Your Sleep Will Be Sweet (for Girls)

Your

Sleep Sweet 200 niGhttimE deVotioNs for A

Girl’s Heart

emilY biGgers

Your

Sleep Sweet 200 niGhttimE deVotioNs for A

Girl’s Heart

© 2020 by Barbour Publishing, Inc. ISBN 978-1-64352-230-2 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without written permission of the publisher.

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Scripture quotations marked cev are from the Contemporary English Version, Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked ncv are taken from the New Century Version of the Bible, copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

ProVerbs 3:24 nlv

Introduction You’re a busy girl! Your life is filled with school, church, activities, and hanging out with family and friends. Pets and electronics may take up some of your time as well, along with dreaming about your future! Sometimes it is hard to settle down to sleep at night, isn’t it? So many thoughts swirl through your mind—so many questions and concerns. Your heavenly Father wants you to know that you can leave your cares with Him and rest peacefully.

Before you turn off the lights and go to sleep each night, take a few minutes to open God’s Word and listen to His still, small voice. This book of nighttime devotions will lead you to scripture and offer peace and calm for your heart.

A short prayer is included with each reading. You may wish to use this as your prayer to God or just as a starter for your own personal words. God is always there to listen to you because you are His precious daughter. So settle in and get started tonight! Happy reading, and sweet dreams!

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Sweet Dreams You will not be afraid when you lie down.

When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

P rove rbs 3:24

n lv

Do your parents or siblings ever tell you to have “sweet dreams”? What are your sweetest dreams? Do you like to dream about make-believe things? Do you dream that you are all grown up?

Sometimes sweet dreams come easily and sleep is peaceful. Other times something may be bothering you and keeping you awake at night. The Bible tells us that Jesus is always with us. You can rest assured that God knows you and He sees you. God does not need sleep. He keeps watch over His children day and night. When you lie down, ask God to give you peace and to remind you that He is always near. Sweet dreams!

Dear God, thank You that I never have to be afraid when I lie down to go to sleep. Watch over me through the night, I ask, and give me sweet dreams. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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The Lord Is Close The angel of the Lord stays close around those who fear Him, and He takes them out of trouble.

P sal m 34:7

n lv

Have you ever been in a bad situation? You sense the trouble growing worse and worse. You look around for someone who can help. Then a teacher or parent comes along and sets things straight. Just a word or two from that person makes everything okay again. The storm is over.

You breathe a sigh of relief.

Like a parent or teacher on the playground, Jesus is aware of what is going on. He takes you right out of the trouble! Only He is able to take you out of the midst of even greater trouble. He is always close. He never looks away.

He sees your needs.

Tonight as you close your eyes and go to sleep, trust in Him to stay close through the nighttime hours and to protect you throughout the day tomorrow.

Jesus, sometimes I feel alone or afraid, but I know that You are with me always and that You will rescue me when I need help. Help me to sleep peacefully knowing that You are always near. Amen.

10

True Peace “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you.

I do not give peace to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”

J o h n 14:27

n lv

Has a preschooler ever offered you a cookie? Not a real cookie, but one he or she prepared in the pretend kitchen?

You go along with the game and act as if you are gobbling it up, but you know it’s an imitation of the real thing. You’ve seen artificial Christmas trees. They sure look like real trees, don’t they? Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between an imitation and the real deal!

The world will offer you peace. But the world’s “peace” is fake, just a cheap imitation of true contentment. It won’t last. Be on guard for messages that say that a certain brand of jeans or shoes will bring you satisfaction.

Wearing something new will make you happy for a time, but after a while, you’ll lose the sense of peace or contentment it gave you and you’ll want something else to give you a little jolt of happiness. Accomplishments are great, but on a sad day, trophies don’t bring comfort. Only the peace found in knowing Jesus lasts a lifetime. Anything else is just an imitation, like a plastic chocolate chip cookie or an artificial evergreen.

