WIXLIB

mornings with jesus 20223Monday, January 3A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friendwho sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV)I didn’t linger after Bible study to chat with my friends as Iusually did. I had too much to do. As I zoomed out of my parkingspot, I caught sight of my friend Linda frantically waving at me. Notnow, Jesus! She had a dead battery and needed a jump to get going. Thisshouldn’t take long. Linda got her jumper cables, and we hooked themup. I revved my engine, hoping that would hurry the charge. Lindaturned the key. Nothing. We charged some more. When she triedagain, all we heard were some discouraging clicks.“Can you give me a ride home, Pat?” Linda asked. How could Isay no? “Oh, and we’ll need to stop and pick up my dog from thevet.” My heart sank. Now I would never get all my errands done.What would Jesus do? Furthermore, what would Linda do? I hadno doubt about the answer in either case.In 1855, Joseph M. Scriven wrote a poem to comfort his mother,who was living in Ireland while he was in Canada. This poem wasset to music in 1868 by Charles C. Converse and has become oneof the most beloved Christian hymns of all times: “What a FriendWe Have in Jesus.” Jesus set a high standard of what a true friendshould be. As the hymn goes, “Can we find a friend so faithful,/ Who will all our sorrows share?” No one is a better friend thanJesus. Nothing on my to-do list was more important than helpingmy friend. —Pat Butler DysonFaith Step: Are you the kind of friend Jesus would want to have?9780310363323 MWJ2022 int SC.indd 36/24/21 9:58 AM

4mornings with jesus 2022Tuesday, January 4The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understandslowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish,but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)Recently, I noticed that my son, Pierce, was on his computer, flipping between two programs to do his schoolwork. The inefficiencymade me both batty and curious, so I asked what he was doing. Heexplained he was fast-forwarding through a twenty-minute video inone program and searching for the answers to related comprehensionquestions in another. He was cutting corners by skipping back and forth,and as a result, he was harrumphing with frustration at his method.I explained not only that what he was doing was more timeconsuming than watching the video in its entirety but also that hewasn’t really learning anything. His answers were vague, and he wasmissing the whole point! As I spoke to Pierce and pointed a proverbialfinger at him—my three other fingers pointed back at me. Sigh.Throughout my life, before and after Christ, I’ve sought shortcuts to get what I wanted, skipped ahead of Jesus’s story for me, orworse, created my own. I suspect my shortcuts actually delayed outcomes, prolonged my learning and preparation, undermined theresults, and in general, was far more stressful.I’ve learned the hard way that slowing way down and being fullypresent to Jesus’s unfolding story is indeed the easier and infinitelymore effective way. Even when I feel certain I have an inspired visionof where He’s taking me, restfully waiting on God allows me tomarvel, with peace and faith, at His creativity and loving provision.—Isabella CampolattaroFaith Step: Are you rushing ahead of Jesus to get to a certain place? Confessyour haste and ask Him to help you slow down. Set a goal for waiting and thenkeep pace with His slower pace.9780310363323 MWJ2022 int SC.indd 46/24/21 9:58 AM

mornings with jesus 20225Wednesday, January 5Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will showyou the right way. Proverbs 3:6 (GNT)Never mind bad hair days, I have issues with my eyebrows: flyingoff in different directions, acting bushy and bold when I need themto lay flat, and even—horrors—turning gray. How dare they!Having a lifelong aversion to pain, I’m not one to pluck renegadehairs from my face. I thought about coloring my eyebrows when Ido my hair, but then I’d risk dripping color in my eyes. No thanks.So I decide to shape them. A little snip here, a little eyebrow pencil there. Now I look like I’m shocked on my left side and angry onmy right. This is fine if you look at only one side of my face or myprofile. Otherwise, it appears I can’t make up my mind.Finally, desperate to end this foolishness, I cry out to Jesus, Helpme, Lord! It embarrasses me to ask the Master of all creation for helpwith wonky eyebrows. But I’ve discovered that Help me, Lord is thewisest prayer ever.True to His word and His nature, Jesus came to my rescue. Hegave me the bright idea to let my eyebrows do their own thing.Now I’m free to concentrate on more important issues: relationships, work, creating the next sermon or devotional story.I sigh in relief and thank Him for His infinite kindness. Myrequests—or panicky pleas—for help honor Him. He’s pleasedwhen I acknowledge that He’s smarter than I am. After all, Heinvented eyebrows. —Jeanette LevellieFaith Step: If you, like me, let minor irritations bother you, choose one andpray the wisest prayer ever: Help me, Jesus! Now get ready for His creativesolution.9780310363323 MWJ2022 int SC.indd 56/24/21 9:58 AM

