You And I Are Living In The Most Intense Time In Human History, The Last Of The Last Days. Jesus Has Given Us Authority Over The Enemy. I Can Imagine Him Saying, Why Are You Calling On Me And Not Using Your Authority I Gave You To Come Against Evil?

You And I Are Living In The Most Intense Time In Human History – The Last Of The Last Days.  Jesus Has Given Us Authority Over The Enemy. I Can Imagine Him Saying, Why Are you Continually Calling On Me And Not Using Your Authority That I Gave You To Come Against These Spirits In My Name? #1. The Spirit Of Murder

That means we need to recognize what comes from Satan (John 10:10), be conscious of the fact that we have authority over him, and use that authority instead of letting him dominate us. Because he is already defeated. It’s up to us to enforce that defeat by taking authority over him and his works. 

Three (3) Things to Know About Taking Authority Over Satan

I believe we must know three things to be able to walk in this authority that Jesus died to give us:

• We must know what authority is.
• We must know that it belongs to us.
• We must know how to use it.

1. WHAT AUTHORITY IS

In Luke 10:19 Jesus said, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you (NLT). Does the church today need less authority than the early church? I would say we need it even more!

This authority Jesus gave us means we are backed by all the power of heaven, using His Name. It’s not brute strength, like trying to stop a semi-truck by pushing against it, and it’s not your strength. It’s like a police officer (backed by the authority of the city) holding his hand up to the semi-truck driver and saying, “Stop in the name of the mayor.” You can step out in front of the devil, hold up your hand, and say, “Stop in the Name of Jesus!”

1. IT BELONGS TO YOU

Remember that in Luke 10:19 Jesus said He gave this authority to you. He got it from God the Father (Matthew 28:18). Right now, Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, and we are seated there with Him (Acts 5:32, Ephesians 2:6). He is the Head; we are His Body (Colossians 1:18). What’s His is ours, and His authority is perpetuated through His Body.

So, we are seated with Christ, in a place of spiritual authority. And we are to rule and reign in this life!  Too many times we pray “Lord, do this, do that” when He’s given the authority to us! God has already delivered us from the authority of darkness (Mark 16:15-18, Colossians 1:13) so we have a right to speak to the darkness (Satan, demons) and tell them what to do.  Jesus is saying, you are constantly calling on Me and I am watching from above, I see you are not using your authority that I gave you. You need to Speak My Word, Bind the Adversary, Come Against These Spirits in My Name. Stop walking in Fear, Start speaking in Faith.        

1. HOW TO USE IT

 For this authority to work in your life, you must believe it. You must believe what God has said in His Word about you. Believing (faith) comes by the Word. 

The door to exercising your authority in Christ hinges on Ephesians 1:20 and Ephesians 2:6. I encourage you to meditate on those verses until you have the revelation that you are seated with Jesus at the right hand of God, and you have His authority. You are the one on earth that He moves through.

James 4:7 says we are to resist the devil and he will flee from us. Instead of crying, “The devils after me!” or rolling over when you’re attacked, resist him! Push back with your faith, using your authority in Jesus’ name. Speak to the mountain in your life – stop letting it speak to you (Mark 11:23).

Matthew 18:18 says that whatever we bind on earth is bound in heaven. We do the binding. Heaven will refuse to allow what we allow. “Satan, I bind you off my body….my family….my finances…my nation. I loose the power of God in those situations (using the scripture that applies). In Jesus’ Name!”  (John 14:13-14)

Too many times we’ve allowed Satan’s agenda to run rampant instead of using our authority. Yes, Satan is God of this world (1 Corinthians 4:4) but we have authority over him – we must take it!

Remember, God’s plan is for you to rule and reign over circumstances, poverty, sickness, everything else that would hinder us (Romans 5:17). You reign because you have the authority in the Name of Jesus. You’re not a victim, a beggar, or pathetic – you are the Body of Christ – seated with Him at the right hand of God!

TAKE ACTION: I challenge you today to use your authority over the enemy. COME AGAINST THE SPIRIT OF MURDER IN OUR NATION. COME AGAINST THE SPIRIT OF SUICIDE, THE SPIRIT OF CORRUPTION.

Do it over your own life and family, taking authority over sickness, lack, fear, confusion, thoughts, or demonic influences. Then focus outward – take authority over the powers and principalities that are trying to divide and destroy our neighborhoods, our cities, states, and nation. Come against the spirit of anarchy, lying, child sex trade, pornography, and MURDER, using the Name of Jesus.

