The Size Of What You SEE Will Determine The Size Of What You SEIZE! And If 2022 Is To Be For You A Bigger, Better And Greater Year, Then This Is The Mindset You Need To Cultivate. Big Sight Big Seize! All You Need To Do Is Believe It & Receive It

Thank God It’s the beginning of a new season. It’s the beginning of a new season of reaping, reaping, reaping, just the blessings of God in your life.

This morning I want us to think about all the victories He helped you accomplish. All the prayers He answered.  So let it go, whoever we do not like, resentments, gossiping, holding offenses. Take a hard look at what you are doing. Is there anything about us that we need to tweak or adjust before coming into the New Year? This is a new year, and God has so much more for you in this coming year. My prayers are with you as you prepare for 2022. I am believing with you that it will be your best year ever! Nothing of eternal value will be accomplished in 2022 if you depend on your own flesh to accomplish it. it will be because you walked in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 65:11, "You START the NEW YEAR with a good harvest. You END THE YEAR with many crops." (ERV)

Keep your focus on what Jesus is focused on.  Jesus is all about seeking and saving those who are lost. That's His number one passion and that means it should be our passion as well.  Who can you reach for Christ in 2022?  How many kids and families can you see follow Jesus in baptism in 2022?  When you make reaching people with the Gospel your top priority, then you are in sync with the heart of Jesus.

Walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.  At the end of the day, if 2022 is your best year ever, it will be because you walked in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Nothing of eternal value will be accomplished in 2022, if you depend on your own flesh to accomplish it.  

The power of the Holy Spirit is the "it factor" that is crucial for a ministry that sees miracles happen.  

It's like baking a cake. Your job is to put the right ingredients in the mix.  But the ingredients must have the power of heat to rise and make it complete.  So it is with the Holy Spirit.  We should prepare the batter and get everything ready.  And then we should ask the Holy Spirit to "bring the heat" that will make the ministry flourish and grow.  Without the "heat" nothing will happen. 

• My prayers are with you as you prepare for 2022.  I'm believing with you that it will be your best ministry year ever! Minister in the power of the Holy Spirit. At the end of the day, if 2022 is your best ministry year ever, it will be because you walked in the power of the Holy Spirit. Nothing of eternal value will be accomplished in 2022, if you depend on your own flesh to accomplish it.

Someone shared this with me recently. "I have given God a million reasons not to love me……yet none of them has changed His mind." Can anyone relate? 

Right now, God is whispering: Seasons are changing...soon I will do a new thing.

God knows how to cut things off and He knows how to put people together... He can remove the wrong, repair the broken, mend the torn, make it brand new again. I SEE ENDINGS AND NEW BEGINNINGS. New outcomes are being created!

Dr. Robert Schuller's hobbies include raising koi fish. When asked why some grow BIG while others stay SMALL, he replied with these words, "If a koi fish lives in a small tank, it will never grow longer than two or three inches. In a larger pond they can grow up to ten inches long – in ponds the size of mine they'll get to be eighteen inches long – but if they live in a huge lake where they can swim and stretch, they can grow up to three feet long! The size of the pond determines the size of the fish! Similarly, little ideas in little-thinking minds produce little achievements. However, LITTLE IDEAS embraced by BIG-THINKING MINDS produce enormous achievements."

So How Big Is Your Thinking? Remember: "As a man thinketh in his heart; so he is" (Proverbs 23:7) Therefore, my first admonishment to you is to THINK BIG!

Jesus said: “…I came that they may have and enjoy life, AND HAVE IT IN ABUNDANCE [TO THE FULL, TIL IT OVERFLOWS].” (John 10:10 AMP). So, Seize Your Abundant Life That’s Full and Overflowing and Stop Settling for a Mundane, Mediocre Life! Are you meant to have such a Big Life? Absolutely! Your Limitless God is Ready to Bless You in a Manner that is Beyond Your Greatest Prayers, Hopes and Dreams! Now is the Time You Start to Embrace It and Live Like You Know it to Be True! However, the blessing God is about to release on your life has no size restrictions! It’s too big to even measure! So why are your prayers, requests, petitions, and faith still so very small?

For instance, are you looking to attain a job or begin a career? Are you looking to sing a song or sign a recording contract? Are you looking to work for a company or start one? Are you looking to lease a car or own one? Are you hoping for a grant to add on to the building, or are you looking for an entirely larger space altogether? Are you looking for an apartment to rent or a house to buy? Are you looking to just get started, or do you already see the finished project clearly in view?

Note: The Size of What You SEE Will Determine the Size of What You SEIZE!

The word 'seize' is defined as, 'to take hold suddenly and forcibly; to take forcible possession of; to take possession of by warrant or legal right. And if 2022 is to be for you a Bigger, Better and Greater Year, than this is the mindset you need to cultivate. Big Sight…Big Seize!

Which is why I must also admonish you to stop procrastinating; hesitating; doubting; wavering in your faith; waiting for somebody else to give it to you or give you permission to go get it! Jesus said: "…I came that they may have and enjoy life, AND HAVE IT IN ABUNDANCE [TO THE FULL, TIL IT OVERFLOWS]." (John 10:10 AMP). So, Seize Your Abundant Life That's Full and Overflowing and Stop Settling for a Mundane, Mediocre Life! Are you meant to have such a Big Life? Absolutely! The Word of God declares: "Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do SUPERABUNDANTLY MORE THAN ALL THAT WE DARE ASK OR THINK [INFINITELY BEYOND OUR GREATEST PRAYERS, HOPES, OR DREAMS], according to His power that is at work within US." (Ephesians 3:20 AMP) The word 'infinite' is defined as, 'limitless in space, extent, or size; very great in amount or degree.' Your Limitless God is Ready to Bless You in a Manner that is Beyond Your Greatest Prayers, Hopes and Dreams! Now is the Time You Start to Embrace It and Live Like You Know it to Be True!

Think of it like this, when shopping, you must check the size before you make a purchase to make sure the merchandise fits. However, the blessing God is about to release on your life has no size restrictions! It's too big to even measure! So why are your prayers, requests, petitions, and faith still so very small?!

In 2022, condition your daily mindset to be:  FROM START TO FINISH, 2022 WILL BE FOR ME – A YEAR OF BIGGER, BETTER, and GREATER!

Jesus said, "…According to your FAITH be it unto you" (Matthew 9:29). Not according to your bank account, where or how you were raised, if you have a degree, if you're the right color, if your resume is impressive enough, if you wear the latest fashion, or if you're in the right circle of people of influence to open closed doors on your behalf. Not according to any of that, but "…According to your FAITH be it unto you" However, The Message Bible says it like this: "He touched their eyes and said, "Become what you believe." It happened. They saw…" (Matthew 9:29-31 MSG). Don't miss the vital key: "…Become what you BELIEVE." It happened. They saw…" With that said, perhaps all you're seeing in your life is all you saw for your life! Because the Bible says, He told them, simply, "…Become what YOU believe…" and guess what happened next? The Scripture says, "…It happened…They saw…" They believed in what they could become, and as a result, they became it! Don't you think it's high time you start to BELIEVE…so you can finally BECOME?!

Listen, if it was possible for those fishermen in Luke 5, please know that it is certainly possible for YOU! The Bible says: "When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Now go out where it is deeper and let down your nets and you will catch a lot of fish!" (Luke 5:4 TLB) And what was Simon's response? "Sir,"…we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, we'll try again." (vs. 5) And what was the result? "And this time their nets were so full that they began to tear!.." (vs. 6) People of God bear in mind: Just because it didn't happen before, doesn't mean it can't happen now, and happen just like that, just for you! How do I know? Because the Bible says, "…Jesus doesn't change – yesterday, today, tomorrow, He's always totally Himself" (Hebrews 13:8 MSG) Your God is the same yesterday, today and forevermore! He's not changing! What He Did THEN He can still do NOW! The issue is Do YOU BELIEVE It?! The Bible states this: "A man cannot please God unless he has FAITH. Anyone who comes to God must BELIEVE that He is. That one must also know that God gives what is promised to the one who keeps on looking for Him." (Hebrews 11:6 NLV); "Only it must be in FAITH that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord," (James 1:6-7 AMP); "For the one right with God lives by FAITH. If anyone turns back, I will not be pleased with him." (Hebrews 10:38 NLV); "…The just shall live by FAITH" (Romans 1:17); "…but the just shall live by his FAITH." (Habakkuk 2:4)

Are you getting this? In other words, you must walk, move, and live by FAITH! BELIEVE IT AND BECOME IT! The Opportunity For You to Experience a Year of Bigger, Better, and Greater is Just One Faith Belief Away!

Please understand, those fishermen were no better or no worse than YOU! So keep in mind: "…God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you're from – if you want God and are ready to do as He says, the door is open… He's doing it everywhere, among everyone." (Acts 10:34-36 MSG) God Can and Will Do It For YOU! Unlike man, He doesn't play favorites! The door is open for the janitor, the bus driver, the teacher, the waiter, the preacher, and the singer alike! So, what are you waiting for? Believe God and Launch Out Into the Deep! A BIGGER, BETTER, AND GREATER YEAR IS WAITING FOR YOU TO ARRIVE!

Remember: The size of your faith and your vision determines the outcome of your idea! So, stretch yourself and reach your greatest potential!

