No one understands like Jesus

No one understands like Jesus,
He’s a friend beyond compare;
Meet Him at the throne of mercy,
He is waiting for you there.

No one understands like Jesus,
Every woe He sees and feels;
Tenderly He whispers comfort,
And the broken heart He heals.

No one understands like Jesus,
When the foes of life assail;
You should never be discouraged,
Jesus cares and will not fail.

No one understands like Jesus,
When you falter on the way;
Tho’ you fail Him, sadly fail Him
He will pardon you today.

Chorus:
No one understands like Jesus,
When the days are dark and grim;
No one is so near, so dear as Jesus,
Cast your every care on Him.

–John W. Peterson,  made well known by George Beverly Shea

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14–16, ESV)

 

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Do you hope in God no matter what?

Using Job as a model, Lina lays out how we can become people who hope in God no matter what:

1. Build a history with God. Job knew God. He’d had a lifetime with Him. Though he didn’t understand what was happening in his life, he could put his trust in the Lord and in his past experience with God. It was Job’s history with the Lord that allowed him to say: “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10). Are you building a history with the Lord?

2. Rest in Knowing God’s character. Job 10:12 says “You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit.” God’s care? Job had just lost everything. How could he think about God’s care in his great crisis of loss and disaster? Job’s secret was that he understood that joy in life does not rest in present circumstances but in the goodness of God. Do you get it, too?

3. Believe in God’s ability. Job knew that God can do anything! He specializes in things thought impossible. He does the things others cannot do. Job testifies to that when he says: “[God] who does great things beyond searching out, and marvelous things beyond number.” Do you believe God can do anything?

4. Refuse to settle for a limited perspective. Just because you don’t see God at work doesn’t mean He is not working on your behalf. Don’t limit your vision to what you can see. God is at work all the time. In Job 9:11 it says, “Behold, he passes by me, and I see him not; he moves on, but I do not perceive him.” God is fighting for you even now!

5. Quiet the naysayers. Finally, in Job 13:4–5, Job tells his friends: “worthless physicians are you all. Oh that you would keep silent . . .” Don’t you love those friends who always see the negative in any situation? They are quick to point out your problems and slow to hand out compliments. Eventually, there will come a time and a place for you to tell those folks to quiet down. Will you do it?

Read Lina’s whole article “Hope in God No Matter What.”

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Feeding your soul brings hope

Wow, there are so many great truths in this post by Jon Bloom  who has written an article for TableTalk this month entitled “Feeding Your Soul.”  If you are low on hope,know someone who is feeling hopeless, or if you are just experiencing heightened anxiety or adversity in your life, I’d highly recommend taking some time and processing this article. Here’s a sample:

Hope is to our soul what energy is to our bodies. Hope is the spiritual energy generated in the soul when we believe that our future is good, even if our present is bad. Our souls must have hope to keep going, just as our bodies must have energy to keep going.

Hope is something we feel only about the future, whether it’s ten minutes or ten thousand years from now. We’re never hopeful about the past. We can be grateful for the past. The past can inspire or even guarantee a hopeful future for us. But all the wonderful things that have happened to us in the past will not fuel our hope if our future looks bleak. We must have hope for the future to keep going.

Read it all here.

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Finding hope in joy

“In the midst of pain and persecution and all the trauma and weariness this life brings, Paul tells us [in 1 Corinthians 4] to look to the future and the sure hope of the resurrection. And not just in a time of persecution. Even as your body ages and succumbs to the march of time, even as you grapple with sin, sometimes winning and sometimes losing, even as you bury people you love, even as you watch your children rebel against God, you can look to the future and know that you will be resurrected to something so much better and in that moment all the pain—physical, emotional, spiritual—will be gone forever.

Paul had joy because he had hope. In all the weariness of life, Paul found joy in the sure hope of the resurrection. He looked to the joy described in the book of Revelation: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning no crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” There is no greater joy and no greater hope than that.”

Tim Challies in “Finding Hope, Finding Joy.”

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To the doubting, fearful heart

“God loved us when we were totally unworthy, when there was nothing whatsoever within us that would call forth His love. Any time that we are tempted to doubt God’s love for us, we should go back to the Cross.