In Addition To Taking Authority; What About The Angels That Are Assigned To Us

Are There Really Demons That Rule Over Our Nations Just as There Are Angels That Are Assigned To Us.

Yes, you are right. According to the Bible, every nation has one or more demons assigned to wreak havoc on the people in that nation. You see, Satan had the most authority being the firstborn. He clearly had many roles to play in heaven. Being the first heavenly creature, Satan believed that he was (a part of) God, as he existed before any other angel or heavenly creature. Some angels and heavenly creatures bought into this claim, as they saw Satan with God when God created them.  So, these fallen angels or should we say rebels saw Satan as equal to God. We know people like this, puffed up with pride, when someone else in leadership has helped them or mentoring them and now, they are bigger than life or the person who is grooming them.   Now they are assigned and scattered among the nations. You May Ask, Who Are These nations?  A tremendous spiritual battle is going on behind the scenes for the good or bad of every nation.

It is fair to say that every nation also has more than one angel who seeks to bring prosperity to that nation.

Daniel 10 records the story of a messenger angel, Gabriel, who appears to Daniel as a man. The angel was sent to answer Daniel’s questions about when the Seventy-Years -Babylonian-Captivity would end.

The story really begins in Daniel 9 when Daniel was confessing Israel’s sin and praying for forgiveness for his people. While he was praying, the angel Gabriel arrived to give him an answer about God’s upcoming plans for Israel.

Gabriel told Daniel that his prayer was answered three weeks earlier. The reason for the delay in getting the message to him was that the “Prince of Persia” engaged Gabriel in battle and impeded his progress. Michael the Archangel was dispatched to neutralize the Prince of Persia and free Gabriel to continue his journey to deliver God’s “Truth” to Daniel. The Prince of Persia was a demonic spirit that ruled over the land of Persia.

As chapter 10 begins, Gabriel tells Daniel that he will soon return to fight with the Prince of Persia. Gabriel tells Daniel that Michael the Archangel is the only one assigned to assist Gabriel in his fight and together they will overcome the Prince. Gabriel reveals that his next assignment is to fight against the “Prince of Greece.” 

As described in places like Job 1:2 spiritual battles between demonic and angelic hosts affect earth and are occurring behind the scenes all the time.

The spiritual battles over nations manifest themselves on earth in economic, sociopolitical realms. For example, it’s hard to imagine the state of Nevada as being anything other than demonized. Gambling, prostitution, Mafia activities, drunken-inspired weddings, lewd dancing and floor shows, out-of-control use of drugs, alcohol abuse, abortions, and broken lives are more than just sins of the flesh as described by Paul in Ephesians chapter 4. The demonic strongholds in that state are practically unshakable.

In the biblical tradition, I believe that it’s safe to say that the Prince of Nevada is having a heyday!

While it appears that some demonic spirits are assigned to specific territories, others are free to roam here and there. For example, in Daniel 12:1, we’re told that Michael the Archangel is the protector of “God’s people” Israel. Not all of God’s people live within the boundaries of Israel. Michael fights to protect God’s people wherever they may be.

The Bible teaches that Satan is the ruler of this present earth. 

One of the clearest indicators of Satan’s ruling the nations of the world is revealed during the wilderness temptation of Christ:

“The devil led him up to a high place and showed him an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, ’I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me and I can give it to anyone I want to. So, if you worship me, it will all be yours” (Luke: 4:5-7).

The point is that Jesus did not challenge Satan’s claim. Satan really is the ruler of this present world (John 12:31; 16:11). Paul acknowledged this in 2 Corinthians: 3-

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

Satan works through fallen angels and organized groups. 

PUT YOUR ANGELS TO WORK FOR YOU

When you are abiding in God—obeying His Word, seeking Him with all your heart, loving Him and others—you have the right to utilize the ministry of angels God has provided. It’s part of your salvation package! He provided these powerful beings to aid you on the earth, to bless you, and to minister to you. If you haven’t been tapping into this powerful, supernatural resource, begin today with these five ways to put your angels to work. 

1. Speak the Word.

When you find yourself in a situation—one of possible physical danger, one where you need deliverance, or one where you require material or financial help—speak the Word only. And do so in faith. This allows your angels to minister to you on your behalf—to work for you, to intervene. When you speak against the Word of God, their hands are tied—they can’t move an inch to help you.

 “Whatever happens in my life—if I’m in danger—I don’t panic. I stay calm, and I start reciting Psalm 91. I say, ‘God is my refuge, God is my deliverance.’ It has saved my life before.” G.C.

