When Christ the Rock appears like Quick Sand

Many of us go through tough situations & challenges in our lives. The situation you might be in now might be too much for you to bear. You may not even see a way out. You may even be at the end of your life and may not even care to see another day. You look around and see others living happily. You then realize that you are in a different boat and wonder if any one can even relate to your needs.

I have experienced situations like this. There were times when I can't even pray because of the situation itself was so overbearing.

When everything seems to be going well, one can easily say Jesus Christ is the Rock I stand on. But what happens when God doesn't seem to hear when you need him the most.

You cry out loud to him and do not hear back. You seem to be all alone and cut off from God.

Where is my God when I need him the most?

What can you do when even Christ THE ROCK you stand on now appears like Quick Sand?

God permits these situations in our life.

I used to get so down in my spirit when everything around me was crumbling. But God was also teaching me not to let the situation overtake my spirit but to trust in his Word (even if I look like a fool).

Cast your cares on him for he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7

We can't change the situation ourselves. We then look to God's word and his promises which he has given us to wade through our storm even though we may not see the light at the end of the tunnel.

He shall call upon me and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. - Psalm 91:15

God loves us more than we can ever imagine. We may not realize that God is with us in our trials. He who was acquainted with grief really understands our situation and is moved with similar feelings. He is also interceding with God the Father for us. His prayer is that our faith will not fail.

Lets trust him to carry us through our trails. There is NO situation too hard for Christ.

Prayer, Praise and Promises 6/30

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference: Psalm 71:12-22

For Those Who Follow

Read Psalm 71:12-24

As we get older, things change. We must drop some things, and we must start others. Not much goes on continually--except in Psalm 71. David uses the word continually three times. First, he tells us that we can continually resort to the Lord in prayer: "Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually" (v. 3). No matter how old we get, we can pray, because the Lord never fails. We also can have continual praise. "My praise shall be continually of You" (v. 6). If prayer is without ceasing, then praise will be without ceasing. David also tells us, "I will hope continually" (v. 14).

"Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come" (v. 18). Notice that David's focus is not simply on his needs. He wants to have his needs met so he can share the Lord with others. "You shall increase my greatness and comfort me on every side.... I will praise You" (vv. 21,22).

If we are resorting to the Lord continually in prayer, if we are rejoicing in Him continually in praise, if we are hoping in Him continually and laying hold of His promises, if we are saying that the best is yet to come and praise Him more and more, then we can grow old and grayheaded without fear. We'll be able to glorify the Lord, and we'll be able to share Him with others in the next generation. What kind of heritage are you leaving for future generations? What are you teaching them by word and example about God's strength and power? Will others put their faith in the Lord on the basis of your life and testimony?

* * *

You can always live to bring glory to God no matter what your age is. Those of us who are older can do that in a special way; we can teach the younger generation about His faithfulness. Preserve your Christian heritage for future generations. Let your life be a continual testimony for God.

Psalm 71:12-24 (New International Version)

¹² Be not far from me, O God;
come quickly, O my God, to help me.

¹³ May my accusers perish in shame;
may those who want to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.

¹⁴ But as for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.

¹⁵ My mouth will tell of your righteousness,
of your salvation all day long,
though I know not its measure.

¹⁶ I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD;
I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.

¹⁷ Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

¹⁸ Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your might to all who are to come.

¹⁹ Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God,
you who have done great things.
Who, O God, is like you?

²⁰ Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.

²¹ You will increase my honor
and comfort me once again.

²² I will praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.

²³ My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to you—
I, whom you have redeemed.

²⁴ My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me
have been put to shame and confusion.

Prayer, Praise and Promises 6/29

Author:Warrren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference: Psalm 71:1-11

When I Am Old

Read Psalm 71:1-11

The older I become, the more I appreciate this psalm. It focuses on God's special blessings for those who are getting older. "Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails" (v. 9).

What does God do for us as we get older? He helps us meet and solve some of the problems that we encounter in our later years. Take the problem of weakness, for example. That's what David talks about in verse 9: "Do not forsake me when my strength fails." The outward man is failing, but the inward man can be renewed day by day. God will provide you with the spiritual strength that you need."

