Video Bible Lesson - Practical Ways to Bear Burdens by Dr. Charles Stanley

1/2 Hour of God’s Power with Scott Ralls

6/5/2020

Practical Ways to Bear Burdens

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Thessalonians 5:14There 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"?

#Jesus, #Christian, #Bible, #Salvation, #Heaven, #God, #HolySpirit

Streams in the Desert

Streams in the Desert

“Ask for a confirming sign from the Lord your God. You can even ask for something miraculous.” (Isa 7:11)

Make thy petition deep, O heart of mine,
Thy God can do much more
Than thou canst ask;
Launch out on the Divine,
Draw from His love-filled store.
Trust Him with everything;
Begin today,
And find the joy that comes
When Jesus has His way!
—Selected

We must keep on praying and waiting upon the Lord, until the sound of a mighty rain is heard. There is no reason why we should not ask for large things; and without doubt we shall get large things if we ask in faith, and have the courage to wait with patient perseverance upon Him, meantime doing those things which lie within our power to do.

We cannot create the wind or set it in motion, but we can set our sails to catch it when it comes; we cannot make the electricity, but we can stretch the wire along upon which it is to run and do its work; we cannot, in a word, control the Spirit, but we can so place ourselves before the Lord, and so do the things He has bidden us do, that we will come under the influence and power of His mighty breath.
—Selected

“Cannot the same wonders be done now as of old? Where is the God of Elijah. He is waiting for Elijah to call on Him.”

The greatest saints who ever lived, whether under the Old or New Dispensation, are on a level which is quite within our reach. The same forces of the spiritual world which were at their command, and the exertion of which made them such spiritual heroes, are open to us also. If we had the same faith, the same hope, the same love which they exhibited, we would achieve marvels as great as those which they achieved. A word of prayer in our mouths would be as potent to call down the gracious dews and melting fires of God’s Spirit, as it was in Elijah’s mouth to call down literal rain and fire, if we could only speak the word with that full assurance of faith wherewith he said it.
—Dr. Goulburn, Dean of Norwich

Overcoming the Barrier of Inadequacy.....Dr. Charles Stanley

Overcoming the Barrier of Inadequacy

Dr. Charles Stanley

2 Corinthians 2:14-17

No one likes feelings of inadequacy, but they are something we must learn to handle, as none of us can avoid them permanently. Tragically, though, many people live with a cloud over their head because in their thinking, they never measure up. For some, this may be due to childhood experiences that negatively affected their self-image. For others, the problem stems from a lack of success related to work, relationships, marriage, parenting, or any number of things.

The area Paul deals with in today's passage is our Christian life. He asks a question that points to a common insecurity: "Who is adequate for these things?" (v. 16). Have you ever avoided serving the Lord in ways that challenge your comfort zone? If so, you've probably missed a tremendous opportunity to overcome feelings of inadequacy. He's promised to lead us "in triumph in Christ," (v. 14) but unless we believe Him and step out in faith, we'll never experience the life He has planned for us.

Feeling inadequate is not a sin, but using it as an excuse is. When the Lord challenges you to do something that you feel is beyond your abilities, you have two options. You can focus on Christ and proceed in triumph or focus on yourself and withdraw in defeat.

It's really a matter of faith. God would never ask you to do something without empowering you to accomplish it. This doesn't necessarily mean you will do it perfectly, but each step of obedience is a victory. The alternative is to play it safe, but then you'll miss out on God's best for your life.

In Search of You

In Search of You
TRACIE BRAYLOCK

“For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.” Ezekiel 34:11 (NIV)

He was 2 years old and quick on his feet. I knew navigating the store with him in the cart would be the easiest option. It was a quick trip though, and I thought I’d give him the chance to move around a bit more freely.

We were walking along together, but as soon as we hit a clear stretch of aisle, he took off running. I wanted to run after him, but my six-month pregnant body said otherwise.

The situation seemed under control — until he made a quick turn between the racks of clothes. I hurried to reach the location where he made his turn and expected to see his little shoes peeking out from his hiding place. But he wasn’t there.

I called his name, but there was no answer. I began searching the entire area, but he was nowhere to be found. My mama heart knew he couldn’t have gone too far. I would have seen or heard him, right?

My search was thorough enough to know I now needed some help. I couldn’t find my little boy.

I told the first employee I saw, and they immediately issued an alert across the store. It was amazing to watch everyone stop what they were doing in an attempt to help me find my son. After a few minutes, the doors of the store were locked to ensure no one went in or out while the search continued.

That’s when I paused for a minute to pray, asking God to help us find him sooner rather than later. As I stood there in the aisle, I heard someone shout, “Here he is!”

My little boy, knowing he’d gone a bit too far this time, had curled up under a rack and hidden himself, too afraid to come out. An immediate sense of relief and gratitude rushed over me. I was thankful that God answered so quickly, that my little boy was found safely and that everyone had paused to help.

Giving my boy the biggest hug, I told him I was glad he was found safely. Then I attempted to calm my frightened son by letting him know he didn’t have to hide when he felt afraid or had done something wrong. I reinforced that he was loved, and there was nothing he could do that would change that.

Consider for a moment if you’ve had a similar experience with God. Is there an area in your life that’s gotten away from you? Do you remain silent when He calls your name? Are you curling up under your circumstances with a false sense of security? Or do you fear what you’ll face if you dare come out from your hiding place?

Ezekiel 34:11 tells us, “For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.”

