How to Guard Your Heart From Bitterness by Lee Grady - IDENTITY NETWORK

How to Guard Your Heart From Bitterness by Lee Grady

IDENTITY NETWORK

Recently a friend of mine hurt me deeply. I felt betrayed and disrespected. I tried to pretend the insult was no big deal, but inside I was seething. I can always tell when resentment has invaded my life because I start obsessing about the pain. When I went to bed that evening, I literally felt sore. All I could think about was retaliation.

But just before falling asleep I mouthed a prayer. I meant what I said, even though my feelings begged me to retract the words. I prayed: "Lord, help me to forgive _____." Then, during the night I dreamed that I was enjoying a friendly conversation with this person. When I woke up, it felt as if we had really been talking!

It was a miracle. I realized the dream was God's way of softening my heart and taking out the offense. The Lord gave me the grace to forgive.

Ending Offenses

Perhaps you've been insulted, overlooked, stabbed in the back or mistreated - and now bitterness is poisoning your soul. Don't let it spread any further. You can nip your offense in the bud by following these guidelines:

• Don't nurse your grudge. It feels good to our flesh when we replay an offense in our minds and then fantasize about hurting the other person. But if you star in and direct this dramatic movie in your head, you are going to be making sequels for months and years until bitterness makes you sick. Pull the plug on the whole production now.
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• Let go of all revenge. C.S. Lewis said: "To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you." No matter how a person offends you, be humble enough to recognize that you've probably done the same thing to someone else before. Quit sharpening your knives. You will be tempted to think about hurting the person, but remember that those knives are hurting you worse than anyone else.
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• Don't spread your bitterness. Sometimes you may need to vent to a close friend about what happened, but this isn't so you can ruin the reputation of the person who hurt you. If you share your pain with someone because you need advice, don't seek sympathy or go to those who have animosity toward the person who hurt you. That's like mixing toxic chemicals! Instead, go to mentors or friends who are mature enough to tell you the truth. You may feel mistreated, but the speck in your brother's eye may actually be a log in yours. A true friend will tell you that you are overreacting or being unreasonable.
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• Pray for good things to happen to the person who hurt you. Jesus urged His disciples to love and pray for their persecutors (Matt. 5:44). That's a foreign concept in this age when we unfriend people on Facebook just because they forgot to invite us to a party. Calm down, let go of your petty outrage and ask God to bless the person who offended you. Forgiving prayer will feel like a warm salve applied to your wound.
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• Reach out and expect to repair the relationship. Jesus places a high priority on reconciliation. He wants us to get along. If you are praying and you remember that someone has something against you, Jesus said, "First be reconciled to your brother" (Matt. 5:24). On the flip side, He said if someone has sinned against you, "go and reprove him" (Matt. 18:15).
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In both cases Jesus commanded us to confront. And confrontation is never easy. We'd rather just avoid each other. We'd rather "bury our hatchets," pretending that our nasty attitude is gone just because it's well-hidden under our Sunday morning smiles. But true forgiveness is not burying a hatchet while we still hate a person inwardly; forgiveness requires us to surrender the hatchet to Jesus.

• Ask for God's forgiving love to fill your heart. One of my favorite preachers, Corrie ten Boom, struggled to forgive the Nazis who beat her in the Ravensbrück prison camp. After the Germans surrendered, she met a former Nazi guard in the street, and he told her he had become a Christian. He reached out his hand and asked her for forgiveness. She couldn't look at him.
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But then Corrie remembered Romans 5:5, which says, "The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit." She realized that when we don't have the capacity to forgive, God gives us the love. Jesus changed Corrie's heart.

Corrie added: "God's love is stronger than my hatred and unforgiveness. That same moment I was free. I could say, 'Brother, give me your hand,' and I shook hands with him, and it was as if I could feel God's love streaming through my arms."

Jesus didn't promise a life without offenses. Hurt happens. But He provided the way to keep resentment from ruining our lives. As we enter this new year, make a conscious decision that you will embrace a life of miraculous forgiveness.

Lee Grady

www.themordecaiproject.org

Go here to read more articles by Lee Grady.

The Power to Forgive 

How to Overcome Unforgiveness and Bitterness

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7 Ways to Know God's Calling You - TRICIA GOYER CHARISMA NEWS

If you're waiting until you have enough time or more money to answer God's call, read this. (Charisma archives)

7 Ways to Know God's Calling You

 

1/23/2016 TRICIA GOYER  charisma news

There is a myth today that says we must get our life organized and in order before we follow God's call. Our kids must have adequate time with us. Our debt must be paid down. Our days must have space ... and peace.

After all, how can we do great things for God when we don't even have time to spend 10 minutes in prayer? How can we give from an empty well? How can we spare what we don't have, whether it be time, money or energy? Yet God's call never waits for us to unclutter our lives. In fact, He usually calls us when we have nothing to spare. Why?

When we don't have anything to give, we look to the Giver.

When we have no time, we must readjust our priorities and set things according to God's schedule.

When we feel foolish and inadequate, we'll look to God's wisdom.

When we feel wrung out, we'll look to His strength.

And in the midst of following Him, we'll find Him.

When John and I were busy with careers and older kids, God called us to adopt. When I was a busy homeschooling mom and writer, He called me to help start a crisis pregnancy center.

When our family was settled in Montana, God called us to Arkansas—and to an inner city church.

When I had not a moment to spare with book deadlines and kids, He's continued to call me to serve and inspire teenage moms through our Teen MOPS support group.

Even last week, when I had family visiting and a book deadline, God called John and me to help a teen mom move her and her kids. She was blessed. We were blessed too.

And what have I discovered?

More time? (Not really.)

More energy? (I wish!)

Instead, I've discovered that when I do God's work, He takes care of mine (the deadlines get met, the kids get cared for).

Yes, the words for the books and blogs come when I'm too tired to think. And my children are trained on what following God looks like.

Something else happens too. Lives are transformed. Children without a home find one. Young women who don't know what being a mother means are mentored. Some of these young women in crisis even bow their heads and pray for salvation. (I got to experience that recently!)

How do you know what God's calling you to do?

(Notice I didn't say IF He's calling.) Here are seven ways:

   1. There's a burden on your heart you can't shake.
   2. There is a specific person you know of who needs your help.
   3. The Scripture passage that you read encourages you to have faith and step out.
   4. When you pray, you have a sense that God is asking you to act.
   5. You don't have time, but you have a seed of faith.
   6. God brings someone into your life to encourage your calling (your spouse, your pastor, a godly friend.)
   7. You feel as if you can't do it alone.

There are many things that can occupy our time—there always will be. There are good things we can devote our lives to, but the most important things are the God things.

When you do decide to step out, your schedule won't automatically clear. It never does. Instead, God will show up. He will give you extra wisdom, energy, resources and strength. But mostly He will give you Himself!

And when you have Him, you have everything. And when you give others the knowledge of Him, they can have Him too. And when lives around you are transformed, all the stuff you were busy with doesn't seem as important any more.

And God is glorified because it'll be clear to everyone that it's Him doing the work!

How about you? What do you feel God calling you to? What are you doing about it?

Prayer: Father God, You have blessed me with so much. Thank You for the unique life You have given me. Help me manage my time and resources wisely. Guide me as I look to what You are calling me to do and give me the strength and wisdom to fulfill my purpose.

Tricia Goyer has written more than 35 books, including both novels that delight and entertain readers and nonfiction titles that offer encouragement and hope. She has also published more than 500 articles in national publications such as Guideposts, Thriving Family, Proverbs 31, and HomeLife Magazine.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

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Franklin Graham Paving the Way for Religious Freedom - TIFFANY JOTHEN/BGEA CHARISMA NEWS

Franklin Graham Paving the Way for Religious Freedom

/20/2016 TIFFANY JOTHEN/BGEA  charisma news

Photo above: Some of the participants in Franklin Graham's New Hampshire stop in the Decision America tour. (Courtesy/BGeA)

Join us on our podcast each weekday for an interesting story, well told, from Charisma News. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

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"We could be on a beach where it's nice and sunny and warm, but we want to be here."

Elaine Taylor and her husband, Leonard, could have traveled anywhere Tuesday, but chose to drive the two and a half hours north of their home in Marshfield, Massachusetts, to be part of a prayer rally in 18-degree Concord, New Hampshire, where the wind chill made it feel much colder.

But since when has a little cold kept New Englanders from staying in?

The couple joined about 1,500 others in front of the State House to be part of Franklin Graham's 50-state Decision America Tour as he encourages Christians to pray for America and live out their faith—at home, in public and at the polls.

