When You Belong To Jesus, Grace Belongs To You! It Is Always In Your Possession. You Cannot Forget It, You Cannot Leave It At Home, You Cannot Replace It, You Cannot Lose It, You Cannot Throw It Away, And You Most Certainly Cannot Run Out Of It!

 

 

Hebrews 4:16, “Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [HIS AMAZING] GRACE to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].” (AMP)    

Grace reminds us of an ambulance coming to treat someone with a medical emergency. The paramedics offer assistance to the victim on the spot. They dispense immediate grace to the most serious symptoms. Then they slide them into the ambulance, which is equipped with more grace—by means of more medical equipment—to deal with the problem. And as the paramedics are administering more grace to the patient, the ambulance races to the hospital where even more grace awaits, in the form of a host of medical professionals with varying years of experience, specialties and learning, extensive medications, and available rooms and even larger and more proficient equipment to save and sustain life. And once the patient is admitted, the hospital keeps dispensing grace to meet the need until the problem has been addressed and the patient can go home again.  

As the beloved hymn goes: “Twas Grace that brought me safe thus far, and Grace will lead me home.” 

Are you grateful for grace?! No matter how bad your disease of sin may be, grace is there with her scrubs on ready to go to work on your behalf. Whether your hurt is physical, mental, emotional, financial, spiritual, grace is there Saving, Healing, Delivering, Stabilizing, and Restoring Your Entire Being Back to Good Health! 

Well, one day Jesus heard our emergency call for help, it sounded like this: “I am a sinner and I need a Savior.” Or better yet, in the Words of Scripture:  

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13).  

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).  

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” (Psalm 51:10-13).  

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10).  

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12).  

Aren’t you grateful for grace that heard our emergency calls and answered every one of them?! 

Jesus Himself came to earth, found us dying in sin and reached down to save us. And as our High Priest, He also transported us from where we were, to a place that has all the grace we will ever need as long as we live, until we are finally and fully restored at the resurrection and go home with Him. How amazing is the love of God towards us? How amazing is His undeserved and yet abundant grace that is bestowed on our behalf?! 

Please know this with blessed assurance, today, if you draw near to Him, He will meet you where you are, and continuously dispense sufficient grace! “But He said to me, my grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!” (2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP). Can you imagine being so covered in sufficient grace that you can even rejoice in your weaknesses and infirmities, because Grace has you covered?! Do you realize that His Grace is so Glorious, that it is Strong enough to Handle Our Every Weakness?! Grace is Amazing because it gives weak infirm individuals like us, Power and Strength and Mercy and Favor and Sufficiency! All of that simply by the Lord’s Grace! I always love hearing the song “Amazing Grace” but experiencing it and living under it cannot compare! And Grace covers a lot of Ground too! Do you realize that you cannot hide from Grace? It follows you, it walks with you, it talks to you, it covers you, it surrounds you, it shields you, it supplies for you! God’s Grace Sticks Closer Than Your Own Shadow! 

Listen to this: A London bus driver was assigned to shuttle passengers to special crusade services with Billy Graham at Wembley Stadium. When one of them invited him in to listen he declined. The following year he moved to New York, and when Billy Graham was speaking at Madison Square Garden the man’s job again was shuttling people to the meetings. As he got off the bus a lady asked if he would like to join them. Once more he politely declined. Then he married an Australian lady and eventually ended up working in Sydney, where surprisingly enough, he was again assigned to drive people to the stadium where Billy Graham was preaching. This time when he was invited, he figured there was no escape, so he gave in. Looking back, he says, “No matter where I went, I was confronted with Billy Graham, so I went to hear him and committed my life to Christ. It was the best decision I ever made.”              

Grace is just like that! It is already on every street, road, path, valley, hill, mountain, alley, cliff, dead-end, wrong turn, that you will ever find yourself on! The Father loves His children so, that no matter where we go or what we do, He is assigned His Grace the Charge to Keep Us! If we have never been grateful before, today is a good day to be grateful that God’s Grace towards us is still Amazing, Abundant and Available!  

How can Grace accompany us everywhere we go as a person does? Easy: The Bible reads, “AND THE WORD (CHRIST) BECAME FLESH (HUMAN, INCARNATE) AND TABERNACLED (FIXED HIS TENT OF FLESH, LIVED AWHILE) AMONG US; AND WE [ACTUALLY] SAW HIS GLORY (HIS HONOR, HIS MAJESTY), SUCH GLORY AS AN ONLY SON RECEIVES FROM HIS FATHER, FULL OF GRACE (FAVOR, LOVING-KINDNESS) AND TRUTH.” (John 1:14 AMP) When You Belong To Jesus, Grace Belongs To You! It Is Always In Your Possession. You Cannot Forget It, You Cannot Leave It At Home, You Cannot Replace It, You Cannot Lose It, You Cannot Throw It Away, And You Most Certainly Cannot Run Out Of It! Thank God For His Amazing Grace! 

The Psalmist said, “You hem me in... you have laid your hand upon me...Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there...in the depths, you are there...on the far side of the sea...your hand will...hold me fast.” (Psalm 139:5-10 NIV). Isn’t Grace simply amazing? You cannot get away from God, you cannot get away from His Spirit, you cannot get away from His Son, you cannot get away from His Grace! 

