Today I Find Myself Coming To You Again To Share This: Because God Said So

Today I find myself sharing with you once again prophetic words God placed in my heart in November 2016. During the time I shared the word I was on my way to Israel. It is something strange about this because I find myself leaving once again to Israel on Monday

: Feb. 27, 2017 and God has placed in my heart to share this word again at such a time as this. A trip that God ordained, opened a door and allowed me to go back so soon. But as I am planning God placed on my heart to share this word . I have many new subscribers who have subscribed to the daily inspirational reading coming into 2017, I wanted to share it earlier with the new subscribers but I do not believe it was God's timing for me to share; because each time I went to share this word God gave me another word for that day, however, the past several days the Holy Spirit has placed in my heart to share this word again. Through my obedience to His voice I am sharing it with you. Let's take heed today to His word. Once again I asked for your prayers during this journey to Israel.  I felt led to share God's Word and what He has placed on my heart.

Today it appears that our nation is topsy turvy, "a state of utter confusion". God makes no mistakes.  "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, the one who resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." (Romans 13:1-2) Worship the lord for every perfect decision He makes, whether we like it or not! Don't find yourself praying and trying to go into spiritual warfare against God and his solidified will. Jesus is not going to stop reigning. God is always working behind the scene.... He's directing it all.

"The LORD of Hosts Himself has planned it; therefore, who can stand in its way? It is His hand that is outstretched, so who can turn it back? “(Isaiah 14:27)

God predestined these things to happen, and God’s Will be done. "Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7) God is not a man that He should lie.

Even if my natural mind doesn't always like His decisions, my faith in His sovereignty and perfect ways always takes the forefront. I'm not thinking about mere mortals thoughts on it, because most try to override God and do not understand why He has to allow certain things.

PROPHETIC WORD NOVEMBER 2016.

It's seriously time to get it together, God is not playing and Satan is working double time and over time. No More Water, But Fire The Next Time. They ignored the prophecy, continued in their wickedness, and were consumed by the floods of angry waters in the days of Noah. Likewise, many make a mockery of those God uses to warn them, and don't believe, but they too will perish in their wickedness and arrogance, but this time BY FIRE. God is not a man that He should lie; nor is he mocked. Get your houses in order. . Any church that advocates for sin and tells you that there is more than one way to God, is a Synagogue of Satan!

The Holy Spirit told me repeatedly: God is not playing in this hour!

Tell them that powerful demons are being unchained in hell, and are being released into the earth to torment and destroy the inhabitants. God's concern is His people, His church. Where are they, who are they worshiping, what are they doing? Why are they not listening to and obeying sound doctrine? Things are about to get worse. They must pray. This is the season where you have to mean what you say, and say what you mean! Most of all, your actions need to align with your words in everything, because every move you make is crucial, and the time is very sensitive right now. The devil is not showing any mercy on anyone. As a matter of fact, he is even more relentless, because he knows his time is almost up. He is sending more of his human agents and demons your way to distract, derail, and destroy you.  Something is getting ready to pop off.

It's also a time to sever all meaningless and toxic ties, even from those you're just use to being around.  You cannot stay bound to these people and things that are keeping you with constant emotional highs and lows and keep you from progressing. This change is essential for your next level. You can love, forgive, and pray for people from afar! Never allow anyone to make you feel guilty about you wanting to completely sever ties with them, especially if they are hell on wheels, interfering with your relationship with God, and constantly bringing chaos into your life. High blood pressure can lead to death! Use wisdom! Put your spiritual eyes on, be vigilant, and stand firm in your convictions in your walk, and in your dealings with people.

Do not be easily persuaded. Be bold and direct. Be led by the spirit of God, and have a zero tolerance for people coming to you with ulterior motives, trying to insult your intelligence, or with conniving spirits. STOP THEM IN THEIR TRACKS! You have to be unwavering in everything. Let them call it mean if they like. Guard yourself. If you're saved, be saved unapologetically and without shame. Let them call you Holy Roller or whatever else. People will talk whether you're doing good or bad. We are going into a new season, beloveds. It's time to surround yourself with those that genuinely love, support, tell you the truth from a pure place, and have your best interest at hand.