Listen: Edison had to install electric lights for free in an office building before anyone even came to look at them. The first sewing machine invented was destroyed by a mob in France. Morse waited for ten years before the world showed any interest in his telegraph. And when the idea of traveling by railroad was introduced, people scoffed because it was widely believed that traveling at thirty miles per hour stopped blood circulation in the human body. In other words, YOU are no exception! It will be just as hard for you as it has been for anyone else, but the level of Belief you have in your Beliefs is what makes the difference! All you have to do is maintain your faith, even in the midst of failure and fear, believing that God is still able to produce what He promised you! Which means you need to ask yourself a few questions: Will I still hold on when the contract doesn't come through? When the mortgage is not approved? When the idea breaks down? When the plans go south? When the direction is changed? When my favorites walk out? When I'm overlooked, unappreciated, taken for granted, mishandled, misused, underestimated, and passed over…Will I still Hold On To What I Believe God is Able to Do for Me?

Ronald E. Osborn said, "Undertake something difficult; it will do you good. Unless you try something beyond what you have already mastered, you'll never grow." Therefore, get out of your Comfort Zone and Stretch yourself into uncommon, unknown, and unfamiliar territory! Walk where you've never walked, go where you've never gone, try what you've never tried! You never know the unforeseen blessing you may finally discover!

Hebrews 11:8-10, "By an act of FAITH, Abraham said yes to God's call to travel to an UNKNOWN PLACE that would become his home. When he left, HE HAD NO IDEA WHERE HE WAS GOING. By an act of FAITH, he lived in the country PROMISED HIM, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same PROMISE. Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an UNSEEN city with real, eternal foundations—the City designed and built by God." (MSG) In other words, when you walk with God by faith, even in an unknown place, God can still connect your path to His promise for your life! All you must do is commit to believing it!

With that said, Yes, you can attend that school, Yes, you can start that ministry, Yes, you can own that company, Yes, you can live in that house, Yes, you can travel this world over, Yes you can receive an unqualified promotion and position, Yes, you can drive that car, Yes, you can experience financial independence, Yes you can purchase that building and start that business, Yes, you can finally walk in complete and total healing, wholeness and deliverance! Yes, you can finally be happy, have unspeakable joy, and rest in the comforting peace of God! Yes, you can do it, achieve it, accomplish it, and overcome it! Yes, you can, and all you must do is Believe it!

I had a great friend Dr. Walter Seymore say something to me 10 years ago that I still hold dear today! He said "just because you're a preacher doesn't mean you hang around only preachers. You'll never grow or stretch beyond the circle you surround yourself with. Instead befriend doctors, lawyers, politicians, athletes, sanitation workers, bank tellers etc.…this way your growth, potential and open doors are limitless because they'll come from every walk of life. If you want to make a big mark, you can't make small moves in little circles. Diversify your connections!"

Now, anyone who really knows me knows I am a "Parable Preacher/Teacher". I've preached and taught on everything from trees, ants, spiders, conies, and rock badgers, to eagles, termites, donkeys, gerbils, heifers, and snakes, to sewage, ice, storms, birds, ticks, planes, football, and even the one word "AND"!  And the only reason I'm able to do what I do, and do it effectively is because I broadened my circle! I learned to talk with NON-PREACHERS! That's what sharpened my skills and gifts for teaching! Think about it, if I'm preaching about elephants, why talk to another preacher when I can get better substance from talking with a veterinarian? I was able to get out of debt because I stopped talking to preachers only, about tithes and offerings, and I learned to make friends with those who are financial counselors, loan officers and CFO's! Talking to different people from different walks of life, different backgrounds, upbringing, employment etc…is what Jesus did too! He talked to the blind, lame, deaf, mute, adulterous, thieves, trees, wind, waves and even the dead!  Why should we do anything different?!

"Move out of your comfort zone! You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new." (Brian Tracey)

"A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there." (Author Unknown)

"If you want something you've never had, you must be willing to do something you've never done." (Thomas Jefferson)

In other words, IF YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE BIGGER, BETTER AND GREATER, YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE THE DECISION TO FINALLY GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE! Like the Fisherman in Luke 5, IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO LEAVE THE SURFACE AND GO OUT INTO THE DEEP! IF YOU WANT BLESSINGS WITH DEPTH, YOU WILL NEED TO GO OUT INTO THE DEEP! Consider this: your promotion, mortgage approval, career, new job, degree, car, business etc.…may all be in the Deep…But You're Too Surface To Get It! So, are you really willing to pass all that up just because you're afraid to go where you've never gone and try what you've never tried?! Don't Allow Your Limits to Limit You! Broaden Your Circle So You Can Embrace Bigger, Better, and Greater!

