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Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781504954631 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | AuthorHouse |
| Publication date: | 10/09/2015 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 114 |
| File size: | 2 MB |
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Crying Help
By Reshea Little
AuthorHouse
Copyright © 2015 Reshea LittleAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-5049-5464-8
CHAPTER 1
NEED HELP, CALL FOR ASSISTANCE (JESUS)
* * *
There are so many numbers we can call for Help: 411 for Information, 511 for Travel, traffic; 611 for Mobile help, and 911 for Emergencies. But we need to call 111 for The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 1 for the Father, 1 for the Son, and 1 for the Holy Ghost. Too many times we can feel helpless and out of control and God is perfectly able to help in our times of need. (Psalm 46:1) – "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble."
Jonah was afraid, he knew that God had a specific job for him, but didn't want to do it. Isn't that just like us when God calls us to do a task, we try to run from it. I ran for a whole year when God called me to preach, I didn't want to do it either. When God gives us directions through His Word, sometimes we run in fear, claiming that God is asking too much of us. Fear made Jonah run, Fear made me run, but running gets us into worse trouble than before. For that year of running, I went thru hell. Everything I put my hands to do failed.
Boo, Hoo, Hoo....
In the end Jonah knew that it was best to do what God had asked in the first place, but by then he had paid a costly price for running. It is far better to obey from the start. Read the book of Jonah Chapter 1-4 in its entirety. Jonah chapter 4:1-2, Jonah revealed the reason for his reluctance to go Nineveh. He wanted the Ninevites destroyed, not forgiven, have any of us been like that, wanted people to be destroyed instead of saved. Jonah didn't understand that the God of Israel is also the God of the world.
Are we surprised when some unexpected person turns to God? Maybe your view is as narrow as Jonahs'. Don't forget that in reality that none of us deserves to be forgiven by God, but he is a forgiving God. He is faithful and just to forgive, and cleanses us from all unrighteous. Jonah chapter 4:9, Jonah was angry at the death of the plant, but not over what could have happened to Nineveh.
Most of us have cried at the death of a pet or an object with sentimental value is broken, but have we cried over a friend who does not know God? It is easy to be more sensitive to our own interest than to the spiritual needs of people around us. What are you sensitive to? Although the prophet Jonah tried to run away from God, God was in control. By controlling the stormy seas, and a great fish, God displayed his absolute, yet loving guidance.
Rather than running from God, we need to run to God and trust Him with your past, present, and future. Saying no to God quickly leads to disaster; saying yes to God brings new understanding and His purpose in the world. Just say yes to God and His will for you.
God had a purpose for Jonah – to preach the great Assyrian city of Nineveh. Do you know your purpose? Jonah hated Nineveh, and so he responded with anger and indifference. Jonah had yet to learn that God loves all people; He hates the sin but loves us. Though Jonah, God reminded Israel of their missionary purpose.
God wants His people to proclaim His love in words and actions to the whole world. He wants us to be His missionaries where ever we are and where ever He sends us, so stop crying and get up, and get going.
CHAPTER 2STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTIONS
* * *
My cousin was struggling with an addiction, and he knew it. His friends and family members encouraged him to stop. He agreed that it would be best for his health and relationships, but he felt helpless. When others told him how they had quit their bad habits, he replied: "I'm happy for you, but I can't seem to stop! I wish I had never been tempted in the first place." He was crying out for help and is still crying for help after thirty (30) something years.
Immediate deliverance may happen for some, but most face a daily battle. While we don't always understand why the temptation doesn't go away, we can turn to God or whatever path we find ourselves! Perhaps that is most important part of our struggle. We learn to exchange our futile efforts to change for complete dependence on God, who hears our cry for help. (Psalm 34:17) – "The righteous cry and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their troubles." Jesus was tempted also, just as we are, so He understands what we are feeling; (Mark 1:13) – "And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him."
Yes that is what we need, ministering to. He sympathizes with our struggles. (Hebrews 4:15-16) – "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." He also uses others, including trained professionals, to lean on along the way.
