Guideposts - Mornings with Jesus 2020: Daily Encouragement for Your Soul

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Mornings with Jesus 2020

Copyright 2019 by Guideposts. All rights reserved.

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Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

ISBN 978-0-310-35478-9 (softcover)

ISBN 978-0-310-35479-6 (ebook)

Epub Edition August 2019 9780310354796

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Acknowledgments: Every attempt has been made to credit the sources of copyrighted material used in this book. If any such acknowledgment has been inadvertently omitted or miscredited, receipt of such information would be appreciated.

Scripture quotations marked (AMP) are taken from the Amplified Bible. Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture quotations marked (ERV) are taken from Easy-to-Read Version Bible. Copyright 2006 by Bible League International.

Scripture quotations 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.

Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are taken from Good News Translation in Todays English VersionSecond Edition. Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked (GW) are taken from Gods Word. Copyright 1995 by Gods Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (HCSB) are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible. Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (ICB) are taken from International Childrens Bible. Copyright 1986, 1988, 1999 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (ISV) are taken from the Holy Bible, International Standard Version. Copyright 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. All rights reserved internationally. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LL.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from The King James Version. Public domain.

Scripture quotations marked (MSG) are taken from The Message. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson. 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked (NAS) are taken from the New American Standard Bible. All rights reserved. Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture quotations marked (NCV) are taken from the New Century Version. 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from two editions: The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are taken from New King James Version. 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible. Copyright 1989 by the National Council of the Churches in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (RSV) are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Copyright 1946, 1952, 1971 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (TLB) are taken from The Living Bible. Copyright 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Dear Friend,

This year Guideposts celebrates our seventy-fifth anniversary! While we remain grounded in our dynamic history, we are most excited to continue to spread the message that anything is possible with hope, faith, and prayer.

Welcome to Mornings with Jesus 2020! Whether you are a new reader or are already familiar with this devotional, know that each reading, like the voice of a trusted friend, offers inspiration, hope, and the peace that comes from walking with Him.

This year is a leap year, so were delighted to present 366 devotions to encourage your soul and deepen your walk with Jesus. This daily devotional was written lovingly by thirteen women of faith. As these women share their experiences of how Jesus is at work in their lives and they learn to celebrate lifes milestones with joy, courage, and sometimes tears, we hope you will see yourself in their stories.

Beloved Mornings with Jesus writers Susanna Foth Aughtmon, Gwen Ford Faulkenberry, Heidi Gaul, Sharon Hinck, Dianne Neal Matthews, Cynthia Ruchti, and Isabella Yosuico are back in fine form, along with Grace Fox, who has graced us with a series of Holy Week devotions. Authors Alice Thompson, Katie Minter Jones, Tracy Eldridge, and Marlene Legaspi-Munar make their debuts this year and share their passion for Jesus.

Jesus said, Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. (John 15:4, NKJV) Mornings with Jesus 2020 is a precious reminder that He is longing to spend time with you.

Mornings with Jesus 2020 will help you cherish your time with Him each day. It is our hope that you are inspired by each Scripture, encouraged by each reading, and motivated daily to take a Faith Step as you walk with Jesus and abide in His love.

Faithfully yours,

Editors of Guideposts

CONTENTS

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much. Luke 16:10 (NIV)

I USED TO MAKE A list a mile long of New Years resolutions. I would write things like lose fifty pounds, play Rachmaninoffs Prelude in C-sharp minor, become fluent in French, run a half marathon, memorize the book of John. When it came to the end of the year, I usually felt like a failure, but then Id start over with a new list for the new year.

Then I observed my own kids. One day, I laid my baby on her tummy. She got stronger, and soon she was sitting up. Rocking and scooting turned to crawling. And after that, pulling up. Within a year she took her first step.