Jesus –Others–Yourself
We are quickly approaching Christmas as we enter this third week of Advent. For many tension rises and anxiety spikes as you search for the perfect gift for everyone, plan your holiday meals and so much more. It can be exhausting just thinking about all that is yet to be accomplished. In the busyness of this season do not let go of the real reason we are celebrating.
Jesus Christ is God’s most extravagant gift to all who will receive Him. He is ‘the reason for the season.’ Keep that in the forefront of your heart and mind as you go through the next week or so and take time to refresh yourself in Him. Make Him the center of your family celebrations.
Make Jesus the center of your heart’s desire. What you treasure most is where your heart is focused. There is no greater gift than Jesus.
This gift is eternal and will not be break, rust or wear out for He is ever faithful to those called by His name.
Jesus is First!
The acronym for joy is Jesus-Others-Yourself. If you live daily with this order of outlook you will find your life fall into a joy you have not yet experienced. To put Jesus first in your heart (and it is always, always, always a heart issue) opens the way for Him to shed His compassion through you.
His light will shine through you. The joy of the Lord will emanate from you. When you focus on Him first His Spirit will move you away from being caught up in the whirlwind of worldly gossip, judgment and every other evil work.
Consider Others
With Jesus first, place others next. His compassion, light and joy will flow through you to others. Step away from being overwhelmed with wondering and talking about what others say or do that offends you. Their actions may not be what you think they should be but responding in kind or ruminating on these things pulls you away from the fullness of what He can do through you for others.
Focusing on perceived wrongs whether justified or not only drains you physically, emotionally and spiritually.
See others with the love and compassion of Christ. God has gifted each and every one of us as unique and beautiful in His sight.
Purpose to see others with His eyes.
You have no idea what another is living so leave judgment behind and simply be present to them in the fullness of God’s grace through you. Respect what another may be walking through. Listen with an open heart and stop judging what you think they should be doing.
I believe we are each doing our best as we grow in the Lord. Not one of us is perfect. Each of us is challenged with something. We are all challenged to love one another and leave the rest to Him. Live with His joy in your life toward others. Let Him work in your heart and on the hearts of others to bring the fullness of healing and restoration to each and every situation.
Care for Yourself
Last but not least consider yourself. Make sure you are taking care of the temple (your body, mind and spirit) that God has entrusted to you. Get enough sleep, eat wisely, and exercise your body, mind and spirit. Commit to spending time reading the Word to nourish your spirit in these times. Read uplifting works and exercise your mind through elevating conversation. Forgo anything or anyone that is toxic to you.
I am not saying to delete people who simply annoy you as God may be working on perfecting you through relationship. What I am saying is to pray about your relationships and ask the Holy Spirit to show you if you have any connection that is not healthy for you. There are seasons in relationships that come to an end. Pray for the person, release them to the Lord and move on. He has more on the horizon for you.
In conclusion, start today to reorder your thinking for the future. Put Jesus first in all you do. Follow with others and then yourself for true J (Jesus)-O (others)-Y (yourself) to reign in your heart no matter what may be taking place around you.
Bring His joy, be His joy to others in this Christmas season and every day throughout the year!
Quotes to Ponder This Week
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” ~Jesus, Matthew 25:21
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” ~Jesus, John 15:11
“Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” ~Nehemiah 8:10
“But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.” ~Psalm 5:11
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” ~ Psalm 30:5
“My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.” ~Psalm 63:5-6
“The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy.” ~Psalm 126:3
“The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.” ~Proverbs 10:28
“…To give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness…” ~Isaiah 61:3
“…Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, o Lord God of hosts.” ~Jeremiah 15:16
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” ~Romans 15:13
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” ~James 1:2-3
“The out-and-out Christian is a joyful Christian. The half-and-half Christian is the kind of Christian that a great many of you are~~~little acquainted with the Lord. Why should we live halfway up the hill and swathed in the mists, when we might have an unclouded sky and a radiant sun over our heads if we would climb higher and walk in the light of His face?” ~Alexander Maclaren
“It is His joy that remains in us that makes our joy full.” ~ A. B. Simpson
“What I am anxious to see in Christian believers is a beautiful paradox. I want to see in them the joy of finding God while at the same time they are blessedly pursuing Him. I want to see in them the great joy of having God yet always wanting Him.” ~ A. W. Tozer
“Joy is the serious business of Heaven.” ~ C. S. Lewis
It Is Never Too Late!
If you have not yet made the decision to accept Jesus Christ into your heart, do it now. Do not wait another minute. Speak to Him from your heart (for it is always a heart issue). Tell Him you have fallen short in your life. Sincerely apologize for your sins. Ask Him to cleanse you and come into your heart and be Lord over your life. From this moment forward, let His Spirit guide you along the narrow road that leads to everlasting life!
Calling all Prayer Warriors…
Please keep our military and their families in prayer. Their life is a life of service to keep us all free and safe.
SEEK: Stay Equipped, Empowered, Kingdom focused! ©
Remember, it is always a heart issue!
For it is written:
“Yet who knows whether you have come to the Kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14
PrayforAmerica
GodBlessAmerica
PrayforthepeaceofJerusalem
Prayforoneanother
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WakeupAmerica
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