Christmas To Do-ers List
Day 1: Believe Him
“Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” Luke 1:45
Blessed is she who believes.
It was an ordinary day for Mary, one like any other. Chores to accomplish, tasks to finish, water to fetch, meals to cook and a wedding to plan. But, God interrupted the ordinary and asked Mary to do something extraordinary … believe Him. We might scoff and think how hard is that? Anyone can believe God.
But do we?
Do we believe God for anything beyond salvation?
Believe Him.
When Mary chose to believe God, it changed everything, her past, her present and certainly her future. Mary’s choice to believe God was a true test of faith. In order to accept God’s plan for her life, Mary needed two miracles. One miracle to start a life (she knew not a man), and another miracle to save a life — hers. Despite the seemingly impossible circumstances, Mary believed Him.
To believe or not to believe.
God, in His infinite wisdom, does not force us to act. The choice is ours—we can believe or not. But for some reason, God will not implement certain actions unless we choose to believe Him.
Believe like Mary.
Live Mary, believing God changes everything about our past, present and future. What do you need to believe God for today? Your marriage … your health … a job … a child … forgiveness? Because of the cradle and the cross, you can believe.
What if you live today as is if you believe what God says? What if you live today as one truly forgiven? What if you dare to live as a person who is called by God? What would it look like to believe Him today? What actions would you take? What words would you say? What decisions would you make?
Action Points:
- What has God said that you need to believe? Choose something from the list below.
- You are beautiful.
- You are chosen.
- You are gifted.
- You are loved.
- You are forgiven.
- You have purpose.
- ____________ (other).
Today, choose to believe God over the wisdom of the world, the advice of friends, the counsel of your own heart and the lies of the enemy.
What are you believing God for today? Please record your goal in the Comment section below.
Believe Him.
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Believe God for more strength in my everyday life, and that as I prepare to retire next summer that he has my way, my life, and my finances in order. I get a little nervous about it but I know He said it’s time for me to retire, but the enemy is trying to tell me otherwise.
Brenda,
I also need strength to believe what God has said to me is true. He has given us a Spirit of power, sound-mind and love. With Jesus there is always “next” and “more.” If He asks us to give something up it is because He has something better. Jesus always tells us the truth. The enemy only speaks lies.
Dear Father, I pray for Brenda. Help her to listen only to your voice. Your Word says Your sheep know Your voice. Silence the voice of the enemy. Help Brenda to keep her eyes on You. You have called her, gifted her and chosen her to follow You. In Jesus Holy Name,
Amen.
Lord, we pray that you prepare Brenda for what is next. Plant a seed in her heart and spirit of your next plans for her. May she listen well to what you will reveal to her. Birth this new thing in her life, we pray in Jesus’ name! Amen
On January 1st, my husband and I will celebrate our second wedding anniversary. We have some very interesting conversations about our faith. He was born and raised Catholic, and left the faith about thirty years ago. He has been very active with a church in Indiana similar to Summit Missionary Church in Niles. I am a convert to the Catholic Church and have been active with that faith for nearly twenty years. Oh, the discussions we have! The bottom line though, we believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ. We pray together, we are patient, and we know that God hears us. We trust Him to lead us. We have witnessed many answered prayers and unexpected blessings. One of the most important things I have learned, is that we are forgiven for our sins. I have also learned that we must also forgive ourselves, and that carrying guilt is Satan’s way of getting to us. I praise God for everything. His love, and His forgiveness.
Rhonda,
I am very happy you are doing this study with us! I also am very happy that Jesus forgives us and restores us from the damage of our sin. The enemy heaps up guilt, but Jesus lavishes grace. I will pray for unity between you and your husband. Have a blessed Advent!
Mary
Rhonda,
Thanks for sharing your story with us. I pray that during Advent God will continue to knit your heart to your husbands, and the two of you together to Jesus!
I am believing God for my identity in Christ. I am who He says I am, not who I feel I am, or what others say I am. He is the Father of truth, therefore He knows the truth about me. I thank you Father. Today I will believe, think and act on the truth of who You say I am. In Jesus Name.
Amen, Mary. Tune in to the voice of God and His truth.Know that you are secure in Him!
As I too contemplate retirement next year I’m believing God to show me if it’s in His will and not just my desire to move forward.
Shirley,
That is a good point. We need to follow God’s leading not our own. Walk by faith and not by sight!
Have a blessed Advent!
Lord, please confirm to Shirley what your plans are for her next year. Help her to know how to move forward from here. Amen!
I am believing God that He always knows what is best for my family even though his plans often differ from ours! We have 3 beautiful amazing children and have recently decided we felt our family was complete. We are selling our house to downsize and are already in the process of buying a new home. We are trying to start a business and in the midst of all of this we recently learned we are pregnant, which was a total surprise! Although this news is a blessing it us it is often hard to see Gods plans for our future and trust in the unknown. It will sure be interesting downsizing our living arrangements and undertaking new projects at the same time as expanding our family 🙂
Stephanie,
You are unexpectedly expecting! I am so happy for you! I will be praying as you continue to believe God for His will for your family. Always follow Him!
Stephanie,
God is full of surprises, isn’t he?! Praying that you and your husband trust in His plan for your life and that God provides for all your needs as you move forward.
I am believing that God will guide me each day as he already has my footsteps planned.
He has faithfully brought you through so many things already, Renea. I am so happy we are doing Bible study together again! Have a blessed Advent!
Amen. Renea, I love your faithful trust in what God has for your next. Praying that 2016 is a year of blessing for you!
I am believing God for the wisdom and creativity I need for my new business that i started this past year. Thanking God for this opportunity and believing that He will provide what I need to move forward.
He is your Jehovah Jireh, God your Provider!
I’m believing that God will restore my husband’s faith in Him and then restore our marriage.
Leslie,
I am praying for God to draw you closer to Him and to restore your marriage. No matter what happens, always follow Him. Jesus loves you!
I believe God will help our son and his family to get back on their feet. Their home burned to the ground about a year ago and they have not received a settlement from the insurance company. They are living with us and it is a challenge to have two families living under one roof. I told my husband we need to remember we are Christians and must show love and compassion. We have days when we don’t feel like loving or have compassion. I believe God will help them and we can be loving parents to them and show them God’s love.
I believe that God loves me and that he has great things in store for my future. I believe that God will bless me with the finances to finish school and to have a home for me in my daughter. I believe in God’s mercy. I believe that I am forgivin and wonderfully made. I believe that I am a child of God!
Miranda,
Thank you for posting and sharing about what you believe God for. I am praying for you to continue to walk by faith and not by sight. Merry Christmas!