A Prayer to Practice Christmas Cheer All Year AroundBy Laura Bailey "Put on then‚ as God’s chosen ones‚ holy and beloved‚ compassionate hearts‚ kindness‚ humility‚ meekness‚ and patience‚ bearing with one another and‚ if one has a complaint against another‚ forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you‚ so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love‚ which binds everything together in perfect harmony." – Colossians 3:12-13‚ ESV There's no denying that the Christmas season brings a mixture of emotions; within minutes‚ we can feel joy‚ excitement‚ anxiousness‚ irritation‚ and loneliness. But year after year‚ among the hustle and bustle‚ I've noticed that people are kinder‚ more patient‚ and generally in a better mood‚ which I attribute to the gift of Christmas cheer.  As I pulled out of the parking lot the other day‚ my car loaded with Christmas gifts and goodies‚ I neglected to see a woman putting up her cart. In my haste‚ I almost hit her; thankfully‚ she saw me and quickly jumped out of the way. I leaped out of the car‚ apologizing profusely‚ anxious about what words she might have for me. Instead of scolding me‚ she smiled warmly‚ "it's okay; I know it was just an accident." I apologized again‚ gratefully got back in my car‚ and headed home. I replayed that incident‚ shocked at the woman’s response. Then‚ I began to think about the last few weeks‚ how it seemed as soon as the calendar flipped to December‚ for the most part‚ people were just nicer to each other.  "You have less in your cart than me; why don't you go ahead of me?" "Can I help you to your car? I see you have your hands full with your kids?" "Your coffee was paid for by the customer in front of you; Merry Christmas!" Everyone's in a rush but offers to let others check out first or take their spot in the pick-up line. A long line typically results in irritation but instead provides an opportunity to bless someone else whose been waiting patiently. Total strangers lend a helping hand to a young mother when they would have walked past her the weeks before. The Christmas season is magical‚ with snow-covered trees‚ twinkling lights‚ and favorite traditions shared with family and friends. Yet‚ we often put up our Christmas cheer too. We forget why we celebrate Christmas‚ the birth of our Savior‚ Jesus Christ. This truth should encourage us to be joyful at Christmas and every day.  I encourage us this year to keep our Christmas cheer present in our hearts year around. We can practice patience and forgiveness and extend grace during the holidays and beyond. Let's treat each day as a gift and remember that every day is an opportunity to share the Good News and show Christ's love to a broken world.  Let's Pray: Dear Heavenly Father‚ no words describe how incredibly grateful we are for the gift of your son‚ Jesus Christ. So many distractions in this world‚ especially during Christmas‚ keep us focused on You. Thank you for preparing our hearts and minds as we celebrated the arrival of your son and‚ ultimately‚ the second coming‚ when all will be made new.  We pray for those who have lost loved ones and deeply feel the weight of grief during the holiday season. We pray for those experiencing family tension and strife‚ that their conversations may be filled with compassion‚ and forgiveness is offered quickly to those who offend. We pray for those experiencing health issues‚ financial crises‚ wayward children‚ and general unrest. May you quiet their hearts and minds‚ comforting and offering peace only you can give. We ask‚ Lord‚ that we practice patience‚ humility‚ love‚ and forgiveness to all who cross our paths‚ not just in December but year around. May our actions draw people closer to You‚ let our words be a calming balm to a hurt soul‚ let us give generously to those in need‚ and bear one another’s burdens‚ always remembering to pray in your name.  We love you‚ Lord; forgive us when we sin against you; help us to be more like you tomorrow than we were today. In Jesus' Name‚ Amen. Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Irina Chernysh Laura Bailey is a Bible teacher who challenges and encourages women to dive deep in the Scriptures‚ shift from an earthly to an eternal mindset‚ and filter life through the lens of God's Word.  She is the author of Beyond the Noise‚ and loves any opportunity to speak and teach women of all ages. She is a wife and momma to three young girls. Connect with her on her website‚  www.LauraRBailey.com‚ Facebook and Instagram. LISTEN to More Christmas Prayers on LifeAudio Teach Us to Pray is a FREE prayer podcast hosted by iBelieve writer Christina Patterson. Each week‚ she gives you practical‚ real-life tips on how to grow your faith and relationship with God through the power of prayer. To listen to her episode on What to Pray in the Morning for a Worry-Free Day‚ click below! Now that you’ve prayed‚ are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! Visit iBelieve.com for more inspiring prayer content. The post A Prayer to Practice Christmas Cheer All Year Long – Your Daily Prayer – December 26 appeared first on GodUpdates.