Jesus, help me to know the deep, abiding peace that comes only from You. Amen.

11

Rest On the seventh day God ended His work which He had done. And He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.

G e n e s i s 2:2

n lv

God created the world, and then He rested. God even created rest itself. Your body is designed for work and play, and it is made for rest. God loves that you involve yourself in school and in activities like sports, choir, or martial arts.

He also knows it’s important for you to sleep well at night so that you can be ready for each busy new day.

As you prepare for bed, take time to read God’s Word and pray. Ask the Lord to settle your mind and heart. Thank Him for blessings. Maybe you have a worry or a desire that you want to lay at His feet. Give Him time to speak into your life. Then close your eyes, rest your head, take some deep breaths. Breathe out the worries of your day and breathe in the peace of God.

Lord, thank You for work and play. Thank You for all the wonderful things my mind and body can do. Help me to sleep well tonight so that I am ready for tomorrow. Amen.

12

God Comforts You The Lord says, “I am the one who comforts you.”

I saiah 51:12

n cv

God is always near to comfort you. Your parents may be busy or not know the right words to say to help you, but God is there. Your friends may turn against you or leave you in your time of need, but God is there. Even your pet may walk away when you could really use some cuddling time.

But God is your Creator and your Friend. He is always by your side. He celebrates your victories and He sees you in your sad times.

Think about God’s greatness. He made the entire universe. He is eternal. He is able to be everywhere at one time, and He knows all things. The Bible says that God is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.

Even the best friends and the truest family members can fail you because they are just human. When you truly need comfort, rather than texting a friend or calling a relative, seek God. Pray. Ask Him to help you. He will never let you down. Your heavenly Father says that He wants to be the One who comforts you!

Father God, bring me the comfort that I need tonight as I lie down to go to sleep. Remind me that You are always near and that You see my needs. Amen.

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Comfort in Disappointment and Loss “God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

M at th ew 5:4

n lt

Have you had to say a hard goodbye? Have you lost someone? Are you suffering? Do you grieve for the way things used to be? Maybe a family member or friend died.

Perhaps the loss came in a different way—your parents divorced, you had to say goodbye to a pet, or you moved far away and left your home behind. We grieve all kinds of disappointments in life.

The good news is that the Bible promises that God blesses those who mourn and provides comfort. When you feel overwhelmed with loss, hand it over to God. Share your memories with him. Express to Him the longing you feel inside for the way life used to be. He understands. Then trust Him to be your comfort. Trust Him to bless you even in your grief.

Lord, just as it is dark outside tonight, darkness also hangs around in my heart. Please comfort me in my loss and disappointment. Thank You for caring so deeply about my heart. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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Heaven “Do not let your heart be troubled. You have put your trust in God, put your trust in Me also. There are many rooms in My Father’s house. If it were not so, I would have told you.

I am going away to make a place for you. After I go and make a place for you, I will come back and take you with Me. Then you may be where I am.”

J o h n 14:1–3

n lv

Do you ever feel afraid in the dark? Do you lie awake and worry? Jesus told His followers to trust Him. He promised that He only went away in order to make a place for His followers in heaven. He assured them that He was coming back again one day to take them home to heaven. This promise is true for every Christian, then and now. So in the darkness, trust in Jesus, who is the Light of the World.

How wonderful heaven must be! There are no tears there. There is only joy. Rest easy tonight, knowing that Jesus has everything under control and that He is coming back!

Jesus, thank You that You have gone to prepare a place for me. I know heaven is going to be amazing. Amen.

15

God Gives Wisdom If you do not have wisdom, ask God for it.

He is always ready to give it to you and will never say you are wrong for asking.

J ame s 1:5

n lv

Life brings challenges with it. Often you need some guidance. Just as you look to a coach when you are learning to play a sport, God is always near to help you with decisions.