Look at it this way: In all these years, if you haven't gained what you desired yet…what have you got to lose?! So Go for it! Launch Out! Remember This: You attain in direct proportion to what you attempt, which is why Jesus said to His disciples: "Launch out into the DEEP"…You Will Not Attain Greater Until You're Willing To Attempt Greater! So, the next time you're asked to preach, teach, pray, preside, oversee, lead, sing, dance, paint, draw, build, etc.… Don't Hold Back! Loose Yourself and Let Your Own Self Go! Do Something Different and Go Deeper! Stop being complacent, comfortable, fearful, and timid!

Go Deep In Faith, and You Won't Drown in Fear!

Look at the text of Luke 5 in these two translations:

"…Now GO out where it is deeper and let down your nets to catch some fish." (NLT)

"…PUSH out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." (ISV)

The word "GO" in its simplest form means: "To Move To Or From a Place". And that's what you need to do if you are going to get what you've never gotten before! You're going to have to Move From Where You Are and Move Towards Where You Need To Be! You Can't Get It Standing Still or Staying Here! Your Destiny Is Not On The Shore, It's Out In The Deep, So Get Up Off Your Hind Parts and GO! Move Out Into the Deep!

The word "PUSH" in its simplest form means: "To Exert Force So As To Move From and Move To". Listen, You Are Not Going to Get This Passively! You are going to have to Exert Force! Which is why Comfort Zones are so Dangerous! They make you Complacent! And worse yet, they make you Stagnant! The word "Complacent" means: "Smug and uncritically satisfied with oneself or one's achievements". Which is why so many miss out on greater blessings because they've become so satisfied with where they are currently and what they've achieved and attained thus far! It's Latin Origin "Complacere" means: "To Please". And that's all they did, was reach a certain goal, and sit back with the 3^rd place ribbon in their hands and never getting back in the next race to try for the number one slot!  Don't You Do It! Don't Become Complacent! There Is Far MORE For You To Attain, But You've Got to Believe You Can and Then Exert Force to Attain It!

The word "Stagnant" means "Motionless and often having an unpleasant smell as a consequence". Don't Let This Happen To You! Stagnant Water Stinks because it goes No Where! So animals in particular, go to the bathroom in Stagnant Water! And any waste just lying around gets stuck in Stagnant Water furthering its Awful Smell! Sidebar Warning: Gossip Garbage Is Always Dumped In the Lives of Stagnant People! After All, They're Going No Where and Doing Nothing and So Everyone with Everything and Anything Just Dumps and Deposits! On the other hand, When You're Moving You Have No Time For Mess! So Don't Just Stand There…MOVE…AND LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP! BIGGER, BETTER AND GREATER IS WAITING FOR YOU TO SIMPLY LET DOWN YOUR NET IN FAITH!

KEY: Only take what you need into the deep! They took the BOAT and NETS! Make sure you only take WHAT and dare I say WHO is Essential to Your Catch! Don't take family because you assume that they're family so they must go! That is not always the case! Sometimes Family Will Sink Your Boat the Fastest! Don't take all your friends because all your friends are not there to help you catch or clean the fish…they just want to fry it up and eat your spoils! So be careful! In the words of my professor…You Only Need What You Need! Don't attempt to take extra!

If you think about it, that's the first thing they do when a boat is sinking, they begin to unload unnecessary cargo! Sometimes you have to throw overboard your overload! Jonah 1:15, "They took Jonah and threw him overboard. IMMEDIATELY the sea was quieted down." (MSG) However, you are getting your warning in advance of your trip to Bigger, Better and Greater! So, before you even go out into the deep, make sure you only have on your boat WHAT and WHO you NEED for the Catch! In case you don't know "Need" is defined as "Something Required Because It Is Essential or Very Important". And "Essential" means "Absolutely Necessary"! So, Whether It Is a Person, Place or Thing, You Only Need What You Need!

GET ready, because your entire 2022 year will be filled with bounty, goodness, and fatness! believe it! And All You Need To Do Is Believe It, Receive It, And Live In The Abundance Of It! God has already done his part, now it's your turn. have faith in it, believe it, embrace it! Happy bigger, better, greater, prosperous, brand-new year!

ENJOY YOUR CROWNED YEAR, ALL YEAR! Happy, Healthy, Healed, Whole, Safe, 2022!

Blessings

J.P. Olson

https://www.thewordwithjpolson.com

If You Are Battling With Brokenness, Lean On The One Who Has Been Charged To Bind Up The Brokenhearted. His Names Is JESUS! He Will Bind The Broken. Be Healed Today, Be Well, Be Happy Today, Be Made Whole Today! He Is The Fixer Of Brokenness.

