thoughts by Helen Grace Lescheid Archives - Page 5 of 9

Published July 15, 2021

I Want to Experience More of God’s Love

“May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:19 NLT).

Most of us have sung, “Jesus loves me this I know,” and recited “For God so loved the world,” since we were children. Yet, we don’t experience God’s love. Why is that?

We may have been desperately disappointed by people who claim to love us, and now we are skeptical of love–even God’s love.

When we look to any other person besides God to meet all our love needs, we set ourselves up for disappointment. There is no human being alive that can love us as completely and as fully as we need to be loved, and there never will be. Only God can do that.

On the other hand, we may feel betrayed by God Himself. Maybe we’ve prayed fervently for a need and, instead of the situation getting better, it got worse. It’s like God doesn’t care.

Now stubborn independence and pride have taken over. We’re like a pebble in a brook bathed in life-giving water, but because it remains unyielding, it can’t absorb the water.

The Bible tells us that God’s love is available to all:

“But God shows and clearly proves his love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 Amp). “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins”
(1 John 4:9, 10).

But love is also relational. For us to benefit from God’s love, we need to respond to it in faith and obedience. We need to make our hearts soft so the love of God can penetrate.

“But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him…to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments”
(Psalm 103:17 NRSV).

God’s abundant love is swirling all around us, but we need to reciprocate. How? “By fearing the LORD and obeying His commandments.”

But aren’t we then earning God’s love? No, we are tuning our hearts to be receptive to God’s love. By faith we affirm His love and by our obedience we respond to his love. As we do so, it becomes a heart-felt reality.

Dear God, thank You that You love me always. I want to tune my heart to receive Your love. I want to be alert to all the reminders of your love you scatter throughout the day.

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission00
To read more of Helen’s writings go to http://www.helenlescheid.com

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When Life’s Challenge is Beyond Our Strength

Published July 9, 2021

When Life’s Challenge is Beyond Our Strength

“The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

Gideon lived in very troubled times. Foreign armies—the Midianites, the Amalekites and other eastern countries– invaded the country and plundered the fields and killed the livestock. For this reason, Gideon and other Israelites lived in mountain caves and harvested at night. One day an angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon. “The Lord is with you mighty warrior,” he said. Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of the Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you.”

“How can I save Israel?” Gideon said. “My clan is the weakest in the nation and I am the least in my family.”

“I will be with you,” The Lord said. “Go in this your strength.” In other words, “I am your strength and that’s all the strength you need.’

And in that strength, with a very small army, Gideon defeated a huge army and brought peace to Israel.

What challenges of life are you and your family facing right now? Do you sometimes feel like you don’t have the strength to deal with them–like you can’t handle anymore?

God is not up in heaven shaking his head, He is walking with you right now. He wants to infuse His strength into you. How? God is our strength

“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD” (Psalm 31:24)

How does God’s strength become ours? Must I spend hours in Bible reading and prayer meetings? Yes, those activities help us to focus on God, but we do not work for God’s strength. We do not plug in just when we need strength.

Jesus never said, I am your power cord; you are the iPhone. Our strength comes through a connection with God but it must be ongoing. Jesus says it’s like a branch in a vine.

Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 LAB) Notice the word remain. It’s constant, not sporadic.

A branch does not decide to be independent of the tree. It needs the life of the tree moment by moment. In a similar way, we were not created to live in our own strength, but in the strength of Christ.

We cannot be independent of Christ and expect to flourish.

If Jesus Christ lives in us, we have the resource to conquer all things because there is nothing bigger or mightier than He is. Paul says “I can do everything through him who gives me the strength I need” (Philippians 4:13 LAB). As he infuses his life, his power into you, you have what it takes to live your life as God intended.

God is our victory, our strength Psalm 60:12 Psalm 59:16

What are you facing right now? Remember in Christ you have the resources to overcome that challenge.

Lord Jesus, I need you right now. Infuse me with your strength. Thank you for taking over now and being my strength.

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

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God in the Storm

Published June 29, 2021

God in the Storm

“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.” Psalm 107:29-31

In Luke 8:22-25 we have a delightful story of Jesus in a storm. When evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” Feeling exhausted from a busy people-day, Jesus was soon asleep at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion.