Another problem we face as we get older is confusion. "In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be put to shame [confusion]" (v. 1). We can't always keep up with so many rapid changes in this world. As we get older, we might say, "I don't quite know what's going on." But God says, "Look, don't worry about it. You trust Me, and I'll never allow you to be confused."

A third problem we experience is that of living in the past. Too often we say, "Back in the good old days...." I've concluded that perhaps the good old days were not that good. David acknowledges, "For You are my hope, O Lord God" (v. 5). He was living in the future. We don't know what the future holds, but we do know that God holds our future.

Finally, we may face the problem of complaining. How easy it is to complain as we grow older. But David said, "Let my mouth be filled with Your praise and with Your glory all the day" (v. 8). When we're walking with the Lord, He takes care of weakness and confusion. He takes care of our fear of the future. He also substitutes praise for complaining, and therefore, we grow old graciously.

* * *

Each phase of life has unique advantages and problems. And God stays with you through each phase. Are you facing the problems of old age? Are you struggling with weakness, confusion, living in the past and complaining? Bring your fears to God. He delights in caring for His people.

Psalm 71:1-11 (New International Version)

¹ In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.

² Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness;
turn your ear to me and save me.

³ Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

⁴ Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of evil and cruel men.

⁵ For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth.

⁶ From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother's womb.
I will ever praise you.

⁷ I have become like a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge.

⁸ My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.

⁹ Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

¹⁰ For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together.

¹¹ They say, "God has forsaken him;
pursue him and seize him,
for no one will rescue him."

Prayer, Praise and Promises 6/28

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference: Psalm 69:30 Romans 8:28 Psalm 70:1-5

Hurry Up, God!

Read Psalm 70:1-5

Has God ever been slow in your life? He was in David's. This undoubtedly was one of the psalms written when David was being harassed by King Saul. So he cries out, "Lord, why don't You do something? You're being awfully slow."

Have you ever pondered the delays of God? He is never in a hurry, but once He starts to work, watch out! He patiently accomplishes His work. David pleads, "Make haste, make haste" (v. 1). He repeats his plea in verse 5: "I am poor and needy; make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay." If right now it seems as though God is tarrying instead of working, if it seems as though He is delaying instead of acting, what should you do? Seek Him and wait on Him and love Him. Verse 4 says it beautifully: "Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; and let those who love Your salvation say continually, 'Let God be magnified!"' We've seen that phrase before. David, when he was sinking, said, "I . . . will magnify Him with thanksgiving" (Ps. 69:30).

Here's a good lesson for us. When God is not moving as rapidly as we think He should, when our timetables do not coincide, what should we do? Rejoice in Him, love Him and magnify Him. Let Him worry about the timetable. God is always working, and we know that all things are working together for good (Rom. 8:28). But He waits for the right time to reveal His victories. Let Him watch the clock.

* * *

God's delays are a part of your character-building process. The next time God gives you a delay, encourage yourself by remembering that He never stops working for you, and He knows when and how to help you. Submit to His timetable and His care.

Psalm 70:1-5 (New International Version)

For the director of music. Of David. A petition.

¹ Hasten, O God, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.

² May those who seek my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.

³ May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
turn back because of their shame.

⁴ But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"Let God be exalted!"

⁵ Yet I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O LORD, do not delay.

Prayer, Praise and Promises 6/26

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference: Psalm 69:8-9 John 2:17 Philippians 3:10 Psalm 69:13-21

No Comforters

Read Psalm 69:13-21

"Reproach has broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness; I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none" (v. 20). When we read Psalm 69, we meet Jesus Christ, for many verses from this psalm are quoted in the New Testament, relating to Him. For example, "I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother's children; because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me" (vv. 8,9; John 2:17). David is going through difficulty, and it is making him more like Jesus. Therefore, it enabled him to reveal the Lord to us.

What breaks your heart? Is it broken when you can't have your way? Is it broken when something is taken away from you? Jesus and David both said, "Reproach has broken my heart" (v. 20). What can you do about a broken heart? David prayed, "Deliver me. Hear me. Draw near to my soul. Redeem me" (vv. 14,16,18). And God answered him.

