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

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No matter how bad things may seem, God is in control. Nothing happens without His knowledge. Matthew 10:29-31 says, “Not one sparrow (What do they cost? Two for a penny?) can fall without your Father knowing it. … So don’t worry! You are more valuable to Him than many sparrows.” If God’s eye is on the sparrow, He’s most certainly watching you. In the midst of sadness and uncertainty, His hand is there to guide you; His strength is there to support you. You are never out of His reach. Honest and beautifully written. ... With care and compassion, Esther Liu walks the reader through a deeper understanding of the multifaceted experience of shame and points repeatedly to its glorious reversal . . . through our shame-bearing Savior.”

I love this devotional! In our day of incredibly high levels of anxiety and stress, this book is timely, wise, Christ-honoring, and powerfully life-giving. . . . We all need this, not just teenagers.” As you pass through the deep waters of your circumstances, you may be wondering, Who can rescue me from this? Be encouraged! Even in the deepest of waters, God promises to be with the one who trusts in Him. He alone can truly rescue you and keep you from drowning. Just as Jesus rescued Peter when He invited him to walk on water in the midst of a storm (see Matthew 14:22-33). At first, Peter trusted Jesus and joined Him on the water, but as soon as he began to focus on the storm, and give in to the fear of it, he began to sink. Still, when he cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 12:30), Jesus stretched out His hand and rescued Peter. 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. If this 7-day sample devotional has been an encouragement to you, you can get the full, 31-day version here.Plainspoken, searching, practical, humble, and hopeful—this could be just what you’ve been looking for in your struggle for something better than fantasy.” Paul Tautges, a respected pastor and counselor, has the experience and gospel focus to help the anxiety sufferer.” 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. Into His Presence: Praying with the Puritans (Collection of 80 prayers and meditations to help your personal and public prayers and devotions)

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.” Michael R. Emlet,Dean of Faculty and Counselor, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF) In a desperate fight for survival, many people passed through the floodwaters left by Hurricane Katrina in a frantic search for higher ground. It had to be a frightening experience to wade, and in some areas, swim, through the murky, contaminated waters to save self, family members, neighbors, family pets, and in some cases, total strangers. But in the midst of fear, desperation, and uncertainty, many passed through the deep waters courageously, and were eventually rescued and taken to safety.Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” What hope does this Scripture give you in the midst of tragedy, loss, and uncertainty? How will God’s gospel love be displayed as you get ready for marriage? Take a month to prepare your heart using thoughtful devotional readings, reflection questions, and practical action points.

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.” In the 31-Day Devotionals for Teenagers series, adults who care about young people look at what the Bible has to say about the everyday issues you face. Through personal stories and relevant examples, they show that Jesus brings hope for every challenge. My friend Brandon once told me, "When I was growing up, I thought the point of life was to build the biggest database of information about God that I could." So he did. He went to church, read his Bible and studied at a Bible college. He stuffed as much information into himself as possible, but his spiritual life became unbearably dry.Discuss as a family (or with a friend) how God has worked things out for your good in past times of difficulty. 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) In Psalm 23, David pictures the Lord as the Great Shepherd who provides for and protects His sheep (His children). In verse 4, he says “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” A shepherd uses his rod to protect his sheep (by using it to beat off wild beasts), and he uses his staff to guide them. What comfort can you find in knowing that God will protect and guide you during this difficult time? 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.

You may be thinking, I don’t know how I could ever get through this. Or you may be battling powerful feelings of despair, suffering, confusion, fear, worry, and even anger. These are all normal responses to tragedy. Tautges, with vulnerable transparency, offers wise counsel in this small yet critical work on anxiety. . . . His gentle explanations and careful admonitions act as a guard and guide.”

Some years ago, I asked an older pastor what he did when a member approached him for counseling. He responded that once he determined the nature of the problem, he asked the person whether they had sought the Lord about it, and if they had, what that seeking involved. He asked them what Scriptures they had considered and what prayers they had prayed. If they hadn’t sought the Lord, he would compile a list of Scriptures for them to read and pray over and agreed to meet with them once they had completed the assignment. 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! As he writes with the warmth of a pastor’s heart, Dunham’s keen expertise in the area of addictions shines through. Carefully balancing a myriad of factors that make up addiction, David plays the part of a wise friend and helper for those who need it most.”