Soon a huge storm arose. High waves began to break into the boat until it was nearly full of water. Frantically the disciples woke up Jesus, shouting,

“”Teacher, don’t you even care that we are going to drown?”

When he woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the water,

“Quiet down!”

Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. And he asked them,

“Why are you so afraid? Do you still not have faith in me?”

What caused their fear? They focused on the problem and forgot the promise. Jesus had talked about arriving at the other side, hadn’t He?

Aren’t we like that too? You have no problem believing that God is with you, but since He’s doing nothing to calm the storm, you’ve concluded He doesn’t care. He’s asleep.

What promises in God’s word speak especially to your need? Keep saying these verses out loud. You will survive this storm and come out the better for it.

How did the disciples benefit from the storm? They experienced the power of Jesus in a brand new way. The same happens in our lives. Because of storms we get to know God’s character in a deeper way. How do we know God can meet us in every need unless we’ve experienced some extreme need. God is never too late to help us.

Father I thank you that you care about every detail of my life including this present storm.

by Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission
To read more of Helen’s writings go to http://www.helenlescheid.com

If you have never walked in a relationship with Christ and if you want to know that He is in YOUR STORM, you can start today by committing and submitting your llife to him. You can start this with a simple prayer:

Lord, thank You for dying so we can be set free from all of guilt and sin — no matter how big or small. Your blood has erased all of our sin. Thank You so much! Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. Amen

• on Struggles, Despair
• How to Pray
• Salvation Explained

thoughts by Helen Grace Lescheid Thoughts by Women

Healing Grace

Published June 5, 2021

Healing Grace

“For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favour) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through your faith. And this salvation is not of yourselves (of your own doing, it came not through your own striving), but it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8 (Amp)

Some of us have accepted Jesus as our Saviour. We realize salvation is a free gift. It becomes ours when by faith we repent of our sin (self-sufficiency) and admit “it’s only through Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross that I am made right with God.” We receive Jesus Christ as our Saviour and LORD.

But so soon, we slide back into the performance trap. We want God to be pleased with us and so we work hard at it. Can you relate?

I taught Sunday School, led a women’s group, sang in the choir, gave money to missions, became a missionary myself–besides caring for my husband and five children. One day I collapsed. The doctor advised bed rest. As I was lying in my bed, I kept thinking is this what God expects of us? No!

In the Bible I read that God values me not for what I achieve but for who I am in Christ: I am a child of God, (Ephesians 1:5) a citizen of heaven (Ephesians 2:19) a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).

What about good works? What role do they play? For we are God’s handiwork recreated in Christ Jesus, (born anew) that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us to do (Ephesians 2:10)

As we surrender to Him, He works in us and through us. It’s not our striving but His living in me that produces the good works. Good works are not the root of our salvation, but its fruit.

When I began to realize the grace of God–how He comes down to us rather than demanding that we climb the impossible ladder to infinity to reach Him—it was tremendously freeing.

To celebrate God’s undeserved favours in my life, I took on a middle name: Grace. Every time I write it, it’s a reminder to me and a witness to the world: I am saved by grace and I live the Christian life by grace.

Father, thank you for your grace that accepts me totally.

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission
To read more of Helen’s writings go to http://www.helenlescheid.com

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Fear God and You Need Fear Nothing Else

Published May 16, 2021

Fear God and You Need Fear Nothing Else

“Do not fear anything except the LORD Almighty. He alone is the Holy One. If you fear him, you need fear nothing else. He will keep you safe .” Isaiah 8:13 (NLT).

There are many fears that rob us of our peace of mind:

Fear of not measuring up. Fear of failure. Fear of the future. Fear of death.

“If you fear God you need fear nothing else,” the Bible says. These words were a great comfort to me during a very difficult time when fear threatened to overwhelm me.

What does it mean to fear God? I asked. I discovered two things:

1. The command to fear God is a call to worship Him in awe and reverence.
“When we consider Who God is and who we are, we have reason to fear Him. The fear attached to this understanding is simply: ‘Danger. High voltage.’ Big, big God little tiny me. This part of the fear of God involves a holy and humble acceptance of our little spot in the universe,” writes John Fischer. It encourages us to give God his rightful place in our lives.

