Satan Wants to Separate You from Your Faith! Do Not Let It Happen! No Matter How Deep the Distress, No Matter How Far the Stretch, Do not Let Your Faith Fail!

Join Me: I Am On FaceBook Live Each Saturday at 9:00 A.M.& You Tube At Noon For A Word Of God. Here Is The Link Where You Can Meet Me for 45 Minutes. 

https://www.facebook.com/HSRH2011/. New CD Link. https://jpolson.hearnow.com/

“…thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer” (Psalm 4:1)

When God wants to make you a bigger person, He does it through “Distress”! The word “Distress” has an Old French Origin “Destresce”, from Latin “Distringere” which literally means “To Stretch Apart”! And “Stretch” is defined as “To be made or able to be made longer; wider without tearing or breaking; to extend to full length; last longer than expected; extend over a period of time; be sufficient for a particular purpose; extended storage capacity; and to use the maximum of one’s resources”.

You see, when you look at “Distress” in its Proper Perspective it does not seem all that bad at all now does it?!

The Psalmist was “…Enlarged…” when he was in “…Distress…”! Trust me, you are going to want to remember that! To “Enlarge” is defined as “To Make Bigger”! So the Psalmist was Made Bigger By God’s Distressing Stretches which resulted in him being made longer, wider (without tearing or breaking apart), he now also has the ability to extend to his full length, and even last longer than others expected and over a good amount of time as well, not to mention being sufficient in his purpose and having more than enough in his storage capacity to use to the max all of his resources!

In other words, Stop Complaining About Your Distress…It is the Place Where God Enlarges You! I Bet You are Ready to Be Distressed Now Are Not You?!

You see, the way to build a stronger muscle is to lift more weight! Now, when a muscle is put under stress, you groan. But if you persist, that muscle grows stronger and what you were groaning about last week you are smiling about this week, because you can now handle what you couldn’t get a hold of before! Which is why I am still trying to figure out who said the Christian Life was supposed to be easy? Because It Certainly Was NOT God! His Word compares the Believers Life to a Battlefield, not a Bed of Roses! The Bible even declares: “…endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3).

Let us look at how a few other translations word this text:

“Accept YOUR SHARE of suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (CEB).

“As a good soldier of Christ Jesus, YOU MUST endure your share of suffering” (CEV).

“JOIN ME in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (GWT).

Hopefully, you noticed a few things:

1. YOU SHOULD’VE NOTICED PHRASES LIKE: “YOUR SHARE” and “JOIN ME”, in the translations above. And why is that relevant? Because, believe it or not, you are not in your Distress ALONE! When God calls you to endure hardness, He does not send you as a lone soldier and call you an Army! So, before you start complaining, realize that you are not the only one! Here is a perfect Scriptural Example: Elijah said, “I am the ONLY ONE LEFT, and now they are trying to kill me, too” (1 Kings 19:10, 14) And God’s reply? “Yet I will preserve 7,000 OTHERS in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!” (1 Kings 19:18). Right when you think you are the ONLY ONE, God will show you He has 7,000 More, Just Like You! As hard and lonely as your distressing moment may feel, you are not alone! You have other brothers and sisters in distress with you! You are not the only one struggling in marriage; you are not the only one praying the Lord has mercy on your children’s idiotic decisions; you are not the only one battling loneliness in the midnight hour; you are not the only one unemployed; taking medication; surviving an illness; dissatisfied with the reflection they see in the mirror; heartbroken or trying to figure out how do I get myself out of what I got myself into?! Listen, the military does not call one soldier an army! Neither does God! You have soldiers who are fighting day-to-day just like you to win the battles of life. And just like them, YOU must take YOUR SHARE and JOIN in the warfare with the rest of God’s Army! So, no more murmuring and complaining, as the Word of God admonishes you, JOIN in the Suffering and TAKE YOUR SHARE as a Good Solider!

“Be grateful for what you have and stop complaining – it bores everybody else, does you no good, and doesn’t solve any problems.” (Zig Ziglar).

“If you’re not going to put forth any effort to change it, don’t waste your efforts complaining about it.” (Author Unknown).

“Complaining is draining. Complaining only takes away energy from today and never solves the problems for tomorrow.” (James Altucher).

“If you don’t like something change it. If you cannot change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.” (Dr. Maya Angelou).

“Complaining about a problem without posing a solution is called whining.” (Teddy Roosevelt).

