The Source of Good – The Presidential Prayer Team

Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. – James 1:17

As November draws to a close and the Christmas season bursts forth with its events, decorations, and gift-giving, the focus turns from the giving of thanks to giving of gifts. Both are good, but you are probably aware that there are a lot of traps to avoid in December such as overspending, overindulging, overextending your time and resources.

How can you use this season as an opportunity to be obedient to what God puts on your heart rather than a season of stress and weighty obligation? How can you live Christ’s “joy to the world” and “peace on the earth” amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays? There are many ways to do this. Some people light a candle each Sunday before Christmas and focus on such things as hope, peace, love, and joy. Listening to and singing Christmas carols is another tradition to keep your focus on the Reason for the Season. Bible study and meditation, and even physical exercise and laughter, are all practices to promote a healthy atmosphere in your home.

And, of course, prayer and thanksgiving help you get centered in the Lord, producing contentment. If you have enough to eat, a place to live, clean water to drink, clothes to wear, a relatively peaceful neighborhood, and a somewhat healthy body, you are doing better than most people in this world. As you pray for the country, pray that the light of Jesus that believers are to carry to the world will outshine the commercialism and political division.

Today’s Verse: James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Philippians 4:2-9

²I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. ³Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

⁴Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ⁵Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; ⁶do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.