Zondervan - Mornings with Jesus 2016

ZONDERVAN

Mornings with Jesus 2016

Copyright 2015 by Guideposts. All rights reserved.

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

ePub Edition October 2015: ISBN 978-0-310-34712-5

This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

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.

Joyfully by Ed Cash, Mia Fieldes, and Karl Jobe Copyright 2009 SHOUT! Music Publishing (APRA) Gateway Create Publishing (BMI) (Adm. At EMICMGPublishing.com)/ Wondrously Made Songs (BMI) All Rights Reserved. Used by permission. International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

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 CEB are taken from Common English Bible. Copyright 2011 by Common English Bible. Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked GNT are taken from the Good News Translation. Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Scripture quotations marked GW are taken from Gods Word Translation. Copyright 1995 by Gods Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group. Scripture quotations marked HCS are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible. Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. All right reserved. Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from The Message. Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Scripture quotations marked NAS are taken from the New American Standard Bible, 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. Copyright 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. All rights reserved worldwide. The Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. www.zondervan.com Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version. Copyright 1997, 1990, 1985, 1983 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Scripture quotations marked NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible. Copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. 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 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked VOICE are taken from The Voice Bible. Copyright 2012 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice translation 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society. All rights reserved.

Cover and interior design by Mllerhaus

Cover and monthly page opener photos by Shutterstock

Indexed by Indexing Research

Typeset by Aptara

First printing August 2015

CONTENTS

DEAR FRIEND,

As Ive read and reread Mornings with Jesus 2016 these last few weeks, Ive been overwhelmed by the amazing message of Jesuss love for us. Woven into every devotion are the powerful promises that Jesus offers over and over again: Peace I leave with you. You are my beloved. Take heart, I have overcome the world. These truths have taken on new meaning for me as Ive watched my two young sons grow, become more independent, and even start school! Many times Ive had to take comfort in releasing them to Jesus, knowing He loves them and watches over them every moment of the day, especially when I cant be present.

Begin each day with a brand-new reading and discover the blessings that come through daily reflection on Jesus. Our faithful writers insights guide you to discover Jesuss kind instruction on how to live a godly life: how to be a good friend, how to courageously stand up for what you believe, how to love deeply, how to pray wisely, and how to forgive when its hard. The daily bounty of Scripture, companionship, and prayer in Mornings with Jesus also nurtures new spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of Jesuss promise: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (John 14:27, ESV).

Mornings with Jesus 2016 is an easy-to-use devotional. There is a one-page reading for every day of the year. A Bible verse opens each of the devotions, written by one of ten women, including best-selling authors Grace Fox, Tricia Goyer, and Cynthia Ruchti, who connect the Scripture to a moment in their lives, sharing their wisdom and insights with the deep desire to encourage and uplift you. Faith Step grounds each reflection and helps you realistically apply what youve read to your life and continue to think about the days lesson by implementing its truth. It will challenge you to make a change in your life or to simply encourage you to praise and thank Jesus.

It is my hope that youll find abundant inspiration and encouragement to lay aside your fears, doubts, and failures and, instead, seek the kingdom of God, revel in the simplicity of Jesuss love, and hold tight to Him as He works all things together for good.

Faithfully yours,
Keren Baltzer
Mornings with Jesus Editor

Mornings with Jesus in Your In-box

Now you can enjoy the daily encouragement of Mornings with Jesus 2016 wherever you are! Receive each days devotion on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Visit MorningswithJesus.org/MWJ2016 and enter this code: Jesus.

Sign up for the online newsletter Mornings with Jesus through Guideposts.org. Each week youll receive an encouraging devotion or personal thought from one of the authors about her own devotional time, prayer life, how focusing on Jesus impacted her relationship with Him, and more!

All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23 (CEB)

LORD, WELL FOLLOW WHERE YOU lead. These are the first words I hear on New Years Day, a moment after midnight. They flow from my husband as he bows his head over me, holding me close.

The previous years challenges have been put out to pasture, no longer in the foreground of our thinking. My husband and I stand on the brink of a new year, highly unlikely to be a repeat of the one just past.

I mean, how crazy would it be to have two years in a row with five surgeries before May and another in December, with hitting our maximum out-of-pocket expenses on March 1, with having our pipes freeze next to the well house deep underground and not having safe drinking water in the house from mid-January to mid-July?