Mornings with Jesus

WHILE IT’S NO SECRET THAT this time of year can be overwhelming, harried, and stressful, it is also a season full of hope and anticipation. A special time to give generously and receive graciously, to reconnect with loved ones near and far. A time to

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands . . . Isaiah 49:15–16 (NIV) MY MOM RECENTLY GAVE ONE of my

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NIV) HAVE YOU EVER HAD THE feeling it would be a bad day, even before your feet touched the floor? Having overslept, I was already running behind for my

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (ESV) FOR THE PAST YEAR I’VE had a monthly phone call with a spiritual director. I reached out to her because I was feeling unclear about God’s purpose for me

So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20 (NIV) ONE OF OUR ORGANIZATION’S MINISTRIE

She comforts, encourages, and does him only good and not evil all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:12 (AMP) SOMETIMES I HAVE TO REMEMBER that one of my God-ordained jobs is to build my husband up with my words and to comfort him. We have fun toget

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NIV) THERE ARE A COUPLE OF things I really like about this verse. First, it says I can be sure that God sta

I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. Psalm 13:5 (ESV) THE WORST THING THAT HAS ever happened to me happened this year. My mother had a stroke. I was afraid she was going to die. It’s the most out-of-contr

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 1 Timothy 6:6–7 (NKJV) MY HUSBAND AND I ALWAYS thought that by the time we reached our mid-to-late sixties, we’d be li

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 (NIV) MY FAMILY AND I RECENTLY visited a new restaurant. After we were seated, I asked for directions to the restroom. I followed them carefully, searching for the red door. Locating i

He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.” Mark 8:12 (NKJV) IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, WE would probably exhaust Jesus by constantly asking for out

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (NIV) “LORD, PLEASE GIVE JEANETTE HER house,” Betty prayed. The ladies in my Sunday school class knew I wanted a home of my own. Kevin and I appreciated the lovely

I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (NIV) WE LOST HIM, PAT. THE text from my classmate Janie shocked and crushed me. Janie’s grown son Stephen had been battling pneumonia in a hospital. Many

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1 (NIV) LIKE A LOT OF WOMEN, I’ve wrestled with “impos

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) I RECENTLY BOUGHT A SMALL gift book for my son Jack, who is getting ready to leave for college in a couple months. It is called Lette

When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. Acts 11:23 (NLT) WHEN THE GOSPEL WAS PREACHED in Antioch, large numbers of Gentiles listened and chose to fol

He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV) IN TODAY’S VERSE, WE’RE TOLD that God delights in us! I especially like this verse because it foreshadows Jesu

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (KJV) I COULD JUST SENSE MY middle school son

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) THE GLOOMY DAY PERFECTLY REFLECTED my mood. I’d barely slept the night before, tossing and turning, thinking about things I

We all stumble in many ways. James 3:2 (NIV) THE BOOK OF JAMES IS my least favorite book in the Bible. I know, I know—since I’m a pastor’s wife, I should like them all. I do read James—occasionally. But I cringe every time I see passages about find

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:20 (NIV) AFTER RUNNING ERRANDS YESTERDAY, I noticed the light blinking on my voice mail.

Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. For you will be judged by the same standard with which you judge others, and you will be measured by the same measure you use.” Matthew 7:1–2 (CSB) THE OTHER DAY, I WAS reading The Cost of Discipleship, a

As for you, the anointing [the special gift, the preparation] which you received from Him remains [permanently] in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you. But just as His anointing teaches you [giving you insight through the presence of th

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NIV) TEARS FILLED MY EYES WHEN my husband, Kevin—who’s also my pastor—asked me to speak at last year’s Thanksgiving service. “Can you speak about why you

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1 (NIV) I’M IMPLEMENTING A NEW PRACTICE for Thanksgiving. No, I’m not going to try to convince these Midwesterners that oysters really do belong in authentic turkey stuf

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3 (NIV) I’VE HEARD IT SAID, “EXPECTATIONS are the building blocks for disappointment.” True. Especially during the holidays. We are b

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15 (ESV) MINIMALISM HAS BEEN A POPULAR topic in recent years. Adventurous folk are moving

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. Hebrews 11:1–2 (NIV) FOR AS LONG AS I can remember, I have harbored huge dreams. With the passage of time, they change

I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8 (NIV) “I NEVER FIGURED OUT WHAT that noise was last night, even after I went outside,” I told my husband, Jeff, over breakfast. Jeff ’s reaction shocked

A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wi

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41–42 (ESV) SOMETIMES AN UNWANTED BUT FAMILIAR

And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.” Revelation 21:6 (ESV) ONE OF OUR MINISTRY COUPLES lives in a Romanian village

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1

Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death befo

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV) JACK, OUR OLDEST, IS GETTING ready to go off to college. I remember watching Jack get in line for his

She gave birth to her first-born son. She dressed him in baby clothes and laid him on a bed of hay, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 (CEV) ONE OF THE REASONS THE Jewish people didn’t accept Jesus as a future king was that He

Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Matthew 1:19 (NIV) IT’S HARD TO IMAGINE JOSEPH’S shock and disappointment when he learned that Mary wa

Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. Genesis 17:19 (NIV) THIS IS ONE OF THE earliest prophecies of

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV) THE HOLIDAY DINNER WAS A total fiasco,

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” . . . When th

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. Micah 5:2 (NLT) WE WERE LIVING IN A large southern city when my h

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12 (NIV) WHEN SCOTT AND I GOT the news by text from our realtor that our offe

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) THE NUMBER ONE REQUEST ON my Christmas list last year was a new printer. The old one was slow, noisy, and had lost its scannin

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 (NIV) CHRISTMAS IS ALMOST HERE. MANY

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Matthew 6:19–20 (NKJV) THIS TIME OF YEAR, WE can be very distracted by presents, trips

Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means “God is with us”). Isaiah 7:14 (NLT) MY HUSBAND AND I USUALLY spend part of our Christmas road trip in the town where our sons live, and ou

I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Revelation 5:4 (ESV) ONE TIME, MY HUSBAND, BILL, buried our son-in-law’s gift in a waterproof box at the bottom of a frozen pond. Another time, he filled

Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem. . . . He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. Luke 2:4–5 (NIV) WHEN MY BOYS WERE BORN, we lived in the cou

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philip

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Luke 2:11–12 (NIV) EVERY YEAR MY FAMILY GATHERS at my parents’ home in

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15 (NIV) I RECENTLY READ A SMALL book about the

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13–14 (NIV) MY FAMILY LOVES WATCHING TALENT shows on t

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 (NIV) CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN a big deal on my side of the family. Who doesn’t love a

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:6–7 (NIV) THE OTHER MORNING,

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (KJV) WHEN MY THIRTEEN-Y

“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of

“A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.” Matthew 1:23 (CEV) MY SON HARPER IS SIXTEEN years old as I write this. The first years of his life it was easy to be close to him. Life was slow; I wasn’

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV) LAST YEAR MY FRIEND MARY Ellen decided to host a “Swell Life” party. She gathered our close-knit community together to celebrate the blessings of the past year. We spent

His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire. Revelation 1:14 (NKJV) I’M AN ENGLISH PROFESSOR, AND sometimes I just have to pause and take in the literary genius of the Bible, such as when I read the d

Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20 (NIV) AT THE END OF A long hallway, my bedroom is also my prayer place. Several days ago while I was praying, I heard pitiful crying coming from the living room. We’d had our ne

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Luke 22:20 (NIV) GETTING NEW THINGS—A NEW dress, a new piece of furniture, new car, new cellphone, new linens—is wonderf

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