“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We are in the midst of a busy Christmas season. On this Think Thursday, let’s slow down, just as this dam is slowing down the water flow.

A dam is used to hold back water and raise its level, forming a reservoir used to generate electricity or as a water supply. On this Think Thursday, let’s slow down and build a dam to fill our spiritual reservoir. In your devotion time, write down any scriptures or words of wisdom that speak to you. Search a favorite scripture and work to commit it to memory. Spend time sitting and listening to God speak words of love and life. Simply be still. Taking time to be still during this busy but joyous season will allow you and me to truly focus on the reason for the season. By building our spiritual reservoir, we will then be equipped to generate electricity and shine the light of Jesus Christ into the dark world around us.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ KJV

I truly enjoy seeing Christmas decor but I am especially wowed by large Christmas trees like the ones in the above photos. As much as I admire Christmas decor, I don’t want to be consumed with our human commercialization of Christmas. On this Wow Wednesday let’s focus on the real wow of the Christmas season-the birth of Jesus Christ.

As you go throughout your day, intentionally look for signs of Jesus’ presence. Where do you see God’s Grace and mercy? How do others display the fruit of the Spirit? What causes you to feel a sense of wow? Finally, throughout your day thank Your Heavenly Father for the ultimate Christmas display-the manger scene which was the beginning of your eternal life.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for loving me so much that you sent your only Son to die on a cross for my sins. Thank you for loving me so much that You have given me eternal life. Guide and direct my actions today so that I display Your presence to others. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

“Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Today is Transformation Tips Tuesday. As we think about ways to grow and be transformed in Christ, let’s reflect on Julie’s posts last week on the fruit of the Spirit. Have you developed all of the fruit of the Spirit? Are you walking through a season now that God is working to develop a particular fruit? Each of us are in different stages of growth. What is hard for me could be easy for you. We are all unique and original. Just like the picture featured today of two different types of sidewalks, each of us has a purpose in our uniqueness.

Read the featured scripture from today. It follows the scripture Julie shared last week about the fruit of the Spirit.

Let’s not lose focus. Let’s stay in tune with the constant guidance God offers us through the Holy Spirit. Let’s not fall into the trap of believing we have it all figured out, but instead let’s celebrate that God has made each of us an original and through our originality, we can support one another’s transformation.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Last Wednesday I took my first airplane flight in over 25 years. In the days leading up to my flight, I battled fear and anxiety due to my lack of experience and concern about the unknown. Thankfully those I traveled with were seasoned flyers. They all shared words of wisdom and comfort as I approached the time of the flight.

Now that I am back home I can reflect as I look at the pictures from my trip. Now I can appreciate the progression of my perspective before, during, and now after my flight.

On this Mindset Monday, let’s be aware of those around us who may be approaching the Christmas season with a different perspective than us. While some of us are full of joy and excitement, others may be battling anxiety or depression. Our personal experiences and circumstances shape our perspective. Let’s be in tune to others and may God guide our words so that we share words of love and comfort.

Perhaps you are the one who is struggling to be excited about the holiday season. For you, I offer todays scripture. May you hold on to the promise of the unseen and trust that what is seen is temporary. As we close, read The Message version of the same scripture and hold on to the promise of the “lavish celebration prepared for us.”

“So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭MSG‬‬

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Each day this week I have encouraged you to spend some time looking back and reflecting. On this Fast Forward Friday, I encourage you to look ahead. I love this photograph by Ray White. It appears the man is frozen in time as everything around him moves in fast forward.

As time moves on towards the end of 2022, many of us may start to write goals for 2023. Often those goals may be health or career related. Today I want you to consider making a spiritual goal for 2023. You may be reading this prior to starting your day, so you may not have adequate time to truly sit and prayerfully consider a spiritual goal. So go about today pondering and praying for God to help you discern what you should focus on for 2023. Then gift yourself some time this weekend to sit with God and craft your goal. Below are some ideas to get you thinking.

* Commit to a daily devotion time and choose a devotional to guide your spiritual growth time-Julie and I have some we could recommend if you need some ideas.

* Begin a prayer journal to list daily joys and concerns.

* Join a Bible Study group.

* Research spiritual growth books you would like to read and commit to reading at least one off the list.

These are just a few ideas to help you start thinking. We would love to hear what you choose as a spiritual goal. Sharing with us on Facebook or Instagram may help inspire someone else. In fact, finding a new way to share your faith may be just the spiritual goal God is calling you to today.

Whatever goal we choose, let’s allow today’s scripture to give us strength, courage and hope for how God will help us spiritually grow in 2023.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

On this Thankful Thursday I am reflecting on last week. I was blessed to have a week off from school which afforded me extra time to spend with family and friends who are like family. Today’s pictures are some of the highlights from my week.

I am also reflecting today on my mantra for the year, “be a light.” While I am giving thanks to God for all the blessings of last week, I wonder if I was shining the light of Christ while I interacted with others? Did I do everything “in the name of Jesus Christ”? There were moments that I lost my focus and acted more human than Christ-like. In fact, it’s mostly around family that we let our guard down and act more human. However, I pray the prevalent reflection I present is that of Christ.

How can we stay focused on being a light for Christ, even when we are with family? We must give thanks. Having an attitude of thankfulness for even the smallest things helps me “do it all in the name of Lord Jesus”.

A couple weeks ago, I shared with you the practice of keeping a gratitude journal. Click here to read the post. Have you started writing down your gratitudes daily? If so, we would love to hear about your experience. Leave us a note or text/email one of us. Julie and I love sharing in your faith journey.

Today is also the first day of December. I encourage you to begin to pray about choosing a word, mantra, or both for 2023. Choosing a word/mantra has helped shape my walk with Christ and helped me be intentional. To stay focused on my word/mantra for 2022 I began writing both of them every day at the bottom of my gratitude list for the day.

As we go throughout this Thankful Thursday, let’s carry out Colossians 3:17.

“Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. * * *”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭MSG‬‬