Simplicity: Here | Thanks | O
Complexity: Sorry | Help| Please
Perplexity: When | No | Why
Harmony: Behold | Yes |Silence
Christmas
Week 1 – Here (Practicing the Presence of God)
Daily Exercises
- In the morning be present with God and pray this for yourself… As the day rises to meet the sun, so my soul rises to meet you. I am here and you are here and it is good. Who are you “I Am”?
- Prayer for others… God, help _______ to experience a closer presence with you. Draw close to them as they draw close to you. Use me as a positive example to them.
- Read these passages below each day. As you read, pray that God would speak words of encouragement and truth to you. Memorize this verse and carry with you.
Psalm 23:4“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Monday- Matthew 14:27
Listen to music that helps you be ‘here’ with God
Tuesday – Psalms 23:4
Do household chores being ‘here’ with God
Wednesday- James 4:8
Talk with a stranger while being ‘here’ with God
Thursday- 1 Samuel 3:3–10
Be ‘here’ with God in a new place today
Friday- Nahum 1:7
As you practice ‘here’ listen for God to prompt you toward good words or deeds to others and then do it! Keep this a secret between you and God.
Saturday- Hebrews 4:16
Tell someone about the changes you have seen God working in your thoughts and attitudes this week.
Weekly Exercises
How do you want God to transform your thoughts, attitudes and actions during the next 90 days? Write this out as a prayer to God. Continue to review this and pray about this every week.
Be completely honest with at least one other person who would encourage or coach you during the next 90 days. And pray that God would also bring someone, who in turn, you could encourage or coach.
In order to practice being ‘here’ or present with God it can be helpful to eliminate unnecessary distractions at times. Find a quiet place that you can be ‘here’ with God for 10 to 60 uninterrupted minutes this week.
Look for the beauty of God’s creation in nature this week and practice being ‘here’ when outside.
Look for evidence of God at work or school this week and practice being ‘here’ when in busy places.
Share with your training partner or family members when you felt most present with God today.
Write a poem or song about the first time you knew God was ‘Here’ with you.
As you practice God’s presence in various places this week, pray to Him as “God With Us”. As you read the Bible, look for how others address Him. Honor God with names for how He has revealed Himself to you.
Week 2 – Thanks (Practicing gratitude to God)
Daily Exercises
- In the morning be thankful to God and pray this… As the day rises to meet the sun, so my soul rises to meet you. I am thankful to be here with you. Guard my soul from anything that would rob me of the thankfulness you desire in me. I thank you for _____________
- Prayer for others… God, I thank you for __________ and their presence in my life. Help them to learn to be content in whatever circumstances they are in today.
- Read these passages below each day. As you read, pray that God would speak words of encouragement and truth to you. Memorize this verse and carry with you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Monday – Psalm 9:1
Thank God all day for the wonders of His world.
Tuesday -2 Thessalonians 2:13
Thank God for people who draw you closer to God.
Wednesday -Psalms 75:1
Thank God for all His deeds in your life and the lives of others.
Thursday -1 Thessalonians 5:18
Be thankful in circumstances you don’t fully understand.
Friday -Philippians 4:10
Let your thankfulness overflow in sacrificially giving of your resources. Keep this a secret between you and God.
Saturday -Psalms 100:1-5
Go outside and shout your ‘thanks’ to God. Feel free to do this in secret as well. : )
Weekly Exercises
Revisit how you want God to transform your thoughts, attitudes and actions during the next 90 days. How did practicing ‘here’ help toward your goals? Continue to review and pray about this every week.
Be completely honest with at least one other person who would encourage or coach you during the remaining 90 days. Pray that God would also bring someone, who in turn, you could encourage or coach.
In order to practice being ‘thankful’ find a quiet place and verbally tell God absolutely everything that you are thankful for… take your time… : )
Everyday share with your training partner or family members ten different things that you were thankful for.
Write a poem or song or draw a picture about being thankful to God for something in your life.
Ask the Holy Spirit what each person in your family needs to hear and send or place simple notes with thankful encouraging messages to them.
Handwrite a thank you note to a parent or friend about specific ways they have impacted your life.
Invite someone over for a meal who has never been to your home.
Ask God to reveal strangers in your life and give sincere thanks to them for the services they provide. ie baristas, police officers, store clerks, etc…
Week 3 – O(Practicing Awe and Reverence)
Daily Exercises
In the morning give God your first greeting in awe and reverence and pray… As the day rises to meet the sun, so my soul rises to meet you. I am in awe of you and your greatness. Reveal your grace and mercy and love in and through my life today.
