Encouraging Word

Intro: Peace
During this Advent season, we are doing 25 days of Christmas ewords! Hi, this is Dorette Schaal with your dailyeword. We have been celebrating Advent with a different scripture everyday that relates to Hope, Joy, Peace and Love, all the wonderful things that Jesus came to bring. He was heaven manifested on the earth, and because of Him, we can live an amazing abundant life, filled with hope, overflowing with joy, enjoying perfect peace, and surrounded with love. In Matt 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer, Jesus makes it very clear that he wants the earth to experience a little bit of heaven. Let’s enjoy life with a little glimmer of heaven right here on this earth during these 25 days of Christmas ewords. This weeks word is Peace

Peace is a beautiful word. In Hebrew the word is Shalom which means nothing missing and nothing broken. In Israel, instead of saying hello, or even goodbye, people exchange the greeting of Shalom. What a lovely way to speak words of encouragement over everyone you meet. We know that when Jesus came, He came to bring peace in a world of turmoil, unrest and distress. He came to be the Prince of Peace, the counselor, and our mighty God. During the holiday season lots of people get stressed out. It can be from all the activity, because of dreading spending time with relatives that are difficult, or even the stress of feeling the necessity to over spend to keep up a good image. Take a deep breath! Let me speak shalom into your life. Let me speak peace to your soul. We really are too blessed to be stressed. We have the Prince of Peace living within us, so there is no reason to get stressed or live in a state of frustration or turmoil during the holidays, or any time of the year. Can we learn to rest in the peace of God? I believe we can. Peace is more than just a greeting, and more than just a sign we use to say we don’t like war, peace is an attitude that can prevail in our hearts and lives year round. Let’s live in a constant state of peace! When we look at the big picture, we have found what we are looking for. Jesus, who is in the center of our heart, came to fill in the missing pieces in our lives. He came to fix everything in our lives that was broken. So we can say about ourselves, I have Shalom in me, nothing is missing and nothing is broken. Because He came to fill us, we can live in peace, radiate peace, and be peacemakers in a world that is empty and broken. So speak Shalom to your own soul, and then begin speaking it to those around you. Make this Advent more peace-filled than ever, and enjoy Christmas in the peace of God. SHALOM!

Col 3:15 Let the peace of God reign in your hearts through Christ Jesus….

#16 Nap day…..put on some of your favorite movies and just lounge in front of the TV! This is your day for Shalom!

Angels played a big role in the Christmas story. The angel Gabriel was the one who announced to Mary that she was going to have a baby. Then, once the baby was born, a host (or a big group) of angels sang in the sky to announce His birth. Angels were rejoicing and dancing in the air above Bethlehem. That was a pretty awesome birth announcement. They sang praises to God:
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will to men,
On whom His favor rests.
There are three places in the Bible where angels rejoice, and Jesus’ birth is one of them found in Luke 2:13,14. They also rejoiced over creation in Job 38:7. Another time they rejoice (or throw a party) is when one sinner repents and asks Jesus to be their Lord and Savior (Luke 15:7-10). Isn’t that amazing to think about? The heavenly choir of angels sang and danced and rejoiced over you when you gave your heart to Jesus! Wow! When we think about the impact Jesus birth had on the world, we could see the value of God requesting the choir of angels to sing. So think about how special you are – when you joined His family, he asked them to do the same thing – His favor rests on you. Heaven rejoices and angels sing songs of joy over you because He loves you and He is so glad to have you in His Family. Sounds like a great reason for you to sing praises back to Him! Glory to God!

Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the Highest, Peace on earth, good will toward men.
#15 Decorate a gingerbread house together, or put a couple together and have a family contest. Let the winner pick out what you have for dinner.

