2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.1. PRAISE BE TO GODWe should always be praising God. Praising God should be our lifestyle of choice. We should ‘bless the Lord at all times’!
Psalm 34:1 ‘I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.’ We should praise and bless the Lord at ALL times. This includes the good times and the bad times. The times of success and the times of failure, the times of health and the times of sickness, the times of confidence and the times of fear, the times of plenty and the times of lack, the times of hope and the times of despair. It is so easy to get into a complaining mode, but this robs us of our ability to trust God and makes us weak, so that we become discouraged and then we could be tempted to despair. The Apostle Paul had experienced many trials and afflictions, but he had also been blessed by many remarkable comforts from God, and so he could say: ‘Praise be to God!’. Praising God may be a response to His blessing and favour on your life. Praising God may also be prophetic, as we trust God to move in our situation. Praising God may also be a way in which we can take our eyes off of the prevailing issues and allow us to focus on our source! 2. GOD IS A GOD OF COMPASSION 2 Corinthians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion! The Bibles calls God the ‘Father of compassion!’ But what is compassion? Definition: Compassion – ‘The sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it!’ This word ‘compassion’ comes from the Greek root word oiktirmos which includes aspects of pity, compassion, favor, grace and mercy and is translated in English as ‘compassion’! This word is used to indicate a deep feeling about someone's difficulty. God is a God of compassion, who has deep feelings towards the difficulties we may face. The word ‘compassion’ appears in the Bible 41 times in 39 verses. The Old Testament is full of verses which tell how the Lord is "Full of Compassion". In the New Testament we also see numerous uses of this word. Matthew 9:36 Compassion on the multitude...of lost people. Matthew 14:14 Compassion caused Him to heal the sick of the multitude there. Matthew 15:32 Compassion caused Him to feed the multitude with loaves and fishes. Matthew 20:34 Compassion caused Him to heal blinded eyes. Matthew 1:41 Compassion moved Him to heal the Leper. Luke 7:13 Compassion made Him raise the widow's son. Not only is He a God of compassion, but He is moved by His compassion. Mark 1:41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. "I am willing," He said. "Be healed!" If you just look at the word compassion it will amaze you the outcome of this word. Every time you see the word ‘Compassion’, a miracle took place. God is a God of compassion and He has compassion towards you today. It is that compassion that leads to a miracle or an answer in your situation! God is also the ‘Father of Compassion!’ This means that He is the source or the author of compassion. It is in God’s very nature to be compassionate towards you. By implication then, He is the source of the compassion you need and indirectly He is the source of the miracle that you need! 3. THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT - HE COMFORTS US! 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles! Comfort for me is having exactly what I need when I need it! That is comfort. As a small child I would battle with sadness. It happened for no apparent reason. I would just become sad. My mother would be able to identify it when it happened. It was no good if people asked me what was wrong, because usually nothing was wrong. But my mother knew. She would sit me down on her lap. She coined a term for these ‘blue moments’ in my life and she would say: ‘is your heart sad?’ She just knew it. She would put her arms around me and hold me and tell me that it was ‘love time’. She would just be there. My heaviness would lift and I would go bounding out the house to continue playing. That for me is comfort – exactly what you need at the moment you need it. I remember experiencing something similar when my own father died. Some people would come with great words and philosophies about why he died or how they knew he would die. I suppose they were trying to comfort me, but it was not what I needed. Others came and just hugged me or gave me a simple scripture of encouragement and that was what I needed at that time. It was exactly what I needed when I needed it most. You see, God is the God of all comfort. He knows what you need when you need it most and He will make it available to you as you continue to reach out to Him and trust Him with your life. 2 Corinthians 7:6 …God, who comforts the downcast….. Isaiah 66:13 As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted. Note a few things: A. God personally undertakes to comfort us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 …. the God of all comfort, who comforts us…. B. God comforts us on an on-going basis. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 …. who comforts us in all our troubles. He comforts us in ALL our troubles, not just some! C. God’s comfort is effective.It is exactly what we need when we need it most. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ‘the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received.’ The comfort God gives makes us effective so that we can be a comfort to others! D. God’s comfort will never end. He is the God of all comfort and He remains that God of all comfort because He never changes. There is an old song with the following profound words: ‘Yesterday, today, forever, Jesus is the same. All may change, but Jesus never! Glory to His Name! Glory to His Name! Glory to His Name! All may change, but Jesus never! Glory to His Name!’ 4. GOD WANTS TO USE YOU TO COMFORT OTHERS 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. I love this phrase: ‘who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble!’ As we receive comfort from God, we are in training so that we in turn and be a source of comfort to others. There are things that you have been through that qualify you to be a source of comfort to someone who is going through the same thing. Out of your misery can come your ministry! God expects us to comfort and have compassion for others (so that we can comfort those in any trouble!). In Matthew 18:23-35 we see the story of the man who owed his master a large amount of money. He asked his master for mercy and his master forgave him and released him from his debts. He in turn went out and found someone who owed him money and he had this man thrown into jail. When the master heard about it, he was angry and asked: ‘Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ As a result the man was handed over to the tormentors. It was the lack of compassion which caused the servant to be given to the tormentors. You were created by God to have compassion and bring comfort into the lives of others. The scripture, in terms of its wording, is very interesting: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 …. so that we can comfort those in ANY trouble! We are surrounded by people in all forms of trouble, and you and I can be a source of comfort to them. Don’t just live in your own world, look beyond and see those who need the comfort of God, through you, His chosen instrument!
