HELP FROM EGYPT Vs. HELP FROM THE HILLS

  

Who is the first person you turn to when you have a need or a problem? If you were upset with someone, would you call a friend? How about if you had health needs? Would you turn first to doctors and medicines? How about if you had financial needs, would you turn first to your bank account, family and friends, and the bank? And if you had a disagreement with another that couldn’t be resolved, would you turn to the legal system?

The Israelites had a history of wanting to return to Egypt time and time again when they faced challenges on their way to the Promised Land. Although God Almighty had called them His people, and had repeatedly demonstrated His power among them, their response to trouble was always to call on Egypt, or go to Egypt for help. That attitude always saddened God’s heart, and made Him jealous, because over and over again, He had told them to look to Him for help. It saddened His heart because by going to others, they were not trusting Him, they were getting less than He wanted for them, and less than they deserved, if they got anything at all.

There is nothing wrong with consulting doctors, banks, or the legal system; God made these available to us, but they should not be the first in our thinking. We need to always turn to the Lord first, and have Him direct us to those if that is what He’ll have us do. Jesus said, “Apart from me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5 NIV). If He doesn’t give doctors the needed wisdom, they wouldn’t be able to help us, and if we do not depend on God to provide the right judges, we’ll not experience the justice we need and seek. Let us go first to God, and then He will guide us to the right resources. The Psalmist wisely says, “I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2 NIV). 

It is important to note that aside from the inability of those we consult to help us, there are consequences for bypassing God, and looking for help elsewhere. Bypassing Him is a clear indication that we do not trust Him, and in response to that attitude, this is His response, “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD” (Isaiah 31:1 NIV). Additionally, He says in Jeremiah, “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord” (Jeremiah 17:5 NIV).

The arm of flesh always fails, but “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him” (Jeremiah 17:7 NIV). Goliath trusted in his size (giant), his sword, and army; David trusted in the living God, although he was tiny in comparison, and only had a sling for a weapon, and an army shaking in its boots. This is our wake-up call to seek God first in everything. 

Sennacherib, king of Assyria invaded Judah during the reign of Hezekiah. Hezekiah encouraged his army officers and the nation, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles” (2 Chronicles 32:7-8 NIV).

Instead of going to borrow from the bank and paying a hefty interest, God could find us the money we need, without us having to pay it back. God does provide you know!  Before I got into using credit cards, I prayed about every need, but after starting to use credit cards, I didn’t always wait for God’s response even if I prayed. The habit of credit use can erode faith, and cause us to take our focus off God. Let us be careful; let us place our faith in God alone.

THE CHRISTIAN’S CHARGE

Imagine this; you are a teenager living at home with your parents. One evening as your mother hurries out the door for a meeting, she yells out instructions for dinner that went something like this: “make some spaghetti for dinner; see you later.”

An hour or so before dinner, you looked in the pantry; there was no spaghetti noodle and no sauce, you have no car, and there is no grocery store within walking distance.  Reluctantly, you go to the neighbors next door to borrow ingredients for dinner. How annoying and inconvenient! Right?

Now, let us consider God’s instruction to us, His children, which says, “You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own” (Leviticus 20:26 NIV). Fortunately, we don’t have to figure out on our own how to be holy; along with the command, He has also given us the ‘How To,’ Amen!  The apostle Peter puts it this way, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV).

I believe the Christian’s charge can be placed in two major categories. They are listed below.    

·        Godly Living - How are we supposed to accomplish this? Well, God makes Himself known to us through His Son (the Word). If we search the Word carefully and diligently we will discover the ‘How,’ which is an ongoing, everyday process - of thinking and behaving like He would. After all, He wants His holiness to be our model, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children” (Ephesians 5:1 NIV).

   

·        Evangelism – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV). He has given us the power we need, and expressed it this way, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NIV). The power is not only for courage and boldness in sharing our faith; it is also for living godly lives, because our way of life is a way of witnessing, and it is just as important as verbally sharing our faith. We are more effective in soul-winning when our way of life confirms what we say. Amen!

BE A SAINT

Who is a saint, and when does one become a saint? There are people who think sainthood is pronounced upon a person after their death, based on how good/holy they lived. According to the
Scriptures, saint is another name for Christian. The apostle Paul addressing the Church at Ephesus called them saints; “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints in Ephesus,
the faithful in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:1 NIV). These addressees were alive, so one does not need to be dead to be called a saint. Hence those of us who are in the body of Christ Jesus are saints, whether we are in or out of our individual earthly bodies.

