Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ,
Could you help, I cannot reach to put this away? How do we respond when things are beyond our reach? Find a step-stool, find a taller family member or friend, find a ladder, rent a lift? What about other challenges: if we are sick or our vehicle is broken down and we are stranded?
We do everything we can to deal with the challenge, yet when it is beyond us, we call out for help.
What if no one can help us?
“We know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. So then it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin which dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Romans 7:14-24
We may believe we can deal with all the challenges in life, yet eventually, we all face brokenness and need that we cannot overcome. We celebrate the glorious truth of Jesus providing the deliverance we need. His Ascension and the fulfillment of his promise to send His Holy Spirit bring the life-changing, eternal power of God into our lives!
(Jesus) opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high.” Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God. Luke 24:45-53
Jesus’ Ascension brings great power and transformation as Jesus fulfills that promise! Pentecost, ten days after his Ascension, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit! God’s Holy Spirit is given to all who trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior! There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2
What if no one can help us? Jesus meets us and provides rescue when we discover our need. He invites us to receive his great mercy and new life by faith. He is able to lift us out of the brokenness and despair of sin and death. Jesus will give the indwelling power of His Holy Spirit to empower us to live the free and faithful life we were created to share with God and one another. Jesus has risen, ascended and sits at the right hand of Almighty God, and sends us His Holy Spirit power. Who will rescue us from the struggles of the world, even the global pandemic? Jesus; he has done it before!
God loves us and woos us to respond by dying to lies, fears, and failures; living in the truth of Jesus by the power of his Holy Spirit in the fellowship of his Church; not giving up, everyday seeking to lead everyone to Jesus!
God loves you and we love you!
In Jesus, Paul and Nancy Wier