mornings with jesus

September 20, 2016 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Put Your Work Aside and Enjoy God’s Presence

The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord ﬁlled the Temple. 1 Kings 8:11 (NLT)

Has there ever been a time in your life when you were so amazed at God’s presence that you simply had to pause? Pause to take Him in, pause to rejoice, pause to reflect on how amazing God truly is?

I remember a time when I was folding a load of laundry, and I almost sank to my knees at the sight of dozens of tiny socks that needed to be paired up. No, it wasn’t the overwhelming task that stilled the movement of my hands (although that can be overwhelming at times), but the revelation of answered prayer. You see, my husband and I felt God’s call to adopt for many years. After years of paperwork and disappointment, God blessed us with a baby girl.

And then we added more and more to the Goyer clan. Words of thanksgiving flowed through my lips as I folded those little socks, remembering the many, many times I was on my knees in my bedroom, crying out to God and asking Him why this adoption thing was so hard and why it took so long.

The truth was, because God knew the children He had for us…at the right time. For a while the work was waiting… and now the work is just work! But what a glorious work it is.

When I think of the priest who worked at God’s temple, I can imagine the awe they felt when God’s glorious presence came down. How spectacular! I can see those priests on their knees before God. Work can wait at times like this! Work can wait in our lives too.

“God’s true presence requires that we stop working in our strength and rely on His,” writes author Rachel Wojnarowski. This is true whether we are seeking to expand our family, seeking to find a loving husband, or seeking to further our career. Work can wait when God’s presence meets you…and your work will never be the same after that.

Faith step: Put your work aside for a while and just enjoy God’s presence.

Put your work aside for a while and just ENJOY God’s presence! @TriciaGoyer

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Read the original post at Guideposts.org. Want more devotions? Check out Mornings with Jesus 2016.

Put the world on hold and step into the presence of Jesus, who gladly takes our burdens and stress and restores them with “the peace that surpasses understanding.”

This uplifting daily devotional book includes 366 short five-minute readings that help you rest and recharge your spirit by putting your focus on the Living God. Each page begins with a Scripture quote, followed by and uplifting devotion that demonstrates how Jesus’ life and teaching apply today. With humor, humility, and grace, the writers share insights that are easily relatable. A Faith Step is also included for you to practice throughout the day. The Faith Step will inspire and challenge you to apply the day’s message to your life.

For those who are seeking a deeper experience in their relationship with Christ, Mornings with Jesus 2016 offers a fresh perspective of who Jesus is and what that means for day-to-day life. As you focus on His truth, you will experience an abundance of blessings that spring from your ever-growing personal relationship with Him.

With a warm and friendly voice, 366 short devotional writings on the character and teachings of Jesus encourage you to greet each day by drawing near to Him and inviting His presence into your day. Spend time with Jesus at the beginning of each day and experience His nearness and peace in a new way throughout the year.

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September 8, 2016 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Go from Good to Great

“For the Law never made anything perfect—but instead a better hope is introduced through which we [now] come close to God.” Hebrews 7:19 (AMP)

My friend Kayleigh is 15 years younger than me, but 15 times more serious in the kitchen. While I am an adequate cook, Kayleigh pours through recipe books to discover the next great recipe. When our church had a dessert contest for a lady’s event, Kayleigh spent all day making chocolate ganache tarts and she won first prize!

When it came to encouraging believers to display the name of Jesus Christ well, the apostle Paul wanted Christians to move beyond “good” to become “great.” Ephesians chapter four is a recipe for how believers should live. “Thieves must quit stealing and, instead, they must work hard. They should do something good with their hands so that they’ll have something to share with those in need” (Ephesians 4:28, AMP). Stealing is bad, working hard is better, doing good and sharing with others is great!

In the Old Testament God gave the Law—rules and regulations to guide the Israelites in doing good. In the New Testament, as followers of Jesus Christ, good is not good enough. We must go a step beyond. We must allow Jesus to fill our hearts and guide our lives. While I’m a fine cook, it’s the great cooks and bakers who win contests. While I can live a good life on my own, with Jesus strengthening me, I can give beyond my desire, share beyond my ability, and love beyond myself.

Jesus knows we can’t go from good to great without Him. All we have to do is ask Him to take over control of our lives on a daily basis. And the most wonderful part is not the great things He guides us to do… but the deepening relationship with Him through the process!

Faith Step: Think of something great a friend has done—something that you know was only accomplished through Jesus Christ. Then write a note letting your friend know that his or her model is one you are thankful for and strive to follow.

Hebrews 7:19 encourages us to go from good to great! Find out why & how here:

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Read the original post at Guideposts.org. Want more devotions? Check out Mornings with Jesus 2016.

Put the world on hold and step into the presence of Jesus, who gladly takes our burdens and stress and restores them with “the peace that surpasses understanding.”

Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.