2. DID YOU NOTICE THAT THOSE WHO “ENDURE” are “CALLED to Endure”? Read the text! “Take [with me] YOUR SHARE of the hardships and suffering [which you are CALLED TO ENDURE]…” (AMP) I find it absolutely Amazing that we don’t mind being called to preach, teach, prophesy, pray, preside, lay hands, lead the solo, sit in the pulpit, in the big, special chair, or on the front pew or to wear all sorts of titles, positions, offices, rings, robes and bedazzled crosses, but we Complain About Being Called To Endure! Oh, you can CALL us Apostle, Prophet, Bishop, Pastor, Elder, Evangelist, Minister, Deacon, Missionary, Director…Just Do not CALL Us to Endure! Oh, you can CALL us blessed, anointed, gifted, talented, awesome, phenomenal, handsome, beautiful, smeared in blessed oil…Just Do not CALL Us to Endure! Listen, “Endure” simply means “to suffer (something painful and prolonged) PATIENTLY; to TOLERATE; and to Remain in Existence” In other words, NO you’re not going to come out of it in 2 days, you are Called to Endure…Patiently! Tolerate it, Handle It, Remain in its Existence or in other words, Stop Trying to Outrun Suffering and Hardness That Is Your Share to Carry! Stand Still and Handle It, That is What Good Soldiers Are Commanded to Do!

In addition, God Would Not Give You A Calling He Did Not Equip You to Answer! Listen to the Word of God: “Strengthen (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages). Amen (so be it).” (Hebrews 13:21 AMP); “ And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.” (Philippians 1:6 AMP); “And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being].” (Romans 8:30 AMP) People of God, You Are Not in Your Distress Alone and God Called You to Endure It! And Last I Checked, Obedience Is Still Better Than Sacrifice!

“Without patient endurance, even the smallest thing becomes unbearable. A lot depends on our attitude.” (Dalai Lama).

“Endurance is not just the ability to bear a difficult thing, but to turn it into glory.” (William Barclay).

“Don’t pray for an easy life. Pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.” (Bruce Lee).

“Perseverance is more than endurance. It is endurance combined with absolute assurance and certainty that what we are looking for is going to happen.” (Oswald Chambers).

3. ONE OF THE TRANSLATIONS DECLARES, “…you MUST endure your share of suffering” (CEV) The word “MUST” is defined as “To be obligated”. “Obligated” has a Latin Origin “Obligare”, from “Ligare” which literally means “To Bind”!  It’s root is found in the legal field and is called a “Binding Agreement/Contract”, and in a nutshell it is defined as: “An agreement with specific terms between two or more persons or entities in which there is a promise to do something in return for a valuable benefit known as consideration”. It also carries the definition, “An agreement between two or more parties, especially one that is written and enforceable by law”. If anyone in the Bible was the epitome of a “Binding Agreement/Contract”, it was the Apostle Paul! And even he was not alone, both Timothy and James were called Bondservants as well, and a Bondservants’ main purpose is to be Obedient to Their Master! When something is Binding Nothing Should Separate It! It is an Agreement a Contract that Serves to Benefit Both Parties! You are indeed called to endure hardness and handle your place of distress, which means you are obligated to this also! This is not an option! This is a requirement! It is a legal, written (the Bible) Law, Agreement and Contract between you and your God! So as Distressing as it may be, You MUST Endure It! Never Forget, Every Binding Agreement Comes with a Promise Attached!

“Great moves of God are usually preceded by simple acts of obedience.” (Steven Furtick).

“We are not obedient because we are blind, we are obedient because we can see.” (Boyd K. Packer).

“Obedience is a choice. It is a choice between our own limited knowledge and power and God’s unlimited wisdom and omnipotence.” (L. Tom Perry).

“There will be no peace in any soul until it is willing to obey the Voice of God.” (D.L. Moody).

“When the Holy Spirit lays something in your heart, move without hesitation. You have no idea who may be depending on your immediate obedience.” (Author Unknown).

“He who refuses to obey, cannot command.” (Author Unknown)

4. I’VE ALWAYS LOVED THE SAYING, “GOD DON’T MAKE NO JUNK!” And that is the truth! One of the translations above even calls us, “…FIRST CLASS SOLDIERS…” Even in Distress, We Are Still First-Class! We May Have to Endure Sitting in Distress, But At Least We Do It Sitting in First-Class! Listen, God Called You and Equipped You, Therefore, You Can Endure It! Yes, Your Uniform Has Been Beaten, Battered and, Torn, But Do not You Dare Take It Off and Do not You Dare Abandon It! You Are a First-Class Soldier and You Can Endure! So, Act Like It!

“Don’t ever make the mistake of telling God that you have nothing to offer. That simply is not true. God does not create any junk.” (Dr. Myles Munroe).

“I am a Citizen of a Kingdom that Cannot be Shaken. A Child of a King with No Limitations.” (Author Unknown).

“You have something to offer that nobody else can offer. Nobody has your exact personality or your gifts. You are more than average. You are one-of-a-kind.” (Author Unknown)

And What Has All of That to do with Strengthening Your Faith? Well, Satan’s number one target is your FAITH! And if you do not learn how to stand your ground during distressing seasons, he will aim at, and hit the target of your faith, piercing it through-and-through every time! Just ask Peter!

