Palm Sunday & Resurrection Day Has Passed And Gone. Sadly, We Still Want To Give Up, Give Out And Give In Far Too Quickly And Far Too Often! You Can’t Retreat And Simultaneously Expect Victory! I Simply Want You To Be Encouraged To STICK WITH IT!

Palm Sunday has come and gone, Resurrection Day has passed and gone. Sadly, we still want to give up, give out and give in far too quickly and certainly far too often! We fail to understand that Jesus Christ Lives and because He Lives, we can face tomorrow. Progression not Perfection is the Ultimate Goal! 

Let’s face it, you will experience conflict, crisis, trials, struggles, heartache and heartbreak, financial difficulties, setbacks, and the like. That’s all just a part of life! But does that give you just cause and reason to quit? Absolutely Not!  In a nutshell: I simply want you to be encouraged to STICK WITH IT, EVEN IN BATTLE, AND WATCH GOD GIVE YOU A GREAT VICTORY! However, if on the other hand you, unfortunately, decide to quit, walk away, and throw in the towel, you must ask yourself what more can God do on your behalf? Before you give up, think about why you held on for so long, don’t panic pray. Because the truth is, you can’t Retreat and simultaneously expect Victory! And this is where many of us mess up! God's plans for your life far exceed the circumstances of your day.  Let God’s promises shine on your problems.

“But he stood his ground and fought the Philistines UNTIL HIS HAND WAS WEARY AND STUCK TO THE SWORD. But the Lord accomplished a great victory that day. The troops then returned to Eleazar, but only to plunder the dead.” (2 Samuel 23:10 CEB)

The Message Bible reads like this: “Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite was the next of the elite Three. He was with David when the Philistines poked fun at them at Pas Dammim. When the Philistines drew up for battle, Israel retreated. But Eleazar stood his ground and killed Philistines right and left until he was exhausted—BUT HE NEVER LET GO OF HIS SWORD! A big win for God that day. The army then rejoined Eleazar, but all there was left to do was the cleanup.” (2 Samuel 23:9-10 MSG)

Eleazar, one of David’s “…three mighty men…” was the kind of person who simply wouldn’t quit! When the Philistines attacked, we read, “he attacked and killed Philistines until his hand got tired and STUCK TO HIS SWORD…” What a tremendous picture of encouragement for those of us in the midst of battles right now! “…HIS HAND STUCK TO HIS SWORD…” In a nutshell: I Simply Want You To Be Encouraged To STICK WITH IT, EVEN IN BATTLE, AND WATCH GOD GIVE YOU A GREAT VICTORY!

However, if on the other hand you, unfortunately, decide to quit, walk away, and throw in the towel, you must ask yourself what more can God do on your behalf? Because the truth is, You Can’t Retreat And Simultaneously Expect Victory! And this is where many of us mess up!

Instead of sticking with it, we give up on our children, discard marriages, throw away friendships, quit jobs, drop out of school, close businesses, change churches, etc… instead of being mature enough to stay in it and stick it out! “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.” (James 1:2-4 MSG) And with Scripture validation, I feel it is within my right to inform you that many of us are Immature, Under-Developed, and Lacking in Many areas for no other reason than that we got out of things PREMATURELY!

Imagine what your daughter might have done if you didn’t give up; what might your son have soared in if you hadn’t given up on him; what might your husband have accomplished if you would’ve stuck it out through the rough patches a little longer; what might your wife have become if you would’ve wiped her tears instead of throwing in the towel; what profits might the business have seen had you worked at it just a little harder; what degree would you have by now if you hung in there a few more semesters; what growth might the church have experienced had you stayed on your post instead of switching pews and pulpits?

Sadly, we give up, give out and give in far too quickly and certainly far too often!

We fail to understand that Progression, not Perfection is the Ultimate Goal!

Let’s face it, you will experience conflict, crisis, trials, struggles, heartache and heartbreak, financial difficulties, setbacks, and the like. That’s all just a part of life! But does that give you just cause and reason to quit? Absolutely Not! After all, look at what Jesus said in John 16:33 in the following translations:

“…In this godless world you will continue to experience DIFFICULTIES….” (MSG);

“…In the world you have TRIBULATION and TRIALS and DISTRESS and FRUSTRATION…” (AMP);

So where on Earth did, we get the false impression and faulty idea that life for the believer is roses with no thorns?! Especially since Jesus Himself forewarned all of us that we would have “…Difficulties…Tribulation…Trials…Distress…Frustration…Suffering…Trouble…and Sorrows…” And yet even knowing this In Advance, we still give up as soon as it looks like the sky no longer has sun, moon, stars, rainbows, and silver linings, and instead it’s just dark, bleak, rainy, cloudy, gloom-filled nights! When did we become so weak, that the only thing we have the strength to do is give up and walk away?!