The Taylors heard about the tour during a trip to the Charlotte-based Billy Graham Library last month. They wanted to see what it's all about and take back the excitement to Massachusetts, where Franklin Graham will visit later this year.

"We live about 10 miles from Plymouth," Leonard said, the Pilgrims' first stop when they came to America seeking religious freedom. Today, however, Leonard said the country seems to be "corroding" spiritually and wants to see it "set on a godly track again."

Gathering with other like-minded Christians may just be the first step.

"We love Jesus, and we're happy to hear Franklin Graham ... and be united as Christians," said Jennie Chisholm, a resident of Salem, New Hampshire, who came with her parents and four boys.

The boys, ages 5 to 10, stood with scarves tight around their necks, their hats covering their ears and their noses turning pink. But all four wore smiles and seemed happy to be there.

"I want them to see that there are other Christians around us, even though it doesn't always seem like it," Jennie said, adding that she also wants to teach them the importance of prayer.

Franklin Graham re-enforced her thinking when he took the stage moments later: "The best thing we can do on your Capitol steps today is pray," he said.

He spoke about America's emphasis on political correctness, in which people are afraid to stand up for their beliefs at the risk of offending someone.

But now isn't the time to be silent or ashamed of Almighty God.

What we need, Franklin Graham said, is revival now. And he's confident that it's possible.

So is Gayle Lamm, who came to the prayer rally with her 20-year-old son, Jordan.

"We need help to bring people together ... people of all denominations," Gayle said, explaining her gratefulness for the Decision America Tour. "I've been praying for the country for years."

Gayle was at the State House in Concord just a couple years ago for the National Day of Prayer. So when her husband read about Decision America in the newspaper, she cut it out and put it on the fridge as a reminder.

But why not just pray at home and avoid the freezing temperatures?

"You can pray by yourself ... but praying with others who feel the same as you and think the same as you can make a big difference," Jordan said.

Many people Jordan's age are drifting from God, distracted by their phones, media and material things, he said, and the further people get from God, the more the nation will suffer.

"Before our nation can be healed, our individual hearts must be healed," Franklin Graham said from the stage.

He led a time of prayer not only for the nation, but for each person there to ask Jesus Christ for forgiveness in their own lives. And it doesn't end when people leave the prayer rally.

Franklin Graham encouraged people to start community prayer groups and to encourage other believers to run for office at all levels.

"Let's just see what God can do," he said. "Let's become a nation that can once again say 'In God we Trust.'"

Judging by the affirming amens, the spontaneous hallelujahs and sustained applause at every mention of Christ, an out-of-towner might never know that New Hampshire has the second highest percentage of people in the country who claim no religion or faith.

But with people enveloped head to toe in blankets, ski pants, face masks and anything they could find to keep warm, all to be present for a prayer rally, it's evident that many still care about where their state stands with God.

Jim Madden of Derry, New Hampshire, stood out in the crowd with a red, white and blue USA fleece and two small American flags in hand. He said he's been praying for each stop on the tour using his Decision America prayer journal.

"I just feel like there's not much time left," he said about the country turning back to God. "How much more is God going to put up with?"

Jim accepted Jesus around 30 years old, and a tear rolled down his face as he talked about what God has done in his life. His hope is that many more will come to know Christ and live out their faith. And it all starts with prayer.

"I wish we could do this every day," he said.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW from CHARISMA: Do you want to encounter the Holy Spirit and hear God speak to you? Increase your faith, discover freedom, and draw near to God! Click Here

Is Franklin Graham Leading an Exodus Out of the Republican Party? - GEORGE THOMAS/CBN CHARISMA NEWS

Graham says he will "be urging Christians to vote, to live out their faith in every part of their lives, and to pray for our nation just as Nehemiah cried out to God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and restore hope to His people." (Courtesy)

Is Franklin Graham Leading an Exodus Out of the Republican Party?

1/6/2016 GEORGE THOMAS/CBN   charisma news

Evangelist Franklin Graham is kicking off a national tour of state capitols Tuesday, calling on Christians to repent, pray and uphold Biblical values at home and at the ballot box.

The 50-state tour, called "Decision America Tour 2016," will begin this afternoon on the steps of Des Moines, Iowa's capitol.

On his website, Graham says he will "be urging Christians to vote, to live out their faith in every part of their lives, and to pray for our nation just as Nehemiah cried out to God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and restore hope to His people."