We should reason somewhat in this fashion: If God loved me enough to give His Son to die for me when I was His enemy, surely He loves me enough to care for me now that I am His child. Having loved me to the ultimate extent at the Cross, He cannot possibly fail to love me in my times of adversity. Having given such a priceless gift as His Son, surely He will also give all else that is consistent with His glory and my good.~Jerry Bridges~Trusting God: Even When Life Hearts (Colorado Springs, CO; Navpress; 2008) p. 150

And may this hymn by John Newton minister as well to those with pensive, doubting, fearful hearts.  You can listen to it here as well.

Pensive, doubting, fearful heart,
Hear what Christ the Savior says;
Every word should joy impart,
Change thy mourning into praise:
Yes, he speaks, and speaks to thee,
May he help thee to believe!
Then thou presently wilt see,
Thou hast little cause to grieve.

“Fear thou not, nor be ashamed,
All thy sorrows soon shall end
I who heav’n and earth have framed,
Am thy husband and thy friend
I the High and Holy One,
Israel’s GOD by all adored;
As thy Savior will be known,
Thy Redeemer and thy Lord.

For a moment I withdrew,
And thy heart was filled with pain;
But my mercies I’ll renew,
Thou shalt soon rejoice again:
Though I scorn to hide my face,
Very soon my wrath shall cease;
‘Tis but for a moment’s space,
Ending in eternal peace.

When my peaceful bow appears
Painted on the wat’ry cloud;
‘Tis to dissipate thy fears,
Lest the earth should be o’erflowed:
‘Tis an emblem too of grace,
Of my cov’nant love a sign;
Though the mountains leave their place,
Thou shalt be for ever mine.

Though afflicted, tempesttossed,
Comfortless awhile thou art,
Do not think thou canst be lost,
Thou art graven on my heart
All thy walls I will repair,
Thou shalt be rebuilt anew;
And in thee it shall appear,
What a God of love can do.

 

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Grace for the weak and hurting

“He will not break a bruised reed, and He will not put out a smoldering wick.” Matthew 12:20

What is weaker than the bruised reed–or the smoldering wick?

A reed that grows in the marsh–let even a wild duck land upon it, and it snaps; let but the foot of man brush against it, and it is bruised and broken; every wind that flits across the river–moves it to and fro. You can conceive of nothing more frail or brittle, or whose existence is more in jeopardy, than a bruised reed.

Then look at the smoldering wick–what is it? It has a spark within it, it is true–but it is almost smothered; an infant’s breath might blow it out; nothing has a more precarious existence than its flame.

Weak things are here described–yet Jesus says of them, “I will not break a bruised reed; I will not put out a smoldering wick.” Some of God’s children are made strong to do mighty works for Him; God has His Samsons here and there–who can pull up Gaza’s gates, and carry them to the top of the hill; He has a few mighties who are lion-like men. But the majority of His people are a timid, trembling race. They are like starlings, frightened at every passer-by. They are a little fearful flock. If temptation comes–they are captured like birds in a snare. If trial threatens–they are ready to faint. Their frail skiff is tossed up and down by every wave; they drift along like a sea bird on the crest of the billows–weak things, without strength, without wisdom, without foresight.

Yet, as weak as they are–and because they are so weak–they have this promise made specially to them! Herein is grace and graciousness! Herein is love and loving-kindness! How it reveals the compassion of Jesus to us–so gentle, tender, considerate! We need never shrink back from His touch. We need never fear a harsh word from Him–though He might well chide us for our weakness. Bruised reeds shall have no blows from Him, and the smoldering wick no damping frowns!

~ C.H. Spurgeon

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Steve Saint paralyzed but still speaking

Randy Alcorn:

Steve Saint founded ITEC, Indigenous People’s Technology and Education Center. They develop tools, technology and training systems for indigenous God-followers to reach their own people with the gospel of Christ through meeting their physical needs (see www.itecusa.org). Steve is an entrepreneur whose flying car has captured the imagination of many. As I noted on my Facebook page, last week he was seriously injured in a test flight.

Here’s Steve Saint himself, speaking from his hospital bed. I love this brother. Even in this crisis, his mind is on God’s kingdom.

Click here for much more.

