But I Need Help

But I Need Help

Exodus 6: ²⁸ And it came to pass, on the day the Lord spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, ²⁹ that the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “I am the Lord. Speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say to you.”

³⁰ But Moses said before the Lord, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh heed me?”

 

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Moses and Aaron went back to Mount Horeb to speak to the LORD. HE told them to go back and tell Pharaoh to “Let MY people go.” Moses remembered this encounter, but deviated from the story to list a genealogy. He gets back to the action by talking to GOD, telling HIM he does not speak well.

 

My Observations:

• Moses seemed like he was very humble in his assessment of his abilities.
• Moses presented his shortcomings to the LORD as if HE did not know.
• GOD allowed Moses to work within free will, asking HIM for needs that align to GOD.

 

Moses wanted to align to GOD’s vision, but understood that it may take someone who could convince or persuade Pharaoh to let GOD’s people go. Moses thought it was going to be a negotiation, rather than a set of ten plagues that would drive Pharaoh to make the people leave.

 

Moses’s assumption was that his plan would need eloquent speech, when it really did not. Aaron’s words are barely written. Moses could have said what Aaron said, but GOD allowed Moses to ask for something he may not have needed. GOD provided Aaron to go with him.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about his statement of lack and inability?
• Have you ever told GOD that you do not have what it takes to complete HIS plan?
• Have you forgotten that GOD has included you in HIS plan that will always work for the good of those who love HIM?

Odor Removed

Odor Removed

Revelation 8: ³ Another angel, who had a gold incense container, came and stood at the altar. He was given a lot of incense to add to the prayers of all God's people and to offer it on the gold altar that stands before the throne. ⁴ The smoke of the burning incense went up with the prayers of God's people from the hands of the angel standing before God. ⁵ Then the angel took the incense container, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it on the earth. There were rumblings and peals of thunder, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

 

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Enraged at a neighbor, a sibling and I went close to the kid’s house. He wore a brace to straighten his legs and was limited to his yard. He kept saying the most irritating things. We caved in to his taunts and decided to threaten him, from across the fence between us. Later in life, I talked to him and realized he was a great person.

 

• I was mad at him and did not want the best for him.
• I heard hurtful things, and wanted him hurt.
• I did not have the right words to pray, or the right attitude.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, saw another angel who received a gold incense container. The angel mixed the incense with the prayers of GOD’s people, probably to make the ugliest prayers into something fragrant to GOD. Both the incense and the prayers were added to the altar and offered to GOD as a burnt offering, similar to the sacrifice of an old testament  lamb to cleanse sin.

 

My Observations:

• GOD knows when I pray with the wrong motive.
• GOD knows when I pray selfish prayers.
• GOD loves when my prayers are purified by HIS SON’s forgiveness.

 

Even my prayers can stink! I mean, in the moment of hurt or anger, I may not be willing or able to be as forgiving as GOD. I may want my enemies hurt or at least, taught a lesson. I may put some things before GOD that truly stinks and needs cleansing. GOD accounted for that.

 

HE takes the prayers I pray with the right motive and mixed it in with my prayers that may have a selfish motive and cleanses them to be acceptable to HIM. HE knows the root of the prayer and also knows that HE wants all people saved. HE sees those who have tried to harm other people on purpose and has a plan for that. My job is to align my prayers to GOD’s desires.

 

Challenge

• Do you think the prayers of GOD’s people that the writer mentions, contain words of hurt from people who do not know GOD and caused harm on purpose?
• What result do you notice?
• Will you align your prayers to the example of JESUS, who cared for HIS enemies and said “FATHER, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing?”

