Help

 As we work together, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s great kindness and then ignore it.  For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, God is ready to help you right now! Today is the day of salvation.

2 Cor 6:1-2 (NLT)

No matter how we feel, God always stands ready to help us.

Sometimes we get wrapped up in ourselves and our problems. Our negative thought patterns can dominate our minds to the point that we actually ignore God's great kindness.  As soon as we wake up and call to him for help he responds.  He is always there ready to help.  Today, is the day of salvation.

Lord, thank you for your word that reminds us that you are always standing next to us ready to help.  Let us turn our hearts and minds to you so that we can receive the help we need right when we need it.  

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Heb 4:16 (NLT)

 

Yoked With Christ

 

  Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Matt 11:28-30 (NLT)

I've fallen again into a pit of fear and despair making all seem dark and hopeless.  How is it I keep falling into this pit, Lord?  It is the pull of the old self that draws us down with it's deceitful desires, wounds and weakness, selfishness and pride. It's not the cares of life, but ourselves that are our heavy burden. It was Henry Van Dyke who said, "Self is the only prison that can bind the soul."*

Yet, I am yoked with Christ.  He being the stronger of the two should always take the lead, but sometimes if I try to step ahead, he lets me lead until I fall again into the pit.  He doesn't leave me there. He doesn't condemn me.  There he waits for me to acknowledge my condition and look to him.  Then he will pull me out of that pit in his time and his way.  It's easy for him.  Yoked with him I may still stumble, but he will always be there to pull me up and steady me again.

Lord, thank you for loving me, for being my Savior.  Thank you, that because I am forever yoked with you, I cannot fail. Come quickly and pull me up from the pit of despair. Lift me up onto solid ground again so that I may praise you with joy.  Do not let my weaknesses overwhelm me. Hold me up, Lord.  Keep me from falling.  Thank you that you will never let me go.


*Quoted from Let Go, by Fenelon. Introduction.