Jesus said to Peter, “…Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your FAITH should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32 NKJV). In the same way you separate wheat from chaff, Satan Wants to Separate You from Your Faith!  Do not Let It Happen! No Matter How Deep the Distress, No Matter How Far the Stretch, No Matter How Enormous the Endurance Must Be…Do not Let Your Faith Fail!

Listen: Not only did Peter survive this attack, and strengthen his brothers, but he also grew through it and wrote: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you” (1 Peter

Join us for our Tuesday Bible Study each Tuesday at 7:00 PM. The number to call is 302-202-1106. Access code is 738510.

J.P. Olson

www.thewordwithjpolson.org

No Matter Your Circumstances, Never Cast Away Your Confidence in the God That Has You Covered! If You Do Not Have This Level of Confidence in God…GET IT!

Join Me: I Am On FaceBook Live Each Saturday at 9:00 A.M.& YouTube At Noon For A Word Of God. Here Is The Link Where You Can Meet Me for 45 Minutes. https://www.facebook.com/HSRH2011/. New CD Link. https://jpolson.hearnow.com/

“I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience His resurrection power, be a partner in His suffering, and go all the way with Him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.” (Philippians 3:10-11 MSG)

It is not correct to say that God spoke in the past but does not speak now. We cannot limit His Word or His discourse to any time.  He is as ready today to enrich His seekers from the fountain of revelation as He was at any time, and the gates of His grace.  He is the fountainhead of all excellences and combines in Himself all powers.  All grace originates with Him and everything returns to Him.  He is the Master of all kingdoms and possesses every perfect quality.  He is free from every defect and weakness.  It belongs to Him alone that all those on earth and in heaven should worship Him.  Nothing is beyond His power.  Earth and heaven, man and animals, stones and trees, souls, and bodies, have all come into existence by His grace.  God is the One Who is living today as He was living before, and Who speaks today as He spoke before, and hears today as He heard before.  It is a false notion that in this age.  He hears but does not speak.  Indeed, He both hears and speaks.  All His attributes are eternal and everlasting.  None of His attributes has fallen into disuse or will fall into disuse.  None of His powers lacks anything.  He is near and yet far, and He is far and yet near.

While John was a prisoner on the Isle of Patmos, far from his loved ones and surrounded by the cries of abused captives, he had a vision of Jesus. He writes, “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as if dead…” (Revelation 1:17 AMP). He received an incredible revelation during confinement, chaos, and pain – and isn’t that often how revelation works? God certainly has an amazing way of showing Himself mighty during our misery. The problem is; however, we don’t respond like John. Despite what John was facing and surrounded by, when “…he saw Him…[he]…fell at His feet as if dead…” Let us be honest, how many of us fall into worship mode when during struggles? Truth is, far more often, we become snappy, our attitudes get out of control, our emotions are doom and gloom, our faith falters, our countenance falls, our hope becomes helplessness, we invite family, friends and even foes to our self-proclaimed pity party. It is sad but true. Rarely do we immediately fall into worship when life hits us with its worst!

When during what John was surrounded by, he still fell at the Lord’s feet. During what Jonah faced, he still worshiped. So, what is our excuse? Do we really believe that trials, troubles, struggles and tribulation are all bigger than the God we say we serve? Well, if that is our belief, then I am here to tell you our broken belief system needs repairs!

Please understand that the difficult circumstances you’re going through right now can clear your perceptions, cause you to seek God as never before, and find answers for your life, to questions that have been bombarding your sanity! John’s predicament proves that negative experiences do not hide the Lord – they reveal Him! The Bible reads: “I saw this and fainted dead at his feet. His right hand pulled me upright, His voice reassured me: “Don’t fear I am First, I am Last, I’m Alive. I died, but I came to life, and My life is now forever. See these keys in My hand? They open and lock Death’s doors, they open and lock Hell’s gates. Now write down everything you see: things that are, things about to be…” (Revelation 1:17-19 MSG). As bad as it was, John saw the Lord, bowed before Him in reverential fear and had the Lord Himself to encourage him: “…His voice reassured me: “Don’t fear…” That is the beauty of being a child of the King, even when all the Kingdom of Darkness is against you! He Always Reveals Himself to the Righteous, Regardless of How Bleak Their Circumstances May Appear.  After all, the One Whom we serve is still the first and the last, which encourages us to know that no matter what transpires in the middle, God got it covered from beginning to end! And He is so awesome that He admits Himself, that He died and came back to life and now lives forever. He is reassuring John (and us) of just how powerful He really is! All He desires is that we trust Him and believe Him! And then, if that weren’t enough to increase our faith, lift up our heads, square off our shoulders and straighten up our back, He goes on to say in His hand are keys, and He alone has the access to open and lock death’s doors and Hell’s gates, so you’re afraid of what? Right! Absolutely Nothing! Because this is the God you serve!