6mornings with jesus 2022Thursday, January 6He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfectin weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)My Guideposts editor invited me to write about my divorce,both to help others and to explain my name change. I agreed because Iknew readers might be curious and I’m always motivated by a desire tocomfort and encourage others—but the divorce is still new. Plus, howwould I share about it in three hundred words or less?After taking time to think about what I wanted to say, I can saythis with joyous certainty: Jesus’s grace is indeed sufficient. When Iwas weak, He was strong. He alone is powerful.Jesus’s grace was sufficient when I insisted on marrying eventhough God said no. Sufficient to keep me in a marriage that wasdifficult from the onset. Sufficient to enable me to grow in dry androcky soil. Sufficient to give me two wonderful children I thoughtI’d never have. Sufficient for them to continue to flourish despitethe divorce. Sufficient to forgive myself and my ex-husband for ourconsiderable failures. Sufficient to know we can all have a goodfuture when we keep Jesus as our focus. Sufficient to have a kindand cooperative relationship with my ex-husband now. Sufficientto see Him pouring out blessing upon blessing, grace upon grace.Jesus is more than able, more than willing, and more thanenough. And none of it depends on my goodness. Hosanna!—Isabella CampolattaroFaith Step: Reflect on a difficulty in your life. Invite Jesus to help you see Hisamazing grace.9780310363323 MWJ2022 int SC.indd 66/24/21 9:58 AM

mornings with jesus 20227Friday, January 7It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfillhis good purpose. Philippians 2:13 (NIV)I love flowers. During the dark winter months, my husband,Dave, sometimes brings home bouquets. Nothing fancy, just a mixedbatch to brighten my day. My husband knows those blooms giveme hope for the future. So does Jesus.One day, my mood was anything but cheery. A dream for whichI’d been saving money for years had fallen through, and I couldn’tstop crying. Unsettled thoughts left me shaken, wishing for asign—for some way to know Jesus was watching and listening. Asafternoon turned to evening, I busied myself with preparing dinnerwhile awaiting Dave’s return home from his work at a nearby store.He entered the kitchen, two dozen long-stemmed roses overflowing in his arms. I paused before accepting them. How could we justifybuying expensive flowers, especially now? Dave sensed my hesitationand explained the flowers had been about to be discarded. They’dcost nothing.I held the delicate buds close. These were much more than simplecastoffs. Yes, my caring husband had spotted the roses and rescuedthem from the trash, acting on Jesus’s prompting.But Jesus had picked them out for me. He’d heard my cry andstepped in to wipe away the tears, as He does for all of us. Somedays He sends a friend to visit. Other mornings we might suspectthe words of a devotion were written specifically for our needs. Andsometimes He shares a loved one’s heart and hands to present uswith two dozen roses. —Heidi GaulFaith Step: Find ways to be the hands of Jesus for others. A call, a card, or evena smile can be enough to share His much-needed love with others.9780310363323 MWJ2022 int SC.indd 76/24/21 9:58 AM