Peter said, “God is patient...he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.” (2 Peter 3:9 CEV). This is why Outreach is so important and vital for the church. Even God Himself is patiently waiting for the lost to seek and to find Him. He desires their salvation. Now if the truth be told, far too many of the unsaved sit next to us on the bus, on the train, walk pass us in the grocery store and laundromat, get their hair and nails done in the same salons, and we have yet to share the Good News with them about an Amazing God dispensing Amazing Grace! And to even take it a step further, some of the unbelievers have heard about Him, have sat next to you in the church pews, but have yet to confess and accept Him! That is where we must become more fervent in reaching them. Why? Because too many are too close not to make it in!  

Matthew 9:35-38, “Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. “What a huge harvest!” he said to his disciples. “How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!” (MSG) 

John 4:34-35, “Jesus said, “The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started. As you look around right now, wouldn’t you say that in about four months it will be time to harvest? Well, I am telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what’s right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It’s harvest time!” (MSG) 

Luke 10:2, “He was saying to them, “The harvest is abundant [for there are many who need to hear the good news about salvation], but the workers [those available to proclaim the message of salvation] are few. Therefore, [prayerfully] ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” (AMP) 

There are many unbelievers right at our fingertips that are in need to God’s Grace and all the blessings and benefits that come attached to it. Will you honestly keep looking out at a harvest field that is ripe for the reaping, and yet you sit on your harvest hands instead of extending them to the work?! 

The Beauty of Grace is sitting by awaiting to fulfill the Scripture, “...He will beautify the meek with salvation.” (Psalm 149:4). Someway, somehow, you pass someone unsaved...Everyday! And do you know that even though cosmetics are a multi-million-dollar empire, that it still cannot compare to the beauty of salvation? And yet we keep such a fountain of youth beauty secret selfishly to ourselves! 

Listen: Grace can be simply defined as ‘’the free and unearned favor of God.’ In other words, it does not cost you a thing! So why not share the Free Grace of God with someone today?  Truth is, you received it and certainly you did not earn it, and neither can any of the rest of us. However, we can each lead a thirsty soul to the living water that overflows with abundant grace! Why not take a moment today to lead someone to the refreshing wells of grace?  

In a nutshell: Let someone else encounter and experience what it is like to be so low to the ground and have grace come in like a crane-operator and pull them up!  

One of my favorite tools is the Crane. You know why? Well, it is “a tall machine used for moving heavy objects by suspending them from a projecting arm”. That is the noun definition, the verb description is “to stretch out (as one’s neck) to see something.” And that is exactly how God’s Amazing Grace feel! When you are down, depressed, in despair, lonely, hurting, confused, angry, bitter, resentful, weighed down with burdens, and loads of sin and struggles, GRACE will come like a CRANE and lifted that heaviness off of you, and simultaneously lift you up too! Reminds me a lot of Psalm 18:33, “He makes my feet like hinds’ feet [able to stand firmly or make progress on the dangerous heights of testing and trouble]; He sets me securely upon my high places.” (AMP).  

Crane’s like God’s Grace is an out-stretched arm that sustains and supports what it carries! Reminds me of Psalm 55:22, “Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail).” (AMP). Just imagine all the stuff that people are carrying that has them so weighted down in life. They are carrying unemployment, sickness, fear, marital distress, family discord, church division, peer-pressured children, bad habits, decisions and addictions, anxiety, depression, loneliness, hurt, and sins of every sort. And now imagine you telling them about your Jesus who is always wrapped up in Grace, that desires to extend itself to them and carry them and that which they are carrying. Don’t you think someone near you would love to have that experience, just as you did?! 

The Crane is also described much like a neck that stretches itself to see! And much like Hagar, I am so glad that I can see Him, but more importantly, even in my lowest of states He can see me! “So, she called the name of the Lord Who spoke to her, you are a God of Seeing, for she said, Have I [not] even here [in the Wilderness] looked upon Him Who Sees Me [and lived]? Or have I here also seen [the future purposes or designs of] Him Who Sees Me?” (Genesis 16:33 AMP). Like I said, His Grace is Amazing, and so are Crane’s as an Analogy! 

Today it is my prayer that you will not be selfish any longer. Determine today to find a brother or sister and share with them the Amazing Grace of your Amazing God! Today, you are God’s Crane! Look around you and see who needs God’s Grace extended towards them. Where should you look? In your own home, in your own family, among your own friends, in your own neighborhood and community, at your job, in your church, at the laundromat, in the supermarket, standing at the bus stop, waiting on the train, the person you share the Uber or Lyft with, the people in the nail and hair salons, at the barbershop, on the basketball court, in the deli, at the mall, at the schools, in line at the bank, pumping gas, at the gym, or the hundreds/thousands you can pass while walking or driving from place to place. There are so many in need of God’s Grace, and all they need to do to get connected with it is to have someone just like you, who will take the time and make the effort to Crane Their Neck and look out and see who they can help get to God! 

Will you do that today? Crane Your Neck and See Who in the Neighborhood Needs a Grace They Do Not Even Know They are Searching For! 

