My Help Come from God

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. 

Getting help when you need it is not always available. There are times when I could use some help lifting or moving something heavy, but everyone I know is busy or not available. It times like this, I either have to be creative or just wait for another time. Calling for help recognizes that we cannot do things in our own strength, we need someone else to give assistance. During times of trial or difficult hardship, we often cry out for help. Our hearts our broken with grief at the passing of a loved one, we find ourselves in a place where we our financially in need of funds, we have just been given the pink slip dismissing us from our jobs, or we are told that we have a serious illness,  the list goes on. Where can we go to get some help? Our emotions have been depleted, and our spiritual life is on the edge. On a hill far away in time, hangs the Savior of the world, Jesus who came to this world to give us salvation and the help to overcome the tough times in our lives. I will look to Jesus, a helper in time of need. He is all I need. As the beggar cried out to Jesus to help him by restoring his sight, I cry out to Him, “Jesus, from whence comes my help, you are able to help me through, for I am weak, but you are strong”.

God is Against Evil

1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

The character question, do I choose to do good or do I choose to do evil. This should be a no brainer. Choosing to do good or live righteous is given with promise that the Lord will watch over those who do good, and He listens to the prayers of those who choose to live a life that follows His commandments. Choosing to do that which is evil or forbidden in God’s word is to have the wrath of God to face. This is pretty harsh when we think that God is love, pours out His grace, and desires to show mercy. Hard to think that this kind of God is against those who refuse to follow His ways and choose to do evil. God is holy, and the very nature of God is against that which is unholy, or evil. He is also a God of forgiveness and will not turn anyone away that will humble themselves before Him and confess their wicked ways. He desires fellowship with His fallen creation and has provided a way to have fellowship with Him. The cross has bridged the gap between sinful man and a Holy God. To those that refuse to turn from their wicked ways and do what is right, will face the judgment of the Lord for their choices. As long as we have breathe, we have a choice to do right or do evil. God does not make that choice for us. We decide if we will walk with God and do good, or abide in sin and do evil. 

Pour Out His Spirit

Isaiah 44:3  For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring. 

There are seasons in our lives that we go through dry spells. We continue to do what is right and follow the Lord in all things. We tarry before Him and pray for showers of His presence. then the clouds of shower begin to fall. It is just like Jesus to pour out His Spirit out to them that tarry before Him. He know just what we need and when we need it. 

Found in Christ

Phil 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Many are lost in the perception that they are good people because they go to church and follow a set of liturgical rituals. Their righteousness, or sense of goodness is founded in keeping rules that govern behavior. Following a code of conduct is good, but one can still be spiritually lost if they have not come to knowledge of faith in Christ. To be found in Christ is to have fellowship with Him. Good meaning people often say, “It is not a religion, but a relationship”. Good theology, is better worded, “My religion is having a relationship with Christ, and daily fellowship with Him”. Our relationship with Christ will influence our behavior. The commandments of God are not disregarded, but they now take on a new meaning. We now keep His commandment to love Him with all our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves because that is how Christ lived His life. To be found in Christ is to live in Christ and follow His example of pleasing the Father. Perfection is not found in what we do, but in whom we place our faith. We are lost without Him, but can be found in Him when we put our faith in God.

To Die is Gain

Phil 1:21  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Dying is not something one longs for. We do all we can to avoid the crossing of that river. In our old age, am told that there comes a point when one is ready to let go. suffering and pain overtakes the desire to live much longer, but in our youth and years of vitality, we seek to stretch out our days on this earth as long as we can. The fear of death is soften knowing that this world is only temporary and that our soul will live on forever. Living in Christ on this earthly journey prepares us for the gain we will receive when our bodies are laid to rest. It is a win -win situation for those who serve God. As long as God gives me breath, I will live for Him. For living in Christ is to have everlasting life, eternal life in the kingdom of God has begun. When it is time to depart this world, there is heaven to gain, and seeing Jesus face to face is all that matters.

The Bethel Experience

Gen 28:15, 19 …behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest,…

And he called the name of that place Bethel…

Bethel, a place where Jacob experience God’s presence and promises. Running for fear of his life, Jacob came face to face with the God of his fathers. He realized that he could not make things happen on his own. Jacob had a earthly goal, but God had other things in mind. We sometimes think we know what the goal is, but God has something bigger to accomplish. We must come to a place where we are willing to relinquish our dreams and ambitions for God’s will to take place in our lives. The Bethel experience establishes a place where we have committed ourselves to God. His will is now our will, His way is now the way we take. We have seen heaven’s gate and been in the presence of God. With the help of and grace of God, there is no turning back. 

Tribulation in Life

John 16:33…In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Tribulations are inevitable. Life without problems is to be expected on this earthly journey. Being a Christian does not exempt one from facing difficult times. God’s love does not mean that we will not face sickness, hard times, or even an early death. We live in a broken down world caused by sin and bad things will happen. People will be mistreated, things will be stolen, murder is in the hearts of wicked people. Blaming these things on God is often the first reaction of most people. Jesus warned us that life will happen and it will not always be good, but He promised us that He would not leave us or forsake us. In the mist of tribulation we can be of cheer. The world and all of it problems are overcome when we put our trust in Jesus. For He is the one who can take us through and bring us safely on the other side. We can be more than conquerers and overcome life’s trial and tribulations when we allow Christ to carry us through.