From the desk of Tawny Nelson:
I am so blessed to have been born to and grow up with Steve Shultz as my Dad. During those days of growing up, and even now, I observed him by example – many, many times – trying something "crazy"...believing God's Word LITERALLY and putting feet to it and obeying it even when it seemed to go against the grain of all the world's "wisdom" and all that feels "natural" to the human mind and emotion. Not only was his life changed by these simple obediences, but mine was too by observing how to obey and worship God with all of my being even when I don't understand and even when it seems to be opposite to what comes naturally for us to do.
Let this personal story and testimony be an encouragement to you in the trials you face...and why not just give simple, "crazy" obedience a try this Christmas season and see what happens!
"I Didn't Want to, But Under My Breath I Whispered, 'Thank You, Lord, For EVERYTHING.' What Happened Next Changed My Life."
Steve Shultz, Albany, OR
It was just about 30 years ago. With NO money in the bank or in my pocket, it was only a few days before Christmas.
I had no job. My business was failing. I had two young kids, and Derene, my wife, was at her sewing machine, to save money.
I had just read this book by Merlin Carothers, "Prison to Praise," and he was saying it was God's will that we thank God FOR EVERYTHING...not just praise Him in spite of everything. He wanted us to thank God FOR EVERYTHING. (Photo via Pixabay)
This is what the Word says, Carothers insisted, "In EVERYTHING, GIVE THANKS; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
I was feeling helpless, but I made the decision to do it. What did I have to lose?
Under my breath I whispered, "Thank You, Lord. Thank You we are depending on You. Thank You that we are in a place with no Christmas tree, no presents, and no money. Thank you that we have no money in the bank and no money on the way. Thank You, Lord, for NO MONEY! Thank You that You know all things. Thank You, Jesus, FOR EVERYTHING!"
I didn't even tell Derene I did that. I JUST DID IT! And I chose to MEAN IT!
I started making plans to go out to the garage, grab the Christmas lights, and make a Christmas tree OUT OF LIGHTS in the living room. It wouldn't be traditional, but the kids would probably love it.
Suddenly, the phone rang. It was an attorney calling from another state. "I have a check for you for two thousand one hundred dollars I'm going to overnight to you!"
"What? For what?" I asked.
He went on to tell me he had processed a claim I'd made in my business from two years before. It had been denied to me. I long ago had kissed it goodbye. Suddenly here it was.
A day later the check arrived and we went out and bought a beautiful tree! I think it was the prettiest tree we ever had...at least it appeared that way to me because of how God had provided. (Photo via Pixabay)
We had a wonderful Christmas. We got a few simple gifts, but they were precious to us. From that point on, favor entered our lives and, only a few months later, we were able to get a nice car to replace the awful clunker we were driving.
I'll never forget that lesson. God wanted us to KNOW how much it means to Him when we thank Him FOR EVERYTHING, including tough times. He put that Scripture in the Word because it was important FOR US...it was a benefit FOR US TO DO.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In EVERYTHING, GIVE THANKS; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
At this Holiday season, let's just do it. Let's just THANK HIM FOR EVERYTHING!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher
The Elijah List & Breaking Christian News
http://www.elijahlist.com
Steve Shultz is the Founder of The Elijah List, the largest online publication focused on the prophetic ministry. Steve Shultz had his first prophetic dream in 1984 and spent much of the 1980s and 1990s learning to hear God's voice. His first book, "Can't You Talk Louder, God," details a lot of his prophetic journey. In 1994, God released him to prophesy to others and he's been doing it ever since. He began publishing The Elijah List in 1997, which now goes to many hundreds of thousands of readers daily through the web, emails, Facebook, and Twitter. When Steve ministers on the prophetic, his purpose is not only to encourage others with this prophetic gift, but to train them on the lavish grace and mercy given to us by Jesus Christ. "Ministry to others without really stretching them regarding the PROPHETIC GRACE and THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD would be no fun at all!" he says. Steve has been married 37 years and he and his wife Derene have three grown children and one grandchild.
To subscribe to The Elijah List go to:
http://elijahlist.com/subscribe
Note: Events are subject to change at the ministry's discretion. We suggest you always check first with the event contact listed here and/or directly visit their website for latest updates on each event.
January 7-9, 2016
What is God Saying for 2016?
Featured speakers: Chuck Pierce, Dutch Sheets, Jane Hamon and Alveda King
Jesus Pursuit Church
2110 Santiam Hwy SE, Albany, OR 97322
For more info and to register click here