Get Uncomfortable

 

Get Uncomfortable

Revelation 2: “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:

 

“This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands. ² I know what you have done; I know how hard you have worked and how patient you have been. I know that you cannot tolerate evil people and that you have tested those who say they are apostles but are not, and have found out that they are liars. ³ You are patient, you have suffered for my sake, and you have not given up. ⁴ But this is what I have against you: you do not love me now as you did at first. ⁵ Think how far you have fallen! Turn from your sins and do what you did at first. If you don't turn from your sins, I will come to you and take your lampstand from its place. ⁶ But this is what you have in your favor: you hate what the Nicolaitans do, as much as I do.

 

⁷ “If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!

“To those who win the victory I will give the right to eat the fruit of the tree of life that grows in the Garden of God.

 

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Trying out lying on purpose felt strange and scary. My first attempt did not work too well as the recipient could see right through my deceit. I made some adjustments and tried it again. But it still did not work. “You have to believe in what you are telling others” was the advice of a schemer, so I lied to myself. That worked!

 

• I was falling and did not know how fast.
• I did not know I was walking away from GOD by trying to fit into the world.
• I needed someone to tell me to get back on track to a better path.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, wrote to the church of Ephesus first. This is part one of a seven part set of deep warnings all believers need to hear. JESUS said what HE saw in the heart. HE saw people who tried to compartmentalize HIM by doing what is right most of the time, but got comfortable with blatant sin.

 

My Observations:

• JESUS wants me to remember when I first accepted HIM as my Savior.
• JESUS also wants me to remember how easy it was to follow HIS commands.
• JESUS want me to get uncomfortable with any sin that has crept into my life.

 

“GOD won’t mind” is a lie I have told myself over the years. I mean, HE is supposed to forgive believers right? Meh. JESUS HIMSELF gives us a warning about becoming too comfortable with sin, even though HE is the one who will forgive us of all sin.

 

HE knows the power sin can have in our lives and the devastation it can cause. Something that may seem like an innocent sin may be bigger that I think. I believe JESUS wants me to take HIS death and resurrection seriously.

 

Challenge

• Is there any part of this warning from the writer that can be unsettling?
• Have you examined your life and compared it to when you were on fire?
• Will you win the victory so JESUS will give you the right to eat the fruit of the tree of life that grows in the Garden of GOD someday?

Available Power

Available Power

James 5: ¹⁶ So then, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you will be healed. The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect. ¹⁷ Elijah was the same kind of person as we are. He prayed earnestly that there would be no rain, and no rain fell on the land for three and a half years. ¹⁸ Once again he prayed, and the sky poured out its rain and the earth produced its crops.

 

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Thinking I was by myself, I came up with plans to address my problems. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my chest. I couldn’t even breathe deeply. I called a coworker over to my apartment. He asked questions that showed he was nervous about the situation too. I began to pray because I did not know what to do. Suddenly I felt better. I went to the doctor and they could not find out what was wrong.

 

• I was scared.
• I was in pain.
• I did not know how to “fix” this.

 

James says some difficult words to hear. “Confess your sins to one another.” He implies that some, not all, ailments could be manifested by sin. He provides a remedy, namely prayer.

 

My Observations:

• Confession of my sins relieves me of guilt that could cause me to lose sleep.
• Turning away from my sins enables me to rest better because my conscience is clear.
• Asking GOD to intervene when someone tells me about his or her sins, is more powerful than gossip.

 

Praying seems weak but is extremely powerful. I mean, when I humble myself before GOD, HE is willing to listen. HE knows when I am too proud or too hateful to place things before HIM correctly. HE also knows when I am forcing HIS hand to get “my” way. BUT GOD is merciful.

 

HE brings to mind the things I need to confess and gives me an opportunity to say, “I need help with this.” HE is willing to help me when I ask for help. HE is delighted when I tell others I need help in an area of my life. HE then surrounds me with the right people to guide me back to HIM. I am glad HE is willing to heal me and put me back on the right path.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer mention confession when he later talks about being healed?
• Do you believe in the power of prayer?
• Why don’t you get your way all the time?
• Wil you tap into the power of prayer by confessing and talking to GOD on someone else’s behalf today?

