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5 Tips to a Having a Positive Christmas

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Although we sing about Christmastime being the “hap, happiest time of the year,” a majority of people experience quite the opposite. Whether it’s family relationships, financial struggles or stress-filled schedules, this time of the year can be a challenge for even the most joyful of people. Here are a few holiday happiness boosters to help you discover delight in the season.

Determine to find the treasure in everyone. Let’s face it, during the holidays we are surrounded by a few (or more) negative and annoying people. But just as every coin has two sides, so every person has both difficult qualities and pleasant ones. Sometimes we have to dig a little deeper to find the hidden treasure in a person. Make it your own personal challenge to discover the treasure in every person you encounter from the lady in front of you at Target to your odd uncle from California.

Choose to forgive. Make a positive decision to give up the grievance or bitterness you are harboring in your heart toward someone. It is only weighing you down and making you unhappy. Move forward and let go of whatever you are holding onto, and you will experience a great sense of relief and freedom. You may need to continue to set wise boundaries from hurtful people, but hand your unforgiveness over to the Lord. He came at Christmas to offer forgiveness for all our sins, how can we not do the same for others?

Stay healthy. Be deliberate about taking care of your body during the holidays. Get the rest you need and don’t forget to take your vitamins (I know I sound like your mother). A good stress-relieving walk will strengthen you, both physically and emotionally. And be thoughtful about what you are putting in your mouth. If you eat crap – you will only feel crappy.  Try to be intentional about eating green and lean when you can throughout the holidays.

Give joyfully.  Keep your gift-giving perspective bright and loving. Instead of getting frustrated and stressed out as you shop, turn your attitude toward the wonderful thought that this is an opportunity to bless others. Pray for each person on your list and ask the Lord to show you what would be meaningful to that person. Remember, you can choose your perspective, so shop with a heart filled with love rather than grumbling.

Be Thankful. Every morning this week, take a moment to thank the Lord for at least five ways He has blessed you. Gratitude to God brings a fresh delight to your day. As you thank God for your immediate blessings, take a moment to reflect on the fact that Holy God came to this earth as a humble baby to bring us the greatest present of all – His Presence. He came to show us love and to offer His life as a sacrifice for our sins.

My hope for you this Christmas is that you will find your strength in Him and that you will know the love He has for you.

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  1 John 4:9,10

Reflecting Christmas

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The story of Christmas is rich with promise. This one simple story of a child in a manager offers magnificent hope for all eternity. To think that God chose to enter this world, to connect with sinful mankind and offer salvation through His Son! Christmas reminds us that God sees us, He hears us and He loves us. The grandest part of the story is that He chose to reconcile us to Himself through Jesus.

Christmas compels us to reflect this story, yet the overwhelming distractions from this season tend to keep us from living out its great truths. Past hurts and bitterness prevent us from reflecting His forgiveness and reconciliation. The busyness and bustle of the season, rob us of shining His peace, joy and hope in a dark world.

So let’s go to Him and ask His Spirit to shine boldly and brightly through our brokenness. And as much as it depends on us, let us live at peace with everyone. Let’s reconcile differences and reflect His forgiveness – it doesn’t take extra time as much as it takes extra heart.  May our prayer continually be, Father shine your love and forgiveness through me to the people around me. May I be your light in this dark world and reflect the true story of Christmas in my actions and words.

Victory of Peace

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The God of peace be with you all.

Romans 15:33

Peace between God and mankind began at Christmas as Jesus entered this world and the angels proclaimed, “Peace on earth to men of good will.”

Isn’t it ironic that during this Season of Peace, most people feel especially frazzled, overwhelmed and anxious? Between strained family relationships, crazy-busy schedules and over-the-top gift expectations, even the calmest of people can become a bit rattled. It’s easy at Christmas to lose sight of the fact that as believers in Christ, the God of peace is truly with us.

In the gospel of John, we read about Jesus preparing to go to the cross on our behalf. He reminded His disciples that the Father would send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to give us peace. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid,” (John 14:27). Jesus gave us a unique and wonderful gift, the gift of peace. Not a peace that the world gives, but rather a peace that only God can give, a peace that passes all understanding.

The cross was the ultimate victory providing peace with God through Jesus’ sacrifice. After Jesus ascended to Heaven, God did not leave us here alone to try to figure out life on our own. He gave us His Spirit.

Think about it – the very same Spirit of God who brought order from chaos when the universe was formed, is the Spirit that is with us!  Certainly He can bring a glorious peace to our restless hearts. So when you feel anxious or overwhelmed, remember this simple yet powerful phrase, The God of peace is with me. He will guide you and give you a new perspective. He will calm your chaos.

This is devotion also appears in Buckner International’s 2015 Advent Guide. Click here to download your free Advent Guide.

 

In Light of Paris

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Alexander III bridge, Paris, France

This weekend, we watched in horror as the terrible news from Paris unfolded. It’s hard to understand how people could choose to cause such suffering and pain in the lives of others. Our prayers go out to the victims and their families, as we struggle to find ways to demonstrate our support for them.

There are certain Psalms I reflect on every Monday, and as I meditated on Psalm 34 I thought it was timely in light of the tragedies in Paris. God’s word is always a source of comfort, wisdom and strength, particularly in times of difficulties. Take a moment to reflect on these words written by David as he expounded on the hope of those who fear the Lord.

Psalm 34

1 I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from telling lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to blot out their name from the earth.

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19 The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.

21 Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord will rescue his servants;
no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

The Bible leads us to find our hope in God. When life seems overwhelming or out of control, call out to Jesus. He is our source of salvation, comfort and strength. He is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. May you find your refuge in Him today.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the person who takes refuge in Him.” Verse 18