It’s the only devotional I’ve read four (soon to be five) consecutive times.
Priscilla Shirer’s Awaken: 90 Days with the God Who Speaks welcomes my soul like an old familiar friend. It settles in smoothly but never grows weary of speaking truth and timely words of advice. Who wouldn’t want to welcome this kind of friend over and over again?
One benefit of reading a devotional multiple times, especially when jotting down notes along the way, is to see how God is moving and stretching us over a span of time.
For instance, on the second read-through, these questions were posed: What are you waiting on God for right now? What does faith and confidence look like, knowing He’s undoubtedly working for you in the distance? I answered, “I’m waiting to see God’s plans for my book.” The next time I read it, a few months later, I answered, “Thank you for Cynthia Ruchti — my dream agent — and thank You for confirming Your work in my life.” I paused to consider God’s goodness in bringing this dream to fruition.
You may remember my first post on this devotional, but I’m here to testify that the joy discovered under Shirer’s tutelage continues to build. Pour a cup of tea and savor these excerpts from Awaken:
Day 70
“Storms will do that to you sometimes–wash you ashore in unfamiliar places, around unfamiliar people. But if not for the storm (Acts 28:7-9), Paul wouldn’t have been in this location to meet these people and help them. God’s sovereignty had not been shipwrecked by the storm. His plans were not derailed just because the sailors’ plans had been thrown off course. God’s hand had steered them to the exact place where revival was primed to break out. And the storm was the instrument He used to do it. Are you in a fierce storm right now? Are you watchful and mindful of the various places it’s unexpectedly taking you and all the various people it’s unexpectedly introducing you to? Next time you’re frustrated or perplexed by where your latest storm has dumped you, pray for the joy of discovering that God is using this storm to intersect your life with someone else’s life, becoming part of answering their prayer, even as He’s answering yours.”
A fierce wind called the “northeaster” rushed down from the island. Since the ship was caught and unable to head into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. Acts 27:14-15
Day 78
“From your current vantage point, you may not be able to see how God is working out His purposes in your life. You’ve gotten your feet wet. You’ve tried to believe. But life just seems to roll on like always before, oblivious to your prayers and to the faith you’ve placed in God’s ability to change things. But be convinced that even though God may be working a great distance away, He is working. He hasn’t forgotten you or His promises to you. He has not run into a snag that may prevent Him from following through.”
The vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3
Day 88
“The tumor is still there. Your family is still in crisis. The church is still without a pastor. Your son or daughter still can’t find work. It’s one thing to believe that God is able to do anything He wants. He is God. You know that. But it is quite another thing to believe that He is willing and able to do it for you.”
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yes, our God is compassionate. Psalm 116:5
Day 90
“An encounter with God is meant to change us. To stagger us. To blind us to old pursuits, interests, ambitions, and fleshly desires, while miraculously opening our internal vision to eternal pursuits. What a waste to simply get up and go back to our normal habits after being in His presence and sensing the exhilaration of His nearness–after powerful moments in His Word, in prayer, in places where He’s made His way so plain to us.”
The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130
Does a particular sentence or excerpt stand out? We’d love to know! Comment below, and you’ll automatically be entered into a random giveaway for a copy of Awaken!
(And if you received a copy of “31 Ways to Pray for Your Children” or “Praying Throughout Your Home”, you’re in the right place. Welcome!)
Day 90: “An encounter with God is meant to change us.” Every time I open His word, I have an encounter. By paying attention to that still small voice, when the big encounters come, I’ll be READY to receive and to hear clearly.
Day 70: What a loud voice today! As I was laying on the gurney in the ultrasound room, my heart asked, “Please God, let everything be normal” while at the same time whispering, “Your will be done. If I get abnormal news, then I trust that you have a bigger plan.”
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Jeanne. Praying the results will return normal but so thankful for your mindset. It’s inspiring!
Praising God today. Nothing concerning showed on the ultrasound. Follow-up in six months. Felt like I needed a nap this afternoon after the adrenaline spike.
Praise the Lord!!! Thanks so much for taking the time to share the update. Yes, enjoy your nap. 🙂
An Encounter With God Is Meant To Change Us . Amen to this !!!
As we were going through the situation with my sister i had an encounter with God durning the night . God would wake me up and tell me to say” Thank you “i think that happened three times and when i awoke and before my feet hit the floor God said the same thing “ Tell me Thank you “ and now i know why , Ge wanted me to acknowledge that He was answering our prayers .
Prayers (and praises) continue for your sister. To be confident (in Christ) that He cares about the details in our lives and assures us along the way that He is at work is powerful. Thanks so much for sharing!
But be convinced that even though God may be working a great distance away, He is working. He hasn’t forgotten you or His promises to you. He has not run into a snag that may prevent Him from following through.”
The vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3.
In a long hard season, I am encouraged that He is still working.
Thank you for sharing. Your words are encouraging to us all and I’m praying for you, trusting God knows all the details. Blessings!
“An encounter with God is meant to change us.” That’s so true.
I agree. It’s a simple sentence but heavy with truth. Thanks so much for taking the time to share. What a blessing!
Looks like a wonderful devotional, Cathy. This spoke to me, ““An encounter with God is meant to change us. To stagger us. To blind us to old pursuits, interests, ambitions, and fleshly desires, while miraculously opening our internal vision to eternal pursuits.”
That’s one that stopped me in my tracks, Karen. To be blinded to the temporary and focused on the eternal. Yes, and amen! Thanks so much for taking the time to share. Blessings, friend.
He is God. That sums God up as he is soverign.
Amen, Mary! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
“Storms wash us ashore in unfamiliar places with unfamiliar people” spoke to me. This sounds like a devotional I’d read over and over again—thanks for making it known.
And thank you for sharing, Marilyn. 🙂 Blessings!
The reminder that God is always working in the background – and the steps along the journey that show His plan and purpose is coming to fruition in His time. (P.S. When will your book be published?)
I know of few things in life more comforting (or exciting) than knowing God is always at work in our lives. Thank you for asking about the book! My agent is “shopping” it to publishers now, so your prayers are very much appreciated. Blessings, Judy!
A statement that spoke to me:
“What a waste to simply get up and go back to our normal habits after being in His presence and sensing the exhilaration of His nearness–after powerful moments in His Word, in prayer, in places where He’s made His way so plain to us.”
Is there support group for over-complicators? Man, don’t I need it. Thank you for this post, Cathy. You certainly work in concert with our Father; I needed every word 🙂
You’re kind. If you find that support group, let me know. 🙂 I’m glad her words resonated as deeply with you as they did me.
The last one listed: “an encounter with God is meant to stagger us.” Probably way too often, we take for granted the magnificence of God and Who & What He Is (God! Eternal! etc) and how long He’s been around (eternity!) and what He’s done & doing–not just for little ol’ me, but for EVERYONE since forever past & forever to come!!! Absolutely STAGGERING, stunning, unbelieveable. Way too often we have thought of God as this casz friend, pals-y wals-y buddy, drinking pumpkin-spiced something, relegated to “mere” something status, instead of the absolute I AM of all eternity.
When I saw the Canadian Rockies (in Yukon & Northwest Territories of Canada) was when I was STAGGERED beyond comprehension or description of God’s magnificence and WHO HE IS, and that He cares for me, and every hair on my head.
I read this three times, Deb. You nailed it beautifully and I appreciate you taking the time to share your insights. (I can only imagine how staggering the Canadian Rockies must be in person. What a blessing!)