Sometimes you bear reproach because of others. You feel heavy, brokenhearted and alone. But Jesus went through all of this for us. Be thankful that you can share in the fellowship of His sufferings (Phil. 3:10). Also, while others are going through this experience, be an encouragement to them. If you've known what it's like to have a broken heart, and if you've looked for someone to take pity, then you know how much it means to have a friend. Today, find someone with a broken heart and start to bring healing to him.

* * *

When your heart is broken, be encouraged that Jesus knows what you are going through and that you are becoming like Him. But there's another purpose: You can help others whose hearts are broken. God will use you to help bring healing to them. Don't waste your experiences; they have great value.

Psalm 69:13-21 (New International Version)

¹³ But I pray to you, O LORD,
in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
answer me with your sure salvation.

¹⁴ Rescue me from the mire,
do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me,
from the deep waters.

¹⁵ Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
or the depths swallow me up
or the pit close its mouth over me.

¹⁶ Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love;
in your great mercy turn to me.

¹⁷ Do not hide your face from your servant;
answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.

¹⁸ Come near and rescue me;
redeem me because of my foes.

¹⁹ You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed;
all my enemies are before you.

²⁰ Scorn has broken my heart
and has left me helpless;
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
for comforters, but I found none.

²¹ They put gall in my food
and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

Prayer, Praise and Promises 6/25/10

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference: Psalm 69:1-12

The Worst Death

Read Psalm 69:1-12

I was chatting about death with a neighbor once, using it as an opportunity to witness to him. We were discussing what the most difficult way to die would be. I finally said, "Perhaps the most difficult way to die would be to be smothered--to be sinking in quicksand and be smothered."

David had that kind of experience spiritually. "Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing; I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me" (vv. 1, 2). It's bad enough to be sinking in quicksand, but David also had the floods coming over him. What did he do? He did what every Christian should do.

First, he waited. "My throat is dry; my eyes fail while I wait for my God" (v. 3). "Let not those who wait for You, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed" (v. 6). David knew the situation was in God's control. Yes, he did cry out to God for rescue. Nothing is wrong with that. But he also waited.

Second, he wept. "When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting, that became my reproach" (v. 10). Reproach is used again and again in Psalm 69. (This is a messianic psalm that talks about the reproach Jesus endured for us.) Nothing is wrong with weeping. Pain hurts, and some situations can break your heart. David waited and wept, and he knew that God was going to see him through.

Third, he watched. "Let not those who wait for You, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed because of me; let not those who seek You be confounded because of me, O God of Israel" (v. 6). In other words David says, "It's not important what happens to me. But I don't want to create any problems for anybody else." Throughout this psalm David becomes more and more like the Lord. When you find yourself sinking, wait, weep, watch and let God work.

* * *

When you find yourself sinking in the quicksand, there is little else you can do but cry to the Lord. Sometimes He allows the "quicksand" experiences to turn you to Him. Wait for God. Acknowledge that He is in control. Give Him the pieces of your broken heart and watch Him work for you. You can depend on His faithfulness.

Psalm 69:1-12 (New International Version)

For the director of music. To the tune of "Lilies." Of David.

¹ Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.

² I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.

³ I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,
looking for my God.

⁴ Those who hate me without reason
outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,
those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore
what I did not steal.

⁵ You know my folly, O God;
my guilt is not hidden from you.

⁶ May those who hope in you
not be disgraced because of me,
O Lord, the LORD Almighty;
may those who seek you
not be put to shame because of me,
O God of Israel.

⁷ For I endure scorn for your sake,
and shame covers my face.

⁸ I am a stranger to my brothers,
an alien to my own mother's sons;

⁹ for zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.

¹⁰ When I weep and fast,
I must endure scorn;

¹¹ when I put on sackcloth,
people make sport of me.

¹² Those who sit at the gate mock me,
and I am the song of the drunkards.

Pastor's Message from June 2010 Newsletter

Responsibilities of Fathers

Fathers provide

Well, the scriptures tell us that one of the responsibilities as fathers is to provide material necessities. Paul writes in 1Timothy 5:8, "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."

