An Inspirational Noon Day After Christmas Reading. A Reminder To Each Of Us. We Have A Christmas Guest That Never Left. Will We Make Room For Him? Or Will We Be Like The Innkeeper?

The Christmas Guest That Never Left. This Was His Promise. Despite What We May Have To Face Here On Earth, The One Guarantee We Have Is “God Is With Us.”  Let’s Make Room For Him. Let Us Not Be Like The Innkeeper; even Today, We See The Signs When Hotel Rooms Are Sold Out, We Can Hear The Words, Sold Out, No Rooms Available, And There Is No Room In The Inn.

This is a great time to reevaluate our priorities as we prepare to enter a New year and A New Season. Jesus should be our priority> Every day, every month, and every year let us make room in our hearts for Him.

About 700 years before Jesus was born, Isaiah the prophet wrote this:

For us, a child is born, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of…(can you finish it?) Peace.

Jesus Christ entered this world to bring us Peace.

When we find the time to settle down and read what the Bible says about Christmas and the birth of Christ, we fondly remember all those wonderful characters of the story of the first Christmas. Mary and Joseph are the babies of Jesus, wise men, shepherds, and angels.

One of my favorite ones is the Innkeeper.

But that is a character that is not actually in the Bible.

The Scripture says that Mary and Joseph had to stay in a stable because there was no room for them in the Inn.

For all we know, they might never have spoken to the Innkeeper. But, on the other hand, perhaps because of the crowds coming to Bethlehem for the census, it may have been common knowledge among the travelers that there was no need even to try to find a room at the Inn.

But we like to imagine that Mary and Joseph went to the Innkeeper and were rudely sent away. So, these poor travelers, one of them pregnant and ready to give birth any minute, are sent away by this rude, uncaring Innkeeper.

When churches have Living Nativities, or when Hollywood makes another movie about Jesus, we like to see this character portrayed as mean. A villain. Rude and nasty.

But -- I think there is something about the Innkeeper we identify with.

Here is a man who has no room in his Inn for Christ.

Many of us have no room in our hearts for Christ.

How many of us come to church every week, but at this time of year, when we should be experiencing the entire spiritual presence of Christ, we don’t feel anything spiritual at all? Here it is Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and The day After Christmas, we ought to be feeling the wonder of Christ’s birth, but we don’t. There is no room in our hearts for Christ.

Christ has been pushed out by all the rush of the traffic, the press of shopping, the anxiety of end-of-the-year exams and tests in school, and the demands made upon us by having to visit or receive visitors.

There is no room in our hearts for Christ.

On the other hand, many infrequently go to church because the stress of the whole year keeps Christ at arm’s length. There is always work, other places to go, and some sporting events to attend on a Sunday.

And so, there is no room for Christ in our heart. Christ has pushed aside so other things can take hold of our lives.

Now it is not that we are villains and evil people when this happens.

It just happens.

It’s like the Innkeeper.

Since the Bible doesn’t mention anything about him, we imagine him as rude and nasty. “Go away. There’s no room for you here.”

But I suspect the honest Innkeeper was doing his job. He was going through his life. He was probably apologetic. “Gee, I’m sorry, Ms. Mary, but there’s no room for you. And it would be unfair for me to go and tell one of the guests who are already here and settled in that they have to leave to make room for you and your child.”

The Innkeeper wasn’t being mean. He was being faithful to all the other guests in his Inn. He was devoted to all the different demands of his life.

So that, in the outcome, there just wasn’t room for the Christ child in his Inn or his life.

And when we push Christ out of our lives, for many of us, it is not that we intentionally decide, “I want Christ out of our lives.”

We have already allowed so many other things into our lives that there is simply no room left.

No room for Christ.

We’ve got things to do.

We’ve got work.

We’ve got shopping.

We’ve got to – well, the list goes on.

Is that the way we want to live our lives?

It’s not that any of these things are bad. Because they’re not. They’re good things. I like going to New Zealand. I like going traveling! I never wanted exams and tests, but they were necessary. I had to study for them. I like to sing. I enjoy teaching.

But when we do all these things in such a way that they consume all of the space in our hearts and lives so that there is no room in our lives for Christ – that’s sad.

That’s tragic.

And I think that is why the Innkeeper captures our imagination in Living Nativities and books and stories about the birth of Christ.

Because he’s us.

There’s no room for the Christ child in the Inn.

And there’s no room for Christ in our lives.

But is this the way we want to live our lives?

Jesus came into this world and wanted to go into our lives so that we might have eternal life. So why would we possibly want to exclude Christ from our lives when he comes to offer us eternal life?

St. Paul wrote in his first letter to Timothy (1 Tim 1:15), “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-- of whom I am the worst.”

Christ came to give us eternal life. Don’t we want to have room for him in our hearts?

Christ came to give us Peace. We have so little right now. We have wars all around us.

And how peaceful can anyone feel at Christmas – shopping, rushing around, driving in traffic with maniacs all around, and in-laws coming?

But if you are pushing Christ out of your life because you have so much shopping to do, so much rushing around, so much this and that on your list of things to do – then you are depriving yourself of the very Peace that this season ought to provide.

Make room for Christ in your life, and you make room for Peace.

Jesus said (John 14:27), “Peace I leave with you; my Peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Therefore, do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.”

Christ came to bring Peace to our lives. Don’t we want to have room for him in our hearts?

Christ also came to give us life so we could experience it to the fullest. So Jesus told us in John’s Gospel (John 10:10), “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Christ came to give us abundant life, but in the busyness of life, we fill our time with so much, and yet we find that the life we’ve led has been empty at the end of the day. It has lacked meaning and purpose.

Christ came to enable us to live life to the fullest. Don’t we want to have room for him in our hearts?

It is the day after Christmas. We finally made it. We survived all the crazy drivers. We stayed the stress of the final exams, or the pressures of work and we did all our shopping.

Now would be an excellent time to make sure that we make room in our lives for Christ.

Now would be an excellent time to make sure that whatever other clutter may exist on our daily schedules, we can make room for Christ in the weekly worship on Sunday mornings, in the time for prayer and Bible reading, and in the time for service to others.

Even in the midst of 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’s painful, and still it can’t deprive you of the promise God has made to you to ‘NEVER LEAVE YOU UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES’! Truthfully, we can’t 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, I’ll never relax my hold on you”. Does that sound like He’s far away? Out of touch? Can’t reach us? Not at all! And that’s what made me smile today! The reminder that no matter how much we hurt, HE will always be with us! And furthermore, our hurt won’t last always! Yes, we’ll cry, we’ll wonder, we’ll question, we’ll hurt…but we’ll get strong again, and recover. Listen: One of the greatest gifts besides salvation; is knowing that Jesus didn’t come just to leave! He loves us so much that He’s going to return for us, and while He’s in heaven, He’s loved us once again so much, that He couldn’t 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 aren’t 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 by all means 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, Worship…and also Cry in your Prayer Closet releasing all of your agony to Him. He understands, and He’s 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’s why we can tell Him our deepest hurts, weaknesses, and fears, He understands, He cares, He’s present there with you and always will be!

There is room for us in Christ’s hands.

Let’s make room for Christ in our lives.

Blessings

J.P. Olson

www.thewordwithjpolson.com

The More Troubled Things Are, The More Present God Makes Himself! It Doesn’t Matter What Rages Around You. It Only Matters Who Reigns Within You. Do Not Focus So Much On Your Hurt That You Lose Sight Of His Help!

Father, teach us today how to be a Good Shepherd during this Christmas Season. Just as sheep are innocent and vulnerable to attack, there are those around you who are hurting without the love and protection of God. Therefore, adopt a shepherd’s heart this Christmas, and help bring the lost and broken-hearted back to Jesus Christ.

