I look up to the mountains and hills, longing for God’s help. But then I realize that our true help and protection come only from the Lord, our Creator who made the heavens and the earth. He will guard and guide me, never letting me stumble or fall. God is my keeper; he will never forget nor ignore me.
Psalms 121:1-3 TPT
https://bible.com/verse-of-the-day/psa.121.1-3/48442
Many times people quote:
I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.
John 15:5 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/jhn.15.5.AMP
In order to make an excuse for failure we might say, “God was not in it so we could do nothing.” I want to remind myself in these times to encourage myself in the Lord as David did, that it is also written:
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/deu.31.8.ESV
So I cannot be “apart” from Him. He will never leave me or forsake me. You say what if I leave Him?
Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.
Psalm 139:7-12 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.139.7-12.ESV
And also:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/jos.1.9.ESV
There is a place where God does not go, nor any of His goodness is present there, but you’re not there now, even when it feels that way. When we come to the end of ourselves it is time to remember who is in us and for us. Because He has no end.
There was a time when we were separated from God by our sin but: The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.
Isaiah 59:15b-16 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/isa.59.15-16.ESV
The Lord the maker of heaven and earth, He saw that there was no justice, he saw that there was no one to save or deliver so he brought redemption and deliverance. He saw that we could not save ourselves and were without hope. So He said I will do for them what they cannot do for themselves.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.8.1.ESV
We who are in Christ have been joined to Him and are one with Him. We are never without hope, never without strength, never without the victory!
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.8.31.ESV
I like to say that last verse like this: If God is for us, who cares who is against us! We don’t need excuses for failure. How can the sons and daughters of the Mighty One fail? Are we not more than over comers? Maybe we should stop trying things for the Lord and just do them? Stop starting something with failure in mind? Make God plan A and have no plan B? Is there room for a miracle in our plans? Sometimes we need to go so far out onto the water that we cannot see the shore then there is a place for God to move. Where does my help come from? Who is my supply? My source? My everything?
For the Scriptures encourage us with these words: “Everyone who believes in him will never be disappointed.”
Romans 10:11 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/rom.10.11.TPT
If we can never be disappointed why have plan B, C and D? Because in the past we have been disappointed? Were those disappointments because we gave up too quickly? Did we give up on the resurrection when we saw no life?
Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
2 Kings 4:34-35 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/2ki.4.34-35.ESV
Maybe we thought it was not God’s will and moved on? Is God a respecter of persons?
So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,
Acts 10:34 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/act.10.34.ESV
What is God’s will? In a sentence: if it ain’t good it ain’t God.
For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord , ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/jer.29.11.AMP
And for those who are not sure if sickness is good or bad:
Jesus reached out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Matthew 8:3 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/mat.8.3.AMP
And since we have established He does not play favorites and:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/heb.13.8.ESV
and again:
“For I the Lord do not change;
Malachi 3:6a ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/mal.3.6.ESV
Then we know that God is willing and able to cleanse all sickness and disease today for everyone! Yes, that means you.
God has given you a dream, a purpose a vision. It may seem too grand for you or you may feel ill equipped. But the greater One lives in you, if you have made Christ the Lord of your life.
For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Luke 1:37 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/luk.1.37.ESV
Don’t give up, don’t give in, you have more than enough in Christ! When you invite him to come in He brings everything with Him! Keep holding on to the words God has given you like a dog playing tug of war. Don’t let go of what God has placed in your heart! He is your sufficiency! You’re the branch, you bear the fruit but the vine produces it! Don’t give yourself a hernia trying push out fruit, trust in what the vine supplies and let it flow!
If you’re reading this and have not yet made Christ the Lord of YOUR life please message us! We would love to pray for you and help you get started on your best life!
Pastor Alex