To those of you that are highly anointed, faithful, and obedient to God, when the enemy and his demons cannot touch you, because they know you are too full of power. They will always look for your spiritually weak family; those who lack understanding of the spirit world, and sinful family members or those you love the most, and attack them to get to you. They will even attempt to kill them, and possess them. I know it sounds crazy, but this is the works of the kingdom of darkness. They are stupid like that!

Their goal is to shake your foundation, thwart your faith, halt your prayer life, distract, derail, and ultimately destroy you.

When you pray, you must use your body (brain), spirit, and soul to go into the spiritual realm; visualize/use your imagination, and by name, put your loved ones into the center of a circle, and begin asking God to put a hedge of protection and an incubator of the blood of Jesus, around everyone within that circle.

Also, verbally loose the terror of God on, and bind any demon and/or even human agents that is planning to come into that circle to harm those you've placed inside it. Pray with scripture "Whatever you bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven. Whatever you loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven." all in Jesus's name.

My Heavenly Father, my all and all, You are raising up a standard in this season, and we are called to unwavering faith and obedience in this hour like never before.

 My mind and heart is stayed on You. My hopes are on things eternal. We are but a vapor in this earth; one minute we're here, and the next we're gone. Time is so precious, and it waits for nothing. I just want you to be pleased with me. My entire being and everything You allow is for Your glory.

We must trust You Lord and we love You with all our heart and soul.

Blessings  

J.P. Olson

www.thewordwithjpolson.com

WORD OF THE DAY: “When You Are TESTED. God Can Be TRUSTED.” Every Situation That Touches Your Life, God Is There.

WORD OF THE DAY: “When you are TESTED. God can be TRUSTED.” Your world may shake but the Word of God never moves. Faith in Christ is a firm Foundation. When you read and trust God’s Promises your problems will evaporate and experience the PRESENCE of God in a powerful way. The Bible says: “I have yet to see the righteous forsaken” and true to His Word, the Lord sent an earthquake, the jail cells flew open and Paul and Silas were set free. The irony is they were free even when hand-cuffed. With the Lord we find liberty and you cannot contain God in a box or handcuffs. Atheists are actually in “prison” while walking with no shackles but Christians are free even in confinement.

Have you discovered yet that being saved doesn’t insulate nor isolate you from the problems of this sin cursed world?  For those who insist on believing salvation is the end to problems I say, okay, but it’s the front end!  Struggles and difficulties continue, and oft times increase when you get saved, for now you have a new enemy coming after you! Trials and tribulations are real. But, so is God!  When you find yourself too deep in a situation stop and pray!  We may be overwhelmed by it, but God is not. We may not see a way out, but God can.  When you have situations beyond your control, when you find yourself in unpredictable, uncontrollable, frustrating circumstances, there is still one thing you can count on to have control of your situation. We all are subject, but with God He is the Author of it all. You have to trust God to work in your life and bring order, hope, and peace out of the chaos.

Prayer Will: Get you in, Get you Out, Get You Through. Never underestimate the power of prayer. When was the last time did you hear God speak?  When God speaks one thing we must realize. When God speaks it won’t be in the form of man. It won’t be in the form of man’s opinion.  It won’t be in the form of man’s intelligence. It won’t be in the form of man’s understanding. It won’t look like man. It won’t sound like man. It won’t feel like man. And it won’t be man. It will be God!!! God doesn't require a job interview. He doesn't hire and fire like most bosses, because He's more our Dad than our Boss. He doesn't look at financial gain or loss. He's not prejudiced or partial, not judging, grudging, sassy, or brassy, not deaf to our cry, not blind to our need.

