"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD HELPING YOU WHEN YOU ARE IN TROUBLE"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD HELPING YOU WHEN YOU ARE IN TROUBLE"

A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son

Psalm 3:1 LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.

Psalm 3:2 Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah

Psalm 3:3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.

Psalm 3:4 I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah

Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions, and a prayer:

This Psalm was written by David, when he had to flee Jerusalem because his own son Absalom rebelled against him, and forced him to leave his throne and flee for his life. It was a horrendous time in David's life. One can only imagine the horridness of having your own son do what he did to David. David was in real danger. David was desperate and he called out to the Lord.

1. God's people can have people rise up against them.
Psalm 3:1 LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.

This certainly happened to David on more than one occasion. This may have been the worst of the worst, to have your own son do this to you. But, what David was expressing was "how they have increased who trouble me!" And, "Many are they who rise up against me."

He was processing the fact that a number of people, had banded together against him. He then went on to say that this band was "many". And, that they had risen up against him.

This happened to Jesus, Paul, Peter, John, the other apostles, the prophets from the Old Testament. And, it happens to God's people today. Listen to what Paul said. 2nd Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. In other words, if you want to live for God, you can expect opposition, and perhaps even from your own family members, just as David did.

2. God's people will be told the lie that "There is no help for him in God"
Psalm 3:2 Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah

Those who are against God's people, are also against God's Word, and they cannot tell the truth, but rather tell lies. This is a whopper of lie if there ever was one. And, many were telling this lie “There is no help for him in God.” There could not be anything further from the truth. Just because liars tell lies, does not mean they are true. They are lies.
And, the truth is, that God is the helper of His people. There is help for you in God. Liars lie, and God tells the truth.

Psalm 30:10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me; LORD, be my helper!”
Psalm 54:4 Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is with those who uphold my life.

Psalm 72:12 For He will deliver the needy when he cries, The poor also, and him who has no helper.

3. God's people however, have God as their shield, glory and the one who lifts up their heads.
Psalm 3:3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.

Here are some specific ways in which God helps His people.

(1) God is your shield.

(2) God is your glory

(3) God is the one who lifts up your head.

God protects us, God blesses us, and God comes to us when our heads are down, and we are in that place of discouragement, and He lifts up our heads, and our faces, to behold His beautiful, loving, gracious, merciful and helpful face.

4. God's people cry out to the Lord and He hears them.
Psalm 3:4 I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah

Here are two verses that attest to this truth.

Psalm 4:3 But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The LORD will hear when I call to Him.

Isaiah 41:17 “The poor and needy seek water, but there is none, Their tongues fail for thirst. I, the LORD, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.

Please remember, that just as nothing can separate you from the love of God, be assured that the Lord will hear you when you cry out to Him.

Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.

1st Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”

5. God's people are encouraged by this word "Selah"

The word Selah, is mentioned twice just in these four verses. It's actually found 74 times in the Psalms.

The word Selah, means to lift up, to exalt. It's a technical musical term probably showing accentuation, pause, interruption. In other words, when you see the word "Selah" it's God's way of saying, now just pause a moment and think about what you just read, let it sink in and bless you.

Selah is a favorite word of God's. He really wants us to think about what He tells us, and benefit thereby.

Questions:

1. Are you at this very time in a similar position as David was, having many who are against you?

2. Do you know that it's not true, that there is indeed help for you in God?.

3. Isn't it a blessing to consider and learn about what God is for His people?

4. Do you truly believe God hears you when you speak to Him? He does.

A prayer:

Father, what comfort we receive from the Psalms. Thank You for giving them to us. It will only be in heaven when we are able to appreciate the millions, or billions of people You have encouraged through these Psalms. We would like to take just a moment today, and say, "thank You Lord, for encouraging us, over, and over again" You are truly our helper, our glory, and the one who lifts up our heads, and our hearts. We love you so much.
In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE FREEDOM WE HAVE THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE FREEDOM WE HAVE THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST"

2nd Kings 25:21 21 Then the king of Babylon struck them and put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. Thus Judah was carried away captive from its own land.

Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:

You may be asking what does the title of this devotional have to do with the verse from 2nd Kings 25?
Here are some things to consider.
Enslavement to sin, is not God's plan for our lives in Christ, it's freedom from sin.
Yet, by the choice we make, we can find ourselves missing out on the freedom God has for us in Christ.
Let's consider the following thoughts below.

1. God had warned the children of Israel and Judah as to the dangers of continuing in sin.
2nd Kings 24:1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years. Then he turned and rebelled against him.

2nd Kings 24:2 And the LORD sent against him raiding bands of Chaldeans, bands of Syrians, bands of Moabites, and bands of the people of Ammon; He sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD which He had spoken by His servants the prophets.

You can see in the very last part of 2nd Kings 24:2 ...He sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD which He had spoken by His servants the prophets. that God had indeed warned His people, and eventually brought upon them what He warned them about. Their choice to disobey was the cause of this judgement.

2. Eventually God used both the Assyrians and the Babylonians to bring judgement and captivity to His own people.
This is such a sad story, but it's the truth. When the kingdom divided into the north and the south, Israel in the north, and Judah in the south, the northern kingdom was the first to fall and be taken into captivity. The southern kingdom saw this happen, yet they continued on in their own sinful ways, and eventually they also were taken into captivity.

God is faithful to His Word. Both the goodness and the severity of the Lord. He had promised them blessing if they obeyed Him, and judgement if they disobeyed. He was very, very patient with them, but again their choices brought about the consequence of enslavement.

3. Notice please what said at the end of 2nd Kings 25:21.....Thus Judah was carried away captive from its own land.
This is just a sad verse. God's own people being carried away captive into a foreign land. Yet how often do we hear of a fellow believer falling into sin, and their lives imploding. It's heart breaking. God has given us the truth of how to live and the blessings He will bring, or the corruption we can bring.

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Galatians 6:8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

4. It's a simple but profound truth in Scripture that we can become enslaved to the sin we yield ourselves to.
Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

It's our choice. And the end of our choices is going to either be blessing or the sadness of enslavement to sin.

5. Here's the good news. We also can become enslaved to righteousness, and the freedom that Christ offers.
John 8:32 “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

God sent Jesus that we might know Him, ( the truth ) and in knowing Him, and abiding in Him, we would be free, free from the enslavement of sin, and guilt and ultimately the judgement of God. What a great God we serve to offer us such a wonderful and rich life by faith in His son Jesus.

Romand 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

The above verse teaches us the great value of the OT Scriptures. God gave them to us, for our own learning, that we through them might have patience and comfort. Again, how wonderful of our Lord to provide us His Holy Word.

Some questions:

1. Who truly wants to be carried away captive because of their sin?

2. Down deep in our hearts we believe the truth of God's Word don't we?

3. How important is it for us to not only believe but to put into action what we see in God's Word?

4. Do you want freedom from being enslaved, Christ promises it to you. Will you ask Him to set you free?

5. Our God is the savior. Will you pray today for any in our body who are this very day enslaved through choices they have made. Let's pray that God moves in a powerful way to bring them into the freedom He offers in Christ.

A prayer:

Father. Thank You for sending Jesus, and Jesus, thank You that You came. Holy Spirit won't You teach us more about His lovely name and person. Lord, we pray for our lives, that we might make choices that are in line with Your Word, and we pray for any part of our own lives that are enslaved by sin, that You might deliver us from it. And, we pray for our fellow believers in our church family. Lord set them free from that which enslaves them. We know of Your love, and Your grace and mercy. May they be shed abroad in our lives in Jesus name, amen.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE CALL OF GOD UPON OUR LIVES"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE CALL OF GOD UPON OUR LIVES"

Acts 22:14 “Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth.

Acts 22:15 ‘For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.

Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:

These verses are part of a much longer story and message by the Apostle Paul. He had been in the temple, and wound up speaking to the Jews there, and it caused such an uproar that his life was in danger. These two verses focus in on just a few of the specifics that God told Paul were going to happen in his life. However, these same specifics, are actually for each and every Christian. Paul is an example then, of the call of God upon the life of every and any Christian.

1. You have been chosen by God.
Acts 22:14 “Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you

Here Paul is rehearsing what Jesus told him when He appeared to him, and he was converted. God had chosen him.
The same can be said of every Christian. God has chosen You also.

Ephesians 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
You have been chosen by God. And, this choice was made before the foundation of the world. So, we can take great comfort and understanding, God has chosen us, and He chose us for a particular plan.

2. You have been chosen by God to know His will.
Acts 22:14 “Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will,

Here Paul begins to explain why God had chosen him, and this reason applies to you as well, if you know the Lord and are born again.

God chose Paul and You with many things in mind, and in store. But, here's one of the major ones. That we would know His will for our lives. Isn't that beautiful. God wants you to know what His will is for your life.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

(note, you will notice, that are conditions set by God in order for us to know His will) please read Rom 12:1-2 again slowly, and see what those conditions are. You could even call them condition/promises )

3. You have been chosen by God to see the Just one.
Acts 22:14 “Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One,

This is interesting. To see Just One. We don't know of Paul ever seeing Jesus again with his physical eyes, he may have.
But, we also do not know of any persons living, who have seen Jesus with their eyes. Yet, Jesus told Paul he would see Him. And, we are also told that we will see Him.

We see God now through faith. We once were blind, and could not even begin to hope that we might see Him. We did not even know of his true and living existence. But, once saved our eyes are opened and we can see Him, through the eyes of faith. Look below here at a prayer Paul prayed concerning seeing the Lord.

Ephesians 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,

Ephesians 1:18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

And, Jesus made this promise.
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

4. You have been chosen by God to hear the voice of His mouth.
Acts 22:14 “Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth.

Now Paul further explains the call of God. Not only to see the Lord, but to hear the voice of His mouth. In other words, Jesus was telling Paul, You are going to hear me speak to you. And, speak to him He did. He does this through His Word.

We also hear God speak to us. We have ears that can hear, and Jesus speaks to us all day long through creation, and through other people we fellowship with, and of course through His Word, as we read it, and hear it preached and taught. God speaks to us.

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

5. You have been chosen by Go to be His witness to all men of what you will see and hear.
Acts 22:15 ‘For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.

And here the Lord was explaining to Paul and to us, the outworking of His call upon our lives. He wants us to be a witness of Him to all men, and it's a witness to them of what we see and what we hear from God.

In other words, He takes our lives, and works in our lives, transforming us, and than wants us to be those living witnesses to others of God. What a great privilege it is to have God's call upon our lives.

Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Some questions:

1. Have you been saved by trusting in Jesus Christ?

2. Have you begun growing in your walk with Him?

3. Have you also begun to see what His call is upon Your life?

4. Have you in reading these verses today been encouraged by them?

5. Have you surrendered Your life to Him, as far as wanting to serve Him with Your whole heart?

6. Do you know that God will use You if you are available, and there is not greater blessing than to be used by Him?

A prayer:

Father, day by day, we have the opportunity to feast on Your precious Word. And what a feast it is. Thank You for feeding us so well through it. And, thank You for guiding us, and giving us examples of how You work. Thank You Lord for the call that You have upon our lives. We want to yield ourselves to You this day, in complete surrender to Your will and to Your call upon us. Work in us Lord, and work through us. May our lives shine brilliantly for You. In Jesus name.
Amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT HOW TO WALK WITH THE LORD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT HOW TO WALK WITH THE LORD"

2nd Kings 22:1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.

2nd Kings 22:2 And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions, and a prayer:

This portion of 2nd Kings is a record of the kings who came, ruled, and died, and were then followed by the next king.
Sometimes a good king was followed by one that did evil, and sometimes a bad king was followed by a good king. Such is the case with Josiah. The previous king Amon, had been an evil king, but Josiah who followed him was a good king.