Jesus Is the Good Shepherd The ultimate depiction of a shepherd is Jesus Christ. In John 10:14-15 He says,

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me — just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

The More Troubled Things Are, The More Present God Makes Himself! It Doesn’t Matter What Rages Around You. It Only Matters Who Reigns Within You.  

While everyone around you may be celebrating and totally unaware of how you are hurting, please know that Jesus is moving close to you today, and He wants to do something very powerful for you this Christmas…And That is to Heal What’s Broken!

That is why I think He has led me to remind someone today: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). But there is a turning point in my message today and it is: Thank God It’s the beginning of a new season. It’s the beginning of a new season of reaping, reaping, reaping, just the blessings of God in your life. I know it’s been gradual and gradual but when the blessing of God comes in, we are stepping into this thing called the latter rain.  The latter rain is always going to be greater than the former. 

And it is far worse if what is broken is a relationship you really care about, or your family is broken, or your heart is broken, your joy is broken, your peace is broken, your trust has been broken, your loyalty has been broken. In fact, all the “joy to the world” around you just seems to make the hurt even worse! And often the Christmas Season tends to bring painful reminders of the things and people that have hurt us the most and broken us to pieces! A mother who walked away and never came back; a father who died; a marriage that ended; a child that left home; a doctor’s sad report; the loss of a job after 20 years; the senseless loss of a friend’s life; a relationship that is beyond repair…and the list could go on forever. 

In your brokenness is where you will find God right there! Now that's encouragement! Because most people do not want to be around someone who is broken. Why? Because they know it will only be a time of tears, complaining, sob stories, self-pity parties, and retelling of the same hurtful scripts repeatedly. But Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother! He could care less about any of that, He's not leaving your side, nor is He turning a deaf ear to you, nor will He leave you there broken. After all, He is the mender of broken hearts! So, wherever you find yourself broken today, know that Jesus is Right There, even if no one else is! You my friend are on the verge of being mended!

“Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let us not let it slip through our fingers. We do not have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He has been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So, let us walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, ACCEPT THE HELP” (Hebrews 4:14-16 MSG).

It is not that God has not offered His help; the problem is we have not accepted it! Which makes absolutely no sense since the word itself means 'to take'! Therefore, today, Take the help God is offering to heal you and help you mend every broken area of your life. Do Not Focus So Much On Your Hurt That You Lose Sight Of His Help!

He Really Is The Fixer Of Broken Hearts, Broken Lives, And Broken People! How Do I Know? The Word Of God Said So, And The Word Of God Can’t Lie!

So, if this Christmas You are Battling with Brokenness, Simply Lean on the One Who Has Been Charged to Bind Up the Brokenhearted…His Names Is JESUS!
Let Him Mend You and Make You Whole Again! After all, isn’t that a part of the Reason we celebrate Him this Season? The Son of God Coming to Seek and Save; Heal and Deliver?

It takes time. Remember: No Matter What Is Broken, Where It Broke, How Long and How Bad It Has Been Broken, Why It Broke, When It Broke, or Who Broke It…He Can…and He Will Bind the Broken…Just Trust Him and Accept His Help to Heal!   And this Broken Christmas May Just Prove to be Your Very Best Christmas Yet! 

Remember the REASON not the RECEIPTS of This Christmas! He Came to Save you, and that Includes Saving You from Suffering the Pain of Remaining Broken! Be Healed Today, Be Well Today, Be Happy Today, Be Made Whole Today!

God can heal a broken heart. But you need to give Him all the pieces. Note To Self: Healing Is NOT an overnight process.

“God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, and broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever.”

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and he saves those whose spirits have been crushed.” (NCV). 

Remember, this Jesus who we celebrated this Christmas was, in the words of the Bible, a “man of sorrows and familiar with suffering” (Isaiah 53:3). The Amplified Bible says it like this: “He was despised and rejected and forsaken by men, a Man of sorrows and pains, and acquainted with grief and sickness; and like One from Whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we did not appreciate His worth or have any esteem for Him.” (AMP) The Contemporary English Bible says it like this: “He was hated and rejected; his life was filled with sorrow and terrible suffering. No one wanted to look at him. We despised him and said, “He is a nobody!” (CEB)

JESUS was misunderstood, despised, rejected, forsaken, hated, filled with sorrows, pain, grief, sickness, and terrible suffering, abandoned, betrayed, falsely accused, and even mocked, spat upon, pierced, and put to death! So, in case you feel as if no one knows how you feel; no one can identify with your brokenness, rest assured, JESUS KNOWS, JESUS CARES AND JESUS UNDERSTANDS!

Thank God It’s the beginning of a new season. It’s the beginning of a new season of reaping, reaping, reaping, just the blessings of God in your life is going to be greater than the former.  You’re talking about the floodgates, some of you have had the floodgates of problems in one thing after another and when you recuperate from one thing, it hits you with another, but in this season, God is getting ready to overwhelm you with His goodness. Can you imagine the blessings of God coming on the left hand and the right hand, when they are pushing you in your back, just pushing you into your destiny. I’m telling you God has great things in store for His children, He’s a great Father. He just wants to overwhelm you from the left to the right. He’s got Angels just holding sickles on your behalf in the north, south, east, and west. He is getting ready to release things on the earth that will overwhelm you from the east to the west with blessings that will come in signs of deliverance, miracles, and blessings, miracles, and blessings, a season of them in signs of wonders, a season of them, suddenly God will shift your season suddenly, where you have had a hard time, but suddenly things will shift in your favor. If you believe it, you will receive it. You will see God move, the naysayers will sit back and see God’s children being blessed, people getting healed, people getting delivered, people getting encouraged, people getting goodness and mercy extended to them, property liens given into your hands, degrees are being given in finishing school and universities.

This is a new season; He is expanding your territory on the left and right. God is giving you wisdom; you’ll be able to hold on to it this time. Justice will roll in like mighty waters and righteousness come down like mighty streams. May God turn your affliction; may your affliction never rise again. Have your way this morning Lord, let it rain, let it rain. He’s cutting off things that need to be cut off but adding blessings in your life that you have been desperate for, a season now, cause God’s getting ready to feed you on a new level of where you are going but not where you are coming from, and this is the Lord’s doing. God is going to give some of you your divine testimonies of what He is doing in this season.  God said your suddenly is breaking through now. 

You didn’t know what God was doing but He was working on you. Suddenly the check comes, it is shifting in your favor. Hallelujah to the Lamb of God. The miracle is in process right now. I pray this year is a year of blessing, breakthrough, and abundance for you and those you love most. When you have a setback, don't take a step back. This year is your year of COMEBACK, and you will soon see that the setbacks of your last 12 months were a SET-UP for your best days which begin NOW! This is your season of blessings; you are being made in the likeness of Elohim. I pray that God will anoint you and give you new ideas. Have expectation like never before. Tell God to use everything in you for His purpose. We shouldn’t have to be pumped to praise God. Praise Him anyhow this morning,

Watch God's Winter Performance. You Can’t Pray Your Life’s Seasons Away! There are some situations you aren’t meant to Change—You’re Just Meant to Endure! 2 Timothy 2:3. In other words, what you’re currently dealing with that’s Heavily Weighing You Down in the Natural, is considered by the Spirit “…Our Light, Momentary Affliction…” Therefore, you’re not going to deal with it always, But You Have to Deal With It Right Now! The stone in your hand might be small, but the God who is with you is bigger than the giant in front of you. It is not about your stone, but about your God.

I love the months surrounding the holiday seasons, but in all truth, I honestly won’t mind if the North Pole weather cuts its visit short! I was discussing my deep freeze feelings with a friend who lived in Alaska most of her life, and she helped me to possess a different perspective, in fact, an even positive outlook on our cold weather season. She simply said, “Just keep in mind that cold seasons kill a lot of bugs!” Now it didn’t make me happy that I still had to endure the rest of the cold season, but it sure made me happy to know that while I’m dealing with the cold, the cold is dealing with the bugs!

SIMPLY PUT, DON’T LET THE COLD BOTHER YOU, IT’S ACTUALLY KILLING WHAT’S BUGGING YOU!

Far too often we quickly get upset over the Bad, not realizing that it usually leads to something Good! Most of us have lived long enough to see it happen – something Good coming out of something that’s Bad, or even difficult and unpleasant. Therefore, if you’re in a season in your life that’s cold right now, and you’re feeling the chill of crisis; the breeze of bitterness; the winds of worry; the damp of depression; the ice of irritation; the blizzard of backbiters; the storms of struggle; and the rains of restlessness, know THAT EVEN WHEN THE CONDITIONS OF THE SEASON RESTRICT YOU, THEY CAN NEVER CONSTRICT YOUR GOD!

You see, the word “RESTRICT” means: “TO PUT A LIMIT ON, KEEP UNDER CONTROL, DEPRIVE OF FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT OR ACTION” It’s Latin Origin ‘RESTRINGERE’ literally means ‘TO TIE BACK’. We’ve seen that in many winter seasons, as the blizzards hit we’re RESTRICTED in bus, cab, and train service. We’re LIMITED in various methods of transportation and KEPT UNDER THE CONTROL of snowplows as to when we could move, and how far we could go. FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT AND ACTION was DEPRIVED for so many who couldn’t get to where they needed to, because they’d been “RESTRICTED”. Which is where we coined the phrase: “MY HANDS ARE TIED!”

But Bear In Mind, That Even When We’re ‘Restricted’, God Is Never ‘Constricted’! The Word ‘Constricted’ Means: “To Make Or Become Narrower, Especially By Encircling Pressure Or Attempting To Tighten Around”. Literally Means To ‘Bind Tightly Together’. You See, Your God Is Too Big To Be Made Narrow, And He’s Too Powerful For Pressure To Place Him In A Tight Grip! Even In Seasons Where You’re ‘Restricted’, Take Comfort In Knowing That Your God Is Never ‘Constricted’! Even When Your Hands Are Tied, His Will Never Be! Regardless To The Condition, He Can Still Bless You In The Midst Of Your Most Brittle, Bitter And Brutal Blizzard! Your God Is Too Powerful To Be Pressured! Even When You Grow Weak, Never Forget The Strength Of Your God!

EVEN WHEN IT DON’T FEEL LIKE IT’S IN YOUR FAVOR, BECAUSE HE’S YOUR GOD…IT IS!

DON’T LET THE WINTER SEASON WORRY YOU, EVERY SEASON HAS TO CHANGE! BUT DON’T MISS OUT ON THE BLESSING AND BENEFITS OF THE COLD SEASON WHILE IT’S HERE!

James 1:2-4, “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So Don’t Try To Get Out Of Anything Prematurely. Let It Do Its Work So You Become Mature And Well-Developed, Not Deficient In Any Way” (Msg)

In Winter, trees take advantage of the season to rebuild their strength and prepare to be fruitful next season. Their sap and substance go underground. Then in the Spring, it pushes its way back up again in the form of New Growth. Looking back over your life you’ll find that your achievements are Seasonal. Growth comes, then struggle, and vice versa. Each Season Has Its Purpose. God has a reason for not allowing you to be productive all the time. When He permits Winter winds to blow through your life, He’s preparing you for the coming Spring. That’s why James wrote, “Consider it a …gift…when tests and challenges come at you from all sides…under pressure, your faith…is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So Don’t Try to Get Out of Anything Prematurely. Let It Do Its Work So You Become Mature and Well-Developed, Not Deficient In Any Way” (MSG). One of the issues you’ll struggle with in a waiting period is the urge to Hurry Because Your Flesh Always Wants to Make Permanent Decisions Based On Temporary Circumstances. Don’t Do It! Every Situation Doesn’t Call For Immediate Action! The Only Biblical Way For You to Become Mature, Well-Developed, and Lacking Nothing Is To Endure Hardship! So, if you try to find a shortcut to getting out of your trials, You’ll Have to Take a Longer Journey to Get to Your Destiny!

