"I had lived my whole life thinking that all limits ruin freedom, when all along it’s been the opposite; the right limits create freedom." -- Justin Whitmel Earley

Life is formed by habits more than hopes. Develop good habits with your phone, and don't believe the lie that we can be omnipresent like God.

This week, make a habit to turn your phone off for one hour a day.

"Resolutions come and go. But resiliency stands the test of time." -- Pastor Matt Lake

We build resiliency through spiritual habits and disciplines, like prayer, which forms us more into God's image.

This week, make a commitment to pray three times a day: in the morning (9 AM), at midday (12 PM), and in the evening (9 PM).

May we treasure the miracle and the reality of the Christ child in the days to come when our circumstances will still be unexpected.

Like the shepherds in the Christmas story, choose joy by changing perspective.

To experience anticipatory joy, be like Joseph, choose to take action.

Blessing and joy in God’s kingdom look different than in earthly kingdoms. We discover this when we choose humility and offer ourselves as servants to God.

Christmas is often described as the most joyful time of the year. But in a time when so many circumstances are weighing heavy upon our heart, can we really find joy? How do we have joy when darkness looms, when life is uncertain, and when we are unsure what tomorrow will bring?

When your identity and security is in God, it dethrones possessions as the god of your life and it replaces the twin threats of worry and desire with the blessing of satisfaction.

When our identity is shaped in the image of Christ, we become salt of the earth people who point the way to life and salvation in life’s most difficult places.

We must recognize and repent of worshipping the false gods that compromise our identity in Jesus so that we can wholeheartedly follow Him.