I rarely have a Christmas letter out on time. Haven’t even tried for a few years. But on our way home from a visit to family I had an experience with God. Of all places it was IHOP! (International House of Pancakes) :~)
Our waitress was young and embarrassed. The restaurant had run out of the breakfast items we requested from the menu. Not once but twice she came back to our table saying, “I’m sorry we are out of…!” Surprisingly, no chicken in the place or whole grain pancakes either!
Steve and I looked again (#3) at the menu and made our choices. We bantered about a restaurant that doesn’t keep enough on hand to handle flux in the patrons. We were up-beat and not dissuaded. As encouragers we let the young lady know we were not upset but we would be satisfied.
Then I began to hear something else… “I will not be denied!” Whether Hannah at the tabernacle threshold, Esther in the outer court awaiting a summons, or Mary, looking at her promise on the cross, would these women be denied? They had staked everything on their hearts desire.
I believe God is offering “Good Cheer” at this time. As many are walking through this worlds tribulations…”be of Good Cheer I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Perhaps you have been comfortable with your place, your relationships and how things are going with God, when an unusual event takes place. What now? This is awkward, uncomfortable, shocking, a crisis, you name it. You were not expecting it! Will you let it go, or will you persist and press in to ask, “What are you saying God?”
I also felt it’s time to ask for a big gift from our Daddy God for Christmas, something that will upgrade the whole ‘gifts of the Spirit’ package. (I Corinthians 12 -14)
Ask for the gift of Faith for Christmas! We will appreciate what that gift does to all the others and our personal relationship with the Godhead. To access ALL the gifts Faith is a key. He’s looking for Sons and Daughters to be full of faith. So ask and expect, I think you’ll hear answers to your deepest longings – some which you have dropped long ago. It may cost you. It cost each of the mentioned women to go against the grain, the religious world, their families and cultural attitudes. But they would not be denied!
Yes, be of Good Cheer, we overcome with Joy and Faith in this New Year.
Happy Holy Days (they are everyday of the year)
Pam Johnson
https://landingstripenterprises.com/