Years ago, when I was getting ready to travel to Haiti, India & Africa, many people encouraged me to take security with me because it was volatile there at the time. I responded; I don’t go anywhere without security. Glory to God. Every time I go to the store, I have security. The Bible says angels encamp around those who fear Him” (Psalm 34:7).

2. Command your angels.

Can you really do this? In short, yes. Keep in mind, you aren’t commanding them in the same way you are commanding and rebuking the devil. You are releasing them to do the work they’ve been assigned to perform on your behalf. 

You have been given the authority of Jesus Christ, as an heir, and you can command your angels to move on your behalf to carry out the Word (Psalm 103:20).  “In the Name of Jesus, ministering spirits, I assign you according to (Hebrews 1:13-14), to see to it that I have protection in this car, in this airplane, in this building. I claim this right as an heir to salvation.” 

3.Pray for angels.

When you ask God to deploy your angels, He will do so.  Jesus said God would have sent 12 legions of angels to His rescue had He asked for them. Prayer will release angels on your behalf. (Matthew: 26:51-53.)  Every time you leave your house, ask that angels protect you in every vehicle you ride in, every building you walk in, and every situation.  

4.Call on the Name of Jesus.

The name of the Jesus catches the attention of God's Angels. They will respond to the Name above all names and come to your rescue. (Hebrews 1:6.)

The Name of Jesus is powerful! When you’re in a situation where you need help, call on His Name. He’ll send help your way!

5.Thank God for His help.

When you trust and believe that God will send His angels to help you (Psalm 91:11), you are receiving their intervention by faith. Thank Him and praise Him because He has given His angels charge over you. Thank HIm for providing you with an entire army to enforce what is rightfully yours.

Isn’t it good to know you don’t have to depend on your own abilities for protection and deliverance? Get your angels involved in your life. God’s will is for you to enjoy everything He provided through Jesus on the cross, and He’s provided all the help you’ll ever need!

Remember, God’s plan is for you to rule and reign over circumstances, poverty, sickness, everything else that would hinder us (Romans 5:17). You reign because you have the authority in the Name of Jesus. You’re not a victim, a beggar, or pathetic – you are the Body of Christ – seated with Him at the right hand of God!

Blessings

J.P. Olson

www.thewordwithjpolson.com

Whatever You Are Wrestling With, Just Give It To God. Praise Is About God, Worship Is to God. Praise Is Opening Up, Worship Is Entering In. We Need to Allow Our Praise to Be the Evidence That We Trust God’s Outcome Before We Even Come Out

 WHATEVER YOU ARE WRESTLING WITH, JUST GIVE IT TO GOD. If You Let It Happen God’s Way, You Will Not Be Deficient in Any Way! So, WAIT! It Will Be Good! 

RELEASE IT TO GOD! Some of the issues we struggle with seem to be never-ending, like money worries, family problems, and health concerns. Even when we get a break and should be resting, we sit up anticipating the worst, wondering, “How long, Lord?” Well, the only way to have Real Peace is to Commit the Outcome to God! When Jesus cried, “…Father, Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit…” It Was a Cry of Release! It was an Act of Trust that meant Surrendering Control to the Father (something we’ve Yet to learn to do!) 

There are times when we do not know why some things happened (good or bad). Trusting God in these kinds of times is what faith is all about. Jesus’ walk was hard, but He kept on... you can keep on too! Your faith must not be an afterthought; it is your most prize possession. Nurture and exercise it with passion!  Father, help us to be Christians with a faith that is contagious and courageous. Through all our pain and joy, my God, you were there. You never left us alone. This world is a battlefield; therefore, we are walking onto a battlefield in our daily lives. 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. Follow Christ, He will lead you through the hardships of life. Just Follow Him!

Ecclesiastes 3:11, “He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what He does.” (GNT)

You see, it all kind of goes with that fullness of time principle the Bible talks about when it refers to the coming of Christ in these words: “But when the right time finally came, God sent His own Son…” (Galatians 4:4 GNT) God even waited for the right time to send His own Son to save us!

Even with something as important, urgent, and vital as our salvation, God still waited for the right, set time to fully arrive in His plan before He sent His Son. And if He waits for the right timing for that, He will wait for the right timing concerning all things concerning us! Like it or not my friend, but you may be in hurry, BUT GOD’S NOT! He is waiting for the Fullness of time! In other words, God is waiting for the absolute perfect timing to bring things to pass in your life, and when it does come, it will be more than you could have asked, dreamed, or imagined. Just think about, when the time fully came for Him to send His Son, did we lack anything in receiving Him?

You do not want to lose everything because you could not wait! Do not attempt to take things into your own hands. If God set a date and a time, wait for it to come to pass no matter how slow the timing may be. Saul could have kept his kingdom generation after generation, and yet because of one fool move of moving outside of the set timing, he lost everything and was replaced! Listen, for the record, God knows what He is doing and does not need your assistance at all!

“I’m in a hurry and God isn’t.” Did you ever feel that way? You say, “Well, that’s my life right now. I’m in a hurry and God isn’t.” And maybe you are asking, “Where is that answer? What is taking so long? God are You not listening to my prayers? Didn’t you hear me tell you about the urgency of the matter? The rent/mortgage/car note/ car insurance and tuition are all due on the same day! I need gas money, they are about to turn off the water, gas, and electricity if miracle funds are not deposited in my bank account by 5pm today! The doctor said if this last treatment does not go well, that is it, there is nothing else he can do! God, they have already laid off 5 people from my department and they are not done yet…what are You going to do?  God if you do not step in today, we will be getting divorced tomorrow! God, are You listening? God do You even care? God what are You waiting for? God when are You going to move?”

Ever been there? Are you there right now? Learn how to worship instead of worry, turn your worry into worship. You see Worship Is Based in Who God Is While Praise Is Based in What He Does. Praise Is About God, Worship Is to God. Praise Is Opening Up, Worship Is Entering In. We Need to Allow Our Praise to Be the Evidence That We Trust God’s Outcome Before We Even Come Out.

Well, God is following a careful process, invisible to you, but it will bring glory to Him and it will bring lasting joy to you. But right now, He is taking time to get you ready for the answer, recreating you into someone who has mountain-moving faith. Because if you do not have to wait you do not have to develop faith.  And all of us, no matter how powerful we think we are, need is faith to experience life events that cause it to develop.

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, do not try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work, so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” (MSG)

Your faith muscles need exercise so they can be strengthened to develop and the weights that work best for this is tests and challenges that come at you from all sides! Strengthening your faith in the waiting time brings you peace like you have never known. It gives you the reassurance that God is at work, and you will be rewarded, in the fullness of time! So, do not rush, do not panic, and do not try to get out of any situation that God is using for your ultimate good!

Even God Knows We Get Tired In The Waiting, and He is even prepared a plan for that. The Holy Spirit comes alongside to help us along, interceding along the journey.

Listen, I know you have been waiting so long you have lost count on how many days, weeks, and years you have been waiting. But I still say wait! Why? Because God is working on something good just for you, and all you must do is trust Him and wait for it!

1 Kings 18:36-37, “When it was time for the sacrifice to be offered, Elijah the prophet came up and prayed, “O God, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make it known right now that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that I’m doing what I’m doing under your orders. ANSWER ME, GOD; O ANSWER ME and reveal to this people that you are God, the true God, and that you are giving these people another chance at repentance.” (MSG)

Elijah needed a miracle! And truth is, there are many times when what we need is an answer to prayer. And then there are those rare, probably once in a lifetime moment when we have to have a full-blown miracle! You see, the Old Testament prophet did not need a nice, run of the mill, easily explainable answer to prayer. The situation he was in, demanded an outright, jaw-dropping, undeniable, superseding-the-laws-of-nature, impressive, without a shadow of a doubt, verifiable miracle! Without it, Elijah would be killed, and God’s chosen people would drift into pagan oblivion.

King Ahab and Queen Jezebel had steered the nation of Israel down a road leading away from the Lord and then stepped on the accelerator – and woe to anyone who caused them a traffic jam in the process! Ahab was a man whose wickedness was exceeded only by that of his wife, Jezebel. Everything about that woman dripped iniquity and emanated evil. Together, they publicly promoted the worship of the pagan god Baal.

In order to shock the nation back from its dangerous path, the Lord sent a drought. This was not just a seasonal sign, but a heaven-sent plague that lasted for three long years. The lack of rain was an obvious slap in the face of the supposed rain god, Baal.

After three years without rain, the people stood precariously with one foot on either side, partially following the false god and sort of following their God. Please know this: Straddling the fence, is never a good place to be!

