Lords Helpers

Archive for the ‘Spiritual Notebook’ Category

Micah 7:18-19  Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

There is none like God. He pardons our sins and transpasses against him. He forgives us and does not stay angry with us forever. He is our father and like a father with a child, he cannot stay angry with us forever.

He does expect us to humble ourselves, confess our sins, and ask him to forgive us. He delights in giving us his mercy and his grace. It makes God happy to pull us close to him and to give us his compassion. He will bring our sins and trespasses under control and give us the strength to resist temptations. Read the rest of this entry »

by Linda Sedrick Pearson

Isaiah 58:5-8  Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.

God did not choose for us to fast by afflicting our own souls. That was not what God intended us to do.

The type of fast God chose was for us to help others that are in need. We are to be there to help when people are down. We are to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ (“to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and … break every yoke”). When people hear about and accept Jesus Christ, it does loose the bands of wickedness, undoes heavy burdens, lets the oppressed go free and breaks every yoke. Jesus Christ is freedom and comfort.

Another part of the fast God chose for us was for us to feed the hungry and provide shelter to those who have none. We are to clothe those who do not have clothing. Don’t withdraw from your own family (“hide not thyself from thine own flesh”). We are to help people in need. We are not to burden them more by asking them why they are in that condition. We are supposed to help them.

Reach out to others. Don’t worry if they are dirty. Maybe they don’t have anywhere to take a bath. Provide them a place to take a bath and clean clothes. Give them toothbrushes and toothpaste. Provide them with shelter and safety.

We are to save back some of our income so that we are able to help others. Even if it is only $1.00 a week. Put it back and save it so that you have something to give when you see someone in need. Take them and buy them a new set of clothes or a good meal.

Did you know that when you do these things you will be healthier? God says so in these verses. And, the glory of the LORD will be your rereward. That means he will be your protection. Rereward means a rear guard. He will guard you and keep you safe. Don’t be afraid to take care of others needs. God will take care of yours.

Matthew 1:18-23  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Thank God for sending us His Son, Jesus Christ. Thank Jesus, for leaving a beautiful wonderful life in heaven to come and live on earth as a man, to be tortured and suffer for our sins, and to take upon him all our sins. Thank Jesus for dying on the cross for us. For giving us grace and mercy, I thank God. For acknowledging us and taking care of us, I thank God.

For He shall save his people from their sins – and He did! He died on that cross – nailing all our sins with him. We are forgiven if we just accept and ask him to include us. The gift of salvation is free to us. It cost Jesus his life! The gift is not yours until you reach out and take it. You have to receive the gift before it becomes yours. Jesus is holding it out to you. Won’t you reach out and grab the gift of salvation today?

Today I wonder about Joseph. This was a man who loved a woman so much that even when she became pregnant (not by Joseph), he stood on his faith and believed that she had conceived from God. Can you imagine? What a man he was. Here they were, the couple had just become engaged. They had no sexual relations.

Custom was that when a couple became engaged, the future bride had one year in which to visit and say goodbye to her family. Approximately six months into that year, Mary became pregnant by God through the Holy Spirit. There still was no sexual relations. The Holy Spirit implanted the Holy Seed – Jesus Christ – into her womb. I imagine that Mary was frightened. Afraid of what people would think of her. But, what a blessing to have been chosen by God to carry the child – God’s Child – inside of her so that He could be born part man and part God.

Joseph had every right to make Mary a public example because she had become pregnant – and not by him. And, I’m sure it did cross his mind. But, because of his great love for Mary and for God – Joseph believed Mary and the angel. Instead, they had a private wedding ceremony. From that day, Joseph did everything he could to protect this Child of God.

He also took it upon himself to train Jesus in hand crafts and taught him how to shape the wood into beautiful things. He trained him how to work with his hands and how to respect others. In other words, Joseph raised this Son as his own. He loved him as his own.

Not much is really said about Joseph after the birth. We can assume that he died before Jesus was crucified on the cross because Mary was there, but not Joseph. I’m sure that Joseph would have been there had he still be living. These thoughts this morning are to give reverence to a great man – Joseph – the earthly father who God chose and appointed to raise His Son on earth.

Thank you, God, for choosing such a great man to take care of our Savior on earth. Without such a Godly man for an earthly father, who knows what may have happened to Your Son and our Savior. Thank you, Father. Amen

by Linda Sedrick Pearson

James 3:5-6  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

Isn’t it amazing that people can control something as large as a car or truck, even a backhoe. However, I have problems controlling something that is a part of my own body - my tongue! Why is that? Does my mind overrule  my common sense and send signals to my tongue to speak things that hurt others? It is like the more I try to rein it in the more it gets uncontrollable.

I do not know the answer to why I speak out to hurt others. I hate myself when I do that. I never mean to do it, it just sometimes happen before I realize what is happening. I think that is why I like writing. I can write something down, let it sit, then go back over it and soften the words.

Please pray for me that God helps me to bridle my tongue and never hurt anyone with it.