My friend, it doesn’t matter what you’ve done. God is searching for you and desires your safe return.

He’s willing to shut down all normal operations, dispatch a crew of helpers, and track you down in order to restore an intimate relationship with you. You are loved, and there’s nothing you could do that will change that.

So, don’t be afraid to reveal where you are. If you need help or you want to be rescued, God Himself is searching for you and will look after you. You no longer have to hide.

Dear God, forgive me when I stray from You, remain silent when You call, or I hold tight to a false sense of security. You alone are my refuge, and no part of me can remain hidden from You. Help me approach Your throne of grace with confidence and come to You with all that I’m going through. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Jeremiah 23:24, “‘Can anyone hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him?’ says the LORD. ‘Do I not fill heaven and earth?’ says the LORD.” (AMP)

Isaiah 30:18, “Therefore the LORD waits [expectantly] and longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed (happy, fortunate) are all those who long for Him [since He will never fail them].” (AMP)

Bravery

Braveryby Ryan Duncan

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? – Psalms 56:3-4

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be brave. The Bible certainly doesn’t lack for courageous leaders like Moses or fearless warriors like David, but what about those people who showed simple bravery? Esther never led anyone into battle, and as a woman in the ancient world her ability to lead was limited, but when you take the time to study her life you realize how much inner strength she must have had. As a young woman she was taken from her home and thrust into an unfamiliar environment. Later, she was forced to intercede in a murder plot at the risk of her life and the life of her cousin.

Her greatest challenge, however, was when the King’s advisor Haman sought to massacre the Jewish people. Their only hope of survival lay with Esther’s ability to confront the King, an action that could easily get her killed. After all, this was a man who had deposed his old wife on a whim, what would he do to a woman who openly challenged his authority? Reading the verses in chapter 4, I can only imagin how shaken Esther must have been.

Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, "Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish." – Esther 4:15-16

We all know how the story ends, the King receives Esther and the Jews are saved from death, but the story of Esther’s courage has remained relevant after all these years. I believe God calls Christians to simple acts of bravery every day of our lives. Whether it’s standing up for someone else, or having the courage to speak out for what we believe, these simple acts have the power to change the world. Don’t be afraid, and don’t be downcast, for God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but one of courage.

Intersecting Faith and Life: "Courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point, which means at the point of highest reality." – C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

Further Reading:2 Timothy 1:7

The Standards That Matter (2 Corinthians 10:12)

The Standards That Matter (2 Corinthians 10:12)
By Meg Bucher

“Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” 2 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV)

2 Corinthians 10:12 is aimed at the false teachers of Paul’s day. They thought so highly of themselves that they failed to see that their measure of righteousness was a faulty one. Paul is reminding his readers that the standard above all standards is Jesus. And God’s standards on our lives mean more than anyone else’s … even our own. It’s in our human nature to seek confirmation for a job well-done and a path well-traveled. We look for evidence that we’ve done the best we can do with what we’ve been given, but our measure of righteousness is focused on man, not God.

No human standard that will ever fulfill us. Only Christ’s approval will provide the peace we are seeking in this life. The world’s standards will tell us that we need to achieve certain benchmarks to be happy. One after another we will reach, pass, and move on to the next one… never feeling fully satisfied.

There’s only one way for each life to attain true peace. That’s why comparison is so dangerous. We chase someone else’s benchmark, and all the while miss our own. Jesus died so that we could stop chasing aimlessly.

Live according to God’s standards, which you can find in His living and active Word. The more time we spend with Him, the further anchored we will become in His purpose for our lives. All other standards will will become foolish when we are rooted in Christ.

Let's pray now that our measure of righteousness would be fixed in Christ and no other worldly standard:

Father, we praise you for your protection and your guidance. Thank you for your Living Word, which guides our lives perfectly, and your son Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, which grants us the grace to interpret it. Forgive us for forging our own way, the world’s way. Bless our lives to seek your way. For we know your way is always bigger and better than anything we could ever ask for or imagine.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

A Prayer for Peace During Hard Times

A Prayer for Peace During Hard TimesBy Lysa Terkeurst

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)

Have you ever been there? Have you ever had a big situation in your life where you just couldn’t process why God would allow this to happen? Maybe it's one of your young children having behavioral issues that seems crazy complicated and daunting. Or one of your older children having issues with addictions and devastating life choices. Or your husband being distant or possibly even destructive in making choices that are harming your marriage. Or another year of singleness that brings you wave after wave of grief, while watching others celebrating the gift of true love.

It’s so tempting to wallow in the "why."

Asking why is perfectly normal. Asking why isn’t unspiritual. However, if asking this question pushes us further from God rather than drawing us closer to Him, it is the wrong question.

If asking the why question doesn’t offer hope, what will? The what question. In other words: "Now that this is my reality, what am I supposed to do with it?"

Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.”

I like to call this verse, "Directions on Where to Park My Mind." Switching from the why to the what questions paves the road to parking our minds in a much better place. Is it always easy? No. But is it a way to find a perspective beyond situations where we feel God has allowed something in our lives we don’t understand and we absolutely don’t like? Yes, it is, and I pray this helps you today. Because even if our circumstances aren’t good, we can trust God’s purpose always is.

Dear Lord, I want to process everything I face in life through the filter of Your love. I know You love me. But sometimes it’s just hard to understand the circumstances that come my way. I find myself consumed with trying to figure things out rather than looking for Your perspective and trusting You. Thank You for this new way to look at things. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.