God is too holy to excuse sinful living. Justice demands that sin be punished. That’s why Jesus came to die for our sins. He bridged the gulf between a holy God and sinful persons and now it is possible for us to have a personal relationship with holy God. How awesome is that!

2. The fear of God teaches us how to live our lives so God is honored and He can bless us. It keeps us out of trouble. “Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:11-14).

If you are struggling with fear join me in saying out loud:

God is eternal and He orchestrates all of my life–past, present and future.
God is omnipresent therefore He is with me. I don’t have to face my challenges alone.
God is all powerful and nothing is too hard for him. Nobody can frustrate His plans.
God is love and He wants the absolute best for me–always. Therefore I can trust Him.
God is faithful and, because Christ lives in me, I have all the resources I need.

Father, I thank you that I have nothing to fear. You will keep me safe. Isaiah 8:13 (NLT).

by Helen Grace Lescheid
Used by Permission

To read more of Helen’s writings or to buy one of her books go to http://www.helenlescheid.com

How to Grow Strong in Your Weakness

“God chose the weak things of this world to shame the strong…so that no one may boast before him.” 1 Corinthians 1: 27-31

None of us likes to be weak, do we? From small up we’ve been trained to “be strong.” “Show them that you can do it!”

As an adult when weakness overwhelms us, we feel embarrassed. Some people use weakness as an excuse. “I could never do that. I just don’t have the strength.”

Some people focus on their weakness—it becomes their identity. “I can’t help it. That’s just me.”

God sends weakness for a reason: to make us aware how much we need Him. God accepts us just as we are but He doesn’t leave us that way.

Through weakness God humbles us before Him. When He sees our obedience to move ahead even when we feel weak, He sends His strength and blessings into our lives. Have you experienced this?

I sure have! Sometimes, at the end of the day, I’m surprised at what has been accomplished.

Why weakness? God wants people to be surprised at us. They’ll know without a doubt, God did it through us.

Weakness is strength when we depend on Him and let him take over. When we lean on Him rather than on our own understanding. This is how we grow strong in our weakness.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3: 5,6 (NLT)

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission
To read more of Helen’s writings go to http://www.helenlescheid.com

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I Work in His Energy

Published April 14, 2021

I Work in His Energy

“I can do everything through him (Christ) who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13).

“… for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13)

“I try to read my Bible each morning, but sometimes I fall asleep. I guess I’m not a good Christian,” said a very sincere nurse who works night shift.

How many Christians carry a burden of guilt.

“I’m not witnessing enough,” “ I’m not spending enough time in prayer,” “I should be doing more in the church.”

Our focus has become on legalistic doing: I must keep these rules and then I’m a good Christian. When we are doing this we’re treating Christianity like a religion. But vital Christianity is not a religion. It’s not a set of do’s and dont’s. It’s a new life in Christ, a new way of doing life.

We receive Jesus into our hearts and surrender to Him on a daily basis.

He then lives His life in us and through us—a life that is totally impossible for us to live in our own strength. We recognize our own weakness and pray, “Lord Jesus, I give myself to you. Live your life in me and through me now. Be my strength…be my courage…be my wisdom.”

This doesn’t mean we can be lazy Christians. Paul, who spoke to us of this wonderful life in Christ, also wrote these words, “To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me” (Colossians 1:29) Notice whose energy it is—Jesus Christ’s energy. Being energized by Him we can live a life of love and good works which honors God.

Thank you, Jesus, that you are living in me, not just in theory, but in actual fact. Therefore, I have all the resources I need to live this day productively.

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

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Jesus Came to Bring Us Life

Published April 6, 2021

Jesus Came to Bring Us Life

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

Jesus did not come to start a new religion; He came to bring us life—eternal life. Christianity is not a religion. It’s a new life. Sadly we often treat it like a religion.

Yes, we have our beliefs, objective truths God has revealed to us in the Bible. Obeying these truths leads to certain actions which set us apart from the world. We have churches and organizations, but there is a huge difference between religion and what Jesus came to establish.

