a Mighty Word ~ give

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."  James1:17

This week on Weekly Words to Live By,  the word of the week is GIVE.  How appropriate!  "Tis the season to celebrate the gift of God's Son, our Savior.  And 'tis the season to give to those we love and care about as a way of extending God's love to them.

This year, i really want to make sure whatever gifts i give reflect the love of Christ.  That means thinking of the manner in which He offered Himself to us: simple, sacrificial, and sanctified. 

Why don't we pray about what we give this season and ask the Father of all good and perfect gifts to help us choose what we give to others?

Please join my friends Linda and Dalene at https://www.facebook.com/weeklywordstoliveby/ (or in their Words to Live By book, pages 67-72). You may find an entirely new way to think about activating the word GIVE in your life.  And you may even want to pick up a copy of Words to Live By as a gift that will last all year!

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

are you counting?

"Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Matthew 6:27

The time before CHRISTmas is drawing closer.  How do you feel about it?

If worrying can't increase our time or ability to do something, or solve an issue, what can it possibly accomplish besides sucking the life and joy out of our day?

Father, when i get that dazed deer-in-the-headlight look, hit my heart with a dose of Truth through a Word, a song or a cheery greeting. Remembering the why of CHRISTmas should be enough to remove any worry.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

dashing through the day

"...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." Hebrews 12:1-2

The days are shorter, the weather is colder and the to-do list longer.  Yet, as runners in a race, our course/day is already marked and we need to keep moving forward in the direction set before us.  With the Word as our barrier, the Holy Spirit our monitor, and Jesus our focal point, we too can run the race with confidence to the glorious end.
   

Lord, as the "Holy-day" season approaches, i pray for an extra measure of guidance and protection.  There are many external factors and worldly distractions yearning to trip me up, throw me in the wrong direction or even stop me in my tracks. The road is sprinkled with land mines such as hardships, disappointments, losses, painful memories, hurt and false priorities.  Cover me in Your love, grace and mercy. Monitor my days, nights and ways and keep me moving safely towards You in thanks and gratitude.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God, 
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ preparation

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven..." Ecclesiastes 3:1

What time is it?

For me, it's time for the preparation of my heart for a glorious season celebrating Jesus' birth... my Redeemer and Savior.


What time is it for you?


we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live life we believe it,
veneal

do you have fragile decorations?

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." Ephesians 1:3

Last year's decorations had been quickly packed, stored and stuffed in the attic.  It was good enough for most items, but not the glass CHRISTmas bell.  It was totally shattered.  An extra tuck of tissue paper, another layer of bubble wrap and a taped-up box could have saved it.

How is your CHRISTmas season shaping up?

Shattered bells, shattered lives ~ and CHRISTmas still comes. It's near impossible to live 365 days without changes.  Marriages, deaths, loss of income, sickness, births and other events evolve during the year. Some for the better, some not - as least through our eyes.  During trials, i struggle, as my eyes shift down on me and my circumstances, and not up to Him and His Power.
   

Father, there are times i feel totally crushed by the world around me.  Life can throw hard, unpredictable and mean times in our face.  And when i tackle it, without You, i shatter like annealed glass.  I need to be completely wrapped, protected and covered in Your Love, Wisdom and Will.  Oh, how thankful i am for the wonderous CHRISTmas season! May i never look at a CHRISTmas tree without seeing and remembering the cross it bears for me. During this season, no matter what has happened the past 365 days, i am reminded and brought back to what really matters... You and Your unconditional Love.  Thank You, my Savior!

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,

veneal

a Mighty Word ~ think

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus..." Philippians 2:5

Have you ever prayed to have the “mind of Christ”? Imagine having His wisdom, understanding, and compassion available for discerning God’s will and interacting with others.  Think what a difference that could make in our attitudes and actions.

This week’s “Word to Live By” is THINK.  The challenge in one of the devotions for this week speaks to my heart:  “Oh, how i want to be so filled with God’s Word and His wisdom that i see past others’ actions and discern their true thoughts and attitudes. Then my own thoughts and attitudes will more closely match that of the only One who can judge the motives and actions of those around me.” That is my desire as well, basically to have the mind of Christ about every situation and person i encounter.

Please join my friends Linda and Dalene on their “Weekly Words to Live By” Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/weeklywordstoliveby/ and/or in their Words to Live By devotion book (pages 61-66).

This week may we see God at work helping us THINK like He does. 

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

follow the Leader

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

Through each turn and twist, and hill and valley in life, our path reflects the most brilliant colors and light possible when we follow Jesus.  Surely, it will draw others in following Him too.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it, 
veneal