December 24 The Way We Treat People Who Don’t …

Affirmation: I choose to be authentic. I will let go of what other people think.

I will be the best me I can be.

I just finished day 9 of the @YouVersion plan 'Celebrating the Light of Christmas'. Check it out here:
https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/22966

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Ponder, Personalize, Practice: Spend some time now to ponder, meditate and memorize this message from the angels. What is it that surprises you? Imagine yourself as one of the shepherds who saw this and heard the message…what is your response. Talk to God about this incredible event.

“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown

Guidepost 1: Cultivating Authenticity and Letting Go of What Other People Think

AUTHENTICITY EXERCISE

RECOMMENDED MATERIALS

Find a picture of yourself that captures your authentic self, one that conveys a sense of who you are. Maybe it's a childhood photo of you before you learned to please, perfect and perform. Maybe it's a snapshot you took last week that encapsulates everything about you that is true and real. Your choice!

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Allow yourself time little bit more than you might expect €to find the right picture for this exercise.

2. Start by picking out three or four photographs that have an emotional resonance with you. Don't just select ones in which you like the way you look (or ones that other people admire). Instead, choose images that capture the part of you that you love.

3. Which of these images reveal your essence? That's the photo you'll want to use for the art-journal assignment.
Glue the picture into your journal. Around the picture, jot down what you see in yourself that you love. Refer back to your “I am at my best, when I am…” statements.

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Mastering the 7 Decisions from Andy Andrews 

The Compassionate Decision 

6. I WILL GREET THIS DAY WITH A FORGIVING SPIRIT.

By the act of forgiving, I am no longer consumed by unproductive thoughts. I will forgive those who have criticized me unjustly.

I now understand that forgiveness has value only when it is given away. I forgive their lack of vision, and I forge ahead.

I now know that criticism is part of the price paid for leaping past mediocrity. I will forgive those who do not ask for forgiveness. From this day forward, my history will cease to control my destiny. I have forgiven myself. My life has just begun.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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Reading for Today

Walk in Grace. Live in Love. By Bob Goff

The Way We Treat People Who Don’t Have A Place To Stay Is The Best Way To Describe What The Manger Means. 

“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need, but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech, but with actions, and in truth.”

1 John 3:17–18.

Have you ever stepped into a full elevator, and faced the people instead of the door? Even for a guy like me, it is an uncomfortable social experiment. We like our space. We are suspicious of strangers. We are threatened by strangers who enter our space.

In one sense, this is natural. We can hug a new acquaintance as a gesture of warmth. There are creepy hugs too. But what about when we go too far in the other direction? What if we don’t let anyone close? What if we never seek out people we typically don’t let in? If that’s you, be cautioned.

If I have learned anything in life, the people I am tempted to turn away, are usually the ones who teach me the most about love. Whether it is homeless people showing a few nights of grime or friends who call me when I’m too busy, the people who infringe on my private space humble me. They teach me things I would have missed otherwise.

We forget Jesus didn’t have a place to stay. He was a homeless man at the mercy of hospitable friends. He said when we take in people who don’t have a place to stay, we are doing it to Him. If we want to love Jesus, we will welcome people who are displaced like He was.

The way we treat people who don’t have a place to stay is the best way to describe what the manger means.

How are you treating people who don’t have a place to stay this Christmas?