The trip comes ahead of the Feb. 1 Iowa caucuses in which Graham is urging Christians who care about social issues to go to the polls and vote for "godly leaders."

"I believe we are perilously close to the moral tipping point for the survival of the United States of America," Graham wrote in the most recent Decision magazine article. "I refuse to be silent and watch the future of our children and grandchildren be offered up on pagan altars of personal pleasure and immorality."

Graham, son of famed evangelist Billy Graham, is not endorsing any presidential candidate and will not allow any of them to speak at his rallies.

Late last month, Graham told followers on Facebook that he was quitting the Republican Party, partly because the GOP-controlled Congress failed to defund Planned Parenthood.

"I have no hope in the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, or Tea Party to do what is best for America," he wrote on Facebook. "Unless more godly men and women get in this process and change this wicked system, our country is in for trouble."

So will these rallies turn political? Graham insists they won't.

"Some fear I might be leading an exodus out of the Republican Party. That's not my goal at all," he wrote in a recent Facebook post. "I'm not here to hurt the Republican Party or the Democratic Party—I want to help our nation. I want to stand on capitol steps and lead this nation state by state in praying for America."

Graham insists the Decision America Tour is about rallying Christians to pray for their nation.

"We'll be praying for our leaders and praying that God would give us politicians who will stand for Biblical values," Graham said. "I want to challenge Christians to get involved in the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, and all others to make a difference, to get engaged at every level and to vote."

"The Bible calls us to be salt and light in this world," he continued. "It's time we got off the sidelines and got involved in actively working and praying to stop the moral decline of this great nation."

You can follow updates on the tour here. 

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

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Decision America Tour Event Draws Only This Many People

5:00AM EST 1/6/2016 BOB ESCHLIMAN  charisma news

Franklin Graham kicked off his 50-state Decision America Tour in Des Moines, Iowa, on Tuesday afternoon. The series of events is meant to call the nation to prayer and to encourage Christians to become more politically engaged. (Video Screenshot Image)

Despite a sunny day, a steady south wind dropped wind chills to just 20° F on the west steps of the Iowa Statehouse on Tuesday afternoon.

That didn't prevent at least 2,000 people from gathering to hear from the Rev. Franklin Graham, who kicked off his Decision America Tour in the capital city of the first-in-the-nation caucus state. Another 1,000 people watched from the warmth of their own homes on a live stream of the event on the Billy Graham Evangelist Association's YouTube channel.

The event has since been archived online for others to view.

Graham opened his speech with a greeting from his father, who at 97 years of age is unable to travel. He then discussed the problems the nation faces.

"No political party is going to be able to turn this around," he told the crowd. "I have no hope in the Democratic Party—listen to me—I have zero hope in the Republican party. I have no hope in Tea Party or any other party. My only hope is in Almighty God and His Son, Jesus Christ. The most important thing we can do as Christians ... is pray."

Graham then spoke about the story of Nehemiah and how it parallels what is happening to America today. He said the steps Nehemiah took should be the template for those who were in attendance:

• prayerfully confess the sins of the nation,

• prayerfully confess one's personal sins,

• prayerfully confess the sins of our fathers,

Graham then asked the audience if their sins were forgiven, and if they really believed it. He said he wanted to be sure that everyone in attendance knew that God loved them, and that they understood the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ.

He then led those in the audience in need of it in a Sinner's Prayer.

Graham next discussed the rise of secularism during the "deep sigh" the nation took following the fall of Communism in the Soviet Union. He said there was little difference between the ideologies, particularly for Christians, and he urged them to fight.

Quoting frequently from his father's past speeches, he laid out a two-point battle plan to fight against the invasion of secularism in the political realm. The first of those is to vote.

"Vote for candidates that stand for biblical truth and biblical principles, and that are willing to live them," he said. "I'm not here to tell you who to vote for. I'm not going to do that ... but I'm asking you to vote. Do it."

The then urged Christians to stand up and answer the call of their communities, their state, and their nation. He said his father believed it was imperative that committed Christians enter public service.

"We need men and women ... of Christian commitment to run for political office this coming year, no matter which political party you belong," he said, quoting from speeches his father made in the 1970s and 1950s. "It is the easiest thing in the world for us, as Christians, to think of national [and] world politics as something only involving men and women of the world. That's where we fail. Our job, as Christians, is to make the impact of Christ felt in every phase of life: religious, social, economic, and political. But we must not do it in our own strength or wisdom. We can only do it as we surrender ourselves completely to God, allowing Him to work in us."

