Day 24 – Peace & Presence

How can we focus more on Christ?

The holidays are a time for family and friends. Our community of family and friends were chosen by God. He put people in our path that have become our friends and He allowed us to be born, married, or adopted into particular families. We are built for community.

Some people look forward to time with family and others may dread it due to loss, pain, or family differences. There are many different emotions that come up during this time.

Whatever emotions we are feeling this holiday, lean on Christ. Go to Him in prayer and ask for a joyous celebration, peace in conflict, and strength to handle whatever the day ahead holds.

Ask God how to be present in these times. Some family time may be busy and chaotic, but take time to look your family and friends in the eyes and have good meaningful conversation.

Whether you are excited or distressed over this holiday season, take some deep breaths, and go enjoy the community you were given.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Day 23 – Have Joy

How can we focus on Christ?

Let’s talk Happiness vs Joy

Happiness – The external state of being happy. Happiness is dependent on the circumstances, thoughts, people around us. It’s the events in our path that give us happiness.

Joy – A feeling of great pleasure and happiness. A long-lasting state. Joy is promised by God to those who put their trust in Him.

Happiness can come and go, but Joy is in our heart. It’s the thing that can’t be taken away when we accept the Joy that God gives us.

How can we have Joy in our hearts? Trust God! Have faith! Be obedient! Let’s seek Him! Let’s pray God will show us this wonderful Joy that He has for us.

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

John 15:11

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Nehemiah 8:10

And Nehemiah[a] continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

“In the English Standard Version of the Bible, the words “joy,” “rejoice,” or “joyful” appear a total of 430 times, compared with “happy” or “happiness,” which appear only ten times. Joy is lasting, and it satisfies the heart in a unique and marvelous way. Joy is characteristic of God's people, found in his presence.” – openthebible.org

Day 22 – Know Who You Are

How can we focus more on Christ?

Know your Design. This is my favorite topic!

Each one of us is a uniquely designed creation by God himself put on this Earth as a gift. God is our perfect Father. We are His children. He loves us more than any human can love one another.

This is my favorite topic because there were so many years of my life wondering who I was. I knew I was a child of God, but I didn’t take the time to understand what that meant. I listened to what the world said I should be instead of listening to who God created me to be. I thought the things I could accomplish made me who I was or acceptance from others was what made me. I thought maybe there was something wrong if I didn’t think the same, dress the same, or want the same things as others.

I spent my 20’s and 30’s trying to fit the mold that the world tells us to be. I failed to spend time in the Word and hear exactly what my Father, my Creator says about me.

Here’s the thing. You and me were created on purpose for a purpose. Our strengths and weaknesses are part of His design. Those weaknesses we don’t like where given to us so that we would need God. God wants us to love His creation and give Him credit and glory for creating such a beautiful thing.

So how can we focus more on Christ? Stop obsessing about parts of our body that the world calls “flawed.” Stop trying to change the parts of us that are beautiful in God’s eyes. Stop trying to be somebody else. What God created is good! We are good!

Let’s thank Him for giving us life!