10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Good morning, friend,
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          If there is a single word that describes what Christmas is all about, it’s the little word “joy.”   Several of our favorite carols mention it: “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.”  “O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.”
 
          I get it if you are not feeling it yet.  The joy.  Two weeks before Christmas is a hustle, bustle time.  So much to do.  So little time left.  I feel the stress also.  No tree, no lights, no cookies, and boxes still down the middle of the garage awaiting unpacking and looming like a monster each time I open the door.
 
           But, as Christians, we understand that Christmas is more than the trappings and wrappings.  It is about the Savior being born in a little town of Bethlehem.   It is about God’s love.  Don’t stress. Choose the “must do’s” realistically.  And let the rest go.  Christmas will come to my house even without the tree.   Joy comes from within.  Cherish this time and view each moment as sacred. Keep your focus on the reason for the season.   So, come all ye faithful, be joyful and triumphant.  God loves you and so do I.  I wish you peace in your heart and precious joy to the full and overflowing.     Linda

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.                                               2 Corinthians 12:9
Good Morning, Dear One,
     David wrote, “I have failed and fallen, in what I have wholeheartedly attempted to do, and what I’ve wholly failed to do, and in all I’ve done that’s fallen far short, and lays there painfully at fault.”  Have you ever felt like a failure?  A line from a TV commercial says, “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.”  Many times, I have wished I could take back words spoken in frustration and/or anger.  Many times, I wish I had reached out in loved instead of ignored. Many times, I could have, should have…but I didn’t. But, thank goodness for God’s grace.  Grace that covers all my sin.  Grace that restores my soul.  God’s amazing grace. It’s available for you.
           Not perfect, but on the right pathway,                                                                                                                                                          Linda
 
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Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness
                                                                                                    2 Peter 1::5
Hello Dear One,
     Today’s devotional is about being steadfast.  Are you?  Or, are you like some who are wishy-washy.  I’m wondering, “Are there beliefs you will not compromise?”  Are there things in your life you will not tolerate?
Finish these sentences: 
God is always______________________________________________________.
I firmly believe that _________________________________________________.
I absolutely will not allow_____________________________________________.
I am positively sure that I will never ____________________________________.
I am willing to fight for _______________________________________________.
_______________________­­______________________________is always wrong.
I am willing to compromise when______________________________________.
I am not willing to believe that ________________________________________.
I will proclaim out loud that ______________________________________ even in front of ________________________________________.
It is necessary be withhold my opinion when _____________________________.
            Well, dear one, did you learn anything about yourself?  Are you steadfast? Or just stubborn.?  Are there times when compromise is a good thing?  Just a few points to ponder this week.  Have a great one, and when appropriate, be steadfast.                 Love ya,   Linda
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"They made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent.                                                                                                           Zechariah 7:12
 
Good Morning, sweet friend,
     This week, I have been focused on gratitude.  Instead of grumbling and complaining, I am murmuring words of praise.  It has been humorous at times. For example, “I thank you, Lord, that I am stuck in traffic because at least I have a car and a place to go.”  And the devil whipped in, “and you’ll be late.”  To which I replied, “and I praise God that I will make a grand entrance.”
     Staying focused on the positive opens my heart to communication with my Father. I want my heart to be soft toward God and His leading.  My affirmation this week has been:  I give thanks for all that I have and all that I shall be.  I am open to God’s direction.  Why not make it yours this week?  Soften your heart towards God, hear His voice, and promptings.  He knows best.  Trust Him.    Linda
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Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. (The Message).
                                                                                                                                                    Matthew 16:24
Hello, my friend.
     Are you a backseat driver?  Ok, I know that I am.  Just ask Jim!   Except that I am usually in the passenger seat with my head bobbing in every direction watching traffic and the side mirrors as well.  I want to be in control.  Let’s look at two scenarios:
First, I want you to imagine a woman who is trying to wrestle the driver’s wheel away from her husband (me). Now imagine a woman who is sitting in the passenger’s seat allowing her husband to drive without complaining, correcting or cursing. Which one do you think is experiencing rest? The one who trusts and is sitting in the passenger’s seat, of course. She is enjoying the scenery.  But, the other woman doesn’t have time to enjoy a thing because she is too busy trying to be in control. But if she would only choose to trust, she could rest, too. Which woman will you be like? When you trust and decide that you will let God drive, there is a natural rest that will occur.
     So how about you, my friend, your choice?
                                Linda
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​With unfailing kindness, I have drawn you to myself.
                                                                                                                                        Jeremiah 31:30
Good Morning My Precious Friend,
     I woke feeling sunny today.  I pray that you did also.  For a while now, sunny has felt foreign to me.  Darkness. Cloudy.  Overcast.  It has been difficult to feel the sun’s warm rays.  When we are honest with ourselves and the world, we all experience those times, so waking to the dawn this morning was a blessing. 
     I have been doing the work to rise from the gloomies.  Maybe you are in that place at this moment.  Let me assure you, the sun will come out.  There is a plan for your life. And even if you don’t feel it, God’s love is warm and precious.  Even if you don’t discover the cure for cancer, or get the dishes done today, God’s love is constant and abiding with you now.  You are an amazing soul.  And He loves you just as you are.  You don’t have to fix anything right now.  Just Be!  Be in His Presence and rest.  Let Him love on you. You may be going through some difficult stuff, but you are not alone.  He is with you always.  Praying that your sunny day is just around the corner.                                                                                                                                                                                            Linda