05/23/2019

Practical Ways to Bear Burdens

1 Thessalonians 5:14

There are hurting people everywhere, but at times we just don't know what to say or do to ease their pain. Here are six practical ways to bear someone else's burden.

1. Be there. At times the best "method" of helping is simply to be present. During our darkest hours, we don't need someone who tries in vain to fix everything; we just need a friend.

2. Listen. Don't attempt to give answers or tell people what to do next. Injured souls frequently want simply a listening ear so they can express what's on their mind.

3. Share. Never parade yourself as someone who has all the answers. Instead, allow your own pain and failures to help others.

4. Pray. There is power in speaking people's names before the Lord. When they hear someone talk to Jesus on their behalf, healing often starts taking place.

5. Give. Sometimes helping others involves more than a handshake or warm hug. Maybe they need something financial or material. One of the best measures of sincerity is how much we're willing to give to others.

6. Substitute.You may know an individual who bears the burden of caring for someone else. If you step in and take his or her place for a while, you are emulating your Savior--He, too, was a substitute.

Because we were unable to do it ourselves, Jesus bore all of our sin and sorrow, even unto death. As a result, we can live happily and eternally in communion with our Father. If Christ did that for us, how can we ever say, "I'm too busy to bear someone else's burden"?

 Dr. Charles Stanley

Dedicate yourself to worshipping God, confessing your sins, and hearing the Word of God. God’s Word has something to say to you. Spend time in it in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening. Continue in the Word of God. That is the secret to spiritual success. Just do your part, and then watch how the Lord will bless you.
By Greg Laurie.

Will we be reunited with our loved ones who've gone to heaven before us? I'd like to think so, because I lost my wife last year and miss her very much. But I can't find anything in the Bible that says we will.

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A:

Heaven is the place of perfect happiness—and one of its greatest joys will be our reunion with those who have gone there before us. God loves us, and He won’t withhold that joy from us!

How do we know this? We know it first of all from the Bible’s explicit teaching. When King David’s infant son was taken from him, David felt his loss very keenly—but he also knew he would see him again. David declared, “Can I bring him back again? I will go to him” (2 Samuel 12:23). When Jesus was transfigured (or changed) before the eyes of some of His disciples and they glimpsed His heavenly glory, we’re told that Moses and Elijah appeared with Him—proof that we retain our individuality in heaven (see Luke 9:28-36).

We know it too because the Bible tells us we will be together in heaven. In other words, we won’t be separated from each other, nor will we be absorbed into some kind of faceless mob. At the end of time, “we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together. … And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

The most important fact about heaven, however, is that we will be safely in God’s presence forever. Think of it—no more fear, or sorrow, or pain! Is heaven your destination? Don’t gamble with your soul, but make sure of your eternal salvation by giving your life to Christ today. 

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association