The Extra Mile

I love Christmas, and I am one of those who DOES NOT get offended with Christmas trees in September. Also, three wonderful traditions collide November first: The mistletoe goes up, Pandora is set permanently to Christmas Radio, and I wear a very loud jingle bell necklace and/or ring. Plus, everywhere I go I make it a point to say, "Merry Christmas." I heard it's okay to start saying that again  -  not that I ever stopped! In other words, I am all about spreading the cheer.

But when we go the extra mile and put a little something extra on the tip line, when we donate a gift card to the Florida Baptist Children's Home so they can redecorate their entire rec room, when we surprise our mail carrier with some baked cookies, when we allow someone ahead of us in line, when we sit for four hours with an elderly patient and discreetly clean them after they use the bathroom (all the aforementioned happened this past week courtesy of kind people I love), when we joyfully obey one of God's top commandments, "Love thy neighbor as thyself," we are promised in Deuteronomy 30: 8-9 that God "will outdo Himself in making things go well for you."

Going the extra mile blesses others, but it will always come back to bless us even more. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Show us how we can bless someone today by going the extra mile.  We know that as we love others, You will outdo Yourself in making things go well for us.  We need to be well in mind, soul, body, and spirit.  Thank you, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Turner of the Page

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am dong a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland" Isaiah 43:18-19.

Greetings,

This morning I received a notification from Pandora to tune in to Christmas radio as a way to kick off the holiday season.  Of course, as someone who loves Christmas, I took them up on the offer, and my morning has been filled with merry music. (Jingle Cats anyone?).

Honestly, I am sort of in shock that this year has flown by so quickly, but I am happy for the change.  And I am reminded that  God is known in His Word  as a, "Turner of the page," "Doer of a new thing," and "Usherer in of a new season."

How many of us want to stay put right where we are? How many of us are looking to God to get us out of our current season and into  a new more blessed one?  How many of us are ready to leave behind the struggles of 2016 and start off 2017 with renewed hope?

I am, which is why I pray.  Prayer invites God to do a new and powerful thing in my heart,  mind,  attitude, family, finances, and everywhere else where I could use it. Amen!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that You turn the page in our lives and move us into better chapters.  We look forward to more joy, more peace, more hope, more wisdom, more heath, more protection, more love, and first and foremost, more of YOU.   Do a new and mighty thing in each of our lives.  In Jesus name, Amen!