Graham said the choice may not be easy. It may sometimes require choosing the candidate that is closest to the biblical ideal. But, he added, the most important elections are those closest to home: mayors, city council, county commissioner, judges, and school boards.

"Could you imagine, that in the next two or three election cycles, that the majority of mayors and city councils of America were born-again Christians, the impact that would have on our nation and our cities?" he asked. "If men and women of God controlled the school boards of America, think about [the impact] that would have for the next 20 years on the education system of this nation."

Graham urged those who attended the event to go back to their communities and start up prayer groups and to pray for their communities. He also urged them to look for Christians in their communities to persuade to run for office, and to support their campaigns.

In closing, he urged those in attendance to go to the Decision America Tour website and to sign the pledge to both God and country. The pledge incorporates 1 Corinthians 3:11, 2 Chronicles 7:14, and 2 Corinthians 4:5.

Upcoming events include Jan. 12 in Tallahassee, Fla., Jan. 13 in Baton Rouge, La., and Jan. 19 in Concord, N.H.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW from CHARISMA: Do you want to encounter the Holy Spirit and hear God speak to you? Increase your faith, discover freedom, and draw near to God! Click Here

How to Pray for Angelic Assistance - BECKY DVORAK CHARISMA NEWS

Hebrews 1:14 states that angels are "ministering spirits sent out to minister to those who will inherit salvation." (Charisma archives)

How to Pray for Angelic Assistance

12/13/2015 BECKY DVORAK  charisma news

Luke 1:26-27 says, "In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary."

The Father sent His angel Gabriel to this earth to deliver a message to Mary that would change her life. Did you know that He still sends angels to this earth to minister to His people? The Bible says concerning these angels in Hebrews 1:14, "Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to minister to those who will inherit salvation?"

We need to learn to take the limits off of God, and allow Him to minister to us as He wills. Many believers are receiving angelic visitations from the Lord. I know I have had angelic activity in my life, and I expect even more ministry in this way. How about you? Where are you at in your spiritual walk with the Lord? Will you allow Him to send His ministering angels to minister to you?

Here is my petition to the Lord for you this day.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I ask You to send forth your angels to minister to the needs of my dear friends this day. That many will see, hear and receive a special angelic touch from You that will heal them in spirit, soul and body.

For those that are fighting against a spirit of death that they receive a divine healing touch and they will rise from their deathbeds completely healed.

And for all who are suffering from physical pain, sickness and disease, I ask that Your ministering angels will encompass them and release their physical healing this very moment.

I pray for others that are fighting against a spirit of deception, that they will receive a message of truth that will set them free and lead them down the path of repentance and back into the arms of the Heavenly Father.

Holy Spirit, send forth Your angels that will minister love and acceptance to those who are contemplating suicide today. Give them the message of hope that is needed to choose life and to carry on to the victory that comes only from the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

For those who are in the place of major decisions today that will affect the lives of them and their families, release Your ministering angels and strengthen them to do what is right according to Your Word.

Whatever the need may be, I ask that You will release Your angels to minister to them by the power of Your grace.

In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Becky Dvorak is a prophetic healing evangelist and the Destiny Image author of DARE to Believe and Greater Than Magic. Visit her at authorbeckydvorak.com.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW from CHARISMA: Do you want to encounter the Holy Spirit and hear God speak to you? Increase your faith, discover freedom, and draw near to God! Click Here

Ways to Avoid Stress During the Holidays - SHERYL GIESBRECHT CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Here's how you can have a peaceful holiday season. (Charisma archives)

5 Ways to Avoid Stress During the Holidays

12/7/2015 SHERYL GIESBRECHT  charisma magazine

"Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright."

Each night we heard my son tattling on his sister, "Mom, Sarah is taking too much time in the bathroom." Silent? Hardly. Calm? Nope.

"Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. ..."

For the third time that week, we were late to soccer practice. And my husband, Paul, was the coach. That routine was far from restful.

"O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie. ..."

(Sigh.) So much to do, so little time—removed from tranquil.