8mornings with jesus 2022Saturday, January 8We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you alsomay have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Fatherand with his Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3 (NIV)Last night, my youngest daughter, who lives in Nashville, organized a family game night over the internet. My older daughter inNew York and her boyfriend joined in, and my husband and I participated from our couch in Minnesota. At one point, my youngerson, also in New York, popped in to say hello. We played TrivialPursuit, wheedled for clues, argued the validity of answers, andlaughed until we were exhausted. When we signed off, my heart feltwarmer than it had in days. Even with geographic distance betweenus, I felt the glow of fellowship.There are days when the world feels stark and cold. I sometimesstruggle with loneliness even when plenty of people are around. Myfailings and guilt can make me feel cut off from the Father. Yet thetestimony of Jesus’s disciples in Scripture breaks through the lie thatI am alone.Because of Jesus, my relationship with God is restored. As a follower of Jesus, I’m invited into a huge family that spans continents,languages, and time. Just as an internet link brought my familytogether, Jesus connects me with Himself and all who believe inHim. When I lift my voice in worship, I join a mighty chorus.When I grieve, I never grieve alone. And as I wait for His return,I serve with courage side by side with other believers. My work islighter because I have fellowship in Christ. —Sharon HinckFaith Step: Reconnect with an old friend today. Thank Jesus for the gift of fellowship that He provides.9780310363323 MWJ2022 int SC.indd 86/24/21 9:58 AM

mornings with jesus 20229Sunday, January 9Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14 (NIV)I opened the door to the children’s church classroom last Sunday, excited to teach little Marissa, who followed right behind me. Ihadn’t always felt eager about this way of serving Jesus.My husband, Kevin, and I pastor a small rural congregation, andSunday mornings used to exhaust me. I taught a ladies’ Sundayschool class, led songs and prayer time during the worship service,and then taught children’s church. Often there was only one child.Sometimes two. I came home feeling as if I’d put in a full day ofwork. I sometimes wondered, Is it worth all this effort?One Sunday morning as I entered the kids’ classroom, Jesus spoketo my heart. In a voice rich with love, He whispered, “Jeanette, thisis the most important thing you do every Sunday.”Really, Lord? These one or two children?Suddenly I remembered how much Jesus values little ones. HowHe rebuked His followers for trying to prevent children from coming to Him. How He took the kids in His arms and blessed them.How He told the disciples that we must become like children toenter the kingdom of God.Children are a priority with Jesus. Each one matters to Him. Asonly He can, Jesus loves these little ones in a big way. Every minute I spend with either one child or many—teaching, guiding, andmodeling Jesus’s esteem for them—is never wasted. I am plantingseeds for the future and for eternity. —Jeanette LevellieFaith Step: Remember what it was like to be a child, when the world wassometimes scary and overwhelming. Do something kind for a child today.9780310363323 MWJ2022 int SC.indd 96/24/21 9:58 AM

10mornings with jesus 2022Monday, January 10In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,and the Word was God. John 1:1 (NKJV)Back in college, when I first accepted Jesus, I was eager to learnall I could about this Man who forgave me and cleansed me ofmy sin. I was already an avid reader, so I dug into the Bible andread as much as I could, not understanding everything but enjoyingthe journey. I discovered different translations that gave me moreinsight and understanding; some used plainer words while othersmade stories out of every principle.After a while, I saw the value of not only reading the Word butalso memorizing certain passages. I would get up at dawn, andwhile everyone was still asleep, I would stand in our little fronthallway and repeat Scriptures aloud. I would personalize the versesby inserting I, me, or my. Doing this made the Word of God comealive in my heart as a declaration of faith, not just rote memorization. Little did I know that I was hiding Jesus’s precious promisesin my heart so that when trials and troubles came, I could rely onHis Word. I built up an arsenal of spiritual weapons to use instantlyin those situations when searching for a Bible verse would not havebeen expedient or even possible. Now as I speak His Word withauthority, I know that He is with Me and that His Word will cometo pass. —Pamela Toussaint HowardFaith Step: Choose a Scripture verse that’s meaningful to you. Meditate on itand memorize it, and watch His Word come alive in your life.9780310363323 MWJ2022 int SC.indd 106/24/21 9:58 AM