Whatever battles we may be facing today, we know this - God loves us much more than we can imagine, and He is faithful to come to our assistance. (I Corinthians 10:11-13) – Now all these events happen to them as examples for us, they were written down to warn us, who live at the time when this age was drawing to a close. If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you too, may fall into the same sin. But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.
In a culture filled with moral depravity and pressures, Paul gave strong encouragement to the Corinthians about temptation. He said (1) wrong derives and temptations happen, so don't feel you've been singled out, (2) others have resisted temptation so you can, (3) any temptation can be resisted because God will help you resist it, God helps you resist the temptation by helping you recognize people and situations that give you trouble. Run from anything you know is wrong, choose to do only what is right, pray for God's help, and put friends who love God and can offer help in times of temptation. Running from a tempting situation is the first step to victory.
Joseph having to run is in 39th chapter of Genesis. (Genesis 39:9) – Potiphar's wife failed to seduce Joseph, who resisted this temptation by saying it would be a sin against God. How many of us take out time to think about God at a time of temptation? Joseph didn't say "I'd be hurting you or I'd be sinning against Potiphar" or "I'd be sinning against myself." Under pressure, such excuses are easily rationalized away. Remember that sexual sin is not just between two consenting adults, it is an act of disobedience to God.
Joseph avoided Potiphar's wife as much as possible, he refused her advances and finally ran away from her. Sometimes merely trying to avoid temptation is not enough. We have to turn and run, especially when the temptation is so strong, as is often the case with sexual temptation, don't think about it – run, run, run.
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:15–17)
"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." (1 Peter 2:11)
"For all that is in the world, the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions, is not from the Father, but is from the world." (1 John 2:16)
"Now the works of flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (pornography), Idolatry (extreme admiration, love, reference of something or someone), witchcraft, hatred, variance (conflicting, the state or fact of disagreeing, quarreling, fighting, deviation), emulations (contest, strife, competition, rivalry accompanied with the desire of depressing another), wrath, envying, murders, drunkenness, and suchlike: of which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:19-21)
"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." (1 Corinthians 15:33)
You see anything that enslaves you causes you to be its servant, drawing you away from God. Those things keep you from serving God and being there for and fellowshipping with His people that need you in their lives or maybe you need them in your life. The bible warns us that those who continue to do those things will not enter the kingdom of God, and there is a way to be freed from our addictions by allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through us.
CHAPTER 3HOW LONG SHALL I WAIT
* * *
Psalm 13:1-6 – "How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? Forever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and hear me O Lord my God; lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me."
Waiting is hard at times; but when days, weeks and months pass and our prayers seem to go unanswered, it's easy to feel God has forgotten us. Perhaps we can struggle through the day with its distractions, but at night it's doubly difficult to deal with our anxious thoughts.
Worries seem large, and the dark hours loom endless. Utter weariness makes it look impossible to face the new day. The psalmist grew weary as he waited as in Psalm 13:1. He felt abandoned as if his enemies were gaining the upper hand. When we're waiting for God to help resolve a difficult problem or to answer often – repeated prayers; it's easy to get discouraged. Satan whispers that God has forgotten us and that things will never change. We may be tempted to give in to despair, why bother to read the Bible or even to pray?
Why make the effort to worship with other believers in Christ? But we need our spiritual believers most when we're waiting. They help to hold us steady in flow of God's love and to become sensitive to His spirit. That is why we can cry for help, He'll be there. God is worth waiting for. His time is always best.
Delay does not mean denial. Time spent waiting on God is never wasted. When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, He waited two more days in the place where he was.
John 11:7-35: In verses 7-11 – "Jesus said Let us go into Judaea again, the disciples said that where the Jews sought to stone thee, Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world but if a man walk in the night he stumbleth, because there is not light in him. Our friend Lazarus sleepeth, but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep."
John 11:23 – "Jesus said unto her, thy brother shall rise again".
John 11:25 – "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he was dead, yet shall he live."
