December 9 Jesus Made Christmas For Us
Affirmation: I look in the mirror and I love who I see…& so does God. ❤️
~~~~~~
Ponder, Personalize, Practice: Memorize
the verse and talk to God about your love for Him.
Matthew 22:37Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all you soul and all your mind.”
~~~~~~
Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown
DIG Deep
GET DELIBERATE
“We've been using this phrase "meaningful work," but what's meaningful to me may not be meaningful to you, and what's meaningful to us may not be meaningful to others. So, to help get deliberate, I want you to pick three words and define meaningful work for yourself. You can write this anywhere in your journal, or you can write the words on a little cutout heart (like I did) and tuck it into your superpower page to remind you.”
Jacque’s 3 words: Courage, Compassion, Connection
When I am doing something meaningful, these 3 words come into play.
~~~~~~~
Mastering the 7 Decisions from Andy Andrews
The Joyful Decision
5. TODAY I WILL CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY.
Happiness is a choice. I am enthusiastic about each day. I am alert to its possibilities.
I will become the master of my emotions.
I will greet each day with laughter. I know that enthusiasm is the fuel that moves the world.
The world belongs to the enthusiastic, for people will follow them anywhere! My smile has become my calling card. It is, after all, the most important weapon I possess. I am the possessor of a grateful spirit.
Joyful Decision
Today, I choose to be happy.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12
~~~~~~~
Reading for Today
Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff
When Jesus Made Christmas, He Did It For A Bunch of Beggars Like Us.
“All they asked is that we remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.” Galatians 2:10
I know a lot of families who use the holiday season to introduce their kids to people in need. They serve at a soup, kitchen, or hand out socks at the homeless shelter. I think it is terrific that people get more attuned to the needs of others during the holidays. It reminds me a lot of Jesus. Before he came, God looked down on us and saw a bunch of helpless beggars, people who could not possibly pull it together in order to become friends with Him. Instead of avoiding us, God decided to jump right in.
Don’t avoid people who look like they have been on the streets for a while – go to them instead. I don’t know if it is our fear, or discomfort, or sense of helplessness, but the people who need human connection the most are often the ones we avoid.
Jesus spent his whole life engaging the people most of us have spent our whole lives trying to avoid. He spent his time with the people who cheated others out of money, with those who smelled bad, and didn’t have a permanent home. Even when He knew they would betray Him, He sought their friendship.
During the holidays, we will scurry around town, buying lots of stuff and making new memories. But we will pass a lot of people who don’t have access to that kind of holiday experience. Expand the circle of generosity, and you will have the kind of Christmas Jesus made for us.
What will you do this month to intentionally love the down-and-out?
I know a lot of families who use the holiday season to introduce their kids to people in need. They serve at a soup, kitchen, or hand out socks at the homeless shelter. I think it is terrific that people get more attuned to the needs of others during the holidays. It reminds me a lot of Jesus. Before he came, God looked down on us and saw a bunch of helpless beggars, people who could not possibly pull it together in order to become friends with Him. Instead of avoiding us, God decided to jump right in.
Don’t avoid people who look like they have been on the streets for a while – go to them instead. I don’t know if it is our fear, or discomfort, or sense of helplessness, but the people who need human connection the most are often the ones we avoid.
Jesus spent his whole life engaging the people most of us have spent our whole lives trying to avoid. He spent his time with the people who cheated others out of money, with those who smelled bad, and didn’t have a permanent home. Even when He knew they would betray Him, He sought their friendship.
During the holidays, we will scurry around town, buying lots of stuff and making new memories. But we will pass a lot of people who don’t have access to that kind of holiday experience. Expand the circle of generosity, and you will have the kind of Christmas Jesus made for us.
What will you do this month to intentionally love the down-and-out?
Comments
Post a Comment