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

Well, you need to know that the One whose ‘birthday’ we celebrated a few days ago knows about what is broken, and He knows how much it is hurting you. He cares about that pain, He cares about your loneliness, and more importantly, He understands!

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

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

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

I know this may sound like a depressing devotional instead of inspirational reading, however, unbelievably, far too many were dreading this Christmas! The truth is, someone, somewhere, cried this Christmas, was alone this Christmas, felt left, rejected, and abandoned this Christmas. Someone committed suicide this Christmas. Someone gave up on life for good this Christmas. Someone, somewhere, is wondering, “what did I have to celebrate this Christmas? he left me…she doesn’t love me…he died…she’s sick…what could I possibly have to celebrate?”

That is why I think He has led me to remind someone today: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). 

For further encouragement, let us look at that same Scripture in various translations:

“The Lord is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope.” (GNT). 

“The Lord is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope.” (CEV). 

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

However, my favorite is: “If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.” (MSG) 

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

The second part of that says this: “…if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.” The truth is, life can hit you so hard it makes you double over in pain, with the breath knocked right out of you! But isn’t it incredible how God is ever-present to give you your second wind?! The term ‘second wind’ has a few definitions, but the one I will use here is “a new strength or energy to continue something that is an effort.’ When God gives you a second wind, it is ‘new strength and energy to continue something that is an effort.’ And let us be honest, trying to recover from brokenness takes effort! Pain and hurt have a way of weakening you to such a state that if God does not supply the strength, you will never bounce back! Therefore, sharing our weakness with God and waiting on His power is so vital! 2 Corinthians 12:9, “but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will even more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.” (AMP) See, your weakness cannot destroy His strength; in fact, it is what supplies it to you and for you! So be encouraged today; God is Right There, and He’s Supplying You With Strength and a Second Wind, You Shall Recover, You Shall Bounce Back, You Shall Heal!

JESUS LOVES YOU; HE CARES THAT YOU’RE HURTING; HE’S THERE AND WANTS TO HELP HEAL YOUR BROKENNESS…ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS…LET HIM!

“Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let us not let it slip through our fingers. We do not have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He has been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So, let us walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, ACCEPT THE HELP” (Hebrews 4:14-16 MSG). The word ‘accept’ is defined as ‘to agree to receive or undertake something offered or proposed; to regard favorably or with approval.’ Its Latin origin ‘acceptare,’ from ‘capere,’ means ‘to take.’ So, it is not that God has not offered His help; the problem is we have not accepted it! This makes absolutely no sense since the word itself means ‘to take! Therefore, today, Take the help God offers to heal you and help you mend every broken area of your life. Do not focus so much on your hurt that you lose Sight of His Help!

In Isaiah 61:1, the Son of God says, “The Lord has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted.” The Amplified Bible says it like this: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound.”

HE IS THE FIXER OF BROKEN HEARTS, BROKEN LIVES, AND BROKEN PEOPLE! How do I know? THE WORD OF GOD SAID SO, AND THE WORD OF GOD CAN’T LIE!

If You Are Battling With Brokenness, Lean On The One Who Has Been Charged To Bind Up The Brokenhearted. His Names Is JESUS! He Can, And He Will Bind The Broken. So Be Healed Today, Be Well, Be Happy Today, Be Made Whole Today! He Is The Fixer Of Brokenness.

Just Trust Him and Accept His Help to Heal!

Let Him Mend You and Make You Whole Again! Isn’t that a part of the reason we celebrate Him this Season? The Son of God Coming to Seek and Save; Heal and Deliver? This season is the celebration of the ONLY ONE who Sacrificed His life so He could grant us Eternal Life. Surely LIFE that gives an ETERNAL GIFT means more than standing in LINES that present only a TEMPORARY ONE?! It is a time to remember the Christ Who Was Broken to Mend the Broken.

Psalm 147:3, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow].” (AMP) I know what happened may have broken your heart, but do not let it stop it from beating! God is there ready and willing to heal the brokenhearted and to bind up their wounds; to heal their pain and comfort their sorrow, so why suffer in silence, when His arms are open wide; His eyes are focused on you; His ears are open to your voice; His heart is filled with unconditional love for you, and He cannot wait to heal every ounce of your brokenness!

Remember: No Matter What Is Broken, Where It Broke, How Long and How Bad It Has Been Broken, Why It Broke, When It Broke or Who Broke It. He Can, and He Will Bind the Broken. Just Trust Him and Accept His Help to Heal!

Remember He Came to Save, and that Includes Saving You from Suffering the Pain of Remaining Broken! So be Healed Today, Be Well, Be Happy Today, Be Made Whole Today!

