He is Our Help

 Psalm 121:1,2

 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help..My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

Needing help implies that a person cannot do it on their own. The psalmist looked around the world he lived in and could not find what he needed to bring him peace. All around people were fighting and seeking their own gain. Everywhere we look the world is in conflict, nations against nations, political parties in constant battle, and people seeking to gain wealth and prosperity at any cost. Help is not found in what man can do, but in the one who created all things. We need to lift our eyes higher, above the turmoil of the world, look upward, toward the hills and beyond and see God. He who is all almighty, all knowing, and all seeing. Deliverance from the chaos of this life comes when we see Jesus, and yield our heart and lives to Him. He will be our help in times of trouble, He is the answer to all the problems that fill this world.

Sing Praises

Act. 16: 25  Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them…

Praise sets the captive free. When we find ourselves between a rock and a hard place, and have exhausted our resources, we can pray and praise our way through. The impact and influence of our lives often will reach beyond our personal hard times. How we face hardships is a witness to unbelievers that we have put our trust in something beyond our own resources. Our attitude and spirit in the times of trouble will be observed by others and will determine if living for Jesus really matters. Complaining about our plight in life does not bring glory to God. Praising God in spite of circumstances demonstrates that God is in control and we our submitted to His perfect will.

Delivered From Sin

Roman 7:24-25 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?…I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

The battle wages within the hearts and minds of man. The desire to do what is right, and the desire to do what is wrong. Good vs evil, love vs hate. This is the true battle of the ages. Born in sin, under the influence of the carnal flesh, we are blinded and hindered to spiritual law of God. We attempt in our humanity to live righteous, but find that we don’t have the power to always do what is right. Whether we are unbelievers or believers the battle is always before us. The answer to this problem is made plain. Who will help us win this battle against sin? Jesus is the answer. In Christ we surrender who we are and accept Him into our lives. Even as believers, we must see that it is only through the power of Christ that we overcome evil. Jesus promise that He would send the Holy Spirit in His fullness and through the Spirit we would be led into all truth and be filled with His divine love.  Love will cast out all fear, love will defeat evil and hate. It is not in the power of our will, but in the power of His love and grace that we overcome evil with good, and hate with love. 

Plucked Out of the Fire

Zach 3:2  And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

From the flames of sin and destruction, God reaches into the fire and pulls us out. He calls us to walk in His ways and to take up the banner of righteousness. Plucked out of the fire of selfish living, and the life of sin, He has a purpose for each one of us. The charge is given to us to let our light shine in a world that is dark with sin. We stand against the evils of our day and show others the path that leads to eternal life. We offer hope to the world that there is a better life. In Christ we have hope and through Christ we can make a difference.

Deliverance from Suffering

Hebrews: 1135b, 39 “…and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. -And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise,”-

Deliverance from God is not always escaping trails and difficult situations. When we pray for deliverance and still suffer hard times, does God still answer prayer? No doubt, many who suffered persecution for their faith, prayed that God would answer their cry for deliverance. There were some that were saved and their were others that still were tortured. These are questions that I truly don’t have a good answer. Accepting God’s will in all matters of prayer is submitting to His sovereign will. God is able, but it is not always His will. I don’t know why God chooses some to suffer and others to be delivered, but believing God is in control and He knows best is to demonstrate a faith beyond seeing a deliverance from pain and suffering. By faith, we can trust God that all things are working according to His will and purpose.

Falling Back

1 Corinth 10:12 “ Therefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.”-

Falling back into sin happens to many because they have become over confident in their own abilities and strength. We are no match for Satan and the deception he employs. Temptation to return to sin is made appealing because it does provide pleasure for a season. When the road gets tough, it is tempting to think that we had it better before we gave our lives to Christ. Temptation is real and it pulls at our human desires to be used in a way that is not pleasing to God. We cannot afford to think that sin cannot trap us once again. We must be ever diligent and on guard by staying in the Word, trust in Christ for deliverance, and praying for the Holy Spirit to give us the power to overcome the sin that can cause us to fall. We have not arrive yet, and we cannot be fooled into thinking that the longevity of our walk with Christ allows us to let up. Satan, as a roaring lion seeks whom he may devour. In time of temptation, we must flee to Christ who will provide a way of escape. He is our refuge and help in times of trouble. 

