Governor Sarah Palin: "The Elijah List Has Been a Blessing to My Family"
Governor Sarah Palin : Dec 7, 2013
The Elijah List
Governor Sarah Palin on The Elijah List:
"The Elijah List has been a blessing to my family in many ways, including providing us opportunities to share encouragement through the words, articles and even breaking news that's found on the website. Often, God gives encouragement through an article that seems to be written just for situations we face at a specific time, and I'm sure many others must feel the same way when logging on to read a word. I am thankful for bold faith-filled individuals and teams – like the Elijah List team – working so hard to provide a modern forum that strives to "strengthen, encourage and comfort" the Body of Christ. Thank you for promoting spiritual values that have made this nation exceptional. Thank you for keeping real hope alive."
FOUNDING EDITOR'S NOTE: I was both surprised and delighted yesterday to receive this note from Governor Sarah Palin. It is such an encouragement to this ministry that so many around the world are enjoying and being blessed by The Elijah List.
I want to recommend to all Elijah List readers (and your friends, of course), Governor Palin's newest book on Christmas, called, "Good Tidings and Great Joy: Protecting the Heart of Christmas." You're going to enjoy a fresh perspective on enjoying this God-given Christmas Holiday!
*Special note: Those who are kind enough to purchase this book through THE ELIJAH LIST will be supporting THE ELIJAH LIST MINISTRY by doing so. I am MOST GRATEFUL for your support. To order "Good Tidings and Great Joy: Protecting the Heart of Christmas" RIGHT NOW CLICK HERE.
Merry Christmas!! Jesus IS the REASON FOR THE SEASON!
-Blessings, Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher The Elijah List & Breaking Christian News
Governor Sarah Palin:
It's that time of year again—Christmas is in the air. Snow flying in Alaska, jingle bells heard on the street corners, bright-colored lights appearing on rooftops and peppermint chocolate chip shakes at Chick-fil-A all point to the most wonderful time of the year.
Why is it so wonderful? What do we really celebrate? With the hustle and bustle of the season, we can often run ragged and end up missing the mystery of Christmas, the birth of Jesus. With the advent of this beautiful season, I wanted to offer a few thoughts on keeping Christ in Christmas and pondering the meaning of His birth. More than just a historical event, the arrival of Jesus on the earth was the first step toward atonement, redemption and resurrection. He was "God made flesh", the true hope of the world. If I'm for Christmas, it's only because I'm for Christ.
The good news the Christmas message whispers to you is, "Fear not." That's what the angel said to Mary, and that's what God is saying to you now. As you wrangle through whatever challenges are going on in your life – financial distress, illness, concerns for your children or parents, even silly expectations you have about this season – it's natural for you to feel fear. But Christmas is not about the "natural", it's about the miraculous. Hebrews 2:14 says Jesus became man "that through death He might destroy him who has the power of death."
Trials, hardships, and – yes – death are all part of our existence on earth. One day, I'll get the call and no one likes thinking about it, but the message of Christmas resounds anyway.
Fear not.
Why?
God helpfully elaborates.
"For I am with you."
Be not dismayed.
Why?
"For I am your God."
It's so common to receive cards in the mail in December with Scripture verses on pretty paper in gold foil commemorating the season. But the words are more powerful than a decoration to tape around your door frames.
Forget the dopey-hopey-changey things you hear from politicians promising an easier life if only you vote the way they tell you. The words of Scripture are the only words powerful enough to change your life and this culture.
"I will help you," God says. "I will strengthen you; I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness...Do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall wear....Cast all your anxieties on God because He cares for you...The Lord is my light and my Salvation: whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?"
Christmas gently encourages you in your weakness.
You don't have to be perfect. Perfection came, wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a humble manger. His life and death free you from others' expectations, from cultural decay, and even from your own inadequacies.
That's why you can rest in this season, because perfection doesn't depend on you. Ever wonder why there are so many candles during Christmas?
"In Him was life and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
This year, truly accept the joy and peace the holiday offers.
It can change your life.
It's already changed the world.
Merry Christmas.
-Governor Sarah Palin-