Can you imagine if you planted a seed today and then went to the garden tomorrow expecting to see growth and since there was none, you uprooted the seed and threw it away! Now imagine doing that every time you don’t See Immediate Manifested Growth in other areas of your life! The Result Would Be That You Would NEVER Produce Anything! Maybe that’s where you are right now…every area of your life is filled with stagnant water and stunted growth. Well, just maybe the problem isn’t it or them, but YOU! Maybe you should stop hindering Manifestation based off your Improper Expectations! Think about it: Even God Uses and Respects Waiting and Time!

“There’s an OPPORTUNE TIME to do things, a RIGHT TIME for everything on the earth: A RIGHT TIME for birth and another for death,
A RIGHT TIME to plant and another to reap,
A RIGHT TIME to kill and another to heal,
A RIGHT TIME to destroy and another to construct,
A RIGHT TIME to cry and another to laugh,
A RIGHT TIME to lament and another to cheer,
A RIGHT TIME to make love and another to abstain,
A RIGHT TIME to embrace and another to part,
A RIGHT TIME to search and another to count your losses,
A RIGHT TIME to hold on and another to let go,
A RIGHT TIME to rip out and another to mend,
A RIGHT TIME to shut up and another to speak up,
A RIGHT TIME to love and another to hate,
A RIGHT TIME to wage war and another to make peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 MSG)

There is an OPPORTUNE TIME for Everything Under the Sun! So why are you so Impatient?!

The word “opportune” is defined as “done or occurring at an especially convenient or appropriate time.” Its Latin Origin “opportunus” comes from “ob” meaning “in the direction of” and “portus” meaning “harbor”. It originally described the wind driving towards the harbor, at varying times, hence the meaning “seasonal”. And that’s what we fail to realize before we quit, give up, throw in the towel and walk away! Everything in life is “seasonal”. Good and bad days alike! And “seasonal” is defined as: “fluctuating characteristics depending on varying times of the year.” So, just as we don’t experience Summer all year long, neither do we Experience Winter, Spring or Fall, all year long. The seasons alternate! They do not remain the same. And if you dare learn to apply that principle to friendships and relationships, you’ll stop washing your hands of people when all you needed to do was wait for the season to change! Who wants to be in Summer all year long?! And although I think I can find a few people that might like the idea, the rest of the world would hate to miss out on all that the other seasons bring. Winter is cold, but it also brings Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, Gift Exchanges, Family Gatherings Over Large Dinners etc. Meaning even Winter has its’ burdens and blessings! And when you look at it like that, you’ll not seek a divorce because you’re in Winter, instead you’ll look for the blessings that even Winter carries. Then you’ll determine to endure it because there is Always a changing of the seasons! I hope you’re really getting this. Because as a counselor, it’s heartbreaking to listen to story after story of demolished friendships and relationships that only required more communication, openness, laughter, time, and a bit more perseverance and patience.

Listen to this true story:  Samuel Truett Cathy was not only a Committed Christian, but he was also one of the world’s most successful businessmen. He started Chick-fil-A with one small diner, and it grew to more than 1,450 restaurants, making it the second largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain in America. As of September 2007, in Forbes Magazine’s listing of billionaires, Cathy was number 380 in the United States with a net worth of 1.3 billion dollars. And this was achieved even while remaining closed on Sunday’s which is one of the busiest sales days of the week. However, in his autobiography he tells of being so tongue-tied he could hardly put two words together. Then, three weeks after he opened his first store it burned to the ground. And if that’s not bad enough, when he finally got his second store, his brothers, who were his partners, were all killed in a plane crash. People advised him to quit. But instead, he decided to trust God and keep trying! As a result, his business employs thousands, and feeds millions every day! Truett Cathy took his setbacks and turned them into steppingstones!

And if he can endure THAT…you can endure THIS!

Now to our Scripture: “But he stood his ground and fought the Philistines until his hand was weary and STUCK TO THE SWORD. But the Lord accomplished a great victory that day. The troops then returned to Eleazar, but only to plunder the dead.” (2 Samuel 23:10 CEB); The Message Bible reads: “Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite was the next of the elite Three. He was with David when the Philistines poked fun at them at Pas Dammim. When the Philistines drew up for battle, Israel retreated. But Eleazar stood his ground and killed Philistines right and left until he was exhausted—BUT HE NEVER LET GO OF HIS SWORD! A big win for God that day. The army then rejoined Eleazar, but all there was left to do was the cleanup.” (2 Samuel 23:9-10 MSG)

The Scripture in varying translations say Eleazar kept fighting even though he was:

“…weary…” (CEB);

“…exhausted…” (MSG);