This is why so many people cannot find direction from the lord.  They’re too busy trying to get.... Man’s approval. Man’s opinion. Man’s wisdom. With all of man’s wisdom, with all of man’s understanding, with all of man’s intellect, it cannot give the peace of mind that the Holy Ghost gives. Your whole world may be falling down around you. You may be facing a test that is life shattering. You may be looking into the face of death himself, but if you can get into a place where the voice of God can be heard. The Holy Ghost is a Promise, Comforter, Teacher and Guide. “It will lead you unto all truth”

When God speaks something is going to change!!! He spoke to the Void of darkness in creation and light and life sprang forth!!! He spoke to the frogs in Pharaoh’s river and they plagued his house. He spoke to valley of dry bones and they came to life again. He spoke to the blind and they began to see. He spoke to the dumb and he began to speak. He spoke to the leper and he was made clean. He spoke to Lazarus and he rose from the dead. He spoke to the storm and it was made calm.

And He is speaking to you today. We need to let God’s word into our lives. God’s word is like the sweet manna in the desert. It’s the cool water to the parched lips. Hosea 4:6 ...  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Who’s people? God’s People! People who should be living a blessed life! People who should be feeling the power of God in their life! They are reduced to poverty because they could not hear God’s word! I wonder what blessing would flow in our lives if we would only hear from God. This is why the Holy Ghost is so important to the believer.

Does it bother us that we can’t hear from God? Do we weep for lack of His voice?  Do we cry out in the darkness ...”Who art thou Lord”? Does it bother us when we can’t hear Him? “OH that I might know HIM!!!” “OH that I could hear Him speak to this church”. “OH that His word would go forth” “We go down to our knees, or we go down to oblivion.” When you are afraid, Trust in God: When You Are Not Afraid, Trust in God.

Every Situation That Touches Your Life, God Is There. 

Is It Odd or Is It God? As Many Times As I Have Read This Verse, I Missed This. I Wonder How Many Others Missed It As Well?

John 3:16

There is a probability that some of you such as myself had not really paid attention to the word in the center of this verse: John 3:16. Many people are celebrating Valentine's Day on today with friend's, husband/wives, couples as the list goes on. Flowers , candy and gifts are given in expression of Love. But God gave us a greater Gift, His Son and within this verse we find the Word: VALENTINE.  Is It Odd or Is It God? This verse is the true meaning of Love; God's Love.  Marinate on it, inhale it, exhale it, can you feel the Love in this verse, there is no greater love or Gift known to man than that of One who suffered, bled, died and rose again so that we may live.  Jesus; the Son of God who walked the earth as God in human form to save a world lost in sin. Jesus, the One whom John is writing about in John 3:16. Jesus Christ is the true expression of Love.

The Ancient Greeks came up with Four Types of Love:  

AGAPE, the unconditional love that Jesus demonstrates for us.

PHILEO: The phileo love refers to an affectionate, it is how you feel about someone. It is a committed and chosen love.

STORGE: It is a kind of family and friendship love.

EROS: Eros is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings; it is the kind that often triggers “high” feelings in a new relationship and makes you say, “I love him/her”. It is simply an emotional and sexual love

In all that we do on this day, let us remember the Son of God who lives today. Let us demonstrate His Love to mankind, to each other. Let us give thanks to the Giver for the ultimate Gift. This is true love, this is what Love represents. John 3:16. There is a sweet aroma, when we call on the name of Jesus. 

"The first Valentine was posted around 1806. Emperor Claudius decided that single men made better soldiers. Therefore, Claudius banned soldiers from being married. One version of the story is that Valentine continued to perform the weddings of young soldiers who were in love, and Claudius had Valentine imprisoned. While imprisoned, Valentine reportedly fell in love with the jailer's daughter. Valentine sent her a card and signed it, "Love, your Valentine." Another version is that Valentine defied Claudius by helping Christians escape the torture of the Romans."

"Valentine died in approximately A.D. 270. Others claim the church may have decided to celebrate in mid February to "Christianize" the pagan Roman celebration Lupercalia. The first Valentine sent in the United States was in the 1840's by Esther Howgald. Most of us enjoy "spoiling" a loved one on Valentine's Day. Sending gifts and cards conveys love, affection, and friendship."

There is no biblical reason why Christians should not celebrate Valentine’s Day by giving their loved ones flowers, candy and/or cards. Some people feel very strongly that observing any secular holiday is wrong, while others see it as harmless. The important thing to remember is that celebrating or not celebrating holidays should not be a cause for pride or division among Christians. 