The Bible promises that we just have to ask. God is ready to help us. So the next time you are stuck and you can’t figure out what to do, ask God. Just whisper a prayer to Him wherever you are and whatever you’re doing. Say something like this: “God, please give me wisdom. Show me what I should do.” You can ask God for wisdom on small problems and large ones alike. He will never turn away or refuse to help.

Lord, thank You that You are always ready to show me the truth in any situation. You are my Helper. I will seek You and ask You for wisdom when I don’t know what to do. Amen.

16

God Is with You “Have I not told you? Be strong and have strength of heart! Do not be afraid or lose faith. For the Lord your God is with you anywhere you go.”

J o s h ua 1:9

n lv

God is with you wherever you go. How comforting that is!

Think about it. When you go to school, God is with you. When you are at home, He is there. While you are participating in extracurricular activities or riding in the car, and even while you are getting ready for bed tonight, God is with you. You never have to be afraid. You have the creator of the universe on your side. You are a child of the Most High God. You do not have to rely on your own strength. Honestly, we can’t be strong enough. So admit your weakness and lean into the strength of your God. As the song “Jesus Loves Me” says, “They are weak but He is strong!”

Heavenly Father, thank You for being my strength and for always being with me—wherever I go, whatever I do. You are a good Father, and I am loved by You. Amen.

17

God Is Not Finished with You I am sure that God Who began the good work in you will keep on working in you until the day Jesus Christ comes again.

P h i li pp ian s 1:6

n lv

Do you ever have a teacher or classmate ask to see your artwork while you are still painting or drawing? You respond with “I’m not done yet.” Did you know God is creating a masterpiece in you? He won’t be finished until He calls you home to heaven one day. He is perfecting His work. Day by day He shows you new truths in His Word. He teaches you lessons that make you stronger, kinder, and more dependent on Him. Your God is the best artist ever, and He made a beautiful girl when He made you, but know that He is still at work. When you feel that you have messed up miserably, trust that God will use even that error to make the masterpiece of you more perfect.

God, just like I use my creativity to turn a mistake into part of my artwork, You use even my failures to make me better. Thank You for continuing the good work You are doing in my life. Amen.

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You Can Do All Things through Christ I can do all things because Christ gives me the strength.

P h i li pp ian s 4:13

n lv

Do you remember the story of the little engine that could?

The train struggles to get up a steep hill, chanting: “I think I can! I think I can!” There is something to be said for hard work and having a positive attitude. But what about when that’s not enough? What about the times when you truly are not strong enough? As a believer in Christ, you have a lot more strength to draw on than just a belief in yourself. You have Jesus, who gives you strength to do all things. Call on the Lord when you cannot, because in all situations He can.

Jesus, You are my strength. Help me to learn to rely on You. Give me an extra measure of Your strength as I face a new day tomorrow morning.

I love You, Lord. Thank You for being strong enough so that I don’t have to be, because there are times when I am not able to do things on my own. Amen.

19

Inner Beauty Charm can be deceiving, and beauty fades away, but a woman who honors the Lord deserves to be praised.

P rove rbs 31:30

c ev

Have you heard the saying “Beauty is only skin deep”?

It is not what is on the outside but what is on the inside that matters. A girl can have outward beauty, but if she is not kind and loving, is she viewed as “pretty”?

What about these wise words that many have repeated over the years? “Pretty is as pretty does.” Actions and attitudes matter a lot more than smooth skin and silky, shiny hair, don’t they?

The Proverbs 31 woman is a woman who honors God. She is one who knows that with age, outward beauty fades. Gorgeous young girls become middle aged, and the years add pounds and gray hair. What matters is what you do with God. Do you honor and respect Him? Do you shine your light for Him, or are you too busy taking selfies?

God, help me to focus less on looks and more on what really matters. I want to be a young lady who honors you. I want my beauty to be the type that does not fade over time—the beauty of a gentle, loving spirit. Amen.