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A prayer for the overwhelmed!

     When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17

A prayer by Pastor Scotty Smith

     Gracious Father, there are times when the “odds” feel quite stacked against us. With the naked eye, the enemies of justice, truth, and the gospel greatly seem to outnumber your “troops.” At times, serving you feels quite overwhelming, even futile, if not foolish. But just when we begin to retreat into a basement of fear or question your concern and faithfulness, once again you open the eyes of our hearts and show us the way things really are. You’re such a patient and merciful God.

     It is so good—no, it’s vital to know that because of the gospel, “those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16). If our God is with us, and you patently are, then who or what can, ultimately prevail against us? On our behalf, you didn’t spare Jesus. You freely gave him for our slavery to sin. But, of course, you will keeping on giving us everything we need to serve and honor you.

     But the way of the gospel will always be strength in weakness, the transforming treasure of the gospel in fragile clay pots, like us. It was three hundred poorly armed soldiers, not thirty-four thousand fighting men, you sent with Gideon to defeat the Midianite army. Jesse’s youngest son, David, a young shepherd, was your choice to be the king of Israel. Most profoundly, it was the crucifixion of Jesus, not an insurrection of zealots, which won our salvation.

     Father, the odds are never really stacked against your covenant purposes and your transforming kingdom. You’re not “trying” to do anything. You never have to resort to plan B. You never hedge your bets. You are God, and there is no other.

     So help us, and your servants throughout the world, not to become weary in preaching the gospel and planting churches, in doing justice and loving mercy, in loving our addicted friends and waiting for prodigal children to come home. We will reap a harvest at the proper time, if we do not give up (Gal. 6:9), and the gospel is all the motivation, hope, and power we need to not give up.

     Before he returns, Jesus will redeem his pan-national bride; and when he returns, Jesus will finish making all things new—ushering in the new heaven and new earth. Our labors in the Lord are often exhausting and discouraging, but they are never ever in vain (1 Cor. 15:58). Hallelujah, several times over! So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ trustworthy and triumphant name.

Thank you, Scotty, for sharing this prayer!  I know I need it and many of my fellow servants of Christ do as well!

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Real hope

The MacArthur Study Bible notes on 1 Peter 1:3 offers this detailed description of real hope.

“Hope” means confident optimism, and: 1) comes from God (Ps. 43:5); 2) is a gift of grace (2 Thess. 2:16); 3) is defined by Scripture (Rom. 15:4); 4) is a reasonable reality (3:15); 5) is secured by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (John 11:25,26; 14:19; 1 Cor. 15:17); 6) is confirmed in the Christian by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13); 7) defends the Christian against Satan’s attacks (1 Thess. 5:8); 8) is confirmed through trials (Rom. 5:3,4); 9) produces joy (Ps. 146:5); and 10) is fulfilled in Christ’s return (Titus 2:13)

Here are the Scripture references from above. May God’s Word fill you with real hope today!

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” (Psalm 43:5, ESV)

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,” (2 Thessalonians 2:16, ESV)

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4, ESV)

“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”” (John 11:25–26, ESV)

“Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.” (John 14:19, ESV)

“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17, ESV)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13, ESV)

“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8, ESV)

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,” (Romans 5:3–4, ESV)

“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God,” (Psalm 146:5, ESV)

“waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:13, ESV)

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The Scream and the Christian

This week Edvard Munch’s The Scream became the most valuable painting ever sold at auction. It reached nearly $120 million dollars.

After you get over the shock of the sale price, you might ask, “What does the sale of one of the most recognizable pieces of art have to do with us as Christians?  Well, The Scream represents the shriek of anxiety within mankind apart from God.  Nathan at Gentle Reformation explains in detail–which I encourage you to read.  Here’s a summary:

“As a Christian, you have the special privilege to tell those around you, “You know that painting, The Scream? Let me tell you how Jesus would respond to that scene.” And you can say that because Jesus DID respond to the ‘cry of nature’ – and that response was in building a kingdom of peace through his violent and vicarious death on the cross. Let Munch’s overpriced pastel point you towards the Kingdom of Peace and it’s Prince. The world knows angst- at the cost of $120 million. Point them to Jesus who gives peace that passes all understanding.

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