Mornings with Jesus 2019: Daily Encouragement for Your Soul

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1

I, yes, I alone am he who blots away your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again. Isaiah 43:25 (TLB)

ONE OF MY FAVORITE VERSES to meditate on for New Year’s Day is Isaiah 43:19: For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? (NLT). These words fill me with excitement the same way hanging a new calendar on the wall does. A new year stretches ahead with new experiences and adventures, new friends to make, and fresh opportunities to serve Christ and grow to be more like Him. But cleaning out my pantry last week helped me understand that before we can embrace the new, we may need to get rid of some of the old.

To make room for the beautiful ceramic baking dishes I’d bought, I threw out old plastic storage containers that had cracked or missing lids. I tossed canned and boxed foods that had passed their expiration dates. I pared down our collection of travel mugs and tumblers to the ones we actually use. Next week, I plan to look over the bookcases in our house and pull out a few volumes to give away, making space for the reference books I just ordered.

Before we make plans for the new year ahead, we would do well to engage in some serious self-evaluation to see what we need to get rid of. Habits that compromise our walk with Christ. Doubts that keep us from using our gifts to fully serve Him. And especially guilt and regret over past failures and sins. Just a few verses after God promises to do new things, we see His promise not only to forgive our sins when we repent, but to never think about them again. And neither should we. —DIANNE NEAL MATTHEWS

FAITH STEP: Ask Jesus to show you what you need to throw out so you can fully receive the new things He has planned for you this year.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6–7 (NLT)

A RECORD SNOWFALL BEGAN A few hours after my husband, Gene, left town to attend a three-day conference. At first, I figured shoveling could wait until he returned. But I changed my mind after sixteen inches fell in less than twenty-four hours and the weatherman predicted more.

My plans to spend the weekend preparing for upcoming speaking engagements fell apart, and my thoughts slipped into a grumbly mood as I began shoveling. Why did this happen when I need to work? Why when Gene’s away? What if I have a heart attack and no one sees me lying in a heap on the driveway?

Suddenly a thought came to mind: I washed your sin-stained heart whiter than the pristine snow you’re shoveling.

That thought stopped me mid-shovel. I gazed at the scene around me with a fresh perspective. Thank You, Jesus, I said aloud. Thank You for that reminder. And then the most amazing thing happened—my grumbly mood melted away, replaced with other reasons to give thanks: Thank You for a healthy body that’s able to work. Thank You for the mild temperature and no wind. Thank You for shelter from the storm and hot chocolate and a winter jacket.

The warmth of Jesus’s presence and pleasure enveloped me as I focused my thoughts on Him and the gifts He’d given me, and I smiled. Thank You, too, for the storm. I can’t think of a better way to spend the weekend than enjoying it with You. —GRACE FOX

FAITH STEP: Today’s key verse reminds us that a relationship with Jesus gives us plenty for which to give thanks. What’s one thing for which you’re grateful today?

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3

Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Luke 12:24 (NIV)

HAVE YOU EVER FELT LIKE you’re being watched? I have. It can be scary. But it can also be a good thing, depending on who is watching.

One morning, I was unaware I was being watched. As I stared at our bills, my lids brimmed with tears. Since my husband David’s retirement, we’ve struggled to make ends meet. We’ve managed up to this point, but that particular month, I worried we wouldn’t. Unexpected expenses left us with more month than money, and I’d run out of ideas. No clever solutions burbled to the surface of my mind. Broken, I bowed my head to pray. I needed Jesus’s attention. I begged Him for wisdom, perseverance—and tangible help.

Glancing outside, I noticed the mail had been delivered. Probably more bills. As I retrieved it, I scanned the envelopes. One return address caused my heart to jump. Do I owe even more than I’ve already paid? Biting my lip, I opened that piece first. The enclosed letter said a miscalculation left us due a refund of several hundred dollars. We’d been saved! Again!

When the shock had worn off, other instances of Jesus rescuing me came to mind. Over the years, one problem after another had been solved by unexpected blessings. Each Godsend delivered us in an unconventional manner, leaving us better off than before. But the biggest benefit? Knowing that when things seem impossible, Jesus steps in and takes over. He’s been watching all along. —HEIDI GAUL

FAITH STEP: On paper, draw three columns titled Unexpected, Unconventional, and Impossible (For Me). Under each, write different ways Jesus has rescued you. Next time problems seem too large to solve, read the list and trust in His watchful eye.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4

Then they said to him, What must we do, to be doing the works of God? Jesus answered them, This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent. John 6:28–29 (ESV)

A GOOD WORK ETHIC IS ingrained in my genes. On my father’s side, generations survived wars in Europe and rebuilt their homes time and again. They dug in to each task as if their lives depended on it. On my mother’s side, farmers in Pennsylvania Dutch country always finished the work before playing. Since there was always more work, time for leisure was rare.

