Living a Spirit Led Life

Hearing from God in Everyday Living

Listening Prayer

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Word of the Day: The Giver

‘Twas a week before Christmas
And all through the house,
Thoughts of perfect gift giving
Occupied man and his mouse.

But no Google search-words
Seemed able to find
The gift that would truly
Bring peace of mind.

While computers are helpful,
They cannot deliver
What will only be found
Through the Heavenly Giver.


The Invitation: Santa visited with a couple of our grandchildren this week, and one of them asked if he knew Jesus. “Oh yes,” he replied. “You know, Jesus is the reason for the season.”

“Do you know if my Elf-on-the-Shelf, Couragette, knows Jesus?” she asked.

“I imagine she does.” he said. “I talk to my elves about Jesus all the time.”

Santa went on to ask the children if they knew how he could live to be 360 years old (since the beginning of the Santa Claus tradition) . They shook their heads no. “Well,” said Santa, “the more you give, the longer you live.”

Santa has had a lot of years to give! He models the art of giving well. But as he told my grandchildren, he can only give what the elves are able to make in the workshop. So no puppies from him. And no peace of mind from him either.


For this is how much God loved the world
—he gave his one and only, unique Son as a gift.
So now everyone who believes in him will never perish
but experience everlasting life.
—John 3:16 (TPT)

What if we considered ourselves a type of elf this week—going to the homes of those in need, not with Santa, but with Jesus in prayer? Let’s picture ourselves standing outside the homes of those on our hearts — like a Christmas caroler — announcing the good news of Jesus, the ultimate gift-giver. He is right there with us, and we can tell Him what’s on our
heart for each person.

Perhaps we pray the words of the angels in Luke 2 or whisper the desires of our heart to Jesus. He sees beneath the surface to the deep needs. Ask Him to remove anything blocking those living in the homes from knowing Him or receiving what He has for them. Maybe you sing Silent Night over a group of people and watch Jesus bless each one. Let the Holy Spirit lead you.

Then all at once, a vast number of glorious angels appeared,
the very armies of heaven! And they all praised God, singing:
 “Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven!
    For there is peace and a good hope given to the sons of men.”
—Luke 2:13-14 (TPT)

Your Response: Heavenly Gift and Gift-Giver, I want to partner with You to bring peace and hope to people this season. First-of-all, give me peace in the midst of either too much solitude or not enough and too much busyness or the longing for more activity.

Holy Spirit, show me how to walk with Jesus in prayer. Give me one person, family, or situation to pray for. Who do You want to visit in prayer?

(Let the Holy Spirit lead you in how to pray and talk with Jesus. If you just have a few minutes, choose to pray for the first person who came to mind. Tomorrow ask Jesus for another. Remember to listen for insight from Jesus. His thoughts can encourage our hearts.)

Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven! And on earth! For with You there is peace and hope for all who believe.

For more on giving heavenly gifts, see:
• Gift Giving Part 1
• Gift Giving Part 2
• Gift Giving Part 3

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When Losing is Winning

The Invitation: Every season of life holds beauty, but when the time for a new season comes, sometimes we resist or resent it. We’re not ready for the change. It arrives unexpectedly and we’re content with what we know and where we are. Or we’re sad about what we’re losing.

Yet what would the trees miss out on by not shedding their leaves? Getting through the winter would be questionable because losing leaves enables trees to conserve water and energy. Photosynthesis, seed production, food, and rest are all tied into the purpose of seasons for trees.

Seasons in our lives might not be as predictable as a tree’s. An empty nest or retirement are expected, but who saw a season of quarantine coming?

Are we willing to trust God when a new season arrives? Just as trees lose their leaves in the fall in order to prepare for new growth, there are things each person needs to lose or lay down in order to be ready for growth. Is there a way of thinking or acting you need to lose or put away today? It may be the key to winning–or thriving–in this season and the next.

When I was a child,
I spoke as a child,
I understood as a child,
I thought as a child:
but when I became a man,
I put away childish things.
–1 Corinthians 13:11 (NKJ)

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
–1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)

My Response: Thank you, Lord, for continually inviting me to live in more freedom and maturity than I know today. Just as healthy trees lose their leaves in the fall, is there a way of thinking or acting that I need to lose or put away to prepare for the next season? (It may be something like regret, disappointment, an unhealthy behavior, my own plan, etc.)

Thank you for empowering me to do so. Give me a picture of what You have in exchange for my “loss.”

Lord, You have won the victory on my behalf. I receive it.

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Thanksgiving Prep

X Turkey
__ Stuffing
__ Pumpkin pie
X 10 black olives for each child
X Pin the Wattle on the Turkey game

Whatever your to-do list for Thanksgiving looks like, we hope you’ve started checking things off. And no matter the size of your gathering, this is a good week to prepare your heart to be with family and friends. For family are the friends chosen for us, and we are refined and matured as we love them well. Remember, it only takes one person partnering with God—and a few turkey jokes—to shift the atmosphere around a dinner table.

If you’re up to the challenge, the Recipe for a Great Thanksgiving Dinner is here again. This year we’ve added an Express Edition for those who love the idea, but know the “from scratch” recipe will overwhelm them. You can print your favorite and keep it handy for the holiday season. Give it a try. Who knows? It might be the best Thanksgiving ever.

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Listening Prayer: Living as a Human Mirror

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;”
—Genesis 1:26a (NIV)

As followers of Jesus Christ, we want to live in the truth that we are made in the image of God and can no longer consider ourselves mere humans. Rather, we are human mirrors, designed to reflect the beautiful and good God we worship—the One who came to earth, showing us who He is and how to live. And now, as disciples of Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit living in us and empowering us to think, act, and love as He does.

Mirror: to show a reflection of; to accurately represent something else

What does it look like to change our perspective from being a mere human to a human mirror? Allow the Holy Spirit to show you as you practice listening to Him in prayer. Remember, He may give you a thought, a picture, or a sense of a shift He wants to make in your thinking. Let’s practice listening.

We all, with unveiled faces,
are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord
and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory;
this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.
–2 Corinthians 3:18 (HCSB)

Pray: Lord, open my spiritual ears and eyes and enable me to sense Your voice. I want to reflect You in whatever I am doing and live with Your perspective and love.

Is there anything keeping me living as a mere human rather than a human mirror—a reflection of God? Is there a lie I believe about myself or You, Lord? (If something comes to mind, in prayer, hand it to Jesus. Then ask Him, “Jesus, what is the truth?” Receive the truth from Him.)

Lord, Your Word says I am created to walk in the image of God, to carry the Holy Spirit into any situation and to be an agent of love. I want to be willing to risk speaking a kind word or praying with someone if You nudge me. Help me be mindful of this wherever I am. 

For each of these situations, ask the Lord to show you:
a) how it looks to enter in as a mere human
b) how it looks to enter in as a human mirror, as a reflection of God

  • grocery shopping
  • sitting in a hospital waiting room
  • voicing a complaint or concern on the phone
  • attending church on a Sunday morning

For example, pray: Lord, what does it look like for me to go through the grocery store as a mere human? (Wait and listen.) Then continue: Lord, what does it look like for me to go through the grocery store as a human mirror? (Wait and listen.)

Pray: Thank you, Lord, for empowering and equipping me to share Your love in my daily life. I want to live as a human mirror.