First Action

First Action

James 5: ¹³ Are any among you in trouble? They should pray. Are any among you happy? They should sing praises. ¹⁴ Are any among you sick? They should send for the church elders, who will pray for them and rub olive oil on them in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ This prayer made in faith will heal the sick; the Lord will restore them to health, and the sins they have committed will be forgiven. 

 

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Nervous about the bad news, I laid awake at night. I could not sleep for a week. We got together and discussed the impending doom. More conversations about what “could” happen were had than that of what good was going on in our lives.

 

• My first “reaction” was to start planning.
• My first “impulse” was to try to make sense out of a situation that was out of my hands.
• My first “assumption” was that everything bad was “definitely” going to happen.

 

James gives the answer to all problems, namely “pray.” He gives three ways to do this. He says people who are in trouble should talk to GOD directly about the trouble. He also says, if things are going well, people should “praise” GOD. He then says the sick may need more people to help so ask for other to “petition” to GOD in prayer.

 

Prayer seems like a last resort kind of thing. I mean, usually I try to “fix” the problem myself and when things get even worse, I panic and possible blame. BUT GOD has a different way.

 

HE wants me to come to HIM first with any problem, trouble or sickness. Asking GOD for HIS advice, direction and counsel, helps me think clearly and takes the ownership off of me and places it on HIM. This requires a vast amount of faith. Those who like to “control” situations will not like the answer of prayer. BUT GOD lives when I can praise HIM. I am glad GOD is willing to listen to me.,

 

Challenge

• What ways does the writer give in developing solutions?
• Have you ever developed a solution and things did not come out as expected?
• How did you react?
• Will you take your first action to GOD so HE can heal, fix and provide for you today?

Bigger Prayer

Bigger Prayer

Colossians 4: ¹² Greetings from Epaphras, another member of your group and a servant of Christ Jesus. He always prays fervently for you, asking God to make you stand firm, as mature and fully convinced Christians, in complete obedience to God's will. ¹³ I can personally testify to his hard work for you and for the people in Laodicea and Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, our dear doctor, and Demas send you their greetings.

 

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Looking outside, I could see the wind thrashing wildly against the tall bushes. Heavy rain and lightning followed. During the storm I noticed delicate items like bird food and flower pots were not moving. I drove around later and a large tree was broken at the trunk. Why did the delicate items survive?

 

• I wondered why people go through troubles.
• I pondered about people who seem to go through life easy while others seem to have nothing but storms.
• I looked at the tremendous force blowing all around and wondered why something so delicate could be protected.

 

Epaphras prays a different prayer for everyone. Knowing there were many circumstances that were out of his control, he went straight to the source and prayed for GOD to “make” them stand firm. This was a bigger prayer that included the circumstances as well as the outcome.

 

My Observations

• GOD doesn’t mind me praying for a trial to go away for me or another person.
• My growth in GOD also includes becoming mature, fully convinced and completely committed to obeying the LORD.
• GOD is the source of “making” others stand firm and becoming mature and being fully convinced that HE is the only answer.

 

Looking at the circumstance can take my eyes off of GOD. I mean, I may be praying for the storm to go away instead of marveling that GOD can protect me in the middle of strong winds that come against me. I am no match for the storms. I have no weapons and the storms are frightening. BUT GOD is the source.

 

HE is the one I can go to and ask that HE orchestrate the circumstances in his or her life so he or she will be able to stand firm. GOD owns growth and standing firm as a fragile item shows HIS protective power. I am glad HE is the source that I can go to for a bigger prayer than the circumstance.

 

Challenge

• What is the prayer style of Epaphras?
• Did he ask GOD to make the problems go away or for GOD to do something else?
• Can you take your eyes off of the circumstance for a moment and marvel at GOD’s tremendous power to protect someone as delicate as you?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, please make this reader stand firm, as a mature and fully convinced believer of JESUS, in complete obedience to YOUR will. amen

Pray, pray, pray, pray, pray!