With this background, it’s no wonder that I’m sometimes accomplishment-driven. That’s not all bad. A passion for work motivates me to provide service to others and to Jesus. However, it can also push me into pride, self-reliance, and tunnel vision that misses the needs of others. That’s why Jesus’s words in John 6 are challenging for me. I wake each morning thinking, What work can I do today? It’s not a bad impulse. However, Jesus reminds me that it’s not about me and certainly not about what I accomplish. Life is about Him. His task for me is both simple and dizzyingly difficult: believe in Him.

When a long-term illness interrupted my productive life, this truth became a huge comfort. We all face seasons like this. Physical limitations, or work layoffs, or a move, or other changes in circumstance keep us from doing the work we long to do. There may even be times we feel like we are causing work for others and not carrying our load. Yet Jesus invites us to draw our gaze away from our question of What must we do? and trust that He has already accomplished the work that matters. —SHARON HINCK

FAITH STEP: Look for any tasks you are doing that keep you from being with Jesus, and ask Him to help you focus on trusting Him.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 5

There are friends who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 (NLT)

I HAVE THREE COLLEGE FRIENDS that I group-text every morning. We tell each other the crazy things our kids do. We laugh. We share what struggles we are facing. We pray for each other’s families. And we send inspirational Scripture.

This last year has been a rough year for me. It’s been a season where life has been difficult and Jesus seemed far away. But my friends have been reminding me of the great love that Jesus has for me—in spite of crazy circumstances and the uncertainty I am feeling. These friends tell me the truth.

The other morning, I had an epiphany while I was doing my devotions. I realized that while I may feel far from Jesus, He is near. He has always been. My feelings can change moment by moment. But Jesus is steadfast. And He has used my friends to show me this. They speak His words into my life. They listen to me. They encourage me to keep going. They celebrate with me. They cry with me. Whatever season I am going through, good, bad, or ugly, they stick with me. They are true friends. And they always point me back to the truest friend of all. The One who never leaves me or forsakes me. The One who brings light into my darkness. The One who offered His life for mine. And yours. We may not always feel that Jesus is close to us. But He is. His love surrounds us and draws us near. He hems us in on every side, and we can call Him friend. —SUSANNA FOTH AUGHTMON

FAITH STEP: What are the ways Jesus shows you He is your friend? How do you show Him that He is yours? Make it your goal today to be a true friend to Jesus.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6

I am convinced that neither death, nor life. . .nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38–39 (NRSV)

ONCE I WAS ASKED TO speak at a special anniversary service in my church. At the time, I was close to finishing my doctoral work in theology and was excited to share some of the fascinating things I had been studying. As I shared my thoughts with the team planning the service, they listened politely. Then one person gently said, That all sounds very interesting. But I am thinking about the people we are doing this service for and how marginalized they have been. That is why we have chosen the readings we have. We hope everything in this service will reinforce the idea that—and here he slowed down and emphasized every word with a decisive hand gesture—nothing can separate you from the love of God.

His clarity stopped me in my tracks. How simple Jesus’s message is! How accessible! And yet how often I can get pulled away from it by my own sense of unworthiness. I didn’t need to prove myself. I just needed to stand there and enjoy the truth that brought us all together that evening: Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

My sense of unworthiness returns again and again, but Jesus is always there, continuing to come up with new ways of playfully bringing me back to the simple truth of an all-embracing, me-embracing love. —ELIZABETH BERNE DEGEAR

FAITH STEP: Take some quiet time to yourself and call to mind a particular time when you felt really loved. What was the sensation? Now write down your answers to this question: What am I ashamed of? Once you’ve written your answers, give them to Jesus and let yourself feel how much He loves you.

MONDAY, JANUARY 7

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Matthew 6:25 (ESV)

IT WASN’T WHAT I EXPECTED to see at the store. Among the notebooks, locker mirrors, giant paper clips, and markers was a large display of fidget spinners. Everything a well-prepared child needs to head back to school, plus a little something for anxiety.

Worry rocks. Stress balls. Fidget spinners. Anxiety is big business. Even for children. Statistically, the percentage of children who rate their stress as high is shocking to those of us who once assumed childhood could be considered the least stressful season of life.

