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Cooperative Economics: Kwanzaa Day 4

“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” - Acts 2:44-45”

Many of the early Christian communities practiced cooperative economics. Individuals with financial resources understood that they were to use their gifts to help others. Just as people with gifting in other areas did the same.

The letter to the Corinthians put it this way: “Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need… as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.” (From 2 Corinthians 8)

Equality did not mean that everyone had the same thing. Rather it meant that everyone had everything they needed. I’m sure we will not soon agree on what’s too much to hold. But we are called to cooperate in such a way that no one has too little.

I’m Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of Hope. Peace be with you.

(Thanks for your prayers. I’ve been diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, a condition that usually corrects in time. Thanks for your concern and well wishes. Your prayers are appreciated.)

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Collective Work And Responsibility: Kwanzaa Day 3

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” - 1 Peter 4:10

Many of us live in highly individualistic societies where we focus almost exclusively on individual on personal wellbeing. Others live in societies that place an emphasis on the wellbeing of our family, clan, tribe or group as opposed to the wellbeing of outsiders.

We are so steeped in this thinking that when we read these scriptures and phrases, we automatically begin our screening process. This principle may be found in the New Testament but it’s not just for Christians. It may be celebrated during Kwanzaa but it’s not just for Black people.

The principle of doing to others as we would like to be done to ourselves has been embraced by many people in many traditions in many places. As a Christian, I see collective work and responsibility as an extension of loving one’s neighbor as oneself. Jesus didn’t make any exceptions or exclusion on who counted as our neighbor.

We are called to carry each other’s burdens. We are collectively responsible for one another.

I’m Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of Hope. Peace be with you.

(Thanks for your prayers. I’ve been diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, a condition that usually corrects in time. Thanks for your concern and well wishes. Your prayers are appreciated.)

#60secondsofhope #inspiration #Devotion #Kwanzaa #love #hope #discipleship #faith #devotional #growth #positivity #peace #personaldevelopment #positivemindset #positivegrowth #postiveattitude #personalgrowth #spiritualgrowth #spirituality #dailymeditation #dailydevotional #dailydevotion #dailyinspiration #kwanza #unity #selfdetermination #collectivework #collectiveresponsibity #1Peter4

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Self-Determination: Kwanzaa Day 2

“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”- Joshua 24:15

We may not be responsible for the things that happened to us. We may not be responsible for the circumstances in which we find ourselves. But we are always responsible for how we respond.

Do we respond out of our fear, anger, and hate or do we choose to respond out of our faith, hope and love? This is our choice. This is the power of self-determination that we have all be given.

We are responsible for the thoughts we entertain, the emotions we embrace, the words we speak, the company we keep, and the goals we seek.

One of the greatest harms we can do to ourselves is to abdicate our power by allowing anyone or any thing to enslave us. Even if we are physically shackled, we can still choose freedom.

Dear God, freedom and self-determination is the birthright you have given us. Give us the courage and wisdom to use it in and for love.

Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of Hope. Peace be with you.

(Thanks for your prayers. I’ve been diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, a condition that usually corrects in time. Thanks for your concern and well wishes. Your prayers are appreciated.)

#60secondsofhope #inspiration #Devotion #Kwanzaa #love #hope #discipleship #faith #devotional #growth #positivity #peace #personaldevelopment #positivemindset #positivegrowth #postiveattitude #personalgrowth #spiritualgrowth #spirituality #dailymeditation #dailydevotional #dailydevotion #dailyinspiration #unity

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60 Seconds of Hope: Unity (Kwanzaa Day 1)

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” - Romans 14:19

Unity doesn’t require uniformity. Unity doesn’t require conformity. Unity doesn’t even require agreement except that we to agree to live together in the peace that gives everyone the opportunity to thrive.

Unity requires each of us to use all of our gifts, efforts, and resources in ways that build each other up. But what wakes a person thrive? Our unity often breaks down on this last point.

We have different ideas of righteousness, justice, and fairness. These are not easily reconciled. Therefore, we sever relationships, seeing each other as misguided at best and as evil at worst.

Unity requires us to have the humility to acknowledge that we may be wrong and are most certainly not completely right.

Unity requires us to love each other enough to accept our differences, embrace what we have in common, and work for the common good while treating each other with dignity and respect.

I’m Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of Hope. Merry Christmas and peace be with you.

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The Darkness Shall Not Overtake Us

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.” - John 1:5

Evil may appear to be ascending.

The darkness shall not overtake us.

The callous may sit on the throne.

The darkness shall not overtake us.

We have suffered set backs and losses.

The darkness shall not overtake us.

We may grow weary from the fight.

The darkness shall not overtake us.

With our hope and faith in the power of love,

The darkness shall not overtake us.

We will place our candles on the lamp stand.

The darkness shall not overtake us.

We shield our flames from the winds of fear and hate.

The darkness shall not overtake us.

Our lights shine brightly in the darkness.

The darkness shall not overtake us.

I’m Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of Hope. Merry Christmas and peace be with you.

(Thanks in advance for your prayers.)

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While We Wait For Christmas

“Live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” - from Titus 2:12-13

Our swords have not been yet beaten into plowshares. Our spears are not yet pruning hooks. The lion does not lay with the lamb. And we are still studying war. The world described by Jesus and the prophets, a world of peace and wellbeing for all has still not yet arrived.

While we wait for this new world to emerge, the writer of Titus encourages us to prepare ourselves to be citizens of such a world. We must learn to practice the self discipline and self control required for us to respond in every situation and circumstance with the integrity, faithfulness, kindness, and compassion that love requires of us.

We have a lot to learn while we wait for Christmas.

I’m Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of Hope. Peace be with you.

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Holding Treasure In Our Hearts

“Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” - Luke 2:19

Mary experienced so many spectacular and extraordinary moments… The visit of the angel, her fearless decision to answer her calling, pregnancy, a new husband, and the miracle of birth.

Many of us have had moments of transcendence, where we experience the luminous. Others of us have been witnesses of the miraculous. Still others of us have had our hearts stirred and our spirits come alive in ways that are hard to put into words.

Then comes the daily grind. Mary now had baby to be cared for, meals to be prepared, a household maintained, a new marriage to navigate, and many miles to travel and places to visit, as she and Joseph struggled to find a place to call home.

Luminal moments are special and rare. They have to sustain us for a lifetime as we return to the demands of ordinary life. May we like Mary, treasure these moments and hold them in our hearts.

I’m Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of Hope. Peace be with you.

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If It’s Not Good News For Everyone…

“But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:” - Luke 2:10

We fear that there isn’t enough to go around. We suppose that life is like a pie, where when someone gets a slice that leaves a little less for anyone else to have. And we’re not trying to do without.

We operate under the assumption that some folks are going to have, and others are going to have to do without. Then we do everything in our power to make sure we get ours even if it comes at someone else’s expense. In our minds, that’s just the way things are.

The good news is for everyone, particularly those living in the shadows and in the margins. It declares…. The hungry will be fed. The naked will be clothed. The thirsty will be given to drink. The sick will be cared for. And the stranger will be welcomed.

If it’s not good news for everyone, it’s not the gospel. We live in a world of God’s abundance. There’s more than enough good news to go around.

I’m Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of Hope. Peace be with you.

#60secondsofhope #inspiration #Devotion #hope #love #discipleship #faith #devotional #growth #positivity #peace #personaldevelopment #positivemindset #positivegrowth #postiveattitude #personalgrowth #spiritualgrowth #spirituality #dailymeditation #dailydevotional #dailydevotion #dailyinspiration #advent #advent2025 #Luke2

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