The Fear of the Lord

Psalm 34:4, 7 “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears...The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.”

Fear is a nature instinct of human nature. We become afraid when we sense that our lives are in danger. Confronting a stranger(s) that appear to have ill motives in mind is cause for us to run and hide. We like to be safe and secure in our home and places we go. The sound of strange noises in our home in the middle of the night will wake us up and our hearts become fearful that someone is in our home. We grab a bat, a gun, anything that will protect us from the intruder. Such response is natural and God given. But then there is fear that Satan binds us with. Fear of the unknown, fear that God does not care, fear that we are all alone to fight the battle of life on our own. This fear is born from our inability to trust God to take care of us and deliver us from these thoughts. David, the psalmist sought God to remove these thoughts from his mind. He wanted the peace of mind that God was in control and that He would protect him from bad things happening. Fearing God is not to be afraid of Him, but to recognized that God is great and mighty, He is holy and able to do anything. We serve a God who created us in His image and as our Creator we fear Him. We fall down before Him is awe and adoration knowing He is God and He is able to surround us with His presence. To know God is to fear God, for in our fear of Him, we have surrender our lives into His care. 

Remember

Psalm 77:11“ I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Thy wonders of old.”-

It is easy to forget what God has done in the pass when we are facing hard times in the present. We are not to look back on our past failures and dwell on things that bring back memories that defeat us. But, we can look back and see how God has brought us through those times in our lives when it did not seem possible that we would find a way through. Let us not forget the wonders of God’s deliverance and His mighty power to answer prayer. In every situation we face, God has a plan to see us through. the Red Sea of today is no problem for God, we must remember that He is still the God who parted the Red Sea of yesterday. Let us remember and consider what God has done and how great He is. He is still in the miracle working business. He still wants to show Himself to us in all of His might and power. The giant we face today can be defeated when we remember that it is God who directs the stone and He never misses.

Prayer Works

Isaiah 37: 14-21, 33-38

The situation for Hezekiah looked mighty bleak. He was faced with an enemy who was proven to be formidable in battle. He realized that his small army would not be able to stand against such a force of destruction. But, Hezekiah had a connection to the God of all kingdoms and his faith drove him to his knees. Satan will do all he can to cause us to despair and doubt God’s care for us. It is times like these that we can claim the promises of God and take it to God, and trust Him to bring us out.

Difficult Situations- received the letter

· Crisis often drives us to our needs

· The storms will cause us to cry out

· Communicate with God, in the valley and mountain top

Dependence on God- he went to the house of God

· Take it to God in Prayer- He is not our last resort

· Lean not to your own understanding, lean on Him

· Not by our means or the works of men, but…

Deity Rules- even thou alone

· Acknowledge Him as God and God alone

· Not by chance, but by providence

· He rules in the affairs of man

Defender of God- reproach the living God

· Glory and honor given to God

· Not by the power of man, but God is lifted up

Deliver Us- save us from his hands

· The righteous cry- God Hears

· God delights and desires to hear us call out

· In His time- God will deliver

Declared by God- thus saith the Lord

· Hearing an answer from God- Assurance

· Through His Word, His servants- preached word.

Defending His Own-I will defend this city

· God has a leash on Satan

· The Promise of God to Keep us from danger

· Staying true and believing He is able

Defeat of the Enemy- the angel smote the camp of Assyrians

· God sends His angels to do battle

· God also allows circumstances to stop the enemy

· Christ, our shield of defend, and sword of victory

The Gospel Truth

April 6th, 2008
Galatians 1: 1-12
In a world where there are many religions and persuasions, people are faced with decisions that will affect them for eternity. The teaching that there are many ways to God is unequivocally false base on God’s Word. There are many who follow false teachers who seem to be sincere and caring, but the Word is clear on truth, Christ came to die and deliver man from sin. Any teaching that strays from this focus is missing the mark. He is the way, the truth, and life. No man comes to Father, except through Christ. Bid no other, God’s Blessings. Christians are to be intolerant of false teaching. God’s Word allows for no other alternative.

