December 3, 2011

Dear Friend of YANA Ministries!

We are in the middle of the holiday season. Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday have past and Christmas and New Year's are swiftly approaching. It is a time of year when schedules are changed and routine is set aside. It is a time to renew family ties and friendships. It is also a time when the most important relationship we have can be impacted in a negative way by our celebrations.

Recently I returned from a Thanksgiving visit to loved ones out of state. While I treasured the time I spent with my family and friends, I was also aware that my daily schedule of prayer and communication with God was disrupted and changed as I adjusted to a new time zone and as my schedule filled with activities. God was not forgotten by any means, but I did not spend as much time with Him as is my habit. Upon my return I sensed the longing in my spirit to reconnect with the Father. I needed to become centered. I needed to take the time to sense His presence and bless Him for His nearness.

If not for God there would be no reason to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is He Who brought our country into existence with principles that have kept us an exceptional nation. It is He Who created each of us for a time such as this when we can shout about His love more than any other time of year. It is He Who is faithful when we are not. It is He Who is patient, wise, and loving when we are not. It is He Who is always available to hear our voices raised to Him in prayer and petition.

Throughout this holiday season, make it a priority to keep your relationship with God active and alive in a very special way. Talk to Him constantly. Let His voice be your guide to gift-giving. Set the Father in the middle of your plans and let His will guide their outcomes. Share Christ's love with all those around you in a very personal way. Let the Holy Spirit know how much you love Him and appreciate Who He is in your life, during this season and for all times!

Keep God the center of your holiday season as well as every other day of your life!

Let us pray together: O Lord God, we know that You look down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God (Psalm 14:2)! You order the steps of a good man and delight in his way (Psalm 37:23)! Let our steps be so ordered by You every day of our lives, no matter what celebrations or difficulties we encounter in our life journey! Praise be to Your Name, Lord God Jehovah, Prince of Peace, Mighty and Eternal God, Precious Holy One! We shall make it our priority during busy times and slow times to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness and know that all other things will be given to us as well (Matthew 6:33)! To honor You and let You know that You are the center of our lives, we make it our goal to be well pleasing to You every day, O God (2 Corinthians 5:9)! Set our hearts on You and our minds on Your Word and let nothing capture our fancy or captivate our senses in such a way that we do not seek You first in all things! Precious is Your name, O Lord, and precious is Your presence in our lives! Be glorified, Sweet Lord, now and forever! Amen!

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