In my quiet time this morning I came across the phrase in Hebrews 2:18, “He is able to succor them that are tempted.” The reason given was because He Himself suffered and was tempted with everything that we could be and yet without caving in.
The word “succor” caught my attention. It reminded me of a science term for a branch that is grafted into a tree and gains life from the established plant. Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines succor “to run to support; hence, to help or relieve when in difficulty, want, or distress.”
What an incredible God! He not only is a “very present help in time of trouble” according to Psalm 46, but consider also His heart and attitude in being with us in those tough times. Can you picture Him running to help you just when you need it. He takes pleasure in us trusting His help rather than giving up.
No wonder God warns us about the deceitfulness of sin. Sin lies. It wants us think that we are powerless and that God doesn’t care and may even have fdeserted us. Nothing could be farther from the truth. We are engraved in the palms of His hands. He never leaves His children alone. He knows every pain and temptation that we endure.
God reminds us not to cast away our confidence for it has great reward. Then He paints this picture of Him running to help so we don’t have to believe the lie that the situation is winning. God is pleased when we maintain our confidence in Him and His word during the hard times. In Hebrews 3:6, the word declares that “we are His house if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.”
The word today is simple: you can trust Jesus’ help, He has been there and won. So you can rejoice, because now grafted into Jesus, you win! Rejoice!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Have You Had Your Multi-Vitamin Today?
Do you take a daily multi-vitamin? Do you feel stronger and healthier after you take it? The truth is that rarely does one immediately feel stronger or healthier. However, knowing these vitamins and minerals are available to our body system gives one the confidence that they will be utilized as needed to keep the body healthy and functioning well. It is like a timely deposit into the bank of good health.
Then the next obvious question is “do you take a spiritual multi-vitamin each day?” What do you do to ensure that you have the resources available to your inner man, your spirit, to maintain spiritual balance and focus in challenging times? God has provided spiritual vitamins in His word. These life-giving capsules likewise may not give immediate strength, but they are sure to work effectively in times of need.
One of my favorites is found in Ephesians 3:16, “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,” This simple request assures me that God is providing that inner strength to meet the challenges of the day.
Another great one is Colossians 1:9-11, “that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.” Who doesn’t need encouragement that we have God’s power to be patient with joy and fruitful in all we do?
Have you found a good spiritual vitamin to take daily? As you read in the Word each day make a list of great “vitamin” verses and put one in a conspicuous place each day so you remember to dwell on it.
Then the next obvious question is “do you take a spiritual multi-vitamin each day?” What do you do to ensure that you have the resources available to your inner man, your spirit, to maintain spiritual balance and focus in challenging times? God has provided spiritual vitamins in His word. These life-giving capsules likewise may not give immediate strength, but they are sure to work effectively in times of need.
One of my favorites is found in Ephesians 3:16, “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,” This simple request assures me that God is providing that inner strength to meet the challenges of the day.
Another great one is Colossians 1:9-11, “that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.” Who doesn’t need encouragement that we have God’s power to be patient with joy and fruitful in all we do?
Have you found a good spiritual vitamin to take daily? As you read in the Word each day make a list of great “vitamin” verses and put one in a conspicuous place each day so you remember to dwell on it.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
God's Incredible Favor
Walking in God’s Favor
Psalm 5:12 declares, “For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield.” The one who accepts Jesus’ righteousness and walks in it will enjoy God’s favor.
Recently a friend shared how God’s favor followed him at work. On a slow day in the store God sent the right people to him that needed the merchandise that he sold. One after another they came to his department and made purchases. In a few hours he was able to sell more than his quota for the week. God is so good.
Then on arriving home, I was met by my son who shared what incredible favor he had received at work where his boss’s boss gave him some projects and could not say enough about how much she valued his work. My own experience and testimony this week also is that I have seen amazing favor from God.
As the school year has started at CedarWood, the favor of God is upon us.. From staff members cheerfully giving their all, to parents willing to help, to the attitude of our students, to a tangible presence of God in worship and students willing to seek Him with all their heart, it is clear that we are enjoying God’s favor. God has hand-picked the young people who are being trained and taught the ways of the Lord and we believe it is His favor that inspires the creative ideas as well as the efforts of teachers and staff to make it possible. We are blessed.
With God there is no partiality. He feels toward you just as He does toward Jesus.(John 15:9) He reveals to you that you are “My beloved son (daughter) in whom I am well-pleased.” Truly God's favor surrounds you as a shield.
Psalm 5:12 declares, “For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield.” The one who accepts Jesus’ righteousness and walks in it will enjoy God’s favor.
Recently a friend shared how God’s favor followed him at work. On a slow day in the store God sent the right people to him that needed the merchandise that he sold. One after another they came to his department and made purchases. In a few hours he was able to sell more than his quota for the week. God is so good.
Then on arriving home, I was met by my son who shared what incredible favor he had received at work where his boss’s boss gave him some projects and could not say enough about how much she valued his work. My own experience and testimony this week also is that I have seen amazing favor from God.
As the school year has started at CedarWood, the favor of God is upon us.. From staff members cheerfully giving their all, to parents willing to help, to the attitude of our students, to a tangible presence of God in worship and students willing to seek Him with all their heart, it is clear that we are enjoying God’s favor. God has hand-picked the young people who are being trained and taught the ways of the Lord and we believe it is His favor that inspires the creative ideas as well as the efforts of teachers and staff to make it possible. We are blessed.
With God there is no partiality. He feels toward you just as He does toward Jesus.(John 15:9) He reveals to you that you are “My beloved son (daughter) in whom I am well-pleased.” Truly God's favor surrounds you as a shield.
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