I think sometimes we unfortunately forget the Lord’s promise to us: “…for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]” (Hebrews 13:5 AMP) How do you read a promise like that and fear anything or anyone? The Lord Himself DELIBERATELY REFUSES to fail you; give you up; leave you without support and will under no circumstances leave you helpless; nor will He forsake you; let you down or relax His hold on you! You are so loved, cherished, treasured, and protected by God that He Initiated This Promise to You! You did not have to ask Him to do it, you did not have to ask Him for it, He Chose to Give it to You Himself! So regardless to what you’re in, what you’re surrounded by, what you’re going through, who you’re up against or what you’re facing, you have full CONFIDENCE that God’s Got You COVERED!

“When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4 NKJV) Please understand, those fishermen were no better or no worse than YOU! So keep in mind: “…God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from – if you want God and are ready to do as He says, the door is open…He’s doing it everywhere, among everyone.” (Acts 10:34-36 MSG) God Can and Will Do It For YOU! Unlike man, He doesn’t play favorites! The door is open for the janitor, the bus driver, the waiter, the preacher and the singer alike!

Jesus said, “…According to your FAITH be it unto you” (Matthew 9:29). Not according to your bank account, where or how you were raised, if you have a degree, if you’re the right color, if your resume is impressive enough, if you wear the latest fashion, or if you’re in the right circle of people of influence to open closed doors on your behalf. Not according to any of that, But “…According to your FAITH be it unto you” However, 

The Message Bible says it like this: “He touched their eyes and said, “Become what you believe.” It happened. They saw…” (MSG). Don’t miss the vital key: “…Become what you believe.” It happened. They saw…”  They believed in what they could become, and as a result, they became it!  Listen, if it was possible for these fishermen, please know that it is certainly possible for YOU! How do I know? Because the Bible says, “…Jesus doesn’t change – yesterday, today, tomorrow, He’s always totally Himself” (Hebrews 13:8 MSG)

“A man cannot please God unless he has FAITH. Anyone who comes to God must BELIEVE that He is.

Hebrews 10:35, “Do not, therefore, fling away your FEARLESS CONFIDENCE, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward.” (AMPC) The Message Bible says it like this: Hebrews 10:32-39, “Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times! Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse—some days it was you, other days your friends. If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they could not touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So, do not throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It is still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you will be there for the promised completion. It will not be long now; he is on the way; he will show up most any minute. But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust; if he cuts and runs, I will not be incredibly happy. But we are not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.” (MSG)

No Matter Your Circumstances, Never Cast Away Your Confidence in the God That Has You Covered!

Instead of destroying you, Satan’s attacks can develop you. Yes, it STRESSES you, but it also STRETCHES you spiritually. In Hebrews Chapter 11 we see two things:

The Deeds of Their Faith; and

The Depth of Their Faith.

It always amazes me how God’s saints of old could worship Him during absolutely anything and we cannot seem to worship in anything. They pursued God on just promises, and even the ones that were not fulfilled in their lifetime, they never lost their appetite for God. They continued to hunger and thirst after Him. Maybe that is why they were so Full, and we are so Empty. The depth of their faith propelled them to continue in their deeds for Him, despite what was being done to and against them. They maintained such a Faith Under Fire That No Fierce Attack Could Put it to Ashes! They mastered how to Press in and Press On…Anyhow!

Think about it: Where did God prove His faithfulness to Daniel? In the Lion’s Den! “The king caved in and ordered Daniel brought and thrown into the lions’ den. But he said to Daniel, “Your God, to whom you are so loyal, is going to get you out of this.” A stone slab was placed over the opening of the den. The king sealed the cover with his signet ring and the signet rings of all his nobles, fixing Daniel’s fate. The king then went back to his palace. He refused supper. He could not sleep. He spent the night fasting. At daybreak, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. As he approached the den, he called out anxiously, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve so loyally, saved you from the lions?” “O king live forever!” said Daniel. “My God sent his angel, who closed the mouths of the lions so that they would not hurt me. I have been found innocent before God and before you, O king. I’ve done nothing to harm you.” When the king heard these words, he was happy. He ordered Daniel taken up out of the den. When he was hauled up, there was not a scratch on him. He had trusted his God.” (Daniel 6:16-23 MSG). My favorite part? “…HE ORDERED DANIEL TAKEN UP OUT OF THE DEN. WHEN HE WAS HAULED UP, THERE WASN’T A SCRATCH ON HIM. HE HAD TRUSTED HIS GOD.” Daniel was able to trust God during his attack, why can’t you do the same? After all, He is still the SAME GOD! We need to learn like Daniel to pursue God, to trust Him, rely on Him, rest in Him no matter what, because He’s Got Us…No Matter What or Who is Trying to Get at Us!