Having established that we are saints, we should also establish that unless the Lord draws us we cannot come to Him (see John 6:44), and therefore sainthood is a calling. Paul writing to the church
in Rome addressed them this way, “To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints” (Romans 1:1 NIV). The online dictionary defines Call as: 1) Making a request or demand,  2)Speaking in a loud distinct voice so as to be heard at a distance, and one of the definitions for to be: is to become. So CALLED TO BE SAINTS means, God requested/demanded that we become saints. To become something different from what we are requires a transformation from one state of being to another (Example: going from a cocoon to a butterfly). We are transformed from a state of unbelief/ungodliness to belief/faith in Christ, resulting in the newness of life and the renewal of the mind. We are not called to act like saints; we are called to be saints.

Sainthood is not a cloak we put on and take off when we feel like it. We are to be saints around the clock, 24/7. It should be our new nature, our state of being. We are to be saints at home, away from home, when we are awake and when we are asleep. We should be saints at all times; in the company of believers as well as in the company of unbeliever, no matter what. ‘Saint’ should be our identity; the identity by which we are known.

How can we vibrantly maintain our sainthood? Let’s compare sainthood to professions in the circular world. We need to have the mindset that we are saints. We need to learn all we can about being saints, by studying the manual for saints, by attending in-services, seminars, and training sessions about saints. Th is will equip us to get better at being saints. The word says we should not neglect the
assembling together of the saints, as some are in the habit of doing, but we should encourage one another (see Hebrews 10:25). It also says we should correctly handle the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Every so often, professionals go through certification and re-certification to ensure their skills and knowledge are up to date. We receive our certifications and re-certifications through the trials we go through to confirm that we are applying the lessons we learn on how to maintain our sainthood.

Sainthood is ongoing, and takes perseverance. We should get better at being saints with the passage of time as we keep our gaze on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (see Hebrews 12:2).

Is Anything More Valuable Than Your Soul?

As Jesus was nearing the end of His life, He made sure His disciples knew how things were going to unfold. He talked about the importance of His followers being willing to lose their lives for His sake. During one such occasion, He asked them, “What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26 NLT).  It has been hundreds of years since this question was first posed, but it still needs to be asked, and needs to be answered honestly.

What does this question mean? No matter what you think it means, the manner in which it is posed suggests what the correct answer should be. Although everyone is at liberty to answer this question either way, “Yes” would be the wrong answer, because the question is suggesting that you shouldn’t put anything above your soul.

There are individuals who have claimed to be Christians, but with the passing of time, instead of growing in faith, they are living in sin, and don’t seem to care. They avoid the Church, maybe in an effort to avoid confrontation by caring Christians. They act like they either have no conscience at all, or don’t care; I find that very bothersome and scary. How can “Christians” who know what the Bible says about sin feel comfortable living in it? Whatever sin they are “enjoying” cannot be that much more important than their souls, can it?   

The book of Hebrews addresses this issue. I think we all need to pay attention, because God cannot be mocked. He always fulfills His promise, whether it is to bless or to punish. When He said He’d destroy the world for their increased sins, He did! See Genesis 6:9-22, 7:11-24. When He first called Abram, He promised to bless him, make him into a great nation, and make him famous and a blessing to others (see Genesis 12:2-3). Again, He did! These fulfilled promises assure us of God’s faithfulness. See also: Genesis 15:4-5; 15:13-16.

The author of the book of Hebrews says, “If we deliberately continue sinning, after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies” (Hebrews 10:26-27 NLT). And to prove his point, the author reminds us of the consequences that resulted from disobeying the laws of Moses in the Old Testament, and goes on to explain why it will be worse for people who trample on the Son of God, and disrespect the blood of the covenant (see verses 28-29). This message should wake up any Christian who is willfully living in sin-“Is anything worth more than your soul?” No! The pleasures of sin are so temporary and fleeting, and in the end, they sting!

John addresses the issue of Christians caught up in sinful lifestyles this way: “Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep sinning, because they are children of God” (1 John 3:9 NLT). The secret to not living in sin, according to John, is to continue to live in Christ, “Anyone who continues to live in Him will not sin” (1 John 3:6 NLT).

And how do we live in Him? By reading, studying, and meditating on His Word, allowing it to transform our way of thinking and living. As part of a vibrant relationship, we need to maintain open communication through prayer. Nobody can be applying the Word of God and praying for deliverance from temptation while living in sin!

The difference between the children of the devil and the children of God, according to John, is this: “Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God” (1 John 3:10 NLT). So if you claim to be a Christian but are enjoying living in sin, you need to ask yourself if you are really a child of God. It is very possible that you do not know Jesus in a personal way: that you are making a false claim. However, you can make a decision now to live for God by placing your faith in Jesus.