When thinking about supernatural strength and provision in very natural circumstances, I couldn’t help but think of God’s plan of redeeming the world through a baby in a manger. God’s very supernatural gift was wrapped up in very natural swaddling clothes and brought by special delivery to earth through a very humble girl in very natural circumstances. The baby born in a barn was the King of Kings and Lord of lords. God’s great provision for mankind came in the form of a very tiny baby. We also hold a very special treasure in a very earthen vessel. When we chose to serve and follow Jesus, the Spirit of God came to live on the inside of us. He was a package of joy, delivered to us. That really is incredible to think about….. our spirit being made joyfully alive to God! We all live very natural lives, but we are carriers of an incredible, supernatural treasure on the inside. As we celebrate the arrival of a baby on Christmas day, we can also anticipate God fulfilling his work in us. Truly we are all under construction (!), and each day we can become closer and closer to the masterpiece that He wants to create in us. Each day we can make choices that bring us to the place of reflecting Jesus through our lives. As we participate in Christmas celebrations, don’t forget to thank God for what He is already doing in you and those around you! What joy it brings. Surely He who began a good work in you, will cause it to come to completion. We can see the work of Jesus in you – from a manger to Calvary.
Word for the Day: Phil 1:6 He who began a good work in you will cause it to come to completion.
#14 Let grandparents take the kids shopping for Mom and Dad, while you and your spouse enjoy a dinner out during the busy holiday season. Sounds like a win/win!

Have you ever heard the saying….. “your word is your bond”? It may be unfamiliar to young ones, but it means that what you say, you plan on doing. It’s like saying. “I promise”, and what I promise you really will do. Your word is your bond is an old phrase, but it holds a wonderful truth. In our time, it is really common for people to say one thing and do something totally opposite of what they promised. We’ve probably all had that happen to you…..on a big scale, or a small scale. Somebody promises you something and they never come through. It can be really disappointing. It makes us not want to trust the person who made the promise. Well guess who never breaks His promises? GOD! What He says, He will do. He has given us great and precious promises, and all His promises are yes to us! It brings joy when promises are fulfilled. God promised the Jewish people that He would send a deliverer, and guess what? He did exactly what He said He would do. JOY! It took hundreds of years…….and that’s a long time….but He came through on His Word. He sent a special delivery package to the earth in the form of a baby. Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, was born to save those who were held in bondage. He was joy to the world. He was born in a manger, to die on a cross, and rise from the dead to bring us new life. Jesus came to live with us and to live in us. Let’s have a heart full of joy to God, because He always keeps his promises!

Word for the Day: II Peter 1:4 He has given us His great and precious promises.

#13 Show the value of promises kept, by making good on one of your promises to your kids. Maybe your promise was to go shopping together, or to go swimming, or skating….be faithful in keeping your promises to your family!

Is 9:1-2 that, “The people living in darkness have seen a great light, and on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned”, That new star that positioned itself over Bethlehem and was prophesied hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth brought great light as well, and led shepherds and wise men to “The Light” in a manger. That light, brought joy to the world, and came so that our joy can be complete in Him. That little light laying in a manger, grew up to bring abundant life and light to the world. Something that is incredibly amazing is that Jesus not only called Himself the Light of the World, but gave us the same name as well.
“You are the Light of the World. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matt 5:14-16
We can be dispensers of light in our world. We can spread “The Light” wherever we are! We can let others see Jesus in us as we share kind words and do good deeds. We are called to tackle the darkness, where ever we find it. Eph 5:8 says, “For we were once darkness, but now we are light in the Lord. Live as children of light”
Word for the Day: Matt 5:14-155 You are the light of the world…..
#12 Make a Christmas Candle Holder with greenery and candles. Light the candles and turn off all the lights in the house. Talk about what the Light of Jesus means to you.