REMEMBER: THE COLD SEASON GETS RID OF BUGS (AND WHAT’S ‘BUGGING’ YOU), SO DON’T RUSH IT, LET IT COMPLETE ITS WORK!

WHAT THE WEATHER (AND YOUR HATERS) HAVE PLANNED FOR YOU CAN’T COMPARE TO WHAT THE WILL OF GOD HAS PLANNED FOR YOU! FROM THE PIT TO THE PRISON To The Palace, JOSEPH Prospered, HE WAS SUSTAINED BY ONE THING HE KNEW HAD NOT CHANGED—GOD WAS WORKING ON A BIGGER PLAN! If you belong to Jesus, then Joseph’s God is your God, too. And He’s a God who uses even the wickedness of man to do great things. For Joseph, vengeful brothers, false accusations, and terrible injustices BECAME TOOLS THAT GOD USED TO TAKE HIM TO PLACES AND POSITIONS HE COULD NEVER HAVE GONE OTHERWISE! WHICH IS WHY I REITERATE: DON’T LET THE WINTER BOTHER YOU, BECAUSE IT’S KILLING WHAT’S BUGGING YOU!

If it’s cold right now, if it’s dark right now, don’t let discouragement win. Don’t let bitterness or resentment or resignation ruin the greater plan God is working on. Romans 8:28, “We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a PLAN] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.” (AMP). During this winter in your life, He wants to build in your qualities that will lead to future greatness. He wants to give you a closeness to Him that you’ve never had before and would never get any other way. And then, He wants to use this season to position you to make a greater difference with the rest of your life than you ever imagined! As Cold as it may seem right now, God is working out some Cool plans for your life! Regardless to what the Meteorologist tells you, There Is A Sunny Side to a Cold Season!

Use your Winter as a time to sharpen your weaponry for the spiritual warfare ahead! And how do you do that?

1...Get Into the WORD of God:  (Isaiah 55:11, “So Shall My Word Be That Goes Forth Out Of My Mouth: It Shall Not Return To Me Void [Without Producing Any Effect, Useless], But It Shall Accomplish That Which I Please And Purpose, And It Shall Prosper In The Thing For Which I Sent It.” AMPC).

2...Get Into WORSHIP: (the posture where you don’t go seeking God, but He comes seeking you)! (John 4:23, “A time will come, however, indeed it is already here when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); FOR THE FATHER IS SEEKING JUST SUCH PEOPLE AS THESE AS HIS WORSHIPERS.” (AMPC).

3...Get the WISDOM of God: (it is essential to making wise decisions)! (James 1:5, “If any of you is deficient in wisdom, LET HIM ASK THE GIVING GOD [WHO GIVES] TO EVERYONE LIBERALLY AND UNGRUDGINGLY, WITHOUT REPROACHING OR FAULTFINDING, AND IT WILL BE GIVEN HIM.” AMPC).

4...Get Into the WILL of God: (this is the place that is attached to your promise)! (Hebrews 10:36, “For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish THE WILL OF GOD, AND THUS RECEIVE AND CARRY AWAY [AND ENJOY TO THE FULL] WHAT IS PROMISED.” AMPC).

5...Get Into the Right WARDROBE: (no soldier fights without his fatigues)! And what are fatigues? (The phrase “military fatigues” was coined by the United States Armed Forces in the mid 1800’s and was used in reference to the clothes worn by soldiers detailed to menial or hard labor. And what are your “fatigues”? (READ: Ephesians 6:11-18).

Discouragement and fear and drifting from God – those are your greatest enemies, not what faces you on your battlefields! This Winter is not dead time or despair time. It’s get ready time! What you do with your Winter will decide whether you win or lose the war! Therefore, get into the Word of God; Get into Worship; Get the Wisdom of God; Get into the Will of God, and Get into the right Wardrobe! Then Work Your Winter! 

Blessings

J.P. Olson