Today Is Going to Be a Good Day

Michelle Bengtson Dr.

Description

Every day can be a good day when you trust the promises of God.Job frustrations, difficult relationships, fluctuating health, emotional upheaval. When life conspires to drag us down with all of its troubles, it can be hard to keep our spirits up. Dr. Michelle Bengtson knows. Severely ill and mired in depression, she desperately needed something to cling to. That is when she decided to stand on God's promises that, despite her circumstances, every day was a good day for a good day.In this uplifting devotional, Bengtson helps you make each day a good day no matter what is going on in your life. Each reading includes Scripture, reflection, prayer, and a recommended playlist song designed to help you live out Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Because our thoughts determine our beliefs, our beliefs determine our attitudes, and our attitudes determine our behaviors.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie

Informations

• Publié par: Baker Publishing Group
• Date de parution: 17 mai 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781493436385
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Half Title Page
Other books by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression
Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises
Title Page
Copyright Page
© 2022 by Michelle Bengtson
Published by Revell
a division of Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.revellbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2022
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-3638-5
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled AMP are from the Amplified® Bible (AMP), copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016
Scripture quotations labeled GNT are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version-Second Edition. Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations labeled KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Scripture quotations labeled MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE , copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org
Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations labeled NKJV are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Published in association with Illuminate Literary Agency, www.illuminateliter ary.com.
Baker Publishing Group publications use paper produced from sustainable forestry practices and post-consumer waste whenever possible.
Dedication
Every once in a while, we are blessed to meet those who bring joy with them everywhere they go: a cheerful smile, a heartfelt hug, or an encouraging word. These aptly describe KAREN TACKETT . With a laugh she would tell you that she looks at life through rose-colored glasses, but the truth is that she carries the joy of the Lord with her and shares it with everyone she meets. I had no idea when she took me under her wing just how close we would grow, or how much I would depend on her positive influence in my life. She would proudly tell you she has learned from me and all I’ve written, but that doesn’t come close to all I’ve learned from her day by day and through the years. She has been a mother, mentor, and friend. On the days I wasn’t sure I could write another word, she steadfastly prayed me through to the finish line. She was always praying for an emptying of myself and an infilling of the Holy Spirit. My prayer is for you to experience exactly that as you read this book. The devotional you hold in your hands is largely the result of Karen’s sweet encouragement and daily prayers. I wouldn’t be who I am today without her love, encouragement, and continual support.
You will forever hold a special place in my heart, Karen.
Contents
Cover
Half Title Page 1
Other books by Dr. Michelle Bengtson 2
Title Page 3
Copyright Page 4
Dedication 5
Introduction 11
DAY 1: God Blesses His Children 16
DAY 2: God Is Our Invincible Army 18
DAY 3: God’s Purpose Will Prevail 20
DAY 4: God Is with Us in Deep Waters 22
DAY 5: God Is Always Working 24
DAY 6 : Our Future Is in God’s Hands 26
DAY 7 : Jesus Invites Us to Follow 28
DAY 8: Jesus Came for Us 30
DAY 9: Jesus Prays for Us 32
DAY 10: God Holds Us Up 34
DAY 11: We Don’t Face Today Alone 36
DAY 12: Faith Pleases God 38
DAY 13: God Gives Us His Kingdom 40
DAY 14: God Is for Us 42
DAY 15: God Is Patient 44
DAY 16: The Spirit Pleads for Us 46
DAY 17: God Is Our Help 48
DAY 18 : God’s Promises Are True 50
DAY 19: God Is on His Throne 52
DAY 20: Joy despite Circumstances 54
DAY 21: God Is Our Refuge 56
DAY 22: Jesus Overcame 58
DAY 23: Everlasting Love 60
DAY 24: God Goes before Us 62
DAY 25: God Delights in Us 64
