Tag Archives: help

We all need expert help at times (John 15:26-27), April 9, 2017

Today’s Podcast

Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
We often think we can do things alone, but we’ve all run into things we just can’t handle by ourselves. We need someone to help, an expert, someone with more experience than we have. When it comes to spiritual things, there is really only one who can help us, though.
Scripture
1. John 15:26-27
2. Jesus: I will send a great Helper to you from the Father, one known as the Spirit of truth. He comes from the Father and will point to the truth as it concerns Me. But you will also point others to the truth about My identity, because you have journeyed with Me since this all began.
Devotional
1. My grandson is an up and coming engineer.
  1. At about four or five built catapults out of paper, duct tape and rubber bands
  2. Bows and arrows
  3. At six built the titanic out of legos
  4. When it came to a tree house he needed help
  5. Asked for help, “Papaw, can you build a treehouse for me?”
  6. “Can you build an elevator to the treehouse for me?”
  7. Got a little over his head although he likes to work with wood and hammers and nails
2. Cute story about grandkids, but we run into the same problem
  1. Sometimes our pride gets in the way, though
    1. Finances
    2. Health
    3. Relationships
  2. Sometimes we let ourselves get in terrible straits before we seek help
  3. Sometimes by the time we let the professionals in we’ve made such a mess, it seems it will be impossible to get out
3. When it comes to spiritual things, there’s a better answer
  1. We can never fix what’s wrong
  2. We can’t be good enough
  3. We can’t pay enough
  4. There’s nothing we can do to make things right
  5. We’re sinners, every one of us
4. There is a solution
  1. The cross
  2. Jesus died so we can live
  3. Then promised the comforter, His spirit, to come and be with us and in us
  4. The question, will we stop and listen to Him when He gently calls
  5. Will we pay attention when He says stay out of that place or go to that one
  6. Will we stop talking or texting when He tells us to?
5. He’s the expert, He’ll answer our questions.
6. I wasn’t the expert at building a treehouse. It will come down one day. In fact, I’ll tear it down in a few years to make sure no one gets hurt on it. But God’s spirit in us will never let us down.
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Just help! (Luke 10:30-37) October 29, 2016

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Bible reading plan:

Read it in a year – Acts 11-12

see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)

Today’s Devotional

Luke 10:30-37
Jesus: This fellow was traveling down from Jerusalem to Jericho when some robbers mugged him. They took his clothes, beat him to a pulp, and left him naked and bleeding and in critical condition. By chance, a priest was going down that same road, and when he saw the wounded man, he crossed over to the other side and passed by. Then a Levite who was on his way to assist in the temple also came and saw the victim lying there, and he too kept his distance. Then a despised Samaritan journeyed by. When he saw the fellow, he felt compassion for him. The Samaritan went over to him, stopped the bleeding, applied some first aid, and put the poor fellow on his donkey. He brought the man to an inn and cared for him through the night.
The next day, the Samaritan took out some money—two days’ wages to be exact—and paid the innkeeper, saying, “Please take care of this fellow, and if this isn’t enough, I’ll repay you next time I pass through.”
Which of these three proved himself a neighbor to the man who had been mugged by the robbers?
Scholar: The one who showed mercy to him.
Jesus: Well then, go and behave like that Samaritan.

What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?

We don’t have to hear the story of the good Samaritan to know there are a lot of people like the priest and Levite in our world today. Think about all the stories you hear today about people being beaten, raped, or killed in the streets of our cities. And what do people do? They used to close their doors and windows and pretend nothing was going on. Police would canvas the neighborhood to see if anyone heard or saw anything and the answers were pretty much alike.

“No, officer. I had the TV on pretty loud, I guess. I didn’t hear anything. Did something happen out there? This is usually a pretty quiet neighborhood. I can’t believe someone would get hurt around here.”

“No, officer. I guess I’m a pretty heavy sleeper. You could drop and bomb next to me and I wouldn’t wake up. Sorry I can’t help you.”

That’s what we used to do when someone needed help. What do we do now? Pull out our cell phone and take video. Maybe we can get it on the news or send it to our friends and make it go viral. But help the person?

“No way am I getting involved in that. I might have to go to court or something. That might tie up my time for hours. I can’t do that. Besides, it might just be a family squabble. I’ll just take my video and maybe get rich on it or at least have something to text my friends about on Facebook when I get to work today. That will make the day go a little faster since I’m sure I’ll get to answer a lot of Facebook comments instead of dealing with all that office paperwork anyway.”