April 12, 2016 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Spiritual Growth: From Rags to Riches

He chose his servant David, calling him from the sheep pens. He took David from tending the ewes and lambs and made him the shepherd of Jacob’s descendants–God’s own people, Israel. He cared for them with a true heart and led them with skillful hands. Psalm 78:70–72 (NLT)

One of my favorite things is to hear rags-to-riches stories… not stories of men and women who literally went from homeless to living in a mansion, but those who did so spiritually.

Christian biographies are filled with stories of ordinary people who Jesus got ahold of and through them, inspired a generation through them. Charles Colson, D. L. Moody, and Joni Eareckson Tada were average folks–each with his and her own challenges–until Jesus got to them.

What happens to turn a man or woman around? A willingness to allow Jesus to enter and fill. With Jesus inside, all those who come in contact with them get the impression that Jesus is at work. Those who allow Jesus’ love in have the ability to love and care for others in remarkable ways.

Jesus raises men and women for His glory. At the end of his life David himself confessed the transformation:

“These are the last words of David: ‘David, the son of Jesse, speaks–David, the man who was raised up so high, David, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, David, the sweet psalmist of Israel.’” (2 Samuel 23:1 NLT).

David knew who he was. He was a mere shepherd. God was the One Who raised him–not because of David’s choosing, but because of God’s.

Today you may feel completely ordinary, but what does Jesus see? Jesus is an expert at raising up those who bow down low to Him. Not so those men and women will get the glory, but because His children–His sheep–will have leaders whom they can look to, to offer them hands-and-feet love and care from our true Shepherd’s heart.

Faith Step: Check out a book from the library on a saint, and take note on how Jesus took that person from rags to riches, spiritually.

Today you may feel completely ordinary, but what does Jesus see? @TriciaGoyer

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Read the original post at Guideposts.org. Want more devotions? Check out Mornings with Jesus 2016.

Put the world on hold and step into the presence of Jesus, who gladly takes our burdens and stress and restores them with “the peace that surpasses understanding.”

Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.

February 23, 2016 by Tricia Goyer 2 Comments

Depend on Jesus

God, the Master, The Holy of Israel, has this solemn counsel: ‘Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me—the very thing you’ve been unwilling to do.’” Isaiah 30:15 (MSG)

One of my clearest childhood memories is when I was five. My stepdad was running errands for my mom and dropped me off at a birthday party. The thing was, when I knocked at the door, a stranger opened it. My dad had gotten the location wrong. Not only that, I turned around to see he’d already driven away.

The people invited me in to call my mom, but I knew better than to go into a home with strangers. Thankfully, my aunt lived only one mile down the street. With present in hand, I walked to my aunt’s house with the lady following me in her car, still offering to help me. I made it to my aunt’s house and my mom picked me up, but from that point on I made a mental note that I had to take care of myself.

It’s been a hard habit to break. When challenges come I want to be strong. I strive to make things happen. My mind tries to figure out what I can do to control the situation. Jesus, of course, wants better for me. He knows I cannot help myself or save myself. His desire is for me to depend on Him. He is where my strength comes from, and He is where I’ll find salvation.

Events from my childhood may cause me to try to figure out the answer alone, but remembering where my help comes from makes all the difference. Looking back, I wasn’t walking by myself to my aunt’s house. Jesus was by my side, protecting me and guiding me every step of the way. Jesus has never failed me, and He never will.

Faith step: Think back to an impacting moment that’s caused you to be self-dependent. Write that down, and then write a prayer asking Jesus to help you depend on Him more.

Jesus has never failed me and He never will! @TriciaGoyer

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Read the original post at Guideposts.org. Want more devotions? Check out Mornings with Jesus 2016.

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June 5, 2015 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Walking with Jesus

One of my favorite things about writing devotions for Mornings with Jesus was sitting down and thinking about my own encounters with Jesus—really taking that time to reflect on my relationship with Him. I began writing or thinking about each devotion by asking myself, “What Scriptures have really impacted my life?” I would write out the Scripture verse, and then jot down experiences I’ve had that are related to that verse. It was a wonderful time of reflection for me as I looked back at the moments in my life and realized how God’s Word has brought understanding and strength to my life, and pushed me to change.

What Scriptures have really impacted your life? @TriciaGoyer

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Some of the devotions came to me through that reflection process. Others were borne out of my own personal quiet time. As I met Jesus in the morning and read His Word, special Scriptures would stand out. I knew God had a plan for me to include those, too.

Since I’m a novelist, I like lots of description … it was hard to keep myself to the shorter word count of a devotion. Writing for Mornings with Jesus has also reminded me to pause as I read God’s Word and think about what one message God’s speaking to me at that moment.

The biggest lesson I learned as I was writing was thankfulness. As I wrote about the Scriptures that meant the most to me—and about the numerous ways Jesus met me in everyday moments—my heart was flooded with gratitude. I realized even more that Jesus has given us the amazing gift of salvation but He didn’t stop there. He gave us Himself to walk beside our every step. My life and my devotional stories are proof of that.

My prayer for every Mornings with Jesus reader is that these devotions stir their hearts to open to our amazing Savior, and that the devotions give them a hunger to build a deeper, personal relationship with Him.