There are several things said about him, that are like a blueprint of Godliness, a path to follow, a life to be duplicated.
May it be so in our lives this day, and each day, until we reach heavens shores.

1. God places people where He wants them to be.
2nd Kings 22:1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.

And, here even at the age of 8 years old, young Josiah was placed as king. He wound up reigning as king for 31 years.
The name Josiah means, "Whom Jehovah heals." And, as we read on about Josiah we will see how the Lord used him to bring about some great revivals in the worship of God.

2. God places people where He wants them, so that He can use them as He wants.
2nd Kings 22:2 And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

We will look closer at Josiah under the next point, but for now, it's encouraging to see that God placed this young boy to reign as king, following a very evil and destructive reign by the previous king, and then wound up using Josiah to bring blessing back to the nation.

Josiah as the record in 2nd Kings will show was an instrument in God's hands to revive the people back towards God, to renew them, and to bring blessing into their lives, and into the nation itself.

3. God gives us a good blue-print to follow in the life of Josiah.
2nd Kings 22:2 And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

(1) Josiah did what was right in the sight of the Lord.

(2) Josiah walked in all the ways of his father David.

(3) Josiah did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

When you reflect on the things above, they are simple, yet profoundly important for the man or woman who desires to follow the Lord and be used of Him. Do what is right in God's eyes. Walk in the ways of Godly examples from the past. And, stay on course, do not veer off to the left or the right. Stay in your lane, or better yet, stay in God's lane.

Some questions:

1. How old are you, and do you realize you are not too young, or too old to be used by God?

2. Do you really believe that God has placed you where you are, and it's no accident?

3. Isn't it a blessing that God lays out a blue-print for us to follow?

4. Will you ask Him today, to help you do what is right, follow the good examples He has given you, and then commit yourself to simply abiding, or staying on the track, the road, the lane that God has laid out in front of you?

5. Do you believe that God wants to bless your life and use it for His Glory?

6. Will you thank Him this very day for what He will do in your life?

A prayer:

Father, day by day we have Your Word to feast on, and to enjoy feeding our souls, speaking to us, correcting us, instructing us, encouraging us. Thank You for the warnings in Scripture, the examples not to follow, and the examples to follow. We bless You for Your goodness towards us Lord. We also pray that today, You would cause Your face to shine upon us, lift up Your countenance upon us, and give us peace. In Jesus name. Amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT TALKING TO GOD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT TALKING TO GOD"

Acts 21:5 When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed.

Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:

1. We can talk to the Lord anywhere and at anytime.
Acts 21:5 When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed.

Luke who wrote Acts, is telling us about a short visit that he and Paul had with some friends. They had been with their friends, and now it was time to leave and go on their way. There were men, women, children in this group. And, we see that "we knelt down on the shore and prayed" What a picture to imagine in your mind. This loving group of friends, kneeling down together to talk to God. And, talk to God they did. And talk to God we can as well. How amazing that we can do this. May we do it more.

2. We can talk to the Lord standing, sitting, kneeling, or lying down.
The verse we are looking at says, "And we knelt down on the shore and prayed." Many times in the Bible we see people kneeling to pray as they talked to God. It's interesting that the Lord does not prescribe any particular physical position to be in when we talk to Him. In this case they chose to kneel. But, in other instances, we see people standing when talking to God, or sitting, or even walking.

The important and simple thing to remember, is that we can in fact talk to Him. He is not more interested to hear us if we are kneeling, or standing. He is just interested in hearing us period. Why? Because He loves us so much. That's all.
We are His children, and He absolutely loves us. He has shown us His love by sending His only Son to die for our sins. How much more could He have done to show us His love.

3. We can talk to the Lord and He hears us. That's the wonderful and amazing truth.
Paul and his companions were talking to God, and God was listening to them as they talked with Him. We do not have a record of their prayers in this instance. But, no doubt given the seriousness of the times, i.e the persecution against the church, and against Paul, their prayers must have been for God's help and God's power in Paul's life.