Remember: God’s Grace is Amazing to Experience for Yourself, But That Was Never Where It Was Supposed to End! Do not Be Selfish with God’s Grace, Share it With Someone Else! 

Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; not because of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation].” (AMP) 

2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him] and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity.” (AMP) 

Hebrews 12:15, “See to it that no one falls short of God’s grace; that no root of resentment springs up and causes trouble, and by it may be defiled.” (AMP) 

John 1:14-16, “And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception). John testified [repeatedly] about Him and has cried out [testifying officially for the record, with validity and relevance], “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I and has priority over me, for He existed before me.’” For out of His fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth] we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift].” (AMP) 

Romans 11:6, “But if it is by grace [God’s unmerited favor], it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer [it would not be a gift but a reward for works].” (AMP) 

“God’s Grace is Immeasurable, His Mercy is Inexhaustible, His Peace is Inexpressible.”

‘I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I wish to be. I am not what I hope to be. But by the Grace of God, I am not what I was.” (John Newton)

Blessings

J.P. Olson

www.thewordwithjpolson.org

The Christmas Guest That Never Left. This Was His Promise. Christmas Is About Something God Initiated. Something God Did In History. He Broke Into The Universe By Doing The Impossible. God Broke Into The Universe, Choosing To Enter Through A Virgin.

 

Greetings & Wishing You the Spirit of Christmas which is Peace: The Blessing of Christmas which is Hope. From the Heart of Christmas which is Christ.

Matthew 1:23, “Listen! The virgin shall conceive a child! She shall give
birth to a Son, and He shall be called “Emmanuel” (meaning “God Is With
Us.”) TLB

One Of The Clearest Statements In All The Bible Is 1 Timothy 1:15,.”
“Christ Jesus Came Into The World To Save Sinners.”

So, Christmas Is About Something God Initiated — something God did in
history. It has to do with the way the created universe relates to the one
Being who is absolute — no beginning, no ending, no development, no
becoming — He simply is who He is. In fact, God says in Exodus 3:14 that
His name is “I am who I am.” Christmas is about how this God relates to
us and how we relate to Him. What Luke does in this passage of Scripture
Luke 1:26-38 tell us 1) how this absolute God broke into His creation to
save sinners, and 2) who it was that came from this in-breaking. How
did Christmas happen and who came of it? What difference can this
make for you?

How did the Creator of the universe break into His universe?

He Broke Into The Universe By Doing The Impossible. Luke 1:37, “For
nothing will be impossible with God and the time has come for the most
impossible thing to be done: God enters his creation as part of it, and
without ceasing to be the uncreated God.

God Broke Into The Universe By Choosing To Enter Through A Virgin. This
was God’s choice. An angel sent from God to a virgin. God’s way of
breaking into the universe was that he would be conceived in the womb
of a virgin. God chose to break into the universe by choosing to enter
through a virgin.

God Broke Into The Universe By Choosing For His Son A Legal Human Father
Who Would Be An Heir Of David, The King Of Israel. God broke into the
universe not as a generic human being, but as a Jew, in fulfillment of
2000 years of covenant promises so that Israel would glorify God for his
truthfulness and all the nations would glorify God for his mercy. He came
as the Son of David and as the Son of God — a Jew to vindicate every
promise, and a man to identify with every nation.

Even Jesus Was Not Above Simple Circumstances.
When you think of kings, you think of crowns and thrones and
palaces...not stables full of smelly farm animals and a feeding trough as a
bed for a newborn baby. Yet Jesus, King of Kings though He is, came into
the world in a remarkably simple, lowly, and unassuming way. His birth
was the furthest thing from a King’s welcome. Few of us are acquainted
with the ways of royalty, and it is hard to even fathom how elaborate and
exquisite that lifestyle is. Many more of us, however, can describe in
detail what a barn is like. I find this part of the Christmas story so
beautiful-- Jesus did not come to earth as a mighty, majestic King who
would be intimidating and untouchable. He instead came as an innocent,
needy, dependent baby born to parents who were poor and as simply
normal as could be. Everything about the very beginnings of his life on
earth was humble and unassuming, giving us a Savior, we can easily
relate to and understand, not one who is distant or on a lofty throne.
This is such a comforting truth-- we do not have to have prestigious job
titles or well-stocked bank accounts or fame to be used by God, because
not even His Son required those things.

Matthew 1:23 “Listen! The virgin shall conceive a child! She shall give birth to a Son, and He shall be called “Emmanuel” (meaning “God Is with Us.”) TLB

Christmas - when a God we thought was so very far away came down to where we are, to hold us close. John 6:38 says, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.” (AMP); John 3:13 says, “No one has gone up into heaven, but there is One who came down from heaven, the Son of Man [Himself – whose home is heaven].” (AMP) Can you imagine Jesus loving us so much to leave His home in heaven to come to earth to see about us?

In fact, the ancient prophecy of the coming Messiah predicted it. And Matthew 1:23 also declares it, "'A virgin shall be with child and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, 'God with us'". Not just God projected on the screen of some church monitor or religious act either. But God right here! God up close and personal! God with us, God in us!

