Today Be Encouraged. Here’s Another Promise You Should Claim Every Day: “…No Harm Will Befall You, No Disaster Will Come Near Your Tent. For He Will Command His Angels Concerning You To Guard You In All Your Ways.”

 Hebrews 1:14, “Are not all the angels ministering spirits sent out [by God] to serve (accompany, protect) those who will inherit salvation? [Of course, they are!]” (AMP) 

Jesus Christ is the magnet who holds us all in place. The vertical forgiveness is that which we receive from our gracious God and the horizontal forgiveness is that which we extend to others in His name. God has also made a command for each of us.

Schedule Time With God, Your Soul (And Your Life) Needs a Drink of His Living Water!

If you believe the Bible, you must believe in Angels! Why? Because there are over 300 references to them! How are they described you ask? Maybe Chiffon wings and Meringue sweetness? Nope! Two words in fact describe them: Many and Mighty! How Mighty are they you ask? Well, it took only ONE Angel to shut the mouths of the lions for Daniel (Daniel 6:22, “My God has sent His angel and has shut the mouths of the lions so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, before you, O king, I have committed no crime.” AMP); also, an angel was sent to bring Peter out of prison on the eve of his execution! (Acts 12:7, “Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared [beside him] and a light shone in the cell. The angel struck Peter’s side and awakened him, saying, “Get up quickly!” And the chains fell off his hands.” AMP).

Now, do you remember Elisha’s servant? When an army threatened to take their lives, Elisha asked God to open His servant’s eyes. Here’s what the Bible says: “And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:17). With that said, I wonder if God opened your eyes today what would you see? Possibly Angels escorting your children to school? Shielding you from drunken and distracted drivers? Guiding the hand of the surgeon? Protecting you while you sleep?

Redirecting the robber and rapist from your path? Blocking the bullets and knife wounds that were aiming for your body? Would you see angels holding back the hand of incidental and accidental and untimely death?! Would you see the gang and terroristic activity being shut down on your behalf? Would you see angels stopping the flood from breaking in and the fire from breaking out? Would you see angels moving your feet before that tree fell or that pipeline blew up? Would you see angels delaying your train so you wouldn't be the victim of the pusher or the slasher? TODAY, ASK GOD TO OPEN YOUR EYES SO YOU CAN SEE THE ANGELS HE'S ASSIGNED TO YOUR LIFE.
 

When they attempt to foreclose on your home, Look Out For Angels;
When they attempt to repossess your car, Look Out For Angels;
When the doctor says there’s nothing else that can be done, Look Out For Angels;
When they say you’re about to be laid off, Look Out For Angels;
When they say your church doors are about to close, Look Out For Angels;
When your children look like they’re heading in the wrong direction, Look Out For Angels;
When your marriage is driving towards divorce court, Look Out For Angels!

As a Believer, Angels Are Commanded to Care For You! So Always, “…Expect Powerful Angels to Accompany You In Your Life’s Experiences”

Angels Are Charged to Protect! But WHO is this protection for? The Bible says, “…Those who will RECEIVE SALVATION.” In other words, Reject Jesus, and you Forfeit the Ultimate Protection; Accept Him and You’re Covered 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week, 366 Days of the Year! (Yep, Angels Cover You All Year Long, Including Holidays and Leap Year Too!) As a believer, one of our greatest benefits is that we are never without coverage! We’re shielded in the supermarket, in the parking lot, at the bank, doing laundry, standing in the unemployment line, at the pharmacy, at school, at work, at church, waiting for the bus, just boarding the train, standing on the platform, entering the cab, at the doctor’s office, getting our nails done, at the barbershop, at McDonald’s, getting gas, in the bathroom! There is nowhere that the believer is, that protection is without!
 
Listen: “The angel of the LORD Encamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them.” (Psalm 34:7). Note, He doesn’t wave as He flies past; He 'Encamps', He Lingers, He Lives, He Keeps Vigilance Over You!

Let that understanding lower your anxiety levels in this life.

Another translation says it like this: “GOD’s angel sets up a Circle of protection around us…” (MSG). A Circle is Full Coverage All Around You! Meaning Not One Area of Your Life Is Left Exposed to the Hand or the Attack of the Enemy! Angels Circle Around You and Block His Every Entry Way to Cause You Harm!  The truth is, some of the Wealthiest people on the planet don’t have it that good! Strapped with guns, knives, bullet proof vests, and still—down goes the bodyguard! But it’s Not So for the believer! Thank God For My Angels! You see, the word ‘circle’ has its origin in Latin, from ‘circulus’ which means ‘a small ring’, from ‘circus’ meaning ‘ring’. Look at it this way, when I think of a ‘small ring’, I think about a boxing ring. You’re on one side, and the devil is on the other. And as many times as the devil can beat you upside the head with every struggle, circumstance, sickness, and trial, he can never knock you out! Because you’ve got angels in the corner of your small ring!

The Bible gives yet another translation of our text like this: “On Every Side, the LORD’s Messenger Protects Those Who Honor God; And He Delivers Them” (CEB). You Are Covered “On Every Side…” Angels Are Encamped Around You; Angels Have Formed a Circle of Protection About You; Angels Have Got You Covered On Every Side! Be it North, South, East or West, Before You or Behind You, Above You or Beneath You, Angels Have You Fully Covered! On your best day, on your worse day, in sickness and in health, angels have you fully covered, on every side, always! 

Therefore, learn how to talk like the Psalmist: “I can lie down and sleep soundly because you, LORD, Will Keep Me Safe” (Psalm 4:8 CEV). Another translation reads like this: “I fall asleep in peace the moment I lie down because you alone, O LORD, Enable Me To Live Securely” (GWT). People of God, You Can Go To Sleep! Why? Because the God you serve never sleeps nor slumbers! Psalm 121:4, "...Will neither slumber [briefly] nor sleep [soundly]." (AMP); "...never sleeps or rests!" (CEB); "...doesn’t doze or ever get drowsy." (CEV); "...does not get tired. He never sleeps." (ERV); "...will not close his eyes or sleep."

God Has Promised In His Word That You Are Safe and Secure! And God cannot fail and cannot lie! Last I checked God has also Promised: “…Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don’t go back until they’ve 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” (Isaiah 55:8-11 MSG). Therefore, When God’s Word Says You Are Safe and Secure, You My Friend Are Safe and Secure! Now Sleep On That!

Here’s Another Promise You Should Claim Every Day: “…No Harm Will Befall You, No Disaster Will Come Near Your Tent. For He Will Command His Angels Concerning You To Guard You In All Your Ways.” (Psalm 91:10-11 NIV). Angels Are Commanded Concerning You! They Do Not Have An Option In The Matter! It Is Not A Suggestion! God Doesn’t Ask the Angels How They Feel About Protecting You; Or What They Think About Protecting You; They Don’t Even Have a Choice! Because God Loves You So Much That He Commanded Angels To Care For You! And a ‘command’ is defined as, ‘to be given an authoritative order.’ Angels don’t make the decision to protect you, they’ve been commanded and ordered by the only Authority that matters, the Godhead! And it’s the Godhead that has said, “…NO HARM WILL BEFALL YOU; NO DISASTER WILL COME NEAR YOUR TENT. FOR HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU TO GUARD YOU IN ALL YOUR WAYS.” I reiterated, “…IN YOUR ALL YOUR WAYS.”  

So again, I say to learn how to talk like the Psalmist: “You, LORD, are the light that keeps me safe. I Am Not Afraid of Anyone. You Protect Me, And I Have No Fears” (Psalm 27:1 CEV). WE HAVE NO REASON TO FEAR! Why? Because we have angels on guard to protect us day and night, no matter where we are! So, no matter what the diagnosis; no matter the financial struggle; no matter the marital dispute; no matter the family squabble; no matter the job chaos, you are safe, secured, covered, protected, and have full time heavenly surveillance, that never ceases!

Lastly, believe it or not, but angels not only Serve you, but they’re Stunned by you!
Listen to the Word of God: “…Do you realize how fortunate you are? Angels would have given Anything to be in on this” (1 Peter 1:12 MSG).  Can you believe it? There are things that God doesn't tell the Angels, but He Tells US!

However, you may still ask, why would angels be Stunned by us? Think about it: Does the Holy Spirit indwell angels? NO, but He indwells you! Do angels thank God for salvation? NO, they’ve never been lost—but you have been both lost and found! Did Christ become an angel? NO, but He became a human being just like you, and angels stood in awe! Angels attended His birth, witnessed His death, and announced His resurrection! And still, they stand in awe of what We Know! They would give anything to be in on the secrets God only tells US!

Angels are so involved with us that they even watch over the work of the Church: The Bible says, “Through followers of Jesus like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about Even Among The Angels.” (Ephesians 3:10 MSG). Imagine the angels gathering to discuss the Church: “Gabriel, have you seen what’s happening in Nigeria? As well as the Australians that are taking great strides…Yeah, but Michael, I just returned from New York—let me tell you about those awesome Brooklyn believers.”

God’s angels are so involved with us that the Bible even admonishes us: “Do not forget to Entertain Strangers, for by so doing some people have Entertained Angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:2 NIV).

Angels not only stand to guard and protect you, but they also stand in awe of you!

Did you catch the Scripture above? “Through followers of Jesus like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about even among the angels.” They’re talking about us, the church! Can you imagine being the topic of conversation among the Angels?! Yes, my friend, you are valued that much, even among all of the heavenly host!

BE ENCOURAGED: Mark 1:12-13, "At once, this same Spirit pushed Jesus out into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by Satan. Wild animals were his companions, and angels took care of him." (MSG). Like Jesus, even in the midst of temptation and demonic attack, angels will take care of you!

BE ENCOURAGED: John 20:11-13, "But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she knelt to look into the tomb and saw two angels sitting there, dressed in white, one at the head, the other at the foot of where Jesus’ body had been laid. They said to her, “Woman, why do you weep?” (MSG) Even in a time of crisis; death; sickness; grief; loss; and confusion, angels will always be present with you!

BE ENCOURAGED: 1 Timothy 5:21-23, "God and Jesus and angels all back me up..." (MSG) You have God; Jesus and Angels that back you up too!

BE ENCOURAGED: 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10, "All this trouble is a clear sign that God has decided to make you fit for the kingdom. You’re suffering now, but justice is on the way. When the Master Jesus appears out of heaven in a blaze of fire with his strong angels, he’ll even up the score by settling accounts with those who gave you such a bad time. His coming will be the break we’ve been waiting for. Those who refuse to know God and refuse to obey the Message will pay for what they’ve done. Eternal exile from the presence of the Master and his splendid power is their sentence. But on that very same day when he comes, he will be exalted by his followers and celebrated by all who believe—and all because you believed what we told you." (MSG) Not only are angels present with you now, but 'strong angels' will return with our Master Jesus to take us home! That's the best good news of all for every believer!

Listen, No Matter How Lonely You May Feel, You Are Never Alone! Angels Are Always On Call and On Guard Where The Believer Is Concerned! How wonderful to know you have your very own bodyguard unit—and you didn’t have to pay a dime for it either! God sends His personal bodyguards to protect you! But is this sloppy Christian sentiment you may ask? NO, it’s Solid Scriptural Reality! If Jesus is Lord of your life, then angels are watching over you!  The Bible says, “Watch that you don’t treat one of these childlike believers arrogantly. You realize, don’t you, that Their PERSONAL ANGELS Are Constantly In Touch With My Father In Heaven?” (Matthew 18:10 MSG) So, No more worry, fear, anxiety, and panic attacks! No more stress and frustration! Regardless to what the bank says, the doctor says, the employer says, the school says, the dealership says…Remember GOD’S WORD SAYS: You’ve Got “…Personal Angels…” that are “…Constantly In Touch With…(our) Father In Heaven”! Where You're Concerned, to God, Your Protection is Personal!

So, From This Day Forward, Rest In The Promise That You Have Angels Assigned to Watch Over You! You Are Safe, and it is Well!

"Spending time with God is the key to our strength and success in all areas of life. Be sure that you never try to work God into your schedule, but always work your schedule around Him." (Joyce Meyer)

"We schedule meetings to keep our business going in the right direction – we need to schedule meetings with God to help keep our lives going in the right direction." (DeVon Franklin)

"It is not easy to shut out the world, set aside a few minutes by yourself, and spend time in God's Word and prayer. But it is essential to grow in our relationship with God and be strengthened for the battles ahead. Do not delay. Begin now to spend time alone with God every day." (Billy Graham)

Blessings

J.P. Olson

We All Have Had Some Days When We Feel Like We’re Stuck In The Basement, The View Isn’t Very Inspiring, And Neither Is The Situation We’re In. Allow Me To Share With You Daniel’s Elevator. Elevators Change Your Perspective, Prospective & Your Posture

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

Now, if you were to ask my husband or adult children, they would be the first to say I am still the biggest kid in the entire house! And truth be told, I unapologetically admit, they’re right! And one of the things that bring out the kid in me most is riding those glass elevators that are found in some hotels. You know how it goes, you get in on the main floor and then you ascend to the top floor, all the time you’re watching the big things in the lobby become the small things in the lobby. And the limited view you had down there, suddenly turns into a panoramic view up here. I mean we’re talking about going from the lobby to the observation deck in a matter of seconds; rising scores of floors in less time than it takes to place some phone calls! For instance, at 9:32, you’re down in the lobby or even the basement, but by 9:33, you’re looking out over the entire city – and all because of an elevator! You see, elevators have a funny way of changing your perspective (which is the particular way you view something, the height, width, depth, length, and distance of it), your prospective (which is what is expected or likely to happen or be in the future) and even your posture (which is the particular way a body is positioned, the way in which a person holds their body, to look down, to look up and most importantly to look out, over and beyond)! Elevators Change Your Perspective, Your Prospective, and Your Posture.

And not that we don’t know it, but the word “elevator” is defined as “a platform or compartment housed in a shaft for raising and lowering people or things.” And in Daniel’s case, his praise elevator raised him up!

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. It’s dark, it’s lonely, it’s gloomy, it’s hard, it’s depressing. We’re low in funds, low in joy, low in peace, low in confidence, low in health, low in marriage, low in singlehood, 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, Sunday after Sunday! There are simply some moments in life when we’re held in bondage in the basement, instead of breaking through the ceiling!

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

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 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, even though he wasn’t there! 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, he doesn’t start crying. So, what does he do? Well, as any wise man (or woman) 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 lay 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! It was time for a step of faith, not a stumble in fear! 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” (AMP). I reiterate, this is a time to take a step of faith, not a stumble in fear!

Daniel responds, ‘Just give me a little time…’ And what does Daniel do in that little time? He gets Reinforcements! However, it’s important to note, that he only called three of them. Sounds a lot like Jesus with His inner circle of Peter, James, and John. Which 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! Proverbs 11:14, “Where there is no [wise, intelligent] guidance, the people fall [and go off course like a ship without a helm], But in the abundance of [wise and godly] counselors there is victory.” (AMP). 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 when you’re gathering troops to go into battle!

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! The Bible says, “They asked the God of heaven…” 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 only 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, then they 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! 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. Some people pose as your teammates when they’re really your opponents! Choose these people wisely!

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, if the revelation came, the inner circle was fine! And when it did, listen to Daniel’s response: “…Then Daniel praised the God of heaven…”

Before Daniel even goes to the king, remember, his life as well as the lives of others were already at stake, so if you think anything like me, you may respond with, “Daniel, now may not be the most opportune time to go into a praise break…maybe you should talk to the king first” But, in Daniel’s case, that’s exactly what he did first, he talked to the KING!

See, the problem with us is that we let fear supersede our faith! But even during 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 in the future!

Truth is, we must reach a place of trust, reliance, dependence, and faith in God where our circumstances don’t alter our praise! We need to allow our praise to be the evidence that we trust God’s outcome, before we even come out! 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! And so, Daniel is our example of celebrating God for Victory before the Battle is even over!

‘Don’t Wait till the Battle is Over, Shout Now!’

Listen to the rest of the text: “…saying, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for He alone has all wisdom and all power. World events are under His control. He removes kings and sets others on their thrones. He gives wise men their wisdom and scholars their intelligence. He reveals profound mysteries beyond man’s understanding. He knows all hidden things, for He is light, and darkness is no obstacle to Him. I thank and praise You, O God of my fathers, for You have given me wisdom and glowing health, and now even this vision of the king’s dream and the understanding of what it means.” (TLB)

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 people of God, so do you!

In Daniel 2, beginning with verse 19, the Bible declares, “Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are 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 Most High 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! Which is why it’s so vital that you learn how to rise from low places! Yes, it hurts, yes, it’s confusing, yes, it’s aggravating and frustrating, yes, it’s caused you some night’s sleep, yes, you’ve even worried, fretted and had panic attacks because of it, but that’s only because you stayed on the same level as it for far too long! When life’s attacks come at you and attempt to snuff out your life, start elevating! You don’t stay on the same level as your issues. Leave them right where they are and you shift your perspective, prospective and posture! Walk by faith and not by sight; began singing, dancing, clapping, praising and worshiping God! Sink into the depths of His Word where you will be reminded of His power, providence, sovereignty, provision, promises and protection! Began to speak His Words of Life, no matter the danger of death that is near! Walk like you know He is still the lifter up of your head and that He’s placed your feet like hinds’ feet on high places! Straighten your back and square off your shoulders. Put on the whole armor of God and get ready to do battle and win! Even when your situation and circumstances don’t change, you must! You never stay on levels beneath the privilege of a Child of God!

Now, one of the secrets of peace during great stress, of poise when everything is up for grabs, of perspective when you could be flippin’ out – the secret is to start celebrating the kind of God you have! Remember, you enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise, not just with prayer requests. The great prayers of the Bible are like two-thirds about the greatness of God and maybe one-third about the need. When you start telling God the things about Him that you love, the things He’s done that you’re grateful for, that anxiety in your heart starts to ebb and the peace in your heart starts to grow. You realize that the size of the situation and the size of the need don’t change the size of your God at all! The size of your situation will never change the dimensions of your God! What may be too big for you, will never be too big for Him! With Him all things are possible, and they are likewise possible for you too because He’s already told you that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you! So, stop listening to the words of your adversary, and start listening to the words of your Advocate! He’s fighting with you and for you, you will not lose! He ALWAYS Causes Us to Triumph!

In the midst of danger, Daniel still paused to take a praise and thank 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!

And how does such a response end for Daniel? Listen to what happens after Daniel praises God, then shares the dream and revelation with the king:

Daniel 2:46-49, “When Daniel finished, King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face in awe before Daniel. He ordered the offering of sacrifices and burning of incense in Daniel’s honor. He said to Daniel, “Your God is beyond question the God of all gods, the Master of all kings. And he solves all mysteries, I know, because you’ve solved this mystery.” Then the king promoted Daniel to a high position in the kingdom, lavished him with gifts, and made him governor over the entire province of Babylon and the chief in charge of all the Babylonian wise men. At Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to administrative posts throughout Babylon, while Daniel governed from the royal headquarters.” (MSG)

How’s that for taking a praise elevator from the basement to the penthouse?! Everyone in your situation, everything in your situation looks different from God’s penthouse perspective. You’ll see the people differently. You’ll see possibilities you haven’t seen before. You’ll have ideas you haven’t had before. You’ll have the peace that you couldn’t have otherwise.

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!

Despite 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 Promotes You In It! No Matter How Low Life May Take You, Never Allow It To Lower Your Praise! It Was The Elevator That Raised Daniel Up, Elevators Change Your Perspective, Your Prospective and Your Posture.

The Bible says, “When Daniel finished, King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face in awe before Daniel. He ordered the offering of sacrifices and burning of incense in Daniel’s honor. He said to Daniel, “Your God is beyond question the God of all gods, the Master of all kings…”

Listen: What Hurt You Will End Up Honoring You! And What Had Your Back Up Against The Wall, Will Bow Down Before You! When You Praise God During Your Problems, Even What Came Up Against You, Will Eventually Bow Before You! 

Which means, going forward when you face an uphill battle, fight like Daniel! Seek out the right men (and women) (those with a prayer life that know how to use their mouth to intercede to God as opposed to gossiping to other people); and when God reveals the solution to the problem, don’t panic and run to the problem as if you don’t get to it quick enough, God’s plan will fail. No, when you have enough sense to go to God in the first place, you don’t have to fear anything afterwards. Which is why you can then walk by faith, walk in favor, and walk away from fear! And then watch God do for you as he did for Daniel and even as He did for Joseph (God Will Use the Very Same Plans That Were Meant to Hurt You, to Help You Instead! What Was Meant For Your Evil, Will Be For Your Good!) Before you know it, your problem, turned into a praise, will turn into a position of promotion for you and those attached to you!

No matter how low life may take you, never allow it to lower your praise! It was the elevator that raised Daniel up, and it’s the same elevator that will do the same for you!

Blessings

J.P. Olson

Guard Your Alone Time With God. Most Times He Outlines And Clarifies His Plans For Your Life When There’s Nobody Else Around! When God’s Grooming You For A Special Work You’ll Be Required To Spend Time Outside The Company Of Others. Here Is Why:

 Mark 1:35, “The next morning Jesus woke up very early. He left the house while it was still dark and went to a place where HE COULD BE ALONE AND PRAY.” (ERV)

Believe it or not, but in a day where everybody wants to be in the ‘in crowd’; have a clique; be a part of a pack; be a member of the team; or surrounded by an inner circle; being ALONE isn’t always a bad thing! In fact, there are times when it’s Absolutely Necessary in Order to Hear From God!

The Bible points out the following “ALONE” moments of Jesus:

1. “But JESUS would OFTEN go to SOME PLACE where he could be ALONE and pray.” (Luke 5:16 CEV).
2. “…JESUS…CROSSED LAKE GALILEE to go to some place where he could be ALONE…” (Matthew 14:13 CEV).
3. “Then HE went UP ON A MOUNTAIN where he could be ALONE and pray. Later that evening, he was still there.” (Matthew 14:23 CEV).
4. “After leaving them, HE went UP ON A MOUNTAINSIDE to pray. When evening came, the boat was in the MIDDLE OF THE LAKE, and he was ALONE ON LAND…” (Mark 6:46-48 NIV).
5. “When the voice had spoken, they found that JESUS was ALONE…” (Luke 9:36 NIV).

Now, many of you will say, ‘but I don’t have time to go away and be alone.’ But Jesus went ‘SOME PLACE’, He ‘CROSSED A LAKE’, was on a boat ‘IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAKE’ and He ‘WENT UP ON A MOUNTAIN AND ON A MOUNTAINSIDE.’ In other words, Jesus didn’t select easy places to get away too. He crossed lakes and went up mountains just to be alone. And please note, He didn’t have a speed boat, a jet ski, plane, or helicopter! Which means getting away to these places was not a 1.2.3. escape route! And yet if alone time was this important to Jesus to do whatever He had to do to get it, how can we say we don’t have time? Furthermore, we can have access to a speed boat; jet ski; plane or helicopter to take us anywhere in the blink of an eye, so what’s our excuse? Now I can even hear your next excuse, ‘but that’s expensive.’ Let me help you out again, the Scripture says, “…JESUS would OFTEN go to SOME PLACE where he could be ALONE and pray.” Key words? SOME PLACE! No one is telling us to rent a private villa in Paris, JUST MAKE TIME TO GO SOME PLACE ALONE! Surely, we can do that, and for free!

Listen, we often talk a lot about Jesus being active in ministry, however, He was also well-balanced in ministry and in life. Even as the Son of God, He took advantage of alone time. And often, it was to pray. Do you take advantage of your alone time? Do you take advantage of the privilege of prayer? Or are you like most who get so busy in ministry and life that the crowds consume them and everything about them? Jesus, with all the miracles, blessings, healings, deliverance, teaching, leading and even enemy attacks, He still made time to get away alone to pray. Brothers and sisters, if your schedule is so overwhelming that you do not even have alone time to get away and pray, then much of your schedule has nothing to do with the Agenda of God. Programs, Protocols, and Positions should never become more Potent than your alone time with God which carries with it the Priority of Prayer. If the Son of God made time to get away alone and pray, but we can’t, does that really mean we’re busier than God? I think not…

And so that we don’t get stuck on Jesus alone, but He was in a great company of people who spent time alone:

In Exodus God said: “Moses ALONE shall come near the Lord; THE OTHERS SHALL NOT COME NEAR, NEITHER SHALL THE PEOPLE COME UP WITH HIM” (24:2 AMP). God wanted Moses to come to Him alone, this speaks volumes of a relationship with intimacy at its core. Truthfully, there are some things going on in our life that don’t need public opinion! Some of that stuff that you keep taking to Tommy and Tammy should only be spoken in the ear of God, alone! People flip out and go off on folks because they found out somebody, they ‘confided’ in, shared their personal business that they themselves already shared all over social media! SELAH! How can you get mad at the world, when you posted your life on the world wide web?! There’s a reason God desires private, intimate alone time with us. Because it’s in settings like those where God can heal us without anyone knowing we were hurt; He can deliver us without anybody knowing what we were delivered from; He can save us when nobody knew how much of a sinner we were; He can silence the gossip before Gabby Gabriella parts her lips; He can mend the marriage without anybody knowing it was torn; He can restore our children without anybody knowing they were the prodigal sons and daughters eating slop with pigs; He can give you a job without anybody knowing you were laid off; He can reverse sickness without anybody seeing a symptom! That’s why it’s so important to spend private, quality, intimate, alone time with God! There are just some things He’s going to do in private that do not need a public display!

When Elijah spent the night ALONE in a cave, God told him to: “…Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by…” (1 Kings 19:11 NIV). He didn’t, however, call a men or women’s ministry meeting to have everybody go with him, he was sent alone. There are some assignments God gives you alone, stop trying to take the crowd with you!

Daniel was: “…left ALONE, gazing at this great vision…” (10:8 NIV) All eyes don’t need to see the great vision that God is about to show you! That’s how plans and purpose get messed up, we show people more than they were pre-approved to see!

The Prophet Jeremiah needed time alone due to ministry: ^“…I sat ALONE because Your hand was on me…” {Jeremiah 15:17 NIV} For some reason we assume that as soon as God calls us, we’re supposed to run off to do a 10 - day revival in Africa, but what happens when God’s hand is on you and all He wants you to do is sit down? I did 9 years of tent revival, but God did not allow me to do a 10^th revival, He already knew what was going to take place in 2020. He shut it down and had me to sit to get His instructions on what was next in accomplishing the mission of Jesus. SELAH! Believe it or not, but sometimes your anointing won’t flow while you’re standing up in the pulpit, but when you’re sitting down in the pew!

Even our Patriarch Jacob had an “ALONE” moment: “So JACOB was left ALONE, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.” (Genesis 32:24 NIV). And what happened in this alone time? Jacob received a name change and a blessing! Dare I ask, what are you missing out on and messing up in, all because you want to bring 10 people to a table set up by God as a table for two!

Like it or not, but Many of Your Greatest Spiritual Victories Come From the Battles God Calls You to Fight When YOU’RE ALONE! Most times He outlines and clarifies His plans for your life when there’s NOBODY ELSE AROUND! That’s because He wants YOU to be more Influenced By HIM, than ANYONE ELSE!

When God’s grooming you for a special work you’ll be Required to Spend Time Outside the Company of Others. And does that make the others bad? No, just not full-time necessities! Even Jesus knew how to divide His time between the 12 Apostles, the 3 Inner Circle, and when it was necessary to just be alone By Himself! And the same goes for you! You don’t always need an entourage; you don’t always need your boys or your girls; you don’t always need all the armor bearers and adjutants; you don’t always need the whole men and women’s ministries! You can’t always take your family, friends, your network, your social media ‘friends’, your church, your ministry, your business, etc.…Sometimes It Will Only Be YOU!

Now, can you imagine if any of these men forfeited their alone time with God? Moses would have missed the presence of God; Elijah would have missed the voice of God; Daniel would have missed the vision of God; Jeremiah would have missed the assignment of God and Jacob would have missed the blessing of breakthrough with God. Which makes me wonder, in forfeiting your alone time, how much of God have you missed out on? Has the crowd cost you the presence of God; the voice of God; the vision of God; the assignment of God; the blessing of breakthrough from God? Was your alone time worth what it cost you to lose God in the crowd?

Listen, your alone time is good and vital!

But the problem with many is that they confuse ALONE and LONELY. They are NOT one in the same. People who are LONELY can feel that way Even When Standing In the Middle of Grand Central Station! They can be right in the Midst of a Crowd and Still Feel Deserted.

But those who are ALONE, are usually “PURPOSELY” so! 

When I have to teach or preach, I purposely spend time ALONE because I Don’t Want Any Outside Distraction or Interference With Me Hearing God’s Directives Clearly. I need to hear what He wants me to say and do, and to be sure I hear Him Alone, I need time Alone with Him! And I feel no sadness or despair, I don’t feel abandoned or left out, because I DELIBERATELY do as Jesus did and “…often go to some place where [I can] BE ALONE AND PRAY” (Luke 5:16 CEV).

Jesus, Jacob, Moses, Elijah, Daniel and Jeremiah all spent time ALONE Because of the Assignment On Their Lives to Fulfill. Likewise, YOU Will Have to Spend Time ALONE To Fulfill the Assignment That Has Been Mandated For Your Life. And that’s difficult to accomplish when you’re so wrapped up in the lives of others.

Which is why you need to prepare yourselves because there will be seasons in which you have to “…come out from among them and be ye separated…” (AND THAT INCLUDES BELIEVERS AND NON-BELIEVERS ALIKE) Why? Because oftentimes you’ll experience what Jesus experienced: “And when daybreak came, He left [Peter’s house] and went into an ISOLATED [DESERT] PLACE. And the people looked for Him until they came up to Him and tried to prevent Him from leaving them” (Luke 4:42 AMPC)

You’ve Got To Realize That Your Time ALONE With God Is VITAL, And NEEDS To Be Respected, Even By Those Who Need You The Most!

As soon as Jesus went to be ALONE, HERE COMES THE CROWD! “The next morning Jesus went out to a place where He could be alone, and crowds came looking for Him. When they found Him, they tried to stop Him from leaving.” (CEV)

Max Lucado said it best: “A Man Who Wants To Lead The Orchestra Must Turn His Back On The Crowd” You Can’t Fulfill Your Vision to Lead the Orchestra While Focusing On the Audience! And Sometimes The Hardest Thing to Do Is Walk Away From Those Who Want to Walk With You…But Can’t! The Bible says, “…they tried to stop Him from leaving.” And people in your life will do the very same thing to you. And it’s not because of something bad either. But when you have an assignment and anointing on your life, you are a blessing to the lives of people, and who wants to be apart from a blessing? Of course, they want to cling to you, they’ve heard God preached, taught and prayed through you. You’ve been a blessing to them. And still, you must know when to turn your back on the crowd, spend alone time with God, and finish fulfilling your assignment.

Another translation says it like this: “…And Tried To Keep Him From Going Away From Them” Another Hard Truth? People Who Can’t Go Where You’re Going Will Attempt To Stop You From Going Anywhere! If they can’t go with you, they don’t want you to go at all! So, how did Jesus’ handle this? The Bible says, “…But He replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God IN OTHER PLACES TOO, FOR THAT IS WHY I WAS SENT. SO, HE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL AROUND PREACHING IN SYNAGOGUES THROUGHOUT JUDEA.” (vss. 43-44 TLB) Don’t get so busy and caught up in ministry, crowds, assignments, and life, that you get distracted and derailed! Don’t get stuck where you were never supposed to stay! Jesus deliberately went to spend alone time, got away from the crowds, informed them of why He couldn’t stay in the same place with them, and He kept on preaching! Family, know how to pull away before you press forward! Even Jesus didn’t attempt to keep preaching UNTIL AFTER He spent alone time away from the crowds! Remember, He is your example to follow!

Sadly, so many are busy self-promoting themselves and running after people, places, and things, they’re missing out on time with God. The crowd has become more important than the closet! The greatest mistake you can ever make is to spend all your time with the people in the crowd, and yet having no time to spend with God alone in the prayer closet. Far too many of us will quickly take an assignment from God, and yet not have any time on our agenda for Him. Oh, we’ll accept a full itinerary for ministry to travel all over the world, yet at the same time, God can’t get five minutes with us on our face in the living room!

Listen, far too often, God speaks in a STILL, SMALL VOICE, and when we’re so caught up in the Need To Have Someone Around Us, Their Voice Has a Way of Amplifying Itself Above His! Which isn’t hard to do, because remember, HE’S NOT YELLING, SCREAMING OR GRABBING AT YOUR EAR…HE’S SPEAKING IN A STILL, SMALL VOICE. And It’s Hard To Hear Direction From God When Mike’s Voice Is Directing You To The Movies, Keisha’s Voice Is Directing You To The Concert, Alicia’s Voice Is Directing You To Olive Garden, Tim’s Voice Is Directing You To The Football Game, Craig’s Voice Is Directing You To The Sales At the Men’s Warehouse, the 15% off at the Barbershop, and the Buy One Get One Free at DSW!

And to bring it further home for us “CHURCH FOLKS”, It’s Also Hard To Hear Direction From God When You’re Singing On The Choir, Overseeing The Youth Group, Setting Up for the Church Meeting, Preparing Communion, Planning Anniversary Celebrations and Driving the Church Van, ALL AT THE SAME TIME!

STOP CONFUSING ACTIVITY WITH PRODUCTIVITY! JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE BUSY DOESN’T MEAN YOU’RE FULFILLING THE WILL OF GOD FOR YOUR LIFE! CHURCH WORK AND KINGDOM WORK ARE JUST AS DIFFERENT AS LONELY AND ALONE! TOO OFTEN WHAT WE DO IN THE CHURCH ISN’T WHAT HE’S CALLED US TO DO IN THE KINGDOM ANYWAY! AND I’D RATHER BE A PART OF THE PLANS OF GOD FOR THE KINGDOM THAN MISS OUT BECAUSE I WAS TOO BUSY BEING A PART OF THE PROGRAMS OF THE CHURCH, THAT HE NEVER ASSIGNED TO MY HANDS IN THE FIRST PLACE!

That’s why we’ve got to learn the NECESSITY of FOLLOWING JESUS’ EXAMPLE: “Very early the next morning, JESUS got up and went to a place WHERE HE COULD BE ALONE AND PRAY” (Mark 1:35 CEV).

GUARD YOUR ALONE TIME WITH GOD! IT’S THE PLACE WHERE YOU SEEK HIM AND HIS WILL FOR YOUR LIFE! IT’S THE “SOLITARY PLACE” WHERE YOU AND HIM ALONE SPEND QUALITY TIME TOGETHER! The word ‘solitary’ is defined as ‘done or existing alone; secluded or isolated; single; and only.’ Its Latin origin ‘solitarius,’ from ‘solus’ literally means, ‘alone.’ God loves you so much He desires to have you secluded; isolated; and alone. Only you! Single, meaning ONE, and you are that ONE! Do you even realize just how treasured you are by God that in all His greatness, all He wants to do is spend alone time with YOU alone. Is He really asking too much? I think not.

Hear God’s Heart, He Has Already PROMISED: “…Call to Me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out ON YOUR OWN.” (Jeremiah 33:3 MSG). IF YOU WOULD ONLY GET TO A QUIET PLACE ALONE WITH GOD, YOU COULD FINALLY STOP TRYING TO FIGURE IT ALL OUT ON YOUR OWN! ALL YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO IS CALL AND HE’LL ANSWER AND TELL YOU MARVELOUS AND WONDROUS THINGS! THAT’S CERTAINLY A LOT LESS STRESSFUL THAN THE WAY YOU’VE BEEN DOING IT DON’T YOU THINK? He said, ‘CALL ME AND I WILL ANSWER YOU…’ But we’re too busy talking and texting everybody else! But doesn’t it make you wonder what you’re missing out on receiving from God, and all because you took your QUESTIONS to THEM when only He said, “I WILL ANSWER YOU.”

Listen, the Crowd will kill you, just ask Jesus!

If Jesus made time to be alone, we are certainly not busier than He that we can’t do the same. You have a lot of responsibility to meet, and that can’t be done with your agenda alone. You need time away with God, His plans are more important than your agenda and His purpose is more important than your itinerary! Getting away from the crowd and in some alone time with God will grant you insider information on how to be a better man, woman, husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, teacher, preacher, leader, believer, and person in general. You can’t get that from yourself or the crowd, only God, and He’s still speaking in a still small voice. If you don’t get away from THEM, you’ll never hear HIM, and surely what He’s got to say supersedes anything they do.

Time spent alone with God is never wasted. Today, rearrange your schedule and MAKE alone time for God! One of the best gifts we can give ourselves is time alone with God. Spending time with God, puts everything else in perspective.

“If you are feeling impatient, irritable, bitter, forgetful, disorganized, and disconnected from God, it’s time to tend to your soul. Grab your Bible. Get alone with God.” (Courtney Joseph)

“Sometimes loneliness is God’s cry for time with you.” (Author Unknown)

“We can be tired, weary, and emotionally distraught, but after spending time alone with God, we find that He injects into our bodies energy, power and strength.” (Charles Stanley)

Blessings

J.P. Olson