Fathers are to provide for them, to make sure that their children have a home, and food to eat, and clothing to wear. But scripture always teaches that there must be a balance. Sometimes we are so focused on providing things, that we present an unbalanced picture to our children.

God has always provided for His children, but He never provided too much. When the children of Israel were in the wilderness, God provided them manna for just one day at a time. Every morning they would have to go out and collect the manna again. Only on the 6th day did He give them extra so that they wouldn’t have to work on the Sabbath. And God didn’t put it in their baskets for them. They had to go out and gather it for themselves. They had to work for it.

Make sure that our children have all they need, but also make sure they appreciate those things, and are willing to go out and work for them when their turn comes

They are also to provide spiritual leadership.

Paul writes, "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" [Ephesians 6:4. This is another of our responsibilities - to provide discipline and instruction and to make sure that they are spiritual leaders in their homes. If they’re not spiritual leaders in their homes, then they are neglecting a very important responsibility God has given to them.

Fathers protect

Instinctively, almost all of us have those feelings of wanting to hold our families close and to make sure that nothing ever harms them.

Fathers have to make sure they are meeting that very basic need for their children so that they’ll never be searching for a father-figure someplace else.

Protect them! Make sure that they are being taught the right things and their minds are being filled with wholesome truths. Protect them from all the evil and false doctrines that are out there.

Loving Fathers

John Dresser wrote a book titled, "If I Could Do It All Again." In it he shares 8 things that he would do differently if he could go through his years of being a father all over again. Here is what Dresser wrote:

1. "First of all, if I could do it all over again, I would love my wife more, because by loving my children’s mother more, I would create an environment of security in our home. Our love would be something they could see - something they would never have to worry about."

2. "Second, I would laugh more. I would relax and enjoy my children and laugh at their antics. I would spend more time with them and enjoy being a father."

3. "Third, I would present a more realistic model for them to follow. I would be honest with them about myself. I would let them know that I had problems in school, too, that I stumbled, & made mistakes, and failed. I would let them know that I understand, and that they can come to me when they fail, because I have been there as well."

4. "Fourth, I would listen to what they say. I would listen to their pains and problems and worries and concerns. I would listen when they wanted to talk to me, because now I realize that if I listen to them when they are small, and to their little problems, then when they are big, and have big problems, they will still come and talk with me."

5. "Fifth, I would stop praying so much for my family, and start praying more for myself, because a father’s prayers so often sound something like this, `God, make my son and daughter good people. Help them to succeed in school. Help them to find the right person to marry. Take care of them and protect them.’ We’re always praying for them, it seems." "But I would start praying more for myself, that I might be the right kind of father, realizing that when I become the right kind of father, my children will probably be the right kind of children."

6. "Sixth, I would pay more attention to little things. I would begin to appreciate the touch of love and the word of encouragement. So many times we fathers are quick to criticize their failures, and so slow to praise and encourage them when they do something right."

7. "Seventh, I would create an environment of belonging. I would want my children to know that they belong, and that they are important family members, because I realize that there are going to be people saying to them, `Join this and join that.’ But if they have a solid identity in the home and in the family they will not easily be led astray."

8. "Last, but certainly not least, I would make God an intimate friend of my family. I would use His name freely. I would communicate to them that He is involved in all our family decisions. I would want them to see me pray and read God’s Word & search for His direction and leadership."

If I had my life to live over again, I think I would try very seriously to improve in those eight areas, too.

Dr. Imanuel Christian's article of the month: The Disciple and a Cheerful Heart

Dr. Imanuel Christian's Article of the Month
June 2010
The Disciple and a Cheerful Heart

The Word of God is very practical. It deals with the natural human emotions that we all experience in our daily lives. The Word encourages us to develop and cultivate good emotions like joy, contentment, etc., and gradually weed out the emotions that are harmful to our lives like hatred, bitterness, anger, etc.

One of the good emotions that Solomon is advocating in the Book of Proverbs is cheerfulness, a joyful heart. That, I think, includes not just a momentary burst of cheer or laughter, but a cheerful and positive outlook on life, seeing the life as a glass half full rather than half empty.

Listen to what Solomon says, “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit”. “All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast”. “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart”. “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 15:13, 15, 30; 17:22).

Read those verses again! Note what the opposite of a cheerful heart is. It is heartache, a crushed spirit, being emotionally oppressed and wretched, dried up bones! Who would want that? We all want a cheerful face, a continual feast, a joyful heart, a medicine that heals our inner being and nourishes the bones.

How can we have that kind of cheerful heart? I think that is a gradual process which is the direct outcome of our relationship to, and time with, the Lord. Moses was in the presence of God for forty days and forty nights. When he came down from the mountain, “his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD” (Exodus 34:28-29). Similarly, in the New Testament, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). That was after the resurrection; they had been with Jesus “over a period of forty days” (Acts 1:3).

For us, of course, it is not being in the visible and, in some sense, physical presence of God. We can be in His presence by being in His Word. It was the Word that was God that became flesh, and when we spend time in the written Word, we are spending time with the Living Word.

Isaiah describes in beautiful poetry what happens when a person spends time in the Word of God diligently and carefully, and God’s intended result is accomplished, “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands” (Isaiah 55:12). In the previous verses, the Word is compared to the rain and the snow that successfully produces grain. But it is not just the rain, but the hard work of the farmer along with the rain that produces the grain. Similarly, it is daily personal time and diligent study of the Word that produces the joy and peace. It takes commitment. It takes effort. It takes time.

Now the second question. How do we display a cheerful heart? Actually, a cheerful heart is a byproduct of a good and pure heart which is the result of a regular time in the Word. True cheerfulness of heart is not just seen by a smile on the face, but by the goodness of the heart. Cheerfulness comes from inner goodness. I say this because, surprisingly, in Proverbs 15:13, 15, both places the Hebrew words for “cheerful” are tob and yatab, which mean good, moral goodness. So when Solomon says, “The cheerful heart has a continual feast” (15:13), he is saying, a heart that is morally good is always filled with joy.

The opposite is also true as David says from his own experience, “When I kept silent (about my sin), my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. …my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer” (Psalm 32:3-4). So, cheerfulness is first of all displayed in our good, upright and moral character. Without that our cheerfulness would be only on the surface.

Secondly, cheerfulness of heart is displayed in our attitude of gratitude even in difficult and unpleasant circumstances. A positive attitude towards life is what makes the heart cheerful even when going through difficult circumstances. That positive attitude is developed by having faith that comes from a consistent time in the Word. Paul, while himself in a difficult situation, commands, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” And, “…with thanksgiving present your requests to God”. And the peace of God...will guard your hearts and minds” (Philippians 4:4-7). A cheerful heart means being thankful rather than bitter and complaining.

Thirdly, cheerfulness of heart will be displayed in our relationship with others. Not only will we always be in a cheerful mood brightening the atmosphere around us wherever we are, but we will also have a positive outlook towards others. We will be building them up instead of tearing them down. We will be affirming them instead of criticizing them. We will be understanding, instead of finding fault.

The Book of Hebrews brings this out clearly in 10:19-24 using “let us” three times. “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart” (V. 22); that is personal moral purity. “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess” (V. 23); that is faith that does not waver in difficult circumstances. And, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (V. 24); that is loving and building up others. And we can do all these three things because we have a relationship with the Lord and have entered into the presence of God (Vv. 19-21).

So, remember, “A cheerful heart is good (yatab) medicine” (causes good healing), not only to yourself, but also to others around you. Not only our own joy, happiness and health depends on it, but also our testimony and impact as believers depends on it. And remember, a cheerful heart is a result of our consistent and diligent time with the Lord in His Word.

I think a banner of a believer should be a good, happy and joyful demeanor, a broad happy smile on his or her face! Don’t let anyone see you without a smile that is the product of the goodness of the heart. And always give your smile especially to someone who does not have one! Let your cheerfulness be good medicine for someone else.

The Psalmist says in 126:2-3, “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. (Are they?) Then it was said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them!’ (What a testimony!) The LORD has done great things for us (Hasn’t He?), and we are filled with joy”. (Are you?)