Are these holiday lyrics descriptions of your family's Christmas season? During the Christmas rush, our homes are far from silent, calm, restful, still, or peaceful. The holiday momentum builds the day after Thanksgiving; the house is noisy, busy, hustling, bustling, and brimming over with activity and stress to the point of near exhaustion. We have so much to do before Christmas day arrives. There are lists to make, baking to prepare, cards to send, shopping to do, gifts to wrap, and events to plan.

Then there are Christmas church services, musicals, plays, concerts, recitals, office parties, family gatherings, and Christmas light tours. Don't forget traditions to revisit and memories to make.

Have you ever been tempted to run away at Christmastime? It would be nice to take a two-week trip, maybe to a deserted island, and be alone with your family—or maybe just alone! There is a solution! We can intentionally cut the Christmas chaos this year. The five steps to doing so spell the word PEACE.

P: Pray Ahead

Guess what? Christmas comes on the same date at the same time every year: December 25. Start praying for your holiday experience when you see the first hint of Christmas decorations in the stores. In July, I browsed Hobby Lobby for items to decorate my patio, I was shocked to see there were things for sale announcing not only the arrival of Halloween and Thanksgiving, but—oh yes—Christmas. Instead of asking, "Can you believe Christmas decorations are already for sale?" tell yourself, "I am so glad I'm reminded to begin to pray for our family's holiday season to glorify the Lord. Let Jesus be celebrated on His birthday."

Pray for God's peace to rule before, during, and after your holiday. Pray for peace to reside in your heart and mind, so it will infect and redirect the chaos around you.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6, NIV).

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it to the full" (John 10:10, NIV).

E: Express Your Desire

After you've talked to God about your holiday hope for harmony, pick a night for a family meeting and share your thoughts with your loved ones. Ask each person to write down his or her favorite traditions, activities, and foods associated with the holiday. As you are gather the lists, mix them up and pass them out to a person other than the one who made the list. Give each person a few minutes to read aloud the list he or she received. There will be many repeated items on the lists. Have someone make a list of the most popular items in each category. Keep the most favorite traditions and activities on the to-do list, and let the others go. This will make simplifying Christmas much easier, and everyone will have a say.

Explain to your loved ones that as they simplify, it will help increase their peace and enjoyment during the holidays.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as member of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful" (Colossians 3:15, NIV).

A: Accept a Few Invitations

Believe it or not, less is more. Take a minute to think about all of the events tied to the holiday season: Christmas parties, cookie decorating in your child's classroom, potlucks at work, secret Santa for the ladies' group, and Christmas plays and concerts. Unintentionally, we get ourselves and our families twisted and tangled in the Christmas tinsel of too much activity. Only one thing is important: focusing on Jesus.

How do you choose what to attend and how to spend your precious time? Share Advent with your family each morning at breakfast. I use a daily Scripture Advent calendar I found on Pinterest to keep focused on Jesus, the reason for the season. When we choose to start the day focusing on Jesus, it is easier to say no when the invitations arrive.

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Use the lists you created in the previous step to discover what your loved ones' priorities really are and decide how you will use your time. What are your family's favorite baked goods? Ours are baking pumpkin bread, making Chex mix, baking sugar cookies, and making tamales. When my kids lived at home, we would plan a day or an evening for the actual baking of baked goods and schedule several days for making tamales. We even involved our small groups at church. If your children's classrooms are hosting Christmas gatherings you are helping organize (but they fall on the same day), involve your husband, grandma, or even a favorite aunt so you don't feel like you have to be in two places at once.

Say "no." That's right. It's OK to say, "No, we have other plans." Even if your "other plans" are to stay home with your family and finish frosting sugar cookies for tomorrow's class party. No guilt, no pressure—just honest self-control and wise time management. Your own children are going to learn a lot from you this year.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control; against such there is no law" (Galatians 5:22–23, MEV).

C: Create a Budget

Go back to your list of how you and your family plan to celebrate Christmas. Do you have a large immediate family? What about extended family? Figure out how much money you are able to spend on each person and make another list of items so your children can help with the shopping. You don't have to spend a lot of money on special gifts outside your immediate family. Pinterest is a great resource full of ideas for do-it-yourself crafts and creating memory ideas your children can make for relatives and friends. Mark your calendar and plan ahead for a Christmas gift-making craft day.