When we are confused on what to do or not to do, go to the Word of God for understanding. Let us remember John 3:16 because it is in this verse where we see and experience the magnitude of Love that God has shown each of us through His Son Jesus Christ "that whosoever believe in Him should not perish but have eternal life." It's just doesn't get any better than that. 

Faith Defeats All Opposition. Jesus Has Promised That Our Requests Get God's Personal Attention!

Faith Defeats All Opposition. Jesus Has Promised That Our Requests Get God's Personal Attention! In my trials I know that the Comforter walks with me while I talk with my God. The Master Builder (God) can pull out the original plan and restore it! There's no pit so deep that Jesus love cannot go deeper.  Whatever the need of the moment, the answer can be found in scripture if we take the time to search for it. Be patient, wait for Him to tell you where to move and what to do, He will never lead you where He has not already been.

In all circumstances we can give thanks that God has not left us on our own. Pain and problems are a part of life but there’s also purpose and promise in it too. Exercise your faith. When all else fails grab your Bible and read your instructions. Father I come to You today with faith in my heart and praise on my lips. I praise You Father for the gift of life. Only Christ the Living Bread can satisfy our spiritual hunger.

It's Time to Cry Out. YOU SEE, TROUBLE NOT ONLY PLACES A DEMAND ON YOUR FAITH, BUT REVEALS THE DEPTH OF IT! Truth is, you don’t really know much about your faith when your bills are paid, your body is healthy, your children are acting right, and your marriage is intact! BUT WHEN ALL IN YOUR LIFE IS BREAKING LOOSE AND YOU TRUST GOD TO BRING YOU THROUGH IT, YOU KNOW YOU’VE GOT GENUINE FAITH! Storms come and go and Jesus is always there though it all. Become firm and established in Jesus love, firm in your faith and understanding.

The enemy is attacking your mind, your rest, your peace, your emotions and your thought life! So what can you do?  Lift up the shield of faith and stop his flaming arrows: Take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” and use it to drive him back! (Ephesians 6:17 NKJV). Put Your Faith To Work because It's time to cry out.

Listen to another example, the Syrian army had surrounded the city of Samaria and its population was dying of starvation. Having lived off scraps of bread that folks threw over the wall each day, four lepers quickly assessed that they were in trouble. They said, “WHY SIT HERE UNTIL WE DIE?” (2 Kings 7:3 TLB). So they went into the city, only to discover God had worked a miracle, causing the Syrians to flee in terror, leaving behind them food, water, and riches!  What do we learn from these four lepers? REFUSE TO SIT THERE AND DIE! WHEN YOU PUT YOUR FAITH INTO ACTION, GOD WILL GO TO WORK ON YOUR BEHALF! BUT YOU HAVE TO RISE UP AND SAY:  I Will Live and Not Die, I Will Survive, I Will Rise Above My problem and this situation.

You see, I’ve learned from personal experience, when you get DESPERATE enough you won’t care who God uses to fuel your faith, you’ll be willing to receive any help He sends your way! Just ask Naaman!  Naaman the leper, a five-star general in the Syrian army, humbled himself and eventually became willing to listen to a girl who washed dishes and made beds in his house!

(Listen: When somebody has an answer from God to deliver to you, you won’t care who the messenger is, what they look like, what they do or what they've got on, just as long as they deliver your message of healing!)  Naaman was even willing to finally dip seven times in the dirtiest river around, in order to come up clean (2 Kings 5:1-19). Genuine faith says: “I don’t care where I have to go, what I have to do, or who I have to listen to, whatever God says, I’ll do it!” Why live with a disease when you can simply believe God, trust what He says, and put your faith to work?! 

Real faith in action needs no explanation in order to act! Sometimes God will give you “a Word” and it looks like it’s not even working – but it is – yes, even when it doesn’t look like it!  The faith that God responds to does not require understanding of the orders given, just obedience in carrying them out! And when you do, you’ll be amazed at what He does in the meantime! The more you walk by faith, God is restoring, resurrecting, returning, reviving, regenerating, reestablishing, and in the end you’ll do the rejoicing when all of the broken pieces are finally brought back together again! And all it takes is faith! 

