Scripture says we are to “love others as we love ourselves” (Mark 12:33, author’s paraphrase). Maybe the reason there is so much harsh treatment of others is that people hate themselves. They don’t have an understanding of how deeply God loves and values them, and as a result feel less-than and condemned most of the time. They can’t give to others what they don’t have, so they project that same attitude toward those around them!
If all you can think about is yourself, then your thinking is very small! When you place your cares, concerns and hurts in the hands of Jesus, then you’re free to focus on ministering to the cares, concerns and hurts of others. What Jesus has done for you is now your privilege to do for others!
Remember that regardless of how difficult the crisis is that you may be facing, DON’T GIVE UP! God WILL guide you in your everyday affairs. He is committed to you more than you could ever commit to Him!
Throughout our lives as believers, a very important message we can “preach” to those around us is the example of our lifestyle. We don’t react or breakdown under pressure, we stand on the faithfulness of God’s Word in every situation and see the deliverance of the Lord!
If someone else’s actions or choices have you feeling like a hostage in a canoe in a hurricane, don’t give in to anger or fear and anxiety! Jesus is with you in that boat, and in His name we can command peace to EVERY storm!
Millions of people around the globe today, even a couple of billion, celebrate this Christmas Christ who lives in the heart. Remember, the God who is the creator of the universe and all that we see, He’s NOT some ethereal, cosmic, mystic being. You’re not alone this Christmas! Jesus is God with us, Emmanuel—the One who has come to live and dwell in our hearts!
What have you been given that makes you rich? You have been given righteousness, which gives you a new self-image. You have been given eternal life, which gives you perspective and purpose. You also have been given authority, which is the right to exercise power over all sicknesses, all bondages and all demons! We’re all focused on presents right now, but can there be better gifts than these? Tell someone about JESUS for Christmas!
We are told over and over in the Scriptures not to worry, fret, or have anxiety about anything, but to trust in God. Why? Because our physical bodies are not designed to handle too much stress. We are designed to live fear-free and stress-free!
According to Colossians 1:27, “Christ now lives in you.” Where is the presence of God? I’m not looking over here or over there, I am relishing His abundance and living in the glory of His love and His life and His Spirit in me right NOW! I come BOLDLY to His throne of grace and receive what I have need of from Him!
You could say that whatever you give yourself to will increase. Whatever you put your focus on will multiply. In your life, whatever you pay attention to will grow, and whatever you ignore will diminish. You DO have control over things that would try to control you!
