Want Help with That?

Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love].
Galatians 6:2 The Amplified Bible

Have you ever had a difficult season in life? Yes, I know... stupid question. Every living being has had at least one. What do you do in those times? To whom do you turn? Yes, of course, Jesus. He's our only true hope. But do you have anyone to help you pray when you can't? Someone or several someones to help you when your burdens are perhaps more physical than spiritual?

What's your definition of "burdens"? We definitely need to help carry spiritual burdens - moral struggles, addictive sin, matters of an eternal nature. What about helping when someone is moving from one house to another? What about during an illness or a long recovery? Meals? Mowing? Cleaning their house when they can't? Are we as willing to walk through the truly tough times - death of a loved one? Loss of a job? Providing groceries? Caring for children or the elderly?

These are just a few examples of being Christ's hand extended - the law of Christian love. Also in the Amplified Bible, John 13:35, Jesus instructs us, By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another. 

Take a moment and think about those God has put within your sphere of influence. How can you help?

Prayer:

Father,
           Forgive us for the times we have missed the opportunity to be Your hand extended to fulfill the law of Christian love. Open our eyes to see as You see. Open our hearts to feel for others as You would. Grant us the wisdom and the wherewithal to help those around us. Help us to live so that we are known by Your love and unselfish concern for others. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Re-Rigging the Load

This was written by Pr. Alan Neel

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NLT

What can Jesus really accomplish here on earth? The obvious answer is there is nothing that Jesus canNOT accomplish here on Earth! But imagine receiving an invitation that can literally make everything in your life better. That is Jesus' invitation to those who are overwhelmed and burdened. “Just yoke up with me,” says Jesus. He has the ability to carry the weight as long as we entrust Him with the whole load. 

That means no more trying to manipulate or re-rig the burden, just trust Him completely. 

TRUST JESUS AND BE FREE TO FULFILL YOUR PURPOSE!

Prayer:

Father,

          Please forgive us for all the times we try to manipulate or re-rig our burdens in life without trusting You. Open our hearts to fully trust You and receive Your promises. Open our eyes to see Your hand of protection over us. We pray as the child's father in Mark 9:24, we believe, Father. Help our unbelief! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

How Much for Your Thoughts?

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Psalm 139:23 NLT

Have you ever been fooled by someone who put their best face forward? I know I have. You find out after the fact that they were going through the most awful time and were too embarrassed or were afraid of being judged. People you're willing to help if only you knew, if only they would let you in. 

The thing to remember for ALL of us is this. We are ALL in a battle of some kind. satan wants nothing more than to kill, steal and destroy us - no holds barred - but Christ came so that we might have abundant lives! This is why it is SO important to know God's Word. The answers to EVERYTHING are in there.

satan's ploy often starts as a thought - about you or about someone else or something else - but God's Word in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV instructs us... the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ...

I'm sure you've heard or may have even said, "A penny for your thoughts", but your thoughts are worth SO much more, for what people think will determine how they choose to live or die. Don't let the enemy of your soul determine how you will think. James 5:16 NLT reads, Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 

Prayer:

Father,

          Help us to walk in Your love with one another and in unity of Spirit. Help us to fulfill the law of Christ, bearing one another's burdens according to Galatians 6:2. Give us Your eyes to see those who need encouragement or a helping hand and the grace to help them through. Help us to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.  Please forgive us and interrupt us when we allow ourselves to get distracted or too busy to see. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen