When It's Hopeless

Have you ever faced a situation that seemed hopeless, where you saw no way out? The Bible tells of a woman who was facing a hopeless situation recorded in the 5th chapter of Mark. This woman had a sickness for more than twelve years. She had spent all she had trying to get better but instead got worse.  It was at this low point that she had a glimmer of hope. She heard about Jesus. From Matthew 14:36 we know that the news of Jesus healing people was spread about and that as many as touched even the hem of His garment were made perfectly well. This woman must have heard this same thing because when she heard of Jesus, she said within herself, “If I just touch the hem of his garment, I will be healed.” The Bible says that she came to Jesus from behind and touched the hem of His garment and was instantly healed. Jesus turned to her and said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well, go in peace.”

In the midst of her desperation, touching Jesus made all the difference. Now Jesus is no longer on this earth in a physical form like He was when this woman touched Him. But He is available to us through prayer. Jesus said, “Come unto Me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Anyone who comes to Jesus and with sincerity prays, “Lord Jesus, I’m coming to You, please be my help, please reveal Yourself to me,” Jesus will hear and answer that prayer. Jesus also said, “Anyone who comes to Me, I will by no means cast out.”  Come to Jesus; ask Him to be your Lord, your Savior, and your healer. He is our help.

Immanuel

In God's word we find there are many names given to our Lord Jesus. He is Messiah, Redeemer, our Advocate with the Father, Prince of Peace and King of Kings. One of the most comforting names of God and His Christ is found in Isaiah 7:14, “The Lord Himself will give you a sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel" (which means 'God is with us').

Jesus is Immanuel and no matter what we are going through, He promised He would be with us always, even to the end of the age. Jesus said He would never leave us or forsake us. When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost, the very presence of God was made available to every child of God. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, but are we aware of His working in our lives? Sometimes life can get so busy that we fail to recognize God is near and working for our good.

Christmas time can be a wonderful time with family and friends but it can also be a time where we become so busy preparing for Christmas that we lose sight of who we are celebrating. If things start to get stressful for you this Christmas I encourage you to stop whatever you are doing and call out to Him, to Jesus, to Immanuel. Ask Him to be with you, to be near you, and to help you. Jesus said, “Come unto Me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Psalm 145:18 says, “The Lord is near to all who call on Him.” Call on Jesus. He is Immanuel, God with us. 

The Lord's Prayer

From Matthew 6:9 we are studying the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus begins this prayer with the words, “Our Father in heaven.” Prayer should begin by connecting with the one we are praying to, our loving heavenly Father. Next Jesus prays, “Hallowed be thy name.” Throughout scripture God’s character is revealed in His many names. He is Jehovah Jireh (provider), Jehovah Rapha (healer), Savior, Counselor, God Most High, and the great I Am. These and other names reveal who God is and why we honor Him.

Next Jesus prays, “Thy kingdom come Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” In this portion, we surrender our will to God’s will. We offer our life to be used for God’s purposes. Then Jesus prays, “Give us this day our daily bread.” This is a prayerof dependence on God for all we have need of. “And forgive us our sins.” Here we admit our faults and ask God to cleanse usfrom our sins. Only by faith in Jesus can our sins be forgiven. Next Jesus prays, “As we forgive those who have sinned against us.” This is such an important step in prayer because Jesus also said if we will not forgive those who have sinned against us, we cannot be forgiven. Don’t hang on to past hurts, instead release them to God.

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Here we ask God to guard our heart and protect us from the evil one and all his schemes. God has delivered us from the power of darkness in Jesus. “For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen.” This prayer ends where it began with praise to God. Let the Lord’s Prayer be your guide to a deeper walk with God.

The New Man

The book of Ephesians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul primarily to gentile believers who had recently accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Paul told them they were now accepted into God's family and redeemed from a life of sin to serve the living God. In chapter four Paul tells these new believers that they are to put off the old man and put on the new man. How do we do this?

The "old man" Paul is talking about is our fleshly nature. That’s the part of us that wants to sin and rebel against God. We are to put off the old man. We do this by making a quality decision to no longer cater to the desires of the fleshly nature. The same way someone would take off an old ragged jacket that no longer serves any useful purpose, we put off the old man, whose identity is in rebelling against God.

Then, we are to put on the new man. How do we do that? By making a quality decision to obey God and whatever His word tells us to do. The same way someone would decide to put on a beautiful new jacket given to us by a friend, we can put on the new man. It starts with a decision to follow God with our whole heart. Our identity is no longer with the old man, but with the new man who is created in Christ Jesus to do good works. It starts with a decision, but the power necessary to maintain this decision has to come from God. We don’t have the power in ourselves to consistently put on the new man, but by surrendering our lives daily to Jesus, His power helps us to put on the new man.