Into this boiling cauldron of chaos, God sent His servant, Elijah, the roughhewn prophet. He was a wild, eccentric, bold messenger of the Almighty God. Risking death, Elijah faced Ahab and challenged him to gather the people for a power duel of deities. When the day of decision dawned, Elijah stood alone on Mt. Carmel facing 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the goddess Asherah before the gathered nation of Israel. The odds were 950 to 1! It looked like a mismatched fixed fight. And as it turned it out, IT WAS!

Sidestepping political correctness, Elijah confronted the people with a challenge: “…How long are you going to sit on the fence? If GOD is the real God, follow him; if it’s Baal, follow him. Make up your minds!” (1 Kings 18:21 MSG)

The people sat in stunned silence as he continued, “Then Elijah said, “I’m the only prophet of God left in Israel; and there are 450 prophets of Baal. Let the Baal prophets bring up two oxen; let them pick one, butcher it, and lay it out on an altar on firewood—but don’t ignite it. I’ll take the other ox, cut it up, and lay it on the wood. But neither will I light the fire. Then you pray to your gods, and I’ll pray to God. The god who ANSWERS with fire will prove to be, in fact, God.” All the people agreed: “A good plan—do it!” (1 Kings 18:22-24 MSG)

Since Baal was supposedly able to control lightning, thunder, and rain, everyone agreed. You see, humans love to watch a wreck of any kind. And this wreck of a show-down guaranteed to be highly entertaining.

The Baal prophets went first, after all Elijah even went so far as to say, “…You go first, you’re the majority…” (1 Kings 18:25 MSG). Which we should take as an admonishment that the Majority isn’t always right, more powerful, or more effective! In fact, I love the quote that says, “God may be the only person willing to stand by us when we’re forced to stand alone, but one person and a Sovereign God make a majority.” (Dr. Tim Kimmel). Even Frederick Douglass said, “One and God make a majority.”

However, they prayed all morning, “Baal, answer us.” The only response they received was a wall of absolute silence! In fact, the Scripture says, “…But nothing happened – not so much as a whisper of breeze…” (1 Kings 18:26 MSG). Now that’s harsh!

Then, when Elijah began to taunt them, they prayed louder, harder, and more passionately. They did anything they could think of to provoke a response from their deity. Yet, there was not even a flicker of a reply. They prayed all afternoon. Nothing! Nada! Zippo! Baal had failed miserably! Better yet, the Bible says: “By noon, Elijah had started making fun of them, taunting, “Call a little louder—he is a god, after all. Maybe he’s off meditating somewhere or other, or maybe he’s gotten involved in a project, or maybe he’s on vacation. You don’t suppose he’s overslept, do you, and needs to be waked up?” They prayed louder and louder, cutting themselves with swords and knives—a ritual common to them—until they were covered with blood. This went on until well past noon. They used every religious trick and strategy they knew to make something happen on the altar, but nothing happened—not so much as a whisper, not a flicker of response.” 1 Kings 18:27-29 MSG.

So, then it was Elijah’s turn! First, he repaired the altar the other prophets had knocked down in their feeble attempts to attract the attention of Baal. He dug a trench around the altar and then put wood on it and another ox. Then he did an outrageous thing! Elijah had the altar drenched in water, time after time, until the excess water filled the trench. He had to be crazy! If 950 prophets’ prayers could not get their god to send a spark, how did he think one man could get his God to consume a water-soaked sacrifice with fire?!

Here’s what the Bible says: “Then Elijah told the people, “Enough of that—it’s my turn. Gather around.” And they gathered. He then put the altar back together for by now it was in ruins. Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes of Jacob, the same Jacob to whom God had said, “>From now on your name is Israel.” He built the stones into the altar in honor of God. Then Elijah dug a wide trench around the altar. He laid firewood on the altar, cut up the ox, put it on the wood, and said, “Fill four buckets with water and drench both the ox and the firewood.” Then he said, “Do it again,” and they did it. Then he said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time. The altar was drenched, and the trench was filled with water.” (1 Kings 18:30-35 MSG)

Standing in front of the altar before an entire nation and the hundreds of false prophets and King Ahab, Elijah needed a miracle!  So, Elijah did the only thing a man in desperate need of an impossible miracle does. HE PRAYED! How big is God? Big Enough! So Elijah offered one of the most effective prayers recorded in the Bible and asked God for a really BIG thing: “When it was time for the sacrifice to be offered, Elijah the prophet came up and prayed, “O God, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make it known right now that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that I’m doing what I’m doing under your orders. Answer me, God; O answer me and reveal to this people that you are God, the true God, and that you are giving these people another chance at repentance.” (1 Kings 18:36-37 MSG).