Have your children given you their Christmas lists? Also have them create a list of items they want to give at Christmas. If we don't teach our children how to share out of abundance, we will actually teach and reinforce selfishness. It helps to explain to them. "When we get new things, we must get rid of some old ones to make room." It's the principle of the most not-believed beatitude in the Bible found in Acts 20:35: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Can the giver be happier than the receiver? Although it goes against all of our human instincts, it is true. This is a very important kingdom principle best taught in life situations.

"John answered, 'Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the sam.'" (Luke 3:11, NIV).

E: Experience Jesus

Invite God's presence to take over your lists, plans, and desires. Ask Jesus to rule how you focus your time.

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A wonderful tradition I started with my own children when they were young encouraged them daily during the twenty-four days before Christmas day. We had a couple of Nativity sets, and each morning when the kids were getting ready for school, I would hide the baby Jesus from each set. The challenge was that they could not search for the hidden baby Jesus until they were fully dressed, beds made, breakfast eaten, teeth brushed, backpacks packed, and ready to load into the car to go to school. When they were completely ready to walk out the door, I would say, "OK, let's look for the baby Jesus." As Sarah would search for the small baby Jesus, I would say "hotter" or "colder," depending on where she was situated in relation to where I had hidden it until she discovered the hiding place. Next, Ben would get the chance to do the same thing with the baby Jesus from the other nativity. It was a great Christ-centered way to start each day.

Not only do I hang on to our family memories, but I taught my children how to develop their own special traditions for their family Christmas seasons.

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you" (2 Thessalonians 3:16, NIV).

As you see, cutting Christmas chaos can be very simple. It takes planning and intention ... and of course, lots of prayer. I will be praying you will experience a "calm and bright" holiday and you can "sleep in heavenly peace." May God bless your Christmas!

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, NIV).

Sheryl Giesbrecht's message is exchanging hurt for hope, one she shares with audiences as a radio personality, author and speaker. A dynamic teacher and motivating leader, Giesbrecht has endured many changes and challenges, moving her to a deep faith, trust and dependence on God. She is host of the nationally syndicated radio show, Turn Up the Music with Sheryl Giesbrecht, and the Executive Director of International Christian Ministries (www.ICMUSA.org). She is the author of Get Back Up: Trusting God When Life Knocks You Down.

Learn more about Sheryl Giesbrecht on her website, www.FromAshesToBeauty.com. She also invites readers to follow her on Facebook (AuthorSherylGiesbrecht) and onTwitter (@SGiesbrecht).

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Lance Wallnau - Heaven is Coming to a Theater Near You!

