Let’s do a joy check-in. How has your joy been lately? Our joy found in Christ Jesus can overcome our adversities. A few years ago I saw an example of a “Joy Jar” on Pinterest. When I returned to work after that Christmas break there was a Mason jar, free to a good home. I immediately took that as a God wink to start my Joy Jar. The scripture verses I chose to reflect on came from ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:8,‭12‬ ‭NIV —

(verse 8) Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

(verse 12) Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.‬‬

This meant so much to me since that Christmas Eve we had received the news that my Dad was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. Since that diagnosis, my motto has been, “Finding Joy in the Journey.”

We must not let Satan steal our joy. Let’s think of it as daily giving Satan an eviction notice. We know that in the midst of our joys and sorrows, God works it all out together for our good. We can trample Satan and stand on ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — 

‭‭And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for working all things together for Your glory and my good. Today I will choose joy. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭MSG — Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.‬‬

Let’s do a last 90 days check-in. Are you getting up earlier to spend time on something you enjoy? Are you writing your five gratitudes? Are you drinking half your body weight in ounces of water? Are you getting 30 minutes of movement in? Are you eating the right foods? Maybe you’re successful at a few but need to be reminded again. It’s OK! We can’t be successful at everything all the time. Even in the indulgence of all the festivities, we can begin again.

In today’s verse we are told to be cheerful no matter what. How can we be cheerful? I think of the Christmas Spirit. We should remember to carry the Christmas Spirit with us not just in December but 365 days a year. God also wants us to live in constant communication with Him. We have 14 days left in the year. Let’s use this time to be thankful, find our gratitude, and share it with God and others through our Christmas Spirit. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You that I have the next 14 days to find gratitude. Help me to finish out the year strong by taking care of me so that I can share the Christmas Spirit with others well. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Let’s do an Advent check-in. How has your rejoicing through the Christmas season been? Today is the third Sunday of Advent which is also referred to as “Gaudete Sunday.” The Latin meaning of Gaudete is “rejoice.” Deborah shared on Gaudete Sunday a few years ago, which you can read by clicking the link. Her focus was on the verses that followed in Philippians 6-7. She shared about peace by taking our worries to God through prayer in the midst of our busy Christmas season. 

For today I want to focus on the second part of two key verses. According to the dictionary, gentleness is the quality of being kind, tender, and mild-mannered. Take a moment to think about the tenderness of baby Jesus. We should offer that same tenderness to others through a gentle spirit. We can’t be grouchy and rejoicing at the same time, right? I encourage us all to relax and really enjoy this week as we prepare for the birth of Jesus.

Let’s pray. Dear God, may the tender, gentle Spirit of Jesus shine through me today. When I start to get grouchy, help me to turn it into a rejoicing attitude of Christ. When others are grouchy towards me, guide me in showing kindness. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Psalm‬ ‭46‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭MSG‬‬ — Attention, all! See the marvels of God! He plants flowers and trees all over the earth, Bans war from pole to pole, breaks all the weapons across his knee. Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.

Join us for as we talk about being mindful during the Advent season!

‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV — 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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.‬‬

I will be reflecting on my Word of the Year each week during Advent. For 2023 my word has been love. In reading today’s verse, let’s reflect on the fact that God didn’t send Jesus to condemn us but rather to save us. It is natural for us to feel self-guilt and self-doubt. The truth is that God saves us daily with His infinite grace and unconditional love. 

Today’s Advent calendar activity suggests guided meditation by finding a quiet place. During this time you can recite some of your affirmations from yesterday. One example the book provides is, “I am worthy of love, respect, and all the beauty the world has to offer.” In taking time to destress, we can get rid of all the negative self-guilt and self-talk.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for I am worthy of your love. Help me to finish out 2023 with the confidence of knowing who I am in the genealogy of Jesus. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭90‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

In today’s verse, David is instructing us on how to gain wisdom by numbering our days. The Message version says, teach us to live wisely and well. Advent is also the beginning of the new liturgical church calendar. It can be the beginning of new growth found in our Christmas and ceremonial rituals.

Deborah and I first started our Water Walkers blog after being encouraged to take a social media class. We were stepping way out of our comfort zone. Today’s Advent calendar activity suggests writing affirmations. One of the suggested affirmations reads, “my potential is limitless, and I trust my journey and its beautiful twists.” Think about how limitless God is, the Savior of the world was a newborn baby. What are some limitless ways that you can grow spiritually? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for teaching me to number my days so that I can gain a heart of wisdom. Show me ways that I can grow spiritually closer to you as I prepare for the birth of Your son. In the name of Jesus’ I pray, Amen.

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV — So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.‬‬

Mary probably didn’t think she was worthy to carry baby Jesus. Take a moment to think about the status of women during that time, yet she was chosen to be a vessel to carry out the prophecy. I imagine God saw fruit-bearing characteristics in Mary.

Did you know that before a fruit tree grows fruit, it grows flowers? Fruit trees also produce oxygen. Christ Jesus is like oxygen. We need Him in our lives to blossom. When you look in the mirror do you see fruit-bearing characteristics? Today’s Advent calendar activity suggests making your own face mask. As we wash our faces today let’s be reminded that we are God’s children, worthy of His sacrificial cleanse and His call to bear fruit. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for being my Heavenly Father. Help me to be reminded that I am worthy and called to bear fruit. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.