Ephesians 6: ¹⁸ Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people. ¹⁹ And pray also for me, that God will give me a message when I am ready to speak, so that I may speak boldly and make known the gospel's secret. ²⁰ For the sake of this gospel I am an ambassador, though now I am in prison. Pray that I may be bold in speaking about the gospel as I should.

 

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Being on my own, I chose to stop praying. “What good is saying the LORD’s prayer anyway?” I said to myself. I wanted to just have “fun.” As things got worse and worse, I revisited prayer.

 

• I only prayed when I wanted something.
• I had stopped believing in prayer, because things were not going “my” way.
• I did not feel the need for prayer when I was in the middle of doing what “I” wanted to do.

 

Paul gives everyone several reasons to pray. He ties prayer to “building up your strength” and “Standing ready” as he mentioned earlier while urging us to put on the whole armor of GOD. Do all this in prayer.

 

My Observations

• Prayer helps me communicate with GOD to place my desires before HIM.
• Prayer guides me to a better place when led by the HOLY SPIRIT.
• Prayer gets other people involved to ask GOD to reveal HIS mighty power.

 

Usually prayer is the last resort when it should be the first. I mean, asking GOD for permission, direction and success seems like the right thing to do. Unfortunately, I have the tendency to start doing what “I” want to do and when it is a mess, ask GOD to fix it.

 

Prayer is a time to change “my” mind versus trying to get GOD to do something HE does not want to do. HE gracefully reveals the “gospel’s secret” and enables anyone who asks to become an ambassador for HIM. HIS SPIRIT shows me that HE can never be constrained. I am thankful GOD wants to communicate with me all day every day.

 

Challenge

• What different ways to pray do you see in the writers words?
• How is the SPIRIT leading you?
• Have you validated your desires by asking GOD “Is this what YOU want me to do?”
• Will you place every situation, thing and person, including yourself, before GOD in prayer today?

Servant Leadership

Servant Leadership

2 Corinthians 6: ³ We do not want anyone to find fault with our work, so we try not to put obstacles in anyone's way. ⁴ Instead, in everything we do we show that we are God's servants by patiently enduring troubles, hardships, and difficulties. ⁵ We have been beaten, jailed, and mobbed; we have been overworked and have gone without sleep or food. ⁶ By our purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness we have shown ourselves to be God's servants—by the Holy Spirit, by our true love, ⁷ by our message of truth, and by the power of God. We have righteousness as our weapon, both to attack and to defend ourselves.

 

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Tired of bullies and being a goody, goody, I decided to get into body building. This way I could be attractive and be ready to fight. The bigger I got, the more I realized there was always a bully who was bigger and stronger than me. I was preparing to fight the wrong battle.

 

• I wanted to overcome frustrations by venting or fighting.
• I wanted to fulfil my lusts.
• I wanted to be seen as a strong leader based on the world’s definition.

 

Paul describes a life that is less desirable to many. It is a life dedicated to GOD’s service. He mentions that he was beaten, jailed, mobbed, sleepless and starving all for the sake of being a servant of GOD.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to patiently endure troubles, hardships and difficulties.
• GOD wants me to focus on purity, knowledge, patience and kindness to be HIS example.
• GOD wants me to show the love of the HOLY SPIRIT with the message of truth.

 

Being a pushover is not where GOD wants me. I mean, HE doesn’t want me gullible or unwise. HE knows the ways of the world require that I understand it, but not follow it. GOD’s kingdom is the only kingdom worth building.

 

HE loves when I surrender parts of my life solely for HIS purpose. HE then gives me HIS righteousness to attack injustice with peace and fight bullying, whether passive or overt, with love and truth. I gladly take on being a servant of GOD so HE may bring many back to HIS kingdom.