DAY 26: God’s Presence with Us 66
DAY 27: God Makes a Way 68
DAY 28: Trust God’s Character 70
DAY 29: God Is Our Good Shepherd 72
DAY 30: God Is Our Strength 74
DAY 31: God Quiets the Storm 76
DAY 32: Nothing but Good 78
DAY 33: Trust God’s Truth 80
DAY 34: God Gives Peace 82
DAY 35: God’s Love Is Unfailing 84
DAY 36: No Need to Fear 86
DAY 37: God Guides and Watches Over Us 88
DAY 38: God Sustains Us 90
DAY 39: In God We Are Secure 92
DAY 40: God Never Wastes Our Pain 94
DAY 41: We Can’t Escape God’s Presence 96
DAY 42: God Defeated Our Enemy 98
DAY 43: God’s Plans Are Good 100
DAY 44: God’s Instructions Guide Us 102
DAY 45: Peace of Mind Is a Gift 104
DAY 46: In God There Is No Shame 106
DAY 47: Trust Brings Peace 108
DAY 48: God Offers Forgiveness 110
DAY 49: God’s Word Remains True 112
DAY 50: God Always Cares 114
DAY 51: We Cannot Lose God’s Love 116
DAY 52: Our Hope Is in God 118
DAY 53: God Made Each of Us Unique 120
DAY 54: Rest Is a Gift from God 122
DAY 55: God Prepares Our Way 124
DAY 56: God Stills the Waves 126
DAY 57: God’s Steady Hand 128
DAY 58: We Conquer with God’s Help 130
DAY 59: God Equips Us 132
DAY 60: God Comforts Us 134
DAY 61: God Keeps His Promises 136
DAY 62: God Speaks through His Word 138
DAY 63: Give God Our Cares 140
DAY 64: Victory Is Ours 142
DAY 65: Find New Strength 144
DAY 66: God Gives Wisdom 146
DAY 67: Run Our Race 148
DAY 68: God Is Faithful 150
DAY 69: God Makes the Impossible Possible 152
DAY 70: We Are on God’s Mind 154
DAY 71: Nothing God Can’t Do 156
DAY 72: God Answers Prayers 158
DAY 73: God Loves Perfectly 160
DAY 74: Nothing Surprises God 162
DAY 75 : God Doesn’t Change 164
DAY 76: God Provides 166
DAY 77: Jesus Is Our Peace 168
DAY 78: God Fights for Us 170
DAY 79: God Is Trustworthy 172
DAY 80: The Battle Is God’s 174
DAY 81 : God Is Close 176
DAY 82: God Brings Joy 178
DAY 83: God Encourages 180
DAY 84: God Pursues Us 182
DAY 85: God Meets Our Needs 184
DAY 86 : There Is One True God 186
DAY 87: Jesus Satisfies Fully 188
DAY 88: Power in His Name 190
DAY 89: The Victory Is His 192
DAY 90: Each Day Has Purpose 194
Tomorrow Will Be a Good Day Too! 196
Acknowledgments 198
About the Author 201
Back Ads 203
Back Cover 208
Introduction
I remember the day I pressed Post on my first “Today is going to be a good day” social media post. I was home alone on a five-month medically induced bed rest, unable to serve my patients or to be much of a wife or mother. Kept alive on IV hydration and nutrition, I had dwindled from 113 pounds to a skeletal 74 pounds. I had recently undergone one surgery and had another scheduled for the next day. My circumstances depressed me terribly and left me unsure I wanted to continue life in this manner.
Spending too much time alone with your thoughts can cause a downward spiral into a pit so deep you can’t escape alone. I thought I was “joy-immune.” I knew I needed a reason to keep fighting and a way to positively impact my outlook on life.
Then a friend texted me Psalm 30:5, which says, “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” I had read that verse at least a hundred times. But this time, I sensed in my spirit that God was saying, “If I promise that my joy comes in the morning, then it is impossible for you to be joy-immune. When you fully believe my promises, you will have that joy you’ve been wanting, despite how you feel and despite your circumstances.”
God has never broken a promise; we can count on his promises coming true in our lives. Standing on any of his promises gives us a reason why today—or any day—despite our circumstances, is a good day for a good day.
That first “Today is going to be a good day” post was a simple thought: “Today is going to be a good day because God has promised his joy will come in the morning.” Apparently, others were struggling as well, because that post seemed to resonate with many of my readers.
A few weeks later, my circumstances had not changed dramatically, but my desire to get back to a normal life had heightened significantly. I was tired of the four walls that surrounded my sickbed. I longed for glimmers of hope in what felt like a hopeless situation. And I needed motivation to keep fighting. I found another reason to believe that day could be considered good even though my circumstances were not: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19 KJV).
The positive responses I received to that second “good day” post surprised me. Clearly, others needed the encouragement too. A couple of weeks later I posted a third, then a fourth a few weeks after that. I can’t tell you exactly when the change occurred, but over time I realized I needed to be intentional about deciding my outlook and choosing to appreciate each day.