But for many of us, and far too often, however, He has seemed far away? Such as in those distressing moments when you receive the diagnosis; when there was an unexpected lay-off, family death, or loss of housing; those times when you did not see the divorce coming or your finances drastically leaving; Those times when you cry for anything, everything and nothing, and there is not a sole around to wipe your tears, give you a shoulder to lean on or an encouraging word or hug. Truth is, holiday or not, life can be extremely hard sometimes.

Believe It or Not, But Not Everyone Is Smiling, Happy, Filled with Joy, Buying Presents and Holding Their Breath Waiting for Christmas Morning to Arrive. No, There Are Some Who Lost Loved Ones During This Season with Covid-19and other illnesses, And So This Is Their First Year Without Them, and to say the experience is hard, is the understatement of the year! I share this with you because sometimes we are so immersed in the holidays that we assume everyone is just as joyful. But pain and loss have a way of sucking even the carols out of Christmas…Even if only for a little while...

There Are Times in Life When You Cannot Put on Your ‘I’m Alright’ Face. You cannot dance, clap, shout, spin, run and speak in tongue over this one. You cannot dress it up in fancy holiday attire, robes, or crosses. You do not have the eloquent prayers to reach heaven with, not for this one. And out of all the Scriptures you know, pain and loss have a way of making you forget even the simplest of Psalm 23. Sometimes you cannot ‘fake it till you make it.’ Sometimes you cannot attend the parties, grin, and smile, and wear your red, and celebrate, even if only for a little while.

Some Are Having Their First Christmas After the Divorce; Others After Their Child Died; Or After Their Parents Have Died, Others After the Doctor Dropped the Cancer Bomb on Them. Then there are others who medicate themselves with alcohol, drugs, or sex. And then there are those who are on prescription meds and still it is hard. Others are suicidal, depressed, lonely, and hurting.

BUT before you think that is how this devotional end, let me correct you…

Listen: Matthew 1:23 reads, "'A virgin shall be with child and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, 'God with us'" Despite what we may have to face here on earth, the one guarantee we have is “God with Us.” Even during trials, struggles, pain, hurt, disappointment and the like, God is still with us! Hebrews 13:5 says, “For He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” (AMP) I tell you, there is no greater comfort than God!

Yes, I know it is painful, and still it cannot deprive you of the promise God has made to you to ‘NEVER LEAVE YOU UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES’! Truthfully, we cannot count very many people who could make such a promise and keep it, but Jesus is a Promise Keeper! Even when it feels, seems, sounds, and looks as though He is so very far away, be encouraged, God is Still With YOU! In fact, what I love most about this Scripture is the detail He goes into: “I will never leave you, never desert you, you’ll never be without My support, I’ll never leave you helpless, and I’ll never relax my hold on you”. Does that sound like He is far away? Out of touch? Cannot reach us? Not at all!

And that is what made me smile today! The reminder that no matter how much we hurt, HE will always be with us! And furthermore, our hurt will not last always! Yes, we will cry, we will wonder, we will question, we will hurt…but we will get strong again and recover.

Listen: One of the greatest gifts besides salvation is in knowing that Jesus did not come just to leave! He loves us so much that He is going to return for us, and while He is in heaven, He has loved us once again so much, that He could not leave us without comfort! John 14:26, “But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor – Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.” (AMP) We are never without comfort, support, love and strength, Jesus made sure of it!

So, even if you are not at your happiest or your strongest this holiday season, know that you are never alone, and God is not far away, but with you and in you! And please know that it is okay for you to be honest about your hurt and where you really are mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. You have nothing to prove to anyone. And addressing your weakness does not take away His strength. Jesus wept, and so can you!

So, family, know for certain that it is okay not to be ‘over-flowing’ with the holiday spirit. But also know that you have no need to wallow in dread. Your Immanuel Has Not Left You nor Will He Ever! And He Loves You So Much That Even the Father Intervened to Send a Comforter in His Name to Represent Him. Your God is Never far away! And there are no painful glitches in life that can remove His presence from you. Read His Word, Pray, Praise, and Worship…and cry in your Prayer Closet releasing all your agony to Him. He understands, and He is not going anywhere! Hebrews 4:15 informs us, “For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin.” (AMP) We serve a Savior who knows exactly how it feels to be human! That is why we can tell Him our deepest hurts, weaknesses, and fears, He understands, He cares, He is present there with you and always will be!

Things to Notice When You Read Luke's Christmas Story This Year
This Christmas season, Luke 2 will probably be the most-read passage of
Scripture. It tells of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, the birth of
Jesus, the angels’ announcement to the shepherds in the fields, the shepherds’ visit to the stable, and even Jesus’ childhood. This chapter of the New Testament tells the age-old Christmas story, but it is also extremely relevant to our lives today in practical ways.

Here are takeaways from Luke 2 that we can apply to our lives today:

God’s Glory Is Worthy of Our Praise Even when We Feel Afraid.

When the angel of the Lord stood before the shepherds who were
keeping watch over their sheep during the night, verse 9 says “they were
terrified.” I would be too! Even though they were afraid and probably
trying to make sense of what they were seeing and hearing, wondering if
they were dreaming or if this really was happening, the angel’s first
words were “Do not be afraid.”