Prayer for others… God, I thank you for __________ and his/her presence in my life. Help them to see your greatness and discover moments of ‘Oh’ today.
Read these passages below each day. As you read, pray that the Holy Spirit would speak words of encouragement and truth to you. Memorize this verse and carry with you.
Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways
Monday – Psalms 34:3
Give God your schedule for the week and ask the Holy Spirit how you can make Him your first priority.
Tuesday – Psalm 95:1-6
Worship God by physically kneeling before Him today in prayer.
Wednesday – Romans 11:33-36
Remember all day that God is God and that you aren’t.
Thursday – Psalms 106:1 – 2
Be completely still before God for five minutes and just listen for His voice. Repeat as needed…
Friday – Luke 1:46 – 48
Worship Jesus for his kindness and mercy to you.
Saturday – Psalms 150:1 – 6
Find a place that you can literally dance before God and express your joy at His amazing love for you. : )
Weekly Exercises
Revisit how you want God to transform your thoughts, attitudes and actions during the next 90 days. How did your practice of ‘thanks’ help you in your goals? Review and pray about this every week.
Be completely honest with at least one other person who would encourage or coach you during the remaining 90 days. Pray that God would also bring someone, who in turn, you could encourage or coach.
Experience the pleasure of God by going for a solitary walk and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s majesty. Look at everything around you to see God’s fingerprints.
See God first in every good pleasure and share with your training partner or family members about the pleasures of God that made you go ‘Oh’.
Write a poem or song or draw a picture about the awesomeness of God.
Give God thanks at every meal and pray with your eyes open as you look at the meal you are giving thanks for.
Give the Holy Spirit the joy of your creativity in whatever you do with the amazing gifts He has given you.
Give God the first part of your paycheck and ask Him to show you needs that He will enable you to meet.
Ask God to reveal Himself in strangers in your life, and see Jesus in them as you interact with them.
Week 4 – Sorry(Practicing Self Examination and Confession)
Daily Exercises
In the morning give God your first greeting in self examination and pray… Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me, a sinner. Here I am, search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. I’m sorry for________ thank you for Your grace, mercy and love that never ends.
Prayer for others… God, I pray that _________ will also experience your grace and love in their life today.
Read these passages below each day. As you read, pray that the Holy Spirit would speak words of encouragement and truth to you. Memorize this verse and carry with you.
Psalms 139:23 (NLT) Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Monday – Colossians 3:13
Call someone who you’ve had a falling out with and make humbly make amends.
Tuesday – Psalms 51
Find a quiet place, pray to hear God’s voice and read this Psalm slowly and out loud.
Wednesday – Proverbs 28:13
If you need to confess, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you toward someone with who you could confess.
Thursday - Galatians 6:4-5
Do something good you’ve been putting off for a while.
Friday – Proverbs 4:23
Sacrifice spending money on yourself and give it anonymously to someone who needs it.
Saturday – I Corinthians 11:23-32
Remember the love of Jesus every time you eat or drink today. : )
Weekly Exercises
Revisit how you want God to transform your thoughts, attitudes and actions during the next 90 days. How did your practices of ‘here’ ‘thanks’ and ‘oh’ help you in your goals? Review and pray about this every week.
If you seriously haven’t spoken to anyone about this yet, why haven’t you? It’s time… be completely honest with at least one other person who would encourage or coach you during the remaining days of ST90. Pray that God would also bring someone, who in turn, you could encourage or coach.
Carve out 20 minutes and find a place you can be alone. Pray to God and say, “Holy Spirit, reveal any thoughts, attitudes and actions in me that aren’t pleasing to you. Give me the courage to look at them honestly and name them. Give me the faith to believe that I am completely forgiven because Jesus loved me enough to pay the penalty for me.
Find someone safe to confess to and experience God’s grace through the eyes of a friend.
Write a poem or song or draw a picture about how it feels to be sorry… to be loved… to be forgiven.
Ask God to reveal others who need to be forgiven as you have been forgiven and then forgive them.
ST90: Week 5 – Help (Expanding our Petitions)
Daily Exercises
In the morning give God your first greeting in self examination and pray… As the day rises to meet the sun, so my soul rises to meet you. I am thankful to be here with you. I confess that I am anxious about ________. I release this anxiety by asking you to change my circumstances or change my perspective to be more like Yours by Your supernatural power.
