Archive for God's Help
By His Grace
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I woke up this morning with a song in my heart and a dance in my feet. I love it when a day begins – and ends – that way. I slept great last night. I finished two grad classes yesterday and am sliding in to finish with just one more class which begins today. My husband fixed my computer, which I am quite sure had been possessed by some evil spirit. The sun is shining; the birds are singing with me on this springtime morning. My diet is working and the scales are going down, down, down. My husband and I are experiencing a new honeymoon of sorts after 32 years. My kids are doing well. I am expecting my first grandchild. I have friends who love me. My church is filled with amazing people. I have an appointment with my hair stylist who will effectively hide all my gray today and make my hair look like the sun kissed it. Someone is looking at my house for the second time in a week and I pray they make an offer so we can downsize.
Does life get any better than this? It is so easy to thank God during the good days, but what can we do when the days are not so good?
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My Bridge Over Troubled Waters
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In 1969, Paul Simon wrote a powerful song which he and Art Garfunkel recorded in 1970. The expression of Paul’s heart in the song conveys the message that he would be a friend when friends could not be found; that he, himself, would be a bridge over his friend’s troubled water.
I was so struck by this thought yesterday as I listened to a lovely lady share how she had endured so many difficult things, felt alone so often, but God had revealed to her through a prayer team at our church that He had been her bridge every time over those troubled waters. She had not, in fact, been alone. God was there.
How many times have we felt abandoned during our hard times? And truthfully, many people do abandon us, but one thing I have begun to ask God in the last couple of years is that He would show me where He was during dark moments in my past. I, too, find that He has been my bridge, and that often the way He has done that was through others as they became “bridges” for me to walk on. My heart was moved to write these thoughts…
The Bridge
I hear the water below me
The power of its rushing
Stirs the fear within me
Yet the other side
Beckons me to keep walking
This bridge under my feet
Gives me strength
Although it doesn’t completely
Take my fears away
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Dealing with Temptation
Posted by: | CommentsThe Scripture tells us that "Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil." Then it says that Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights.
We know as we look back to this occasion that Jesus was about to begin his earthly ministry. Can we draw the conclusion that we might also face seasons of temptation before we are released into new levels of ministry?
The final temptation was a temptation for Jesus to receive power and glory if he would fall down and worship the devil. It came right on the heels of two other powerful temptations. Yes, temptations. Hebrews records for us that Jesus was tempted in all points as we are, yet he never succumbed to the temptations. He never sinned.
So imagine Jesus after forty days and forty nights of fasting. Tired. Lonely. Hungry. And here comes a third temptation.
Power and glory belong to Jesus. They are rightfully his. Yet Satan tried to get Jesus to receive what was rightfully his by short cutting God’s plan. "Just do it the easy way. You can have the glory and power now. Just worship me."
This wasn’t a new song and dance for Satan. He was kicked out of heaven for the same issue.
Jesus answered the temptation by saying "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve."
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You Can Make It!
Posted by: | CommentsThe second temptation of Jesus in the wilderness was, in part, one of identity.
Matthew 4:5-6
Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, sat Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written,
"He shall give His angels charge over you." and
"In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone."
Jesus had completed forty days of fasting. He was physically weak. He was hungry. He went head on with the Devil, passing the first test and boom, here comes test two. Ever noticed how when one temptation or struggle passes, there is often another one right on its heels?
Satan again tempted Jesus in the area of his identity. He taunted Jesus just as in the first temptation, "IF you are the Son of God…" He even quoted the Scripture this time answering Jesus method of passing the first temptation.
Knowing who we are is a struggle we can all have at times. Fasting helps to clarify that. As we deny our flesh in pursuit of God, our ability to hear and know gets sharper.
Jesus once again uses the Word of God to rebuff the enemy. And there is yet one more test before God will send the angels to minister to Jesus. Hang on, dear child of God, when the testing seems relentless. God will send help. You can end the season of testing with God’s strength for your weakness. You can grow in your understanding of who God has created you to be.
Remember that Jesus passed these tests as a man full of the Spirit of God. The same Spirit dwells inside you as a believer. "I can do all things through Christ who is my strength." Philippians 4:13
And at just the right time, God will minister to you, just as He ministered to Jesus.
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Finding Strength for Your Weakness
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