Help Along the Trip

Help Along the Trip

3 John 1: ⁵ My dear friend, you are so faithful in the work you do for other Christians, even when they are strangers. ⁶ They have spoken to the church here about your love. Please help them to continue their trip in a way that will please God. ⁷ For they set out on their trip in the service of Christ without accepting any help from unbelievers. ⁸ We Christians, then, must help these people, so that we may share in their work for the truth.

 

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Riding on a bus / van in another country, my expectations were minimal. We were not there as tourists, rather to work as missionaries. The bus broke down in a populated area. So this was an opportunity to get out and street-witness. We spoke to the people about CHRIST and some prayed to believe in HIM. Meanwhile, other people helped fix the bus for us.

 

• I did not know what to expect.
• Staying focused on doing what GOD wanted me to do helped me not focus on the broken down bus.
• We received help along the trip several other times.

 

John praises Gaius for his faithfulness. Gaius had created a good reputation that was known throughout the area. John encouraged Gaius to seek other believers who need help in their “trip” so all would share in the work for the truth.

 

My Observations:

• My life is a journey that could include GOD or not.
• The more I seek the world, the less I seek GOD.
• At some point in my life, I had to see that GOD wanted more out of HIS relationship with me.

 

Realizing that I am a creation that was made for GOD’s purpose was a surprise to me. I mean, at one point, I thought life was either a random collection of events or that life was a pleasure cruise and GOD was the waiter. In both cases I was wrong. GOD created you and me to be with HIM in a loving relationship.

 

HIS love is not tainted with sin, but yours and mine is. We can sometimes see GOD as a problem to our pleasure and want to get out of life’s tumultuous ocean and back on the pleasure cruise set up by the enemy. Meanwhile, GOD blesses those who remain in the ocean with boats of safety to help along this trip called life. I am glad GOD has plenty of people who believe and are eager to serve!

 

Challenge

• How does the writer hear about the reputation?
• Do you have a reputation that is associated helping believers in CHRIST to serve others?
• Will you give more of your life over to GOD so HE can help people believe in HIS SON as the answers to their struggles today?

Unaware of Help

Unaware of Help

Hebrews 1: ¹³ God never said to any of his angels:
“Sit here at my right side
    until I put your enemies
    as a footstool under your feet.”

¹⁴ What are the angels, then? They are spirits who serve God and are sent by him to help those who are to receive salvation.

 

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Thinking of the mischief I could get into, my heart pounded with anticipation. I had not done this particular thing before, and I figured I was already a mess so I would try something new. Out of nowhere, a person was there, asking if I knew the LORD. “Why that question of all questions!”

 

• I stopped pursuing the thing that I shouldn’t have been pursuing in the first place.
• I have been blocked from doing things I should not be doing .
• I have also been protected from harm and survived brushes with death.

 

Paul is the assumed writer who received a revelation from GOD. He compared angels to JESUS, stating JESUS holds the highest honor, while angels are servants sent to help those who are saved.

 

My Observations

• GOD has some special purposes that can only be fulfilled through JESUS.
• GOD sends supernatural help to me when I am not aware that I even need help.
• GOD loves me so much that HE guides me, leads me and protects me even though I have free will to choose HIM.

 

Supernatural help is wonderful! I mean, it is provided to those who believe in JESUS as their Savior. Since GOD wants everyone to be saved, there is no exclusion to HIS love. It is up to me to choose HIM as my Savior. When I do, I receive special treatment from the one who has all the power.

 

HE sends angels to help me go through trouble, not around it. GOD is not worried about my situation because HE dispatches angels to help me when I can’t figure it out myself. HE does this at weird times too. HE sends the right help at the right time. I am glad GOD watches over my life.

 

Challenge

• What is the purpose of angels according to the writer?
• Have you ever received help and did not know where it came from?
• Will you give your life to GOD so HE can provide supernatural help for you that you need in life today?

 

Get Help. Give Help.

 

Get Help. Give Help.

Galatians 6: ² Help carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will obey the law of Christ. 

 

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Feeling overwhelmed, I just sat there with a lost look on my face. I must have looked lost because someone came over and asked, “Do you need help?” Not knowing where to turn, I replied, “Yes, thank you.”

 

• I needed help.
• I had huge burdens that I was carrying alone.
• I felt I could not help someone else at that time.
• I remembered being helped, so then I could help others when I faced trials.

 

“Love one another” were the words of JESUS to help people stop trying to achieve GOD versus behaving as HE wanted. This message was further explained through Paul, urging everyone to carry one another’s burdens.

 

My Observations

• Sometimes GOD wants me to get help from other people.
• Sometimes GOD wants me to give help to other people.
• GOD wants me to pray for and with other people to share our burdens.