 

Challenge

• Have you ever viewed your hardship, difficulty or trouble as the ministry GOD wants you to use as your ministry?
• What do you notice about what the writer went through?
• As a child, were you ever scared to do something so you asked an adult to help you?
• Will you be that adult to someone and share how GOD is keeping your trial today?

Blessing, Love and Peace

 

Blessing, Love and Peace

Romans 15: ²⁸ When I have finished this task and have turned over to them all the money that has been raised for them, I shall leave for Spain and visit you on my way there. ²⁹ When I come to you, I know that I shall come with a full measure of the blessing of Christ.

 

³⁰ I urge you, friends, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love that the Spirit gives: join me in praying fervently to God for me. ³¹ Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to God's people there. ³² And so I will come to you full of joy, if it is God's will, and enjoy a refreshing visit with you. ³³ May God, our source of peace, be with all of you. Amen.

 

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Seeing ants crawl on the counter made me curious. “How are they getting in?” is what I asked. I spent time looking around the edges of the house and I found where they were crawling in. It was an easy fix once I found the source.

 

• Many times I look for the source of the problem.
• Many times I seek out problems so “I” can fix it.
• Many times I find the source of the problem, but need help getting the source of the solution.

 

Paul finishes explaining his plans. After he gives this money to the poor, he planned to visit those he wrote to. He knew the roads were treacherous and laced with thieves, so he asked for fervent prayer, not just a onetime ask. He also knew he needed the prayer of many.

 

• GOD wants me to ask for prayer when HE shows a difficult road ahead.
• GOD wants me to finish the task HE gives me to do.
• GOD wants me to seek HIM for blessing, love and peace.

 

The full measure of blessing of CHRIST is the Good News that should be preached all over the world. Love should be used when praying for one another. And peace comes from the source, namely GOD. I gladly ask everyone for prayers and that you receive peace from GOD.

 

• Have the many worries of the world made you lose your focus on GOD?
• How are you seeking peace?
• Will you speak about the blessing of CHRIST and ask others to pray for you with the love that comes from the HOLY SPIRIT so GOD may provide you with peace that only comes from HIM?

Free at Last

Free at Last

Acts 12: ⁵ Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. ⁶ And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. ⁷ Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. ⁸ Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” ⁹ So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. ¹⁰ When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

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Waking up with no meetings felt strange. No email to check and no phone calls to make was new to me. The elimination of the position I held was now real. All of the things I said I had no time for was brought to mind. I’m not talking about a “to do” list, rather GOD was asking me “Do you have time for ME now?”

• There were times when I just wanted to be free.
• There were times when I didn’t want responsibilities.
• There were times when I dreamed of being on my own schedule.

Peter was heavily guarded and bound with chains between guards. Those who did not believe in the resurrection of JESUS, may have thought this measure of security would prevent any deception from happening. BUT GOD never deceives. HE sent an angel to free Peter.

• GOD wants me to be free indeed.
• GOD wants me to be loosed from strongholds.
• GOD wants me to be lifted out of addictions.

Life has many holes for me to fall into. Desires for more stuff or lust over people, power or positions can cause me to get stuck on things that bind me, never seeing GOD in my daily walk.

GOD wants me to be freed up so I can speak about HIM another day. The pursuit of wealth and pleasure can bind the soul, but the pursuit of GOD’s kingdom frees the spirit. I am grateful JESUS has set me free. I am free indeed.

• Are you stuck in or on something?
• Do you feel locked up and want to be free?
• Will you give your life to JESUS so HE will become your purpose and you will be free, even in the place you want to run away from?

Seen and Heard

Seen and Heard

Acts 7: ³⁰ “And when forty years had passed, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai. ³¹ When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he drew near to observe, the voice of the Lord came to him, ³² saying, ‘I am the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and dared not look. ³³ ‘Then the Lord said to him, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. ³⁴ I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt; I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.” ’

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“Come on!” I shouted in my mind. Another thing was going wrong and it seemed like my newfound prayer life wasn’t working. “What do YOU want from me?” I said out loud to GOD. No answer. I then started questioning HIS validity. “If YOU are GOD, then fix this problem right away” I commanded.

