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A Prayer to Let Things GoBy Laura Bailey "If it is possible‚ as far as it depends on you‚ live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18 NIV Recently I had the rare treat of grabbing dinner with some of my closest girlfriends. We began discussing our upcoming holiday plans. Within minutes the topic of in-laws‚ family tension‚ and general dread over getting together with relatives in the upcoming weeks was brought up.  Even in the best circumstances‚ familial relations can be difficult to navigate. Dynamics can change yearly with new additions‚ such as a recent marriage or a baby’s birth. Or perhaps your family feels the strain from the absence of a beloved patriarch or matriarch. While not always avoidable‚ relationship tension can be managed or at least subdued. I'll admit‚ I can easily get my feathers ruffled‚ especially regarding family. I perceive every slight‚ often take things the wrong way‚ and typically assume the worse in family members. Complaining to my husband about a last-minute change in holiday plans‚ my daughter‚ who I didn't know was in the other room‚ piped up‚ " Mom‚ just do like you tell me; let it go!" Welp‚ I wish I could relive those last five minutes. Had she just heard my whining and griping about something I knew deep down wasn't a big deal? Nonetheless‚ she was right; I just needed to let it go. While this instance shouldn't have stirred me up‚ there are times when it may be appropriate to politely‚ without anger‚ speak up. When plans don't work with our family's schedule‚ we don't have completely adjust our calendar‚ we can gently inquire if there is another date that would work for everyone. When our family members bring up topics that create strife and discord‚ we can politely suggest avoiding those subjects and transitioning the conversation. When our in-laws ask a question about a food choice‚ child's clothing‚ or the decision to stay in a hotel over their house‚ we can assume they are just inquiring‚ not knit-picking our decisions. Paul knew that it was impossible for humans to avoid conflict‚ nor should we. Healthy conflict is good for a relationship; airing our grievances and talking through issues that causes irritation or hurt feelings helps to strengthen bonds. However‚ we must be diligent in guarding our words‚ protecting our hearts‚ and carefully thinking before we speak.   Paul gives us two stipulations in Romans 12:18. " if possible‚" and "as it depends on you‚" living at peace with everyone means we have a choice. Sometimes that means we say nothing‚ ignore slights‚ and actively let things go for the sake of peace. It's not just around the holiday table‚ but all year long‚ to our relatives‚ the family of believers‚ and unbelievers. As you trim the tree‚ wrap the gifts‚ and celebrate the Christmas season‚ let's do our part to share peace on earth.  Let's Pray: Heavenly Father‚ we humbly come before you‚ asking that you forgive us when we fall short. You offer us unlimited grace‚ abundant mercy‚ and unwavering love; thank you. Thank you for your son‚ Jesus‚ His death and resurrection making way for us to be redeemed. We are filled with hope as we eagerly await the return of your Son; when all will be made new‚ we will be glorified‚ and the effects of sin will be gone! Lord‚ thank you for the family‚ both by blood and through Christ‚ you have placed in our lives. Guide our conversations‚ convict us when we've wronged others‚ and help us to guard our speech. Let us do nothing out of selfish ambition but think of others more than ourselves‚ looking to the perfect example in Christ Jesus. We ask that the Holy Spirit work in our lives as we assume the best in people and let the words of our mouths and actions align with someone who professes to be a follower of Christ.  Should our feelings be hurt‚ our preferences overlooked‚ and our opinions ignored‚ let us forgive quickly‚ turning the other cheek. Let us choose the path to peace‚ no matter the cost to our personal pride. Help us to apologize when we've wronged others swiftly. May we remember that our Father in Heaven sees all‚ and You are just‚ and you will avenge and judge rightly. In Jesus' Name‚ Amen. Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/twpixels 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 Let Things Go – Your Daily Prayer – December 6 appeared first on GodUpdates.

December 6‚ 2023 Awe and WonderRUTH CHOU SIMONS Lee en español "When I look at your heavens‚ the work of your fingers‚ the moon and the stars‚ which you have set in place‚ what is man that you are mindful of him‚ and the son of man that you care for him?" Psalm 8:3-4 (ESV) When was the last time you stared at the night sky and tried to count the stars? It causes me to marvel every time ... and it should! God and His design for us are much more complex and extravagant than we know. In the dizzying array of technology and man-made creations‚ it's easy to be in awe of the work of our own hands‚ forgetting that the very breath we breathe is a gift from God. In this way‚ miracles happen every day. They may not look like the literal parting of the Red Sea‚ but God makes a way through the wilderness each and every day of our lives - starting‚ first and foremost‚ with the way of salvation through the promised Savior of the world‚ Jesus of Nazareth. The psalmist who wrote Psalm 8‚ David‚ didn't know the wonders of the virgin birth and the sinless life‚ burial and resurrection of Christ. But David experienced a profound sense of awe when he considered the handiwork of God as the Creator who spoke the world into existence: "When I look at your heavens‚ the work of your fingers‚ the moon and the stars‚ which you have set in place‚ what is man that you are mindful of him‚ and the son of man that you care for him?" (Psalm 8:3-4). Day by day‚ God continues to hold the world together by His power. From the sun that calls this day into order‚ piercing through the darkest night‚ to the blazing sunset that lingers past the day's toils‚ God still puts His power and sovereign care on display. He still calls us to respond with wonder and awe. So does this Christmas season find you full of awe and wonder or jaded from the numbing strain of busyness? It's hard to be full of praise and adoration when we are filled with worry and striving. Are you tempted to discount the seemingly unremarkable corners of your life? What if the God of wonders is at work in more ways than you can possibly imagine? The true miracle of Christmas isn't simply the virgin birth; it's much greater than even that incredible event. The miracle of Christmas is in this: A holy God made a way for all who believe to come to Him ... because He first came to us. Let that sink in. God's promises‚ fulfilled by God Himself‚ are more than remarkable. They merit a response - not to get busy but to fall down in reverence and awe for our great God. And as we consider this great love and pursuit from the Father‚ He doesn't seek a response of showy extravagance; He desires our surrendered praise. O‚ that we might bow low and respond with lifted hearts‚ declaring‚ "You are God Almighty‚ and we stand in awe of You." Father‚ You are worthy of our praise. You draw near to us each day and put on display the ways You are still sovereign and good. Please forgive us for the ways we try to steal Your glory and trust in ourselves. May we give You the adoration and praise You deserve - not just this Christmas season but each and every day. In Jesus' Name‚ Amen. OUR FAVORITE THINGS For more about preparing room for Christ in your heart this Advent season‚ read Ruth Chou Simons' Advent devotional‚ Emmanuel. ENGAGE Learn more about Ruth's ministry and role as the founder of GraceLaced at ruthchousimons.com. FOR DEEPER STUDY Psalm 33:6-9‚ "By the word of the LORD the heavens were made‚ and by the breath of his mouth all their host. He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke‚ and it came to be; he commanded‚ and it stood firm" (ESV). Consider reading the lyrics to "O Come‚ All Ye Faithful‚" and spend some time adoring Christ in prayer. What stirs up awe and wonder in your soul? Share with us in the comments today! © 2023 by Ruth Chou Simons. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews‚ NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post Awe and Wonder –  Encouragement for Today – December 6‚ 2023 appeared first on GodUpdates.

1424 - Don Alfonso V of Aragon grants Barcelona the right to exclude Jews 1756 - British troops under Robert Clive occupy Fulta‚ India 1866 - Chicago water supply tunnel 3‚227 m into Lake Michigan completed 1875 - 44th Congress (1875-77) convenes 1903 - Sumatra Atjehs guerilla leader Panglima Polim surrenders 1925 - Record 73‚000 pay to watch Chicago Bears beat NY Giants 19-7 1956 - Soviet gymnast Viktor Chukarin follows his parallel bars gold medal with the individual all-round title and teams gold at the Melbourne Olympics 1957 - Gardnar Mulloy becomes oldest American to win a Davis Cup tennis match at age 44 years‚ 14 days; teams with Vic Seixas to give US a match-clinching‚ 3-0 lead over the Philippines in the Inter Zone 1st round in Adelaide‚ Australia 1973 - NL votes to move San Diego Padres to Washington‚ D.C. (doesn't happen) 2017 - Britain's top Brexit negotiator David Davis admits there has been "no systematic impact assessment" on effects of Brexit More Historical Events »

Historical Events 1160 - Jean Bodels "Jeu de St Nicholas" premieres in Arras 1732 - 1st play in American colonies acted by professional players in New York 1964 - "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" 1st airs on TV 1969 - Oscar Brown‚ Jr's musical "Buck White"‚ starring Muhammad Ali‚ closes at George Abbott Theatre‚ NYC‚ after 7 performances 1988 - Merv Hughes takes 13 wickets v WI at the WACA but Australia lose 2018 - Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry explodes for franchise-record 238 yards and 4 touchdowns in 30-9 win v Jacksonville Jaguars in Nashville; 99-yard TD run ties Dallas Cowboys HOF RB Tony Dorsett's longest run in NFL history More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1814 - Juan Prim‚ Spanish general and politician (Prime Minister‚ 1869-70)‚ born in Reus‚ Catalonia (d. 1870) 1890 - Dion Fortune‚ British occultist and author (Psychic Self-Defence‚ The Mystical Qabalah)‚ born in Llandudno‚ Wales (d. 1946) 1948 - Marius Müller-Westernhagen‚ German rocker (Stinker)‚ born in Düsseldorf‚ Germany 1951 - Gerry Francis‚ English footballer and manager‚ born in Chiswick‚ London 1976 - Colleen Haskell‚ American television personality (Survivor: Borneo 2000 contestant)‚ born in Bethesda‚ Maryland 1979 - Luke Letlow‚ American businessman and politician‚ elected to US House of Representatives for Louisiana‚ but died before taking office‚ born in Monroe‚ Louisiana (d. 2020) More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1779 - Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin‚ French painter‚ dies at 80 1855 - William John Swainson‚ English naturalist and artist‚ dies at 66 1991 - Jack Hunter {John Averona]‚ American big band vocalist (Elliot Lawrence Orchestra - "Apple Blossom Time")‚ dies at 72 1992 - (Karl) Yngve Sköld‚ Swedish organist‚ pianist‚ and composer‚ dies at 93 2019 - Jo Ann Washam‚ American golfer (Women's PGA C'ship 1975 3rd; 3 LPGA Tour titles)‚ dies at 69 2022 - Mills Lane‚ American boxing referee (Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson II 1997; International Boxing HOF) and television personality ('Judge Mills Lane')‚ dies at 85 More Famous Deaths »