What message are our anxieties communicating to the generations coming after us?

Anxiety consumes time, energy, and emotions, no matter our age. It’s no wonder that among the most comforting (and challenging) of the teachings of Jesus is this one: Don’t be anxious about your life.

What’s striking is that when Jesus specified what He meant, it showed He knew we would often be frantic or overly stressed, not by wars and earthquakes and worldwide violence, but by what we would eat, drink, and wear. Our anxieties about relatively small things wreck us. For much of the world, having enough to eat is not a trivial matter. But even in the essentials of life, Jesus made it clear that if we’re serving Him and trusting Him, we can—and should—cross worrying off our to-do list. —CYNTHIA RUCHTI

FAITH STEP: If you own a worry rock, stress ball, or fidget spinner—or perhaps you’ll want to purchase an inexpensive one for this purpose—use a permanent marker to label it with Jesus cancels anxiety.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8

Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:15–17 (ESV)

AT DIFFERENT TIMES IN MY life, I’ve made myself smaller in a futile attempt to fit in, to not irritate others, and to remain invisible. Hiding my light has been exhausting and ineffective and, I see now, didn’t glorify God. It’s taken me fifty years to see that my self-protection was all about me.

Bottom line: It’s not about me. It’s about Him. It’s not about my glory. It’s about His. It’s not about what I can do. It’s about what He can do in me and through me.

Okay, so how do I get out of God’s way? How do I remove the basket?

I can only do this by forgetting myself, by following the old adage to not think less of myself, but think of myself less. And forgetting myself only comes when self-centeredness is pressed out of me—by failure, by hurt, and even by the eventual disappointment of so-called success.

There is exquisite freedom in being myself freely and trusting that the light of Jesus shines through me without my trying so hard. —ISABELLA YOSUICO

FAITH STEP: Sit down and shamelessly list the ways in which you are or could be a light—your qualities. Are you in God’s way, either in pride or shame? Ask for help tossing the basket.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9

I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid. John 14:27 (CEV)

DO YOU EVER DOUBT GOD? Wonder if any of this belief system you’ve structured your life around is even real?

I do. The poet Christian Wiman said of his faith that sometimes he goes to bed a Christian and wakes up an atheist. I relate to that. I wish I were stronger, but I’m not someone who never wavers. That’s just the truth.

In my seasons of doubt, there is a weird thing I hold on to. I’d like to sound more spiritual and say it’s a verse or some profound insight from all the books I’ve read or some proof I’ve discovered of God’s existence. But it’s nothing nearly as objective as that.

Still, it’s as real as real can be to me. And it came in the darkest time of my life: peace.

There was a time when everything I believed about my marriage was taken from me. It was not only taken—like a ball someone takes from your hands that remains intact and you have hopes of getting it back. No. It was obliterated. Like a crystal ball shattered by a hammer. Gone. Forever.

In those moments I should have felt lost, abandoned, in despair, like my life was out of control. And I did feel great pain. But underneath the shock wave of pain, there was peace. Strong, steady, fortifying peace that did not come from me. Peace I cannot explain. But I know it was Jesus.

When I would have let go of everything, Jesus held on to me. —GWEN FORD FAULKENBERRY

FAITH STEP: When in your life has Jesus come through for you with His peace beyond understanding? Purchase something small you can wear with the symbol of a dove that reminds you He is your peace.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17 (NIV)

RECENTLY, A TELEVISION NEWSCAST REPORTED a surprising annual increase of hit-and-run drivers. Many have wondered why the laws aren’t reducing and discouraging crime and whether stricter punishment would help.

Those in Jesus’s day may have thought the same thing. The chief priests and teachers of the law considered God’s early laws to Moses the basis of morality, even adding their own graceless interpretations to endless ordinances and rules. Extremely harsh penalties served to discourage wrongdoers. Why would anyone dare break these rules?

Then Jesus entered the picture. Instead of abolishing the law, Jesus emphasized its fundamental purpose: to make us conscious of sin and wrongdoing (Romans 3:20). Knowing our hearts, He fulfilled those initial commandments by giving His life as payment for the ultimate death penalty. He initiated love, grace, and mercy as the supreme motivators for right actions (Romans 8:3).

In our society, we definitely need rules whether or not they influence people to do the right thing. We are all given a choice. But lasting change can only happen supernaturally, when Jesus steps in to transform the heart. We have all broken His laws (Romans 3:23), but Jesus’s sacrificial love is the only thing that will ultimately change a heart and lower the statistics of criminal behavior.