Read these passages below each day. As you read, pray that the Holy Spirit would speak words of encouragement and truth to you. Memorize this verse and carry with you.
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Monday – Romans 5:3-5
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal how your sufferings and anxieties can lead to perseverance and growth.
Tuesday – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
See all circumstances today as temporary. Ask God to conform your thoughts and desires to be more like Jesus.
Wednesday – 2 Peter 1:3
Ask God for faith to believe that His power is sufficient for your greatest needs.
Thursday – Philippians 1:6
Be thankful that God will never be finished with you.
Friday – I Chronicles 4:10
Petition God for ‘expansion’ in your life, so that He may further His kingdom through you.
Saturday – Luke 22:42
Thank God for the example of Jesus in this verse.
Weekly Exercises
Revisit how you want God to transform your thoughts, attitudes and actions during the next 90 days. How did your practices of ‘sorry’ help you see your needs?
Every week it becomes more beneficial to have someone or a small group whom you can confide in and pray with. Be completely honest with at least one other person who would encourage or coach you during the remaining days of ST90. Pray that God would also bring someone, who in turn, you could encourage or coach.
Carve out 20 minutes and find a place you can be alone. Pray to God and say, “Holy Spirit, reveal my anxious thoughts and show me the deeper needs in my life that You want these anxieties to reveal. Help me to rely on Your power and strength to trust Your will and not mine.
Find someone safe to confess your anxieties to and experience God’s grace through the eyes of a friend.
Write a poem or song or draw a picture about how it feels to be anxious and how it feels to have God’s peace.
Think back on past circumstances and see how God has seen you through them. What were the positive ways that you grew during those times (patience, faith, perseverance, etc)? Thank God for these circumstances.
Write down your current circumstances with the intent to review them in a month, six months, or a year. Record how you would like to see them change, or how you would like God to change you.
Week 6 Please(Interceding For Others)
Daily Exercises
In the morning give God your first greeting and pray… As the day rises to meet the sun, so my soul rises to meet you. Thank you for helping me as I reveal my anxieties and fears to you. Show me how I can be an instrument of Your grace in the lives of others. Holy Spirit, please help ____________ to see Your love today and transform their heart to be more like Yours.
Read these passages below each day. As you read, pray that the Holy Spirit would speak words of encouragement and truth to you. Memorize this verse and carry with you.
2 Corinthians1:4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
Monday– 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal how you can comfort others, from the comfort you’ve received from Him.
Tuesday – Matthew 5:43 – 48
Do something kind for someone you don’t like.
Wednesday– Matthew 15:32 – 34
Tangibly help a friend or family member who is in need today.
Thursday– Matthew 9:36 – 38
Ask God to guide you to someone, who you can share about the forgiveness you’ve received from Him.
Friday– Luke 23:34
Forgive someone who owes you.
Saturday– Matthew 14:14 – 16
Pray for those who are in need of healing today and send them a note with a prayer of blessing.
Weekly Exercises
How did your practices of ‘help’ lead you to freedom and hope? Was it difficult to share your deeper needs with others? If you have not begun to develop that deeper friendship with someone, what is holding you back?
Pick a day and fast from food during the daylight hours. Every time you feel hungry pray for a different member of your family.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal someone you should pray for and set aside three specific times during your day to pray for them. Send them a note where you turn your prayer into a blessing. For example if you pray, “God help my friend to know your peace today”, send them a note that say, “May God’s peace surround and protect you today.”
Pick a day and spend more time really listening to others rather than talking or thinking about what you would like to say.
Go for a walk through your neighborhood or in a park or downtown and pray for everyone you see. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers for them.
Pray for others around the world as you watch the news or read about world events this week. Feel the pain of others and let your compassion flow through prayers.
Serve somewhere in your church where you don’t normally serve so that you can be a blessing to others and perhaps discover new ways in which God can use your gifts and talents. Ask your pastor for ideas… : )
Week 7 – When (Practicing Surviving)
Daily Exercises
In the morning give God your first greeting and pray… As the day rises to meet the sun, so my soul rises to meet you. Thank you that you do not turn me away when I question Your timing in my life. Holy Spirit I wonder when will you do this _______________ in my life. Help me to remember your goodness when I can’t see past my pain.
Read these passages below each day. As you read, pray that the Holy Spirit would speak words of encouragement and truth to you. Memorize this verse and carry with you.
Psalms 42:1-2 (NLT) As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?