The Right Way to Speak Truth into Others' Lives Those who guard their lips preserve their lives‚ but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.Proverbs 13:3 A mother recounts how her kids won four free goldfish at a school carnival. So she went out and bought a used 10-gallon aquarium for a mere 5 dollars. Of course‚ it was dirty‚ but the savings made the two hours of clean-up a breeze. Those four new fish looked great in their new home... at least for the first day. But by the next day‚ one had died. Too bad‚ but three remained. Monday morning revealed a second casualty‚ and by Monday night a third goldfish had gone belly up. So she called in an expert‚ a friend who had a 30-gallon tank. It didn't take him long to discover the problem: She had washed the tank with soap‚ an absolute no-no. Her uninformed efforts had destroyed the very lives she was trying to protect. All too often‚ in our zeal to clean up the world around us‚ we unfortunately use "killer soaps"-condemnation‚ criticism‚ nagging‚ and angry words. At the moment‚ it seems like we're doing the right thing‚ but our harsh‚ self-righteous treatment is more than others can bear. So what's the answer? Well‚ we have to use words of love when dealing with the sin of others. We can't expect people to respond to our negative attitudes‚ but must affirm we love them and express a genuine concern for their well-being. That's the key to speaking truth into others' lives! Prayer Challenge Pray that God would help you speak the truth to others in a spirit of love and unity. Questions for Thought How have you seen the power of words to tear down or lift up in the past? Who are some people in your life today to whom you can speak truth in a spirit of love and affirmation? Visit the Senior Living Ministries website The post The Right Way to Speak Truth into Others’ Lives – Senior Living – December 26 appeared first on GodUpdates.

