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Key Points:
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6b (NIV)

1. Settle your identity.

But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 1 Peter 4:16 (NLT)

ACTION PLAN: This week before Christmas, make a 15-minute appointment in your busy schedule to be with God. During this time, thank God that because of your adoption, you belong in the family line of Jesus. You have a new family name, you have new confidence, and what's more, you have a new identity – you are not who you were. You are who God and God alone says you are "… in the family likeness of Christ" (Galatians 3:27b), and then "Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!" (1 Peter 4:16b).

2. Set your heart.

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. Ezekiel 36:26 (NLT)

ACTION PLAN: Start every day this week by setting your heart on God. Look again at the words of Ezekiel 36:26. Ask him to give you this new heart by using spiritual breath prayers. Breathe out (surrender) your stony, stubborn heart and breathe in (receive) a tender responsive heart. Breathe out your pain and breathe in relief. Breathe out today's havoc and breathe in his peace. Breathe out your weakness and breathe in his strength. Breathe out your sadness and breathe in joy. Try it out!

3. Rest your body.

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."
Mark 6:31 (NIV)

4. Serve your family.

God has seen how I never stop praying for you, while I serve him with all my heart and tell the good news about his Son. Romans 1:9 (CEV)