Good morning. I would like to say thank you again to each of you that take the time to read these, to those of you who forward them on to others to read and those of you who offer feedback. I am thankful to be a mouthpiece for God.
I watched a movie loaned to me by a friend, “Grace Card”, and heard a man say something along the lines that I have heard a thousand times, “Christianity is a crutch”. That statement provoked me to much thought. Who do you know, including yourself, that does not lean on something? Some lean on cigarettes. Some lean on alcohol, pills, powder, rocks, liquid and grass. In each case the “user” is looking for a quick fix. In reality, nothing is ever resolved by “leaning” on the above mention items and we just end up making the distributors wealthier and our money is quickly burnt up or flowing down the drain.
Hebrews 13:5-6 says, “5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Nahum 1:7 says, “The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.” Jeremiah 33:3 says, “'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Matthew 11:28-30 says, “28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
The bottom line is, we ourselves are going through some of the trials listed above, or we know someone fighting with them and it is how we cope with them that I am talking about today. For some, it is a cigarette. People believe they calm the nerves. For some it is a drink. For some it is a drug or we take it out on someone else. While these things give a false sense of security and a temporary escape from reality, after a moment these “problem solvers” are gone and the trial is still there.
The Bible tells us that in this world we will have trouble, but God has overcome the world and our faith and hope is found in Him. God is incapable of lying. He never has and never will. His word promises that if we will put our faith and trust in Him, that He will be our Father. His word also reminds us that He will never put more on us than we can bear, without making a way of escape.
But wait. I hear some of you thinking out there. How can all this be true? Look at the shape the world is in. Well there is a reason for this. God’s promises are for His people. They do not apply to those who have chosen to reject Him and depend on these other “crutches”.
If you are not one of God’s chosen, you can be right now. All you have to do is admit you are a sinner and need forgiveness. Believe Jesus died for your sins and arose on the third day. Confess your need of a savior to do for you what we cannot do for ourselves. Repent of your sins and ask God to come into your heart and live, and the Bible says you “shall be saved”.
If you are one of God’s chosen already, but you are hanging on to one of the above mentioned vices and relying on their help instead of God, I pray today will be the day that you give them up and ask God to fulfill that void.
Walking with God does not mean the rest of your life will be smooth sailing, what it does mean is that when the storms of life come along you are with the One who can carry you through them and see you safe to the other side.
Remember: The next time someone says, “Christianity is a crutch”, try to help them recognize the difference Christ can make in life and eternity compared to the “temporary fix” worldly vices offer.
Until next time, please pray for each other and me, as I continue to pray for each of you. Love in CHRIST
Brian Hanvey
Associate Pastor
Bethel Baptist Church
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