Yet, despite all of this, even during battle, HE NEVER LET HIS SWORD GO! In fact, the Scripture says it like this: and my personal favorite, “…exhausted – but he never let go of his sword…” (MSG). Imagine if we followed Eleazar’s example and even though in our friendships and relationships when we become “…weary…exhausted…tired…and even cramped…” we still refuse to “…let go…” instead we “…cling and stick…”

I love the way The Voice translation puts it: “but Eleazar stood his ground. He killed Philistine soldiers that day until his arm grew tired, but he never dropped his sword. The Eternal One gave them a decisive victory that day; and then the people came back, only to pillage the fallen.” (VOICE)

Despite how Eleazar FELT, he still “…stood his ground…” and “…never dropped his sword…” And what was the end result of his determination? Let’s see what the Scripture says:

“The Lord wrought a great deliverance and victory that day…” (AMP);

“…the Lord won an impressive victory that day…” (GWT);

Due to Eleazar’s persistence, determination, perseverance, and fight, “…the Lord wrought DELIVERANCE…an IMPRESSIVE VICTORY…and SAVED MANY OF PEOPLE…” And all because one person decided I’m not giving up, giving out or giving in! I’m not quitting, throwing in the towel, or walking away. Instead, I’m going to stand, cling, and stick it out despite how I feel, why? Because the Scripture says, “…The Lord won a great victory that day. AFTER IT WAS OVER…” (GNT)

Remind yourself that after this is over, me, my family, my children, my friends, my business, ministry, and church will experience Deliverance, Victory, and Salvation! And isn’t that worth it to hold on just a little while longer?

Today, Determine to Just Stick It Out! There Will Be Victory After This! But you must keep your hand on your sword, and what is your sword? “…and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD.” (Ephesians 6:17 AMP)

Now, Eleazar had a physical sword, however, ours is more powerful! It is the very Word of God! And why is it so important that we know that? Because “…though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man.  The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.  We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 AMP)

We are not fighting flesh and blood; we are fighting principalities in the spirit! And that requires not a physical sword but a spiritual one, and one that we keep stuck to us like Eleazar’s sword! This is vital because as followers of Christ, we must fight like He fought, and He fought using the Word of God! “Jesus replied to him,We are not fighting flesh and blood; we are fighting principalities in the spirit! And that requires not a physical sword but a spiritual one, and one that we keep stuck to us like Eleazar’s sword! This is vital because as followers of Christ, we must fight like He fought, and He fought using the Word of God!

Jesus replied to him, “It Is Written And Forever Remains Written, ‘Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone.” (Luke 4:4 Amp); “Jesus Replied To Him, “It Is Written And Forever Remains Written, ‘You Shall Worship The Lord Your God And Serve Only Him.’” (Luke 4:8 Amp); “For It Is Written And Forever Remains Written, ‘He Will Command His Angels Concerning You To Guard And Protect You,’ And, ‘They Will Lift You Up On Their Hands, So That You Do Not Strike Your Foot Against A Stone.’” Jesus Replied To Him, “It Is Said [In Scripture], ‘You Shall Not Tempt The Lord Your God [To Prove Himself To You’” (Luke 4:10-12 Amp) And then what happened? “When the devil had finished every temptation, he [temporarily] left Him until a more opportune time.” (Luke 4:13 AMP)“ When the devil had finished every temptation, he [temporarily] left Him until a more opportune time.” (Luke 4:13 AMP)

This is how we are to fight in the Spirit, with the Word / Sword of God!

However, how can you use a Sword you don’t use?! You can’t use the Word of God against the enemy if you don’t know the Word of God for yourself! Which is why we are admonished to remember: 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the WORD OF TRUTH.” (AMP)

What’s the best way to fight a liar? With the truth of course! And what does the Bible say about Satan? John 8:44, “You are of your father the devil, and it is your will to practice the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar and the father of lies and half-truths.” (AMP)

You can slay lying Satan with the truth, but you must know the truth first to do so! And if you are not consistent in personal bible study time; Sunday school; and Bible study, how are you accomplishing this? You can’t wield a sword effectively if you don’t know how to! That’s like giving a baby a loaded gun, it doesn’t know how to use it effectively, but if he keeps picking and poking, eventually he’ll accidentally figure out how to pull the trigger which will be dangerous and deadly to himself and others, and all because he was given a weapon he wasn’t taught how to properly use! You know why? For a baby, it makes sense not to give a loaded weapon. But we’ve been saved how long now? Delivered how long now? Anointed how long now? Gifted how long now? Sitting under the Word of God for how long now? And we’re still haphazardly wielding a powerful sword?!

Please understand how powerful your Sword is: Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (AMP) This is a powerful weapon, and it’s at your disposal by your God, and you’re not using it?!

2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (AMP) God gave you such a powerful weapon to wield that it can be used to hurt your enemy and help you at the same time!

Please hear me, you are already equipped for every battle you’ll ever face in this life, natural and spiritual, and all you must do is read it, apply it, live it and use it!

The Word of God needs to be so engrafted to you that it seems like another member attached to your body! James 1:21, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” (KJV) “Engrafted” means, “to attach to, and become part of.” And doesn’t that sound a lot like Eleazar and his Sword?! He held it so long and tight that it may as well been a second layer of skin. And that’s how the Word of God must be in your life! Never let your Sword go! Instead, grow with it, study how to use it, but whatever you do, don’t let it out of your hand! We must be so addicted to God’s Word that we crave for it.

And yes, that means when you’re tired, wearied, frustrated, attacked, treated unfairly, doesn’t matter, keep your sword in hand. Hold it tightly, because the more tightly you hold on to it, the more tightly it will teach you how to hold on to your loved ones, even in bad times, and yet, never let go!

Blessings

J.P. Olson

https://www.thewordwithjpolson.com

We Get in the Worst Predicaments Because We Forget God Knows Best! God Is There To Help, Not To Hinder Us! When You're Wondering Which Direction And What To Do, Seek God FIRST!

We Get in the Worst Predicaments Because We Forget God Knows Best! God Is There To Help, Not To Hinder Us! When You're Wondering Which Direction And What To Do, Seek God FIRST!

Joshua 9:14-15, "So the men [of Israel] took some of their provisions [and offered them in friendship], and [FOOLISHLY] did not ask for the counsel of the Lord. Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant (treaty) with them, to let them live; and the leaders of the congregation [of Israel] swore an oath to them." (AMP)

Consider the example in Joshua 9:14-15. The Jews have been winning one victory after another over the Canaanites as they took possession of the Promised Land that God was giving them. Now, they are about to come upon Gibeon, one of the royal cities of Canaan. The Gibeonites have heard about the fall of the other cities the Jews have gone against. So they know they're going down next unless they can trick God's people into making a peace treaty with them, which seems unlikely since God's Orders are to remove every tribe from the land and not coexist with them!

But the Gibeonites are shrewd. They sent a delegation to see Joshua with donkeys loaded with cracked wineskins and worn-out sacks. They wore patched sandals and old clothes and carried dry and moldy bread with them. The whole scam was to make it LOOK LIKE they were from far away and that they had come on a long journey. Here's how Joshua and his men decided what to do with these Gibeonites, "The Israelites sampled their provisions (so they made sure the bread was really dry and moldy) BUT THEY DID NOT INQUIRE OF THE LORD. Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the assembly leaders ratified it by oath." (NIV)

Within days, the Jews learned that the Gibeonites weren't from far away; in fact, they were from close by. But because they had been tricked into this treaty, they could not, by honor, remove them as God had initially commanded. As a result, the hands of the Jews were tied for years to come, and the treaty sparked a significant battle with other armies. How did this mess happen? They decided based on what SEEMED right to them, but they made the fatal mistake so many of us have made so many times before –THEY DIDN'T CHECK WITH HEAVEN...THEY DIDN'T CHECK WITH GOD! And so, they blew it! And so do we!

Listen to the text in varying translations:

"The Israelites TRIED some of the food, BUT THEY DID NOT ASK THE LORD IF HE WANTED THEM TO MAKE A TREATY." (CEV);

 "So, the Israelites EXAMINED their food, BUT THEY DID NOT CONSULT THE LORD." (NLT);

Now, this is where many of us mess up and get messy! Like the Israelites, we'll try it; take some; taste it; sample it, examine it, believe it, and even eventually accept it, but we fail to ask God what to do! The Israelites (like many of us) were cautious, and they checked out what was presented to them; however, the final decision was not theirs to make (and not ours either)!

"The Israelites took some of their supplies, BUT THEY DIDN'T ASK FOR ANY DECISION FROM THE LORD." (CEB)

And can we be honest? We Get in the Worst Predicaments Because We Forget God Knows Best!

The decision was the Lord's to make! They were to consult Him. And even with the findings, He allows us to be a part of; we are still to consult the Lord! And it's not because they didn't know any better, so they don't even have that as a justifiable excuse, and neither do we!

James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom [TO GUIDE HIM THROUGH A DECISION OR CIRCUMSTANCE], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him." (AMP) Only a Fool would refuse when God Himself is telling you to use His Wisdom!

God Is There To Help, Not To Hinder Us! But He's not rudely forcing Himself on us either! But He's laid out the safest way to travel if only we'd adhere to it! Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart AND DO NOT RELY ON YOUR INSIGHT OR UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL YOUR WAYS, know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and HE will make your paths straight and smooth [REMOVING OBSTACLES THAT BLOCK YOUR WAY]." (AMP) Do you realize just how smooth this journey could be if only we'd humble ourselves enough to follow His lead? We wouldn't even have to worry about the bumps in the road along the way because He promises to "…remove obstacles that block our way." But no, we insist on doing things our way! And what is the result of that decision?