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INTRODUCTION:
My father was a Pastor and when I was a young boy I remember him preaching and I remember him saying: ‘How much faith does it take to live your Christian life?’ I was always challenged by this challenge. Have you ever thought about it? Look what the Bible says: Hebrews 11:6 ‘Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.’ Faith is our God-given ability to believe, trust and have confidence in God. Romans 12:3 ‘For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.’ For us as believers, faith is ‘God’s divine persuasion’ in our lives. We do not doubt; we believe, because we are persuaded. We know, beyond a shadow of a doubt. His Spirit bears witness with our spirit and we are convinced. Romans 8:16 ‘The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God!’ Let me share with you some thoughts on this all-important aspect of faith. 1. FAITH IS A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY AND NOT A DESTINATION Our Christian lives are a walk of faith; I like to call it a ‘voyage of discovery!’ God is the only unchangeable aspect of life. Every other aspect is subject to change at any moment. I have met people who think that they have figured it all out, only to have to face something that is outside their paradigm. It is not a destination. It is not something that one day you have figured out like a formula or a recipe. On one day, prayers may be answered and the next day they may seem to go unanswered. At times it may be that every promise is fulfilled and at other times the promises we have received may appear not to be fulfilled. But in all this, God is the constant and that is why our faith in Him is so important. It can be compared to a ship on the open sea. That ship cannot predict what will come its way. It may be that the ship has an experienced captain, but even he has not got it all figured out. The sea could throw a curve ball at him and leave him astounded. In the same way, we do not know what life will bring our way. But no matter what may come, God is with us and He is the constant in our lives. Never think you have arrived, rather just enjoy the journey and you will discover His faithfulness all along the way. 2. DISCONNECTED FROM THE WORLD AND SELF My brother is a pilot and loves to fly aircraft. One day he asked my uncle to go with him for a ‘flip’. My uncle responded and said he would fly anywhere with my brother as long as he could keep one foot on the ground. Of course that would be impossible, but that is often how we want to live our faith lives. We want to fly in this regard, but then at the same time we want to stay connected to the safe, the known and the things we know make us feel secure. We need to disengage or disconnect from these things. We have to have the courage to take that ‘one foot off the ground’! We are tied to so many things. But if you want to fly, you can’t be tied to the ground. We need to become detached from those things that have a hold on us. We need to be cut loose from all that would stop us. This includes things that the world may offer and also things within each one of us. Perhaps there is something that is holding you back? Like a ship that is tethered to the harbor can never reach its purpose or fulfill that which it was designed to do, so in the aspect of faith, if we stay tethered to what ties us down, we will never fly as we were designed and purposed to. And if we do not disconnect, then often we will go through shakings that bring us to the place of release. 3. WHAT IS FAITH WITHOUT SHAKING? I recently was on holiday in a small cottage close to the sea. For days the weather was fantastic and we enjoyed walks on the beach and time outdoors. But on the one night as we watched the weather forecast, the weatherman advised that a severe cold front would be passing and we could expect gale force winds. I wondered if he had got his forecast correct. The next day at about 11am the weather suddenly turned and the wind blew gales. It was actually quite scary. As I sat behind the sliding door of our unit and watched how it bowed in the wind, I wondered if our little house would survive the onslaught. The wind blew furiously for six solid hours and then it abated. Now I knew that that little cottage could stand the onslaught. My faith in that little house had been shaken, but now I knew it could stand the storms. Often, in a similar way, our faith will be tested and shaken. We need to realize that we are in a constant battle between good and evil. The Bible tells us about the struggles we will face. Ephesians 6:12 ‘For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.’ 4. CONSTANTLY BELIEVE IN THE GOODNESS OF GOD One of the keys I have discovered in my walk of faith that has helped me is to constantly believe in the goodness of God. The truth is that God is good all the time and all the time God is good. He knows your every need and He causes all things to work together for our good. I have two young daughters. They are the joy and delight of my life. I endeavor to provide for them in every way I can. If however my daughter was to suddenly start worrying about where she would get her next meal from, or how she will afford the clothes she may need, or where the money would come from for her school fees, it would distress me. Good parents will sacrifice to make sure their children are fed, clothed and educated. I know some parents who will hold down two jobs just to make sure their kids are provided for. And yet, as children of God, I wonder if it does not distress God when we doubt His goodness in our lives and make our own plans in order to survive? Celebrate God’s goodness, believe God’s goodness and expect God’s goodness in your life. Just as a parent will sacrifice for their children, so God has and will sacrifice for us. John 3:16 ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son!’ If we could be convinced of God’s goodness towards us, it would change our lives. We would stand secure through all that life could throw at us. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME AND ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD! 5. FIND YOUR SATISFACTION IN GOD ALONE We look to so many things in order to find our satisfaction. Let me give you a few: we look to our spouses, our parents, our children, our health, our careers, our resources, our education, our influence and our image. When what we need is to find our satisfaction in God. God is enough for you. It is not God and…….. something else. Let God be your answer to every situation you may be facing. When my daughters were small babies I would often get home from work and try and give my wife a break by holding the baby so that she could have a few minutes to rest. The baby would enjoy being with me, but after a few minutes she would discover that she was not with Mom. She would become restless and start moaning and eventually cry. I would give her back to her Mom and it would be as if she KNEW she was where she was meant to be and would relax and come to peace. You and I need to come to that place of peace in the arms of God. We must not look to other things to find this peace; we must find it in God alone. Perhaps today, you are searching in all the wrong places? Come back into the arms of