John 11:26 – "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believeth thou this?" Jesus told Lazarus to come forth, then commanded them to loose him, and let him go. There are miracles and blessings in waiting.
Psalm 25:5 – "Lead me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day."
Proverbs 20:22 – "Say not thou, I will recompense evil, but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee."
Isaiah 8:17 – "I will wait upon the Lord....
Lamentations 3:25 – "The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him."
Hosea 12:6 – "Therefore turn thou to thy God, keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually."
I Thessalonians 1:10 – "And to wait for his son from heaven."
CHAPTER 4CRYBABY BLUES
* * *
Crying is all about feelings. Overcome depression with the help of God and His Holy Spirit. Depression is often triggered by life circumstances, such as a loss of job, death of a loved one, divorce, or psychological problems such as abuse or low self-esteem. The Bible tells us to be filled with joy and praise. (Philippians 4:4) – "Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice."
(Romans 15:11) – "And again Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles, and land him, all ye people." So, God apparently intends for us all to live joyful lives. Depression is a widespread condition, affecting millions of people, Christians, and non-Christians alike. Those suffering from depression can experience intense feelings of sadness, much crying, anger, hopelessness, fatigue, and a variety of other symptoms. They may begin to feel useless and suicidal, losing interest in things and people that they once enjoyed.
This is not easy for someone suffering from situational depression, but it can be remedied through God's gift of prayer, Bible study, and application, support groups, fellowship among believers, confession, forgiveness, and counseling. We must make the conscious effort to not be absorbed in ourselves, but to turn our efforts outward. Feelings of depression can often be solved when those suffering with depression move the focus from themselves to Christ and others. Stay in the Word, even when you don't feel like it.
Emotions can lead us astray, but God's Word stands firm and unchanging. We must maintain strong faith in God and hold even more tightly to Him when we undergo trials and temptations into our lives that we can not bear. 1 Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
Being depressed is not a sin, (Hebrew 13:15) – "Through Jesus therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of our life that confess his name." Elijah and the problem of depression are in 1 Kings 19. In James 5:17 – Remember Elijah, he was a man like us. Elijah's experiences were the same as ours. He had difficulties. He had tests. He knew what depression was like. Our enemy, the devil, was depression, God helps us. Elijah was tired – that's when the devil tries to attack us, when our bodies feel very tired and weak. Elijah sat down under a tree and wanted to die. He had no physical energy at the time.
(1 Kings 18:46) He had run nearly twenty (20) miles to a place called Jezreel. Then he heard bad news in the city. So, he ran for more than another eighty (80) miles. He was very tired and depressed. When you hear bad news, it's no surprise to feel depressed. Elijah had great experiences on the mountain. (1 Kings 18:16-39) God had showed his power and greatness. Elijah must have felt great excitement. He was so happy, and then came depression. The devil wants to steal from us. He wants to take away our joy and peace in God. He tries to make us forget about God and His goodness toward us. It comes when we least expect it. He (God) provides help; Elisha is an example of this. In 1 Kings 19:19-21, God gave him to Elijah. He poured water on the hands of Elijah. In 2 Kings 3:11 it means that he served Elijah.
God is very good to us too. He usually sends someone into our lives. That one will poor water over our dirty, tired hands. He or she will help and encourage us. God shall wipe away all your tears. Revelations 21:4
No more wah, wah, wah, wah
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Crying Help by Reshea Little. Copyright © 2015 Reshea Little. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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Table of Contents
Contents
Chapter 1 Need Help, Call For Assistance (Jesus), 1,Chapter 2 Struggling With Addictions, 9,
Chapter 3 How Long Shall I Wait, 19,
Chapter 4 Crybaby Blues, 27,
Chapter 5 Help Is On The Way, 35,
Chapter 6 Cry Help Thru Relationships, 45,
Chapter 7 Let The Son Shine In, 63,
Chapter 8 My Testimony, 71,
Chapter 9 Crying To Jesus (God), 77,