• There have been times when I lost heart.
• There have been times when I wondered if GOD even heard me.
• There have been times when I thought GOD doesn’t see me so I can sin as much as I want because maybe HE doesn’t care.

Stephen continues his discourse about Moses. He explains how GOD spoke to Moses regarding the oppression of HIS people. GOD was ready to reveal HIS plan to Moses.

• GOD says to me “Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD.”
• GOD says to me “I have come to give you abundant life.”
• GOD says to me “You are not alone, I AM here with you.”

With a flaming bush in the desert, Moses was summoned to GOD’s glorious plan. Moses had not prayed for the salvation of the people. He was quite content to live with his family away from the oppression. BUT GOD chose him to be the leader of HIS people.

GOD’s plan cannot be stopped. HE sees and hears all groanings and the oppression people face. HE already has a plan in motion to deliver HIS people. I am grateful GOD sees and hears me.

• Are you losing faith?
• Do you feel worried?
• Will you place in your heart that GOD sees and hears you and will guide and protect you today?

Preparation

Preparation

Acts 1: ¹² Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. ¹³ And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. ¹⁴ These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

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Before the trip, a meeting was held. We gathered to discuss what we planned to do on the trip, what we were going to see and what to do if someone went missing or got hurt. During this meeting, exciting things and concerns were discussed. I left feeling prepared.

• On many occasions, I have met with people to prepare.
• On many occasions, I have gathered to hear concerns of others.
• On many occasions, I have tried to address those concerns with the information I knew.

The disciples, many woman and JESUS family gathered in the upper room after JESUS ascended into a cloud. I could only imagine the conversation of amazement and probably a little fear. I mean JESUS, who did amazing things was alive! But now HE was gone. What to do now?

• GOD wants me to prepare for my day by speaking to HIM.
• GOD wants me to gather together with others to hear their excitement and concerns.
• GOD wants me to speak with HIM constantly, because HE is always there.

Two or more hearts who believe in GOD’s power can do amazing things. Their belief touches GOD so much, HE opens their eyes to what HE has already done. HE provides assurance that HE cares by placing the right people around me when I need them. Prayer prepares me.

• How do you start your day?
• Do you speak to GOD, asking HIM to guide you every day?
• Will you gather with others to hear and express excitement about GOD and concerns about their lives and yours?

Needing Help

Needing Help

John 15: ²⁶ “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. ²⁷ And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

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Sitting alone in my apartment was driving me crazy. I did not know many people in the town where I worked and was forced to commune with co-workers. I applied for a few positions away from that place, but found nothing. I felt doomed to stay there “forever.” I started my life over. I was no longer going to be the chief of parties. I wanted to learn about GOD.

• At one point, something changed inside me.
• At one point, I desired to follow GOD.
• At one point, my worries, fears, doubts and complaints were put aside for a new outlook on life.

JESUS gives HIS followers something to look for. HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT, who is the HELPER. JESUS also gave HIS followers purpose, namely to bear witness of HIM being our Savior.

• The HELPER will gives me words to comfort others.
• The HELPER fills me up with joy.
• The HELPER changes my mind from worry to victory.

Feeling all alone is sometimes overwhelming. I mean at every turn, there seemed to be a problem that I could not fix. BUT GOD wanted me to look to HIM for all of my answers. Instead of thinking “I” had to solve everything by “myself”, GOD sent me the HELPER.

When I couple myself to GOD, through the HOLY SPIRIT, I am filled with joy that makes no sense. I can then serve others and speak about JESUS in word and action. I always need help and I am grateful for the HOLY SPIRIT who lives inside me.

• Are you alone?
• Do you feel worthless?
• Will you accept your calling and allow GOD to speak to many people through you?
• Will you also stop thinking you are broken and let the perfect HOLY SPIRIT reside in you today?

Prayers Are Heard

Luke 18: Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. ² He said: ‘In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought.³ And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, “Grant me justice against my adversary.”

⁴ ‘For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, “Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, ⁵ yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!”’

⁶ And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. ⁷ And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? ⁸ I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?’

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After months of trying, I finally gave up the search. I was destined to be stuck in the town I despised. “I guess I’d better start liking this town” I said to myself. I stopped applying for jobs, but my prayer life, while new, was still going. My prayer changed from “Get me out of this town” to “If it is YOUR will, then guide me.” Months later I moved.

• There have been many times when I felt like giving up.
• There have been many times when I had no resolution to my situation.
• There have been many times when I thought my world was collapsing while everyone else was doing well.

JESUS told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. HE explained how a persistent widow kept going to a godless person and got what she wanted. How much then would GOD, who cares for you, give you what you want?

• GOD says to me “Keep praying, for I hear you.”
• GOD says to me “Keep asking, and I will come into your heart.”
• GOD says to me “Keep trying, for I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and give you hope.”

“Are we there yet” was my childish question on, what I thought was, a long drive. But as I matured and had to drive myself, the drive seemed shorter than I thought. The same goes with spiritual maturity. “Is my prayer answered yet?” is my immature question. BUT GOD knows the areas of my life that I need to grow.

HE wants me to have the faith that sustains all extended problems of life. HE wants me to have persistence in my prayer. When JESUS returns, I would like HIM to find me with faith rather than with blame. I will continue to pray and believe.

• Do you feel like giving up?
• Has life gotten very difficult?
• Will you stop, take a deep breath and continue to pray and believe in GOD to deliver you in HIS time and in HIS way?

No choice but to keep going

Luke 14: ³⁴ “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? ³⁵ It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

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When I left a place I shouldn’t have been in the first place, I was nervous of my surroundings. I could see thugs looking at me so I increased my pace towards the bus. When the bus pulled off without me, I ran shouting “wait.” I kept running at the disappearing target, but I felt like giving up. After the fourth attempt, I finally caught up to the bus. I had no choice.

• There have been many times when I felt like giving up.
• There have been many times when I felt defeated.
• There have been many times when I felt distressed, distracted and dejected.

JESUS doesn’t minimize HIS words when HE speaks to the crowd. HE spoke directly to those who felt like giving up. HE mentions the value of salt which preserves, penetrates and permeates. But when salt loses its power to do so, then what good is it?

• GOD wants me to keep going especially when I don’t feel like it.
• GOD wants me to stop looking at the situation and look only at HIM.
• GOD wants me to keep the salt HE gave me so I can multiply it amongst many.

Saltiness is a multitude of things in my relationship with GOD. It’s bold, overpowering, sometimes subtle, and only a little is needed. It penetrates, melts and keeps things whole. It corrodes, burns and scratches, yet it soothes. But when I give up my saltiness, I can do none of the above. What am I giving my saltiness up for? Nothing.

I mean what am I trading it in for? Nothing. Where else would I turn? Nowhere. GOD wants me to keep my mind focused beyond the current situation and set my eyes permanently on HIM. In spite of the latest sin I just committed, GOD is my forgiver. HE guides me to the truth and that truth is JESUS.

• Do you feel like giving up?
• Are you only focused on money or the lack thereof?
• Is GOD minimized in your life right now because you think HIS grace is insufficient?
• Will you stop believing in lies and know GOD’s grace is sufficient and you are special to HIM?

Inside Out

Luke 7: ³⁶ Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. ³⁷ And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, ³⁸ and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. ³⁹ Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”

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Garnished with a smile, I stepped into church. With worries as high as a mountain, I dare not smile and say “everything is fine” in front of the group. No one asked how I was doing, no one checked in the next week.

• There were times when the hurt outweighed the wealth.
• There were times when something inside just had to come out.
• There were times when I wanted to cry out, but had not place to do it.