That makes our job as followers of Jesus super important. Staying faithful to share the good news of Jesus’s love, grace, and truth is not only our mission; it must become our passion. —REBECCA BARLOW JORDAN

FAITH STEP: Pray today for those who enforce the laws of our country and also for those who break them—that Jesus’s love would change their hearts forever.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 11

But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit. Mark 13:11 (NLT)

IT WAS MY FIRST TRIP to Ukraine. My husband and I had traveled there to teach a marriage conference, but we also anticipated spending time with two missionary couples associated with our organization.

Migraine headaches and chronic pain plagued one of the wives and limited her ministry activities. As a result, she felt as though she wasn’t fulfilling her role. I wanted to encourage her, but what could I say without appearing nosy or giving her pat answers?

I recalled a conversation between Jesus and His disciples. He told them not to worry about what to say in their own defense while standing trial. He assured them that the Holy Spirit would give them the right words when they needed them most.

Jesus, remember Your promise to Your disciples. Fulfill it for me now. I need the right words, I prayed silently as I sat down in the woman’s living room. We chatted briefly about her kids, and then two questions rolled off my tongue.

How’s your heart? I asked.

Her eyes filled with tears. Thank you for asking, she said. That means so much. We talked for more than an hour and then prayed together. It was sweet and meaningful fellowship, because Jesus gave me the words I needed.

That experience has given me the confidence to trust Jesus in every situation—when sharing my faith with unbelievers, in a counseling situation, or preparing for a speaking engagement. He’s the Living Word and always supplies the right words. —GRACE FOX

FAITH STEP: For what situation do you need the right words today? Place one hand on your lips and tell Jesus that you trust Him to supply those words.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 12

But the LORD said to Samuel, Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV)

CLEANING OUT MY BATHROOM CABINET the other day, I realized something. I have a ton of beauty products. Over the years, I’ve likely spent more time and money on my appearance than I care to remember and contributed heavily to the billion-dollar beauty market. From creams to mascara, I seem to have purchased enough to help keep the industry healthy. Part of the reason is I am among those who like to enhance their appearance. Who doesn’t want to look younger and prettier? But this verse is a great reminder that our outward appearance doesn’t matter at all to Jesus. He nurtures the beauty in our hearts.

During Jesus’s ministry, He came across groups of people who were concerned with the way they appeared. In Matthew 23, he told the Pharisees, Woe to you . . . hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Jesus recognized the deep spiritual deficiencies—ones that only He could fill. And Jesus let them know He didn’t care about their presentation, but rather about the passion of their hearts.

Yes, in my time I have been passionate about my appearance, but I’m most grateful that Jesus only wants to look at and continue to nurture the goodness of my heart. —CAROL MACKEY

FAITH STEP: Ask the Lord to give you eyes to see Him in the face of every person you meet.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 13

Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, I have seen the Lord—and that he had said these things to her. John 20:18 (ESV)

SOME SONGS TOUCH US SO deeply that no matter how many years pass, we still feel all the feels the next time we hear them. When a tune from our youth airs on the radio or Scripture reminds us of an old worship song, we can’t help immersing ourselves in what it meant to us when we first heard it.

When I read the above verse this morning, I was reminded of a song and impressed again by how many times Mary Magdalene’s name appears at key moments in the life and ministry of Jesus. John 20 notes the following exquisitely compelling scenes, among others.

Mary Magdalene went to Jesus’s tomb before dawn and saw the stone had been rolled away. She ran to tell Peter and John. Mary stood crying outside the tomb, assuming the body of her Lord had been stolen in the night, one more indignity for the One who had restored her hope.

An angel spoke to her. Significant by itself. She turned around to discover a gardener, who asked whom she was looking for and crying over. Then the gardener called her by name. It was Jesus. She was the first to whom He’d chosen to speak after His resurrection.

He tasked her with telling the others He was returning to His Father, their Father, His God, their God.

Mary Magdalene’s announcement to the disciples will always remind me of the Sandi Patty and Larnelle Harris song I’ve Just Seen Jesus. No matter how many times I hear that song, it always stirs in me the wonder of a risen Savior who conquers death but cares to speak tenderly to those who now await our turn to see Him alive. —CYNTHIA RUCHTI

FAITH STEP: What music epitomizes the wonder you feel at serving a resurrected Jesus? Find that song and listen to it throughout the day.