your Heavenly Father. HE is all you need. Let everything else be a blessing, but let Him be all you need! There is an old song with the following words: He’s all I need, He’s all I need, Jesus is all I need. He satisfies, my needs provide, Jesus is all I need. 6. STAY AWAY FROM NEGATIVITY AND DOUBT Negativity is the rot that can undermine your faith. It is so easy to become negative. It almost seems as if we humans have a natural propensity towards doubt and negativity. Have you ever met someone who has a tone of negativity? They may not say anything bad, but you just know that they put a negative spin in everything! We live in a society that is dominated by negativity. Negativity and doubt will cause your life to be like something tossed about in a restless ocean. Jeremiah 15:19 Therefore thus says the Lord [to Jeremiah]: If you return [and give up this mistaken tone of distrust and despair], then I will give you again a settled place of quiet and safety, and you will be My minister; and if you separate the precious from the vile [cleansing your own heart from unworthy and unwarranted suspicions concerning God’s faithfulness], you shall be My mouthpiece. 7. BELIEVE GOD NO MATTER WHAT AND ENJOY THE LIFE OF FAITH Don’t rely on your feelings, they can be deceptive. Believe God, believe His word, believe in His goodness and believe God no matter what things may look like or what you may be feeling. Choose to believe. When doubt, discouragement or despair confronts you, don’t just give in! Attack with God’s word and the persuasion of your heart. Quote scripture; speak out the name of Jesus and believe. Doubt your doubts, question your discouragement and challenge your despair. Let unbelief give way to faith. It is time to give up this mistaken tone of distrust and despair. It is time to cleanse your own heart from unworthy and unwarranted suspicions concerning God’s faithfulness and BELIEVE! You too can enjoy a life of faith. You too can trust God and believe for the best, through every aspect of life. You too can enjoy this voyage of discovery. Hebrews 11:6 ‘Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.’ NOTE: HE is the rewarder of those who have faith. HE is not the destroyer, HE is the rewarder! By: Andrew W Roebert INTRODUCTION:
We often wonder why we are going through certain things. We may even feel that we do not understand why God is allowing us to go through such trials and challenges. These are questions that good people often ask. In the course of life we do face many issues, challenges and problems and in all these cases we are called upon to face and deal with these things. The Bible is full of accounts of how God used the impossible and challenging circumstances in people’s lives to bring about His plans and purposes. Just think about Joseph, Moses and Paul. We may wish away what we are facing, but perhaps God has a hand in things and perhaps He wants to use what you and I may be challenged with for a greater reason? SCRIPTURE READING: Daniel 6:1-28 (The story of Daniel in the lion’s den) Key verse: Daniel 6:22 1. GOD USES WHAT WE GO THROUGH God uses the problems that we are facing to be able to work in our lives. Primarily God is interested in our hearts. We need to respond wisely to the issues that life brings our way and not get into a reactionary mode. Sometimes one problem can lead to a new solution that could change our lives. One thing that you can be sure of is that God knows what you are facing and what you are going through. He wants to use those things and turn them out for good. Romans 8:28 We are assured and know that all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. God is able to turn the most desperate situation around into something good. God’s intentions are clear. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 2. WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH CAN BRING YOU TO A PLACE OF TRUSTING GOD Often times the issues come because we do our own thing. We do not allow God to lead us and guide us. And as a result we end up with problems. When we trust in ourselves and in our own abilities we are setting ourselves up for a problem. God wants us to trust Him and trust Him completely. 2 Corinthians 1:9 But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God. Life does not always make sense. We don’t always know why certain things happen. Even when things don’t make sense, God is still in control. As a result we can learn to rely on Him and not on ourselves. 3. WHAT WE GO THROUGH CAN BRING ABOUT CHANGE IN OUR LIVES I have seen people who are so convinced of their opinion and position that it is impossible for them to change. God wants our lives to be a process where we are changing from strength to strength and from glory to glory. When we are confronted with problems we are also confronted with change. God can use these issues to help us make those changes that He would have us make in our lives. Problems are a critical inflection point or a T-junction that calls for decision and change. There is a great song we used to sing: ‘Change my heart oh God, make it ever new’. If you are facing something today, you need to evaluate if this problem does not call for change in your heart and in your life. 4. WHAT WE GO THROUGH CAN BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GOD Sometimes it is only when we have problems that we turn to God for help. When everything is going well we tend to sail along without allowing the Lord to lead and guide us. God wants to lead and guide you. When trouble comes it causes us to return to God and call on Him in our situation and circumstances. Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good. When trouble comes, He is the place to go! And He knows everyone who trusts in Him! Psalm 120:1 In my troubles I pled with God to help me and He did! No matter what you may be facing today, let it be an opportunity to call on God for His guidance in your life. Expect the unexpected. You may feel God guiding you to do something unusual and from a human perspective it may seem strange, but remember God is God and He sees things differently. It tells us in the Bible that God has got a plan for each of our lives. We may feel things are falling apart but God may be co-ordinating affairs to bring us into the fulfillment of His plan. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Romans 8:28 And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into His plans. 