A Very Present Help in Trouble
Life is hard...but God is good. And a good God can help us through every hardship and difficulty when we cast all of our cares on Him.
It doesn't take long to live in this fallen world to realize that life will comes in various waves of hardships, trials, and troubles. Each storm in life reveals that we are in great need of the help of God. Only God knows the deepest needs of our lives and has the power and the precision to supply all of our needs according to the riches of His grace and glory.
THE MIGHTY WAVES OF THE SEA WILL SERVE TO DRIVE US
TO THE LOVING HANDS OF THE ALMIGHTY!
As Paul set out on his fourth missionary journey, he was not being sent out by the Church but was instead sent out by the Roman governing authorities who were honoring his personal appeal to Caesar. Since Paul was a Roman citizen and not found guilty of anything, he was given permission to take two of his close companions, Luke and Aristarchus, with him on the journey.
There will be many storms and winds that need to be overcome along this journey of faith but it is always a bit easier with true companions of faith assisting us. We need to be anchored in the truth of God's Word and to stay in close fellowship with the Captain of our salvation and the rest of His crew to weather these storms. By looking to and staying close to Christ who anchors us, "we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—" (Eph. 4:14-15).
Here are some KEY QUESTIONS:
- What troubles are you facing in your life at this time?
- Do you have some companions to help assist you along the way?
- Are you looking to Jesus and aiming to follow Him and grow up in Him no matter the cost?
Both Jesus and Paul both would suffer greatly for doing the will of God:
But the GREATER GOAL was to build Christ's Church by making true disciples and planting one holy and healthy Christ exalting church at a time throughout the world, "till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4:13).
We all have to pass through many trials and travel along difficult paths in life but Jesus will be there to help us no matter how fierce the winds or and how great the waves.
As Isaiah the prophet once said,
"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand" (Isa 41:10).
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you" (Isa 43:2).
There are many waves of opposition and winds of deception that are sinking to drown us in despair in the times we are living in. Therefore, we must be careful to daily seek the Lord in His Word and in prayer because some storms will crush us if we do not continually build our lives upon the rock that is Christ.
Paul was given a great word of encouragement from the Lord when at night on the sea an angel of the God to whom he belonged and served came to him saying, “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ (Acts 27:23-24).
O how we all need such timely prophetic words of comfort and encouragement in our darkest hours of need! Paul was surely quickened in his spirit and with renewed faith went on to say, "Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me."
Paul believed that God would do what He said He would do.
Are you believing the same dear saint?
"But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways" (James 1:6-8)
Let us remember that if we are anchored in Christ, we will not only save ourselves but we will help save those around us who are lacking in faith and drowning in the depths of despair in this dark and drowning world. Let us daily go to God and never forget that He is A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE!
Just like Paul experienced on the ship, we may need to lighten our load and cast any unnecessary baggage overboard and our burdens on the Lord!
Jesus invites us with these words: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matt. 11:28-30).
ACTS IN ACTION CHALLENGE POINTS
It doesn't take long to live in this fallen world to realize that life will comes in various waves of hardships, trials, and troubles. Each storm in life reveals that we are in great need of the help of God. Only God knows the deepest needs of our lives and has the power and the precision to supply all of our needs according to the riches of His grace and glory.
THE MIGHTY WAVES OF THE SEA WILL SERVE TO DRIVE US
TO THE LOVING HANDS OF THE ALMIGHTY!
As Paul set out on his fourth missionary journey, he was not being sent out by the Church but was instead sent out by the Roman governing authorities who were honoring his personal appeal to Caesar. Since Paul was a Roman citizen and not found guilty of anything, he was given permission to take two of his close companions, Luke and Aristarchus, with him on the journey.
There will be many storms and winds that need to be overcome along this journey of faith but it is always a bit easier with true companions of faith assisting us. We need to be anchored in the truth of God's Word and to stay in close fellowship with the Captain of our salvation and the rest of His crew to weather these storms. By looking to and staying close to Christ who anchors us, "we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—" (Eph. 4:14-15).
Here are some KEY QUESTIONS:
- What troubles are you facing in your life at this time?
- Do you have some companions to help assist you along the way?
- Are you looking to Jesus and aiming to follow Him and grow up in Him no matter the cost?
Both Jesus and Paul both would suffer greatly for doing the will of God:
- Jesus made it His GOAL to go from Galilee to Jerusalem to save souls BY HIS DEATH.
- Paul made it His GOAL to go from Jerusalem to Rome to save souls BECAUSE OF HIS DEATH.
But the GREATER GOAL was to build Christ's Church by making true disciples and planting one holy and healthy Christ exalting church at a time throughout the world, "till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4:13).
We all have to pass through many trials and travel along difficult paths in life but Jesus will be there to help us no matter how fierce the winds or and how great the waves.
As Isaiah the prophet once said,
"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand" (Isa 41:10).
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you" (Isa 43:2).
There are many waves of opposition and winds of deception that are sinking to drown us in despair in the times we are living in. Therefore, we must be careful to daily seek the Lord in His Word and in prayer because some storms will crush us if we do not continually build our lives upon the rock that is Christ.
Paul was given a great word of encouragement from the Lord when at night on the sea an angel of the God to whom he belonged and served came to him saying, “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ (Acts 27:23-24).
O how we all need such timely prophetic words of comfort and encouragement in our darkest hours of need! Paul was surely quickened in his spirit and with renewed faith went on to say, "Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me."
Paul believed that God would do what He said He would do.
Are you believing the same dear saint?
"But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways" (James 1:6-8)
Let us remember that if we are anchored in Christ, we will not only save ourselves but we will help save those around us who are lacking in faith and drowning in the depths of despair in this dark and drowning world. Let us daily go to God and never forget that He is A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE!
Just like Paul experienced on the ship, we may need to lighten our load and cast any unnecessary baggage overboard and our burdens on the Lord!
Jesus invites us with these words: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matt. 11:28-30).
ACTS IN ACTION CHALLENGE POINTS
- Expect hardships, trials, and troubles to come your way.
- Pray for those around you to see a strong witness of Christ.
- Take heart and face your troubles head on when life get hard.
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