December 26‚ 2023 A Pondering PerspectiveSARAH FREYMUTH Lee en español "But Mary treasured up all these things‚ pondering them in her heart." Luke 2:19 (ESV) A festive tree. Twinkling lights. Hot cocoa. Everything screams "cozy" in the Christmas season. However‚ behind the scenes‚ we've scrambled to find gifts on lists‚ top off our decorations from last year‚ and strain our brains as we assess the events piled up on the calendar. The weeks leading up to Christmas nearly bowl us over with stress‚ strain and uncertainty. Woven within the wonder of caroling and cookie decorating‚ the pace of it all threatens to knot us up and choke the life out of what this season truly offers. There's hardly any time to sit still and be. Or maybe this holiday season has brought up emotions of loss‚ loneliness and forgottenness. You’ve tried to escape them‚ but in the face of festivities‚ there seems to be nothing but time to process what you’ve experienced. Either way‚ after the chaos of Christmas Day has passed‚ our weary hearts may need a rest and a perspective shift. So travel back in time with me to the first Christmas. After miles on the back of a donkey‚ traveling to a city with no accommodations. After a manger and a baby. After a brightly shining star and holy songs sung by angels. Now‚ it is calm. A man‚ a woman and a child. Above their heads‚ the sky winks with a night wrapped in soft‚ quiet wonder. Lying beside her sleeping boy‚ Mary takes in His every feature. With a few moments of peace to reflect‚ she remembers the journey ... She recalls the angel Gabriel appearing to her with a nation's long-awaited news of a Messiah - how surprised and terrified she had been (Luke 1:26-33)! The Savior would be knitted together in her womb. This alone would have been enough to overwhelm‚ but she likely also endured the looks and whispers of Nazareth's busybodies‚ who knew she was betrothed (not married) yet bearing a belly. Unheard of. Unspeakable. The angel of the Lord told her not to be afraid‚ for the almighty God showed favor to her in her unwavering and innocent faith. God knew she would be the one to carry His Son‚ to raise the man who would raise the dead. So she took hold of her faith‚ following her fiancé‚ Joseph‚ to a tiny town‚ and welcomed the world's Light in the darkness of night. Here Mary rested‚ pondering all that had transpired. For this moment‚ this tired‚ breathless moment of reverence‚ she thought of nothing but the sound of her son‚ our Savior‚ breathing beside her. She treasured the stillness‚ a holy night frozen in time. This little boy was everyone's hope‚ and tonight‚ He was her own miracle. "But Mary treasured up all these things‚ pondering them in her heart" (Luke 2:19). How do we find a silent night in our stress-filled days to ponder the birth of our Lord and look forward to His coming again? We still our hearts and clear a space within us to ponder the wonders of the Lord. "For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation" (Psalm 62:1‚ ESV). Our souls need slowness to savor what this season means‚ what God's love means through Immanuel‚ God with us (Matthew 1:23). This week‚ as the dust of Christmas settles‚ let’s settle down. Maybe sit in a cozy chair in the corner of your living room. Turn the tree lights on and the clutter off. Silence yourself before your heavenly Father‚ pull out your Bible‚ and read the tale of wonder set in the town of Bethlehem. Let's ponder in our hearts and treasure the Savior who transforms our lives. Dear God‚ thank You for sending Your Son to save us from our sins. This is the purpose of Christmas. Please quiet my spirit. Take me back to that silent night so long ago. To the angels‚ to the manger‚ to that sleeping boy who saved us all. Please let me remember why we celebrate this most wondrous time - Your Son‚ Immanuel‚ God with us. In Jesus' Name‚ Amen. OUR FAVORITE THINGS If you've been in a season of doubt or if things have felt uncertain‚ unpredictable and unreliable‚ our new study is for you ... Keep Holding On: 30 Promises From God You Can Cling to Right Now. This 30-day journey will be a lifeline that will show you what is always certain‚ sure and true with God. Each week‚ we'll give you a promise to pray through and a promise to cling to‚ plus other features to help you apply what you are learning. Click here to get your study guide‚ and join us on January 8 in the free First 5 mobile app! ENGAGE Connect with Sarah Freymuth on her website‚ Instagram or Facebook. FOR DEEPER STUDY Isaiah 7:14‚ "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold‚ the virgin shall conceive and bear a son‚ and shall call his name Immanuel" (ESV). Isaiah 26:3‚ "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you‚ because he trusts in you" (ESV). What is keeping you from slowing down to receive the gift of Jesus‚ who is God with us? Take some time to sit and slow down today. Light a candle. Play a soft Christmas hymn in the background. Write a prayer to God reimagining the night of Jesus' birth. Thank Him for all the ways He has been good to you. In the comments‚ share how you plan to ponder the wonder of Christmas this week. © 2023 by Sarah Freymuth. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews‚ NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post A Pondering Perspective – Encouragement for Today – December 26‚ 2023 appeared first on GodUpdates.

1925 - 1st East-West Shrine Bowl game of college football 'all-stars' played before 25‚000 fans at Ewing Park‚ San Francisco. Proceeds continue to benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children. 1940 - JA Fields/J Chodorov's "My Sister Eileen‚" premieres in NYC 1954 - "The Shadow" airs for last time on radio 1968 - Bruin Ted Green sets NHL penalty record of 3 minors‚ 2 majors and 2 game misconducts in a game against NY Rangers in NY's Madison Square Garden 1968 - Led Zeppelin's concert debut in Denver as opener for Vanilla Fudge 1972 - Ballon d'Or: Bayern Munich defender Franz Beckenbauer wins award for best European football player ahead of tied fellow German duo of Gerd Müller and Günter Netzer 1973 - Horror film "The Exorcist" based on book and screenplay by William Peter Blatty‚ starring Linda Blair‚ rated X‚ premieres - 1st horror film to be nominated for Best Picture 1975 - Crowd of 85‚661 attend the 1st day of the Australia vs West Indies MCG cricket test 1991 - Gun of Jack Ruby‚ killer of Lee Harvey Oswald‚ sells for $220‚000 at auction 2003 - A magnitude 6.6 earthquake devastates southeast Iranian city of Bam‚ killing tens of thousands and destroying the citadel of Arg-é Bam. More Historical Events »