mornings with jesus 202211Tuesday, January 11The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those whohope in his steadfast love. Psalm 147:11 (ESV)I had to laugh when my daughter, Holly, texted a conversationshe’d just had with her four-year-old daughter Lilah: We were listeningto VeggieTales in the car and Lilah was singing along, and then shestopped and said, “I think I just heard God speak to me! In my heart!”And I said, “Yeah, what did He say?” And she said, “I appreciate that.”When Lilah was three, I’d watched through the window as sheplayed alone on the patio. Suddenly, she dropped her toy and stoodstill as a statue. When I noticed her lips moving, Holly smiled andassured me that Lilah must be praying. Holly had recently seen Lilahstanding in the yard looking up at the sky, telling God how she lovesHim “so, so, so much.” No agenda, no requests. Just a simple responsebecause of her understanding of who Jesus is and what He means toher. What a powerful reminder of something I too easily forget.Many Scriptures command me to honor, worship, and praisethe Lord, not because He needs it but because He deserves it. Andbecause I need it. Whether it’s a natural outburst in response to blessings or an act of obedience during tough times, praise sets things inmotion. It changes my attitude and focus, infusing me with joy. Itstrengthens my faith and helps me grow closer to Him. Most importantly, it brings Him pleasure. What other reason could I possiblyneed to praise Him every single day? —Dianne Neal MatthewsFaith Step: Before you bring your requests to Jesus today, take time to tell Himhow much you love Him. Imagine Him smiling as He listens to you.9780310363323 MWJ2022 int SC.indd 116/24/21 9:58 AM

12mornings with jesus 2022Wednesday, January 12Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him. Luke 9:18 (NIV)I read the Bible through twenty-first-century lenses, so it’s notunusual when some of the terms or wording strikes me as curious.Luke 9:18 is one of those verses for me: “Jesus was praying in privateand his disciples were with him.”So which was it? Was Jesus alone or was He with people? Both. Hewas off at a safe enough distance that the disciples couldn’t distractHim or likely even hear what He was saying in prayer. He wasn’tpraying so they could hear. In this instance, He prayed privately toHis Father.Alone yet with others. It’s a compelling concept. A widow may betechnically alone but have friends and extended family still in “thecircle,” and even with them around, so much of the widow’s journeyis a solo walk. A student may arrive on a college campus, not knowing one other person, but that status might not last as long as thetrek to the dorm. Though surrounded by soon-to-be friends, at themoment the student’s overwhelming feeling is aloneness.Jesus found a way to be both with people and alone with HisFather. It’s a challenge for us, isn’t it? The family, coworkers, friends,or tasks calling out for my attention can so easily distract me. I’mgoing to spend some time today watching for creative ways toboth be with those I care about and be alone with Jesus. Join me?—Cynthia RuchtiFaith Step: What’s your chosen way of expressing “Do Not Disturb” whenyou’re spending time alone with Jesus? If you don’t have a method, spend creativeenergy thinking it through today.9780310363323 MWJ2022 int SC.indd 126/24/21 9:58 AM

mornings with jesus 202213Thursday, January 13May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the sameattitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had. Romans 15:5 (NIV)Cruising along the highway, I saw a giant banner across theback of a semitruck announcing, “Test in Progress.” Switching lanesto bypass this, I was struck by this concept of preparing other drivers for possible mistakes by disclosing that the driver wasn’t perfect.I wondered, If I wore a T-shirt emblazoned with “Test in Progress,”encouraging people to be understanding if I made mistakes—not juston the road but in life—would people be more patient and accepting ofmy flaws and imperfections?How significant, those three simple words: test in progress. Theydescribe the entire human race. Everyone’s undergoing some kindof test in progress. We just don’t broadcast it with a banner on ourbackside. When I reflect on various tests in progress among my ownfamily and friends, I recall struggles with addictions, income losses,unpaid bills, eviction threats, terminal illnesses. These tests, and more,are the daily reality for people we pass on the highway of life.While I was desiring extra grace for myself, Jesus reminded me tohave a heart of compassion for others. I want to have an attitude likeJesus for people enduring personal hardship that’

Dear Friends, Welcome to Mornings with Jesus 2022!Whether you are a new reader or are already familiar with this devotional, know that each reading, like the voice of a tru