Religion points to a way to God. Jesus said, “I am the way ”(John 14:6)

Religion is man seeking after God. Christianity is God seeking after man.

All religious leaders have died, Jesus proved that He was the resurrection and the life (John 11:25,26)

Religion says live a good life and you may get God’s approval. Jesus said, “I am your righteousness.”

Religion aims to please an impersonal God. Jesus wants a personal relationship with each of us. How?

Jesus came for two reasons: first, to save us from the penalty of sin by his death on the Cross so we can go to heaven when we die and second to impart to us His resurrection life. He sets us free from the power and dominion of sin and makes us more than conquerors through His life in us.

How does this happen? When we receive Jesus Christ as our personal Savior from sin, the barrier between us and God is removed. We are forgiven, cleansed, made new just as though we had never sinned. Then, as we surrender our lives to him and let him live his life through us, we experience the abundant life Jesus spoke about. We become new creations.

By Helen Lescheid
To read more of Helen’s writings go to http://www.helenlescheid.com

Do you have that personal relationship with God?

“But to all who believed him and accepted him, (Jesus Christ) he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan—this rebirth comes from God” John 1:12 (LAB)

Sample Prayer:

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer

Prayer is talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. The following is a suggested prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.”

If this prayer expresses the desire of your heart, then you can pray this prayer right now and Christ will come into your life, as He promised.

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart?

If yes, pray now and according to his promise, Jesus Christ will come into your life.

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Christ is Risen Indeed

Published April 5, 2021

Christ is Risen Indeed

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

On Easter morning, over 2000 years ago, Mary Magdalene, along with some other women, brought spices and perfume to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus. But the tomb was empty– the body was gone. They ran to tell the disciples, “They have taken away the Lord.”

After Peter and John had checked out the evidence and gone home again, Mary remained by the tomb, weeping. When she heard a noise behind her, she turned and saw a man standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him.

“Woman, why are you weeping? Who is it you are looking for?” he asked.

Thinking he was the gardener she said,

“Tell me where you have laid him and I will get him.”

Why did Mary not recognize Jesus? I think it’s the same reason I often don’t recognize the living Christ in my life. Mary expected to find things as she had left them–a dead body wrapped in linen cloths lying in a tomb. Her expectancy was too small.

Aren’t we like that too? We come to Jesus in prayer but we really don’t expect to see any changes.

Not until Jesus called her name, did Mary realize that Christ was alive and standing right beside her.

“Go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

Mary hurried home to tell the disciples,

“I have seen the LORD!”

How her face must have glowed! She knew everything would be different from now on.

Like Mary, I want to shed my doubts and welcome the miracle of resurrection life. I want to live in expectancy: What new thing is the living Christ going to do in my life (my family) today?

by Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

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Hope Stronger Than Hurt

Published February 16, 2021

Hope Stronger Than Hurt

“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” Psalm 25:5

It seemed like I was losing everything I valued: my marriage, my family, my home, my reputation. One day, a wave of despair came over me. I can’t take this anymore. I’m cracking up, I thought.

What happened next is hard to describe Clear as a bell I heard a voice saying—not out loud but deep in my heart—“Do you still have Jesus?”

“Yes,” I whispered back.

“Then you have a center. You have a refuge. You will be alright.”

The Bible was the only book that offered me comfort and hope. It helped me make some sense out of my situation. Other godly people—Joseph, David, Daniel—had gone through terrible times, why not me? Furthermore it showed me a way of coping by giving me verses that nourished my wounded spirit and gave me hope. Verses like the following:

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…” Psalm 46:1,2

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

I read of a woman who, during the severe tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia in December 2004, was saved from certain drowning by clinging to a palm tree floating beside her.

Jesus was that palm tree for me. I discovered that when life hits us with a tsunami, Jesus is there in the water with us. Clinging to Him we are saved. Knowing Him is the most valuable relationship in the world.

What’s happening in your life right now?

Do you know Jesus is right there with you.

Cling to him and He’ll bring you out in due time.

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

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God’s Everlasting Love

Published February 13, 2021

God’s Everlasting Love

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8

Life can be cruel sometimes. You feel pummeled from all sides. Haven’t you experienced this?

