Day 23: Monday, December 19

Day 23: by Juno Smalley

This week as we reflect on God’s love, it is helpful to pause and think about God’s love for you and others. At New Life, we have often talked about the following Holy Habits that are a good tool to help you live in the presence of Jesus through your day. Pastors Dave and Ann Wilson shared this with me over 25 years ago that as a follower of Jesus, it is profoundly foundational that we:
     - Divert Daily
     - Withdraw Weekly          
     - Abandon Annually

I hope you can grab some time with God to divert daily and during the week, and to take even more time to withdraw weekly to have a conversation with the Lord, and focus on His love. A conversation is two-way communication. It is not just you telling God what you think or what you need, but you also sit quickly and allow God to speak to you. As you approach the end of the year, be sure to also abandon annually to reflect on God’s faithfulness and your next steps.

As someone trying to be like Jesus, it's our responsibility and privilege to design our lives to hear from the Lord. None of us have it all together, and none of us are perfect, as we all are gracefully broken before the Lord. In a way that only God can, God puts our broken pieces back together and uses our stories and our gifts to further His kingdom.

One more very important thought!  We have experienced a lot of loss this year when it comes to people being promoted. Ask God how you might include others whose loved one is no longer here.  

Monday's Song

Here's a song we have sung in worship numerous times. May it be a reminder that God is not expecting perfect people (we would all be disqualified), God created you in a great way, and God is using you to advance His kingdom. Click here for a reminder that we are all Gracefully Broken, and God continues to partner with us to make His Kingdom Come on Earth and as it is in Heaven.

Monday's Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for the people here at New Life. For their time, energy, skills, love for you, and desire to make a difference in the areas you placed them in, I thank you. Thank you for the ministry happening on our campus, in many homes, and in our community because of those reading this prayer.

As a follower of you, Lord, help me to be intentional with my time with you this week. Guide my soul to hear from you. Guide my heart to listen to you, and give me the blessing to do so in an authentic community.

Continue to use me as an instrument of your love. Thank you to the generous people of New Life who also gave dozens of Christmas Stockings to the Long Beach Rescue Mission and to Angle Tree. Thank you, Lord, for those who are giving to our End of the Year offering* to help with very practical and needed improvements that will help our driveways to remain safe and allow us to serve people better.

Lord, help me to see others through your eyes. Please help me be patient and live out your grace as you use me with everyone I contact.

AMEN


We are confident the Lord, will help us finish the year well so we can continue to impact our world in 2023. Thanks for partnering with us in prayer and financially. You can join our virtual Prayer Team by emailing Pastor Ricky. You can click here to give electronically, mail it in, use our APP, or bring it on a Sunday.