When the Lord Makes a Promise, We Can Trust He Will Keep it
The shepherds heard from the angels that the baby had been born, and
they did not doubt it. Verse 15 says, “when the angels had left them and
gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to
Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told
us about.’” They heard the message and immediately acted upon it, never
hesitating or questioning that what the angel of the Lord had said to
them. We should do the same in our lives. We have Scripture as tangible
documentation of the Lord’s promises and truths, and we should act on
them without questioning His faithfulness and trustworthiness.

Words from and about the Lord Are to Be Treasured
When the shepherds visited Mary and Joseph and the baby in the
manger, verses 17 and 18 say, “they spread the word concerning what
had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at
what the shepherds said to them.” I cannot even imagine what the
shepherds’ stories must have been after seeing the angels in all the glory
of the Lord out in the fields, but I know it must have been powerful and
beautiful. Verse 19 says, “Mary treasured up all these things and
pondered them in her heart.” Verse 51 later says, “His mother treasured
all these things in her heart,” after Jesus was found in the temple
learning from the teachers. The things Mary heard about her son and the
things she saw Him doing were beautiful treasures to her, and they should be for us as well. The stories we have in Scripture tell us about who Jesus is and what He did on this earth, and we should hold them dear in our hearts.

We Should Make Time to Learn from Those Older than Us
Jesus did this as a child in the temple, painting a beautiful picture for us.
Jesus was the all-knowing and all-powerful Son of God, yet even he sat
among the temple’s teachers to listen, ask questions, and learn. Verse 47
says, “Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his
answers.” Verse 52 later says, “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature,
and in favor with God and man.” He knew as a boy that his elders had
wisdom that he could grow from, and he sought it out. We should do the
same, seeking the advice and knowledge of those who are more mature
and knowledgeable in their faith. We can learn so much from mentors,
teachers, and pastors when we listen to their words, ask them questions,
and just spend time among them.

Look at Christmas in a new way this year. This is the year to invite Jesus
into your heart. You will then have a "Merry Christmas." The joy and
peace you will receive will last all year as you look to God for all your
needs to be met.

Why quibble about the timing of Jesus' birth or what traditions have pagan
origins? The point is that He was born, and we celebrate the miracle! Let us all celebrate our Awesome Savior who gave us this amazing grace at this holiday time, redeeming the time as the days get shorter. People are more open at Christmas time to hear and receive the love of Jesus more than any other time, in my humble opinion. Let us love and be joyful wholeheartedly as unto the Lord even as we keep our eyes on the skies!!!

Blessings

J.P. Olson

www.thewordwithjpolson.org

Remember: The Focus Is The Savior And The Sinner, Not The Saint! And With The Sinner Being So Vital, You Must Be Determined That Whatever “Roof” Is Separating Them From Jesus, Know That It Can Be Removed! How? “By You Caring Enough To Tear It Off!”

 

Mark 2:1-5, “After a few days, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and word got around that He was back home. A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out. He was teaching the Word. They brought a paraplegic to him, carried by four men. When they were not able to get in because of the crowd, THEY REMOVED PART OF THE ROOF and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, “Son, I forgive your sins.” (MSG)

This man on the stretcher was no lightweight; after all, it took four men to carry him! And with that thought in mind, I ask you, are you sure you want to be a soul-winner for God? Because if the truth be told, it is far from light work! Winning souls brings with them everything that is attached to them. Which means bringing them to Christ may require you to help them carry their addictions; habits; bad decisions; chaotic past; jobless present; estranged marriage; dysfunctional children; bitter loneliness; generational curses; emotional distress; physical ailments; mental struggles; financial woes; spiritual confusion; and the like.

Are you ready to help carry all that they are carrying with them?

Because some will come from broken homes; molestation; rape; desert seasons of discouragement; frustrations and depression. Some are coming from chemo; physical therapy; rehab; prison; the VA hospital; the psych ward; the nursing home; the emergency room; surgery; dialysis; radiation; the shelter; divorce court; the soup kitchen; even from under the bridge, while sleeping in a cardboard box and pushing their entire life in a shopping cart!

Are you ready to help them carry what they are carrying?

Please understand that this is no light-weight assignment! It is not something you can get in and once they get too ‘heavy’ you want to get out!

Galatians 6:1-3, “Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.” (MSG) The Bible says, ‘…reach out to those…” Which lets us know, THEY ARE WITHIN REACH!

Someone who so desperately needs your Jesus is within arm’s distance, right at your fingertips, will you open your arms with the same open arms Jesus extended to you (before the cross; on the cross; and after the cross)? Matthew 9:35-38, “Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. “What a huge harvest!” he said to his disciples. “How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!” (MSG)

Will You Be Jesus’ Harvest Hands, even if the Harvest is Heavy?