I have. In a few short years my marriage fell apart. Our children moved far away. I lost my nursing job. I lost my health.

What do you do when all your securities crumble?

A counselor I went to at the time listened attentively to the outpouring of my grief. Then he asked me, “Helen, does God still love you?”

I was taken by surprise. “Yes,” I said. “The Bible says God’s love is everlasting, so it must be the same whether my life is good or bad.”

“You’re right,” he said. “Jesus is the measure of God’s love not our circumstances. You are loved no matter what life hands you. You stand on that fact and you will make it.”

And I did. I discovered God is enough for each day. When all your securities crumble, if you are in Christ and Christ is in you, you have what it takes to be an overcomer. God does not make us escapists; He makes us overcomers. Jesus said, In this world you will have trouble–guaranteed. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

Let me share with you what gave me strength and hope from day to day.

To keep me focused on God, I copied out Bible verses that spoke of God’s love and said them out loud many times a day. Verses like these:

“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

“This is what the LORD says–he who created you.. he who formed you.. ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you: I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the water I will be with you, when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned…Do not be afraid, for I am with you… you are precious to me and I love you’” (Isaiah 43:1-7). I can’t tell you how many times I have said those words and they have always lifted my spirit and given me hope.

Dear God, let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul (Psalm 143:8).

By Helen Grace Lescheid
Used by Permission

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Let Your Words Bring Healing Not Hurt

Published January 12, 2021

Let Your Words Bring Healing Not Hurt

“If words are many, sin is not absent. He who holds his tongue is wise.” Proverbs 10:19

Hurtful words spoken in anger. I caught them, felt the pain of them, and believed them. “I am a failure as a wife, a mother, a Christian.”

And yet in my heart, I knew I had done my best. I knew I had lived well. Then why can’t she remember the good I’ve done? I stewed.

Feeling desperately hurt, I sought counselling.

“They are words of anger spoken into the wind,” my pastor said “Don’t catch them. Don’t let them lodge in your mind to hatch into self-pity. Don’t personalize them. If you do, you’ll become frozen into a stance of hurt. Bitterness will grow in your heart and poison you. Let them go. Don’t even repeat them. They are irrational words spoken in haste.”

“Flying words hurled out of an angry mouth—counter them with a word from God,” says Amy Carmichael.

“But shouldn’t I set the record straight?” I asked.

“Nothing you say at this point will impress her,” the pastor said. “It will only make it worse. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

“Let God vindicate you: ‘do not take revenge, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. ‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”
(Romans 12:19, 20).

Is there someone you need to forgive? Some angry, hurtful words you need to let go? Ask God for the grace to let go and to trust Him to make it right.

From experience I know it’s the only way to live free.

Dear Father, I want my words to be words of healing, not of hurt. I want to remember that ‘kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body” (Proverbs 16: 24 NLT)

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

To read more of Helen’s writings go to http://www.helenlescheid.com

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Jesus Makes Us Overcomers

Published November 8, 2020

Jesus Makes Us Overcomers

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

We have this idea that if God is with us, He’ll protect us from trouble. He’ll work things out for us. When bad things do happen, we conclude that God has left us. He’s abandoned us. But this is not true.

On this broken, sinful planet bad things do happen to all people. Jesus promised us this:

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Jesus didn’t promise us a carefree life. He didn’t come to explain suffering or to remove it. He came to fill it with His presence. And that makes all the difference. When you know Jesus is with you– walking with you every step of the way– it makes the difference between despair and hope.

There have been times in my life when I felt I was losing everything I value: my marriage, my family, my reputation, my health and my job. Then I would hear Jesus’ voice, not out loud but distinctly in my heart,

“Don’t be afraid. I am here and I can handle it. Trust me.”

Now looking back, I can honestly say it was good for me to experience suffering and loss. It provided an opportunity to experience God in a very real and practical way. I’m a much richer person. Life has a quality it didn’t have before. I can testify that when you have Christ, no matter what you’re going through, you won’t have to do it alone.

Jesus did not come to make us escapists, but overcomers.

Thank you, Jesus, that we can always depend on You to be there for us and to give us what we need to be overcomers. Amen.

