Loving others is one of the greatest commandments—but Scripture never calls us to love people at the cost of losing the person God created us to be. Jesus modeled compassion, service, and sacrifice… yet He also rested, withdrew to pray, and set boundaries. He loved deeply without being consumed by everyone’s demands. 1️⃣ Love Requires Healthy Boundaries “Let your ‘Yes’ be yes, and your ‘No,’ no.” – Matthew 5:37 Saying no isn’t unloving—it’s honest. Boundaries protect your peace and your capacity to love well. 2️⃣ You Are Also Called to Steward Yourself “Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Mark 12:31 You can’t pour from an empty cup. Caring for your soul, rest, and emotional health matters to God. 3️⃣ Pleasing God Over Pleasing People “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?” – Galatians 1:10 Loving others doesn’t mean living for their validation. 4️⃣ Jesus Stepped Away to Recharge Again and again, Jesus withdrew to lonely places to pray (Luke 5:16). If the Son of God needed space, so do we. Where do you need to set a loving boundary in this season? Loving others is holy—but so is honoring the limits God placed within you. 🤍

Friendship in Christ is more than shared interests or good conversations—it’s about walking together in faith. When Christ is at the center of our relationships, fellowship becomes a place of encouragement, growth, and genuine love. In Christian fellowship, we support one another through prayer, accountability, and compassion. We celebrate victories together and stand side by side during difficult seasons. These relationships remind us that we are not meant to do life alone. God often uses Christian friendships to strengthen our faith, challenge us to grow, and reflect His love through others. Whether it’s a simple message of encouragement, a shared prayer, or showing up when someone needs support, fellowship builds a strong and lasting foundation. Let us continue to be intentional in building Christ-centered friendships—ones that uplift, inspire, and draw us closer to God and to one another. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” — Acts 2:42

Vision shapes the direction of our lives. We are all moving toward something—whether intentionally or not. The question isn’t if we have a vision, but who is guiding it. Vision Without God Vision without God is often driven by pressure, comparison, fear, or personal ambition. It focuses on control—trying to make everything happen on our own timeline and according to our own understanding. It can look like: • Chasing success without peace • Setting goals that impress others but drain your spirit • Measuring worth by productivity or outcomes • Feeling anxious when plans don’t go as expected Vision without God may still achieve results, but it often comes with burnout, pride, disappointment, or emptiness. When God is removed from the process, the weight of the vision rests entirely on us. Vision With God Vision with God begins with surrender. It’s rooted in prayer, obedience, and trust—even when the path isn’t fully clear. God-centered vision isn’t always fast, flashy, or easy, but it is purposeful and peace-filled. Vision with God looks like: • Seeking God before setting goals • Trusting His timing over your own • Allowing Him to redirect your plans • Finding peace even in waiting seasons • Growing spiritually while moving forward practically When God leads the vision, He also provides the strength, wisdom, and grace to walk it out. His vision may stretch you, but it will never leave you without His presence. The Difference That Matters Most The biggest difference between vision with God and vision without God is who carries the burden. With God, you walk in partnership. Without God, you walk alone. Proverbs 16:3 reminds us: “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” God doesn’t just want to bless the outcome—He wants to be involved in the process. A Moment to Reflect As you look ahead: • Whose vision are you currently following? • Have you invited God into your plans—or just asked Him to bless them after? • Are you willing to let go of a vision if God asks you to trust Him with something different?

As we step into a new year, courage doesn’t always look like big, bold moves. Sometimes it’s choosing to keep going, trusting God when the path isn’t clear, and showing up even when fear tries to hold us back. This year, let’s pray for: • Courage to trust God’s timing • Courage to grow, even when it’s uncomfortable • Courage to let go of what no longer serves us • Courage to walk in faith, not fear You don’t have to have everything figured out. Just take the next faithful step—God will meet you there. 💛 What’s one area where you’re asking God for courage this year?

Creating intentional, Christ-centered moments during the Christmas season helps families slow down, reconnect, and refocus on what the holiday is truly about. Here are some meaningful ideas to make your family night both fun and spiritually enriching: ✨ 1. Read the Nativity Story Together Open Luke 2 and read the Christmas story as a family. Let each person share what part stands out to them. This sets the tone for a Christ-centered celebration. ✨ 2. Christmas Worship & Prayer Night Play worship songs or Christmas hymns, then gather for a time of prayer—thanking God for His faithfulness and the gift of Jesus. ✨ 3. Nativity Craft or DIY Ornaments Create simple crafts like: Nativity scene ornaments Scripture-themed decorations Handcrafted stars or angels This helps kids (and adults!) connect creatively with the message of Christmas. ✨ 4. Acts of Kindness Night Choose a way to bless someone together: Write encouraging cards Deliver treats to neighbors Prepare small gift bags for those in need Teaching children generosity during Christmas is powerful. ✨ 5. Christmas Movie + Discussion Watch a faith-based Christmas movie, then talk about how it reflects themes of hope, sacrifice, and God’s love. ✨ 6. Bake With Purpose Bake cookies or treats and pray over the families you plan to give them to. Turn a fun activity into a ministry opportunity. ✨ 7. Family Gratitude Sharing Sit around the tree and share: One blessing from the year One way you’ve seen God at work One thing you’re praying for together This builds unity and strengthens faith. Which of these traditions would you love to try this year? Do you have your own family Christmas traditions that center on Jesus?