Yeah, we’ve become the priest and the Levite. We ignore people in trouble that need our help. We don’t even help the people on the corner that ask for assistance. They are their because they want to be, not because they have to be, right? It’s their own fault. Why don’t they just get a job instead of panhandling. Besides if I try to help them, they’ll just go spend anything I give them on booze so I’m really helping by not helping, right?

Yep, we have some great arguments with ourselves to keep from doing the right thing for people. I’m not saying we should give money to every homeless person on the street. I believe it is better to teach a person to fish than to give them a fish and that gets hard when we live in a society that loves to focus on giving material things instead of getting our hands dirty really helping people solve the real issues in their lives.

Is it hard? Absolutely. Does it take time and effort? More than you can imagine. Just look at what the Samaritan did. It would have taken him 30 seconds to pass by the bruised and broken man. The Bible doesn’t tell us how long he spent with the man, but I’ve tended to some folks who were broken up pretty badly and helped get them ready for transport to a hospital for better care. Just to get them ready to transport so they don’t receive further injuries while moving means you have to assess the injuries and see what must be fixed immediately to keep them from dying. You have to make sure they have a clear airway. You have to stop the bleeding. You must gently stabilize broken bones. You must find a way to move them since they can’t move under their own power. And that movement has to be such that they don’t sustain more injuries. The Samaritan did all those things knowing the bandits who did this might still be in the area. Then took the man to an inn, cared for him through the night, and paid the bill for the innkeeper to care for him until he was well enough to leave.

Was the Samaritan just looking for something to do? I don’t think so. I expect there were people at the end of his journey worried that night when he didn’t show up. I expect he lost some business that day because he helped someone in need.

Was it worth it? Ask Jesus?

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

He will help you (Mark 5:36-43) July 26, 2016

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Bible reading plan:

Read it in a year – 2 Kings 16-20

see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)

Today’s Devotional

Mark 5:36-43
Jesus overheard their words. Then He turned to look at Jairus.
Jesus: It’s all right. Don’t be afraid; just believe.
Jesus asked everyone but Peter, James, and John (James’s brother) to remain outside when they reached Jairus’s home. Inside the synagogue leader’s house, the mourning had already begun; the weeping and wailing carried out into the street.
Jesus and His three disciples went inside.
Jesus: Why are you making all this sorrowful noise? The child isn’t dead. She’s just sleeping.
The mourners laughed a horrible, bitter laugh and went back to their wailing. Jesus cleared the house so that only His three disciples, Jairus, and Jairus’s wife were left inside with Him. They all went to where the child lay. Then He took the child’s hand.
Jesus: Little girl, it’s time to wake up.
Immediately the 12-year-old girl opened her eyes, arose, and began to walk. Her parents could not believe their eyes.
Jesus (to the parents): Don’t tell anybody what you’ve just seen. Why don’t you give her something to eat? I know she is hungry.

What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?

When I read the story of Jarius’ daughter being raised from the dead today, once again, something caught my attention that had never caught my attention before. I’ve read this story many times and I’ve read the words and as I focused on these words, I even remembered the words, but they never really caught my attention and caused me to question why they were there. The words are quite innocuous. I’ve never thought much about them before. Here they are – “…the 12-year-old girl…”.

What’s important to Mark that he would point out that the person Jesus raised in Jarius’ household was a 12-year-old girl? First of all, Jarius was not a Jew. He was a friend to the Jews, but not a Jew. It was unusual for a Jew to visit his house or for him to ask the assistance of a Jewish teacher. So that’s the first unusual part of the story. Jesus goes into the house of this Gentile to do something for him. But it still begs the question about this particular detail.

We could think about the fact that children and the elderly then and now are the throw-aways of society. Women had a lot of children because many didn’t make it to adulthood. But this young girl had reach the age of twelve, the age at which as a Jew she would have participated in her bat mitzvah. She passed the age at which her parents were no longer held accountable for her transgressions of the law but she was now fully responsible for upholding the law or bearing the punishment for failing to do so.

We could think about the importance of this young daughter to Jarius and his wife. As a 12-year-old, she was about the age for marriage at that time. To lose her at that age was both an emotional and a financial blow to Jarius and his family. Perhaps she had already been pledged to someone in the community. If the dowry had been paid and Jarius and his wife had already spent it, they could be in serious financial trouble. The grooms father would want repayment.