Monday – Habbakuk 1:2-5
Share the deepest longings of your heart with God.
Tuesday – Psalm 13:1-6
Share the deepest longings of your heart with someone else.
Wednesday –Acts 1:6-7
Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to the pain of someone else and ask about their longings.
Thursday –Romans 8:18 – 25
As you go for a walk today, see God’s creation through the lens of these verses.
Friday –Romans 8:26 – 27
Ask the Holy Spirit to intercede on your behalf when you do not know what to say to God.
Saturday –Romans 8:28 – 32
Take these verses and make them into a personal prayer.
Weekly Exercises
How did your practices of ‘please’ help you to see the needs of others? If you have not begun to develop deeper friendship with someone, stop making excuses and take the first step today.
Pick a day and fast from food during the daylight hours. Every time you feel hungry for food pray something like, “God I want my hunger and desire for you to be as consistent and real as my desire for food. Holy Spirit, fill me and satisfy me as only You can do.”
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal someone you should pray for and set aside a specific time every day this week to pray for them. Send them a note where you turn your prayer into a blessing. For example if you pray, “God help my friend to grow in their faith”, send them a note that say, “May your faith in God grow in amazing ways today.”
Spend some time this week thinking about ways in which your ideas and perceptions of God have caused you to question God or to turn away from Him.
Every time you see something that has to do with politics, take a moment and think about the various political leaders in your life. Then pray for God’s blessing in their lives and for their faith in Jesus to grow.
Make a list of the ten times that you can remember God doing something in your life or the lives of those close to you that made you say ‘Thanks’ or ‘Oh!’.
Week 8 No (Practicing Outrage)
Daily Exercises
In the morning give God your first greeting and pray… As the day rises to meet the sun, so my soul rises to meet you. Thank you that you hear my heart even when it is filled with rage at the pain and injustice that I see in the world and in my life. Along with You, O God, I say ‘No’ to everything that goes against what is good and holy.
Read these passages below each day. As you read, pray that the Holy Spirit would speak words of encouragement and truth to you. Memorize this verse and carry with you.
Psalms 77:1 (ESV) I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me.
Monday – Psalm 77:1-3
Share the deepest hurts in your heart with God.
Tuesday – Psalm 88:1-7
Share the deepest hurts in your heart with one other person.
Wednesday – Matthew 26:20-22
Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to times that you have betrayed what God has desired you to be.
Thursday – Matthew 16:22 – 23
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal how His ways may not always look like your ways.
Friday – Job 40:1 – 5
Go for a walk and focus your thoughts on God and simply be silent before Him.
Saturday – Job 42:1 – 6
Take these verses and make them into a personal prayer.
Weekly Exercises
How did your practices of ‘when’ help you to see God in some new ways? Have you found a spiritual training partner or group yet?
Pick a day and give up online social networking for an entire day. [Facebook, Twitter, etc.] Spend the time you would have been online or when you feel the pull to update your online status to update your status with God in prayer, in readings and in silence.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal someone to you and then cook a meal or bake something tasty for them. Deliver it spontaneously along with a note that tells them how much you appreciate them.
Go for a walk and pick up all the trash you find.
Spend some time this week thinking about evil situations in the world or in your life that have caused you to be angry. Vent that anger to God and then sit in silence…
Pick a day and eat only one meal of rice and beans. Spend the other two meal times praying for those in our community and around the world who are hungry.
Pray and ask God to reveal ways in which you can counter the evil that is in the world. Some examples would be to volunteer to go to Good Samaritans, fill an Operation Christmas Child shoebox, serve in a ministry at Crossroads, send money to an organization that is helping to push back the darkness, etc…
Week 9 – Why (Practicing Sorrow)
Daily Exercises
In the morning give God your first greeting and pray… As the day rises to meet the sun, so my soul rises to meet you. Thank you that you hear my heart even when it is filled with doubts and questions. God, why did you allow _________________________ to happen?
Read these passages each day. As you read, pray that the Holy Spirit would speak words of encouragement and truth to you. Memorize this verse and carry it with you.
Hebrews 12:2-3 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Monday – Lamentations 3:21 – 30
Tell God where you have seen His faithfulness.
Tuesday – Romans 8:18
Meditate on this verse and future glory to be revealed.
Wednesday – Psalms 23:1 – 6
Read this verse slowly and out loud… pray as you read it.
Thursday – 1 Thessalonians 5:16 – 18
Share with someone about the situations, which are the most difficult for you to be thankful in.