BE WARNED, while ministry sometimes looks easy, bringing people to Jesus really consists of some hard work. Such as:

1…BEING SENSITIVE TO THEIR NEEDS: Chances are someone close to you right now is lying on a “stretcher” inwardly! Oh, they look like they have got it altogether, but do not be fooled by their façade. They are hurting, and paralyzed—and they know it! When alone they cry, “God, unless You help me, I’m finished; I’ve messed up, and I’m so tired of playing cover up; send help ASAP before my mask falls off.” Therefore, you must be close enough, sensitive enough, to hear what they DON’T SAY! Because truthfully, some people are hurting so badly that they do not know what to say, and others have said all they can say and cannot find anymore more words, just silent tears. So, you must go the extra mile, and be extra sensitive towards them. Pay attention to their words and actions and ask God for discernment so that you can hear what their words are not saying and see what their actions are not showing you. When someone keeps saying they are fine, you tend to just take them at their word and move on. Do not do it! Why? Because saying ‘I’m fine’ and then drinking just to fall asleep. People are saying ‘I’m fine’ then taking pills to dull the pain. People are saying ‘I’m fine’ while going home nightly to endure domestic abuse. People are saying ‘I’m fine’ when the rapist was released from prison. People are saying ‘I’m fine’ when they have received the diagnosis. People are saying ‘I’m fine’ when their marriage was on life support. People are saying ‘I’m fine’ when they did not have any money to feed their children and slept in the homeless shelter. People are saying ‘I’m fine’ when mentally they had already left the church. People are saying ‘I’m fine’ while debating if maybe their third suicide attempt might finally be the successful one. People are saying ‘I’m fine’ while already in a back-slidden condition. People are saying they are fine while preaching; teaching; praying; quoting scriptures; leading; overseeing; training and attending bible college and seminary. In other words, their ‘I’m fine’ is not always true, their ‘I am Fine”, was a lie! Therefore, be patient, be kind, be loving, be comforting, be supportive. They need it even when they do not ask for it. Philippians 2:1-4, “If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if His love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Do not push your way to the front; do not sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Do not be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.” (MSG) Remember, David had Jonathan; Barak had Deborah; Mary had Elizabeth; Elisha had Elijah; Ruth had Naomi and so on. In other words, all throughout the Bible people needed other people to help them to get through their go through. And someone near you, Needs You Too! Proverbs 17:17, “Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.” (MSG) Therefore, Be Sensitive!

2…CARRY THEM ALL THE WAY: We want to see people set free, BUT ONLY IF IT DOESN’T INVOLVE PERSONAL SACRIFICE ON OUR PART! But that is not how it works! Committing to bringing somebody to Jesus means BRINGING THEM THE WHOLE WAY! It means comforting, encouraging, and holding them securely ‘till they get there. And all of that takes time. Which means once again, you need to exercise tolerance, longsuffering, and patience. Their healing and deliverance may not come in one service, one prayer, one scripture, one sermon, one talk, truth is, it rarely does. So, you must be willing to wait it out with them. You cannot hold their hands and give a brief “it’s going to be alright by-and-by” prayer. No, you must fight on their behalf even when they have already decided to throw in the towel and give in, give up and give out. You must make sure they get started AND get finished. It is not about getting them to the altar, the real work comes after the altar, in their day-to-day lives where they must learn to trust God, obey God, follow God, talk to God, lean on God, when they feel at the same time God is nowhere to be found. In other words, if you do not see them in church, call, visit, send a letter, card, text, or email. But do something! Far too often we will invite people to church (to support a function), but never follow-up about their souls. It is about building the Kingdom of God; not building a big Church Audience. Then there are also times when someone does come to Christ. But then, we leave them right there. We do not walk with them through their process of sanctification (you do remember that it is a process, don’t you?) And a ‘process’ is defined as, ‘a series of actions or steps towards achieving a particular end.’ Did you get that? A Series of Steps, Not Just One Overnight Leap! Just as it took time for you, it will take time for them. A babe in Christ is much like an actual baby. They will have wobbly legs; they will stumble and fall; they will make a mess; and it is often hard for them to communicate what they are feeling, but be patient, they will grow if you keep nourishing them. Which is why you cannot allow them to go M.I.A. They are already at the point of giving up, which is easier to do when you feel no one cares about you or what you are going through. So, pace yourself and work with them all the way through to their deliverance and healing. It will be worth it just to know you loved someone enough to help them carry their burden and cast their cares. Proverbs 27:9, “Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” (MSG); John 15:11-15, “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the absolute best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things, I command you. I am no longer calling you servants because servants do not understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.” (MSG); 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11, “…So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you will all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.” (MSG) Saints, Carry Them All the Way!