Let’s Recall Paul’s Words: “I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience His resurrection power, be a partner in His suffering, AND GO ALL THE WAY WITH HIM…” (Philippians 3:10-11 MSG)

Why don’t we trust God like that? John bowed, Jonah worshiped, Daniel trusted and yet we do none of the above when the circumstances of life attack you us? But I Reiterate, HE IS STILL THE SAME GOD…OUR GOD! So, whether He takes us out, or leaves us in, we ought to serve Him with gladness anyhow, because He is already promised to never leave you or forsake us.

You must leave Circumstantial and Conditional Faith and Finally Attain Concrete Faith!

Listen: Believe it or not, but there is a place in God where fiery trials consume everything Except your desire to know Him. And though that place may sometimes escape your grasp, never let it escape your gaze. It was Paul’s all-consuming goal: “[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power out-flowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].” (Philippians 3:10-11 AMP)

Paul desired to know God intimately. No matter the circumstances, no matter the obstacles, no matter the pain, suffering or tragedy of death. It was all worth it, just to know Him! Paul would do anything for HIM! Will you? And just in case you think Paul had a cake-walk to getting to know God, listen at his testimony: 2 Corinthians 11:21-29, “… I’ve worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death’s door time after time. I have been flogged five times with the Jews’ thirty-nine lashes, beaten by Roman rods three times, pummeled with rocks once. I have been shipwrecked three times and immersed in the open sea for a night and a day. In hard traveling year in and year out, I have had to ford rivers, fend off robbers, struggle with friends, struggle with foes. I have been at risk in the city, at risk in the country, endangered by desert sun and sea storm, and betrayed by those I thought were my brothers. I have known drudgery and hard labor, many a long and lonely night without sleep, many a missed meal, blasted by the cold, naked to the weather. And that is not the half of it, when you throw in the daily pressures and anxieties of all the churches. When someone gets to the end of his rope, I feel the desperation in my bones…” (MSG)

Even when I do not know what to say, the Lord already has an answer.

Remember: What You See Will Determine What You Seize!  Your God is the same yesterday, today and forevermore! He is not changing! What He Did THEN He can still do NOW! The issue is Do You Believe It?!

Listen, I know struggles and attacks can make it hard sometimes to press in, but you have got to press anyhow! No matter how bad it may become, remember your God is always good and will always bring about good on your behalf: So, continue to trust God no matter what you’re in, He’s a proven provider and protector of His people!

If You Do Not Have This Level of Confidence in God…GET IT!

Remember This: Fiery Trials Work for You, Not Against You!

“Dear friends, don’t be bewildered or surprised when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this is no strange, unusual thing that is going to happen to you.  Instead, be glad because these trials will make you partners with Christ in His suffering, and afterwards you will have the wonderful joy of sharing His glory in that coming day when it will be displayed.” (1 Peter 4:12-13 TLB).

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So, do not try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work, so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” (James 1:2-4 MSG)

EVEN BAD WORKS FOR THE GOOD OF THE BELIEVER!

So, Give God Your Very Best in Serving Him, Because He’s Given You His Very Best in Saving You!

And what is one thing you can start doing today? DON’T LET THE PRESSURE STOP YOUR PRESS!

Blessings

Join us for our Tuesday Bible Study each Tuesday at 7:00 PM. The number to call is 302-202-1106. Access code is 738510.

J.P. Olson

www.thewordwithjpolson.org

God’s Question To Us Is: Do You Trust ME When My Answer Is WAIT? The Voice Of God Will Never Contradict The Word Of God.

Join Me: I Am On FaceBook Live Each Saturday at 9:00 A.M.& YouTube At Noon For A Word Of God. Here Is The Link Where You Can Meet Me for 45 Minutes. https://www.facebook.com/HSRH2011/. New CD Link. https://jpolson.hearnow.com/

Today's Reading

God’s question to us is:  Do You Trust ME When My Answer Is WAIT?  The Voice of God will never contradict the Word of God. The Lord asks us to trust Him with all our heart.  When we Wait on Him, God strengthens our heart.  Can it be that simple?  Yes, because there is no second guessing in Christ Jesus!  God is greater than our weakness. In fact, our weakness reveals how great God is. When God say Wait or Don't do a thing, it is not a suggestion. Trust God, even when it does not make sense to us.

Jesus encourages us to step back from worries and fears. Step back and Pray. Consider His Word. Remember His power, provision, and plan. Sometimes it best to react with no reaction. Move beyond self-led reactions to Spirit-led responses. Our perspective changes in God's presence. We gain clarity and peace when we adapt God's perspective instead of our own. His sight is pure, full of grace and eternal-while our sight is often imperfect, narrowed, and worried about the now. David stepped back in awe of God's love. "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?" (Psalm 8: 3-4) When we consider the ways that God has provided in the past, it helps us to trust Him in the present. Step back today and position yourself in His grace.  What we see of God's provisions teaches us to trust Him for what we cannot see of His purposes.  