Jesus Won the Victory

When Jesus rose from the dead He defeated death and its power. Through Jesus, there is the promise of eternal life for all who put their trust in Him. If eternal life was the sum total of what Jesus accomplished at Calvary that would be awesome. But Jesus accomplished so much more that applies to the here and now. His promises are not just for getting to heaven, but for experiencing God's presence every day.

In rising from the dead, Jesus not only won the victory over death, He also won the victory over sickness and disease. Acts 3 tells of a man who was lame from his mother’s womb. When he saw Peter and John going up to the temple to worship, he asked them for alms. Peter said, “What I have, I give you, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” The lame man rose up well, walking and leaping and praising God.

In Acts 2 the disciples gathered for prayer. As they sought God, the power of the Holy Spirit fell and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then Peter preached his first sermon telling of the saving power of Jesus, and three thousand were saved that day. Acts 16 tells of a young lady who was possessed by an evil spirit. She followed the apostle Paul around and after some time, he turned to her and cast out the evil spirit by the power of the name of Jesus.

When Jesus rose from the dead, He won the victory over death. He also gave His name to His church. That in the name of Jesus there is salvation, healing, and deliverance from the control of satan and the promise of eternal life if we believe in Him. Praise God!

Until Christ is Formed in You

In Galatians 4:19 the Apostle Paul says, “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you.” Paul is describing the intense way he prayed for these believers in Galatia, praying that Christ would be formed in them. What would the Galatian Church, or any church, look like if Christ were fully formed in each member? What would your life look like if Christ were fully formed in you?

           

Someone might say, “If Christ were fully formed in me, I'd probably never sin, and you know that is never going to happen.” Yes it's true, if Christ were fully formed in us, we would think more like Jesus, talk more like Jesus, and act more like Jesus. But isn't that the goal God has for every one of His children? If Christ were fully formed in us, how would our lives be different? Would we be more patient and loving to others? Would we be more bold in our stand for truth (God's word is truth)? Would we be a more accurate representation of a God who loves us with an everlasting love?

           

I believe that is the message Paul wants every Christian to come away with. Pray for one another that Christ be formed in you. When Christ is formed in you, you will be the church that God has called you to be. Your lives will be a “living letter” read by all. Those who read the letter of your life will see a God who loves us so much. They will see Jesus, our Savior, who willingly suffered a horrible death on the cross, so that if we believe in Him, all our sins could be forgiven. Pray for one another that Christ be formed in you.

The Tale of Two Heart Conditions

The Christmas Story includes a tale of two heart conditions. The Gospel of Matthew chapter two tells us of  wise men from the east who were seeking to find Him who was born King of the Jews. They followed the light of His star which led them to Bethlehem, where they presented gifts to this King, and then fell down and worshiped Him.

This same chapter from the Bible tells us of another man, King Herod. When he heard the announcement of this King's birth, he acted like he wanted to worship Him, but instead he wanted to kill Him. Why did he want to kill this baby? Because Herod thought this baby's birth could somehow interrupt his reign as king. He gave the order to have every male child in this district two years old or younger to be killed.

Here we find examples of two heart conditions. Heart condition one: “Wise men,” who when they   heard of the coming Messiah, sought Him out, found Him and worshiped. Heart condition two: “Herod,” who upon hearing of this King, rejected Him, and sought to neutralize any effect Jesus might have on his  life. Instead of submitting to this King's authority, he thought only of preserving his own reign.

So today, we tell the Christmas Story of a babe born in Bethlehem, born for one reason, to pay the debt for our sins on a cross 33 years later. Do we give Him the glory He deserves as King and Lord, or do we seek to preserve our life and let nothing interrupt our reign? Jesus said, “Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” 

My prayer this Christmas is that all may find the peace and forgiveness found only in Jesus, by responding with the heart of the wise men.

Submit, Then Resist

1 Peter 5:8 refers to the devil as “our adversary,” whom we are to resist, steadfast in the faith.  How does one resist the devil?  James 4:7 says, “Submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”  Some make the mistake of trying to resist the devil without doing the first part of this verse.  It is only by submitting our lives to the Lord that we have power to resist the schemes of the devil.  When we submit to God, we are saying, “God, I choose to obey You and obey Your word.”  Submitting to God is the first step in resisting the devil.

Webster’s dictionary defines “resist” as “to withstand and remain strong against the force of something.”  To remain strong against the forces of the devil takes the power of God.  Human strength will only go so far.  We need God’s power to withstand the devil.  In Luke 10:19 Jesus said, “Behold I give you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy.”  Jesus has given His followers authority to use His Name to withstand and remain strong against all the forces of darkness.

Another aspect of resisting the devil is to keep a humble heart.  James 4:6 says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  The devil started out as “the anointed cherub or angel” who became so prideful he thought he could overthrow God.  When we get lifted up in pride, we are following satan (and God resists the proud).  But if we will humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, He will be our help and strength.  If the believer in Jesus will submit to God, and resist evil using Jesus’ name and authority, the devil will surely flee from us.

