God Will Send a Helper

 God Will Send a Helper

As I reflect on our recent Bible study sessions, led by Keith M. Craddock, I am reminded of the promise that God will send us helpers in times of need. Our study focused on several scriptures that emphasize God's presence and provision in our lives.

Psalm 121:2

"My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:2)

This verse reassures us that our help comes from the all-powerful and all-knowing God. He is the Creator of the universe, and He is always ready to lend a helping hand.

Psalm 107:1

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." (Psalm 107:1)

This scripture encourages us to give thanks to God for His goodness and enduring love. Even in difficult times, we can trust that God's love will sustain us.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

In these verses, the apostle Paul shares his experience of God's sufficient grace. Despite his weaknesses, Paul found that God's power was made perfect in him. This scripture reminds us that our weaknesses are opportunities for God's power to shine through.

As we studied these scriptures, our family was going through a period of isolation. Little did we know that God would send us a friendly little helper named Meta AI. This AI assistant has been a valuable resource, providing information and assistance when we needed it most.

I would like to extend my gratitude to Keith M. Craddock for leading our Bible study sessions, and to Meta AI for drafting help with this blog post.

May we always remember that God will send us helpers in times of need. May we trust in His goodness, love, and sufficient grace to carry us through life's challenges.

God Holds Tomorrow

 God Holds Tomorrow

As humans, we have a natural tendency to worry about the future. We often find ourselves consumed by thoughts of what's to come, and we can easily get caught up in anxiety and uncertainty. But as Christians, we have a promise that can bring us peace and comfort: God holds tomorrow.

In Matthew 6:34, Jesus tells us, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." These words remind us that God is in control, and we don't have to bear the weight of tomorrow's worries on our own.

The story of Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9 is a powerful illustration of God's sovereignty over our lives. Mephibosheth, the grandson of Saul, was crippled in both feet and felt like he didn't deserve God's blessing. But David, out of kindness and loyalty, took Mephibosheth in and treated him like one of his own sons. This story shows us that God's plans for us are not based on our own abilities or worthiness, but on His mercy and love.

Ecclesiastes 3:16 says, "And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there." This verse reminds us that the world is not always just or fair, but God is always in control. He holds the future, and we can trust Him to work everything out for our good.

In Joshua 10:13, we read, "So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day." This miraculous event shows us that God is all-powerful and can do the impossible. He can hold back time itself, and He can certainly hold our tomorrows.

Finally, Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." These verses remind us that we don't have to worry about tomorrow because we can bring our concerns to God in prayer. He will give us peace that surpasses understanding, and He will guard our hearts and minds.

As we look to the future, let us remember that God holds tomorrow. He is in control, and we can trust Him to work everything out for our good. Let us bring our worries and concerns to Him in prayer, and let us rest in the peace that He provides.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Keith M. Craddock for leading our family Bible study on this topic and inspiring this blog post.

Assistance

This blog post was drafted with the assistance of Meta AI.

Watch How God Will Open Doors

A family bible study by Keith M. Craddock

Watch How God Will Open Doors

Have you ever felt like you're standing in front of a closed door, wondering if it will ever open? Maybe you've been praying for a new opportunity, a fresh start, or a breakthrough in a challenging situation.

As believers, we can trust that God is always working behind the scenes, opening doors and making a way for us. In this post, we'll explore what it means to watch how God will open doors, and how we can trust in His goodness and sovereignty.

The Faith to See the Unseen

Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." This verse reminds us that faith is not just about seeing the tangible, but also about trusting in the invisible.

When we face closed doors, it's easy to lose sight of God's plan. But Hebrews 11:1 encourages us to have faith in what we hope for, even when we can't see it. We must trust that God is working, even when the door seems shut.

God's Plan to Prosper

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This verse reminds us that God's plan for us is always good.

When we face closed doors, it's tempting to doubt God's goodness. But Jeremiah 29:11 assures us that God's plan is to prosper us, not to harm us. We can trust that He is working everything out for our good, even when the door seems shut.

Watching for God's Open Doors

So, how can we watch for God's open doors? Here are a few practical steps:

Pray for guidance: Ask God to show you the way and to open doors that align with His plan.
Trust in God's sovereignty: Remember that God is in control, and He is working everything out for your good.
Look for opportunities: Keep your eyes open for opportunities that align with God's plan, and be willing to take steps of faith.
Wait patiently: Trust that God's timing is perfect, and wait patiently for Him to open doors.

