him better today than I did twenty-five years ago. I know Him better today than I did one year ago. I am growing in my knowledge of God, and I say without hesitation or qualification that knowing God is my joy and reason for living. He is . . .

                        the Wind beneath my wings,

                    the Treasure that I seek,

                 the Foundation on which I build,

             the Song in my heart,

          the Object of my desire,

      the Breath of my life—

      He is my All in all!

      And His Word is the joy of my heart!

      Please join with me in this life-changing discovery as, day by day, we learn more about our God.

      Anne Graham Lotz

      Contents

      January

      January 1: The God of Eternity’s Beginning

      January 2: Putting Holes in the Darkness

      January 3: Heaven Is More

      January 4: God Says So Prayers

      January 5: My Home Is His, Too!

      January 6: A Love Relationship with God

      January 7: Life-Giving Power

      January 8: A Thrilling Adventure

      January 9: Waiting Brings Blessings

      January 10: A Day Set Apart

      January 11: We Are God’s Treasure!

      January 12: Speaking Up for Jesus

      January 13: The Proof of Love

      January 14: The Devil’s Already Defeated

      January 15: When Bad Things Happen

      January 16: Our God-Given Counselor

      January 17: Valid Worship

      January 18: God’s Always Available

      January 19: God of the Impossible

      January 20: Go and Tell

      January 21: Basis for Hope

      January 22: Follow His Directions

      January 23: A Greater Miracle

      January 24: What a Savior!

      January 25: Trust God’s Goodness

      January 26: Come to Him

      January 27: The Greatest Life

      January 28: The Walk of Faith

      January 29: Do You Know Him?

      January 30: Invite the World!

      January 31: A Suitable Helper

      February

      February 1: The Sound of His Voice

      February 2: Greater than We Think

      February 3: God Loves Everyone

      February 4: Everything Will Be New

      February 5: Your Future Is Confirmed!

      February 6: Open the Door to Jesus

      February 7: Easing Your Burden

      February 8: The Foundation for Faith

      February 9: Joy in Jesus!

      February 10: God Knows

      February 11: Wait for the Lord

      February 12: We Were Created to Work

      February 13: No More Tears

      February 14: Love Written in Red

      February 15: Participating in a Miracle

      February 16: Paradise Regained!

      February 17: On Wings of Faith

      February 18: The Solution to Sin

      February 19: Filled with the Spirit

      February 20: Walking with God

      February 21: Call Him Daddy

      February 22: Created to Know God

      February 23: Praise Defeats the Enemy

      February 24: God Is Faithful!

      February 25: Naming Your Sin

      February 26: Don’t Tolerate Temptation!

      February 27: Precious in God’s Sight

      February 28: Keep Your Focus

      March

      March 1: Grinding Off the Sharp Edges

      March 2: God the Living Word

      March 3: No Night There

      March 4: You’re Welcome

      March 5: Believe in His Name

      March 6: Follow the Light

      March 7: God’s Love

      March 8: Two Together Forever

      March 9: Open Your Eyes

      March 10: Humble Submission

      March 11: Lay Your Grievances Down

      March 12: The Pain of Betrayal

      March 13: Helpless Without Him

      March 14: The Heartbeat of Jesus

      March 15: Bound in God’s Will

      March 16: Hungry for God

      March 17: Betrayal

      March 18: Listening Carefully

      March 19: Accountable Before God

      March 20: United in Praise

      March 21: The Look of Jesus

      March 22: The Sign of the Cross

      March 23: The Antidote to Fear

      March 24: Thank Him Now

      March 25: God Lifts the Pressure

      March 26: Set Free!

      March 27: The Silence of God

      March 28: Carrying the Cross

      March 29: The Blood of Jesus

      March 30: Clothed in His Righteousness

      March 31: More to Life

      April

      April 1: He Will Forgive You

      April 2: Jesus Understands

      April 3: Forgiveness—An Act of Worship

      April 4: Changing Your Destiny

      April 5: God’s Comfort

      April 6: Because He Lives

      April 7: The Exchange

      April 8: Heaven Is Real

      April 9: Never Separated from God

      April 10: A Pattern to Live By

      April 11: Jesus Revealed in Us

      April 12: It Is Finished

      April 13: Light Reigns Over Darkness

      April 14: Are You Saved?

      April 15: Without Christ

      April 16: Stand Up for Jesus

      April 17: God Reaches Down to Man

      April 18: The Tomb Was Empty!

      April 19: Overcoming Obstacles

      April 20: He Wants to Be Your Life

      April 21: The Grave Clothes

      April 22: Facing Death Without Fear

      April 23: The Cross of Obedience

      April 24: Blessing Through Brokenness

      April 25: Love Forgives and Forgets

      April 26: God’s Expectations

      April 27: The Ark of Safety

      April 28: He Became Sin for Us

      April 29: A Marriage Triangle

      April 30: He’s Alive!

      May

      May 1: A Friend of God

      May 2: God Is Everywhere

      May 3: Authentic Shepherds

      May 4: You Can Know God

      May 5: Nothing’s Too Small for God

      May 6: My Mother’s Abiding Joy

      May 7: The City Built by God

      May 8: His Faithful Servants

      May 9: The Sufficiency of God’s Power

      May 10: Display Cases for God’s Glory

      May 11: Like Jesus

      May 12: Diversity in Marriage

      May 13: Receive What You Ask For

      May 14: God Knows You and Me

      May 15: Places of Spiritual Benefit

      May 16: The Pearly Gates

      May 17: More Consistency

      May 18: Wonder of Wonders

      May 19: Glory Follows Suffering

      May 20: A Radical Change

      May 21: A Quiet Miracle

      May 22: Our Built-In Alarm System

      May 23: Jesus Finished God’s Work

      May 24: A Showcase for God’s Glory

      May 25: The Switch that Turns on the Light

      May 26: Energized and Strengthened

      May 27: Run from Temptation!

      May 28: God Is with You

      May 29: Nature’s Witness

      May 30: Let Go!

      May 31: Heirs Together

      June

      June 1: Never Separated Again

      June 2: The Focus of Our Faith

      June 3: He Is Fully Able

      June 4: A Promise of Hope!

      June 5: The Exact Revelation of God

      June 6: God Takes the Initiative

      June 7: Built to Last

      June 8: The Way Up Is Down

      June 9: Look to Jesus!

      June 10: An Added Dimension

      June 11: Drastic Pruning

      June 12: Invite Jesus Into Your Marriage

      June 13: That’s Disgusting!

      June 14: Doing Things God’s Way

      June 15: The Pattern for Discipline

      June 16: Our Heavenly Home

      June 17: Trust Him!

      June 18: Risk-Taking Obedience

      June 19: Consider the Consequences

      June 20: Relying on God Alone

      June 21: God’s Seal

      June 22: Washed in the Blood

      June 23: The Mighty Name of Jesus

      June 24: Pass It On

      June 25: The Choice to Rejoice

      June 26: The God of All Comfort

      June 27: Attracted to Weakness

      June 28: The Destructiveness of Sin

      June 29: Do You Believe This?

      June 30: Created Equal

      July

      July 1: God’s Way Home

      July 2: The Keeper

      July 3: Power to Overcome

      July 4: Free at Last!

      July 5: Just Turn on the Light!

      July 6: A Foot Bath

      July 7: The Light of the World

      July 8: The Blight of Sin

      July 9: Your Ultimate Good

      July 10: Wait . . .

      July 11: A Vessel of Beauty

      July 12: Facing the Future with Hope

      July 13: Jesus Weeps with You

      July 14: Separate from the World

      July 15: Fulfilling the Law

      July 16: The Threat to Our Environment

      July 17: God’s Greater Purpose

      July 18: Open Your Eyes to Jesus

      July 19: The Righteous Remnant

      July 20: Spending Time with God

      July 21: The Holy Spirit Changes Minds

      July 22: God’s Boundaries

      July 23: Praying in Faith

      July 24: Extravagant Thanks

      July 25: The Sap of His Spirit

      July 26: Eternally Blessed

      July 27: Triumph Over Suffering

      July 28: The Desires of Your Heart

      July 29: God as Man

      July 30: Every Knee Will Bow

      July 31: Another Counselor

      August

      August 1: Detecting Counterfeits

      August 2: Separate from His Creation

      August 3: The Home of Your Dreams

      August 4: God Speaks to Us Personally

      August 5: The Greatness of God’s Power

      August 6: Instinctive Recognition

      August 7: Transformed Into His Likeness

      August 8: Living with Incompatibility

      August 9: Discover His Power

      August 10: Take Up Your Cross

      August 11: Radical Love

      August 12: Our One Foundation

      August 13: Together Forever

      August 14: Guided Into a Deeper Level

      August 15: The Face of God

      August 16: Created in God’s Image

      August 17: God Loves Even Me!

      August 18: Equipped to Serve

      August 19: The Tragedy of Cain’s Life

      August 20: God Wants Us to Ask!

      August 21: Listening to God

      August 22: Praising Jesus Is Contagious!

      August 23: Wait for the Lord

      August 24: He Is Precious

      August 25: Plugged into the Power Source

      August 26: A Platform of Suffering

      August 27: Little Clay Pots

      August 28: The Joy of Working Together

      August 29: It’s Time to Simply Trust

      August 30: The Spirit of Truth

      August 31: A Life that Works

      September

      September 1: His Offer

      September 2: God Is Active in Big Ways

      September 3: Streets of Gold

      September 4: God’s Powerful Word

      September 5: God Made Visible

      September 6: God’s Guarantee

      September 7: The Click of the Pruning Shears

      September 8: Love Him for Who He Is

      September 9: God’s Lamb

      September 10: An Extreme MakeOver

      September 11: God’s Primary Purpose

      September 12: In His Presence . . . Forever!

      September 13: The Sign of a Rainbow

      September 14: Fruit in My Life

      September 15: Showered with Blessings

      September 16: Beautiful in Christ

      September 17: The Mystery of God

      September 18: Enriching the Family

      September 19: Bitter or Blessed?

      September 20: Heavenly Asphalt

      September 21: Listening with Our Eyes

      September 22: With God, You’re a Majority

      September 23: Trees of Righteousness

      September 24: God Is Great—Still!

      September 25: Breaking the Silence

      September 26: Fruit for Your Children

      September 27: Open Your Heart to God

      September 28: We Are Wonderfully Made

      September 29: Willing to Be Whole

      September 30: Soaring Higher

      October

      October 1: Jesus Is Alive!

      October 2: The Narthex to Eternity

      October 3: Always Near

      October 4: One Need

      October 5: The Master Designer

      October 6: The Marriage Maker

      October 7: A Privileged Position

      October 8: Do You Love Me?

      October 9: Follow God’s Directions

      October 10: There’s No Excuse!

      October 11: Paying the Ultimate Price

      October 12: Give All that You Have

      October 13: God Cares!

      October 14: A Spiritual Implant

      October 15: The Jewel of Creation

      October 16: Our Father Comes Alongside

      October 17: Never Alone Again

      October 18: There Is NO Place God Is Not

      October 19: Finding Love

      October 20: God Remembers You

      October 21: The Wonderful Someone

      October 22: Work Brings Satisfaction

      October 23: Faith that Works

      October 24: Passing the Baton

      October 25: The Potter’s Touch

      October 26: A Sacrificial Sacrifice

      October 27: Believe or Perish

      October 28: Suffering Is Not Wasted

      October 29: You Are On God’s Mind

      October 30: Fixing What’s Wrong

      October 31: Faith in the God of Creation!

      November

      November 1: Homecoming Day

      November 2: A Divine Appointment

      November 3: Dying to Self

      November 4: God’s Power to Change

      November 5: Cutting and Clipping

      November 6: Forgiveness for All Our Sins

      November 7: Drop Your Anchor

      November 8: Heavenly Treasure

      November 9: The Well

      November 10: A Branch that Bears Fruit

      November 11: We Can See God

      November 12: Where Are You?

      November 13: Father knows Best

      November 14: Evidence that Demands a Verdict

      November 15: The Core of a Miserable Life

      November 16: A Worshiper God Wants

      November 17: Overcomers

      November 18: The Door to God

      November 19: His Plans Are Perfect

      November 20: So Dry and Thirsty

      November 21: His Tears on My Face

      November 22: Persistent Prayer

      November 23: Grieving—but with Hope

      November 24: Around the Father’s Table

      November 25: Shaped by God

      November 26: Facing Death

      November 27: God in Our Midst

      November 28: There Is Still Hope

      November 29: Created for Commitment

      November 30: You Are On God’s Mind

      December

      December 1: Time Alone with Jesus

      December 2: When There Are No Answers

      December 3: Becoming More Like Jesus

      December 4: One Life

      December 5: The Light of Heaven

      December 6: Receiving His Resources

      December 7: Start Trusting

      December 8: King of Hearts

      December 9: Turn on the Light!

      December 10: Accepted in Heaven

      December 11: He Will Be Looking for You

      December 12: The Choices We Make

      December 13: Blessed Assurance

      December 14: Jesus Saw People as God Does

      December 15: Bearing Much Eternal Fruit

      December 16: A Promise from God

      December 17: Unconditional Surrender

      December 18: Confident Faith

      December 19: Look UP!