Jesus gave us Himself to walk beside our every step! @TriciaGoyer

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Read the original post at Guideposts.org. Want more devotions? Check out Mornings with Jesus 2015.

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May 21, 2015 by Tricia Goyer 2 Comments

Spend Time in Jesus’ Presence

It’s funny how much we grow and change in our life with God. Just the other day I was thinking about how much my devotional time has matured and blossomed, just as I have.

When I first started quiet time with God I thought the goal was to learn the most about God as I could. I read commentaries and studied books. Then one day I felt God whispering to my heart, “You know ABOUT Me, but take a moment and just love me. I’m right here.”

After that, I still study, but I also make sure to just spend time in Jesus’ presence. I wake up before anyone else. With my husband, college-aged son,three young children, and my grandma, that’s the ONLY time it’s quiet. In addition to sitting down with my Bible and journal, sometimes I’ll read while I’m on my recumbent bicycle. I’ll read Scriptures and then close my eyes and pray for various concerns.

Sometimes I sit on my couch with my Bible, a journal, and a few devotional books. My all time favorite “study” book is Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby. I usually write out what God is speaking to my heart or I write out my prayer requests. It’s great to look back over old journals and see how God answered prayers!

Take a moment to spend time in Jesus’ presence, just loving Him! @TriciaGoyer

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Read the original post at Guideposts.org. Want more devotions? Check out Mornings with Jesus 2015.

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April 29, 2015 by Tricia Goyer 2 Comments

Devotion for a Tired Mom

“She answered God by name, praying to the God who spoke to her, ‘You’re the God who sees me! Yes! He saw me; and then I saw him!’ That’s how that desert spring got named ‘God-Alive-Sees-Me Spring.’ That spring is still there, between Kadesh and Bered. Hagar gave Abram a son.” Genesis 16:13–16 (MSG)

As a mom of two preschoolers and a baby, I felt invisible. No, I wasn’t the Disappearing Woman. It’s just that the creative, witty, fun-to-hang-out-with woman was hidden under my baby-food-stained T-shirt and baggy sweats. I still had a reflection in the mirror, but the woman who picked up scattered toys and washed peanut-butter fingers was unrecognizable. Unlike Hagar, I wasn’t in a desert, but there were times my sense of worth felt parched. Just like God showed up in Hagar’s time of need, He showed up in my life too. In a time when I felt unseen, God reminded me I was in His sights.

When I felt unseen, God reminded me I was in His sights! @TriciaGoyer

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The angel of God found Hagar beside a spring in a desert, and God also led me to a spring of life: Jesus Christ. And through another story about a second woman at a spring—also unseen and unloved—God reaffirmed the only thing that could water my parched soul.

John 4:13–14 reads: “Jesus said, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.’”

There are seasons in life when it seems no one understands or cares. Is the person in the mirror unrecognizable? Do you feel like no one is paying attention to you? That no one sees your needs or cares about the worries on your heart? It’s during those times Jesus sees us and He gives us what we need most: Himself.

Faith Step: Look in the mirror and write down what you see. When your list is complete, offer up your paper to Jesus and ask Him to fill you with Himself. Consider your reflection through Jesus’ eyes.

Read the original post at Guideposts.org. Want more devotions? Check out Mornings with Jesus 2015.

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April 16, 2015 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Start Your Own Rescue Journal

So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials. 2 Peter 2:9 (NLT)

Grace is an amazing thing. God’s grace saved our souls for eternity, but God often shows up with daily graces too. The important thing is having a soft heart and attentive spirit to see them. Grace is God doing for us what we could never do ourselves. It’s preparing for our rescue.

Grace is God doing for us what we could never do for ourselves! @TriciaGoyer

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Our family witnessed God’s grace when he provided a house. We had moved from the Northwest to the South several years ago, and the hardest part has been settling down. The first condo we rented—sight unseen—was old and moldy.

We moved into a nice apartment after that, but when my grandmother decided to move back in with us, we didn’t have enough room, so we chose to move. After that we found a large, spacious house, but it was old, drafty, and expensive to heat and cool.

I was thankful, but my heart hadn’t settled. There were many wonderful houses in the area, but with my husband’s new ministry position the cost was out of reach. So I started praying.

The answer came in an unexpected way. I offered a book to a new friend. When she came by to get it, I asked if she happened to know of a house that would fit our large family. Not only did she know of one, she owned one!

Because of her husband’s job they had to move across town. The house was a perfect fit and the right price. And our presence there was an answer to her prayers for good renters too.

Are you facing a trial today? God not only knows how to rescue you, but He has a plan for that very thing. The rescue may look different than you imagine, but His way is perfect. Trust Him in that.

Faith step: Create a small “rescue” journal. Start today by writing down how God shows up and answers your prayers. Every day add to your journal. Each page—each entry—will increase your faith!

Read the original post at Guideposts.org. Want more devotions? Check out Mornings with Jesus 2015.

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