November 8: Where Joy Is A Habit, Love Is A Reflex.

Affirmation: I am loved and cherished.

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭54:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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Ponder, Personalize, Practice: Today personalize Luke 12:7. Focus your attention on the 2nd sentence…don’t be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows. Sparrows which God cares for and clothes with splendor. Think on that today…you have great worth in God’s eyes.   

Luke 12:7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows. 

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Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown

Cultivate Intuition and Trusting Faith. Let Go of the Need for Certainty.

Start practicing:

When you find yourself in uncertainty, check in with your intuition. Find stillness and consider: What’s your gut telling you to do? What would you do if you had no fear?

Create open space in your life to foster your internal connection. If you’re constantly bombarded by media and events and the thoughts of others, you lose track of what’s true for you. Make time for meditation, journaling, movement, and other alone-time to keep your internal connection strong

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Mastering the 7 Decisions from Andy Andrews 

The Guided Decision 

I will seek wisdom

Sometimes the questions are complicated, but the answers are simple.

Knowing that wisdom waits to be gathered, I will actively search her out. My past can never be changed, but I can change the future by changing my actions today. I will change my actions today! I will train my eyes and ears to read and listen to books and recordings that bring about positive changes in my personal relationships and a greater understanding of my fellow man. No longer will I bombard my mind with materials that feed my doubts and fears. I will read and listen only to that which increases my belief in myself and my future.

I will seek wisdom. I will choose my friends with care. I am who my friends are. I speak their language, and I wear their clothes. I share their opinions and their habits. From this moment forward, I will choose to associate with people whose lives and lifestyles I admire. If I associate with chickens, I will learn to scratch at the ground and squabble over crumbs. If I associate with eagles, I will learn to soar great heights. I am an eagle. It is my destiny to fly.

Ask and it will be given to you, Seek and you will find, Knock and the door will be opened to you. Matt 7:7

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean on your understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will guide your steps. Prov. 3:5,6

““But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”

‭‭Job‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

From Jacque: Reading the Bible is a great way to find wisdom and guidance.  I have just completed reading through the Bible with two different plans: Bible Recap with Tara Leigh Cobble and Bible in 1 Year with Nicky Gumbel with my friend Billie. Both are great plans that are available in the Bible App.

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Reading for Today

Walk in Grace. Live in Love by Bob Goff

November 8

Where Joy Is A Habit, Love Is A Reflex.

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20.
You don’t have to even think about your first moves every morning. You turn on the coffee or you pick up your cell phone from the nightstand. You feed the cat or crack open the door to see your kids. We do these things ritualistically because habits become hardwired into our brains and our bodies respond. It’s the reason we can dial a friend on the phone without even thinking of the numbers we’re pressing or pull out of our driveway and into the parking space at work without remembering much of the drive at all.

We are usually familiar with our physical habits. But how much thought do you give to your spiritual habits? I don’t mean habits, like praying, or reading the Bible, though those are great. I mean habits of finding joy, hope, and peace. Jesus said we could have peace, even if there’s chaos all around us. He said we could be hopeful, even when life looks pretty bleak. These are characteristics that take some practice to get right.
Jesus knew the habits of our hearts would lead to changes in the way we live. If we find peace within ourselves, we will naturally become peacemakers in the world around us. When we pray with hope and look for it in the little things, we begin to walk in hope, and it spreads to the people around us. Where great joy is a habit, extravagant love is a reflection.

We won’t love well if we’re in the habit of being negative or cynical. Maybe you are thinking I’m just a realist. Just remember that God sees what is and what will be, and it usually starts with the hope that we have inside. Practice plenty of that.

What habit of joy, hope, or peace can you start today?