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

Breaking it Down:

Amidst political unrest and uncertainly, the prophet Isaiah tells of a coming time of restoration. Even though God’s people continue to wander far from Him, He has a plan to rescue them. 700 years before the birth of Jesus, Isaiah let God’s people know that He was coming, that He would offer them comfort, power, compassion, protection, and peace. And, Christ continues to offer us those things today. Keep each of the names Isaiah uses to refer to Jesus in mind throughout this season as you celebrate His birth!

He answered: “'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind;' and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Luke 10:27

Breaking it Down:

Who do you love? Your parents? Your siblings? Your best friend? What do you do to show those people you love them? You spend time with them, right? You do things together and build a relationship.

God wants us to love Him with everything we’ve got. That means we need to spend lots of time with Him (reading our Bibles, praying, etc.) so we can build a relationship and learn to truly love God – with all of our hearts, souls, strength, and minds.

But Jesus also tells us we need to be kind and compassionate to everyone we meet. Not just our friends. Not just our families. Not just people it’s easy to get along with and love. Everyone. That’s what He means when He says love your neighbor as yourself. We are supposed to love other people as much as we love ourselves! What have you done to love others today?

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

Breaking it Down:

It seems like a simple concept, but as spring turns to summer – as flowers blossom and trees bud – what can you do to keep your mind on your Creator?

God created the world and everything in it. His power and His majesty are displayed all around us, but we often don’t take the time to stop and notice all He has provided us with. If you feel sad, discouraged, or overwhelm, simply look at the world around you and be reminded of God’s immeasurable power and love.

Breaking it Down:

It’s so easy to get bogged down with the ins and outs of everyday life. It’s far too simple to waste time worrying about after-school plans, appointments, and practices, about fashion, movies, and what people think about us.

But, God desires that we set our minds on other things. That the things we meditate on reflect His heart. He wants us to spend time thinking about the things that are important to Him. He wants our hearts desires to match His. How are you choosing to set your mind on things above this month?

Breaking it Down:

God is my rock. My rock. Perhaps the word rock is repeated in this Psalm because God knew that we would all need something to hang onto every once in a while. God wants us to know that He is the firm, solid, and everlasting foundation of our lives. No matter what is going on, no matter how down we feel, no matter how much chaos might encase our lives, God is there to guide and protect us, to be our stronghold and our shield. He protects us from harm and delivers us from evil.

Breaking it Down:

God, the Creator of the Universe, takes great delight in you. Take a minute and let that sink in.

And, that’s not all! Not only does God find great joy in you, He rejoices over you with singing. When was the last time you rejoiced about something…and I mean truly rejoiced? Feelings of happiness and joy are likely associated with that time. How much greater, then, is God’s rejoicing? God is constantly by our side, He delights in us, He calms us with His love, but He also stands over us and sings in His incredible love and His unending joy.

Breaking it Down:

What kind of attitudes does God want to grow in our lives? Just check out these verses from Galatians. When we ask Jesus into our hearts, His Spirit will develop love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control within us.

What can you do today to help grow these characteristics within your heart and mind?

Breaking it Down:

Sometimes it’s really easy to complain. When we don’t get our way or things get hard we can whine, protest, and grumble. But, God reminds us again and again that our words matter. What we say affects other people and it affects us! God cares about our words just as much as He cares about our actions.

Pleasant words are as sweet as honey. They are nourishing, healing, and sweet to hear. Pleasant words benefit everyone who hears them! What sweet words have you said today?

Breaking it Down:

If you were going to sell everything you had in order to get one thing, you would only do it to get the very best thing, right? You wouldn’t get something that was just OK or something that was only so-so; you’d get the BEST!

Jesus tells a parable or a story about a man who did just that. The man sold everything he owned so he could buy a field. Why? Because he had hidden a treasure in the field that was more important to him than anything else; for him, the treasure was the best thing possible!

Jesus says the treasure the man hid in the field is like God’s Kingdom. God’s Kingdom is the very best thing anyone could want. The Kingdom of Heaven a life with Jesus now on earth, but also a life with Him forever in Heaven. Jesus is saying we should love Him so much that we are willing to give up absolutely everything we have in order to be with Him in God's Kingdom – He is the best thing we could every have!