Does Jesus Care?

Some people see God as so high and holy that He has no time for people like us. 

Others see Him as resembling a doting old grandfather Who winks at sin and  kind of watches His creation with amusement to see what will happen next.

Well, God is a high and holy God, but He doesn’t wink at our sins and lets the universe do its own thing. 

He is a God Who is in control of all things at all times, and, like a doting grandfather, He is a God Who cares.

He is often portrayed as a God of wrath and judgment. That’s one side of His character, but, He is also a God of love, compassion and intimacy. He is a God Who cares.

One reason He cares is because He knows what we face in life. He knows because He came to live among men and die on a cross for sinners, Phil. 2:5-8; John 1:1; 14.

While He was here, He endured more than His share of pain, poverty and suffering. He was rejected, John 1:11, hated, suffered pain, hungry, thirsty and alone. 

He knows what it’s like to die. Jesus walked through this world and experienced what He did so that He might better help us in time of need, 

Take your needs to Jesus. Trust Him. Obey Him. He cares.

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.  . . . .[16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

______________________________

“Does Jesus care when my heart is pained — Too deeply for mirth and song — As the burdens press and the cares distress — And the way grows weary and long?

“Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares — His heart is touched with my grief — When the days are weary, the long nights dreary — I know my Savior cares

“Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed — To resist some temptation strong. — When for my deep grief I find no relief — Though my tears flow all the night long?

“Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares — His heart is touched with my grief — When the days are weary, the long nights dreary — I know my Savior cares.”

                  Frank G, Graeff  1901

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  ≥≤ΩÎÍ

God Will Take Care Of You

Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

What does the Lord mean to you? I  agree with David. The Lord is the rock I  cling to when troubled. He’s the fortress I run to for safety, and He has delivered me from evil time and again. When I’m weak, I find strength in Him. 

David also says the Lord is my "buckler".  What does that mean?  Buckler means “shield”.

Sometimes He shields us from danger, stepping  between us and the likes of a debris hurling tornado bent on destroying us.

Only in Heaven will we fully comprehend the times when God was our “buckler”--- when in His providence He steps between us and injury, harm or evil. 

God is good. God is gracious. 

______________________________

“”Be not dismayed whate’er betide, — God will take care of you; — Beneath His wings of love abide, — God will take care of you.

“God will take care of you, — Through every day, o’er all the way; — He will take care of you, — God will take care of you.

“Through days of toil when heart doth fail, — God will take care of you; — When dangers fierce your path assail, — God will take care of you.

“All you may need He will provide, — God will take care of you; — Nothing you ask will be denied, — God will take care of you.”

        Civilla D. Martin

‘

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  ≥≤ΩÎÍ

Amazing God

There are many of us believers who would have to admit that we doubt the Word of God when bad circumstances arrive. Satan lies to us. 

He tells us that God doesn't care. Oh, but He does. 

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

He says God doesn't hear. Oh, but He does. 

Jeremiah 33:3  Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

He says God isn't even there. Oh, but He is. 

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

It’s foolish to forget God in the middle of our troubles. He is still God no matter what we face, Eph. 3:20.

____________________________

“Want to hear the story of how I made it through, — When life is full of trouble, pain, and fear; — The answer may seem simple: though everything else crumbles, — One thing has remained through all the years. 

“I still serve an amazing God, — He's been with me every mile my weary feet have trod; — He still cares, — He still hears; — He's still mending broken hearts and drying tears; — This old world is bound to change, — But I'm glad I know the One who always stays the same, — And my song will ever be, — Amazing God, You're still amazing me. 

“The God who parted waters still makes a way today, — He's always brought me through the troubled seas. — The One who fed the thousands, whose words could calm the tempest — He's my Bread of Life, and He's my Peace.”

       Lee Black, Janice Crow, and Sue C. Smith

     

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  

Give Them All To Jesus

We can’t see what God is doing behind the scenes. Sometimes it appears He’s taking His time.

The Lord has no need to explain Himself to us, but when He doesn’t make sense, we have to trust Him anyway. He’s working in ways we can’t imagine.

God has a plan for your situation. Learn to trust Him regardless of what is happening in your life. Your faith will sustain you. 

Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Meanwhile, lay all your worry and gunk at the feet of Jesus.  

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

_________________________________

“Are you tired of chasing pretty rainbows? — Are you tired of spinning round and round? — Wrap up all the shattered dreams of your life, — At the feet of Jesus lay them down.

“Give them all — Give them all — Give them all to Jesus; — Shattered dreams — Wounded hearts — Broken toys. — Give them all — Give them all — Give them all to Jesus, — And he will turn your sorrow into joy

“He never said you’d only see sunshine — He never said there’d be no rain. — He only promised a heart full of singing — About the very things that once caused pain.”

     Bob Benson Sr and Phil Johnson

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  

Until Then

Should our load seem too heavy, be assured that these will not last forever. 

One day we will step out of this life of trials into an eternity free from even the hint of pain, Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:17.

Until then there will be burdens but the good Lord has promised to get us through even the worst of times.

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

___________________________

“My heart can sing when I pause to remember — A heartache here is but a stepping stone — Along a trail that’s winding always upward, — This troubled world is not my final home.

“But until then my heart will go on singing, — Until then with joy I’ll carry on, — Until the day my eyes behold the city, — Until the day God calls me home.

“The things of earth will dim and lose their value — If we recall they’re borrowed for awhile; — And things of earth that cause the heart to tremble, — Remembered there will only bring a smile.

“This weary world with all its toil and struggle — May take its toll of misery and strife; — The soul of man is like a waiting falcon; — When it’s released, it’s destined for the skies.”

          Stuart Hamblen

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  

The God On The Mountain

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, n sitteth in the seat of the scornful. . . . . . .  [2] But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. . . . . . . [3] And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The promises of these verseS are conditional. When we live separated lives and feed our souls on God’s Word, we can expect these blessings

The droughts of life and dry seasons never seem to affect the believer who is planted near the river. He/she is connected to an unfailing source of life and strength.

The Lord always plants us in good soil, near the water supply. After we are planted, it’s our responsibility to draw from the resources God has provided.

Are you delighted in pleasing the Lord? The curve balls of life are unable to knock you off course when you are.

Our personal life, family life, business life, church life, and spiritual life will be blessed of the Lord when we pray and feed on His Word every day.

That isn’t to say there won’t be stormy seas, but the believer will be able to sail through them with Jesus until they are calm again.

___________________

“Life is easy, when you're up on the mountain — And you've got peace of mind, like you've never known. — But things change, when you're down in the valley. — Don't lose faith, for you're never alone.

“For the God on the mountain, is the God in the valley. — When things go wrong, He'll make them right. — And the God of the good times — Is still God in the bad times. — The God of the day is still God in the night.

“We talk of faith way up on the mountain. — Talk comes so easy when life's at its best. — Now down in the valleys, of trials and temptations — That's where your faith, is really put to the test.

“For the God on the mountain is the God in the valley. — When things go wrong, He'll make them right. — And the God of the good times — Is still God in the bad times. — The God of the day, is still God in the night.”

         Penny Caldwell

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.  

Learning To Lean

When Jeremiah was in prison, the Lord came to him with His promise that all would be well in the end.  Surely, that cheered him, and Jeremiah leaned heavily on the Word of God, Jer. 15:16.

As we journey through this life, we often find ourselves in what can only be described as prisons.  

We can find hope and comfort in our prison by leaning on the promises of God.  

Jeremiah 32:27 Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

No matter what kind of situation we face, we can rest in the promise that our God can handle it.  Nothing is too hard for Him.

____________________________

“Learning to lean — Learning to lean, — I'm learning to lean on Jesus. — Finding more power than I've ever dreamed, — I'm learning to lean on Jesus.

“Sad broken hearted, at an alter I knelt, — I found peace that was so serene. — And all that He asks is a child like trust — And a heart that is learning to lean.

“There's a glorious victory, each day now for me — I've found peace so serene. — He helps me with each task, If I'll only ask — Everyday now I'm learning to lean

“Learning to lean, — Learning to lean. — I'm learning to lean on Jesus. — Finding more power than I've ever dreamed, — I'm learning to lean on Jesus.”

        John Stallings 1980

Ideas for this unprofitable blog a taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.