Proverbs 16:25, "There’s a way that looks harmless enough; look again – it leads straight to hell.” (MSG) Indeed that’s the destination you were hoping to reach.

Don’t you see, we’re much like the Israelites; as soon as something (or someone) APPEARS to be alright; APPEARS to check out; APPEARS to be on the up-and-up, we jump headlong. Into a mess with eyes wide open! All we know is that it “…LOOKS HARMLESS ENOUGH; so does that church (but little do you know they’re only concerned with the prosperity of your pockets and not the prosperity of your soul); so does that business (until you find out the underhanded methods they use to keep it afloat)!

What am I saying? Ask God Before You Decide It, or Are They the Answers You Were Looking For! This could save your very life!

Think of all the divorces that could have been avoided had the individuals sought the Lord FIRST! Imagine how quickly they could have cleaned up when our children messed up if we FIRST helped them God’s way instead of ours! The many soul ties that would never have tangled up your peace of mind if only you’d sought the Lord’s decision in the matter, FIRST! How many broken hearts would not have needed years to mend if only we sought the Lord FIRST? So many of us would not have to start over (for the 97^th time, just this week) if only we’d sought the Lord FIRST! So much unnecessary pain, so many unnecessary complications, difficulties, and conflicts, all because we failed to seek God's direction FIRST!  And in this day and time, read your horoscope; find your inner self; reach for a higher power; let them read your palm; check out the tarot cards; let the soothsayers soothe you; (You Need to Know to Seek God FIRST!)

Isaiah 8:19-22, “When people tell you, “Try out the fortunetellers. Consult the spiritualists. Why not tap into the spirit-world, get in touch with the dead?” Tell them, “NO, WE’RE GOING TO STUDY THE SCRIPTURES.” People who try the other ways get nowhere – a dead end! Frustrated and hungry, they try one thing after another. When nothing works out, they get angry, cursing first this god and then that one, looking this way and that, up, down, and sideways – and seeing nothing, a blank wall, an empty hole. They end up in the dark with nothing.” (MSG)

And why would anyone want to waste time on such Foolishness when you have direct access to the Wisdom of God? That’s Who you seek…FIRST! When you’re wondering which direction and what to do, seek God FIRST! Jeremiah 33:3, “This is God’s Message, the God who made the earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: “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.” (MSG) With that as your best option, how could you choose anything different? You do not have to figure out life on your own (and thank God, because clearly, WE are not good at decision-making on our own)! And who cares, since we can call to our Father, He will answer His children with marvelous things that we don’t have to keep digging to find on our own!

However, we neglect to check with God for many reasons. We're in too hurry, feel pressured by other people, compromise for convenience or plain know how we want it to be, and stubbornly blaze ahead with our own will. Sometimes, we may even be doing God's thing, but it's not God's time or God's way. Therefore it’s vital that we "lean not on our understanding," which can only see part of the picture. When you consult with the Lord, you're getting direction from the only One who can see the whole picture. That’s why counsel before decisions is so important! Proverbs 15:22, “Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed.” (MSG)

Do I dare ask how much money we would not have lost if we sought God FIRST? How much of our integrity, dignity, and character would still be intact if we sought the Lord FIRST? How many mistakes and missteps could we have avoided if only we asked if this or they were in His Will for our life? Maybe you wouldn’t have lost the job, the house, the car, the career, the ministry, or the church, if only you had asked God for His guidance before deciding to Go Your Way…Only to Have Crashed Over the Cliff Where He Already Had Warning Signs in Place!

And LEADERS, this is dangerous for us as well; listen to the text again in closing: “JOSHUA AND THE OTHER LEADERS finally believed them. They did not bother to ask the Lord but went ahead and signed a peace treaty…” (TLB);

Leadership Means We’re Responsible For Everyone On Board, Whether We Sail Safely or Sink Fatally. This is why we (above all people) ought to use the Wisdom God has made available to us to lead people according to His Word, Way, and Will…and NOT That of Our Own! Because in the end, these LEADERS decided (WITHOUT GOD) that affected the WHOLE CONGREGATION. And if we dare make the wrong decision, the Body of Christ is damaged. Because you can’t hurt your pinky, and the rest of your hand does not know what happened. And in the Body of Christ, whatever we do in the body, affects the whole body. So, let’s start today by asking the Lord to lead and guide us in the way we should go, not in the way we want to go. Let’s ask the Lord for His decision, His Word, His Will, His Way, and His Timing.

Why? Because we can avoid many problems and a lot of pain if only, we'll instinctively check with God FIRST. Let’s decide today to stop making messy decisions!

