This week marks the beginning of the Advent season. Derived from the Latin word adventus which means coming, the next weeks are spent in anticipation of commemoration of the birth of the Messiah. As Christians we also wait for the second coming of Jesus Christ to earth. As we await Christmas and His second coming we have an opportunity especially in this Advent season to ‘start again’ as His mercies are new every morning.
Three Steps to Walk Lighter This Month:
The weeks before Christmas in our society can be wrought
People watching at restaurants is one of my favorite pastimes. What I know is that no one eats alone. Whether with others at the table or not, cell phones or computers are always present and in use. I have seen entire meals spent on the phone while a person is sitting with someone.
WOW-when did we as a culture become so disrespectful of one another? 99.9% of what I hear (for some reason folks talk extra loud on their cells) is just chatter. Turn off the electronics! Really engage with those around you.
It is the most wonderful time of the year! Have you noticed that people seem a little friendlier between Thanksgiving and Christmas? There truly seems to be a “spirit of Christmas.”
This is also a time you can easily overdo. With frayed nerves, you can live the next month stressed out and miss the real reason for Christmas. Jesus is the greatest gift that you can give to anyone. If you keep Him close in your heart and allow His heart of love and compassion to work through you, you will bring His peace to each situation you encounter.
In Esther’s Warriors Ministry, we began in 2012 ‘praying the states’ for healing for our Nation. Queen Esther went before the king to intercede for her people. We go before the King to intercede for our Nation ‘for such a time as this’ (Esther 4:14). We pray for each state in the order of admission to the Union and will continue. Our Nation more than ever needs consistent, diligent prayer cover state by state.
Most often, the best thing to do is to walk away from antagonistic folks. Many people are quite contentious these days. They will pick a fight with you or cause strife over anything. Do not take the bait!
Especially as we enter the holiday season and nerves can be frayed, look for ways to bring peace to the situation rather than angst. As a follower of Jesus Christ you are to walk with your feet shod with the Gospel of peace and reflect Him. Check your heart, for it is always a heart issue. If you are constantly thinking it
The other day, I was picking up Christmas cards at a local Wal-Mart. I found the perfect Dayspring cards with an awesome Jesus message. I said a little prayer that whoever would read it would be touched no matter what their relationship with God may or may not be.
As I was checking out I watched the clerk read the card and a change came over her demeanor. Thank You, God. Now it begins! The next day I returned to pick up another box to be sure I would not run out. As I stepped up to the register the
For those of you who are not on certain Social Media sites, I publish “Short Takes” every day. Below are the takes for last week. Also are included links to short posts “From the Archives of Esther’s Warriors Ministry.” I pray they bless you and keep you striving toward a full Kingdom walk ‘for such a time as this!’
God Bless,
Michele
~“Resting through” is far better than “stressing through.”
~Hold fast to His vision. ~Many grow cold. ~Choose things of eternal value. ~Choose Kingdom!
~Look for new opportunities. ~Do not wallow in old dead ends. ~”I
Some people are so broken by rejection and life experience. The fragmented shards remain in their heart (and it is always a heart issue) and continue to cut deep into each relationship and circumstance they encounter. The depth and gravity of former wounding continues to distort each situation in their life. The distortion is so deceptive that they do not really know what is truth and what is a lie. This plays out quite vividly in relationship.
Toxicity is so prevalent today that it has become acceptable by many. If you have to ‘keep trying harder’ to make it work,
Life is a series of experiences. It is simply that. The value you assign to each experience…positive or negative…will greatly impact your journey through life. If you tend to see the negative side of a situation you will surely miss any positive you could enjoy along the way. I am not saying to be a Pollyanna and not see reality. What I am saying is to stay positive, use discernment and keep your vision forward .
Do not sweat the small stuff. In the realm of all eternity, it is all small stuff! Trust in the Lord, for therein lies