“Christianity is the only hope for this broken world because there’s no other way for the broken to get the nails they need to rebuild.” (Author Unknown)
 

“Jesus came to heal everything in your life that’s broken and to restore everything the enemy has taken.” (Joyce Meyer)
 

“Broken things and broken people are the results of sin. Yet God sent His Son to be broken that we might be healed.” (Author Unknown)

“Lord, enlighten what’s dark in me; strengthen what’s weak in me; mend what’s broken in me; bind what’s bruised in me; heal what’s sick in me and lastly revive whatever peace and love has died in me.” (Author Unknown)

“God can heal a broken heart. But you need to give Him all the pieces.” (Author Unknown)

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

“It so much easier to let God heal your broken heart than trying to do it in your ability and strength. It is not your job. Jesus is the healer of broken hearts.” (Author Unknown)

“God’s Healing Hand: If you have a mountain of pain before you or you’re lost in a cold valley of shadowy doubt, know that God’s healing hand is there to mend your broken heart and an angel’s smile is always looking over your shoulder to guide you with heavenly hope” (Robert Clancy)

“God knows the burdens you carry and the tears you shed. He is the healer of broken hearts, broken dreams, and broken lives. Trust Him. He never fails.” (Pastor John Hagee)

“Note to Self: Healing is NOT an overnight process. It takes time. Sometimes you will feel like you are finally over something and happy again, and then unexpectedly, the wound will reopen. But do not give up, and do not get discouraged. Take each day one step at a time. Just try to be in a better place mentally and emotionally than you were yesterday.” (Author Unknown)

Blessings

J.P. Olson

https://www.thewordwithjpolson.com

Sometimes People Miss Their Blessings Because They Don’t Like The Help God Sends Them. Learn To Be Content Both With What God Gave You, And With What He Saw Fit NOT To Give You. You’ll Rejoice Over What He Has Approved AND What He Has Denied!

The Bible says: “When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting against him. Then the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him; and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands. He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and killed a thousand men with it. Then Samson said: “With the jawbone of a donkey, Heaps upon heaps, With the jawbone of a donkey I have slain a thousand men!” And so it was, when he had finished speaking, that he threw the jawbone from his hand, and called that place Ramath Lehi.” (Judges 15:14-17 NKJV).

Notice Point #1: SAMSON ALLOWED THE ENEMY TO BIND HIM: “…We are come down to bind thee…we will bind thee fast…AND THEY BOUND HIM…” (Judges 15:12-13). If the truth be told, much of what we would like to blame on others, WE need to take Accountability and be Honest that WE Alone are to Blame.

“It is not only what we do, but also what we do Not do, for which we are Accountable.” (Moliere).

Samson was not shocked, surprised or caught off guard by his enemies! In fact, his enemies even had the audacity to let him know, IN ADVANCE, that they were coming for no other reason or purpose than to BIND HIM! The bible says, “…We are come down to BIND thee…we will BIND thee fast…AND THEY BOUND HIM…” And sadly enough, the enemy was true to his word!

Now, I already know Samson’s story, but might I ask YOU, “what has you tied up today?” Or better yet, “what have you ALLOWED to tie you up today?” “What/Who have you ALLOWED to bind you, tie you up and hold you back from the work assigned to your hands?” And before you answer, know that you can’t say you didn’t know that the enemy’s purpose was to hinder and harm you, because Jesus gave us a heads up: “The thief’s PURPOSE is to STEAL and KILL and DESTROY…” (John 10:10 NLT). So, since we knew, IN ADVANCE, but the enemy was able to bind us ANYWAY, that only means we entered battle WILLFULLY UNPREPARED! We did not obey the orders of our Commanding Officer:

“…God is strong, and he wants you strong. So, take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. BE PREPARED. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” (Ephesians 6:10-18 MSG).

You have Far Too Much Ammunition to Use to Your Advantage to continuously be bound, held captive, restrained, and detained from the work of the Lord! Stop putting up help wanted posters on your life for the enemy to answer! Remember the Word of God admonishes: “Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [GIVE NO OPPORTUNITY TO HIM].” (Ephesians 4:27 AMP). Stop Allowing him to turn your life into his career opportunity! Stop offering him room for growth, advancement, increase in pay, vacation, sick, personal and comp time, stop giving him the stocks and bonds in your life that are making him rich and leaving your body, soul, and spirit bankrupt! And most of all stops handing him bonuses every time he’s successful at binding you! And all of this is what YOU allow when you keep showing up to battle ill-prepared with no armor or weaponry!