When troubles call on you, call on God. The best way to escape temptation is to run to God, because God's faithfulness dispels all our fearfulness. We battle Satan by staying strong in God. We are defenseless otherwise.  Do not expect God to make things crystal clear for you.  If you know that God is for you, it does not matter who is against you. Do not worry that you do not know all the right moves. God Does. You simply need to follow His lead. If the circumstances of your life feel unstable, remember that God has a firm place for you to stand. Read Psalm 40:2. What does the bible say about tests & trials?  It says to rejoice in them, not stress out about them. Use today's stress to GROW.

The Discipleship process begins with the believer desiring to be a disciple of Christ. We cannot be a disciple without Discipline. God’s hand of discipline is a hand of love. He will not give us authority if we cannot get under His authority, because without His authority we are helpless.  God is aware of where we are in every step that He is asking us to take. We do not take a step in our life that God is not overseeing.  God is behind the scenes; He orchestrates and controls the scenes He stands behind.

The impression of a fingerprint is a form of identification, a trait revealing the original. We are an original of God. The Father DNA is all over us. His fingerprint is all over us. Every time we put our hands on something, we leave a fingerprint. We should act, talk, and look just like our Father. Authority is in our hands and mouth, what we touch and say should be in the likeness of Christ because we are an original of God.

Want to worry less? Then pray more. Rather than look forward in fear, look upward in faith. Rather than worry about anything, pray about everything. Yes everything. Business meetings, broken bathtubs, or lost car keys.  Jesus taught people that "it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit". (Luke 18:1).  It is good to learn of our weakness if it drives us to lean on God's strength. Sometime our frustrations are the result of Un-offered prayer, not unanswered prayer. Prayer is the place where burdens change shoulders.

When God has you in a waiting period, do not put your life on hold. Instead, imitate the habits that grow strong faith.

The Bible says there are five things you should keep on doing even in the waiting period.

1. Keep on praying. The Bible says, “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7 NLT, second edition). Keep on praying, and you will get your answer.
2. Keep on serving. Romans 12:11 says, “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.” Do not worry about having a significant ministry. Just make your ministry significant.
3. Keep on going to small group. The Bible says in Hebrews 10:25, “Let us not give up the habit of meeting together …. Instead, let us encourage one another even more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer” (TEV).
4. Keep on sowing. Ecclesiastes 11:6 says, “Keep on sowing your seed, for you never know which will grow —perhaps it all will” (TLB).
5. Keep on believing. The Bible says, “You must keep on believing the things you have been taught. You know they are true” (2 Timothy 3:14).

The point is this: Stay active. Do not be passive. God cannot steer a parked car! Do not tell God you are waiting on him. Turn on the ignition, and just start driving. Where? Anywhere! Get involved in a ministry. Get involved in service. Get involved with small group. Do the things you know you could be doing to develop your skills and habits and become more like Jesus.

Blessings

J.P. Olson

www.thewordwithjpolson.org

Why Does Satan Hate You? Answer: You Are Forgiven, He Is Not. “The Enemy Uses These Three Things, The Lust Of The Flesh, The Lust Of The Eyes, And The Pride Of Life, To Entice Us To Sin.”

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Why does Satan hate you? Answer: You are forgiven, he is not. You will one day forget your fallen state; he is doomed to his fallen state forever. Psalms 85:2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.  Ezekiel 18:21.  But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath Why committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.

Satan was created. This sets to rest several in-church urban legends. Satan is not omniscient, knowing all things, like God himself. Created beings do not have the ability to know things that are not revealed to them by some outside source. God is a self-contained source, so He knows all. This means that Satan does not know what you are thinking. God has reserved that for Himself:

“The Enemy Uses These Three Things, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, to entice us to sin.” Scripture shows this process at work in both the Garden of Eden and on the Mount of Temptation. 1 Peter 5:8 be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour:

Confused? Have you ever been in a situation where Satan is all in the midst of it? Look like your prayers aren't working.  It appears that nothing is working, problems with spouse, family members, children, friends, co-workers or church members. Satan is the source of gossip and confusion. Do not allow Satan to whisper in your ear. Watch your thoughts, Satan sneaks into them.  If Satan is whispering to you, tell him to run back to his address! He has to obey you! Yes, that's right; he has to obey you.  Remember that when you speak the name of Jesus, Satan and his entire demons tremble now that should tell you something, that our Father's name is powerful in all of heaven and earth. The devil can lead you to sin but he cannot make you sin, you can choose to take action or walk away.  God does not make you remember your sin, the devil does. Satan wants to see you fail, matter of fact, the devil will set up your failure for you. 

