December 6 Who We Are After Christmas Morning…

Affirmation: I am strong and confident. I will seek wisdom.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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Ponder, Personalize, Practice: Spend time today personalizing John 1:5. In my reading this morning, I was reminded that God calls each of us to be “light” in our world…& and the darkness will not overcome it. Your faith in God is your light. Let your light shine through your love for others everyday. Talk to God about what you are thinking.❤️❤️❤️

John 1:5. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” 

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Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown 

Guidepost 9: Cultivating Meaningful Work, Letting Go of Self-Doubt and Supposed-To

Start practicing:
Reflect on what your unique gifts are, and start sharing them with the world. As Howard Thurman instructs: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”When you notice that you’re “shoulding” on yourself, pause and switch directions. Drop “should” and “supposed-to” from your vocabulary and replace it with “want.” (So “I should do X” becomes “I want to do X/Y/Z.”)

When I learned about the gifts God gave me…Faith, Helps, Hospitality, I thought “Wow, those pretty common like me.” Over the years , I have seen how God has used my faith to encourage and sustain hope. He has used my ability to help to support and inspire. And finally, hospitality. Hospitality is a gift that lets people know they are welcome and valued. I learned that these gifts from God impact every part of my life as a wife, mother, as a teacher, assistant principal, as a pastor’s wife, friend…Meaningful Work happens when you let the love of God shine through you, no matter what your “job” is.

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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 lis- ten 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

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Reading for Today

Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff

Who We Are After Christmas Morning Says A Lot About Who We Found In The Manger

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

Christmas day might just be my absolute favorite day of the year. All my kids are within arms reach. Sweet Maria is happy as a clam, getting preparations ready, the house is warm and festive, and smells like cookies hot out of the oven. But more than the traditions, Christmas has the special power in my life where the invitation to encounter the Savior feels especially fresh and new. Every year, without fail, a few of my friends are in a tough spot during the Christmas season, though. A loved one died, or relationship ended. A job was lost, or project failed. I have had a few hard Christmases, too, so I understand. I bet you can relate as well.

But here’s what I have come to learn: if we see Christmas as a season of nostalgia, we will be disappointed. If we only want warm fuzzies, presents, and stuffing, the satisfaction won’t last. But if we encounter the Savior, everything changes.

A lot of people thought Jesus was a good teacher, and he had great insight about how to live. But if Jesus is just a great teacher, or a cultural identity, your life probably won’t change much. Others thought he was a really kind man, and he was, but this alone wouldn’t have the power to reshape history or your heart.

If, however, you find a Savior in the Manger, you’ll leave with a sense of purpose. If you find a God, who gave up everything to come, live with us, and die for us, so we could finally get a taste of grace, you’ll want to give that grace to everyone you encounter. Who we are after Christmas morning says a lot about who we found in the manger.

What will you do to focus on Jesus this month?