The devil is on a recruiting mission. The devil is seeking the want ads for employment, stop hiring him! Stop giving him opportunities to keep working to defeat you! Stop extending ‘grace’ to the devil, we give him just as many chances as we ask God to give us! Which is why it’s so vital that you are never without your armor! The devil is always busy, and clearly always employed to wage war on us and win! God said to BE PREPARED, and the best way to BE prepared is to STAY prepared!

The Bible says: “…He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and killed a thousand men…’” (Judges 15:14-18 NKJV). 

Notice Point #2: SAMSON NEEDED TO SEE WHAT HAD ALREADY BEEN GIVEN TO HIM: It was just the jawbone of a donkey, but with God’s help it was enough to win the day! Unfortunately, however, we spend far too much time focusing on what we DON’T have, that we lessen the value in what we DO possess! We focus on the gifting’s that others have, while downplaying the gifts the Holy Spirit has “willed” and “desired” for us to have. We continuously want what’s in someone else’s hand when what we need is placed right in our own!

“Instead of complaining at his lot, a contented man is thankful that his condition and circumstances are no worse than they are. Instead of greedily desiring something more than the supply of his present need, he rejoices that God still cares for him. Such an one is “content” with such as he has.”  (Arthur W. Pink).

If the truth be told, many marriages and ministries have been destroyed by the foolish assumption that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, when, if we simply took the time to nurture, weed and water our own lawn, it would supersede even the fantasy-image we have conjured up of someone else’s yard!

Many of you may have looked at the jawbone of the donkey and thought, “what am I supposed to do with that?”; “God you didn’t have anything else you could give me?”; “God you gave Saul full armor, you couldn’t give me the same?”; “It’s just a jawbone of a donkey, are you trying to say that’s all I can handle?” Or can we really be honest and bring it home and say: “God I can sing just as good as her, why can’t I lead a song?”; “I worked with women longer than she has, why can’t I be over the women’s ministry?”; “I’m nicer than Sister Celery, why can’t I be on the usher board too?” And the list could go on and on forever because we love to complain about all that we don’t have, or better yet, all that we THINK we don’t have.

“Discontent is a sin that is its own punishment and makes men torment themselves; it makes the spirit sad, the body sick, and all the enjoyments sours; it is the heaviness of the heart and the rottenness of the bones. It is a sin that is its own parent. It arises not from the condition, but from the mind. As we find Paul contented in a prison, so Ahab discontent in a palace.”  (Matthew Henry).

Saints, learn to be content both with what God gave you, and with what He saw fit NOT to give you! If you truly trust Him, then you’ll rejoice over what He has approved AND what He has Denied!

“The very first temptation in the history of mankind was the temptation to be discontent…that is exactly what discontent(ment) is—a questioning of the goodness of God.”  (Jerry Bridges).

You see, too many of us would rather preach to 500 people, who don’t care to hear us in the first place, than sing to 5 people who receive fresh strength for the journey from one simple song. Why? Because the pulpit Appears more prestigious, than the podium on the floor, hidden in the corner, unnoticed by the organ! But as for me, I would rather use what God gave me to bless, strengthen and encourage 5 people than waste my time, energy and life doing something for 500 that produces absolutely no fruit! Whatever God has given you is enough! You don’t have to be like him, you don’t have to look like her, you don’t have to act like them, you don’t need to sit over there, you don’t need that title, you don’t require that position, leave their talents, gifts, and skill set alone. What God assigned to you is all you need to fulfill YOUR assignment! Stop comparing your equipment to others, and simply use what God has equipped YOU with!

“God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him.” (John Piper).

Samson’s “…jawbone of a donkey…” may seem little, insignificant, unnoticeable, irrelevant, unimportant, useless, and unimpressive. But the Bible states: “…He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, AND KILLED A THOUSAND MEN…” Pay close attention, what God provided for Samson appeared, little, insignificant, unnoticeable, irrelevant, unimportant, useless and unimpressive, but “…HE REACHED OUT HIS HAND AND TOOK IT…”

Listen: If you don’t learn anything else, learn to accept what God has given YOU! Accept what God has made available for your use. Accept the road He’s called you to travel and the path He’s allowed you to cross. Whether it’s your spouse, your children, your job or your church, reach out your hand and take hold of what God has blessed you with!

I hope you’re getting this. Samson was successful because he used what was made available to HIM! He did not attempt to grab anyone else’s weapon in his warfare! And neither should you! What God Gave YOU Is Enough!

“The contented person experiences the sufficiency of God’s provision for his needs and the sufficiency of God’s grace for his circumstances. He believes God will indeed meet all his material needs and that He will work in all his circumstances for his good. That is why Paul could say, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” The godly person has found what the greedy or envious or discontented person always searches for but never finds. He has found satisfaction and rest in his soul.” (Jerry Bridges).

