JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of Christmas, one can be easily caught up with the festivities. Busy shopping for presents, preparing for family gatherings, decorating our homes etc. I was mindful to keep my focus on the reason for the season, the greatest gift of all: Jesus Christ. He is the best Christmas present anyone can receive. Even though I thank God for He has blessed me with great joy this Christmas season, I remember there were past Christmases that weren't as joyous for me. I was going through tough times then. And I can tell you the worst time to be going through challenges had to be Christmas.

Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year where people all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus. Yet I am mindful that everywhere I go, there are people who are in need. They may be smiling on the outside, but on the inside, they're hurting. All around us, people are dealing with family issues, health problems, rejection, broken dreams and low self-esteem. And I read somewhere that said the highest cases of suicide occur during these festive seasons.

It can be very depressing to see others so happy when one is at his lowest point. In fact, there are some people who are estranged or separated from their families and couldn't celebrate Christmas with their loved ones. May God send them friends and angels to bring them joy and lift their spirits up. May they feel the manifest presence and love of God through Jesus Christ. May God bring them the miracle they needed so much.

I was reading Cindy Jacobs' prophetic word on 22 Dec. She declared that 2016 is the year the tide turns. She quoted from Isaiah 59:19, "When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord will raise up a standard." Many people have been discouraged, especially in the holiday season; people feel lonely, people feel overwhelmed. She is gonna give us some good news—this coming year, the tide will turn for you.

She wanted to encourage you, some of you right now are going through a challenging time, but she promised that God is working on your behalf. The enemy may be coming in trying to overwhelm you, trying to make you feel like you are flooded by problems and adversities. But don't pray complaining prayers; pray faith-filled prayers, saying that you trust the Lord, that He is going to cause you to triumph, He's going to cause you to overcome. The tide will turn.

Besides for some of us who are still waiting on God for that miracle, that desire, that dream to be fulfilled in our lives, be encouraged that the year is not over yet. Doug Addison's prophetic word on 20 Dec said: Expect a last-minute miracle and a good ending! God is still able to bring that promise to pass before the year ends. Nothing is impossible for God. Continue to be expectant and be hopeful because Jesus had already paid the price for our victory and breakthrough! 

Don't be afraid to cross over to the new year because you still have an unfulfilled promise for this year. You can have hope that the Lord will give you your heart's desire so that you can be confident to face the new year. Next year will be a much better year. Whatever has happened in the past, let it go and continue to press on to the future. God is doing a new thing in your life. Focusing on that will bring you joy and enable you to enjoy the festive season.