Each book is an entire year of daily devotions as posted on Facebook by Mary Rinehart.
They have been an encouragement for so many friends for the past seven years.
Mary began these posts in 2015 and still posts daily on her Facebook profile.
As the Fog Lifts
Facebook Posts from 2015
$9.95
Below is a sample devotion from this book.
July 10
Something new! We all long for something new. We get tired of things so quickly. If only we could turn back to the time when we received the old. It was new and we were grateful for it. But now, we take it for granted. Sure, we're still thankful that we have it instead of nothing. But we view it as next to nothing.
God has His loving arms around us, protecting us and giving us everything we need in life. He not only gives us His love, but He supplies us with people who love us; those we love!
How empty life would be if there was no one to shower with love! We have a deep need to receive love, but just as deep a need to give it.
Love is something you give away, and the more you give, the more you have to give. We can't hoard it.
It reminds me of the manna that God gave the children of Israel in the wilderness. (See Exodus 16:16-20) Whatever wasn't eaten in one day rotted and became useless.
If we don't keep loving, we forget how to love and become selfish, (and rotten!)
We even take for granted the new life God gave us when we accepted Christ and joined His family. “. . . Those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!" (Second Corinthians 5:17b)
If we don't praise Him for His goodness daily and share His great love every day, even our new life becomes old to us.
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And the Clouds Roll Away
Facebook Posts from 2016
$5.13
Below is a sample devotion from this book.
July 28
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I forgot the name, but Daddy would call it a "Naked Lady". It's a strange plant that comes up in early May, displaying no bloom, just thick beautiful foliage.
Then it dies back completely, leaving no trace of its existence. But in July, there is a surprise!
A single stem springs up overnight with no foliage, just a beautiful bloom!
I was praying for a lonely widow who has had difficulties adapting to her loss. She thinks God is through with her. She sees no purpose for her life.
God spoke to me when I saw that plant this morning. He has a plan to bring beauty back into her life.
It will be in a different form, but maybe even more beautiful, with peace and understanding.
". . . He will give beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, praise instead of despair. For the Lord has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for His own glory.” (Isaiah 61:3).
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Behind Every Cloud
Facebook Posts from 2017
$9.95
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Below is a sample devotion from this book.
May 9
Last week I was blind-sided by the devil. I thought I was following God's direction, then found myself in an uncomfortable situation, (conviction of sin). As I reeled in confusion, I have since determined that the initial message was from God.
I took His provision and assumed His further direction. (This landed me in hot water.) As I have stated before, Satan's goal is not the immediate pain, but to pry us away from God, (our Source and our Provider).
The scripture in Joyce Meyer's devotion was: ". . . Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow." (James 1:2-3).
Joyce instructs us to turn the frustration back on Satan. When we've overcome Satan's attempts, we find our faith is stronger and we're closer to God than before. Our spirit sings the words of "Higher Ground", (one of my favorite hymns): "I'm pressing on the upward way; new heights I'm gaining every day."
In "Jesus Calling", I read, "Look to Me in trust, anticipating that My infinite creativity can weave both good choices and bad into a lovely design." (He uses our failures as stepping stones.)
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His Banner is Love
Facebook Posts from 2018
$13.50
Below is a sample devotion from this book.
February 25
“Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is useless. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.” (Psalm 127:1)
This verse speaks to me as clearly today as it did forty years ago when I was in the process of building our house. God reminds me today that He was the one that gave me the idea and helped me draw up the plans. He gave me the opportunity and supplied, (through my brother-in-law), the book that gave step-by-step instructions.
God supplied good health, energy, the time, tools, and finances. So, He built this house. He only used me to accomplish His purpose. I’m thankful every day for this wonderful home!
Now, as I wrap up the book He has written through me, I see that I only contributed the fingers that wrote it. They, too, are His gift. I only wrote the thoughts we shared in my quiet time.
Now, as I enjoy living in our warm, comfortable home, I pray that God uses my book to bring joy to His heart, as others find His encouragement in the finished product.
“Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven’s lights. . .” (James 1:17).
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Beyond the Horizon
Facebook Posts from 2019
$9.95
Below is a sample devotion from this book.
April 7
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In the first garden, God didn’t intervene. He had warned Adam and Eve. Yet, he stood by and allowed them to make a terrible choice. It not only affected them, but all of God’s creation! It was like Eve was playing with matches and she burned down the whole house! And it wasn’t even her house; it was God’s.
He allowed Himself to be the loser in this situation. Yet, He knew it wasn’t over. Now, He would begin to teach us eternal truths. The war had begun. Man had to decide which side he would be on.
The spiritual battle started when Satan determined that he deserved to be worshipped as God. (See Isaiah 14:13). He set his face against God, desiring to overthrow Him.
God, more or less, gave him access, there in the garden, to all He had created. His plan was to win us back from Satan, even from all the goodies Satan promises.
In the second garden, God risked His Son to set us free from spiritual darkness. He counted on love to win over pride and greed.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4).
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Finding Freedom
Facebook Posts from 2020
$13.99
Below is a sample devotion from this book.
January 26
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A flower doesn’t have to try to bloom. It just keeps its roots in the soil, absorbs the sun and rain; and when God sees fit, the blooms appear.
I remember, as a baby Christian, trying to witness. Yet, I didn’t even know the meaning of the word. It means to tell what you’ve seen – what you know. I had been following rules, instead of Jesus. I was very uncomfortable! Now, you can’t shut me up.
The difference is that I’ve soaked in the Son. He has taught me that He has a reason for everything that He allows, good or bad. I love the good and hate the bad. But, I’ve learned much from the bad! Therefore, it has become good. I regret the many mistakes I’ve made, but, “. . . We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purposes for them.” (Romans 8:28).
This reminds me of His constant love and protection. He doesn’t allow the bad in order to hurt me, but to help me grow. My biggest growth spurt was when I had cancer. It almost killed me, but it didn’t! It drove me to my Lord for the strength I needed for the next breath. Just to breathe took all my strength. I can only recall leaning on God’s grace.
I was pretty much like the flower. My roots could only absorb enough of The Son to keep me alive. Only afterwards, did I begin to bloom.
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Coming Closer
Facebook Posts from 2021
$9.95
Below is a sample devotion from this book.
June 11
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Worry reveals a lack of faith. We don’t really trust God! He may not want what we want! Our faith needs to grow! But, how? “. . . Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” (James 1:2-3).
The troubles we wrestle with will stretch our faith. If it is strong, we know there is a God, who is in full control. And His love is all the protection we need. (See Hebrews 11:6). We’re not pleasing God when we worry. We’re leaving Him out of the picture, or we’re fighting against His wisdom.
I just got a call asking for prayer for wisdom in a serious situation. I know that God has my mind on this topic at the moment for ‘such a time as this’. (See Esther 4:14). I fully trust His leadership, and know it will work out for good. (See Romans 8:28).
I choose to rest in God’s promise, and pray that these people will also be able to rest by trusting God. (See Matthew 11:28). The most powerful One in the Universe is in control of this situation! (See 1 John 4:4). Love will win! Worry has to flee! It can’t stay in the same mind with God on the throne. “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.” (Psalm 143:10).
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