Happy Christmas Eve Everyone! I hope this message finds you well. I bet the title probably struck you as peculiar, but it is truly necessary. This morning I woke up with nothing but thanksgiving in my heart. God has done amazing things in my life, as I’m sure you can relate. He is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). Through all my experiences (not all pleasurable), and from what I am seeing now, I could not have written my story better. God works in His suddenlies; we just have to keep the faith and trust Him during the challenging times.
As I woke up this morning, thanking God for this day, all He has restored, and all I am experiencing on this beautiful Christmas Eve, I am full of joy and praise to the ONE who has given me favor with man, a thankful heart, and the ability to forgive. THEN here comes a “stinky” thought that had nothing to do with me but was the reflection of another person’s heart. The enemy tried to bounce a negative thought my way, but it immediately bounced right off me because it didn’t have any glue to stick. God has been so Good to me that I refuse to allow one negative thought to resonate and remain in my thoughts. To me, this doesn’t show thanksgiving to God, but ungratefulness, so I took the trash out and continued to praise God!
Today, I encourage everyone to do the same thing. I encourage you to speak to those who do not want to speak to you, love those who do not love you, give to those who aren’t able to give back in the same manner, help those who need the help, and pray for those who need prayer.
I truly believe it cost nothing to speak to others. We cannot say we’re followers of Jesus but walk pass fellow brothers and sisters and refuse to speak. Regardless of who is at fault, let’s remember the enemy works in silence.
Take out the trash of silence with the enemy in it and Speak. This will reveal your maturity in Christ and give way for the Lord to shine His light through you to the other person. I understand everyone may not be in the same place regarding forgiveness, but God’s Word reminds us to take ALL things to Him in prayer with a caveat of what will happen when we do:
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Amen.
I pray everyone takes this Christmas season to remember why we celebrate this holiday — the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ born of the virgin Mary (amazing miracle of God). If you cannot think of any other miracles right now, this is one in itself that we should all remember and be grateful for — Praise God! So regardless of what’s under your Christmas tree right now, we have the gift of salvation that is available to all who believes and accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Give God your heart today.
Matthew 1:21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.
If you are not saved, please visit my Salvation Prayer page.
Love you all in Christ,
Ayesha L. Shoulders
I Surrender 2 Jesus 