Maximize What You've Got - Make the Holidays a Positive Memory

Highlights from Pam’s ‘Jingle Jangle’ Keynote Session

How do you Maximize What You’ve Got?
2 Kings Chapter three tells a story of a single mom – a widow - who was devastated by her life circumstance. Elisha said, “What can I do for you?” She said she had nothing in her home except a jar of oil. She trusted the impossible to God, and He abundantly provided.

Spiritual Principle:
God can take your “lack” and multiply it when you trust Him. Your little is God’s much.

How Can You Make the Holidays a Positive Memory that Lasts?
As I looked back over my journals in preparation for the talk, I ran across a verse that I tattooed on my heart the Christmas of 1988. Its practice has unfolded God’s bounty over the years.

What will be your soul’s main focus over the holidays? Your past hurts and injustices? Your present worries and impossibilities? Your uncertain future?

Psalm 63:8 - My soul clings to Thee. Your right hand upholds me.

Webster’s definition ‘to cling’ – to adhere as if glued firmly, to cleave tenaciously

5 Clinging Truths That Work
Using the acrostic = C – L – I – N – G

C = Call Upon God’s presence

His presence is real – He wants you to experience His nearness
Proverbs 18:10 – The name of the Lord is a strong tower and the righteous run to it and they’re safe
Psalm 62:8 - Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.
Isaiah 25:4 - For you are a helper to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat of life,

L = Let go and accept what is

It’s impossible to totally erase the damage or heartache you have to deal with on a daily basis, but you can choose to override its power that keeps you in the bondage of sadness, loneliness and despair. By choosing to focus on God’s character and presence above your chaos and pain, healing will begin and God will restore you to the place of accepting your plight knowing God has a plan.
Isaiah 43:18 – Do not call to mind the former things or ponder the things of the past, Behold I am doing something new. Now it will spring forth. I will make a roadway in the desert. Will you not be aware of it?
Letting Go – it’s not as hard as you think. It’s harder to be angry and bitter than it is to finally let go and give it to God.
Accept – God’s promises

Psalm 31: 14-15 - My times are in His hands
vs. 24 – Let your heart take courage - Put your hope in God

Psalm 63:8 -“My soul clings to you and Your right hand upholds me

   God’s right hand is filled with
- His righteousness – a covenant to do what’s right
- might and power – like a bolt of electricity
- deliverance - - with right hand delivered Israel out of Egypt
  - guidance – it lead the children into the promise land
- security, protection, sustenance, victory

I = Increase the season

Don’t get caught up in the NOW… this is only one holiday out of many more to come (if the Lord wills)
Seize opportunities to make it great
There will never be another Thanksgiving/Christmas 2011 so make it memorable for the children
Make new fun traditions
Get outside of yourself

N = Never Compare
(Actually that’s nearly impossible, but you can choose not to dwell on what you don’t have)

10 Truths about Comparing – Comparison:

It tells God you’re not ready for more because you are not content with less.
It’s toxic to inner healing.
It leaves you feeling robbed, less than, overlooked, inadequate, ungrateful.
It induces jealousy and gives birth to bitterness.
It leads to a phony life.
It’s a belief that God’s not sovereign concerning your affairs.
It snuffs out the freshness of God’s presence.
It’s a roadblock to the lessons God’s trying to teach you.
It gives the enemy a stronghold.
It will eat you alive!

What is His answer to comparison?
1 Thessalonians 5:18 - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

G = Give God glory

Speak of His goodness, His spectucualarness –
So what is God doing in your life?

Psalm 147: 3 –
He’s healing the broken hearted and bandaging their wounds. He’s counting the stars and assigning each a name. He’s enjoying His limitless strength. He’s putting the fallen on their feet again. So celebrate; Sing to God a Thanksgiving hymn. When you throw your confidence on Him, you get His attention and strength.

Cling to the Lord… Cling to the Lord… Cling to the Lord

Each single mom received two gifts from Arise Ministries at Jingle Jangle:

a slap bracelet with a stick figure and a verse engraved on the top: Psalm 63:8 – My Soul Clings to Thee
a holiday booklet of 20 Devotionals for Single Moms – “Jingle Jangle Words of Hope” by Pam Kanaly. I wrote them praying moms would experience God’s Presence over the holidays.

Love to you, and may the Presence of Jesus be ever so near this holiday season!
Pam