Today we are going to look at Zechariah’s joyful song after the birth of his son, John the Baptist. Zechariah was Elizabeth’s husband, and a man who had been silent for many months since an angel came to his to tell him some incredible news. His wife Elizabeth would soon be preparing for the birth of their baby. The baby was born and there was great rejoicing. On the eight day when the baby was taken to the temple, Elizabeth told them his name was not to be Zechariah, but John. Zechariah asked to write on a tablet because he still couldn’t speak, and he wrote what his wife had stated. His name is John. Immediately, his voice returned, and he could speak once again. Right then, he prophesied under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit through song, regarding the long awaited Messiah, and also about his own son, John.
About Jesus he said…..Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and redeemed his people. About John he said……And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go on before and prepare the way for him…….
Zechariah was expressing his heart of joy to God for fulfillment of a promise. This song that came from Zechariah’s heart put him in remembrance of what was spoken before, and then the fulfillment that he was seeing with his own eyes. God is ever faithful to remember his promises. 600 years before Jesus’ birth, when the Jewish people were living in captivity in Babylon, it was prophesied that a deliverer would come to….. …..ransom captive Israel. While they were mourning in exile, they awaited the time when Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, would appear. He came to be Emmanuel, God with us. His divine appearance in a stable in Bethlehem not only fulfilled a long awaited promise of God coming to us, but made God personal in a way that was never experienced before. Now, God would live in us. What a great reason to rejoice, and with one joyful heart we can say, rejoice, rejoice Emmanuel, has come to thee, oh Israel.
Word for the Day: Luke 1:68- Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people
#11 Take time around the dinner table to tell of God’s faithfulness to you. Use specifics, and in a personal way, rejoice in God’s faithfulness to your family.

Intro
During this Advent season, we are doing 25 days of Christmas ewords! Hi, this is Dorette Schaal with your dailyeword. We have been celebrating Advent with a different scripture everyday that relates to Hope, Joy, Peace and Love, all the wonderful things that Jesus came to bring. He was heaven manifested on the earth, and because of Him, we can live an amazing abundant life, filled with hope, overflowing with joy, enjoying perfect peace, and surrounded with love. In Matt 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer, Jesus makes it very clear that he wants the earth to experience a little bit of heaven. Let’s enjoy life with a little glimmer of heaven right here on this earth during these 25 days of Christmas ewords. This weeks word is Joy

Monday

During the Advent season, my prayer is that you would increase and overflow with love for eacho other. We have the opportunity to meet people each week who have gathered for a purpose (to hear the Word of God), and to worship together with people that share a similar beliefs. Our fellowship in the body is more than just vertical (with God), it is meant to be horizontal (with other believers). Our horizontal relationships can become more authentic as we ask deeper questions, and really listen to one another. It’s okay to realize that you may never know everyone who fellowships in your church body, but you can have quality relationships with an ever broadening circle of believers that provide opportunities for growth and accountability for your life. Advent is all about the joyful overflow of relationship. What happened when the Messiah was born for us, made us able to now have fellowship with the Father. God’s love overflowed to us! The wonderful thing about fellowship is that God has specific connections for you to make with people on the earth! Relationships with others that will be joyful! There are other believers in the body that would make great friends for you. Someone is looking for a friend like you. When authentic fellowship happens, relationships flourish. The overflow of God’s heart, was love for the world. That’s why he sent Jesus, the greatest gift ever. Out of our overflow, we can joyfully share the love of God with those all around us.

I Thes 3:12 May you increase and overflow with love for each other.

#10 Go out for a pizza and then drive around and look at Christmas lights. Research ahead of time to see if there are beautiful displays of holiday lights in your area.

During this Advent season, we are doing 25 days of Christmas ewords! Hi, this is Dorette Schaal with your dailyeword. We will be celebrating Advent with a different scripture everyday that relates to Hope, Joy, Peace and Love, all the wonderful things that Jesus came to bring. He was heaven manifested on the earth, and because of Him, we can live an amazing abundant life, filled with hope, overflowing with joy, enjoying perfect peace, and surrounded with love. In Matt 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer, Jesus makes it very clear that he wants the earth to experience a little bit of heaven…. His kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Let’s enjoy life with a little glimmer of heaven right here on this earth during these 25 days of Christmas ewords. The word for this week is Joy.

