Deeper Waters , livre ebook

Praise for Deeper Waters
One word comes to mind when I think of Denise Hughes: Biblical . And the one word I d use to describe this book? Timeless . It s not trendy. Denise doesn t color outside the lines in order to be cool. She loves God s Word, knows God s Word, and articulates God s ways in a timeless, beautiful fashion. If you long to know God on a deep and profound level, Denise would tell you to spend time in His Word. Absolutely true. But I d also say, take your time working through the pages of this book. Denise serves as a wise, godly mentor. She tackles tough questions and offers fresh insight, all at the same time. This book is a gift to God s people.
- Susie Larson, national speaker, talk radio host, and author of Your Powerful Prayers
Do you want to open the Bible but don t know where to begin? Or does the size and depth of God s Word intimidate you? If these questions have crossed your mind, Deeper Waters is for you. Denise s fresh look at God s Word removes that intimidation factor. She gently leads you into the Bible and takes you on a perspective-changing, life-transforming journey through its pages. Her personal stories and creative teaching style, combined with her biblical depth, transform the Bible from a textbook to a workbook. Denise equips you with practical tools to read your Bible confidently; know God intimately; apply what you learn personally; and most importantly, take what you have learned into your corner of the world.
- Wendy Blight, Proverbs 31 First 5 Writing Team, speaker, Bible teacher, and author of I Know His Name, Living So That, and Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner
From the opening pages of this beautiful book, you cannot miss Denise Hughes s passion for God s Word. Prepare your heart, because that passion is contagious. Dive into Deeper Waters and drench yourself in the saving grace, tremendous power, and redeeming love of God. This book is a treasure.
- Jennifer Dukes Lee, author of The Happiness Dare and Love Idol
In a world searching for purpose and meaning, Denise Hughes is a teacher of truth and a storyteller of beautiful redemption. She distills the details of Scripture with a voice that rings clear, revelatory, and applicable. Deeper Waters is a journey you don t want to miss.
- Shelly Miller, author of Rhythms of Rest
Read this book with a Bible and box of tissues nearby. Part memoir and part Bible study, Denise s book will touch your heart. Her beautifully chosen words will bring you closer to the God of all comfort.
- Arlene Pellicane, author of 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Mom
The absolute best way to hear God s voice is through His Word, both the words we read in the Bible and by taking the time-like the scribes of old-to write the Word ourselves. In ancient times, the scribes knew the Word intimately because they both studied it and wrote it out. Reading Denise J. Hughes s marvelous new book, Deeper Waters, makes me feel as if I m sitting at the feet of a scribe whose gentle manner and profound wisdom stirs a fresh hunger in me to study God s Word. Denise employs a nonthreatening, easy-to-understand method of study. Her gentle encouragement and practical wisdom are framed by deeply moving and transparent stories of her own life, hurts, doubts, and seasons of brokenness every woman can relate to. Nothing will transform your life more than hearing the voice of God. Let Denise take you by the hand and guide you on your journey and get ready to have your life transformed.
- Kate Battistelli, author of Growing Great Kids and mother of GRAMMY award-winning artist Francesca Battistelli.
I can t think of people I know whose lives seem to be characterized by deeper waters without thinking of Denise Hughes. A woman who has walked through difficulty as well as triumph, she has done the hard work of digging deep to find the truth of God in all of it. She is soft-spoken but strong, gentle, and wise, and I trust her heart and her ability not only to invite you into the life-changing truth of God s Word, but to help uncover it as well. A gem of a writer, teacher, and friend, I cannot say enough good things about Denise and the works of her hands.
- Logan Wolfram, author of Curious Faith and CEO of the Allume Conference
As a Bible teacher and pastor s wife, I am thankful for writers like Denise who faithfully and consistently point us to the truth of Scripture. As a friend, I m thankful for women like Denise who honestly and graciously point me to Jesus. Deeper Waters is a gift to all of us who long for more of Christ and His Word. Denise has opened the Word and invited us to join her on the journey to abide fully and deeply in Christ. And we can be sure we have a thoughtful guide who has known the faithfulness and generosity of the One about whom she writes.
- Teri Lynne Underwood, author of Praying for Girls
HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS
EUGENE, OREGON
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the HCSB , Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. HCSB is a federally registered trademark of Holman Bible Publishers.
Verses marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version , NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Verses marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Verses marked ESV are taken from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Verses marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
Verses marked GNT are taken from the Good News Translation in Today s English Version-Second Edition Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
Verses marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version . Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Italics in Scripture quotations indicate author emphasis.
Cover by Darren Welch Design
Cover Image Natali Snailcat / Shutterstock
Denise J. Hughes is published in association with the literary agency of The Steve Laube Agency, LLC, 24 W. Cambelback Rd. A-635, Phoenix, Arizona 85013.
Names and details have been changed to protect the privacy of certain individuals.
DEEPER WATERS
Copyright 2017 Denise J. Hughes
Published by Harvest House Publishers
Eugene, Oregon 97402
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
ISBN 978-0-7369-6816-4 (pbk.)
ISBN 978-0-7369-6817-1 (eBook)
All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means-electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any other-without the prior written permission of the publisher. The authorized purchaser has been granted a nontransferable, nonexclusive, and noncommercial right to access and view this electronic publication, and purchaser agrees to do so only in accordance with the terms of use under which it was purchased or transmitted. Participation in or encouragement of piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of author s and publisher s rights is strictly prohibited.
Contents
Praise for Deeper Waters
Dedication
The Voice We Hear
Part One ~ Determining in Your Heart
Ezra had determined in his heart Ezra 7:10
1. The Exile We Know
2. The Lament We Feel
3. The Decision We Make
4. The Challenges We Face
Part Two ~ To Study God s Word
to study the law of the Lord Ezra 7:10
5. The Water We Need
6. The Way We Wait
7. The Time We Spend
8. The Words We Write
9. The Prayers We Keep
Part Three ~ To Obey God s Voice
to obey it Ezra 7:10
10. The Truth We Live
11. The Compass We Follow
12. The Failure We Grieve
13. The Purpose We Reclaim
14. The Grace We Give
Part Four ~ To Teach God s Precepts
and teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel Ezra 7:10
15. The Women We Welcome
16. The Roots We Plant
17. The Story We Share
18. The Song We Sing
Epilogue ~ Starting Today
Read It: 365-Day Bible Reading Plan
Write It: Psalm 119
Pray It: Prayers in the Bible
Notes
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Word Writers
About the Publisher
Dedication

To Kendall Your courage goes beyond all bounds.
As the crowd was pressing in on Jesus to hear God s word,
He was standing by Lake Gennesaret .
He saw two boats at the edge of the lake;
the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets .
He got into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon,
and asked him to put out a little from the land .
Then He sat down and was teaching the crowds from the boat .
When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon,
Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.
When they did this, they caught a great number of fish
Then they brought the boats to land, left everything,
and followed Him.
L UKE 5:1-11
The Voice We Hear
Wise words are like deep waters .
P ROVERBS 18:4 NLT
My kids looked forward to every Tuesday for no other reason than I had promised on those nights not to cook. On Tuesdays their father drove straight from work to a nearby university to pursue his graduate studies in Christian apologetics. So while my husband investigated the deep things of God, I put a frozen pizza in the oven and watched American Idol on TV with our children.
I admit I found the televised singing contest partly amusing. Some of the auditions were indeed humorous, if not absurd. But I also found it unsettling how so many Americans delighted in laughing at people who couldn t sing well. All of the sudden we were no longer spectators; we were judges-chomping on pepperoni while pointing at a screen. She goes flat on the low not