Try God

Ephesians 3:14-21

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all fullness of God.  Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Jesus Christ throughout all ages, world without end.  Amen. (Eph. 3:14-21)

Are you at a point in your life where you feel as if you are overwhelmed by your burden of despair?  Does it seem like your situation is getting worse rather than better?  Do you feel as if you’re suffering more than others?  Do you feel as if you’ve been deserted in your hour of need?  Are you feeling weary, with no strength to go on?  I’ve felt like this on many occasions, and I’ve found that there is only one thing that helps me through.  GOD!  Just as the psalmist wrote in Psalms 121:1, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.”  God is there for us in every situation, no matter what it is.  He comforts us when we mourn.  He is the Great Physician, able to heal us when man gives up hope.  He’s our shelter in the storm.  He guides us into all righteousness.  He loves us so much, He created us in His image.  He is the Great Counselor—He’s never lost a case.  He’s our strength when we are weak.  His word is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. (Psalms 119:105)  He is our provider—giving us the things that we need, (Matt. 6:25-34) and sometimes even the things that we want.  He never leaves us nor forsakes us. (Heb. 13:5)  He is our deliverer, freeing us from the bondage of sin.  He is our confidante.  We can go to the Father in prayer about anything that troubles our hearts.  Unlike man, who tends to be wishy-washy, He is the same—yesterday, today, and forevermore.  He is our Savior.  He loves us so much, He sent his Son to die on that cruel cross for us, wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities. (Isaiah 53:5)

It is our human nature to try to solve our problems, and sometimes to even take on the problems of others.  But, when you’ve done all that you know how to do, when all else fails, TRY GOD!  Better yet, before you attempt to resolve anything on your own, TRY GOD!  In Him, we cannot go wrong!

Enough to Convict?

Revelation 2:10; II Corinthians 6:4-5

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (Rev. 2:10)  “But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;” (II Cor. 6-4-5)

If you were arrested today for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?  Are you living your life in such a way that no one can doubt your Christianity?  Or, is your Christianity a mockery, bringing shame and reproach upon the name of Jesus?

Imagine yourself on the witness stand, hearing the following questions.  How would you answer?

• Guilty or innocent? – Are you living for God and being an imitator of God?

• Guilty or innocent? – Are you living in love, which means giving of ourselves sacrificially for the benefit of others, just as Christ has done for us?

• Guilty or innocent? – Are you forsaking filthy talk, flippant chatter, and unkind joking with communication rooted in thanksgiving to God and affirmation of others?

• Guilty or innocent? – Are you forsaking selfish pursuits?

• Guilty or innocent? – Are you bowing out from situations where evil is the agenda?

• Guilty or innocent? – Are you teaching others about Christ, either by verbal teaching, or simply by the way you live?

The answer to each question should be a resounding GUILTY!  This is the one time you should be proud to plead guilty.  And this time, there is no punishment for the plea of guilt.  Instead, there is only a sweet reward, eternal life with Christ.

Again, I ask you, if you were arrested today for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

Be a Blessing
Acts 20:35

“I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

Are you guilty of doing something nice for someone and expecting something in return?  Unfortunately, I must say that I am guilty of that.

Can you remember the last time you did something nice for someone, just because?  Or, do you tend to wait for someone to ask you for help and then you constantly remind them of it, especially if you ask them to do something for you?  Again, unfortunately, I am guilty of that also, as I’m sure most of us are.

We seem to get some type of perverse pleasure out of reminding someone of something that we did for them, which in turn makes them feel guilty.  That’s not the way it should be, though.  What shape would we be in if God operated this way?  What if His blessings were contingent upon what we do for Him?  What if our basic needs, which are indeed blessings, weren’t provided because we do not worship God or follow His commandments as we have been instructed?  If that were the case, we would all

“be up a creek without a paddle.”

It’s sad to say, but more often than not, we are guilty of always wanting someone to do something for us, instead of looking to see what we can do for others.  I’m sure if you look around you, you can find someone you can do something for.  You don’t even have to spend money to do it either.  A simple word of encouragement.  A listening ear.  A note of appreciation.  A hug.  A prayer.  The list could go on & on.  There’s so much we can do that doesn’t cost a cent, but means more than the most expensive gift you can buy.

Today, and every day, I urge you to be a blessing to someone.  Not only will you lift the spirits of someone, your spirits will be lifted, and most importantly, you will glorify God in doing so.

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”