The Magic Of Christmas |  |
Day 20 of 25"A Grateful Heart"A few years ago, Christmas was approaching and it didn't "feel" much like Christmas. I didn't feel much like celebrating. My life had taken a turn that I didn't expect, and I was having a hard time embracing my "new normal." My husband was in an inpatient treatment facility and my marriage was uncertain, to say the least. However, I had four daughters that very much wanted to celebrate. They had the magic of Christmas in their hearts and the wonder in their eyes. So, I had a choice. I could choose to focus on the things that were not going well, or I could choose joy. I could choose to be grateful for all of the things that were going well. My friend John Woodall often says that good and hard run on parallel tracks. Boy, is that true! How do you bounce back and forth from good and hard? 1 Thessalonians 5:15–28 says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” One practical thing I did was to make a list of the things I was grateful for. At first, my frustrated heart could only think of basic things like my health, my girls’ health, our home, my job, my small group, my friends, my family, etc. However, as I kept writing, I realized that I was thankful for people I had met because of the difficult situation we were in. Yes, things were difficult, but after I thought about the things I was thankful for, my heart began to change. I started to feel a peace and actually began to get excited about celebrating Christmas with the girls. I realized that God was WITH me and FOR me. HE was the one that had provided all of the things I had written on the list. And he was up to something. I could "be still" with a grateful heart. What is it that you need to be grateful for this season? Are you able to find joy in hard times? Are you able to rise above your circumstances and focus on all that Jesus has done for you? What would it look like to let Jesus carry those burdens so you could be grateful for all that is going well? Jenny Boyett Assimilation Psalms 118 I Thessalonians 5:15-28 Exodus 14:14 Psalms 118 NKJV
Praise to God for His Everlasting Mercy 1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord , for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Let Israel now say, “His mercy endures forever.” 3 Let the house of Aaron now say, “His mercy endures forever.” 4 Let those who fear the Lord now say, “His mercy endures forever.” 5 I called on the Lord in distress; The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. 6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? 7 The Lord is for me among those who help me; Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me. 8 It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in princes. 10 All nations surrounded me, But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. 11 They surrounded me, Yes, they surrounded me; But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. 12 They surrounded me like bees; They were quenched like a fire of thorns; For in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. 13 You pushed me violently, that I might fall, But the Lord helped me. 14The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. 15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation Is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. 16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
This chapter has 29 verses
I Thessalonians 5:15-28 NKJV
15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. Blessing and Admonition 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 25 Brethren, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. |
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