We have much indeed to be grateful for. However, this is also the time and season when everyone wants to be something new, try something new, or go somewhere new. And nothing is wrong with New, when it’s the Lord’s doing: Isaiah 43:18-21, “This is what God says…Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’M ABOUT TO DO SOMETHING BRAND-NEW. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?” (MSG) If something is to be New, let Him do it instead of you attempting to experiment with it! Let God change it; alter it; move it; or send it…not you trying to make things (you want but may not need) happen!

SEEK GOD FIRST! Wait On the Lords’ Timing and Direction and You’ll Never Be Steered Off Course.

Blessings

J.P. Olson

https://www.thewordwithjpolson.com

The Father Can Still Reach Our Children. “Where I Left Gaps In My Children’s Upbringing, God Fills Them In.” I Am The Proud Mother Of Three Adult Children, Are They Perfect? No!

 Luke 7:11-15, "Not long after that, Jesus went to the village Nain. His disciples were with him, along with quite a large crowd. As they approached the village gate, they met a funeral procession—a woman's only son was being carried out for burial. And the mother was a widow. When Jesus saw her, his heart broke. He said to her, "Don’t cry.” Then he went over and touched the coffin. The pallbearers stopped. He said, “Young man, I tell you: Get up.” The dead son sat up and began talking. Jesus presented him to his mother.” (MSG)

I am the proud mother of three adult children, and they are all indeed a wonderful handful! Are they perfect? No! They are three entirely different, exciting, and sometimes strange creatures! Not one personality is duplicated of any of the others, making for a very comical parenting life. Their careers range from Computer Science/Graphic Designer, Architecture Engineer, Music Producer/Engineer, Trucking Business to Acting/Modeling. Again, three different individuals; the truth is, I am proud of them and love each of them dearly.

Now, as unique, incredible, gifted, handsome, and beautiful as all my children are, they can drive me nuts! Have they made mistakes? Indeed, they have. Yes, they are all adults now, and I was told it gets easier as they get older (I have no idea who started that rumor and lie), but I do not believe that to be true! When they are younger, you have so much more control over them, what they do, where they go, and who they spend time with. But when they become adults, you become more nervous because they do not always have to clue you in on their every decision and move. And for an over-protective parent like me, that can mean a lot of sleepless nights in prayer!

However, it is safe to say that not many parents can sleep soundly until they know their children are safe and in for the night. My eldest child, my daughter; I call her the responsible one who makes sure each child is accountable for what they do or do not do. I still look for her to let me know at night that she has made it home safely, no matter how late it is. I always look forward to hearing the words, “Ma, I’m home.” But, unfortunately, sometimes they get delayed, or sometimes they are in a situation where they cannot call. And it is natural, I think, for a mom or a dad to be anxious until they can get a fix on where their kids are, and the exciting time of relief is when they call you on the phone, come in the door or when they are married and reach their home, and we know everything is okay. Right? The only three individuals I talk to on the phone regularly know to check-in.

Some of the most beautiful words in the English language are, “Mom, Dad, and I’m home.” Do you know a child who is overdue in saying those words?

Let us take another look at our text in a different translation: “Soon afterward Jesus went to a city called Nain [near Nazareth], and His disciples and a large crowd accompanied Him.  As He approached the city gate, a dead man was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her [in the funeral procession]. When the Lord saw her, He felt [great] compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.”  And He came up and touched the bier [on which the body rested], and the pallbearers stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise [from death]!” The man who was dead sat up and began to speak. And Jesus gave him back to his mother.” (AMP)

Wow! That is a powerful story! And the most comforting words of all for me (as a mother) are these, “…And Jesus gave him back to his mother.”

You know, Jesus is still in the business of giving children back to their parents; even when it appears hopeless, they will never come back. You or someone you know has a son or a daughter who is away right now; spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically. Well, my word of encouragement is this simple word from the Lord. He is still in the business of giving children back to their parents.

Why are children or young people on my mind today or in my reading, because in the past three months, I have received the unfortunate news of a young person committing suicide. I have prayed with family members, trying to find words of encouragement and inspiration. You see, Satan is after our children, family, and marriages. He wants to destroy the family unit, so he plays in the mind of our youth and young adults, where many believe that suicide is the answer; maybe some of them feel hopeless or have been written off as the odd one out of the family or useless. Whatever the case, mistake after mistake, problem after problem, we cannot write our children off as losers, troublemakers, or whatever noun some parents may use in describing a child that has caused nothing but problems.

I know what some of you may say, though, “you do not see how far my child is, or I do not see it as possible, it has been too long, or they have been like this too long. As my sons have both shared: Am I perfect? Not on your life! Not even on our best day, mom! But am I better than where I was (spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically)? Absolutely! Did it happen overnight? Uh…NOPE! Did we make more mistakes even after we were baptized at church? Sure Did, Every Day! But were still redeemable? YES! And so are your children, regardless of their age, what they have done, where they have been, or how long it has been.