3…LEAVE THE HEALING TO JESUS: David cried, “LEAD ME to the Rock of safety” (Psalm 61:2). Hurting people know what they need—and so does God. So, once you LEAD them there, back off a little and leave the rest to Him. You are to represent God…not attempt to be Him. Take them as far as the Holy Ghost allows, and then leave them in the capable hands of their Savior to do what you cannot do. The inside job will always be completed by the One Who resides on the Inside! 1 Corinthians 6:16-20, “…Or didn’t you realize that your body is a SACRED PLACE, THE PLACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT? Don’t you see that you cannot live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So, let people see God in and through your body.” (MSG) Do your part as a soul winner, then let the Holy Ghost handle the rest! Truth is, too often we tend to look for outward signs of change, but Jesus addressed this paralyzed man’s inner condition (WHERE IT COUNTS MOST) before completing the outer work! “…Jesus said to the paraplegic, “Son, I forgive your sins.” So, do not dismiss God’s tendency to work in ways that do not make sense to you! Isaiah 55:8-11, “I DON’T THINK THE WAY YOU THINK. THE WAY YOU WORK ISN’T THE WAY I WORK.” God’s Decree. “For as the sky soars high above earth, so THE WAY I WORK SURPASSES THE WAY YOU WORK, AND THE WAY I THINK IS BEYOND THE WAY YOU THINK. Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and do not go back until they have watered the earth, doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, so will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do, they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.” (MSG) Rest assured, when He starts working on them, He will “…keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish.” (Philippians 1:6 MSG). You simply do all that the Word of God commands us to do: Show love, be patient and kind, be longsuffering, help them carry their burden, be a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen. Wipe their tears, let them talk and vent. Always have a prayer and a Scripture. Always give them the comfort they need. And when all you can do is done, place them in the hands of the Savior, after all, there is no safer place to be to complete their healing, deliverance, recovery, and restoration. Micah 6:8, “But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously—take God seriously.” (MSG)

Listen: we all have a role to play, just never confuse your part with God’s! We are a supporting actor, HE’S the star! Leave the Healing to Jesus.

But it does not stop there, listen to this: “They couldn’t get to Jesus through the crowd, so they dug through the clay roof above his head.” (Mark 2:4). When the four men carrying this paralyzed man arrived at the house where Jesus was preaching, they could not get through the crowd. I reiterate, absolutely nothing about bringing this man to Jesus was easy, which is why ultimately, they had to make it happen! In this situation, they had a choice to make give up and go home or persist and find a way through! Thank God they went with the latter and decided to climb up and dig “through the clay roof above His head.” When they finally broke through and Jesus “saw their faith, he said… ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’” (vs.5). Notice, Jesus was impressed by the friend’s bold faith and belief, but He only addressed the one brought to Him. This is Important: Always keep in mind that soul-winning is NOT about YOU! 2 Corinthians 4:7-12, “If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That is to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us. As it is, there is not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we are not much to look at. We have been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we are not demoralized; we are not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we have been spiritually terrorized, but God has not left our side; we have been thrown down, but we have not broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery, and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus’ sake, which makes Jesus’ life more evident in us. While we are going through the worst, you’re getting in on the best!” (MSG)

Remember, It’s About Him, It’s About Them, It’s Not About Us!

So, do not look for a blessing, a merit badge, or name recognition. Just to hear Him say to the one you brought to Him, son/daughter you are healed, you are whole, you are forgiven, you are delivered, you are changed, you are free, you are saved, you have new and eternal life, all is well, is enough!

It is always about the Savior and the sinner, not the saint!

You are doing this for their benefit, never yours! And the blessing is not yours to attain, it is theirs alone. Which means you must make sure you crucify your flesh and move your ego out of the way. This is not the time for attention getting. You do not need to have a clipboard listing all the souls you led to Christ or all the prayers you have prayed for people or a listing of all the Scriptures you have shared. You do not need to keep a record of the sermons you have preached that led souls into the Kingdom. You do not need a tally of all the souls you laid hands on, prophesied to, or laid at the altar with. Just love them enough to get them all the way to Jesus, then move on to the next awaiting soul in need of direction to salvation. 

Remember: The Focus Is The Savior And The Sinner, Not The Saint!

And With The Sinner Being So Vital, You Must Be Determined That Whatever “Roof” Is Separating Them From Jesus, Know That It Can Be Removed! How? “By You Caring Enough To Tear It Off!”

Do Not Let Any Obstacle Stand In Your Way To Getting Someone To Jesus! All you must be is willing to dig for it! Listen to verse 4 in a few translations:

“When they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, THEY REMOVED THE ROOF ABOVE JESUS; and when they had DUG OUT AN OPENING, THEY LET DOWN THE MAT ON WHICH THE PARALYZED MAN WAS LYING.” (AMP)

“But because of the crowd, they could not get him to Jesus. So, THEY MADE A HOLE IN THE ROOF ABOVE HIM AND LET THE MAN DOWN IN FRONT OF EVERYONE.” (CEV)

Mark 2:1-5, “After a few days, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and word got around that He was back home. A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out. He was teaching the Word. They brought a paraplegic to Him, carried by four men. When they were not able to get in because of the crowd, THEY REMOVED PART OF THE ROOF AND LOWERED THE PARAPLEGIC ON HIS STRETCHER. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, “Son, I forgive your sins.” (MSG)