Friday – Job 2:10
Go for a walk and focus your thoughts on God and simply be silent before Him.
Saturday – 1 Timothy 4:7 – 10
Take these verses and make them into a personal prayer.
Weekly Exercises
How did your practices of ‘when’ and ‘no’ help you to see God better in difficult times or prepare you for when those times come? Have you found a spiritual training partner or group yet? Anyone??? : )
Spend some time this week thinking about personal disappointments and tragedies. Be free and express your sorrow and grief to God. As you ask ‘why?’ try to imagine any possible good that God could wrest from these difficulties. What future joys may lie in store for you? Talk with God about it. Then sit and listen in silence…
As Jesus did in the garden, be vulnerable and share your fears and shattered dreams with someone. Ask them to pray with you for strength and wisdom to endure these difficulties well.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal someone who may be hurting and then do something wonderful for them. If they are still in pain, try not to give easy answers or explanations, but just ‘be’ with them.
Call someone you love and tell them all the reasons you love them. Or write all the reasons in a letter and send it to them.
Pick a day and fast from all beverages except water. Think of and pray for those who don’t have clean water to drink.
Week 10 Behold(Practicing Wonder)
Daily Exercises
In the morning give God your first greeting and pray… As the day rises to meet the sun, so my soul rises to meet you. I slow myself down today to behold You in others, in nature and in the times that tempt me to fear and become anxious. Give me a spirit of wisdom and revelation that I may know You and enlighten the eyes of my heart so that I may know the true hope to which you have called me. May I share that hope with others
Read these passages each day. As you read, pray that the Holy Spirit would speak words of encouragement and truth to you. Memorize this verse and carry it with you.
Revelation 3:20 (ESV) Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Monday – I Samuel 16:7
Whenever you see people you are tempted to judge and evaluate, ‘behold’ them as God sees them.
Tuesday – Romans 1:20
Take time to observe and ‘behold’ God in nature.
Wednesday – Psalms 54:4
Thank God today for the reasons in this verse.
Thursday – 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
Throughout the day continue to pray the simple pray of ‘Behold’ in any and every situation.
Frriday – Galatians 3:28
Confess ways in which you judge and categorize people in ways that aren’t helpful.
Saturday – Psalm 133:1
Behold someone you are in conflict with in a new light.
Weekly Exercises
How did your practices during the fall season of Perplexity lead you closer to God? These are the practices, which are difficult to share with a group, so hopefully you’ve discovered someone with whom you can share these deeper matters of the heart.
When you are in a public place today, practice ‘Behold’ with people. Reject your old judgmental thinking based on their appearance and ask the Holy Spirit to see them as He sees them. Pray ‘Behold’ as you look in wonder.
When you are in nature today, practice ‘Behold’ with God. Pray ‘Behold’ as you see the beauty of God’s creation and linger with Him. Slow down. Look for His eternal nature and invisible qualities all around you.
When you are in a position of discomfort this week, practice ‘Behold’ and surrender your fears, anxieties and cares to God. Pray ‘Behold’ and ask God to reveal your old thinking. Then trust Him and ask Him to replace those old thoughts with His peace and patience.
Paint a picture, take a picture, write a poem or sing a song about an experience when you Beheld God in a new way through other people or nature or uncomfortable situations this week.
Pick a day and enjoy some of your favorite food and drink and savor them slowly. Double your pleasure and invite someone to join you and share how good God has been in your lives.
Week 11 – Yes (Practicing Surrender)
Daily Exercises
In the morning give God your first greeting and pray… As the day rises to meet the sun, so my soul rises to meet you. I surrender my mind and thoughts to Your thoughts. I surrender my heart and desires to what You desire. I surrender my body to you and ask that you take my eyes to see, my mouth to speak, my ears to hear, my feet to go, and my hands to work only what pleases You. May my inner peace be a sign that I am surrendered and in unity with Your presence in me.
Read these passages each day. As you read, pray that the Holy Spirit would speak words of encouragement and truth to you. Memorize this verse and carry it with you.
John 21:22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
Monday – I Corinthians 13:12
Humble yourself before God and make this verse your prayer for today.
Tuesday – Ephesians 1:16
Pray for others, that God would give them spiritual wisdom and insight to grow in their knowledge of God.
Wednesday – John 15:1-15
Be still and ponder what it means to abide in Jesus like a branch abiding in the vine.