Some more words that my sons shared. They were blessed enough to have mentoring men to cross their path at school and church, and much like Jesus did for the woman’s son in the above Scripture, someone stopped by and spoke life so that they might live again and live better. And that is my intention for you and your children today. So please stop by and talk about life, no matter how dead their situation maybe!

I do not know why specifically, but for some reason, I just thought that this day should be the time when we should talk about this for someone who needs that little word of encouragement. Someone that needs to hear that their children or grandchildren are not lost forever!

I know this to be true and not just because of past youth mistakes and redemption, but from my own children’s lives. All three of them were raised in the church. They were taught about Jesus simultaneously as learning A, B, C’s, and 1,2,3’s. They went to Sunday School, Bible Study, and ALL Church Services. They were on multiple auxiliaries at church. And when it was time to make friends, they were to pick their friends from church! It sounds little nuts, but we pushed our kids hard in the Christian Faith and have no regrets. Did all that keep them saved, sanctified, holy, delivered, and spotless? Heck, I Wish! But the truth is, it did not. They are church kids and preacher’s grandkids, but will I stand here and tell you they have never had a drink of alcohol and never seen the inside of a club, and never touched the sexual line while dating…sorry, but if I’m going to help you, I must be honest with you, and that most certainly is not the case here! They have dated people I wish they never met, lied to us, done things, and gone to places I could erase from my memory bank! As a mom, I would love to un-tattoo, un-pierce, un-drink, and un-do every wrong decision they have ever made in life, but I cannot, and neither can you, and neither can they! But thank God, He brought them back to where they were taught about Jesus, the A B C’s, and the 123’s that they can share with other young adults. He does not need them or us to go back and un-do anything! He can make them whole using all their fractured pieces!

You know better than I do why we are talking about this today. Sometimes, your prayers are not being answered for the one you love. But remember, much of God’s work is invisible. Like plants getting ready to sprout and come out, flowers bloom in the spring. We do not see anything going on all winter, and it looks like nothing is going on under the ground. But God is at work all the time; “when it looks like nothing’s happening, God’s still at work.” And I believe it to be true. So much that God is doing to bring that child home you cannot see. But you’d better believe it is going on under the ground where you cannot see it.

I know you have prayed, fasted, pleaded with God, interceded on their behalf, and still, it looks like nothing is happening. And if you have been in my shoes as a parent, sometimes it seems like the more you pray, the worse they get! I know the feeling of, “Lord, when will you do it for my kid? When will they come back to church? When will they change for the better? When will they turn around? When God…When?” And because I am a counselor and a minister, I know that some of you have even deeper questions such as, “When will they get off drugs? When will they get out of that crack-house? When will he get out of that gang? When will she get out of that abusive relationship? When will he get a job? When will she stop having babies?” The truth is it is not easy being a parent. And sometimes, we want our kids to ‘get that.’ But often will not until they are forced by life to walk in our shoes. However, we will trust our father to keep them and us for the time being! He is the Father of Children like US, and we have done it, said it, and been it, and He yet loves the US unconditionally still, certainly He can be trusted to help us, Parent!

Proverbs 3:5-12, “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; do not try to figure out everything yourself. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He is the one who will keep you on track. Please do not assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, and your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give Him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, and your wine vats will brim over. But do not, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; do not sulk under His loving correction. It is the child He loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this.” (MSG)

Father Knows Best, Is Indeed More Than the Title of a TV Show, But For Us, It is God’s truth!

So, we have Jesus to Save them and bring them back to life; we have the Father to help us Parent them; and then there is the Wonderful Comforter and Counselor, the Holy Spirit – and He pursues that child wherever he goes. They can get away from us, but they cannot get away from Him. Psalm 139:7-12, “Is there any place I can go to avoid your Spirit? Out of Your sight? If I climb to the sky, You are there! If I go underground, You are there! If I flew on morning’s wings to the far western horizon, you would find me in a minute—You are already there waiting! Then I said to myself, “Oh, He even sees me in the dark! At night I am immersed in the light!” It is a fact: darkness is not dark to You; night and day, darkness and light are all the same.” (MSG).

Isn’t it wonderful to know that your child has an internal tracking device, so they are never off the grid?! There is nowhere for your child to run and hide, where they are not seen and heard. No matter what they do, who they do it with, where they go, or how far they go, they cannot get away from the Holy Ghost! That may frustrate them, but it should undoubtedly fortify your faith! Your child has nowhere on planet earth to hide from God! Look at verse eight, “If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead), behold, You are there.” (AMP). Your child cannot find a hiding place on earth, in heaven, hell, or even in death! So, keep praying, mom, keep fasting, dad, they have no natural way of escape!