Note: In Palestine, the houses usually had a flat roof. Stairs on the outside led up to the roof that was made of beams and boards covered with packed earth. In other words, this was not an easy job. In fact, it was a dirty job! First, they had to believe in Jesus. They had to believe He alone was able to heal their friend if only they could get their friend to Him. Then once at the house they had another decision to make. Yes, Jesus is inside, and yes Jesus can heal him. But it is too crowded! We cannot get to Jesus and we cannot get him to Jesus. So, do we quit or strategize? After all, this is not for US personally, it is for him. Truthfully, we will go to all lengths when it is about US or OUR breakthrough. But what decision do you make when the breakthrough has nothing to do with you? Well, they decide what their friend needs is Jesus, and if they cannot get him through the door, they will go through the roof! Now, it requires taking stairs to get the paralyzed man to the roof. You must get the image in your head of 4 men carrying a paralyzed man on a “… [THICKLY PADDED] QUILT OR MAT…”, while going up stairs! Then to get him to the roof and having to make another decision. Are we really going to put in the work of tearing an opening in this roof?! Because that means we must get tools, this was not done by hands any more than you can take your bare hands today and tear open a roof! So, we must get tools, tear an opening big enough to “…LET DOWN THE [THICKLY PADDED] QUILT OR MAT UPON WHICH THE PARALYZED MAN LAY.” Remember, the house is crowded so much so, that no one could get through the door, which lets you know how difficult it would be to get the man through a roof and to Jesus in an already packed house!

But pay attention to this:

“…THEY REMOVED THE ROOF ABOVE JESUS…” (AMP).

“…THEY DUG THROUGH THE ROOF ABOVE HIM…” (AMPC).

“…SO, THEY TORE OFF PART OF THE ROOF ABOVE WHERE JESUS WAS…” (CEB).

“…THEY MADE A HOLE IN THE ROOF OF THE HOUSE WHERE JESUS STOOD…” (NLV)

You see, unlike us, these four men were not focused on the crowd, they were focused on Jesus Christ! The difficulties did not matter; how hard this would be doing not matter; the fact that they would have to tear up a roof did not matter; the fact that the crowd was thronging Jesus did not matter. All that mattered to them was getting the man to the Man! And in some texts, it states they made a hole or dug an opening, but I like the one that says they uncovered the roof! They were playing no games! They went to work on someone else’s behalf! And this was so important to them that they were strategic in where they tore open the roof! It was, “ABOVE JESUS; ABOVE WHERE JESUS WAS; ABOVE JESUS HEAD; ABOVE WHERE JESUS WAS STANDING; ABOVE WHERE JESUS WAS SPEAKING” THEY DIDN’T FOCUS AN OUNCE OF ATTENTION ON THE CROWD, IT WAS ALL ABOUT GETTING THE PARALYTIC TO WHERE JESUS WAS STANDING AND SPEAKING! Do you care enough about people’s salvation, deliverance, and healing to TEAR OFF THE ROOF ON THEIR BEHALF, FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN GETTING THEM TO JESUS BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY?!

These men were radical in their approach. They did not just have faith, they had Faith in Action! They had come to see Jesus and some dried mud was not about to stop them! As they dug through the roof, they knew they were only a few feet away from the answer, and they were not about to be put off now! Are you that determined?

Listen: No matter what you must do today, let nothing and no-one stop you from getting souls to Jesus! They are closer to a BREAK-THROUGH than you realize, so start digging and do not stop till they are face-to-face with Him!

Keep in mind: Many of them today are just a Dig from Destiny and Deliverance! So why stop now?! 

Today, enter the Spiritual Construction business and get to work! Bearing in mind of course, this is real work! So, your hair, nails, clothes, car, bank account, looks, eloquence of speech, titles and positions are of no use whatsoever! Just determination to help someone get to God! They are hurting, in pain, stretched out, weak, in need of help, in need of forgiveness, in need of a fresh start, in need of restoration, so what are you going to do about it? I will tell you, get your tools (The Holy Ghost, the Bible, Prayer, Discernment, the Anointing) and get to work! Your tools will help you to get past any and every obstacle, blockage, and crowd that is attempting to box the breakthrough in! Someone, somewhere is waiting for you, so do not let them down, unless it is through the roof so they can get to Jesus!

Saints DON’T LET THE ROOF STOP YOU! THERE ARE SOULS THAT HAVE NEED OF YOUR HANDS!

Listen to the rest of the story: “Some religion scholars sitting there started whispering among themselves, “He cannot talk that way! That is blasphemy! God and only God can forgive sins.” Jesus knew right away what they were thinking, and said, “Why are you so skeptical? Which is simpler: to say to the paraplegic, ‘I forgive your sins,’ or say, ‘Get up, take your stretcher, and start walking’? Well, just so I am the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both . . .” (he looked now at the paraplegic), “Get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home.” And the man did it—got up, grabbed his stretcher, and walked out, with everyone there watching him. They rubbed their eyes, incredulous—and then praised God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this!” (MSG)

Now this last point might hurt, but it is the truth. Not everyone you help is going to say Thank you! The Bible says, “…And the man did it—got up, grabbed his stretcher, and walked out, with everyone there watching him…” (MSG)

People of God, you must do the work of winning souls without the need of winning approval; validation; pats on the back; or even a thank you.

The Great Commission Does Not Always Come with Great Compliments and Commendations.

You do it because it is what you have been called to do, not what you are celebrated for doing. So, lead them to Jesus without looking to receive a reward for your work now. Remember, no reward here only means a great ‘well done’ reward later.

Blessings

J.P. Olson

www.thewordwithjpolson.org