Historical Events 1854 - Treaty of Medicine Creek signed by Nisqually‚ Puyallup and Coast Salish peoples with Isaac Ingalls Stevens‚ Governor of Washington Territory‚ giving up 2.5 million acres to preserve fishing and gathering rights 1870 - The 12.8-km long Fréjus Rail Tunnel through the Alps is completed. 1954 - National Football League Championship‚ Cleveland Municipal Stadium: Cleveland Browns thrash Detroit Lions‚ 56-10; Browns' placekicker Lou Groza makes 8 extra points‚ a new title game record 1962 - Dmitri Shostakovich's opera "Katerina Ismailova" premieres in Moscow 1967 - Ballon d'Or: Ferencváros forward Flórián Albert wins award for best European football player ahead of Manchester United midfielder Bobby Charlton and Celtic winger Jimmy Johnstone 1968 - Bruin Ted Green sets NHL penalty record of 3 minors‚ 2 majors and 2 game misconducts in a game against NY Rangers in NY's Madison Square Garden More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1935 - Gnassingbé Eyadéma‚ General and President of Togo (1967-2005)‚ born in Kozah‚ Togo (d. 2005) 1942 - Antonio Juliano‚ Italian soccer midfielder (13 caps; Napoli 394 games‚ Bologna)‚ born in Naples‚ Italy (d. 2023) 1966 - Rickey Dixon‚ American College Football Hall of Fame cornerback (Jim Thorpe Award 1987; Oklahoma Sooners; Cincinnati Bengals‚ LA Raiders)‚ born in Dallas‚ Texas (d. 2020) 1970 - Krissada Terrence‚ Thai-American pop singer and actor‚ born in Thailand 1974 - Tiffany Brissette‚ American actress (Vicki-Small Wonder)‚ born in Paradise‚ California 1986 - Kit Harington [Christopher Catesby Harington]‚ English actor (Game of Thrones)‚ born in London‚ England More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1837 - Martinus van Marum‚ Dutch physician and inventor (constructed largest electrostatic machine in the world)‚ dies at 87 1916 - Bernhard Scholz‚ composer‚ dies at 81 1965 - Nico Donkersloot‚ Dutch literary and writer‚ dies at 63 1985 - Dian Fossey‚ American zoologist (Gorillas in the Mist)‚ murdered in Rwanda at 53 2016 - George S. Irving [Shelasky]‚ American broadway singer and actor (Dumplings)‚ dies at 94 2020 - Jim McLean‚ Scottish soccer forward (Hamilton Academical‚ Clyde‚ Dundee) and manager (Dundee United 1971-93)‚ dies from dementia at 83 More Famous Deaths »

CBS News correspondent Catherine Herridge warned viewers to expect a potential “Black Swan event” in the 2024 election cycle‚ foreshadowing a national security crisis with unpredictably high impact. A “Black Swan event” refers to an [...] The post Mainstream Media Predicts ‘Black Swan Event’ During 2024 Election Cycle appeared first on The People's Voice.

Hundreds of millions of Americans are “likely to join” a major class action lawsuit against Big Pharma companies Moderna and Pfizer over the disastrous consequences of Covid mRNA vaccines. According to a recent Rasmussen Reports [...] The post 42% of Americans ‘Likely To Join’ Class Action Lawsuit Against Big Pharma Over Covid Vaccines appeared first on The People's Voice.

Thousands of truck drivers have vowed to boycott the state of Colorado until Donald J. Trump’s name is restored to the ballot. “All trucking shall stop. All trucking and shipping will now cease until Trump [...] The post Thousands Of Truckers Vow To Boycott Colorado Until Trump’s Name Is Back On Ballot appeared first on The People's Voice.