5. WHAT WE GO THROUGH CAN BRING US TO A PLACE OF MATURITY Although we might not like to admit it, problems play a role of bringing us to a place of maturity. Here we see a clear parallel between real life and the things we go through. A child comes to maturity as it faces life’s challenges and moves on. For the moment we may be facing difficulty, but God has a plan and His plan is that we become what He intended for us to become. I have discovered that the people who can help me the most, in the difficulties I am facing, are those who have had similar difficulties and moved through those difficulties to a place of maturity and victory. This is a place where the problem does not rule them but instead they have learnt what they needed to learn and God has taken them onto the next thing that He has for them! James 1:2-4 Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete. God wants us strong in character, full and complete – mature. Your OBSTACLE could become your OPPORTUNITY! Your STUMBLING BLOCK could become your STEPPING STONE! Your TEST could become your TESTIMONY! Your MISERY could become your MINISTRY! Your FAILURE could become your FOUNDATION! CONCLUSION: THE APOSTLE PAUL ALSO FACED CHALLENGES Yes, even the great Apostle Paul faced challenges. He called it his ‘thorn in the flesh’. He asked God to remove this hindrance on three occasions, but it seems that this was not to happen. God said this to him: 2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU! The grace that we will receive if the challenge is not removed could be of greater value to the individual than the direct answer to his prayer would have been. It was just like this with Paul; and also with David; and so it is often the same with Christians now. The removal of the issue/challenge may appear to be a blessing, but it might also bring with it some new form of danger to our spiritual lives; the grace that God may give in the trial may be of more lasting value and may be connected with the development of some of the greatest aspects of Christian character. God can use what you are going through. His grace is enough for you. He will bring you through what you are facing and in the process you will be different and you will see things differently. By: Andrew W Roebert SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 14:22-33 INTRODUCTION • Doubt is very much part of life. • Nothing in life is sure. • Everything can change and constant change is what we have to adjust ourselves to. • But there are certain things that can be trusted completely. • The market may go up and down, governments may come and go and we can still trust God completely. • God is the one sure thing in life even though we sometimes may doubt. • When it comes to trusting God we should not entertain doubt. 1. DOUBT IS PART OF LIFE • Even the disciple’s of Christ doubted. • They had worked with God and seen the wonders that He had performed. • They knew Jesus first hand and yet they doubted. • Even after what He told them would happen happened, they still doubted. • Luke 24:38-41 “Why are you frightened?” He asked. “Why do you doubt that it is really I? Look at My hands! Look at My feet! You can see that it is I, Myself ! Touch Me and make sure that I am not a ghost! For ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do!” As He spoke, He held out His hands for them to see the marks of the nails, and showed them the wounds in His feet. Still they stood there undecided, filled with joy and doubt. • If the disciples doubted, it is no wonder that we doubt. • From time to time we will doubt. • If I look at the number of references to the issue of doubting, I see that many times people doubted. • Both in the Old and New Testament we see how the issue of doubt is addressed. • Doubt is a natural thing that can creep into our lives. • From time to time we will be challenged by doubt. • The issue is just how we will handle this. • Will we entertain the doubt or will we respond and not allow doubt to get a foothold in our lives? • But what does the Bible tell us about this subject? 2. WE NEED TO BANISH DOUBT • Doubt needs to be dealt with, with ruthlessness. • Joshua 1:9 "Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” • Banish is a strong verb. • The dictionary gives us the following definition: ‘to condemn to exile and to dismiss from one’s presence or mind.’ • When it comes to doubt we need to learn to dismiss it from our minds. • To be able to do this takes boldness and strength. • How do we get rid of doubt? • By replacing it with something that we can have confidence and security in. • And here it is, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. 3. GOD WANTS TO DO WHAT HE SAID HE WOULD DO • God wants to do and fulfill every word and every promise. • He wants to do what He said He would do. • This should give us confidence and help us in our fight against the negative influence of doubt. • Deuteronomy 1:21 ‘The Lord God has given us this land. Go and possess it as He told us to. Don’t be afraid! Don’t even doubt!’ • When we entertain doubt we become fearful, and when we become fearful we doubt even more. • The result is that we get into a vicious circle of doubt, fear, doubt and fear. • God has said that we do not need to doubt and we do not need to fear. 4. THERE IS A BLESSING FOR THOSE WHO DON'T DOUBT • There is a reward for those who will not doubt. • If we can understand this I believe it will give us strength. • There is a blessing reserved for those who don’t doubt God. • Matthew 11:6 Then give him this message, ‘Blessed are those who don’t doubt me.’ • These were words that were spoken by Jesus. • If we can overcome the constant challenges of doubt, we can know and experience this blessing. • This should be a constant encouragement to us in the area of doubt. • We all want to know God’s blessing on our lives. • This is one of the keys to experiencing more of God’s blessing in our lives. 5. A CRY FROM THE HEART OF JESUS • We see Jesus, in the New Testament, addressing the issue of doubt. • Matthew 14:25-31 About four o’clock in the morning Jesus came to them, walking on the water! They screamed in terror, for they thought He was a ghost. But Jesus immediately spoke to them, reassuring them. “Don’t be afraid!” He said. Then Peter called to Him: “Sir, if it is really You, tell me to come over to You, walking on the water.” “All right,” the Lord said, “come along!” So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and rescued him. “O man of little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt Me?” • This is an amazing story about the undermining effect of doubt. • Jesus compared Peter’s doubting to a lack of faith. • Jesus addresses the faith issue, but then we see the cry of His heart: ‘Why did you doubt Me?’ • It is as though that phrase still cries out to us in our generation: ‘Why do you doubt Me?’ 6. DOUBT AND FAITH • Doubt and faith cannot walk together. • They are opposites. • Doubt robs our faith of its power. • Doubt undermines our faith and our very confidence in God. • Matthew 21:21-22 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” • It is one of the primary tools of the enemy to rob us of what God has for us. • If he can sow just a little doubt and push us off our course of believing God, then he has achieved his goal. • What God has said and promised we can completely count on. • We can have complete confidence in God and His word. • Hebrews 6:18 He has given us both His promise and His oath, two things we can completely count on, for it is impossible for God to tell a lie. Now all those who flee to Him to save them can take new courage when they hear such assurances from God; now they can know without doubt that He will give them the salvation He has promised them. • We can know without doubt. • That ‘assurance of knowing’ is what God wants to give us. 7. DON'T GIVE THE ENEMY A FOOTHOLD BY ENTERTAINING DOUBT • When we make room for doubt, we create an ideal opportunity to end up doubting. • We must not open the door to doubt. If we do open the door to doubt it will flood and overcome us. • Don’t make space in your heart for doubt. • Let’s keep on believing and keep on trusting God. • Hebrews 10:23 Now we can look forward to the salvation God has promised us. There is no longer any room for doubt, and we can tell others that salvation is ours, for there is no question that He will do what He says. • There is no longer any room for doubt and there is no question that He will do what He says! 8. LIVE WITHOUT DOUBT OR FEAR • We have reason not to doubt. • The main reason is that we know what God has said. • He has said, ‘I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.’ • Hebrews 13:5-6 For God has said, “I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.” That is why we can say without any doubt or fear, “The Lord is my Helper, and I am not afraid of anything that mere man can do to me.” • We can have confidence in God. By: Andrew W Roebert These notes may be shared with others INTRODUCTION