That May Be Exactly What’s Happening In Your Life Right Now! It Doesn’t Feel Good, But It Is Good! God Is Lovingly Removing Things & People You Think You Need.

 “I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and REPEATEDLY PRUNES every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.” (John 15:1-2 AMP).

 “Better to be pruned to grow than cut up to burn.” (John Trapp).

We all really need to understand this pruning process, especially since it’s one of God’s Most Important Methods In Growing Us! In fact, some of the difficulty and loss that you’re experiencing right now May Actually Be Your Heavenly Father Cutting You Back to Help You Grow Up! And the results are going to be far greater than they ever could have been if He left what He has been taking away!  In short, HE LEAVES YOU WITH LESS, SO YOU CAN BE AVAILABLE FOR MORE!

Jesus went on to explain that all the things we do for Him have to flow from our deep relationship with Him – “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man REMAINS in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; APART from Me you can do nothing…If you REMAIN in Me and My words REMAIN in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you.” If you keep loading up on Jesus and getting ever closer to Him, your life is going to be Abundantly Fruitful! You’re going to make a Greater Difference with your life than you’ve ever made before! You’re going to be More Spiritually Magnetic, and having you around is going to be more and more like actually having Jesus around! You are going to attract more people into the Fruitful Kingdom of God!

BUT before the fruit, COMES THE PRUNING!

I imagine if a vine could talk, he’d say to the pruner, “You’re killing me, man!” And the gardener would reply, “I know this hurts, but I’m actually removing things you don’t really need so you can explode with greater fruit.” THAT MAY BE EXACTLY WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW! IT DOESN’T FEEL GOOD, BUT IT IS GOOD! GOD IS LOVINGLY REMOVING THINGS (AND PEOPLE) YOU  THINK YOU NEED, BUT THINGS (AND PEOPLE) THAT MAY BE HOLDING YOU DOWN, HOLDING YOU BACK, OR HOLDING YOU CAPTIVE! THE CUTBACKS ARE COSTLY BUT WORTH IT! THE PRUNING IS PAINFUL, BUT ESSENTIAL TO YOUR POTENTIAL, PRODUCTIVITY AND PROSPERITY!

I actually learned that there are a few types of pruning methods:

FIRST, THERE’S “THINNING”: This is a drastic form of pruning, a thinning out cut is the removal of an entire shoot, limb, or branch AT ITS POINT OF ORIGIN! When performed correctly, thinning encourages the formation of new growth that will more readily bear fruit and flowers!

NOW FOR THE SPIRITUAL APPLICATION OF “THINNING”: in order for many of us to grow properly, we have to be pruned to the extent that we remove, entirely, people, places and things that helped us get to this damaged place we’re in now! Remember: thinning removes the entire shoot, limb or branch at its origin! In other words, where it all started! Don’t be afraid or ashamed to thin some folks and some stuff out! Remove him, her or them, if they dare to compromise your potential to prosper! If you do, you’ll then be in the position to formulate (healthy people, places and things) so that new growth can transpire, more readily for bearing fruit!

SECOND, THERE’S “TOPPING”: Topping is a very severe form of pruning which involves removing all branches and growths down to a few large branches or to the trunk of the tree. When performed correctly IT IS USED ON VERY YOUNG TREES TO TRAIN THEM TO GROW INTO SPECIFIC SHAPES!

NOW FOR THE SPIRITUAL APPLICATION OF “TOPPING”:  When used correctly, topping is used on young trees to train them to grow in specific shapes or in specific directions! When you see those beautiful trees, with all their unique twists and turns to them in various shapes and designs, THEY ARE THE RESULT OF TOPPING! But in order for that to take place IT HAS TO START YOUNG! Now it would be very easy for me to pick on our YOUNG PEOPLE (Which the Church Does Far Too Often), but instead we’re going to go in a different direction, and speak of “YOUNG” in terms of “immaturity!” people of God, if you’re ever going to finally grow up, and come to full maturity, you’ve got to surrender yourself to topping! It means bringing all your immature issues before the gardener for him to prune, so you can finally grow up into the specific shape and design that he had in mind long before your birth! The good news is that you can’t do this for old trees, they’re already set in their ways and hardened, so if you’re still an “immature saint”, there’s help and hope for you yet! You’re in the best possible position to be re-directed for the destiny you’ve been designed for!