Walking in Divine Authority

In Luke 10 Jesus says, “Behold I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy.” Jesus continues, “Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” I think it’s fair to say that many Christians are rejoicing that their names are written in heaven, but how many more Christians have forgotten the first part of this verse, that we have been given authority over the devil. In John 10:10 Jesus tells us “the thief” (aka satan) “comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy.” How many know that by using the authority that we have been given in Jesus’ name, we can bring to naught the devil's wicked schemes?

Jesus is our example, showing us how to operate in the authority He has given us. Philippians 2:7 tells us that Jesus “made Himself of no reputation.” That means that even though He is God, He laid aside His deity in order to show us by example how a man who is submitted to God, can walk in authority over the devil. Jesus always did the will of His Father. Jesus was fully submitted to God. Do you want to walk in divine authority over the devil? Submit your life to God, to our Lord Jesus, and to God’s word.

Jesus paid a high price so that His church could walk in divine authority over “all the power of the enemy.” Let’s follow His example and reject all the evil works of darkness and fully submit our lives to Almighty God. By following Jesus’ example, we will be able to say what the early disciples of Jesus said, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 

Fully Receive, Freely Give

In Matthew 1:8 Jesus tells His disciples, “Freely you have received, freely give.” This statement is a foundational truth in the kingdom of God. In order to give anything, we must first receive. You’ve probably heard the saying “you can’t get blood out of a turnip.” Meaning, you cannot give what you don’t have.

Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one other; even as God in Christ forgave you.” This is one of many scriptures telling the believer in Jesus to be kind, loving, and forgiving. According to our opening scripture, we must first receive these from Jesus, in order to have them to give to others.

I wonder if one of the reasons we struggle to love others is because we have not fully received the great love that God has for us. I wonder if one of the reasons we struggle to forgive others is because we have not fully received the forgiveness that is offered to us in Jesus Christ. Freely you have received, freely give.

It’s been many years ago now, but when I surrendered my life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, I accepted His offer to forgive me of all of my sins. I experienced God’s love as I read the word of God and found out how great God’s love was for me. Something was changing on the inside of me. Now, I had something to give. I could obey a scripture like Ephesians 4:32 because I had received those very things from my Lord.

I have a question for you: Have you fully received all that our Lord desires to give to you? That is a good question for each of us to take to the Lord in prayer. Receiving must come first, then we have something to give. Freely you have received, freely give.

Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone

In Matthew 4:4, Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Our physical bodies need natural food to be healthy and strong, but our spirit man needs spiritual food (the word of God) to remain healthy and strong. Jesus repeats this theme in Matthew 6 when He says, “Do not worry about your life, what you shall eat or drink, or your body, what you shall wear, but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”

We have need of physical food to be healthy and strong, but even ahead of these things, we should seek first God’s kingdom and His holy word to feed our spiritual man. As one fellow put it, “We feed our physical bodies three hot meals a day, and our spirit man one cold snack a week, and wonder why we aren’t stronger spiritually.”

Set aside time each day to spend with God in prayer and in His word. It doesn’t have to take a huge part of your day, start with 5 minutes and say, “Lord, I’m coming to You, and to Your word to know You and Your ways.” There are many good devotions out there, but one I can recommend is www.ourdailybread.org. It is available in print form, a daily devotion on their website, via email, or even on a mobile app for your smart phone. All of it is available at no charge. It gives you a scripture passage, a short devotion, and a prayer. Or, if you prefer, get out your bible and read a passage from the Gospel of John each day. Our spirit man needs good food, for man shall not live by bread alone.

Quick to Listen

One of the great privileges we have as believers in Jesus is that we can hear His call. In John 10:27 Jesus declares, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me, and I give them Eternal life.” Notice the heart attitude of one of Jesus’ sheep, they hear Him. Hearing Jesus develops an intimacy where He becomes known to us, and we are known to Him. As we get to know Him, and His voice, we trust our Shepherd and follow His lead. He leads us in His ways, and gives us eternal life. From Psalm 23 we know our Shepherd leads us to lush green pastures and peaceful waters. That is good news to a sheep.

Following Jesus requires an attitude that is willing to set aside any distractions. Proverbs 4:20 says, “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.” To “incline our ears” means to give “full attention” to what the word of God has to say. The Good Shepherd will never lead us in a path that is contrary to the word of God, so it is important that we are diligent to read and study God’s word.

And finally, James 1:19 says, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” At times, the opposite is true for us, we are slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to anger. If we are going to follow Jesus we are going to have to develop better skills in listening. Pray and ask Jesus to help you be a better listener, to set aside distractions and find out what His word has to say on the subject at hand, and to know your Good Shepherd. He will guide you into His path and plan. It’s His promise: My sheep hear My voice.