• Do you live a life that has direction and purpose? • Or do you live a ‘rudderless’ existence? • You are designed to live life with purpose and destiny. • God created each one of us to live with purpose and destiny coursing through our veins. • It is for this reason that when we resort to living life in a rudderless way, we know that we are not living to our full capacity. • Don’t settle for a rudderless existence, pursue a purpose and fulfill a destiny. 1. WHAT IS A RUDDER? • A rudder is a device that is used to determine direction. • It is used on ships. • It is a vertical blade at the stern of a vessel that can be turned to change the vessel's direction when in motion. • It is also used on aircraft. • It is a movable control surface attached to a vertical stabilizer, located at the rear of an airplane and used, along with the ailerons, to turn the airplane while in motion. • In proportion to the size of the ship or the aircraft, a rudder is a very small device that makes a HUGE difference. • A rudder, for the purpose of this discussion, is any means of directing or guiding a course. 2. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE RUDDERLESS? • To be rudderless is to have no rudder. • When we speak about being rudderless it means we are lacking in direction, control, or coherence. • Here is an example: We speak about the confused and rudderless markets. • What we mean is that the markets are going no-where. • It means we are aimlessly drifting, adrift, afloat, directionless, planless or undirected. • It also means we are purposeless - not evidencing any purpose or goal. • This is no way to live, and yet some people will spend their entire lives aimlessly wondering along. • Recently I heard someone speaking about my home country and they spoke of their concern that the country was rudderless. • Even the world and the countries of the world seem to be operating like this these days. There is a lack of leadership and direction worldwide. • You and I should determine that we will not live like that, even if it is the prevailing pattern. • Rudderless ships get wrecked and rudderless planes always crash. • The same is true in other situations: rudderless countries go into decline and rudderless individuals end up frustrated. 3. OUR LIVES NEED A RUDDER • A rudder only has an effect when we use it. • James 3:4 Take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. • A rudder uses the prevailing circumstances to change the direction or course of things. Remember our definition in point 1? • A rudder allows for a change in direction while in motion. • We all need a rudder but it is more important that we get moving! • THE IMPORTANCE OF MOMENTUM! • Anyone who has sailed knows that without forward motion, the rudder cannot steer the boat. • For a rudder to work, it needs some existing forward movement. • Albert Einstein, “Life is like a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” • So the first step to living with direction is to get moving where we are and that will enable us to overcome a rudderless existence. • Take what you do seriously; give it your best shot. Be the best at what you do and do it with all your heart. • Get motivated, get professional, get productive, get momentum and get busy. • Then with the advantage of movement you will be able to steer things into a direction. • When you stop being ‘on the move’ things will slow down and setting a new direction becomes impossible. • Without the movement, nothing will change. 4. WHAT CAUSES US TO OPERATE IN A RUDDERLESS WAY? • 1. Apathy: Lack of interest or concern, especially regarding matters of general importance or appeal; indifference. Lack of emotion or feeling; impassiveness. The opposite is enthusiasm. • The original word for apathy is ‘without feeling’. • 2. A ‘whatever’ attitude! The opposite is an ‘it matters’ attitude. • 3. Laziness: Resistant to work or exertion; pre-disposed to idleness. The opposite is diligence. • 4. Discouragement: Having no confidence, hope or spirit. The opposite is to be encouraged. • 5. Indecision: Reluctance or an inability to make up one's mind. The opposite is decisive. • 6. Fear: A feeling of anxiety caused by the presence or perception of danger. The opposite is to be bold and courageous. 5. IT IS THE SMALL THINGS THAT COUNT • I have come to the conclusion that there is no such a thing as ‘a small thing’. • Everything matters. • James 3:3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. • Keep putting one foot in front of the other. Take one step at a time, but make sure you take the step. • As a young man I used to enjoy windsurfing. It was a popular sport some years ago. I had to learn to constantly adjust my sail and read the changing wind patterns and then use these elements to make progress. It was these constant small and seemingly insignificant adjustments that made the sport a possibility and a delight. If I just sat down on my board and did nothing, I would end up exactly where I did not want to be, nowhere. • My brother is a commercial pilot and I discussed this matter of the rudder with him. He mentioned that a rudder is only useful when in motion. BUT once an aircraft was at cruising speed you only make incremental adjustments. If you tried to make major adjustments, you would damage the plane. So you make use of small changes to bring you to your destination. • Often, it’s those small seemingly insignificant adjustments that make the difference between success and failure. • Are there any small changes that you need to make today? • It could be an attitude adjustment, or a choice or a quality decision. • Use the prevailing conditions to navigate your way towards your goal. • Perhaps God has been speaking to you lately? • Have you obeyed, or did it seem like something insignificant that you perhaps did not respond to His prompting? • Small things matter. 6. THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR CONFESSION • Our words have creative ability. Speak life over yourself. • James 3:5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. • Trust God to lead you and trust Him to give you direction. • Then start taking the little steps and keep moving. • Be patient, it takes a while to re-direct a big ship! By: Andrew W Roebert These notes may be shared with others SCRIPTURE READING:
Mark 10:46-52 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and His disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus, was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. 1. SOMETIMES IT MAY FEEL AS IF JESUS IS BEYOND YOUR REACH Mark 10:46 They came to Jericho. As Jesus and His disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus, was sitting by the roadside begging. Here we see the story of blind Bartimaeus. He was a blind beggar from the town of Jericho. Due to his disability he was unable to work and had to beg for a living. He, in all probability, had heard about Jesus and the miracles He was doing. It is unusual that we know the name of this man, because of all the people that Jesus healed, very few of them do we know by name. Bartimaeus was one of a very few who are actually named, who were miraculously healed by Jesus. The healing of blind Bartimaeus is also the final healing recorded in the book of Mark. The problem was that by this time Jesus was well known and was always followed by a crowd of people. They may not have had radio, television or the internet, but the message would travel fast and people would surround Jesus. Here we see a typical situation with Jesus, His disciples and a large crowd. How does anyone get access to Jesus under these circumstances, especially someone with the disability of blindness? Sometimes we can feel like this as well. Perhaps we feel that Jesus is too busy and too consumed with the greater good or the affairs of the world, why would He stop for ‘little old me’! Perhaps we wonder how we will get through the crowd ourselves, how will we get close to Him? This story reminds us that regardless of the crowds, HE is willing and waiting to respond to our callings! HE is not beyond your reach. Call out to Him and just as He responded to blind Bartimaeus so you can expect that HE will respond to your callings. 2. HE IS READY TO MEET OUR DEEP-SEATED LONGINGS Mark 10:47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Perhaps blind Bartimaeus had hoped and longed that he too could meet Jesus. I can only imagine that he had visualized the unlikely possibility that somehow, some way, he could make contact and meet Jesus. Now circumstances had developed with Jesus and the most unlikely thing was happening – Jesus was passing by and He was passing by the very spot where Bartimaeus was. You may think this was a simple co-incidence, but perhaps it was a divine appointment. But, I believe we catch the longing of his heart in the words: ‘When he heard…..’! It came to his attention that it was Jesus passing by. I imagine he could hardly believe what he was hearing. The very person he had hoped to meet was right there, close to him, within his reach. He just lets rip and starts to scream. The story does not tell us that he first asked for confirmation. He just took the window of opportunity and grabbed it with all he had. A window of opportunity is a short time period during which an otherwise unattainable opportunity exists. After the window of opportunity closes, the opportunity ceases to exist. Bartimaeus took advantage of the ‘window of opportunity’ that opened up right in front of him. I believe that many people have got ‘windows of opportunity’ right in front of them right now. If only they would grab them and take advantage of them! A window of opportunity requires some effort. But that effort will be rewarded. Bartimaeus may not have been able to see, but he sure made good use of his hearing. HE is ready to meet your deep-seated longings. 3. DON'T ALLOW ANYTHING TO GET IN THE WAY OF YOUR PURSUIT OF GOD Mark 10:48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” It is interesting to note that it says MANY rebuked him. When he started calling out and using his window of opportunity, he got opposition. The scripture says that many rebuked him and told him to be quiet. They probably did it in undiplomatic ways. The opposition was in all likelihood ugly. His response to this deluge of hostile opposition is interesting. He shouted even louder. It was only at this point that it got the attention of Jesus. Perhaps he had even thought that Jesus was ignoring him? But he did not give up. Don’t allow anyone or anything to get in your way. Pursue God with all you have got. If the opposition is strong, press on with even greater conviction. Bartimaeus may not have had sight, but he sure had insight. We know this because he called Jesus the ‘Son of David!’ Up until this stage Jesus may have been known as the ‘Son of Joseph’. It is generally accepted that the term ‘Son of David’ was only used after the crucifixion. So this blind beggar knew something that was not a generally known fact. Why he used this term, we do not really know. But it is generally agreed upon that it was a prophetic proclamation. Even in his desperation, God was using him. Somehow, out of his poverty and darkness, he was convinced that Jesus was the Son of David. This man had conviction and determination, and he was rewarded for this. 4. JESUS WILL STOP FOR YOU! Mark 10:49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” This is for me the most intriguing element of this great story. In the midst of the bustling crowds and the noisy activity and with Bartimaeus shouting louder and louder, JESUS STOPS! Jesus did not overlook his callings, but Jesus stops. Jesus will stop for you too. He is not too busy to stop when you call on Him. That Jesus was willing and prepared to stop all the activity, to stop His plans and agenda to deal with this blind beggar man should be an encouragement to all of us. Jesus does not just stop, but He goes further and He ‘calls him!’ Perhaps there are those today that God is calling. We speak about being ‘CALLED’ into the ministry. When God stops to help us with the issues we are facing, it is always with the greater knowledge that He wants to use our lives for His purposes. 5. GET RID OF EVERY HINDRANCE Mark 10:50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. The cloak speaks of the things that we have clothed ourselves with. A beggar will usually clothe himself with shame. Here we see Bartimaeus throwing aside his cloak. He did not gently fold it up and place it to one side! He disposed of it! Perhaps you are walking around with some kind of cloak? It could be a blanket of heaviness, it could be a habit or sin, it could be a covering of some sort of shame because of something you have done or something that has been done to you? Throw it off today. The next thing he did was to jump to his feet. He gave up his begging position and got up. Sometimes we resort to something that we were never destined for. Perhaps it is time for you to give up your beggar status and stand tall in what God has prepared for you! He may not have been able to see, but he used what he had (his hearing) and followed the voice of the Master and made it to Jesus. Jesus will stop for you, He will call you and He will change your status as you call and come to Him! 6. WHAT DO YOU WANT HIM TO DO FOR YOU? Mark 10:51 “What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. It seems to be strange that God would ask a blind man what he would want Him to do. Surely it is obvious that he wanted to see. I have often thought about this. I have developed my own idea on this question. I believe that God knows what the root problem is. He knows the story behind the story. Often our requests are a cover-up for something deeper. God knows what is at the heart of our requests. But He wants us to come to the same realization. The question we must ask ourselves is ‘What is the real issue?’ Blind Bartimaeus responds and says: ‘I want to see!’ He did not say I want to have sight. He said he wanted to see. There is a difference between having sight and actually seeing! I have met some people who have perfect sight but they are unable to actually see what is right in front of them. What do YOU want Him to do for you? Have you ever given this serious thought? It is worth thinking about. 7. HE IS READY TO MEET YOUR NEED Mark 10:51-52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. The response from Jesus is interesting! He says to the blind man ‘GO”! It is often only in the ‘going’ that the miracle happens. Sometimes we want to stay and have everything change, but we must go and then see the change. As a result he was immediately healed. And it is interesting to note where he went. He did not go back to his things or perhaps his beggar’s takings that he had left with his cloak. He did not go to his family or friends. It says he followed Jesus down the road. This shows us that he really did see and what he saw he would not give up. The older translations say that he followed Jesus ‘in the way’! This indicates more than just down the road, but rather he became a follower or a disciple of Jesus. For each one of us, that is our destination! Wherever you may have been, whatever you may have experienced or gone through, the goal is that you and I would become a follower and a disciple of Jesus. When we get the attention of God, we become His disciple. I mentioned earlier that it was unusual in the New Testament to be given the name of someone who has been healed by Jesus. But in this specific case we do have the name and even more we have his father’s name, Timaeus. It is interesting to note what his father’s name means. Timaeus = it comes from ancient Greek and it means ‘HONOUR’! He became the son of honour, and his honour was restored. He moved from a beggar to a disciple of Jesus. What an honour! He will do the same for you, He will restore you! Psalm 32:8
‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My loving eye on you.’ - The Bible tells us that the Lord is our wonderful counselor. - A counselor is someone who advises and gives direction. - The Lord wants to come and walk with you in the course of life. - How wonderful it is to know that you and I have a counselor. PRAYER: Lord, You are my counselor. I ask You to come and instruct, advise and teach me what is best for my life and future. Amen. 2 Corinthians 6:18
‘I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’ - We serve a Mighty God. - There is nothing that is too hard for Him. - No situation or circumstance is beyond His control and power. - And this Almighty God wants to be your Father. PRAYER: Lord, You are the Mighty God in whom I place my complete trust and confidence. Amen. Introduction:
· Change is not always easy. Our human natures do not enjoy change. · We are creatures of habit and we prefer to stay that way. · God, however, loves us as we are but loves us far too much to leave us as we are. When God comes into our lives things begin to change. · His love and kindness for us facilitates change within our hearts and lives. · Although change may not be a comfortable experience, when God is involved it is for our good. · We must just allow God to work in our lives and change us. 1. THE GOOD NEWS CHANGES US. · When our lives come in contact with God and His Good News, change begins to take place within us. · Can you remember how your life changed when you heard about the saving power of Jesus Christ? · Colossians 1:6 The same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world and changing lives everywhere, just as it changed yours that very first day you heard it and understood about God’s great kindness to sinners. · The fact is that in God’s love and kindness He reached down to each of us and offered us something that would change our lives. · As we allow God into our lives the process of change begins. · If you have never invited God into your heart and life, why not consider it. 2. CHANGED AS WE BECOME GOD’S OWN · When we invite God into our lives some wonderful things happen. · One of the most amazing is that we can become one of God’s own children. · This is one of the dramatic changes that take place as we give our lives to Him. · 1 Peter 2:10 Once you were less than nothing; now you are God’s own. Once you knew very little of God’s kindness; now your very lives have been changed by it. · The fact that we belong to God indicates a change in our status. · We have become children of God. · But this is only the beginning of change. 3. GOD IS LOOKING FOR THOSE WHO HAVE CHANGED · Change is something in us that God is looking for. · Change is something that we can experience and seek in our lives. · We have an ability to change. · Change, however, is not always easy. · But if we will allow God into our lives He will help and change us. · Romans 2:29 For God is not looking for those who cut their bodies in actual body circumcision, but he is looking for those with changed hearts and minds. · Change, within us humans, is something that God is looking for. · Galatians 6:15 It doesn’t make any difference now whether we have been circumcised or not; what counts is whether we really have been changed into new and different people. · What really matters is whether we have changed as a result of our contact with God! 4. NEVER THE SAME · We cannot expect that after allowing God into our lives that we would just remain the same. · Contact with God, by definition, means that we will never be the same. · 1 Thessalonians 2:13 the very Word of God which …. changed your lives when you believed it. · There was a song that we used to sing with the following words: ‘Just one glimpse of His glory, just one touch of His hand and I will never be the same’. · God wants to work in each one of our lives and bring about change. · The result of God working in our lives will mean that we will change and we will never be the same again. 5. GOD WILL MAKE THE CHANGES · Sometimes we think that when it comes to change we have to do all the work. · Often times we have tried to change our lives and it has not worked. · We don’t have to pull ourselves up by our own bootlaces, because God wants to step into our lives and His presence brings about change. Deuteronomy 28: 8-9 The Lord will bless you with good crops and healthy cattle, and prosper everything you do when you arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you. He will change you into a holy people dedicated to Himself. · Luke 1:17 He will soften adult hearts to become like little children’s, and will change disobedient minds to the wisdom of faith. 