Some questions:

1. Do you have a desire to talk more to God than you do?

2. Do you know that God really loves you, and is very interested in anything you might have to say to Him?

3. Do you find it hard to pray?

4. Do you know you are not alone in that?

5. One thing that helps us in prayer, is to simply be ourselves, and talk to God about whatever is on our minds and hearts.

A prayer:

Father, we read about Paul and his friends praying, and here we are praying today, via emails and such. How truly wonderful You are Lord. Thank You for having ears that are open to our prayers. One of our prayers, is simply that You would help us to pray. We know that in our church body these days, there are more people who are at least being encouraged to pray, using the the prayer requests sent out day by day. Please help us to slow down for a minute or two each day as we get these prayer requests, and simply bring our hearts and our requests to You. You not only hear, but You answer prayer. Be glorified in our midst as we see You answering prayer and working in the lives of different people. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT FINISHING WELL"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT FINISHING WELL"

Acts 20:24 “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions, and a prayer:

Paul was on one of his missionary journeys, and he stopped along the way to meet with some men, elders from the church in Ephesus. While with them, they told him about all the persecution that was coming his way, all the trouble he was going to suffer, all the persecution etc. He told them he was aware of it, but, then went on to make this one simple statement in 20:24, in which I believe is a look inside the apostle Paul's heart, and there you see three things about him, that enabled him to finish well. Let's take a look at them. And, let's apply these principles to our own lives and ministry.

1. None of these things move me.
Acts 20:24 “But none of these things move me;

Paul knew the difficulties that lay ahead. He had already been through many others. But what he says here is tremendous. The troubles that lay ahead of him, did not move him. They did not shake him, or even begin to make him think twice about what he was going to do. He was a man whose face was set like flint. He was not bothered by the trouble that lay ahead. We can be the same way by the way. How? Trust God, Submit to God, and simply Obey Him. He has your life in His hands.

2. Nor do I count my life dear to myself.
Acts 20:24 .....nor do I count my life dear to myself,

This phrase, "nor do I count my life dear to myself," is perhaps at the very heart of what gave Paul such unswerving stability in the face of sure trouble coming his way. Paul was not concerned about his life. That's the secret right there.
In other words, if he had to die, so be it. He was fully committed to the Lord, and what happened to him was up to God. Paul made no restrictions as to what sacrifice he would not make in serving Christ. Rather he was a living sacrifice. So, nothing mattered to Paul ( about what might happen to him ) because as we like to say these days, "he was all in"

3. So that I might finish my race with joy, and this ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

This is the third part of Paul's explanation. He was not only unmoved by coming trouble, and completely committed to the Lord's will, but, he wanted to finish what God had assigned him to do. God had given Paul a ministry. Paul viewed it as a race, and he wanted to run with joy all the way to the finish line, telling others the good news about God's wonderful kindness and love.

Some questions:

1. Have you experienced trouble and persecution for serving Christ?.

2. Were you able to stand firm during the persecution?.

3. How did the persecution change you?.

4. Can you identify with the things Paul said about himself?.

5. Do you know the Bible teaches that God will give you what you need to be like Paul, who was really like Jesus, who finished His work also?

6. Are you struggling in your situation today? Will you ask the Lord to help you?

A prayer:

Father, what a wonderful look into Paul's life, heart, and ministry. And, to see how You were with him, and how You made him into this unmovable servant of God, who had an understanding of what his role was, and was determined to finish his race with joy, and keep telling people about Jesus all the way to heaven. What an example for us to follow.
Lord, I'm certain that if we could interview Paul about all this, he would tell us that You were the one responsible for his life, his vision, his commitment, etc, etc. He was what he was by the grace of God. And, it's the same with us. In fact, it's in our weakness that your grace and strength are made perfect in our lives. Thank You Lord. In Jesus name. Amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.