Thursday – John 18:17-18
Thank God for His love and forgiveness when you have denied Him.
Friday – Hebrews 13:17
Pray for those in authority over you.
Saturday – I Corinthians 13:1-4
Love someone in both words and actions.
Weekly Exercises
How did your practice of ‘Behold’ change the way you looked at people, at nature and at discomfort this week? Continue to share these moments with your small group or training partner.
Practice praying the simple prayer of ‘Yes’ to God as you go through your days. Ask the Holy Spirit where he is leading you to follow Him today.
Practice surrender and service by picking someone in your family and surrender your desires to them for a day. Plan an activity or game they enjoy, have a meal that they want to eat, listen to music they enjoy, : ) etc… Then switch to someone else so everyone in your family has the joy of surrendering.
Contact Pastor Aaron and ask where you could serve sometime in December even if it might be a little challenging or out of your comfort zone. Then do it!
Pray about and give toward the year-end projects at Crossroads. Thank God for the common goal in these projects and ministries, and how they help people love God and love others through faith in Christ.
Pick a day and fast from all electronic entertainment. Spend that time in spiritual disciplines of silence, prayer, reading, etc… Be ‘present’ with God and ask the Holy Spirit to completely fill your heart, soul and mind. Thank God that though Christ, He has given us everything we need for life and godliness.
Week 12 – Silence (Practicing Contemplation)
Daily Exercises
In the morning give God your first greeting and pray… As the day rises to meet the sun, so my soul rises to meet you. I quiet myself before you and ask that you teach me to learn to abide in you throughout this day. I present to you all my fears and anxieties that you may replace them with spiritual wisdom and calmness. May my inner peace be a compelling sign that I am in sync with Your Spirit in me.
Read these passages each day. As you read, pray that the Holy Spirit would speak words of encouragement and truth to you. Memorize this verse and carry it with you.
Psalms 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Monday – Matthew 11:28 – 30
Be completely still and silent before God today as long as it takes for your soul to be at rest.
Tuesday – Jeremiah 6:16
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what the “Godly Way” looks like in a stressful area of your life.
Wednesday – John 15:1-15
Be still and ponder what it means to abide in Jesus like a branch abiding in the vine.
Thursday – Psalms 131:1 – 3
Thank God for His protection and love for you. Pray specifically that others would come to know His love.
Friday – Psalm 4:4
Apply this verse in situations when you are angry at others.
Saturday – Psalm 46
Pray this Psalm over the lives of those you love.
Weekly Exercises
If you have not had a training partner for this series consider sharing with someone for this last week. What do you have to lose??? Ask each other what have been some of the best parts of the series, which parts have been more challenging and which lessons were not very meaningful.
Find a lonely place and practice praying contemplatively by quieting your desires and thoughts through the methods taught in the message this week. Remember to stay in contact with God’s Spirit throughout this time of prayer by focusing on some of the Scripture readings from the Daily Exercises.
Practice contemplative prayer during other times of the day when you have extra moments and when your attention is not required to be on something else.
Pick a day and be in tune with others, who appear stressed and worried. Pray that God would bring them peace through their knowledge of Him.
Continue to pray about and give toward the year-end projects at Crossroads. Thank God for the common goal in these projects and ministries, and how they help people love God and love others through faith in Christ.
Pick a day and fast from all unnecessary noise in your life and be as ‘quiet’ as possible throughout the day.
Send Mike an email to mike@ccwired.org and kindly remind him to practice what he preaches. : )
ST90: Christmas (Practicing Love)
Christmas Activities
As Christmas cards arrive, save them and during times of prayer at meals or bedtime, pray for the senders.
Use your nativity set with as many animals as possible to enact the story. Set up the manger scene and each day move the people and animals in a little closer.
Make cookies or candies to share with friends and neighbors.
Together as a family, visit a nursing home, serve meals at a mission or church, or pack and deliver Christmas baskets for food pantries.
Before opening presents on Christmas morning, read through the Christmas stories in Luke or Matthew and spend time in prayer giving thanks to God. Close with a moment of silence for everyone to reflect on the love that God has for them.
Family Discussion Questions
What do cultural Christmas traditions, such as Christmas carols or gift giving practices, say about who Jesus is? Who do your peers and teachers say Jesus is? Who do you say He is?
Why is the Incarnation so important? What difference would it make if Jesus were only a great man?
How can our family experience and represent the truest characteristics of the Incarnation — humility, sacrifice and redemption — during this Christmas season?
