December 10 Using Words As Weapons…
Affirmation: Lord, grant that anger or other bitterness not reign over me, but that your grace, genuine kindness, loyalty, friendliness, generosity & gentleness May reign in me. Amen
~~~~~~~Happy 6th Birthday to Griffin!🎉🎂🎊🥰
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Ponder, Personalize, Practice: Memorize
the verse and talk to God about your desire to prioritize Him above all else. Talk about where you are challenged and struggling.
Matthew 22:37Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all you soul and all your mind.”
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Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown
Guidepost 9: Cultivating Meaningful Work, Letting Go of Self-Doubt and Supposed-To
DIG DEEP
GET INSPIRED
The definition of courage in this course is sharing your story with your whole heart. Feel free to share your three words for "meaningful work," your superpower and/or your kryptonite by posting them on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #OLCBreneCourse! You can also share with a supportive friend or family member anything else that inspired you this week: a valuable phrase from the lesson, creative work from your journal, or an inspiration from your everyday life. (For tips on how to post a photo online, check out our FAQs .)
From Jacque:Superpower: DeterminationMeaningful Work: Courage, Compassion, ConnectionPassion: Help others recognize who God created them to be.Text or call me…I’d love to hear about your superpowers, or your 3 words.
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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
Using Words As Weapons Is Easy When We Disagree. Choosing to Love Instead is the Life Jesus Points Us Toward
You have heard it said, “Love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.” But I tell you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:43–40
Unfortunately, negativity happens naturally, in each one of us. And what happens naturally is usually the easiest thing to do. It is easy to form opinions that validate our experience, surround ourselves with voices that confirm them, and take shots at those we have decided are wrong.
But Jesus invites us into a different way to live. He tells us to love our enemies. When I first started following Jesus, and saw that, I was like, Wow. OK. I am, how do I do that?
In calling us to love our enemies, Jesus challenged us to resist our natural tendency to separate the world into people like us, and not like us. We might not see those we disagree with as “enemies,“ but they fire us up the most. They are the ones we are prone to slander and harbor negative thoughts about. We might not be going to literal war with those on the “other side,“ but we do battle when we tear down rather than build up. We Wage War with words rather than weapons.
True Christianity is not easy. It is more straightforward to follow a certain standard of behaviors. But following Jesus is about transformation, not mere compliance – and when Jesus said, “love your enemies,” He knew only transformation could get us there. Will we do this perfectly? Nope. When we ask God to show us, though He will always point us toward His Son, and say, “Just do what He did.” The best way to love your enemy is to lay down your words and pick up the love of Jesus instead.
Who is on your list of “enemies,” and what can you do to draw closer to them in love?
Unfortunately, negativity happens naturally, in each one of us. And what happens naturally is usually the easiest thing to do. It is easy to form opinions that validate our experience, surround ourselves with voices that confirm them, and take shots at those we have decided are wrong.
But Jesus invites us into a different way to live. He tells us to love our enemies. When I first started following Jesus, and saw that, I was like, Wow. OK. I am, how do I do that?
In calling us to love our enemies, Jesus challenged us to resist our natural tendency to separate the world into people like us, and not like us. We might not see those we disagree with as “enemies,“ but they fire us up the most. They are the ones we are prone to slander and harbor negative thoughts about. We might not be going to literal war with those on the “other side,“ but we do battle when we tear down rather than build up. We Wage War with words rather than weapons.
True Christianity is not easy. It is more straightforward to follow a certain standard of behaviors. But following Jesus is about transformation, not mere compliance – and when Jesus said, “love your enemies,” He knew only transformation could get us there. Will we do this perfectly? Nope. When we ask God to show us, though He will always point us toward His Son, and say, “Just do what He did.” The best way to love your enemy is to lay down your words and pick up the love of Jesus instead.
Who is on your list of “enemies,” and what can you do to draw closer to them in love?
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