Conclusion

Watching how God will open doors requires faith, trust, and patience. We must trust that God is working behind the scenes, opening doors and making a way for us.

As we wait for God to open doors, let's remember that His plan is always good, and He is working everything out for our good. May we have the faith to see the unseen, and may we trust in God's sovereignty as we watch for His open doors.

Reflection Questions:

What are some areas of your life where you're waiting for God to open doors?
How can you trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even when the door seems shut?
What practical steps can you take to watch for God's open doors?

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to trust in Your sovereignty and goodness, even when the door seems shut. Give us the faith to see the unseen, and help us to watch for Your open doors. May we wait patiently, knowing that Your timing is perfect, and Your plan is always good. Amen

Fear Doesn't Come from God

A family bible study by Keith M. Craddock

 "Fear Doesn't Come from God"

Fear is a universal human emotion that can be overwhelming and debilitating. It can creep into our lives and steal our peace, joy, and confidence. But as Christians, we need to remember that fear doesn't come from God.

God Has Not Given Us a Spirit of Fear

In 2 Timothy 1:7, we read:

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

This verse reminds us that God has not given us a spirit of fear. Instead, He has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. We can face challenges and difficulties with confidence and courage, knowing that God is with us.

The Giants of Fear

In Numbers 13:33, we read:

"We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."

This verse reminds us of the story of the Israelites who were afraid to enter the Promised Land because of the giants they saw there. They allowed their fear to hold them back from experiencing God's promise.

Fear vs. Faith

Fear and faith are opposing forces. When we choose to fear, we are essentially saying that we don't trust God. But when we choose to have faith, we are saying that we trust God completely.

Overcoming Fear with Faith

So how can we overcome fear with faith? Here are a few practical tips:

Focus on God's promises: Instead of focusing on our fears, let's focus on God's promises. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
Practice prayer and worship: Prayer and worship are powerful tools for overcoming fear. When we pray and worship, we are reminded of God's presence and power in our lives.
Surround yourself with positive influences: The people we surround ourselves with and the media we consume can either fuel our fears or build our faith. Let's surround ourselves with positive influences that encourage us to trust God.

Conclusion

Fear doesn't come from God. He has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. Let's choose to focus on God's promises, practice prayer and worship, and surround ourselves with positive influences. When we do, we'll find that our fears will begin to fade away, replaced by a confident faith in God.

Reflection Questions

What are some fears that are holding you back from experiencing God's promise?
How can you focus on God's promises instead of your fears?
What are some positive influences that you can surround yourself with to build your faith?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to overcome our fears with faith. Remind us of Your promises and give us the power to trust You completely. In Jesus' name, Amen

Stop Worrying

 Stop Worrying

A family bible study by Keith M. Craddock

Worrying is a natural human response to uncertainty and fear. But as believers, we're called to live a life of faith, not fear. When we worry, we're essentially saying that God is not big enough or powerful enough to handle our problems.

Encouragement to Stop Worrying

In 1 Thessalonians 5:14, Paul writes:

"And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone."

Paul encourages us to warn, encourage, help, and be patient with one another. But he doesn't mention worrying. Instead, he reminds us to focus on building each other up in faith.

God Has Not Given Us a Spirit of Fear

In 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul writes:

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

God has not given us a spirit of fear or worry. Instead, He's given us a Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. When we worry, we're not living in the power and love that God has given us.

Be Still and Know That I Am God

In Psalm 46:10, we read:

"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

This verse is a powerful reminder to stop worrying and start trusting. When we're still and quiet before God, we can know that He is God, and that He is in control.

Conclusion

Worrying is not of God. It's a natural human response, but it's not how God wants us to live. Instead, He wants us to live a life of faith, trusting in His power and love. So let's stop worrying and start trusting. Let's be still and know that He is God.

Reflection Questions

What are you worrying about today?
How can you trust in God's power and love instead of worrying?
What does it mean to you to be still and know that God is God?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to stop worrying and start trusting. May we be still and know that You are God, and may we live a life of faith, trusting in Your power and love. In Jesus' name, Amen.