MONDAY, JANUARY 14

Then Jesus said, Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God? John 11:40 (NIV)

YOU HAVE CANCER. MY FINGERS tightened on the receiver as the receptionist spoke. Details spilled out like water from a dropped glass—the type, stage, and post-surgery possibilities. Depending on the tumor’s size, I could lose a breast and require reconstructive surgery. I concentrated on keeping my voice even and held back tears, at least until I’d hung up. The only words that came to mind were, Why me, Jesus? Why now?

The weeks following that diagnosis were lost in a fog. Time alternately flew and dragged, as I waited to endure my procedure. My operation was a success, but ensuing radiation treatments left me confused, as if watching someone else’s life through a pair of binoculars. I clung to Jesus, His abiding love my private sanctuary. My faith strengthened even as my body weakened.

Over several months, my self-confidence grew and my health returned. All five senses came alive, awakening a hunger for new experiences. Bit by bit, clarity of thought reappeared and, with it, a new wisdom and gratefulness. Little things no longer bothered me. I became more aware of the blessings surrounding me.

I learned that, like Lazarus, I wasn’t alone. Friends, family, and Jesus had cried and prayed for me. And during that battle, I realized the true value of a life I’d taken for granted. I didn’t have to die to rise again. Our Lord restored me, body and soul. At last, I have the answer to the question, Why? —HEIDI GAUL

FAITH STEP: Every morning before rising, name one troubling problem and give it up to Jesus. Consider it dead to you and don’t revive it. Replace it with a named blessing.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 15

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. Proverbs 17:22 (NLT)

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH this thing? No matter what I tried, I couldn’t get the self-checkout scanner off Spanish mode.

My son Nathan, who was nine at the time, tried unsuccessfully to wipe the smirk off his face. I looked around for an assistant but finally had to give up and scan my items in Spanish. My frustration mingled with laughter. What must I look like? Nathan laughed out loud as I finally inserted my money and took my change.

Wait . . .

Nathan, did you hit the Spanish button?

He grinned. Yes.

Why?

You needed to laugh.

I knew that some parents would reprimand such an embarrassing trick, but I gave my son a hug, laughed some more, thanked him, and thanked Jesus that Nathan had inherited my quirky sense of humor. My day had been stressful, but Nathan knew that laughter was the quickest way to improve my mood.

It is no wonder that Scripture tells us, A cheerful heart is good medicine. I find that I feel closer to Jesus when I laugh and see the humor in circumstances. Seeing His sense of fun reflected in creation reminds me that He is the ultimate source of joy and that we serve a Lord Who understands that, with all life throws at us, sometimes the best thing we can do is laugh. —JEANETTE HANSCOME

FAITH STEP: What makes you laugh? When has laughter been medicine to your soul? Ask Jesus to provide one thing—a funny movie, a silly kid moment—to cheer you or someone you love today.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1 (ESV)

IN MY WORK OVER THE years, I’ve seen Jesus guiding my path. He’s brought writing and editing projects from unexpected sources. He’s opened doors in mysterious ways. And He’s nudged me to change direction sometimes.

I’ve also had times when I had a plan in mind and set out to make it happen. I’ve studied market trends, asked advice of experts, set a course, and plowed ahead with a big dose of stubbornness. I’ve designed spreadsheets to chart my progress and searched for an inside track to make my goals happen. None of those are bad techniques, but I’ve noticed that even though those plans require unending effort, they often fizzle.

Looking back, I’ve realized that during some of those periods, Jesus was pointing me to a different path, but I couldn’t hear Him over my energetic determination. When I’m building my house (or my writing career, or my family, or my marriage, or my friendships) in my own strength and not inviting Him to do the building, I find myself laboring harder, not smarter.

These days, when I catch myself striving, growing resentful at the lack of progress, or confused by the way my building keeps crumbling, I stop and ask Jesus if I’ve grabbed the hammer from Him. Then I place it back in His carpenter hands and invite Him to show me a new way. What a blessing that He offers to be the Builder of our lives! —SHARON HINCK

FAITH STEP: What are you building today? Put your tools in Jesus’s hands and ask Him to be your Builder and Watchman.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17

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 HAVE TAKEN A BREAK from social media this past year. Being on Facebook felt like hundreds of people were shouting their opinions at me and then showing me pictures of their delicious lunches. It distracted me from writing, and I would be sucked in for hours. I would worry about the prayer requests puzzle and puzzle over why someone had unfriended me. I would finally tear myself free only to feel unsettled, worried, and more than a little jealous of those fabulous lunches.