 

Pride gets in the way of asking for help. I mean, if I asked for help again and again, it seems like I am the problem or I cannot seem to do for myself. This is far from the truth and the enemy wants me to not ask.

 

BUT GOD wants me to share my burdens to get help. HE also expects me to share “in” another person’s burden. I may not be able to fix the situation, or provide the need, but I can share the burden and pray for deliverance. I am grateful GOD puts many people in my life who can share my burdens.

 

Challenge

• When you read this passage, do you feel you need to help or get help?
• If you feel overwhelmed, will you continue to ask GOD for help?
• Will you share in one another’s burdens today and pray for many who need help?

Ask For, Get or Provide

 

Ask For, Get or Provide

Romans 15: ²² And so I have been prevented many times from coming to you. ²³ But now that I have finished my work in these regions and since I have been wanting for so many years to come to see you, ²⁴ I hope to do so now. I would like to see you on my way to Spain, and be helped by you to go there, after I have enjoyed visiting you for a while. ²⁵ Right now, however, I am going to Jerusalem in the service of God's people there. ²⁶ For the churches in Macedonia and Achaia have freely decided to give an offering to help the poor among God's people in Jerusalem. ²⁷ That decision was their own; but, as a matter of fact, they have an obligation to help them. Since the Jews shared their spiritual blessings with the Gentiles, the Gentiles ought to use their material blessings to help the Jews.

 

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When I grew up, I was taught not to ask for help. Maybe not by words, but it seemed like everyone around me was basically on their own. One day, I asked for help with something. “Gladly” was the surprising response. On a number of occasions I did it again and people were willing to help. “Maybe I should ask for help more often” I thought to myself.

 

• Many times I was afraid to ask for help because I didn’t know what to ask.
• Many times I was too proud to ask for help because I had the money and I simply paid my way.
• Many times I was deeply in need and did not have the strength to even ask for help.

 

Paul wanted to go help, so he asked for help to help those in need. He also explained that other churches decided on their own, to give help to the poor in a certain area. He impressed on everyone that it was an “obligation” for those who have heard preaching to provide monetary support.

 

• GOD wants me to ask for help when I need help.
• GOD wants me to get help when I am going to help others.
• GOD wants me to look for people who need help, especially those who are too weak and decimated to ask.

 

Help is always a difficult topic. I mean, I usually need it at an inconvenient time, or people around me are not willing, possibly because I have not helped them. BUT GOD knows my needs and wants me to ask for anything. HE opens up HIS generosity and provides unimaginable help. I am grateful GOD sees me, hears me and loves me so much that HE will always provide help.

 

• Are you in need and it seems like there is no one available to help?
• Does it seem like you are alone in this journey?
• Will you rest your mind and know GOD will provide you with the help you need at the right time?

Tools of a Child

 

Tools of a Child

Romans 8: ¹² So then, my friends, we have an obligation, but it is not to live as our human nature wants us to. ¹³ For if you live according to your human nature, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live. ¹⁴ Those who are led by God's Spirit are God's children. ¹⁵ For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God's children, and by the Spirit's power we cry out to God, “Father! my Father!” ¹⁶ God's Spirit joins himself to our spirits to declare that we are God's children. ¹⁷ Since we are his children, we will possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we will also possess with Christ what God has kept for him; for if we share Christ's suffering, we will also share his glory.

 

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Seeing another ride caught my attention. I left the group to feed my curiosity. When I looked around, I could not see any familiar faces. Immediately I whipped out the best tool I knew. I cried “I want my mommy and daddy!”

 

Unfortunately, they were not on this church trip to the amusement park. I was taken to an office where questions flew at me, but I had no answers. Shortly after, the bus returned.

 

• When I was a child I was not afraid to see something new.
• When I was a child I cried out for help as my only tool for fixing the situation.
• When I was a child I needed everything and possessed nothing.

 

Paul tells everyone of a serious obligation. Live by human sinful nature and die or live by the Spirit and live. He then explains that we are GOD’s children, not HIS adults or peers or pals. The HOLY SPIRIT caused our Spirits to be part of GOD’s family. GOD takes care of HIS children.

 

• GOD wants me to have the faith of a child.
• GOD wants me to have total dependence on HIM.
• GOD wants me to be freed from fear, doubt and worry so I can hear HIS leading.

 

Age brings pride. I mean, the older I got, the more I thought “I” was doing the things to get me in places or through situations. Soon I believed in “my” abilities to fix any situation. BUT GOD did not like that dead type of thinking.

 

GOD placed situations in front of me that seemed impossible to fix. All I could do was cry “FATHER! My FATHER.” When I surrendered to HIM, HE sent HIS rescue. I am grateful GOD watches over me, HIS child, every day.

 

• Are you desperately trying to fix your situation?
• Do you believe you have to be strong and not cry?
• Will you cry out to GOD who hears you because you are HIS child, so HE will enable you to see all who are suffering and raise you and them up to share in the glory of CHRIST?