We could think about the twelve years of life this young lady brought to the family through the years. She was fully vetted as an active member of the family. She brought them joy, laughter, anxious moments, pain, excitement, every emotion imaginable, and now she brought them extraordinary sorrow. They knew she would soon make her own family in her own household, but she would always be a part of their home, too. But now her short life was gone almost before it could start.

So why did Mark point out this small detail? This point about Jesus going to heal a 12-year-old girl? Children were the throw-aways of society, then and now. If you were going to discard someone, it would be one of those two groups. Second, the child was a she, not a he. Women held little or no standing in the societies of Jesus’ day. The feminist movement was unheard of. Today’s Shariah laws concerning women would have been considered left-wing liberalism in those days. Women had no rights. Life was harsh. Third, with all these cultural things weighing against any hope for this young life, we see that if no one else does, Jesus cares. He goes out of His way to meet the need of this young lady and her family, even to the point of reminding them that after not eating for the time she lay in state while the professional mourners wailed by her side, she would be hungry. Her parents should hurry and fix her something to eat.

What’s the point? If Jesus cares about such an insignificant person in the society of His day, certainly, He also cares about you. He will help you when you call on Him.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Friends in the time of need (Matthew 26:18) June 18, 2016

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Bible reading plan:

Read it in a year – Luke 13-14

see the whole year’s plan [here](http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-plan.pdf)

Today’s Devotional

Matthew 26:18
Jesus: Go into the city, find a certain man, and say to him, “The Teacher says, ‘My time is near, and I am going to celebrate Passover at your house with My disciples.’”

What do Jesus’ words mean for us today?

I like this about Jesus and the relationships He has built in His thirty-three years on earth. He told a few of His trusted disciples to go find a certain man. No doubt one of the many friends He made along the path of life He traveled over the last several years. Maybe the man was a family friend who didn’t berate Mary and Joseph for the son born to early to them to be Joseph’s legitimate heir. Maybe he was one of the guest at Cana who witnessed Jesus’ first miracle and became a close and trusted friend after believing Jesus was the Son of God. Maybe he was one of John’s followers present on the day John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River.

We don’t know who the man was, but Jesus sent His disciples to this particular, person to let him know He was coming with a bunch of His friends. And when Jesus’ disciples came to that man and told him what Jesus said, he didn’t even flinch. He set up the room. He got provisions for them. He welcomed them in. He was happy to see Jesus and meet whoever Jesus brought with Him.

I often wonder how many of those kinds of friends Jesus made in His wanderings throughout the territories of Judea and Galilee. I think of people like Lazarus, Mary, Martha, Zaccheus the tax collector, and others who probably gave Him an open door invitation to welcome Him into their home any time He was in the area.

With our travels, my wife and I have made a few of those kinds of friends. We can call and tell them we will be in the area and they expect us to stay with them. And when they are in San Antonio, we expect them to stay with us. They are friends that if they called at midnight and said they needed a place to stay, the doors would be opened and beds would be available. They’re like family. Nothing is spared. No invitation is needed. Just show up and we will have a good time together for as long as they choose to stay. And they reciprocate if we happen through their town.

Relationships like that don’t happen overnight. Those relationships grew over years and decades as we learned about our likes and dislikes, as our kids grew up with common interests, as we discussed values and ethics and determined we were like minded in our love of God. These relationships take the brunt of life and survive the worst crises life throw at us because they help us get through those tough times. We rely on each other for prayers, an understanding shoulder to lean on, something beyond sympathy for our plight, a willing hand to help us through those crisis moments.

Jesus sent His disciples to meet such an individual. A certain man. A person with whom He grew a relationship over time until like those friends I discribed above, He could drop in without notice and be welcome. So how do we grow those kinds of relationships? How do we get to the place with others that we can drop in or have them drop in without the feeling of interruption and welcome these friends with open arms, always feeling at home with them? What is it about those relationships that make them so close and so genuine that you can share your life deeply and relish every moment with them?

I think one of the most important aspects of these relationships is the common ground in values. Deep in your heart where eternal things matter, you are kindred spirits. As I think about that list of people that I’m comfortable dropping in and out of their homes, almost without exception, they have a deep love of God and faith in Christ for salvation. All are growing in faith, but most know Him intimately.

Second, we are all open with each other. No pretense. No hidden agenda. We aren’t looking to gain anything from each other except friendship. We expect nothing in return from the time we spend together or the things we do for each other. We communicate and share joys, sorrows, hurts, celebrations, a multitude of emotions without fear of ridicule or judgment.