Don't entertain Satan's tactics. He is indeed a deadly force in the world, and he is a personal adversary to us all.  You see, sinners like to blame Satan for their sins. Adam, in the garden, blamed Eve for his sin of eating the forbidden fruit, and then Eve blamed Satan. Sure, Satan helped her, he will lead you to sin, but Satan didn’t make her, he didn’t put it in her mouth. No one person in this earth is immune from the attacks of Satan and his minions.

How can Satan harm you? Satan can devour people. The Fellowship Between Satan And Humans Is Never Based On Love, Constructive Activity, Or On Redemptive Actions. It is all about hate, lust, and murder. He is the great devourer: Satan operates through humans in the flesh and through the flesh. The five senses; taste, touch, smell, hearing, and seeing, all report to the carnal mind – which is the enemy of God. These senses are what Satan uses to tempt us! The lust of the flesh includes tasting, touching, smelling, and hearing. The lust of the eyes is seeing. The pride of life is thinking you are special because of who you are, what you have, what you know, or what you look like.

It is all very simple. Satan cannot have his office in heaven back, and he cannot stop Jesus from doing His work: Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. So, all Satan has left to do is to destroy people by tying them up so well in sin that they cannot reason and understand the Gospel. If he loses someone to Christ, he then attacks them to destroy their Christian victory.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Satan will never know you as God knows you: 1 Corinthians 13:12 for now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Satan was never, and never will be, like God, but you will: 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

So, why does Satan hate you? Answer: You know more than he does regarding the deeper things of the Lord and his work.  John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.  1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. Satan will never again be "with" the Lord, but you will. Satan hates it that mortal beings like you can be forgiven (he cannot) and be like God in some way that we do not fully now understand.

1 Pet. 5:8   Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. This was spoken to Christians! Our enemy also masquerades as an angel of light. We need to be aware that the enemy is deceitful and can work through people who act as though they are following Christ, and to all outward appearances it looks like they are, but by their false prophesies, preaching of a different gospel, and by the fruit of their actions we can discover that they are really demonized false apostles.

Don't allow Satan to have the final say in your life or situation.  You have the right and authority to do that, you can easily reverse that and you can make sure that you have the final say in Satan's life when it comes to you.  Send the devil running back to his address. Let him know that any relationship with him is toxic and lethal; there is nothing good that comes from Satan. God will never leave us wanting, He will fulfill every need. There is NOTHING Satan can do for us.

Blessings

J.P. Olson

www.thewordwithjpolson.org

We Have To Reach A Place Of Trust, Reliance, Dependence, And Faith In God Where Our Circumstances Don’t Alter Our Praise! We Need Our Situations, Trials And Struggles To See That We Walk By Faith, Even When That Walk Takes Us Through The Valley

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Word Of God. Here Is The Link Where You Can Meet Me for 45 Minutes. https://www.facebook.com/HSRH2011/. 
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We Need to Allow Our Praise to Be the Evidence That We Trust God’s Outcome, Before We Even Come Out. Daniel Is Our Example Of Celebrating God For Victory Before The Battle Is Even Over!

Daniel 2:19, “…and then Daniel praised the God of heaven…” (TLB)

It’s easy to think of struggles as nuisances that get in the way of our paths, but what if they are the path. God has invested too much in you to let His plans for your life be destroyed.  I’m so glad how I feel about God at any given moment doesn’t change God a bit. Prayer is not getting God in heaven to do your will here on earth; prayer is getting you ready on earth to do the will of God in heaven. Prayer is not seeking to get your way, but submitting your will to God’s way. In spite of what you face as a struggle, it’s important that you learn how to put your praise in place so your problem doesn’t knock you out of position.

But before we get to Daniel, let's face it; we all have some days when we feel like we're stuck in the basement, right? The view isn't very inspiring and neither is the situation we're in. We’re low in funds, low in joy, low in peace, low in confidence, low in health, low in marriage, low in single-hood, and low in dealing with the battles of raising children, low in dealing with coworkers and even low while sitting in the pew next to our brothers and sisters in Christ! There are simply some moments in life when we’ve crashed in the basement, instead of breaking through the ceiling! Can we be real about it?

Well, the good news is that there is no basement so deep or so gloomy that you have to stay there, because there’s an elevator just waiting to take you up!

In essence, it's the spiritual elevator many of God's leaders in the Bible knew about - like Daniel, for example. He's a top advisor to the most powerful man in the world, King Nebuchadnezzar. All of the king's pagan advisors have been unable to meet his demand, and they tell him they don't know what his disturbing dream meant. Of course, he'd also asked them to tell him what the dream was. But nobody could do that either. So he sentences them to death - a sentence that applies even to Daniel! So Daniel is literally staring at being executed for no reason at all! Talk about a dark basement!