 

Keep Calling

Mark 10: ⁴⁶ Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. ⁴⁷ And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁸ Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁹ So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.

Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”

⁵⁰ And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.

⁵¹ So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”

⁵² Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.”And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

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“Why don’t you just give up” one professor told me. I had a failing grade point average and a lot of classes ahead of me. With no guidance, I felt defeated.

• Sometimes I feel like giving up.
• Sometimes it looks as if problems will never stop.
• Sometimes it seems like there is no solution and on top of problems, people try to kick me when I am down.

With no regard of Bartimaeus’s blindness, the crowd tried to silence him as he cried out to JESUS. Bartimaeus knew this was possibly his only chance. How often would JESUS travel to Jericho? How often would JESUS be within ear shot of Bartimaeus? He probably screamed until he was horse and JESUS heard him.

• JESUS wants me to pursue HIM with conviction.
• JESUS desires that I scream for HIM when things look bleak.
• JESUS hears me when I keep calling to HIM in spite of my thinking.

“Do not be discouraged” is not a conviction from GOD; rather it is HIS cry out to me to tell me HE loves me. GOD wants to remove my spiritual blindness; all I have to do is cry out to HIM.

• Are you deserving of something?
• Are you mad at GOD about your situation?
• Can you call out to GOD today and ask HIM to remove your spiritual blindness?

Make Me Wanna Shout!

Matthew 20: ²⁹ As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. ³⁰ Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

³¹ The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

³² Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

³³ “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”

³⁴ Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

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Hurriedly I typed in the last few words. I ran as fast as I could to get to the building by the deadline as my paper was due at 5:00PM. When I arrived the door was locked.  “Let me in” I cried out! “Be quiet, people are taking finals” someone said. I kept calling out. They let me in and I turned my paper in.

• There have been times I have needed to cry out.
• There have been times when the crowd wanted me to be quiet but I couldn’t
• There have been times that I simply needed help that the crowd could not provide.

JESUS’s fame was now in full bloom. People followed HIM all the time wanting to see the next trick or to truly be healed. The blind men knew of HIS powers and got so excited that nothing would stop them. They had one purpose on their mind, namely to be healed.

• JESUS hears me when I cry out to HIM.
• JESUS listens to me when I ask to be healed of my blindness.
• JESUS touches me to the point of total healing from all unrighteousness.

The business crowd may not want me to shout about JESUS, nor do the political mongers. BUT GOD doesn’t mind my shout. In fact, GOD wants me to shout when people want me quiet. HE wants to see my alliance to HIM and my reliance on HIM. Sometimes I have to shout to be heard over the crowd.

• Are you in need but have not asked?
• Do you want something but are afraid of what the crowd would think?
• Can you openly ask without worrying about the crowd?

Come out of the Cave

Psalm 142: ⁶ Listen to my cry,
    for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
    for they are too strong for me.
⁷ Set me free from my prison,
    that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me
    because of your goodness to me.

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“Woe is me” I thought to myself as my teacher handed me my graded paper. I did not like the teacher or the subject. I left his class and got dressed for practice. Since I wasn’t as fast the team sped off and I was left trailing in their dust. When I got back I walked down the hallway alone and a football player punched me in the chest so hard that I literally saw stars. “Doesn’t anyone like me?” I thought that day.

• Some days I just want to crawl back into bed.
• Some days I just want to hide from everyone.
• Some days I just want to go inside of a cave and make it my refuge.

David was being pursued by murderers. He ran inside of a cave system and hid from his trackers. I know the feeling. I sometimes have those days where it seems like everyone is against me. BUT GOD says different.

• GOD says to me “Ask and I will hear you.”
• GOD says to me “Try ME. Cry out to ME and I will answer.”
• GOD says to me “I love you and I AM with you always.”

When people have stepped far away from me and things just feel like they are going wrong, GOD stands firmly by my side. HE takes on more of my pain than I can ever know. HE absorbs the sting and helps me grow. GOD makes life livable and brings me out of my cave.

• Are you embarrassed?
• Are you hiding from friends and family?
• Can you stop feeling sorry for yourself and come out of your hiding place?
• Will you break the cycle of only communicating when things are “fine?”
• Will you cry out to GOD today for help?

Playing See-Saw is Dangerous

Psalm 106: ⁹ He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up;
    he led them through the depths as through a desert.
¹⁰ He saved them from the hand of the foe;
    from the hand of the enemy he redeemed them.
¹¹ The waters covered their adversaries;
    not one of them survived.
¹² Then they believed his promises
    and sang his praise.

¹³ But they soon forgot what he had done
    and did not wait for his plan to unfold.
¹⁴ In the desert they gave in to their craving;
    in the wilderness they put God to the test.