I must also add this admonishment, though, open arms do more than open mouths to bring kids home. Sometimes we can talk too much and push them so hard we push them away from the Lord. Listen: The Father of the prodigal son did not chase the son. He just kept his arms open for him to come home. (Feel free to read the entire story in Luke 15:11-32), but I want to hone in on a small part, for now, that reads, “So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion for him and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’  But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe [for the guest of honor] and put it on him; and give him a ring for his hand, and sandals for his feet. And bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let us [invite everyone and] feast and celebrate; for this son of mine was [as good as] dead and is alive again; he was lost and has been found.’ So, they began to celebrate.” (vs. 20-24 AMP)

There is so much that I love about this story, but what is most exciting today are these three things:

1.. As bad as this son messed up, you would think it would have been the son running to his father's safety, but it was the other way around, the father saw him a far off, “…ran and embraced him and kissed him….” You cannot always wait for your child to come to you; sometimes, you must meet them halfway or go. Some may think it unfair since the kid messed up. But the father did not even care. He saw his son as far off and went to him first. Sometimes we can let our anger cloud our judgment and think, “as bad as you messed up, you have to earn your way back into my good graces; you’ll need me first; you better beg for my forgiveness; you better hope I let you back in….” But the father saw his son, went to him with compassion, and showed him love and affection. Make sure you do the same.

2.. The son immediately starts with, “…I am no longer worthy of being called your son….” But my favorite part is, “…But the father said to his servants….” The father never even addressed the sons’ sins. He immediately started the restoration process. Nobody knows better than you are just how badly you have messed up as a kid and an adult. So having others pour salt into your fresh, open wound does not help to heal. They know what they have done, so when they make their U-turn back, do not keep giving them fines for everything they have done wrong and every wrong turn they have ever made. Let them start over. Give them another chance. You know, like the many you receive from God daily… Please do not rub it in their faces. Do not keep rehashing old history. Do not keep reviewing their mistakes like an auditor during tax season. Take their lives from under the microscope. Be grateful that they have made it back and not in a coffin!

3.. Many of us make a mistake after our children return, telling everybody everything about what, when, where, why, and how behind our children’s mistakes. Please do not. Instead, do what the father did; before he told others (and all he told them was to come and celebrate with him for the return of his son that was good as dead but is now alive), he Re-Covered the son that he had Recovered! “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe [for the guest of honor] and put it on him; give him a ring for his hand, and sandals for his feet….” The son did not deserve it, but the father did it anyway. People may have known that he had left home, but when he returned, his father made sure that before anyone saw him, he re-covered and -- colonial him so that he did not look like where he had been or what he had done. Is not that just like our Father? By the time the folks would arrive to see him, he would look like he had never left in the first place. So, when they return, parents restore them, re-cover them, and celebrate! All that matters is that they have finally returned home.

The widow’s dead son and the prodigal son looked like hopeless cases never to be resolved. And yet, they both were. One son was over, and the other dead, and yet, both were recovered and restored. Even when it looked completely impossible.

Therefore, I encourage you not to give up on your children today. They are redeemable, just as you were. Encourage them and for those children who want to take their own life, pray with them and seek mental help for their safety.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11, “Don’t you realize that this is not the way to live? Unjust people who do not care about God will not be joining in his kingdom. Those who use and abuse each other, use, and abuse sex, use and abuse the earth and everything in it do not qualify as citizens in God’s kingdom. A NUMBER OF YOU KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT FOR NOT SO LONG AGO THAT YOU WERE ON THAT LIST. Since then, you have been cleaned up and given a FRESH START by Jesus, our Master, our Messiah, and our God present in us, the Spirit.” (MSG)

Mom, Dad, Do not Forget You Messed Up Too! But the Bible clearly says, “…Since then, you’ve been cleaned up and given a FRESH START by Jesus, our Master, our Messiah, and by our God present in us, the Spirit.” So, give them a second chance God continually gives you. And I am crazy enough to believe that you will hear, “Mom… Dad… I am home.”

“Where I left gaps in my children’s upbringing, God fills them in.” (Lisa Pennington)

“The difference between mercy and grace? Mercy gave the prodigal son a second chance. Grace gave him a feast.” (Max Lucado)

“Jesus told the story of the prodigal son to make a simple point: never mind what you’ve done, just come home.” (Glen Fitzjerrell)

“Satan Seeking Whom He May DEVOUR is No Match for a Savior Seeking Whom He May DELIVER.” (Tony Nolan)

Luke 19:10, “The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost.” (CEV)
 

Matthew 18:12-14, “Look at it this way. If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders off, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine and go after the one? And if he finds it, doesn’t he make far more over it than over the ninety-nine who stay put? Your father in heaven feels the same way. He does not want to lose even one of these simple believers.” (MSG)

Luke 15:4-7, “Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you get home, call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I have found my lost sheep!’ Count on it—there is more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.” (MSG)

Blessings

J.P. Olson

https://www.thewordwithjpolson.com