However, he doesn’t become weary, he doesn’t panic, he doesn’t freak-out, and he doesn’t start crying. So what does he do? Well, as any wise man would, he recruits his spiritual brothers!

Daniel 2:16-17, “So Daniel went in to see the king. “Give me a little time,” he said, “and I will tell you the dream and what it means.” Then he went home and told Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions” (TLB).

First things first, he lets the king know; oh it won’t end like this, at least not for me! And sometimes you need to speak to the very person, place or thing that is attempting to snuff out your life, that it won’t go down like that, not today, and not for me! I know what I’m facing is tough, but I refuse to just lie down and die! Just give me a little time, I’m about to put a strategy in place that can’t fail! This is designed to take me down, but I’m coming up and out!

Listen: Don’t you dare just accept situations or attacks for their face value. Hit it head on! Don’t cower, don’t run, don’t give up, don’t get depressed…strategize! That’s what Daniel did!

This means we really need to be careful when going into spiritual battle (even battles we face in the natural) in making sure that we call for the right troops. We need to make sure that when we call in reinforcements, we call the right people! Know that everybody who says they’re praying for you, are not! Not everyone asking about your situation cares that you get out of it, some just want to make sure you’re still in it! That’s why discernment and wisdom are necessities, not options!

Listen: You only need to take those IN, who can help bring you OUT!

But how do you know you’ve selected the right people? Let’s continue reading:

“They asked the God of heaven to show them His mercy by telling them the secret, so they would not die with the others. And that night in a vision God told Daniel what the king had dreamed.” (Vss. 18-19)

Daniel didn’t just call any group of men; he called the ones he knew would immediately intercede! Are those the first people you call? If it’s not, you need to change your strategy if you plan to win! Notice, they don’t hold a long conversation with Daniel, they don’t offer him options or their opinions. They don’t find some other brothers to talk about the mess involving Daniel and the king. No, they go straight into intercession, talking to no one but God! They don’t ask Daniel how he feels about it; they don’t question him at all. He called for them; they came to him, and then went to God! If you don’t have reinforcements like this, find them, today!

Something else to note, the 3 men asked God to show “Them” His mercy by telling “Them” the secret. But the answer to what they asked goes like this: “…And that night in a vision God Told Daniel what the king had dreamed…” They asked for God to show “Them” but God told “Daniel”. Note: You need intercessors that can intercede without jealousy or competition! After all, they could have responded, “God WE came to you in intercession so you would reveal it to US”… but they were just fine with Daniel receiving the answer…ALONE.

People of God, surround yourself with people who will not be so busy competing with you that they can’t help you win. It didn’t matter if it was revealed to Daniel alone, as long as the revelation came! And when it did, listen to Daniel’s response:

“…Then Daniel praised the God of heaven…”

See, the problem with us is that we let fear supersede our faith! But even in the midst of having his life at risk, Daniel stops to praise God first! He has a problem, God provides the solution, but before Daniel applies the solution, he praises God first! If that’s not how you’ve handled it in the past, handle it like that in the present and future!

Truth is we have to reach a place of trust, reliance, dependence, and faith in God where our circumstances don’t alter our praise! We need our situations, trials and struggles to see that we walk by faith, even when that walk takes us through the valleys of the shadows of death!

Daniel steps into the spiritual elevator that takes him from the basement of his circumstances to the penthouse of his awesome God! That elevator is called "Praise!" Now, you would think that finally receiving a solution to his problem would make him run to the king, but he had to praise his King first! And so do you!

In Daniel 2, beginning with verse 19, the Bible declares, "Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: "Praise is to the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power is His. He changes the times and seasons and sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise...He reveals deep and hidden things...and light dwells with Him..."

See, Daniel rises from the basement of a dangerous and impossible situation to the penthouse view from the Throne Room of the Highest God! And everything looks different from there! Please know that as you rise higher on an elevator, what seemed so close and so big and so overwhelming (when you were on the same level as it), starts to shrink in size the higher you go up! The higher you go up, the smaller it gets, the higher you go up the further away from you it gets! This is why it’s so vital that you learn how to rise from low places! You realize that the size of the situation and the size of the need don't change the size of your God at all!

That is the power of praise - the elevator that takes you from the "basement" of earth-stuff to the "penthouse" of your awesome God! Daniel and his reinforcements, go from having their lives in danger to governing and administrating in the royal headquarters!

In the midst of danger, Daniel still paused to take a praise and thanks break! And so should you! Daniel could have complained, started to stress out, flip out and worry. Or do like many of us do, and try to design back-up plans just in case God doesn’t show up on our timetable! But no! His very life is in danger, and yet he doesn’t panic, he simply presses pause so he can give God praise!

Blessings

J.P. Olson

www.thewordwithjpolson.org