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This is an advance reading copy taken from uncorrected proofs. The text may change before the final edition is published. Please do not quote or circulate without express written permission from the publisher.
Susie Larson, Blessings for the Evening Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2013. Used by permission.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
NIV

Susie Larson, Blessings for the Evening Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2013. Used by permission.

BLESSINGS
for the

Ev ening
Finding Peace in Gods Presence

Susie L arson

Susie Larson, Blessings for the Evening Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2013. Used by permission.

 2013 by Susie Larson Published by Bethany House Publishers 11400 Hampshire Avenue South Bloomington, Minnesota 55438 www.bethanyhouse.com Bethany House Publishers is a division of Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan Printed in China All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout 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 le at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC. ISBN 978-0-7642-1163-8 Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations identied HCSB are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Scripture quotations identied THE MESSAGE are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations identied NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www. zondervan.com Scripture quotations identied NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Cover design by Brand Navigation Interior design and art direction by Paul Higdon Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2013. Used by permission. Author is represented by The Steve Laube Agency

Susie Larson, Blessings for the Evening

To my mom, Pat Erickson, and Kevs dad, Dean Larson, who lost their beloved spouses this year May the promised blessing of seeing your loved ones again bring comfort and encouragement to your souls. Love you so much.

To Jesus May You breathe fresh life into every soul who picks up this book. Knowing that we get to spend eternity with You is the greatest blessing of all. Youre our greatest treasure.

Susie Larson, Blessings for the Evening Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2013. Used by permission.

To You, My Friend 8 Blessings for the Evening Gods Unshakable Love 10 A Brand-New You 12 The Lords Goodness 14 Seeing and Hearing God 16 Heaven Is on Your Side 18 A Healthy Rhythm 20 Sowing and Reaping 22 Stepping Out 24 Fresh Joy, Fresh Faith 26 A Renewed Life 28 Christ in Focus 30 The Battle Is the Lords 32 Abounding Grace 34 Hearing Gods Voice 36 An Eternal Perspective 38 Love in Action 40 Gritty Faith 42 Rest for the Weary 44 Equipped for Victory 46 God Is Working for You 48 A Personal Revival 50 Let God Carry the Load 52

Coming Against the Enemy 56 He Is Faithful 58 Right Place, Right Time 60 The Rock 62 Grateful Living 64 From Fearful to Joyful 66 Freedom in Christ 68 Praises to the Most High 70 A Heavenly Aim 72 A Fruitful Life 74 Step-by-Step With God 76 Your New Future 78 A Mighty Move of God 80 Sacred Moments 82 Tomorrows Promise 84 Secure in Christ 86 Living With Expectancy 88 Good Gifts 90 Mighty to Save 92 A Peace Offering 94 A Shield of Love 96 A Thankful Heart 98 Your Story and Gods 100 A Full-of-Life Life 102

Through Gods Eyes 104 Susie Larson, Blessings for the Evening Covered by God 54 Fully Restored 106 Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2013. Used by permission.

Contents
While You Rest 108 Purpose in Every Step 110 A Quiet Place 112 A Better Tomorrow 114 You Can Rely on Him 116 Fearing God, Not Man 118 Following His Lead 120 God Is for You 122 Abundant Living and Giving 124 Harvest Time 126 Valued 128 Beyond Imagination 130 God Will Lead You 132 Faith-Filled Eyes 134 Rooted in Love 136 Reaping Results 138 Life-Giving Water 140 Facing Down Fears 142 Your Defender and Protector 144 Shelter in the Storm 146 Glimpses of Glory 148 When Youd Rather . . . 150 United With Christ 152 Incomparable Power 154 An Ever-Present Help 156 When You Are Weak 158 of Baker Publishing Acknowledgments 205 by permission. Bethany House, a division Group, 2013. Used
Susie Larson, Blessings for the Evening