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“Please, please, please let me pass this test” was my cry. When I got my results back, not only had I passed, I got a very high grade! I rejoiced and ran around like a crazy person! The very next semester I returned back to my habits of playing cards all night with the other people who should have been studying! I wound up on probation again.

• Sometimes I cry out only when I’m in danger.
• Sometimes I scream for help when I face problems.
• Sometimes I state my situation when things aren’t going so well.

Out of danger, out of mind was how I treated GOD. I mean HE’s there when I need HIM and when things are going well, I don’t need HIM as much, right? Wrong!

• I need GOD more when things are “going well” because that’s when I am tempted to follow my own ways.
• I need GOD more after the trial than during because I will be tempted to relax and possibly run away from HIM.
• I need GOD more during prosperous times because it is harder for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven than a camel going through the eye of a needle.

Looking back I can see times in which I let GOD slide out of my life, little by little, during prosperity. I wasn’t doing “huge” sins, but I wasn’t worshiping HIM or thanking HIM the way I do when I’m in a trial. In fact when the crowd of complainers gathered, I was in the middle, joining in on the rants. I thought sin could be measured so I stayed away from “big” sin and held onto, what I would call, “little” sins.

GOD doesn’t like a “see-saw” relationship with me. Up one day and down the next. GOD wants me to remain even keel with HIM and worship HIM daily in spite of what is going on. Problems or prosperity, GOD deserves my praise!

• Are you wondering why your trial is so long?
• Is there something that needs to change in your life that GOD is preparing you for?
• Are you letting go of GOD during prosperous times and returning to your old ways?
• Will you practice praising GOD today or will you die in the desert by GOD’s hand?

Keep Calling

Psalm 99: ⁶ Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
    Samuel was among those who called on his name;
they called on the Lord
    and he answered them.
⁷ He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud;
    they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them.

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Sitting on the beach all I could think about was “What time is my spa appointment.” I had never been to a spa but this trip was a perk to the job and someone had to go! After a day of relaxation, a couple invited us out. We danced until the cows came home.

• In times of plenty, I sometimes forget about GOD.
• In times of plenty, I do not feel the need to cry out to GOD.
• In times of plenty, I “think” I have all I need and my shopping bag does not include GOD.

All of my thoughts were on the next position so I could get even bigger perks. As I climbed higher and higher, I did not notice GOD dissipating out of my life. I mean, I had plenty so GOD must have been there, right? Well sort of.

• GOD wants me to remember HIM in the time of need as well as the time of plenty.
• GOD wants me to place my thoughts on HIM and praise HIM evenly, through trouble and plenty.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS face constantly and not be distracted by trouble or wealth.

Vacations are great; BUT GOD wants me to take HIM with me wherever I go. HE doesn’t want me to get away from HIM in times of plenty and cry out to HIM only when I need HIM. HE wants me to be a full fan of HIM, not just a fair weather fan. My praise should be as equal as my requests. My excitement should be as equal as my doubt. GOD wants me and I call to HIM daily!

• Have you forgotten GOD?
• Are you on vacation and feel you can drop GOD off?
• Will you remember GOD during times of plenty?

A Passionate Prayer

Psalm 69: ¹³ But I pray to you, Lord,
    in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
    answer me with your sure salvation.
¹⁴ Rescue me from the mire,
    do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me,
    from the deep waters.
¹⁵ Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
    or the depths swallow me up
    or the pit close its mouth over me.

¹⁶ Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love;
    in your great mercy turn to me.
¹⁷ Do not hide your face from your servant;
    answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
¹⁸ Come near and rescue me;
    deliver me because of my foes.

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“LORD Help!” were the only words I could think of as my car began to skid. One moment I was driving steady the next my car began to wag and almost spun out of control. The car skidded through a red light of a usually busy street. No one hit us.

• Sometimes I am in immediate danger.
• Sometimes I need help right now!
• Sometimes I am in trouble and the situation is dire.

David was sick and tired of being sick and tired. At one time he was praised and at this moment he was being hunted for execution. I feel the same way at times. I chalk up life’s lessons as something to store up in my memory but there are times when trouble really seems to get heavier and hotter. What can I do?

• GOD says to me “In times of trouble call to ME and I will save you.”
• GOD says to me “No matter where you think you are I have MY arms open wide for you.”
• GOD says to me “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see GOD.”

Some trials make me go into action and I put my hands into things GOD should be handling, but there are other times when I have no time to plan, grab on or fix my trouble. Only GOD can handle the situation and all I can do is say “GOD Help!.” Just like the Psalmist said, “GOD knows my folly and my guilt is not hidden from HIM.”  GOD’s grace is the focus in times of trouble.

• Are you in trouble?
• Do you feel you are running out of time?
• Can you focus on GOD’s deliverance?
• Will you rely on GOD rather than your power?