I am learning that social media, in small doses, can be a fun way to stay connected. But with my true friends, I need real face time. I want to hear the joy in their voices when they tell me how much they love their kids. I want to pray with them and buy them a cup of coffee when those same kids are driving them crazy nuts. Just clicking a Like button or pinning a sad face to their post doesn’t satisfy.

Sometimes I think my prayers to Jesus are like social media posts. I am giving Him thumbs-ups and smiley faces, wanting His approval over my life, and He is saying, Really? Is that all you want to share? He is unsatisfied. And if I really stop and think about it . . . so am I. Aren’t you? He loves us so much. He has called me and you His friends. He knows our need for face time with His Word and for real conversations in prayer. He wants us to know Him inside and out and find ourselves wrapped daily in His overwhelming grace and presence. —SUSANNA FOTH AUGHTMON

FAITH STEP: Take a walk by yourself and tell Jesus about your day. Ask Him to surround you with His presence and be your friend.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18

But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. 1 Peter 2:9–10 (MSG)

IT’S NOT A NEW PRACTICE to use clothing to make a statement. It actually happened in the Old Testament as well. When God established His tabernacle on earth, He set apart a high priest, choosing him as the holy one designated to bring the people’s sins before the Lord. God gave detailed instructions about his duties and had requirements for the priest’s clothing. The garments included an assortment of majestic colors: purple, scarlet, and blue. Skilled artisans carefully crafted and wove together the multicolored threads, stones, and fabric, and they attached a sacred emblem to the high priest’s turban with a blue cord. The statement on this medallion of pure gold read, Holy to the Lord (Exodus 39:30). Peter explained it foreshadowed the time when Jesus, our great High Priest, would become the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the entire world (Hebrews 5:8–10).

I read those passages recently and thought about my own wardrobe. It hardly makes any statement. But what if I dressed each morning, remembering that I am a priest. I could even wear an invisible medallion of gold, reminding me that I, too, am chosen to be holy to the Lord.

Our great High Priest became sin for us and dressed us in His holy righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Wherever we go, whatever we do, our clothing can make a statement about who we are—royal priests, wholly dedicated to Jesus. —REBECCA BARLOW JORDAN

FAITH STEP: Each morning when you dress this week, imagine you are wearing royal clothing. Ask Jesus to help you represent Him well.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 19

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. John 15:13–14 (NKJV)

MY SISTER JOYCE AND I decided to meet at a favorite restaurant one evening for some much-needed sister time. While enjoying our meal, we noticed sitting next to us two elderly and very stylish women. We exchanged glances, then smiles, and made small talk. I told one of the fashionistas it was my birthday. She asked me my age, and I told her the truth. She complimented me on how young she thought I looked and then told me she was eighty-six. She pointed to her friend and said, We’ve been friends for over fifty years! I marveled at the longevity of their sisterhood, which had lasted for decades. I’ve had friends for more than thirty-five years—mostly my college buddies who have seen me through the best and worst of times.

Friends are great. But Jesus is our ultimate Friend—the only One Who laid down His own life for us. I love my friends, but not enough to die for them. Nor do I expect that they will die for me. The Lord valued the friendships He made with the disciples. He invested in them. He was patient with them. He loved them. And after a certain time had passed, He said they were more than students—they were now friends (John 15:15). Even after Judas betrayed Him with a kiss, Jesus still addressed him as friend (Matthew 26:50). This was Jesus’s final act of love toward the one who had sinned against Him. Jesus showed us what true friendship looks like; but most important, we’ll never find a friend who loves us as deeply as He loves us. —CAROL MACKEY

FAITH STEP: What makes a good friend? Read Proverbs 27:17, Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs 27:6, and Proverbs 18:24 to see if these characteristics ring true for you.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20

But he had to go through Samaria. John 4:4 (NRSV)

ONE OF MY FAVORITE STORIES recorded in the New Testament is about the woman at the well’s encounter with Jesus. Maybe the story doesn’t mean as much to you if you’ve never felt like an outsider or less than. Or experienced the sting of prejudice or discrimination. Or carried around a weight of guilt over a wrong choice you’ve made. Or struggled with questions about spiritual matters that you didn’t fully understand but didn’t feel as though you could voice them. But then, can’t we all identify with at least one of these emotions?

The core message of the story is found in one brief sentence: But he had to go through Samaria. Although the shortest route from Judea to