Reach out your hand and take hold of your spouse, children, job and church and don’t try to change them, alter them, or compare them to what others have! His grace is sufficient, and so is all that He has given you (and all that He’s kept from you as well)! Stop complaining and comparing and learn to be content with what you have!

Can you imagine if Samson picked up that jawbone and said, ‘I don’t want this, I want a big, shiny, new spear!’ And so, he throws away the very thing that was made available to him to win! Do not discard your ‘jawbone’! You see, jawbones are easy to dismiss, after all, who wants one? It’s the remains of something that died! It’s a bone with no life, no breathing, no organs! And since just about everything was dust and dirty then (not like our marbled streets, and paved roads) the jawbone would’ve been dusty and dirty too. Not to mention the bible says it was a ‘fresh jawbone of a donkey.’ So, it had rotting flesh and blood on it as well. Surely everybody wants to be given that right? Wrong! But regardless to what was left of it, regardless that it’s no longer what it used to be, regardless that it’s bloody, dirty, and dusty and a very little use, still it was what Samson needed to use to kill his enemies and win his battle! Likewise, your spouse is more than likely not as small or as young as they used to be. Wrinkles have formed, bags and sags are so disrespectful since they were not invited to be a part of our bodies. They are no longer 21 and ready to take on the world, no they’re 51 and ready to take on the bed for a nap! Yet, they are who God allowed you to marry and build a family and life with. They are who God allowed to be available to help you build that ministry, that church, that business, that school! And although they may not look like they did 20 or 40 years ago, don’t you dare discard your ‘jawbone’ now! They are a part of your life for the long haul! And since you haven’t fought your last battle with the devil, I suggest you hold on to who helped you win the last fight!

It’s so sad to say, but we’ve become a comfortable circumstantial church of convenience. If we don’t like the circumstances we quit; if it’s not comfortable and convenient, we quit. NO! Believers, that’s not our lot. We value and appreciate what/who God has made available to us to help us and make us better! So don’t be so quick to quit! Don’t throw away your ‘jawbone’, you need it to fight and win!  My dad used to say, ‘don’t chase a shiny penny because you don’t like a crumbled dollar! No matter what either one looks like, their value is still the same.’ And that’s exactly what many of us are doing, casting aside our crumpled dollars for a shiny penny! But you do realize, crumpled or not, the dollar has 99 cents more value over the one shiny penny! Be careful in the decisions you make to discard people! You Have Everything You Need in YOUR Jawbone, Keep It!

Yes, it was just a “…jawbone of a donkey…” but it “…KILLED A THOUSAND MEN…”!

So, I admonish you today, be careful about underestimating, overlooking, undervaluing, and discrediting what God provided FOR YOU, IT JUST MAY BE THE WEAPON YOU NEED TO KILL YOUR ENEMY! Your spouse, children, job, and the

church may not be all that you thought they should be, or all that you wanted them to be, but if God provided them, YOU BETTER BE GRATEFUL, BECAUSE THEY’RE THE WEAPON YOU NEED TO KILL YOUR ENEMIES! Samson had to see what God ALREADY had provided for him, accept it and use it, and so do you! Why? BECAUSE IT IS ENOUGH!

You see, Samson used his jawbone to kill a thousand men in chapter 15. But over in chapter 16, he killed more than three thousand! Judges 16:26-30, “Samson said to the young servant who was leading him by the hand, “Place my hands against the pillars that hold up the temple. I want to rest against them.” Now the temple was COMPLETELY FILLED WITH PEOPLE. All the Philistine rulers were there, and there were about 3,000 MEN AND WOMEN on the roof who were watching as Samson amused them. Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes.” Then Samson put his hands on the two center pillars that held up the temple. Pushing against them with both hands, he prayed, “Let me die with the Philistines.” And the temple crashed down on the Philistine rulers and all the people. So, he killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime.” (NLT)

Samson had to first use that jawbone to kill a thousand before he got to the slaughter of three thousand plus! and sometimes we forget to pay attention to using what has been made available to us in our first battle. You see, if they killed him before the jawbone, he would’ve never gotten the opportunity to slay all his enemies! Use what God has given you and use it when He gives it to you and how. There will be more and greater opportunities down the road, but if you don’t handle the little, don’t look for the much!

No more competing and comparing, no more envy and jealousy, no more trying to grab somebody else’s gift What God has Given YOU is Enough for YOU! Don’t discard your small beginnings and please don’t discard your ‘jawbone’!

Be Warned: “The person with the discontented heart has the attitude that everything he does for God is too much, and everything God does for him is too little.” (Don Kistler).

Be Content With What and Who God Has Made Available for YOU! It is Enough!

Blessings

J.P. Olson

https://www.thewordwithjpolson.com