I remember one Christmas years ago – I almost missed Christmas! That experience was a “wake-up call.” In my busy life, filling roles and carrying out responsibilities – all the Christmas preparations pulled me off track. I asked God to show me what happened and how to avoid it in the future. That’s when I learned how to pause at Christmastime.

And it works! Now, I use a “pause” all through the year.

Do you need to pause a bit more this Christmas?

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During a season filled with peace and joy, it’s painful to experience grieving at Christmastime. But that’s what many people do. They celebrate. Simultaneously, they grieve.

There are always losses in life. Sometimes, these losses almost consume the space meant to be filled with peace and joy. Strategically, there are ways to keep these spaces free for healthy processes – even at Christmastime.

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Many cherished Christmas carols talk about joy. Consider Joy To The World – “Joy to the world, the Lord has come.” Or While By My Sheep – “Joy, joy, joy! (echo) joy, joy, joy.” If you are looking for joy at Christmastime, you are joined by millions of people.

Interestingly, Paul starts every single letter he wrote in the New Testament with wishes of grace and JOY to his readers.

So, how’s your joy as Christmas approaches?

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Many cherished Christmas carols talk about peace. Consider Silent Night – “sleep in heavenly peace.” Or, Hark The Herald Angels – “peace on earth, goodwill toward men.” Yes, for centuries people have yearned for peace. Particularly, peace at Christmastime.

Let’s face it. This world really needs peace. Interestingly, peace starts in each individual heart. Equally, lasting peace only comes from the “Prince of Peace” – Jesus Christ.

So, peace at Christmastime . . .

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I can’t think of a better way to begin this content – purpose-filled living – than to quote a good authority on the subject.

“Your most profound and intimate experiences of worship will likely be in your darkest days – when you heart is broken, when you feel abandoned, when you’re out of options, when the pain is great – and you turn to God alone.” (Rick Warren)

This insightful quote leads us into our discovery today.

There are always four categories we explore in Scripture Dissection:

1. What Does It Say?
2. What Does It Mean?
3. Make It Personal
4. Make A Commitment.

Believe it or not, Scripture talks a lot about purpose-filled living. In fact, it’s a major theme in Scripture.

God created each person with intentions that they would – of their own free will – live in intimate relationship with Himself. In other words, “do life” closely with God.

Now, let’s explore a few Scriptures that talk about purpose-filled living.

1. “Now to Him who is able to establish you . . .” (Rom. 16:25a)
2. “God’s will is that your lives are dedicated to Him.” (1 Thess. 4:3)
3. “It’s God’s will that your good lives should silence those who foolishly condemn the Gospel without knowing what it can do for them, having never experienced its power.” (1 Pet. 2:15)

That’s what today’s verses say.

Our verse phrases are packed with meaning. So, let’s interact phrase by phrase.

1. “Now to Him who is able to establish you . . . ” (Rom. 16:25a)

What does it mean to “establish” someone? Dictionaries provide various definitions:

• Bring into existence, make firm, stable.
• Put on a firm basis – a favorable position.
• Gain full recognition or acceptance of.

Un...

Recently, I connected with a dear friend and learned about her struggle with cancer. Not only her courage to face cancer, but the tenacity and grit it takes to go through chemo treatments. On top of that, to deal with side effects. Little sleep, loss of hair, skin so sensitive you can’t comfortably wear a hat or light scarf. Terrible pain. Time off work. Daily responsibilities still demand attention. Without a doubt, it takes courage and confidence to make it through such difficult circumstances.

How I admire this friend. Each day, she rises into new courage as she manages these realities. Plus, she remains confident God will carry her through. At the same time, she is honest and authentic about her sufferings.

So, let’s dive into what it means to live with courage and confidence each day – no matter what your situation.

Remarkably, approaching life with courage and confidence leaves you with fewer regrets and greater accomplishment.

Some mornings, it can be tempting to climb back in bed. Ever feel like that? By the time you tackle your morning routine – just getting the day rolling – the (often) huge list of responsibilities lands. Afterall, others depend on you. Of course, the tricky part is all those unforeseen circumstances that eat up time and energy.

Interestingly, the constancy of demanding days, alone, is enough to sometimes be overwhelming. But then, add a scenario like cancer or some other tragedy – and you realize you need courage and confidence.

Regardless, whatever fills your days, it doesn’t take much to realize each hour becomes an opportunity to live with courage and confidence in Christ.

Thankfully, once you decide to forge through whatever your day holds with courage and confidence, you take on stronger purpose and hope.

But where does courage and confidence come from? How do you get refills? Local stores don’t carry them. Equally, I’ve never found them online.

In every small detail and major event of your life, you can have courage and confidence because God –

1. Is close to you.
2. Loves you.
3. Helps you.
4. Leads you.
5. Is absolutely faithful!

So, if you choose to practice courage and confidence in God, you are golden. Why? Because God never changes. Plus, as we already...

Someone’s hanging from a high ledge, ready to fall! They’re yelling for help and losing strength. Now, they hold on with only one hand. You know emergency teams will never make it in time. Frantically, you grab a nearby sturdy tarp and enlist five or six strong-looking by-standers to hold tightly on corners and sides – a “make-shift” life-net directly below. Realizing the person is about to fall, yet is filled with fear, you yell, “Let go. It’ll be OK.”

This is #6 in a series on hope.

How many times have you been in a life situation where you could barely hang on. Ultimately, you feel the seriousness of losing your grip.

Let’s face it. People don’t like to fall. Even so, God tells you to let go and fall into Him as you try to hold your life together. He promises to catch you!

Equally, you’re afraid. Regardless, you decide to believe when God says – “Let go. It’ll be OK.”

Conflicts, problems, and difficulties are part of living.

• They absorb energy and time.
• Sometimes they break your heart.
• Solutions get complicated.
• Relationships suffer despite best efforts, prayer, and faithfulness.
• Energy is drained.
• Hope falters.

Subsequently, you keep holding on – waiting for intervention.

Relentlessly, life tensions cause tremendous strain even with good planning. You know you must manage things – whatever resources you have.

God wants to help you manage conflicts, problems, and difficulties. Thankfully, He cares deeply about your life – down to the detail.

Although it’s hard to imagine in the middle of tough situations, you can still have peace and joy. However, it requires effective strategies. Plus, it means – “Let go. It’ll be OK.” God will catch you.

In order to survive, God equips you with strategies to engage hard times. So, implement these eight strategies as needed.

1. Your Skill Sets

God created you with skill sets to deal with difficult developments. You may already know your skill sets. If you don’t, God provides these resources to help you get in touch with what you are capable of doing.

1. Wisdom – God shares His with you. (Jas. 1:5)
2. Problem-solving – Scripture giv...