HEAVEN IS COMING TO A THEATER NEAR YOU! Something different is happening this month. The forces of Hell are manifesting in more intense ways. At the same time Heaven is breaking out. It's almost like going into one of those theaters where multiple movies are playing.  Go into the wrong theater and you have a front row seat watching Hell. Go into a different theater and you can see Heaven. BOTH are broadcasting right now! Heaven is inviting you to your front row seat. Terrorists and Activists are getting their instructions from the spirit realm where they sit. Now it's your turn! The difference between you and others is that you know there are two theaters- the other folks are a captive audience in Hell but think they are bringing Utopia. People do not realize that these are counterfeit "Reformations" taking place. Radical race activists and radical Jihadists are both warring to bring their version of Utopia to earth. Think about it. It's a counterfeit of the Reformation we are supposed to bring. It's a counterfeit evangelism going on as well. Activists and Jihadists both hope to build a bigger following by manipulating media to cover their incendiary exploits. From my perspective the leaders behind these counterfeit movements are operating as "angels of light" bringing their followers under a spell. That spell is described by a word - "witchcraft." You can always discern witchcraft when you see blatant "rebellion" manifest. "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft." (1 Sam 15:23) The two work together: rebellion and witchcraft. The mistake we make is to think that witchcraft is simply a Halloween, pointy black hat and broom stick phenomena. The greatest platform for witchcraft is wherever a counterfeit leader (angel of light) inspires a counterfeit movement. Hitler was an angel of light. So was Stalin. Politics and people movements are prime platforms for witchcraft- which is why we MUST PRAY to bind Hell and to lose Heaven. This Month! Earlier in November I sensed an urgency to change my prayer paradigm. It seemed that I heard the Lord say, "Jacob's Ladder." I sensed that a new grace of access is right now being let down from heaven so you and I can rise up and ride above the manipulation of witchcraft. We do not have to be captive to the storm. Can anything be more important? God is inviting you and me to go higher - to rise up above the "strife" of racial and campus unrest and the "fear" unleashed in Paris terrorism, and whatever other junk the devil is attempting to stir up and serve up to humanity. These are the two spirits at work by the way. In the USA it is "strife" and in EU it is "fear." The antidote? You have to go beyond soulish, human energy.  "Perfect Love" casts out all fear. If you can cast it out - it's a spirit. We are dealing with a "spirit of fear." What about "Love?" Love is a Spirit - GOD IS LOVE. To be filled with God is the goal.  "Peace" isn't just a tranquil state of mind - peace is a spirit. Jesus said "My peace I give unto you." Jesus isn't just giving us a philosophy of life - He is giving us an impartation of His Peace. This "Peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!" (Phil 4:7) From a position ABOVE the situation we will access POWER OVER the situation.  Learn how to do this now because you will need to practice this in your own life more and more. Especially as the church globally moves into this new season. This is the danger of America's shift in the role of Government. Washington is not God and the President is not the Messiah. "We the people" of God have got to step into a new role or the Nation will continue to careen off course. We are literally and spiritually becoming a city without walls. "A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls." (Proverbs 25:28) Being "without self-control" is one of the characteristics of people in the last days (2 Timothy 3:3). This is why nations are so easy to manipulate. It's sort of scary in a way, isn't it? You can see more and more how the devil can use incidents and media to manipulate culture at large. He can pretty much control everyone except the person who is under the control of the Spirit of God. BUILD YOUR OWN ARK. The secret to success in the hour is to build up your inner man - your spirit man - to a strength that is stronger than your mind and emotions. You are a tripartite being: spirit, soul and body. Build your spirit up so your inner man is ruling over your thoughts and feelings.  This is why prayer is such a priority! How do you build up your spirit? Jude 1:20 has the key: "But you, beloved, building up yourselves in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit." Praying the right way is an exercise that builds your spirit man. This builds your spiritual capacity to "respond" rather than to "react." As we rebuild our spiritual walls inside the church we will be rebuilding our nation. Those who stand on the rebuilt walls are called "Watchmen." They guard the city where they live. Building up any muscle takes time and repetition. If we don't learn how to pray and step back into the realm of the Spirit we will be stuck under an increasingly hostile earthly atmosphere. There is a position in the realm of prayer that is ascended above earth and outside of the storm of life. As everything "shakes" we are called to be part of an unshakable kingdom.  IF WE LEARN HOW TO ACCESS THE REALM THAT DOES NOT SHAKE, WE CAN ACCESS A REALM OF REVIVAL IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS!  I've been building up my spiritual muscle lately by praying. My problem was that I needed to meet with others of like faith to make the ascended journey work. I used to love to pray - but then I fell away from the experience and became more of a prophetic teacher then a prophetic intercessor. The reason I fell away is because I experienced something in prayer that I lost when I stopped praying with others. There's something about the catalytic power of AGREEMENT with others of similar faith!  THEREFORE every day for the next 21 days I am doing a "Live" Prophecy and Prayer event. Right now it is available on an APP called "Periscope." I just hit the record button and voila there you have it! We meet on my iPhone. I do the call somewhere between 9 PM and 1 AM! Most of these calls are around midnight. I think that is prophetic in itself. The first watch began at six, the second at nine, the third at twelve, the fourth at three. MEET ME EVERY DAY FOR 21 DAYS on PERISCOPE! If you miss the "live call" you can still join in and pray by catching it on my facebook page: Lance Wallnau. Strange to say, the anointing is on the call whenever you join in and pray. It's as if we are all firing through an open window and the window stays open for a certain period of time after the broadcast. Check out my Facebook page for our last prayer session and again - check out Periscope for our "live" sessions! If you have always wanted to pray more and just need a "kick start" - join me and 400 to 500 others. It's a blast. AS ONE! Lance WHY DONATE? Being a Missionary to the Seven Mountains is challenging work. You can't ask for an offering to cover airfare and a hotel  from the people you are evangelizing. You simply GO and trust God that someone will stand behind you. Every dollar we make goes into funding this Mission work. When you donate you become AS ONE with us in going and returning. You partake of the harvest and the reward. You align with an anointing to take your mountain! CLICK HERE TO DONATE Copyright © 2015* *Lance Learning Group*, All rights reserved. admin@lancelearning.com Our mailing address is: PO BOX 2688, Keller, TX 76244