December 17 The Birth of Jesus Means That Fear Lost All Its Power.
Affirmation: I Enjoy Being Creative.
Look around and make note of all that is creative in your space. You are created in the image of the creator of all the world! No wonder you are creative!😍🌸❄️
Look around and make note of all that is creative in your space. You are created in the image of the creator of all the world! No wonder you are creative!😍🌸❄️
~~~~~~Ponder, Personalize Practice: Soend a few minutes pondering or meditating on Matthew 22:39. It is the 2nd most important command from God. Love your neighbor as yourself. Ask God to show who your neighbors are and how you can love them.
“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Matthew 22:39 NIV
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Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown
Guidepost 10. Cultivate Laughter, Song and Dance. Let Go of Cool and being in Control.
DIG Deep
GET DELIBERATE
In our culture today, it's really hard to let loose, to let go of being cool and in control, because we're afraid, and the shame gremlins come. So to get deliberate, find a page in your journal and write down two or three shame gremlins that start to whisper in your ear when you are trying to do something new involving laughter, song or dance. Sometimes, writing these unspoken things down gives power back to us so we can throw our hands up in the air and dance.
My Shame Gremlins:*Can I do that as a Christian? - when I was younger, I was taught “Don’t smoke, dance or chew or hang with those who do”*That’s goofy, I don’t want to be goofy.*Nah, not right now.
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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
December 17
The Birth of Jesus Means That Fear Lost All Its Power. Why Do We Keep Giving Back What The Manger Took Away?
“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.” Matthew 2:1-2
Right after Jesus was born, some wisemen from the east, went to Jerusalem to find him. They saw his star, and knew it meant the Messiah had come. Herod, the king, was furious. He felt threatened by Jesus because he knew this baby was more powerful than him. He ordered the wisemen to go find Jesus and then report back with his location. Herod had an evil plan in mind to put an end to Jesus’s life.
The wisemen were under the king’s orders to share this information, but when they got to the manger where love lay fast asleep, everything changed. They knelt to the ground and offered gifts. Any fears they brought with them went away once they saw the face of love. The wisemen tricked the king to save the life of Jesus. They went back to their home country by an alternate route. Sometimes in order to obey God, we need to disobey Herod.
Most of us will never have to fear for our lives the way the wisemen did, but we still let fear get the best of us. Fear keeps us from following our passions, because we are afraid we might fail. It keeps us from giving love away, because we are afraid of vulnerability. We fear, judgment, and disapproval. We fear the unknown.
But just like the wisemen who changed when they came face-to-face with love, we can put fear in its place. When we love people, more than we fear failure, disappointment, and even death, love wins. We don’t have to fear less. We need to love more.
What can you do today to place the fears you have at the feet of Jesus?
Right after Jesus was born, some wisemen from the east, went to Jerusalem to find him. They saw his star, and knew it meant the Messiah had come. Herod, the king, was furious. He felt threatened by Jesus because he knew this baby was more powerful than him. He ordered the wisemen to go find Jesus and then report back with his location. Herod had an evil plan in mind to put an end to Jesus’s life.
The wisemen were under the king’s orders to share this information, but when they got to the manger where love lay fast asleep, everything changed. They knelt to the ground and offered gifts. Any fears they brought with them went away once they saw the face of love. The wisemen tricked the king to save the life of Jesus. They went back to their home country by an alternate route. Sometimes in order to obey God, we need to disobey Herod.
Most of us will never have to fear for our lives the way the wisemen did, but we still let fear get the best of us. Fear keeps us from following our passions, because we are afraid we might fail. It keeps us from giving love away, because we are afraid of vulnerability. We fear, judgment, and disapproval. We fear the unknown.
But just like the wisemen who changed when they came face-to-face with love, we can put fear in its place. When we love people, more than we fear failure, disappointment, and even death, love wins. We don’t have to fear less. We need to love more.
What can you do today to place the fears you have at the feet of Jesus?
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