December 11 From A Manger in Bethlehem…

Affirmation: Instead of telling people what they want, we need to tell them who they are. This works every time…Who are you?

You are loved by God.

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Ponder, Personalize, Practice: Memorize

 the verse and talk to God about your love for Him…what does it mean to love God with all your heart?

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 GOING

We're going to get going by thinking about this idea of the "slash career," Marci Alboher's term for people with multiple simultaneous careers (like the rabbi/rapper or accountant/jeweler). If you're not in a place in your life where you could just change careers completely (even if you wanted to), think about your dream "slash." Are you an accountant/jeweler, or a rabbi/rapper? Think of something that you can begin to work into your life, and don't be afraid to be a little unreasonable. Write down your dream slash(es) in your journal

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Mastering the 7 Decisions from Andy Andrews 

The Persistent Decision 

7. I WILL PERSIST WITHOUT EXCEPTION.

I possess the greatest power ever bestowed upon mankind. I hold fast to my dreams. I stay the course. I do not quit.

I acknowledge that most people quit when exhaustion sets in, but I am not “most people.”

I am stronger than most people. Average people compare themselves with other people, and that is why they remain average.

I compare myself to my potential. I am not average. I see exhaustion as a precursor to victory. By persisting without exception, my outcome—my success—is assured.

It is my wish that you have gained something positive and productive from reading about these seven decisions.

I strongly believe that there is nothing you can’t do if you have the proper mindset and conviction.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.

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Reading for Today

Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff

From A Manger In Bethlehem, God Leaned Over The Whole World And Said, “It’s Your Move.”

For God, so loved the world that he gave his one, and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

I was in college when I first laid eyes on Maria. I knew the moment I saw her that she would be my wife. The only problem was, she had not spoken to me yet. My task was to get her attention so she could get to know the man who would become her husband.

Luckily, Valentine’s Day was around the corner. My plan was to turn several door sized cardboard sheets into an oversized Valentine’s Day card that said “Maria, will you be my valentine?” Then I showed up unannounced at her work to make the ask. She was mortified – not even a little impressed. It took about six months to win back her respect, but at least I had been clear. She knew my feelings about her and my intentions toward her. The ball was in her court.

When Jesus was born, God made his love clear. When He chose to live with us, to experience life as one of us, and suffer alongside us, He was telling us in the flesh about a love for us, that is stronger than fear, stronger than death. And then it was up to us to decide how we would respond to His love.

It is as if, from a manger in Bethlehem, God leaned over the whole world, and said, “It’s your move.“ Just like the ball was in Maria’s court once I made my intentions clear, it is now up to us to decide how we will respond to God’s expression of love for us. We can go on like it never happened, or we can step toward the love that set the whole world in motion.
As you take a minute to reflect on God’s love for you, what changes in you?