Looking Unto Jesus this Christmas

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; 

It is expedient for you that I go away: 

for if I go not away: the Comforter will not come unto you; 

but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, 

and of righteousness, and of judgment;

Of sin, because they believe not on me;

Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, 

and ye see me no more;"

~John 16:7-14~

Even though you have tried to keep up with your Christmas preparations, there is  a house to keep clean, laundry that keeps appearing, and a husband and children to care for and love. 

Are you keeping the right spirit throughout December?? Did you know that keeping the 'right' spirit is keeping the 'righteous' Spirit and not the self-righteous Martha spirit?!

I like the story about Martha in the Bible. I love the tenderness that Jesus speaks her name in a soft but sure rebuke. I get overwhelmed easily and if I'm not careful, those overwhelmed feelings turn into stress.

The other day, I could hear the Holy Spirit softly speaking to me. 

I had gotten too busy. Too tired. I lost my perspective. I was seeing everything as a dark and rainy picture (and it was rainy and cold out) with a dismal outlook!!

I needed to trust.

I needed to rest.

Not in my own self-righteousness and strength but rest in God's Holy Spirit so that I am a responder and not a reactor. How about you?

Ouch, you say?? Me too!!

Make sure you are not basing your life on feelings. 

Slow down, sit back in a nice comfy chair for a few minutes and reflect on why you are feeling the way you are. 

Think of the Holy Spirit. 

If you are saved, God lives inside of you. His Holy Spirit abides in us and fills us with Himself so that we can love others instead of getting stressed out and reacting, responding in love.

Most of our problems in life come back to our relationship with the Holy Spirit. 

Have you ever seen sarcasm fly between siblings as cutting remarks, cutting responses shooting back and forth between your family filled with souls who love each other? 

Stand strong in humility and with a quiet Spirit keeping your eyes on Jesus. 

You don't have to allow the tense feelings to permeate your heart but instead you can be an example, realizing that the destroyer-of-souls is working triple-time to ruin relationships. 

If you find your little ones (or older ones) snipping at each other: you don't have to be a reactor, snapping reactionary  comments. 

Even if this seems totally impossible, you CAN be a responder and either keep silent and peaceful or quietly respond. 

In time you will be heard as your children become accustomed to mamma being softer and sweeter.

It takes time for our family to change the image they have of us. Maybe years. Maybe they can't change because they are reactionary themselves and their hearts closed to grace.

How do you know if you are of the Spirit of God? When God gives you His Holy Spirit....the Spirit bears witness to us.

You won't be cranky, irritable, unkind, but instead will bear the fruit of His Spirit (Love, Joy, Peace...)

Be a responder; not a reactor!!

When issues and people in your life get tough on you, and when you have a relationship with the Holy Spirit (are you saved?) then, the Holy Spirit inside of you will comfort and be your helper.

Sometimes life gets so rough that in confusion and the chaos of the moment, I can only see THAT moment. 

Just know that God is there in THAT moment and when you turn to Him, He will guide your thoughts and heart and mind. 

So, don't get swallowed up in each moment as Christmas approaches so that you can't see THAT moment. 

Experience the Holy Spirit's calming touch on your life. 

Slow down. 

Enjoy each moment as He gives you the gift this Christmas of His Holy Spirit :

dwelling, 

enriching, 

abiding, 

and loving through you as you serve your family.

Looking unto Jesus!!

In Christ Alone,

Judith

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In Christ Alone,

~Judith~