Elijah offered a simple, two-word request, “ANSWER ME.” And guess what? GOD DID! “Immediately the fire of GOD fell and burned up the offering, the wood, the stones, the dirt, and even the water in the trench.” (1 Kings 18:38 MSG)

Elijah’s petition was powerful! The prophets of Baal prayed all day and Baal couldn’t even make a spark to light dry kindling wood! THEN ELIJAH PRAYED FOR LESS THAN A MINUTE and God sent fire from heaven that was so mighty it ignited a soaking wet sacrifice and burned up the wet wood, saturated stones, and drenched soil! And if that wasn’t enough, the blaze consumed all the water in the trench! That just floored me, and it did the very same to the people! The Bible says: “All the people saw it happen and fell on their faces in awed worship, exclaiming, “GOD is the true God! GOD is the true God!” (1 Kings 18:39 MSG).

How Big is God? Big Enough!

The spiritual direction of an entire nation was turned back to God all because ONE MAN was not afraid to confront the enemy and ask God for a miracle! Elijah lived in the Largeness of God, and miracles were the result! He prayed, “ANSWER ME!” AND GOD DID! He prayed “ANSWER ME!” AND MANY PEOPLE WERE STEERED BACK ON COURSE! He asked for a victory-producing miracle, and the enemy was crushed!

Helen Roseveare was a Missionary Doctor who spent twenty years ministering in the Congo. This was one of her awesome testimonies: “One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but despite all we could do she died leaving us with a tiny premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator. (We had no electricity to even run an incubator). We also had no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool the baby would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst. Rubber perishes easily in tropical climates. “And it is our last hot water bottle!” she exclaimed. As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways. “All right,” I said, “put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep from drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm. The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle. The baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died. During the prayer time, one ten-year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. “Please, God,” she prayed, “send us a water bottle. It’ll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon.” While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added by way of a corollary, “And while You are about it, would You please send a doll for the little girl, so she’ll know You really love her?” As often with children’s prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say, “Amen?” I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything. The Bible says so. But there are limits, aren’t there? The only way God could answer this prayer would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever received a parcel from home. Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator! Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses’ training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the verandah, was a large twenty-two-pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas – that would make a nice batch of buns for the weekend. Then as I put my hand in again, I felt…could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out. Yes, it was, a brand-new, rubber hot water bottle! I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, “If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the doll, too!” Rummaging down the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted. Looking up at me, she asked, “Can I go over with you, Mummy, and give this doll to that little girl, so she’ll know that Jesus really loves her?” That parcel had been on the way for FIVE WHOLE MONTHS! Packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God’s prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a doll for an African child – FIVE WHOLE MONTHS before – in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it that afternoon!

In other words, HE IS THE GOD OF ALL! He Can Do Anything But Fail! He can send fire from heaven in answer to prayer. He can deliver a hot-water bottle and a doll to the Congo on exactly the right day! And just in case you were wondering, He can cure cancer, dry up tumors, make cysts disappear, regulate blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. He can reverse the damage of diabetes, He can heal heart disease, He can put a roof over your head, food on your table, clothes on your back and shoes on your feet. He can grant you employment and favor you with a bonus and promotion on top! He can remove the feelings of loneliness, worthlessness, low self-esteem and depression. He can change your mind before the suicide attempt even takes place. He can mend your broken heart. He can rekindle and restore your marriage. He can get you back in school. He can carry you through the process of recovery from any addiction and habit. He can bring your wayward children back home. He can change the blood work and x-rays in your favor. He can undo what the disease did. He can heal your past, strengthen your present and enlarge your future. He can refresh your hope and rebuild your faith. He can protect you, provide for you and grant you joy and peace. He can restore your happy. Trust God! How Big is He? Big Enough for Anything You’re Facing!

I could tell story after story of how God worked in amazing ways as the result of desperate prayer. But you don’t need to hear someone else’s story. You Need Your Own! So, what is your seemingly impossible situation? Where do you need a miracle? Why not tell God? Ask Him to answer so you can give Him the Glory!

The next time you are facing a situation that needs a ANSWER ME GOD miracle, follow Elijah’s lead in 1 Kings 18:36-37:

Let 2023 Be The Year You Walk Confidently & Consistently In Your ANSWERED PRAYERS! DECLARE TODAY: MY PRAYERS ARE ANSWERED! How Big is God? God Is Saying Before You Call On Me, I Will Answer You. 

Blessings

J.P. Olson

www.thewordwithjpolson.com