Overjoyed when they saw the star
Can you imagine the joy when baby Jesus was found? The Messiah had been anticipated for hundreds of years, and finally, here He was. Angels announced His birth, shepherds were the first to see the newborn babe, and then the world took notice. Many were joyful. Herod heard and was disturbed. It says in Matt 2: 10 that the Magi saw the star announcing Jesus’ birth and were overjoyed. The star led them right to where the baby lay. They were overjoyed at finding the baby in a manger. The Magi brought rich gifts to the stable. They joyfully opened their treasures and gave gifts as earthly kings to the Heavenly King. When we give greetings at Christmas in America we say Merry Christmas, in Mexico they say Feliz Navidad, and in German speaking countries they say Froliche Weinachten, and in French speaking countries Joyous Noel. Each of the words describing Christmas in each language means joy, happiness, or celebration. The kings were overjoyed at the first Christmas. Our hearts can be full of joy during Christmas, because Jesus is here. Even if life has been hard, or circumstances have been dreary, even if relationships have failed, now is the time to celebrate. In the midst of the world’s turmoil, Jesus came. In the midst of any turmoil you might be in, Jesus wants to come and give peace, and to fill your heart with joy. We now have life, and it only gets better when Jesus is in it! We have seen the Star, and we are overjoyed.

Word for the Day: Matt 2;:10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed

#9 Bring some joy to an elderly neighbor or someone in a nursing home or assisted living center. Bake a Christmas treat and visit an elderly relative or church member who needs encouragement.

While preparing for advent, I watched the movie the Nativity Story, and my heart went out to Joseph more than it ever has before. I’ve always been amazed at Mary, what a willing and obedient heart she demonstrated. But Joseph’s role and commitment was amazing as well. When thinking about the various roles and responsibilities that men have and the pressures they are under to protect and provide for their families, and the uncertain mental burden of being in charge or and taking care of everything concerning their home life, Joseph’s choice to go ahead with his marriage to Mary was tremendously courageous. Without even considering how important honor and respect are for any man, and the public shame Joseph experienced from Mary’s unplanned pregnancy, it no doubt added to the pressure in his mind from his own self-doubts. In spite of all of that pressure, Joseph who was just an ordinary man, was one of the first to make room in his heart for Jesus. His world could have been full of questions and concerns, and pretty hopeless. His soon to be bride was already pregnant. The child she was carrying didn’t belong to him. Sounds pretty hopeless. When he agreed to make Mary his wife, he said to her, not only do I take you, bit I also take this child, this holy babe, and I will protect and provide for you both. Without knowing the future, he agreed to be the earthly father to a heavenly prince. Whenever any man feels insignificant, or insufficient for any the tasks or family responsibilities ahead of him, he can look at Joseph’s example, and say all things are possible, and I can do this with God’s help.

With God all things are possible. Matt 19:26

#8 Dress up for the dinner and eat with candle light. Have a manners moment, and practice good etiquette with your family. Boys learn gentleman skills, and girls learn to act like ladies. Mom and Dad serve each other in love! Teach your children to be a pleasure to be around at upcoming larger gatherings! :) All things are possible!

Be it unto me according to thy word. Every time I read those words in the Bible, I am amazed. Instead of being hopeless, that she was an unwed mother, Mary had hope in God. She responded with hope when she was told that she was going to have a baby, and this baby was the son of God. I don’t think we can even remotely relate to what was going on in her mind, but in the midst of chaos, she said, God, I want your will for my life more than anything else. I don’t know what you life looks like right now, but can you say those words? Be it unto me, according to your Word. Whatever we are going through, we can look into the Word of God and find answers. We can know His will for us. Are we willing to say, God, I want your will more than anything. I lay down my pride, my ego, my life, my all, and say, be it unto me, according to your Word. My prayer for you this Christmas season is that God’s Word becomes nearer and dearer to your heart than ever before. I pray that as you take time to read and study, your life will be filled with hope and that you can see a bright future, serving an amazing God, and seeing His will and His Word come to pass in your life.

Be it unto me according to your word Luke 1:38

#7Do you have a relative who lives far away who won’t be able to spend Christmas with you? Take time today to make a little video of your decorations, maybe including some singing by your kids, or some of your special Christmas traditions. Get it in the mail, so they can have it to watch by Christmas.