20

All Things We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

R oman s 8:28

n iv

Has something bad happened to you? Something over which you had no control? Has it left you feeling that God did not see you or did not care? Nothing could be further from the truth. God hates it when bad things happen to His children. We live in a world that has turned from God, where the sin of others can harm us. But we have a heavenly Father who is a master at creating beautiful artwork from our broken pieces. He is able to work good from even the worst things in your life. If you feel alone or dirty or empty, know that God is way bigger than all those feelings. He picks you up, accepts you just as you are, and promises to use even the worst stuff in your life for good. He brings beauty from ashes. He is a good, good God.

Thank You, Father, that You promise to work all things—not just some things—together for good in my life because I love You. That gives me comfort as I lay my head on my pillow tonight and as I walk forward into a new day when the sun rises. Amen.

21

Do Not Worry “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

M at th ew 6:34

n iv

Are you a worrier? As you go to sleep tonight, try this. Lay your worries at the foot of God’s throne. You serve a mighty God. He is the King of kings, the Maker of all things. The easy part is handing over your concerns to God. The hard part is not picking them up again! Leave them there. He is a big God and is more than able to handle your fears and troubles. He will sort them out for you. He asks you to cast your cares on Him because He cares for you. He tells you to lay down your load and to carry His light burden instead.

In other words, He wants you to trade worry for peace. He wants you to unload your anxiety on Him because He is stronger than you are. You were not meant to carry such a heavy load.

Lord, tonight as I go to sleep, I lay down these worries [speak your specific concerns to God]. Give me the strength to leave these concerns with You and not pick them up again tomorrow morning. Amen.

22

Good Plans “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

J e re miah 29:11

n iv

Have you ever set out on a surprise vacation? You don’t know where you are going but you have been told to pack a swimsuit and your parents have said it is going to be enjoyable. What fun! In such a situation, you trust your parents, don’t you? You believe them when they say they have made an awesome plan. You know them well enough to know that they are not playing a cruel trick. They would not tell you this then take you somewhere awful. Likewise, God is good and has your best interests at heart, and He has great plans for you. You simply have to trust Him. So when the road twists a bit or seems to be leading in a different direction than you expected, trust Him. He has good plans.

God, as I go to sleep tonight, help me to trust that Your plans for me are good plans. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

23

You Are an Example Let no one show little respect for you because you are young. Show other Christians how to live by your life. They should be able to follow you in the way you talk and in what you do. Show them how to live in faith and in love and in holy living.

1 T imothy 4:12

n lv

Even though you are still young, even younger kids look to you as a model of behavior. People notice when you make choices that honor God. You have the opportunity to shine your light for Jesus everywhere you go. As you go to sleep tonight, ask God to help you live in faith, love, and holiness. No one is perfect, so try to work out disagreements with kindness, and fix your mistakes when you can. Ask for forgiveness when you need to. Never think that just because you are not grown up yet that you do not make a difference.

You can be a great example of how a Christian should live.

God, please help me to be an example to others in my school and everywhere I go.

Remind me that even though I am young, people are watching how I live. Amen.

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Actions, Not Accessories Christian women should not be dressed in the kind of clothes and their hair should not be combed in a way that will make people look at them. They should not wear much gold or pearls or clothes that cost much money.

Instead of these things, Christian women should be known for doing good things and living good lives.

1 T imothy 2:9–10

n lv

When you think of a woman whom you admire, what comes to mind? It is probably not the clothing or jewelry she wears. You don’t respect her merely for her hairstyle or makeup choices. It is likely how she treats you and others that stands out. The world you live in says outward beauty is very important. Refuse to let that message into your heart and mind! The world is wrong! God says that a Christian girl should be known for her actions, not for how many perfect selfies she posts on social media. God says that how you act is what matters. You are never too young to learn this lesson.

Heavenly Father, forgive me for believing that the outside appearance is most important.

Help me never to rely on accessories to tell the world who I am. May I honor You in my actions and attitudes. Amen.

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