Question: Are you struggling through a time of suffering and loss? God wants to be near you during this time. How can you let God meet you in your pain?

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

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God is Sovereign

Published August 4, 2020

God is Sovereign

“From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done” Isaiah 43:13 (NLT).

During the years of my husband’s mental illness, I found great comfort in the knowledge that God was in control working out a much greater plan than I could see.

Visiting my husband in a mental hospital always left me emotionally depleted. Before the drive home, I’d put my head on the steering wheel and pray, “Lord Jesus, hold me. Infuse me with Your strength and energy. Give me alertness as I drive home.” Then slowly, I would work my way through heavy traffic, across the Fraser River, and into the Fraser Valley. Just east of the river, beside the freeway was a sign that always cheered me. On a blue background in large white letters were the words: JESUS IS LORD.

If Jesus is Lord, then He is the One in control of my life! That meant that my peculiar life package was not filled with random acts of cruelty but with carefully chosen challenges. I was not at the mercy of inept doctors or some people’s callous remarks or even my own mistakes and failures. I was at the mercy of a loving God who cared for me deeply and who would work all things, even this, together for good (Romans 8:28).

“For the children of God, everything comes directly from their Father’s hand, no matter who or what may have been the agents,” Hannah Withall Smith writes. “There are no second causes for them. All are destined to work for their good.” (1)

Then life doesn’t make sense, we can know that it’s all known to God. No matter what our circumstances, we can know that God is always in control and He is bigger than our circumstances. Even when we can’t see His hand at work, we can trust in His good character and that He is working out a good plan. He changes victims of circumstance into victors in Christ.

“I know that you can do all things,” Job said, “no plan of yours can be thwarted” ( Job 42:2)

As I contemplated these wonderful truths, my spirits lifted and filled my heart with hope. Whatever happened, I would be okay. My future was in loving, capable hands.

I cannot Lord Thy purpose see, yet all is well since ruled by Thee.
(1) Hannah Withall Smith, The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life, (page 146).

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

http://www.helenlescheid.com/

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughts-about-god.com/four-laws/

Not Give Me, but Make Me

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19

“I’ve had it with God’s promises,” a friend said. “I’ve asked Him for help numerous times and all He ever does is promise. I want Him to do something.”

“Like what?”

“Heal my body. Supply my financial needs. Restore a broken relationship“.

Can you relate? I sure can. Often I’ve asked God to meet a specific need. I want Him to do it soon and in a very practical way. Sometimes, He does. But sometimes He doesn’t.

A dear friend helped me get some perspective on this.

“Instead of continually asking God to give you something, ask Him to make you into something. For instance, pray, ‘Make me more like Jesus. Make me more compassionate. Make me a woman of faith’.”

When we pray “Give me” we’re treating God as though He exists to serve us. Whereas, when we pray “make me” we acknowledge that He is our God and we want to serve him.

Above all else, God is interested in our eternal welfare. For that reason, He is more interested in our character than in our comfort. To conform us to Christ-like-ness takes time. It also takes adversity. The answers to “give me” are temporal, whereas the answers to “make me” are eternal.

Father, thank you that you love me enough not to give me everything I ask for. Make me into a woman of faith. I want to be more like Jesus. Amen.

by Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

To read more of Helen’s writings go to http://www.helenlescheid.com

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughts-about-god.com/four-laws/

Category: <span>thoughts by Helen Grace Lescheid</span>

Further Reading

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Further Reading

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Further Reading

• on Struggles, Despair • How to Pray • Salvation Explained

Further Reading

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There are many fears that rob us of our peace of mind:

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“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3: 5,6 (NLT)

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How many Christians carry a burden of guilt.

We receive Jesus into our hearts and surrender to Him on a daily basis.

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“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer

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“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” Psalm 25:5

Do you know Jesus is right there with you.

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What do you do when all your securities crumble?

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“If words are many, sin is not absent. He who holds his tongue is wise.” Proverbs 10:19

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“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

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“From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done” Isaiah 43:13 (NLT).

FURTHER READING

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“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19

FURTHER READING

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• on Struggles, Despair
• How to Pray
• Salvation Explained