The woman had a reputation of doing sinful things. She may have even been wealthy as she held an expensive alabaster flask of fragrant oil to anoint JESUS’s head. She was so hurt that she used her tears and hair to wash HIS feet. The Pharisee on the other hand criticized her lifestyle.

• GOD wants me to throw away my criticism.
• GOD wants me to stop looking at what other people are doing and tell HIM about my sin.
• GOD wants me to seek HIM when I am hurting.

The phonier the church, the more masks are worn by the attendees. Pharisees criticize people for their imperfections, BUT GOD sees through this. HE wants the sinner to be able to confess their sin without being damaged more. HE also does a wonderful thing by allowing me to come to HIM with any problem.

• Are you hurting?
• Is life up one day and down the next?
• Can you seek GOD directly with your hurt, worries and problems today?

Partial Assistance

Mark 9: ¹⁹ He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” ²⁰ Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.

²¹ So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”

And he said, “From childhood. ²² And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

²³ Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

²⁴ Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

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“Don’t worry, I have been practicing for over 20 years” the doctor said to me. “I understand, but I’m still nervous” was my reply as I was about to have four wisdom teeth ripped from my mouth.

• Sometimes explanations don’t help me.
• Sometimes examples don’t calm me down.
• Sometimes knowing just isn’t enough for me.

The father came to JESUS probably knowing JESUS could heal his son. JESUS says something strange to the father. HE says “Believe” to the father. I like and understand the father’s response.

• JESUS tells me to believe but sometimes I must as HIM to fill in on the areas I can’t believe.
• JESUS tells me to expect things to happen but sometimes I need HIM to fill in my unbelief.
• JESUS tells me to know that anything is possible with belief, but sometimes I need HIM to provide the extra part of the belief that will enable a miracle.

“I believe; help my unbelief” is a great statement. I do believe that GOD can do marvelous things, but the part of me that has been worn down by the world may not fully believe, so I need help with my belief. JESUS is willing and able to supply the missing part to my belief.

When life deals out yet another crushing blow, JESUS is there saying “I got this.” HE is there when no one else is.

• Have you been dealt yet another piece of bad news?
• Do you feel you don’t have the belief to continue on with GOD’s work?
• Can you ask HIM for a dose of belief so HE can carry you through?

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?

Harassed and Helpless

Matthew 9: ³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

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Walking down the hallway of my dorm, a guy stuck his head out of a room and screamed “Hey [racial name]!” and slammed the door giggling. Filled with rage, I went to the night clerk who was six feet, five inches and my friend. We banged on the door until they opened it, there were seven or eight guys in the room.

“Who is the guy who made slurs at my friend?” I pointed the guy out by hitting him on the back of his head. Nothing good came out of the situation. For the rest of the year, the floor had tension.

• There were times when I have been harassed.
• There were times when I have felt helpless.
• There have been times I have taken matters into my own hands and did not get very far.

Rage, anger and hatred are values that get me into trouble. When I feel like retaliating, but cannot, I feel helpless. When someone else attacks me I immediately go on the defense, ready to go to war with them. We will go blow for blow until everyone loses. BUT GOD wants me to behave differently.

• GOD wants me to see the sickness and disease of humanity.
• GOD wants me to have compassion on the crowd.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM “Please send out workers into YOUR field.”

Falling down the hole of rage blinds me to the ailment “we” all have, namely sin. I elevate “that” person’s sins over mine and blame them for all of the world’s problems. GOD wants me to calm down for a moment and pray to HIM so HIS Good News can be spread. The Good News is that JESUS has already won and there is no fight!

GOD wants my rage to be replaced with HIS compassion. HE took care of it all.

• Are you being harassed by life?
• Do you feel helpless?
• Can you stop focusing on the harassment and look at GOD’s deliverance?
• Will you ask GOD for more of HIS workers to help spread the Good News?