You decide where you are in your spiritual journey. Either you are not a Christian and need to be, or you made a decision for Christ at some point, but did not follow through. Either way you need to repent and allow the Word of God to guide you into godly living.

If you are a Christian, God has called you to be an ambassador for Christ. How are you going to accomplish that by living in sin? An ambassador represents his country of origin to another, by portraying his country in the best possible light. That is what God expects of His children; that we portray Him in the best possible light to the world. We don’t have to figure out how to do it; He has already given us the blueprint—godly living, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings” (John 8:31).  Let’s follow it! We've been redeemed by the blood of Christ; nothing should be more valuable to us than our souls! 

 

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW YEAR

The current year is coming to a close; a new one is dawning! How has the current one been; were your expectations met? Were you so disappointed that you can’t wait to see the New Year? What are your expectations and hopes for the coming year? It is natural to expect improvement in areas of life where things have been difficult, rough, or painful.

Looking back on the past twelve months, what didn’t go well, and what were some of your frustrations and challenges, and how do you plan to turn things around? If you expect things to turn around, you need to know what went wrong and why. Only then can you start to look for the right solutions.

Before you think about what to put on your list, I’ll like to remind you that some of the issues you might consider problems are actually the standard to the Christian life. For example, Jesus told His disciples, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows” (John 16:33 NLT). Trials and sorrows are therefore to be expected, except that we don’t know how or when they’ll show up. This doesn’t mean we should be constantly worrying and looking over our shoulder to see what is coming down the pike.  With that said, we need to remember the Lord’s admonition, “Take heart, because I have overcome to the world” (John 16:33).

The following will help us cope effectively with the challenges of the coming year.

BE ON THE ALERT:

The children of God should be watchful, not living carelessly. We should be on the defensive! Peter, the apostle, explains why, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith” (1 Peter 5:9 NLT).   

While being watchful, we should also be ready 24/7 to engage the devil on a moment’s notice, “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm” (Ephesians 6:11, 13 NLT). For the list of the complete armor, see verses 14-18. For example, if you were faced with a gossip situation, the Word of God about gossip that you’ve already hidden in your heart should jog your memory, to excuse yourself from the situation, and not get caught up in it.

Jesus told Peter, James, and John in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak” (Matthew 26:41 NLT). Why? Because if we stay asleep (not knowing what’s going on around us), and neglect to pray for strength and courage, we become very vulnerable to the devil’s attack. Again, on the Mount of Olives, Jesus told the disciples, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation” (Luke 22:40 NLT). When we pray, we demonstrate faith, which intercepts the devil’s fiery arrows. As we face a new year, let’s prepare to stay on the defensive, always ready to engage the enemy of our souls.

THANKFULNESS

Trials will come; it’s only a matter of when and how. We need to be prepared to give thanks for them, no matter how painful, because they serve a good purpose. First, we learn that we should give thanks in all things, because it is the will of God for us (see 1 Thessalonians 5:18). Second, we should give thanks because none of our experiences are ever wasted; God uses each single one of them in the process of developing our character to line up with His own. Through our experiences, He gets our attention, rebukes, disciplines, encourages, teaches us (or others), or tests (not tempt) us. Third, the end result of our experiences (godliness) bring Him glory (see Romans 8:28).

REPENTANCE

Sometimes, our sufferings are the result of our sins. When we’re not sure of the cause of our sufferings, we should start with a soul search, and repent as needed (see 1 John 1:9).  Even if our suffering is the result of sin, God still teaches us valuable lessons through it. Like I said before, no experience is wasted.

TRUST GOD

There is no trial we can overcome on our own, Jesus clearly said, “Apart from me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NLT). We need Him, and we need to rely on His promises; He never goes back on His Word. When He says, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:29 NLT), He means exactly that. If we really believe and claim that promise for instance, nothing in the coming year should frighten us. That assurance should enable us to completely lean on Him. And if we wonder why we should trust Him, He says, all power in heaven and on earth has been given to Him, and He has overcome the world. What beautiful promises!

The New Year is only a few days away. Have you learned anything from you failures from last year? Don’t lose heart; the Lord Himself will be your strength, and carry you through the next one. Trust His Word, put on the whole armor of God, and watch and pray. The apostle Paul urges us to be serve the Lord more fervently, because, “Our salvation is nearer than when first believed” (Romans 13:11 NLT). Wishing you a happy, and victorious New Year.