THIRD, THERE’S “RAISING”: This removes the lower branches from a tree in order to provide clearance for buildings, vehicles, pedestrians, and vistas!

Now for the spiritual application of “Raising”: this type of pruning is of a necessity, not for you, but for those around you! “Raising” is a form of pruning that moves you out of the way, so others can get by and get through! I hate to say it like this, but this level of pruning is often for those who have been doing something so long that they’ve perfected it and can’t nobody else on planet earth do it like them or better than them as long as they’re still alive! You have to be pruned to make room for others! After 30 years, you shouldn’t see all the same preachers in the same pulpit; the same choir members, the same musicians, the same deacons, the same members! Moses is dead and so is Joshua…but there is a new generation! Let us not block them with our old set ways!

FOURTH AND FINAL, THERE’S “REDUCTION”: this reduces the size of a tree, often for clearance for utility lines! Reducing the height or spread of a tree is best accomplished by pruning back the leaders and branch terminals to lateral branches that are large enough to assume the terminal roles! Compared to ‘topping’, ‘reduction’ helps maintain the form and structural integrity of the tree!

Now for the spiritual application of “Reduction”: this type of pruning hurts leadership! Because reduction removes branches that are high up by the power lines, cuts them back so that room for those underneath them can assume their role!  In actuality, this shouldn’t be all that hard at all, since the leader branch that is being cut back, is only making room for the lateral branch to come up and take its place!

“Every Living Thing Needs to be Pruned, So It Can Reach Its Fullest Potential – Including You and Me.” (Author Unknown)

“God Prunes Us When He is About to Take Us Into a New Season of Growth and Expansion.” (Christine Caine)

“Every Experience is Part of God’s Pruning Process. You’ve Been Picked Out to be Picked On. He Cuts Off Fruitless Branches and Prunes Fruitful Ones.” (Author Unknown)

 “For Me, Slowing Down Was Simply Another Way to Prune the Bush. To Force Myself Into Cutting Away Certain Parts of My Life So That I Don’t Wake Up Next February, Blooming Roses I Don’t Like.” (Erin Loechner)

“Pruning is a Necessary Part of Life. In Order to Move Forward, You Must Let Go.” (Cheryl Richardson)

“When God Has You in a Place of Waiting, He’s Preparing You For Greater. He’s Sifting, Pruning, Refining, and Shaping You For the Best That is to Come.” (Author Unknown)

Blessings

J.P. Olson

Once You Start Living in the Light, You’ll Stop Letting Darkness Visit! Today Is A New Day.

If the dark cloud you’re under doesn’t move, then you move.” And that’s something I’m encouraging you to do today. Move!  Albert Einstein says it like this: “Nothing Happens Until Something Moves”. 

There are real monsters that a lot of people have locked in a closet somewhere in their heart: the secret pain, the secret sin, the secret darkness of that unforgiving heart. They're like vampires. They live in the darkness. But as you become older, you discover that they start to lose their power when you drag them into the light.

In my experience counseling people, when it comes to life’s experiences with pain, many people have found that getting rid of ‘monsters’ isn’t as easy or as simple as turning on a flashlight. The monsters of molestation, rape, domestic violence, health battles, homelessness, and the like didn’t exactly go away as quickly as the flip of a light switch for many. Nor did they for my friend Linda.

Linda, was abandoned, often physically abused by a drunken father, and cocaine addicted mother. Then she was horribly betrayed by her sister’s boyfriend. She trusted him so much as the brother she never had, and yet he sexually violated her. It was the final chapter in a story that told her a cruel lie, "Linda, you're worthless." A story line that brought her to the brink of suicide not once but three times. She took pills the first time, slit her wrists the second, and the third time she held a gun to her own head literally.

Thank God, Linda came across some wonderful people who led her to Jesus who did what no one and nothing else could do, He saved her. However, there was a few monsters left living in her closet; bitterness, anger, mistrust, fear of rejection, not to mention, hatred that she harbored in her heart. Now, all of her feelings and emotions were understandable. But unforgiveness never hurts the person we refuse to forgive. 

No, instead it eats us alive and, strangely, it ties us to the very person we can't stand.

Like so many who have had to endure mistreatment in whatever form, many did like Linda and stuffed it in the closet. But it's there where it grows into a monster of ungrieved grief, unrepented sin, and unforgiven hurt; a monster that morphs into all kinds of anger, rage, depression and self-loathing.

John 8:12, “Jesus once again addressed them: “I am the world’s Light. No one who follows Me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.” (MSG)

Once You Start Living in the Light, You’ll Stop Letting Darkness Visit! Jesus provides plenty of light to live in, what better motivation than that to move out of darkness? Why live in that darkness a moment longer than you have to.

Listen, truth is, sometimes you can move IT, and sometimes you simply have to move YOU. Which may require a great deal of separation; like moving from those old contacts, connections, phone calls, text messages, pictures and emails. Move from that place, from that thing, from that person. Move from re-imagining memories in a prettier light than they actually were. Move from those feelings, that conversation, move from repetitive bad decisions and choices. Move your dark into His light.

Today: Take all of your monsters out of your past closet, and into your prayer closet.

Take the regret, the remorse, the bitterness, the anger, the hatred, the revenge, the unforgiveness. Take the broken heart and the broken spirit. Take the fractured mind and the bruised ego. Take what they said and what they did. Even take the part you played in your own self-inflicted painful drama. Take it all to Him. There is no greater Light than the Lord!

Stop allowing hurt to hang around in your closet! Packed it up and put it out! God Himself Called You Out of Darkness, So Why Are You Still Trying to Live There? Don’t you see that in spite of where you’ve been, what you’ve done and what was done to you, He yet calls you chosen; a royal priesthood; a consecrated nation; a special people; His own possession. As dark as you were, He still called you out of darkness!

He Called You OUT…So Why Are You Allowing Your Past to Keep You IN?! Despite the Mess, you have since received Mercy, so why not live in it?

Listen, you’ve been under that dark cloud long enough. You’ve been scared of those monsters in that dark closet long enough. Today is a new day, and one in which you need not give old days the opportunity to rob you of. Whatever happened, happened. 

You can’t undo it; you can’t change it; you can’t go back and alter some of the details of it. But you can decide today, that I’m not going to give another moment to those monsters. My body, soul, spirit, heart, mind and emotions all deserve to live in light. I deserve peace, joy, laughter, unconditional love and complete healing and wholeness, and I’ve decided it will start today.

Now, sometimes that will require you to delete the photos, messages and contact information. It may require you to stop talking to that person, or going back to that place. Listen: You can’t ask God to bring you into the light while you bring darkness with you, still clutched tightly in your hands. You have to make the deliberate decision to let darkness go and leave it in the hands of God.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18, “…How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands?...” (MSG) The answer, NO! So you cannot ask God to bring you out of darkness, when you refuse to let darkness go. Know today that you can’t take that darkness with you into a bright future!

Whatever your ‘monsters’ are, bring them out of your past closet of darkness and into your present prayer closet of light. You’ve dealt with enough torment, torture, self-doubt and self-pity. You’ve been under that dark cloud far too long. You’ve cried enough; been depressed and discouraged enough; you’ve been lonely, angry and bitter enough you’ve replayed their role in your drama enough; you’ve renewed the issues to your past publications of pain long enough. You’ve complained and talked about it enough.

Use this Winter to do some Spring cleaning in advance! Clean all that old junk out of your closet! All of it! The lies, the truth, the rumors, gossip, fornication, adultery, substance abuses, stealing, back-stabbing, rejection, abandonment...All Of It, Whatever Your IT Is! Stop allowing hurt to hang around in your closet! Pack it up and put it out!

Today, Bring Your Monsters From Your Past Closet to Your Prayer Closet and Meet God There! You'll Go in Dark, But You'll Come Out Light and Lighter!