      December 20: Embracing God’s Purpose

      December 21: Pleasing God

      December 22: Overshadowed by the Spirit

      December 23: Trust and Obey

      December 24: God Is Fully Present

      December 25: Hope Was Born

      December 26: Physical and Spiritual Needs

      December 27: Created for God

      December 28: Jesus Meets Our Needs

      December 29: Jesus Cares for You

      December 30: Just Think on Jesus!

      December 31: Change Is Possible

      Acknowledgments

      January

      To know God better

      is to love Him more.

      JANUARY 1

      THE GOD OF ETERNITY’S BEGINNING

      In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

      GENESIS 1:1 NKJV

      The glorious dawn of God’s story begins with the stunning yet profoundly simple statement that in the beginning He created everything (Genesis 1:1)—which means that in the beginning, He was already there. He is eternal.

      It is impossible to comprehend eternity. It’s been defined as three stages of time: everything before Creation, everything that has taken place or will take place from Creation until the end of the world, and everything that will take place after the end of the world. It stretches back further than the human mind can reach—whether through anthropology, or geology, or archaeology. It stretches ahead farther than the human mind can imagine—whether through science fiction, or scientific observation, or telescopes. God as Creator is eternal and therefore not bound by time. That means He is in your future, and He is in your past, and He surrounds you at present! Would you worship Him now for His eternity?

      God’s Story

      JANUARY 2

      Putting Holes in the Darkness

      "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see

      your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

      MATTHEW 5:16 NKJV

      One night, when Robert Louis Stevenson was a small boy, his nanny called him to come to bed. Oblivious to her summons, he was staring at something outside his nursery window. The nanny walked over, stood at his shoulder, and inquired patiently, Robert, what are you looking at? The little boy, without taking his eyes away from the window, exclaimed in wonder as he pointed to the lamplighter who was lighting the streetlamps, Look, Nanny! That man is putting holes in the darkness! You and I may not be able to change the world, but surely each of us can put a hole in the darkness! Turn on the Light! Share what Jesus means to you and give God’s Word to someone else!

      Just Give Me Jesus

      JANUARY 3

      HEAVEN IS MORE

      Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered

      into the heart of man the things which God has

      prepared for those who love Him.

      1 CORINTHIANS 2:9 NKJV

      The Creator who created all the earthly beauty we have grown to love . . .

      the majestic snowcapped peaks of the Alps,

      the rushing mountain streams,

      the carpets of wildflowers,

      the whir of a hummingbird’s wings . . .

      this is the same Creator who has prepared our heavenly home for us! If God could make the heavens and earth as beautiful as we think they are today—which includes thousands of years of wear and tear, corruption and pollution, sin and selfishness—can you imagine what the new heaven and the new earth will look like? It will be much more glorious than any eyes have seen, any ears have heard, or any minds have ever conceived.

      Heaven: My Father’s House

      JANUARY 4

      GOD SAYS SO PRAYERS

      "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you

      will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you."

      JOHN 15:7 NKJV

      Prayer is a conversation. We speak to God in prayer, then listen attentively as He speaks to us through His Word.

      Do you think the promise that Jesus gave His disciples was like handing them a divine genie in a bottle? And that if they would just rub the bottle with enough faith, the genie would pop out and grant them their wishes? As ludicrous as that is, it actually is the way some people view prayer. And when the genie doesn’t pop out of the bottle, they become offended with God and resent Him for not being at their beck and call.

      One major prerequisite to receiving answers to prayer is that our requests line up with God’s will. How will we know what God’s will is? By abiding consistently in His Word. Instead of basing our prayers on I hope so, our prayers are based on God says so. And if we are saturating ourselves in His Word, then His desires will be ours.

      My Heart’s Cry

      JANUARY 5

      MY HOME IS HIS, TOO!

      You comprehend my path and my lying down,

      and are acquainted with all my ways.

      PSALM 139:3 NKJV

      Recently as I prepared my house for a visit by my father, I began to clean and straighten my house. I even bought fresh flowers to place around the rooms. I wanted my home to look as inviting and pleasing to his eyes as I could make it. Then it struck me—if I felt this way about my earthly father’s brief visit, how much more care I should give my home every day, since my heavenly Father lives here.

      I am not a good housekeeper. But motivated by the thought that my house is His home also, I try hard to keep it clean and neat. It is not professionally decorated, but it is as pleasing to the eyes as my time and budget will allow. I want those who walk through my door to know that the Lord God lives here. And I hope the reality of His presence is evident to all by the

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