I’m thrilled to have my sweet friend Katy Kauffman guest posting on the blog today. Christmas is just around the corner–and so are the stress and hectic schedule that seem to come with it. Katy has some suggestions to help us get our hearts ready and to celebrate Christ’s birth. Be sure to check out her Bible reading plan!
By Katy Kauffman
I already want to decorate for Christmas. After all, the mall is decorated with garlands and white twinkle lights, Hobby Lobby has been selling their Christmas decorations since July, and my favorite Christmas shop just opened! Rush, rush, rush—that seems to be the theme of shops and malls that want to benefit from selling Christmas goodies early. Rush, rush, and rush can also be the motto for how we celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. I love all the parties and food and festivities, but in the middle of all the hectic busyness, I need some quiet. Somewhere to get away and just celebrate with God the things I am thankful for, the reason why we celebrate these holidays in the first place.
So where can I find the “quiet” I need for my soul to stay sound and balanced? Where do you find your “quiet”? In time alone with God. It may be hard with the family’s busy schedule and our daily duties. But there’s something special about the joy and peace we find when we make time to be with God. The beauty of His Word captivates our hearts, the promises of Scripture give us hope, and talking with Him and listening to Him in prayer calm our inner turmoil and remind us of what really matters. There’s beauty and charm in the sights and sounds of Christmas, but there’s also beauty in sitting before God and learning from Him and His Word. The truths we learn and the love we experience prepare our hearts for traffic jams, noisy crowds, busy schedules, and opportunities to reach out to those around us. The holiday season is one of the best times to minister to people we might not see or be around the rest of the year. It’s the perfect time to show the Love of God which came down to earth two thousand years ago.
What passage of Scripture quiets your heart before God and helps you to hear His voice and sense His peace? In your holiday schedule, I recommend reading the passages below. There is one passage to read each week, starting this Sunday and going through New Years. Print this post, and stick it in your Bible or prayer journal. When you have a few minutes of “quiet,” pull it out and read the designated passage for that week. May God’s truths warm your heart and strengthen you this holiday season, and point you to the One who is the Giver of every perfect gift, God Almighty who gave His Son for us.
November 9th: Matthew 6:25-34 – How to handle stress and worrying
November 16th: Colossians 3:12-17 – How to treat those around us
November 23rd: Romans 8:28-39 – What our reality is with God
November 30th: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 – How to share God’s love with those around us
December 7th: Psalm 91:1-16 – Who our safe place is
December 14th: Romans 12:9-21 – How to be good and do good when it matters the most
December 21st: Isaiah 9:6-7 – Where to keep our focus—on Jesus!
December 28th: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 – An example of what our choice is in the New Year and always
© Copyright 2014 by Katy Kauffman
Katy Kauffman is the author of 2 Timothy: Winning the Victory, a Bible study on how to win the spiritual battles of life and ministry. She is a co-founder of Lighthouse Bible Studies and a graduate of Luther Rice Seminary. Her heart’s desire is for people to know and love God, understand the richness of His Word, and fulfill His plan for their lives. She makes her home in a cozy suburb of Atlanta, Georgia.
Important Links
Katy’s Blog: http://lighthousebiblestudies.com/katy-kauffman-blog
Katy’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KatyKauffmanAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatyKauffman28
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/katykauffman
Katy’s book on Amazon, available as an e-book or a paperback:
http://www.amazon.com/Katy-Kauffman/e/B00FIT3YQA/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
2 comments
Wonderful reminder to be still before Him this season! Thanks for the scriptures!
He brings us peace, doesn’t He? He IS peace. Thanks for reading the post, Ellen, and I hope the passages bless you in the holiday season! ~Katy
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