God Helps Us

"For He Himself knows our frame; 

He is mindful that we are but dust."

Psalm 103:14

There is a common saying "God helps those who help themselves." It's a manmade phrase; you won't find it in the Bible.  To the contrary, God helps those who are unable to help themselves. That means everyone of us when it comes to salvation. He sent His Son to accomplish what we are helpless to do. Once we give ourselves to God, He helps us in our trials. He is our compassionate Father who knows all our weaknesses. Even before we recognize them. When we come to Him with our need, He doesn't chastise us and tell us to handle it on our own. He steps in with power and grace and supplies all we require.

Continual Hope

"But as for me, I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more."

Psalm 71:14

When we're up against something big, it's the promises of God that bring us hope. But if we fix our eyes on the trial, instead of on the One who has promised to carry us through it, then hope will evade us. The missionary Adoniram Judson was suffering from fever in a wretched prison in Burma. A friend sent him a letter, asking, “Judson, how’s the outlook?” Judson replied, “The outlook is as bright as the promises of God.” Judson looked beyond his immediate circumstances and placed His confidence in the Lord and His promises. We can do the same. When we do, we will have continual hope and we will praise God more and more. 

Delightful Counsel

"Your testimonies also are my delight; They are my counselors."

Psalm 119:24

God's word is full of benefits for us. If we don't know the Lord, the Bible will lead us to Him. And once we know Him, the Scriptures help us understand His will for our lives. When we are troubled, God's word soothes us. If we are in doubt, it builds our faith. Should we need direction, the Scriptures lead us in the path we should go. "If we desire to find comfort in the Scriptures we must submit ourselves to their counsel, and when we follow their counsel it must not be with reluctance but with delight." -- Charles Spurgeon.

He Is With You

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you."

Isaiah 43:2

God has not promised a life without difficulties, but He has promised to be with us through all of them. It may feel at times that we are being consumed by the trials, but those who belong to Him have nothing to fear. He will either deliver us on earth, or take us to be with Him in Heaven, but He will never leave us. Trust Him. He is with You.

No Sting in Death

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life."

John 5:24

These words bring hope to every person who has placed his trust in Christ. The moment we say "yes" to the Savior, God writes our name in His Book of Life. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit and will never face judgment.  When I think of Calvary, my heart swells with gratitude. Because of Jesus, "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your sting?" (1 Corinthians 15:54-55)

In the Name of Jesus

"Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

John 14:13

When we pray in Jesus' name, we are identifying ourselves with Him; with who He is and what He has done. When we comprehend His purity and the undeserved suffering He endured to save us, then our prayers will reflect a desire to see Him glorified. The requests we make will be less about what will satisfy us and more about what will exalt Him. We will pray the way Christ prayed in Gethsemane, "Not my will Father, but Yours be done." 

Serve Until He Comes

"But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come."

Mark 13:32-33

Another prediction of Christ's return has come and gone. We saw the same thing in May this year and numerous times before that. This is foolishness. There is nothing in the Bible to indicate the date when the Lord will come back. In fact, Jesus said no one knows the day or hour, except God the Father. When the time arrives, He'll tell the Son to go. Christ's coming will be unexpected and apparent to everyone in the world, and we should make sure we're ready for that event. In the meantime, He has given us work to do. We should be doing it, instead of wasting time trying to predict His return.