Inspiring
BIBLE
Devotions & WORD SEARCHES
Inspiring
BIBLE
Devotions & WORD SEARCHES
99 Readings with Puzzles
YOU are the reason we do what we do here at Barbour Publishing. We promise that we will always use our God-given talents to produce content with you in mind—and that we will remain biblically faithful, no matter what. Thank you for being the heart of our business. © 2026 by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Puzzles designed using licensed Word Search Maker™ software. ISBN 979-8-89151-409-6 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. Reproduced text may not be used on the World Wide Web. No Barbour Publishing content may be used as artificial intelligence training data for machine learning, or in any similar software development. Churches and other noncommercial interests may reproduce portions of this book without the express written permission of Barbour Publishing, within the following limitations: No more than one puzzle per month in a physical publication made for free distribution (for example, church bulletins, club newsletters, etc.). When reproducing text from this book, include the following credit line: “From Inspiring Bible Devotions & Word Searches, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.” All scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., 1810 Barbour Drive, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683, www.barbourbooks.com Our mission is to inspire the world with the life-changing message of the Bible.
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WHAT COULD BE BETTER THAN ADDING A BIBLE WORD SEARCH PUZZLE TO YOUR DEVOTIONAL QUIET TIME?
Here’s a new collection of inspiring Bible devotions—plus fun Bible word searches! The combination of encouraging devotions and related puzzles is a memorable way for you to engage with God’s Word. Brief devotional readings—99 in all—grow out of longer, printed Bible passages that include 18–24 highlighted search words hidden in each puzzle grid. You’ll be looking for words in bold print; if a phrase is bold and underlined, those words will be found together in the search grid. All passages are taken from the beloved and familiar King James Version of the Bible, and puzzle answers are provided. Inspiring Bible Devotions & Word Searches is perfect for anytime you can use a quick dose of God’s blessing!
1
The Better You Know God Feel like you need more faith? Sometimes what we really need is the courage to act on what we already believe. A skydiver may have faith her parachute is packed correctly, but that doesn’t stop her stomach from doing its own loop-de-loop as she jumps out of the plane. However, the more she dives, the less nervous she feels. The better you know God, the more a leap of faith feels like a hop into your loving Father’s waiting arms.
I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. P sa lm 116:1–8
The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. P sa Lm 116:6
2
“Happy Eternally After” The story of your life is written one day at a time. Every choice you make influences the chapters yet to come. But one thing is certain—the ending. Your future was written the moment you chose to follow God. That means the end of your story here on earth is actually a brand-new beginning. It’s a story with endless chapters, a “happy eternally after” where tears are history and true love never fails.
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. P sa lm 139:13–18
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. P sa Lm 139:16
3
Even More! “Above all that we ask or think” is just that. Imagine every good thing that God has promised in His Word—or things you’ve only dreamed about. Think of wonderful things that exceed the limits of human comprehension or description, then imagine that God is able and willing to do even more! The last part of this verse indicates that the Holy Spirit works within the Christian’s life to accomplish the seemingly impossible. Our highest aspirations are within God’s power—but like Paul, we must pray. When we do, God does far more for us than we could ever guess.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. E ph esi a n s 3:14–21
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. E P hE si a ns 3:20
4
The Abundant Life An “abundant life” is not something we can pick up at the mall or purchase online. It comes from recognizing how much we receive from God each and every day. While some of our abundance may come in the form of possessions, the overflow of an abundant life ultimately comes from what fills our hearts, not our closets. Resting in God’s “more than enough” can transform a desire to acquire into a prayer of thanksgiving for what we’ve already been given.
Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah. But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord. There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. P sa lm 4:1–7
Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. P sa Lm 4:7
5
Rejoice! When God is the source of our joy, we will never lose that joy. Circumstances may frustrate us and break our hearts, but God is able to supply all our needs. He is able to restore broken relationships. He can give us a new job or help us to succeed at our current job. Through it all, despite it all, we can rejoice in knowing that we are God’s and He loves us.
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. P hi lippi a n s 4:4–11
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. P hi Li P P i a n s 4:4
6
Praying in Expectation Praying without expecting God to answer is kind of like wishing on a star. You don’t believe it’s going to make any difference, but you do it anyway—just in case there really is something behind all those fairy tales. When you pray, do so with great expectations. God is at work on behalf of a child He dearly loves—you. Just remember, God’s answers may arrive in ways and at a time that you least expect.
The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever. P sa lm 145:14–21
The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. P sa Lm 145:15
7
The Time Is Now In the book of Mark, Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Have you embraced this good news? The kingdom of God has come near to you. Why are you waiting? The time is now. Ask the Lord for forgiveness and be free. Believe in Him as Lord and be made right with God. Accept His grace and live with the Lord for all time. Oh, yes, what a joy—to know love the way it was meant to be!
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. R o m a n s 5:1–8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. r o m a n s 5:8
8
He Won’t Let You Down Everyone has been hurt at one time or another by a broken promise. When that happens, it is best to forgive and go on. People are just people. They mess up. But there is one who will never break His promises to us—our heavenly Father. We can safely place our hope in Him. Choose to place your hope in God’s promises. You won’t be discouraged by time—God’s timing is always perfect. You won’t be discouraged by circumstances—God can change everything in a heartbeat. He is faithful.
Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. R o m a n s 15:2–9
Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. r o m a n s 15:8
9
Faithful Love Even the most devoted husband or oldest friend can let us down. They may not mean to or want to, but humans make mistakes; they’re not perfect, and it would be unrealistic to expect them to be. That doesn’t keep our feelings from being hurt, though! And it hurts even worse when people we love intentionally turn their backs on us. But God will never do that. Unlike human beings, He has no limits to His love. His faithfulness endures forever. And that’s good reason to thank Him!
Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? who can shew forth all his praise? Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: visit me with thy salvation; that I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance. P sa lm 106:1–5
Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. P sa Lm 106:1
10
Nature Sometimes we take the world of nature for granted. As the seasons cycle, it’s all just the background for our busy lives. But the Bible reminds us to pause and truly see God’s hand at work in nature. From the rain that turns the earth green, to the majestic mountains, to the earth’s beasts, to the ever-changing beauty of the clouds in the sky, our world is filled with loveliness. God has created a world of vast beauty. When we remember to look around us and truly appreciate the world of nature, our hearts will spill over with gratitude to the one who created it all.
He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground. Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. P sa lm 147:4–11
Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. P sa Lm 147:7–9