December 23 If You Think Your Failure Is Bigger…

Affirmation: I find balance between giving and receiving.

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
“Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat. We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. (Matthew 14:16-18)
What we give God, He multiplies…both what have have to give and what He gives to meet our need.

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Ponder, Personalize, Practice: 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

https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.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

Cultivating Authenticity

As you read the definition of authenticity in the chapter for this lesson, you'll see that the real heart of the work is practicing the courage to be imperfect, to set boundaries and to allow ourselves to be vulnerable. So many of us were raised to believe that being vulnerable and/or imperfect was being weak and that setting boundaries is selfish and a sign that we can't handle what's on our plates. In this lesson, we start to challenge those beliefs.'
“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we are supposed to be and embracing who we are.”-Brené Brown

This Lesson's Intention

"I am never more courageous than when I'm embracing imperfection, embracing vulnerabilities and setting boundaries with the people in my life."

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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.

Scripture:

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

 

Reading:

It is through gratitude for the present moment that the spiritual dimension of life opens up. Echart Tolle

 

Reflection:

Dwelling on my past failures robs me of experiencing the present. God speaks to us in the present. In His presence, you can experience peace and calm in spite of all the chaos around you. In His presence is where we learn His plans for our lives which leads to the hope and joy of a glorious future.

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Reading for Today

Walk in Grace. Live in Love. By Bob Goff

If You Think Your Failure Is Bigger Than God’s Grace, That’s Your Second Mistake.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful, and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9.
Christmas morning might just be my favorite moment all year. When the kids were young and still in the house, we would wake up as a family, huddle, in the upstairs foyer, pray together, and head down to celebrate Jesus and have fun. Those moments are some of my favorite memories.

Christmas offered up some chances for mischief too. Like most kids, mine were dying to know what presents were under the tree. A few days before Christmas they would head to the living room, and like expert surgeons with razor sharp scalpels, they would wriggle under the tree, and make incisions on the tape, just enough to see the gift underneath. And then like sewing in sutures,  they would re-tape the package. We learned this years later once the kids were confident, they wouldn’t get in trouble.

Of course, we wish they hadn’t done it, but we had to give them credit for covering their tracks. Here’s the problem: we spend so much of our lives, figuring out how to cover our tracks when we mess up, we get really good at it. You might fool your mom and dad, or even a couple of friends, but you won’t fool God. He knows what we have been up to and into. And you know what? He is not holding it against you. So why try to hide it from Him? God always has plenty of grace for us. It is a gift we can unwrap every day. All it takes for us to access it is to get real enough that we realize our need. Remember this: if you think your failure is bigger than God’s grace, that’s your second mistake.

True confession: in what ways do you need God’s help right now?