Appointed by God
• The replacement of Judas
• Do you have to be ordained by the church to preach?
• The Calling of God is personal
• Establishing his authority
Association with the Brethren
• Not alone in the battle for truth
• Recognized Galatians as brethren
Absolute Gospel
• Christ died for our sins- He is the way- Took our place
• Truth to deliver from evil- overcome Satan
• Live a life of Holiness in this present world
• Sovereignty of God- He is in control
Another Gospel
• Infiltration of false teacher
• Perverting the gospel of Christ
Angelic Persuasion
• Angel of light- new revelation contrary to truth
• Not to be persuaded by sincerity or charismatic persona
Accursed to God’s Judgment
• Damned to an ill fate- prophetic consequence
Agreeable to Men or God
• Desire to please others
• Priority to please God no matter the fallout
Acclamation of the Revelation
• The certainty of knowing
• Not taught of men
• Receive by Christ Himself

The God of Host

Deborah and Barak
Judges 4:4-9, 12-16
January 13th, 2008

The oppression of sin soon becomes hard to bear, for the way of the transgressor is hard. It is not long before there is a cry out for deliverance from bondage. God in His mercy, once again, raises a man or women to fill in the gap and to make up the hedge. Deborah and Barak were willing to heed the call of God, picking up the sword and to go forward in battle. Their confidence and trust were placed in the God of Host who promised them victory.

Prophetess of God (vs1. Deborah, a prophetess)
• A woman close to God
• Women in leadership positions.
Proclaimed God’s Commands (vs2. Hath not the Lord…Commanded)
• Deborah know the mind of God
• It was assumed that Barak should also know what God wants
Procuring God’s Leadership (vs8. Go with me.)
• Barak- a weak man? Or a wise man?
• May all glory be reflected away from self.
Pursuit of the Enemy (vs13. Sisera gathered together all…)
• The harassment of the enemy
• The intimation of Satan- It does not look good.
• The enemy wants us to stay afraid and discouraged
Promise of Deliverance (vs14. Hath not the Lord gone out…)
• The Lord said He will give the victory
• Our we willing to let go and let God be God
• God’s promises are ours for the asking
Power of the God of Host (vs.15. The Lord discomfited)
• The Lord brought confusion to the enemy
• The Lord still used his creation for His purposes
Profound Victory (vs16. There was not a man left)
• It was God who gave the victory
• He destroys those who fight against His purposes
• Celebration of Victory (Deborah’s Song)

Israel's Sin and Salvation

Judges 2:11-23
January 6th, 2008
The people of Israel stayed victorious as long as they stayed faithful to God’s commandments, but they failed to take heed to the voice of God, and allowed self to take control. There failure to trust God and believe, led them to depart from the living God. This serves as an example for us, to remain faithful to God, and to obey His Word, lest we find ourselves shipwrecked and forsaken.

Conquest of the Land (Josh.ch11:23- land rested from war)
• Johsua’s initial conquest- Not all
• Choose this day- We will serve God
• Cooperation among the tribe
Condition of Israel (vs11. Did evil)
• “They did not drive them out”
• Generation fallen to selfish living
• They played the “Harlot” with other nations
• They did evil in the SIGHT OF GOD
Condemnation of God (vs14. Anger of the Lord)
• God’s anger was “hot” against them
• He gave them up to the enemy (reprobate mind)
• They were always under distress- no peace of mind
Conquering the Enemy (vs16. The Lord…delivered them)
• The faithfulness of God to raise a deliverer
• God loves the backslider
Commandment Disobeyed (vs17 the commandments…they did not)
• Unfaithful to stay true to His commandments
• Forsaking His Word for selfish pleasures
Corruption of Morals (vs17 went a whoring)
• Went whoring after other gods
• Turned quickly out of the way
Compassion of the Lord (vs18. It repented the Lord)
• God hears the cry of those who earnestly seek Him
• God will not turn away a earnest heart
Covenant Transgressed (vs20. Transgress my Covenant)
• Keeping our promises- “Lord, If you will…)
• Honor and integrity is lost- no commitment
Consequences of Sin (vs23. The Lord left those nations…)
• Failure to deal with sin will come back to bite
• God’s help is withheld- Life is without hope without God