A Godly Inheritance 160 Desires of Your Heart 162 The Right Focus 164 Created for Good 166 Healing Joy 168 New Heights 170 In (and From) Gods Hands 172 Tenacious Faith 174 Your Divine Purpose 176 Unhurried Days 178 A Secure Heart 180 Morning Mercies 182 From Impossible to Possible 184 Releasing Your Burdens 186 An Unlimited Supply 188 Blessings for Specic Needs and Occasions Sabbath Rest 192 Grief 194 Thanksgiving Day 196 Christmas 198 Spiritual Warfare 200 Disappointment 202

To You, My Friend
God loves you with an everlasting love. He is faithful, wise, and true. He is a miracleworking, soul-saving, life-transforming God. And He cares deeply about you. As you work your way through these pages, may you grow to knowon a much deeper levelwhat you possess when you have Christ. He is above all, in all, and through all. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He promises never to leave you, never to forsake you, and never to let go of your hand. Life on earth is hard sometimes, but life with God is always good, always beautiful, and forever eternal. The Lord wants you to last long and nish strong, and Hes the one who will keep you strong to the end. May these blessings be yours in every way. S us i e Lars o n

One more thing: Dont miss the blessings near the end of the book for specic needs and occasions, including Sabbath Rest, Grief, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, Spiritual Warfare, and Disappointment.
Susie Larson, Blessings for the Evening Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2013. Used by permission.

Blessings for the Evening

Susie Larson, Blessings for the Evening Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2013. Used by permission.

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from Gods love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrownot even the powers of hell can separate us from Gods love. No power in the sky above or in the earth belowindeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:3839

Susie Larson, Blessings for the Evening Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2013. Used by permission.

Gods Unshakable Love

May the Lord awaken you to fresh and powerful revelations of His love. May He stir in you a deep desire to read His Word and stand on His promises. May He lift you up so you can see your life from His perspective. May He put a joy in your heart that makes you glad and others smile. And tonight, may you wrap yourself up in this wonderful truth: Absolutely nothing can separate you from His love! Sleep well.

Susie Larson, Blessings for the Evening Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2013. Used by permission.

There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. . . . The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:12, 11

Susie Larson, Blessings for the Evening Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2013. Used by permission.

A Brand-New You
May Gods opinion matter far more to you than mans opinion. May His dreams for you speak louder than your fears. May His forgiveness wash over every sin from your past. And may you rise up in the morning with the knowledge that Hes made you brand-new, through and through. No spot or stain on you! Rest well tonight.

Susie Larson, Blessings for the Evening Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2013. Used by permission.

You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 118:2829 NIV

Susie Larson, Blessings for the Evening Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2013. Used by permission.

The Lords Goodness

May the Lord bless you with deep, nourishing sleep tonight. May you wake up fresh and renewed, ready to face the day. May you nd the time to pause in His presence, listen for His voice, and give Him thanks for all Hes done and for all Hes about to do. You are His beloved, and He is yours. His banner over you is love! Sleep well tonight.

Susie Larson, Blessings for the Evening Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2013. Used by permission.

Your eyes are blessed because they do see, and your ears because they do hear! Matthew 13:16 HCSB

Susie Larson, Blessings for the Evening Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2013. Used by permission.

Seeing and Hearing God

May God bless your eyes so you begin to see everyone and everything redemptively. May God bless your ears so youll only hear words consistent with His voice and His song over your life. May God bless your heart that you may be a wellspring of life for others. And may God bless your hands and feet that you may tend to His business during your time on earth. Your life matters deeply to Him. Rest in that fact.

Susie Larson, Blessings for the Evening Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2013. Used by permission.

Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NIV

Susie Larson, Blessings for the Evening Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2013. Used by permission.

Heaven Is on Your Side

May you learn to trust God in increasing measures. When He calls, may you follow where He leads, step out without having all of the information, speak up without having all the answers, and look up when your circumstances threaten to weigh you down. May you live, breathe, and speak as one who is ensured victory and equipped to do the impossible. Sleep well tonight, knowing that all of heaven is on your side.

Susie Larson, Blessings for the Evening Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2013. Used by permission.