Where Help Comes From

Where Help Comes From

Genesis 40: ⁵ Then the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison, had a dream, both of them, each man’s dream in one night and each man’s dream with its own interpretation. ⁶ And Joseph came in to them in the morning and looked at them, and saw that they were sad. ⁷ So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in the custody of his lord’s house, saying, “Why do you look so sad today?”

 

⁸ And they said to him, “We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.”

 

So Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please.”

 

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After days, weeks or even months, the butler and the baker had dreams on the same night. Joseph saw they were sad, so he asked both of them “Why?” The both said they had dreams but no one to interpret them. Joseph told them that interpretations of dreams come from GOD.

 

My Observations:

• Both men had significant dreams versus something they could make sense of.
• GOD provided both men their dreams on the same night and HE disturbed them.
• Joseph saw something was wrong with both of them, which shows his character.

 

Seeing the sadness on their face and asking “What’s wrong?’ was probably rare in the Egyptian society. Joseph had walked with the LORD so long that he was concerned about people he barely knew. When they said they had disturbing dreams, Joseph knew that GOD could provide the interpretation.

 

Joseph showed he had a special relationship with GOD. He knew that he could ask GOD what the dreams mean and GOD would not hold back. That’s the kind of relationship I want with GOD, one that HE does not hold back anything I ask that is in alignment with HIS will. Joseph point the butcher and baker to the only solution, namely GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the sadness of the butcher and baker?
• Have you ever had significant dreams and needed GOD to tell you the meaning?
• Can you rest assured that GOD is the answer and has the answer to your problem?

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?

Share in the Help

Share in the Help

1 Corinthians 17: ³ Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes! ⁴ He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God. ⁵ Just as we have a share in Christ's many sufferings, so also through Christ we share in God's great help. ⁶ If we suffer, it is for your help and salvation; if we are helped, then you too are helped and given the strength to endure with patience the same sufferings that we also endure. ⁷ So our hope in you is never shaken; we know that just as you share in our sufferings, you also share in the help we receive.

 

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Being out of work made me worry about everything. I had never been out of work before and my total dependence was on “my” salary and self-esteem was tied into “my” title. I sat in a group of out of work people at a church.

 

“Help other people” was the message. “Wait! I need help” I thought to myself. I volunteered at a food pantry and helped others get jobs. I found peace that didn’t make sense.

 

• I had lost sight of other people suffering.
• I had fallen into the trap of working so hard that I could not see people who needed help.
• I had forgotten that I had nothing, at one point, and was given much.

 

Paul reminds everyone that GOD the FATHER provides the help. This is a different perspective than GOD the Punisher. Paul then explains that since we get help from the FATHER, we are supposed to help others. But when we suffer, others should help us.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to see other people in need, even when I am in need.
• GOD wants me to understand that HE provides all help that I receive and give.
• GOD wants me to give thanks to HIM for any help I have received by helping someone else and being glad about it.

 

GOD sees me in good times and bad. HE knows when my heart is in anguish and when it is elated. HE knows when to send me to someone or when I need help from others.

 

The FATHER rarely gets credit for wanting to help. I mean, sometimes I think that if I broke HIS rules, HE is ready to hit me on the head with a supernatural stick. The FATHER loves. I am grateful to receive HIS help.

 

Challenge

• What do you notice about GOD the FATHER?
• Do you sometimes think you are being punished more than you are being loved?
• Can you help someone in the middle of your pain?
• Wil you share where help comes from by receiving help or giving it and praying for those who suffer in the same way you are suffering today?

Stressed Out

Matthew 11: ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

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Meeting after meeting, my day was full. If I wasn’t in meetings, I was answering my voicemail or replying to some scathing email left by the arrogant. After a while I found myself without sleep. I would wake in the middle of the night thinking about work. The speed in which I had to reply to issues was ridiculous. Was there any relief?!

• I have been stressed out in the past.
• I have had extreme pressure in the past.
• I have had to face situations where it seemed as if no one was in my corner and I did not know where to turn.

Feeling like no one cares can lead to even more stress. After a while I even asked the question, “GOD do you care?” HE gave me HIS answer.

• GOD said to me “I care so come to me with whatever is stressing you out.”
• GOD said to me “I love you so I will yoke myself with you and pull when you cannot.”
• GOD said to me “I died for you and now I live so with the power that has been given to ME, I will give you rest.”

There is no issue too great for GOD. There is no problem GOD cannot solve. There is no situation that causes me stress that GOD cannot handle. Whether GOD is my first choice or the last, I can always go to HIM and give HIM my burdens.

I can also learn HIS word so in times of stress I can use them to navigate the unwieldy times. GOD cares enough about me that HE wants me to have peace. All I need to do is seek HIM.

• Are you stressed out?
• Do you face situations that have you deeply worried?
• Can you talk to GOD about what is stressing you out?
• Will you connect yourself to HIM and learn HIS word so you can navigate through stressful times?

Purpose in the Stumble

Daniel 11: ³³ “Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. ³⁴ When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. ³⁵ Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

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Pulling up on furniture enabled me to walk as a toddler, but of course I fell only to try again. Riding near grass was my plan anticipating the inevitable fall as I learned how to ride my bike; of course I fell only to try again. Observing others, driving slow and practicing was my plan, but when I had my first accident, I learned to watch my blind spot so I had to try again.

• There have been times in my life when I have fallen down hard.
• There have been times in my life when I have crashed to the ground.
• There have been times in my life when I have stumbled.

Sometimes I felt like staying down. I mean, what is the purpose of getting back up when I could be knocked back down? What’s the purpose of falling down anyway? Can’t I just stay up all the time?

• GOD says to me “I WILL be with you when you fall.”
• GOD says to me “In your weakness MY strength shines bright.”
• GOD says to me “You will have sin, but MY faith is everlasting.”

Stumbling and falling are not meant to crush my spirit. Quite the contrary, GOD wants me to recognize my need for HIM. HE allows me to stumble and fall and tumble down to the ground only to reach HIS mighty hand out to pick me up again and again. After the fall I rise with HIS help, this time a little wiser and stronger.

GOD purifies me and makes me spotless with each fall. HE wants me to get back up and endure the race called life.

• Have you stumbled in life?
• Have you fallen to the point where you do not feel like getting back up?
• Can you see that GOD needs you to get back up so you can reach “that” person HE has appointed to you?
• Will you ask GOD to give you strength today?