6. IT STARTS WITH US · It is not as though we just sit passively by waiting for God to change us. · It is an interactive process that starts with our decisions and with us. · Acts 3:19 Now change your mind and attitude to God and turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins and send you wonderful times of refreshment from the presence of the Lord. · It is when God’s presence becomes a reality in our lives that the change can begin to take place. · As we make the right choices, change will begin to take place and as a result we will be pleasing to God. Ezekiel 20:41 You will be to me as an offering of perfumed incense when I bring you back from exile, and the nations will see the great change in your hearts. · The change in our hearts is like perfumed incense to God. 7. EMBRACE CHANGE · Many times we resist change. · Humans are not comfortable with change even though it is an inevitable part of life. · But God is also working within us and this causes change to take place in our lives. · Often times God uses the situations and circumstances we are facing to bring about change in our lives. · We can resist change, but I believe that God wants us to be like clay that He can mould and shape, so that the change He wants to bring about can occur. · What I am talking about is not always easy, but it is something that God wants to do in our lives. · If we resist the working of God in our lives we will end up out of shape. · But if we will embrace the working of God in our lives we will become what God intended for us to be! 8. GOD CHANGES THE OLD INTO THE NEW · This is something that only God can do. · God is in the business of turning things around. · God wants to take the old things and transform them into something new and wonderful. · Revelation 21:5 and he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. · 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. · Change is something that God has in store for each of us. · The change is something positive and wonderful. · The Bible tells us that He wants to change us from Glory to Glory. · 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory. · Allow God to continue the changing work that He wants to do in your heart and life. SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 121:1-2 ‘I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.’ 1. WE ALL NEED HELP • In some area or another we all need help. • Regardless if it was one of the great men and women of the Bible or the apostles of Jesus, or you and me today, we need God’s help. • We may think we can do it on our own, but sooner or later we will realize that we cannot do it on our own. • There is just something about help that lifts us from one dimension to another. • I remember years ago my grandfather decided to advance his four daughters R1000 of their inheritance. It was a considerable amount of money in those days. This help brought such joy and relief to my mother and to us as a family as a result. It was not earned or expected, but it just lifted the weight of life and brought relief. • When God steps in and helps us, it has the same effect. • Perhaps there is an area of your life today where you need divine intervention. • You just need God’s help in your situation. • Well, you can trust God for just this. 2. GOD'S HELP CAN COME FROM UNEXPECTED SOURCES • You just never know who God will use and what He will use to bring help and relief to your situation. • Isaiah 55:8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. • My ways are not your ways, says the Lord. • We should not prescribe to God how and where that help should come from. • Sometimes when we are in a situation, we want to make our problem someone else’s problem. • My employer must solve this, or my husband must solve this, or my parents must solve this, or my children must solve this. • My ways are not your ways, says the Lord. • In my own experience I have seen how God will use an unexpected source to come through for my situation. 3. WHEN GOD HELPS US HE HAS GOT OUR HEARTS IN MIND • Sometimes we have pre-conceived ideas about how God should help and what God should do. • A pre-conceived idea, according to the dictionary, is an opinion formed beforehand without adequate evidence. • We think we know what’s best for us. • Often people do not want to change, but they want the problem/s to go away. • I am reminded about a time when the Doctor told me my cholesterol was a bit high. I asked him how we could correct this and he told me something I didn’t really want to hear. He told me that I needed to change. I needed to change my lifestyle and start eating healthy. I also needed to change my lifestyle and do more exercise. Now I have never been very partial to exercise, unless it involved watching it, and preferably from the couch! I also have always loved the wrong food. If I have a choice between a fresh jam doughnut or fresh fruit and vegetables, the choice is easy – THE DOUGHNUT! So I wanted the quick-fix, a pill that will take the problem away without me having to change. • I also remember a story of a father and son that arrived at our church and advised me that they had walked from another town, several hundred kilometers away, and had now settled in our city. They asked for food as they said they had none and hadn’t eaten for days. I got them seated in our reception area and served them coffee and I quickly went to the grocery store and purchased two boxes of provision. Then I called them back into the office and happily advised them that we would be able to help and presented them with the two boxes. The father did not seem very delighted and he stood up and looked at the boxes and then at me, saying: ‘Do you expect me to carry that?’ That was when I realized that they had a preconceived hope that I would give them money and in fact did not really want food. • Even if things don’t work out according to our thinking, He remains able to turn things out for our good. 4. WHERE ARE YOU LOOKING FOR YOUR HELP? • We must be determined that God is our help and we will not look to other things. • The psalmist writes and says: ‘MY help is from the Lord!’ It was a settled matter for him. • But yet, often when we face troubles we can turn to the strangest things. • We must not look in the wrong places for help. • Years ago I went to visit a lady in our church. She and her family had faithfully served the Lord for 40 years. She was a godly lady. But I was so surprised when I got to her house as she had hung crystals around her house and felt that they would have a positive effect. • Don’t turn to other things; don’t look to the weird and the questionable. • We can end up turning to the wrong thing and that’s when things usually end up worse. 5. YOUR HELP COMES FROM THE ONE WHO MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH • Remember your God is great! • Your God is the one who made heaven and earth. • He is great and why would you look to anything less than Him? • He is able to do more than we could ask or think. • Ephesians 3:20 ‘Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.’ • Do you think if He created the universe, that your problem or situation is too great for Him? • Is anything too hard for God? • Jeremiah 32:27 ‘I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for Me?’ • The answer is NO; nothing is too difficult for Him. • So let’s look to Him with confidence, know that He is able to handle our concerns and challenges and He knows best and He can see things from the correct perspective. • Give it to Him today and let’s ask Him to intervene in your life and situation. • Declare it with me: ‘MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD!’ By: Andrew W Roebert |
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