Episode 2-44: How to Remain Focused on the Holy Spirit during Christmas Season distractions

Welcome back! I am your host Dawn Simmons and in this episode of Conquering Our Unseen Enemies we are going to talk about how to remain focused on the Holy Spirit during all these year-end holiday season distractions. This time of year can be such a blessing as we come together with family and friends and begin a new year, but it can also be such a distraction in our time with the Lord. I want to talk about how with a little planning we can keep ourselves from becoming too overwhelmed with all that is “required” of us and still plan for ourselves to move forward in 2024. 

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 I hope this has been time that inspires you to want to learn to grow in your relationship with the Lord and build your plan to stay grounded through the holidays and into 2024. We want to grow in Him and learn how to work with Him to build the Kingdom and Conquer Our Unseen Enemies. The more we grow the more our life will change, and you can help change the lives of anyone around you who is willing.

If you know anyone who might benefit from this, please share. 

As always, let’s discuss our Top Show points:

·      How to remain focused on the Holy Spirit during all these year-end holiday season distractions.

·      It’s easy to lose sight of what is most important whether it is Christmas or any other holiday throughout the year.

·      This year let’s resolve to do things differently.  Let’s resolve that the One who should be directing our lives, will still be directing our lives no matter how our schedule gets filled. 

·      Use our planning time in ways to create balance in what is important to us and what is important to the people in our lives.

·      Glimpse into how I felt in my life raising 4 kids during the Christmas season.  The struggles I had with all the extra responsibilities but yet the same number of hours in the day.

·      Gave you the story of our family Christmas caroling that didn’t turn out the way my husband envisioned.

·      Let’s take a look at what the bible tells us about planning ahead. 

o   Proverbs 15:22, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” 

o   Proverbs 15:14, We need to learn from our past, look at the successes and look at the failures so we become stronger going forward.

o   Proverbs 21:5, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” If we put a plan together, we need to be disciplined to maintain what we set out to do in our plan.

o   Psalm 119:105, We want to make sure that what we are using to guide our way is based on the Bible.  The Holy Spirit will never steer you wrong.

o   Proverbs 19:2, Taking the time to plan ahead will allow us to anticipate obstacles and prepare a way through our obstacles.

o   1 Corinthians 16:2, Paul is instilling in them a way to be organized and efficient in how they are organized so things are completed before he arrives.

o   Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

o   Isaiah 32:8, “But the noble make noble plans,  and by noble deeds they stand.”

o   1 Corinthians 14:40, ”But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”

o   2 Corinthians 9:6, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 

·      5 Steps to Keep Focused on the Lord during Christmas and the holiday season.

o   Set aside quiet time with the Lord each day during the Christmas season

o   Review 2023

o   Start to plan for 2024

o   Get your calendar ready to go for 2024         

o   Consider Becoming a Mentor or getting a mentor

We encourage you:

·      To have an active Bible reading plan, it will be helpful in gaining wisdom and understanding and it is required for the gift of spiritual discernment

·      If you want to learn more about how to Hear God's Voice, visit our website, lovingconversationssalo.com.  My book, Loving Conversations: How to Pray and Hear God's Voice has helped so many people in their relationship with the Lord, check out the testimonials.  There is also a companion Study Guide and two devotionals out based on the Loving Conversations Book.  Those are available on the website www.lovingconversationssalo.com.

·      Follow us in Instagram, @conqueringourunseenenemies

I have enjoyed our time this week and look forward to spending time with you again next week!