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Navigating the Holidays

 • Series: Navigating the Holidays

Navigating the Holidays: thoughts on how to thrive during a crazy season. John 10:10 (NLT) 10The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. ● Immanuel– God with us! Matthew 1:23 (NKJV) 23“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” ● It’s a celebration of His advent- the coming of something or someone special! o The presence of God with us here on earth! Big Ideas: ● Trust in the Lord ● Be Led by the Spirit ● Practice SELAH Moments ● Look to be a Blessing ● Think about the Advent Elements Trust in the Lord Proverbs 3:5–6 (NLT) 5Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Psalm 9:10 (NKJV) 10And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. ● Worrying doesn’t help. Matthew 6:31–33 (NLT) 31“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. ● What are you thinking about? 2 Corinthians 10:4–5 (NLT) 4We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. ● What thoughts are battling in your heart and mind against what God says? “You cannot keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.” Martin Luther Joshua 1:8(NKJV) 8This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. ● The Word is Life. John 6:63–64 (NKJV) 63It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. ● The Word is Light. Psalm 119:105 (NKJV) 105Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. ● The Word Discerns. Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) 12For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ● Take your worries and give them to Jesus. 1 Peter 5:6–7 (NKJV) 6Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) 20Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Be Led by the Spirit Colossians 3:17 (NKJV) 17And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NKJV) 17Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Psalm 32:8 (NLT) 8The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. o Navigating the holidays well is letting the Spirit be what leads you. Luke 10:41–42 (NKJV) 41And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” SELAH Moments ● In Psalms- it means to pause, reflect, or a musical notation. Psalm 46:10 (NKJV) 10Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! ● Practice gratitude and thanksgiving. Psalm 100:4–5 (NLT) 4Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. 5For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation. ● Take the time to listen and be present with Him. He will speak. John 10:27 (NKJV) 27My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. ● When life hits, count your blessings and thank God for them. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NKJV) 16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Look to be a Blessing Matthew 5:14–16 (NKJV) 14“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. ● Refresh those around you, and you will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 (NLT) 25The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Think about the Advent Elements… each one is fully experienced in the presence of Jesus. ● Love- When the expectations come, remember Christ’s love for you. Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT) 17For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” ● Joy- When you are tired and at your wit’s end, the joy of the Lord will be your strength. Psalm 16:11 (NKJV) 11You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. ● Peace- When unrest and chaos are all around you, Christ will be your peace and stability in the storm. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NKJV) 16Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. ● Hope- When despair and discouragement seek to rob you of hope, God will be the hope that never fails you. Colossians 1:27 (NKJV) 27To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ● The center of it all is CHRIST. Colossians 1:15–19 (NLT) 15Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. 17He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. 18Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. 19For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, Take Away Questions: ● In what areas is the Lord asking you to trust Him this holiday season? ● What direction is the Spirit leading you in this season? ● How will you take time this season to pause and reflect? ● Do you look for ways to bless as a means to feel good about yourself or to show the love of Jesus and bring the Gospel to the world? ● Which advent element- Love, Joy, Peace, Hope, Christ as the Center- are you needing to lean into this season? Navigate the holidays by faith 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV) 7For we walk by faith, not by sight. ● Jesus will provide. Philippians 4:19–20 (NKJV) 19And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.