Finally, I think those relationships grow because from the beginning of the relationships, with small things at first, but later with whatever is needed, we have learned to trust each other to help when needed. We know we can rely on each other when the chips are down. We know when nothing else seems to work, we can turn to each other and things will get done.

Do you have those kinds of friends in your repertoire? I think Jesus made those kinds of friends wherever He went as the perfect Man and Son of God. I also think it’s more difficult for us to make and keep those kinds of friendships because we are imperfect and often not very godly. But I can tell you from decades of experience, those relationships are certainly worth the effort.

Jesus sent His disciples to a certain man. Do you have a few of those around the world you can call on for help when you need them?

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Trouble comes, so does God (Psalms 34), Apr 18, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready -Psalms 34
Set – 1 Samuel 21; Psalms 34; Matthew 5
Go! – 1 Samuel 20-21; Psalms 34; Matthew 5

Psalms 34
¹ I will praise the Eternal in every moment through every situation.
Whenever I speak, my words will always praise Him.
² Everything within me wants to pay tribute to Him.
Whenever the poor and humble hear of His greatness, they will celebrate too!
³ Come and lift up the Eternal with me;
let’s praise His name together!
⁴ When I needed the Lord, I looked for Him;
I called out to Him, and He heard me and responded.
He came and rescued me from everything that made me so afraid.
⁵ Look to Him and shine,
so shame will never contort your faces.
⁶ This poor soul cried, and the Eternal heard me.
He rescued me from my troubles.
⁷ The messenger of the Eternal God surrounds
everyone who walks with Him and is always there to protect and rescue us.
⁸ Taste of His goodness; see how wonderful the Eternal truly is.
Anyone who puts trust in Him will be blessed and comforted.
⁹ Revere the Eternal, you His saints,
for those who worship Him will possess everything important in life.
¹⁰ Young lions may grow tired and hungry,
but those intent on knowing the Eternal God will have everything they need.
¹¹ Gather around, children, listen to what I’m saying;
I will teach you how to revere the Eternal.
¹² If you love life
and want to live a good, long time,
¹³ Take care with the things you say.
Don’t lie or spread gossip or talk about improper things.
¹⁴ Walk away from the evil things of the world,
and always seek peace and pursue it.
¹⁵ For the Eternal watches over the righteous,
and His ears are attuned to their prayers. He is always listening.
¹⁶ But He will punish evildoers,
and nothing they do will last. They will soon be forgotten.
¹⁷When the upright need help and cry to the Eternal, He hears their cries
and rescues them from all of their troubles.
¹⁸ When someone is hurting or brokenhearted, the Eternal moves in close
and revives him in his pain.
¹⁹ Hard times may well be the plight of the righteous—
they may often seem overwhelmed—
but the Eternal rescues the righteous from what oppresses them.
²⁰ He will protect all of their bones;
not even one bone will be broken.
²¹ Evil moves in and ultimately murders the wicked;
the enemies of the righteous will be condemned.
²² The Eternal will liberate His servants;
those who seek refuge in Him will never be condemned.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

David found himself in trouble often. That’s the way of those who follow Me. I promised My disciples they would have trouble as long as they lived in the present world. But don’t worry about it. As David understood 1,000 years before My coming in the flesh and as I told My disciples, I have already overcome the world.

The world will never understand Me. Satan has tried his best to lure My highest creation away from Me. All of you have a choice as to whether you will follow Me and My path will always look strange to the world. It seems opposite of what the world wants because the world continually pushes a selfish agenda. I want you to live a life of servanthood.

The world thinks materialistic things are important. Money, cars, houses, jobs, things you can hold in your hand and show to others mean the most to those who follow the patterns of the world. My followers know that material things don’t last. Those things also don’t bring happiness. Everyone who seeks material things as an end finds that reaching that goal only leads to wanting more.

Every thing that comes into your life also requires time to maintain it. Whatever the thing might be, it will take time from your life. Whether a house, a yard, a gadget, a time-saver, whatever the object might be, it requires time from the set number of hours in any given day. It the intangible you want to relish, the relationships with the immortal. And the immortal are you and Me. I made you in My image so you have an eternal spirit that will either live with Me or apart from Me forever. You get to choose.

David knew the right path and chose well. He understood the world’s path is one of evil, self-centeredness, and ultimate complete and final destruction. My path is one of peace, joy, and contentment even in the middle of the trouble the world brings your way. How can peace, joy, and contentment be your in the middle of trouble? Because I am with you. You can have the confidence that I will not leave you and your ultimate success rests with Me and I never fail.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.