Oh jesus help me

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, "This idea will completely change your life if you get it into your mind and heart." That’s just the way the Lord said it to me. And just what is this revolutionary concept? His all-consuming, unconditional love for me. (And each of you can say the same.) Jesus loves me! I know this. Because the Bible says so, Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong. Jesus loves me, yes! Jesus loves me, yes! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so. (Speech by Anna B. Warner 1860; Music by William B. Bradbury 1861) Is this simple song familiar to you? Did you ever sing it as a child? Kenneth Osbeck writes in 101 Hymn Stories, “Without doubt the hymn that has influenced children for Christ more than any other is this simply stated one, written in 1860 by Anna Bartlett Warner. Miss Warner wrote this text in collaboration with her sister Susan as a part of one of the best-selling novels of that day, a novel written by Susan entitled Say and Seal. Today, few people are aware of the novel's plot...the straightforward poem that one of the characters, Mr. Linden, as he comforts Johnny Fox, a dying child, still remains the favorite hymn of children around the world to this day.” Osbeck writes that William Bradbury “composed the music for ‘Jesus Loves Me’ in 1861 especially for Anna Warner’s text and personally added the chorus to the four stanzas.” Ah, the simple faith of childhood. Jesus loves me. How do I know? Because the Bible tells me so. End of discussion. But now that you’re all grown up, can you still say that? More importantly, do you still feel it? Now, don’t pass these questions off with quick answers. Don’t answer with head knowledge–what you’ve learned from years of playing “Christian.” Instead, examine your heart for a moment. Do you experience God's love for you? Unconditionally. Consistently. Should I walk in it? I’ve heard that Jesus would have died for me alone, but do I conduct my life–both inside and outside of church–as if His love for me were real?” Or, do I sometimes feel that He would love me more if only I would: Be a “better” father, mother, husband, wife… Read the Bible more, go to church more… or any one of a zillion other things. Do you ever feel that, while He may love you (in a general sort of way because, after all. He IS God and maybe He HAS to love us), there’s always a certain amount of disapproval you sense from Him. Sure, John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world…” and I’m a part of the world, so maybe His love is sort of a group thing–like saying “I love people, but there are some persons I’m not too sure about. Is He counting me among them? Is God’s love like the love I show: sometimes yes and sometimes no? Do I feel God saying to me, “Okay, I love you but I really don’t like you.” There may or may not be a particular circumstance in my life that prevents God from fully accepting me. Sometimes it's just a general feeling that maybe if I just started or stopped, He would love me completely. Remember, I’m not talking about all the things we know and say to each other: “works” won’t get us there; we are saved by grace and grace alone, and so on and so on. We sing “Nothing you could do could make Him love you more. And nothing that you’ve done could make Him close the door.” We know that Jesus said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” But do you know it experientially? Be honest, with yourself, and with God. You may be one who walks in God’s love most of the time, or you may have a real problem in feeling for even a moment that God could possibly love you at all. If you’re in the latter category, please take some time to ask God to show you the Truth. Be willing to be led by the Holy Spirit into an ever-expanding love relationship with the Father and approach Him with a sincere heart and unwavering determination. But the same suggestion could apply to all of us. What I’m talking about is the surety expressed in “Jesus Loves Me.” The Bible tells me this, so I know it. It’s what Paul prayed for the Christians in Ephesus, and for us, when he wrote: My response is to bow down before the Father, who makes heaven and earth, on my knees. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit–not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength–that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. You are aware that God can accomplish a great deal more than you could ever ask, guess, or even imagine! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.” (Ephesians 3:14-19 The Message) “Jesus loves me! This I know for the Bible tells me so.” Can you say to God right now, "I know in my heart, Heavenly Father, that You love me completely and without condition. I know that through my acceptance of Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord of my life You love me as much as You love him. “I ask, Holy Spirit of God within me, that you work through me. Lord, cause me to experience the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Let me know its breadth and height. Strengthen me by Your Spirit, living in me for a glorious inner strength.” No, God doesn’t love everything I do and, no matter how I try, I can never earn His love with my thoughts, intents and my actions. My hope does not lie in “self-improvement”, but in His increase and my decrease. Growth in the Christian life does not occur as we get better but as He takes over. And I can best trust in Him to take over my life when I am able to rest in the breadth and height of His love. And if you’re tempted to say, “Yeah, but…”, remember: “Jesus loves me! This I know for the Bible tells me so.” How do I delve into the “extravagant dimensions” of that love? Well, if “the Bible tells me so” I have to become familiar with what it says. I could give you many verses that speak of God’s love, but those words mean so much more when you seek out and find them for yourself. And when you find them, personalize them. Speak them back to God. Claim them for yourself. Meditate on them in your prayer time. During the day practice the presence of God in your life, knowing He is always with you. If you want to read about who you are in Christ, study and pray over Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. And read these letters of Paul as if they were written to you alone. God did not send Jesus to die for “mankind” but for each individual who would accept that sacrifice as full payment for his sin. Full realization of God’s love for me is not still another thing that I try to work up or do through my own effort. As I read, pray, and spend quality time with our Heavenly Father His Spirit works in me according to my request. Seek out through prayer and study what God has to say about how He feels about you. You can expect God to open your mind and heart if you pray the same prayers that Paul prayed for you. And why the emphasis on God’s love for me? Because true surrender to God and true service for Him come not from the “knowledge” that He loves me but from the experiential surety of that love. And just as I cannot “work up” my own salvation or my Christian walk with Jesus, I must depend upon the action of the Holy Spirit to saturate me in God’s love. Just as in prayer, my part is to “show up” and ask. I must spend time in God’s presence and wait in expectancy. That’s what the Lord said to me. “I love you, my child. More than you can imagine! When you get this concept into your mind and heart it will totally revolutionize your life.” “Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so!” Love, Brother Bill

Making the World a Better Place One Single Thread at a Time Jesus Christ did not always answer a question about life with a religious answer. When they asked him big questions about kingdoms and religions he often pointed them to smaller and more approachable matters like helping one individual at a time. In fact Christ was constantly steering his disciples away from big earth shaking type questions. He pointed them back to the least common denominators such as love, kindness and faithfulness over the smallest responsibilities. He was less concerned with the macrocosmic than the microcosmic solutions to problems in our world. Here are a couple of examples that show how Christ called for people to re-focus on the smaller everyday matters of life. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Mt 10; 42 another example would be, He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in muchLu16; 10. Anyone who has ever seen an authentic Chinese tapestry has stood in awe of the sprawling colors and designs that spread out to make a picture that dazzles the senses. A few people may take the time to get up close to the tapestry and view some of the millions of tiny stitches that go into creating the whole picture. The tapestry is more than the sum of its parts but never less than each and every single stitch. Every person is capable of making at least one stitch with their lives. People who have achieved success in life are beginning to investigate other fields in order to make a valuable contribution in the United States and other parts of the world today. People who have made their fortunes and have everything they have ever desired are now looking for something else to fulfill them. The solution is almost always found somewhere else besides themselves and their private lives and affairs. Many people are now becoming volunteers, campaigners or are joining churches and groups that contribute to individuals or communities. Giving contributions of millions of dollars is giving way to giving contributions of themselves and their time, usually to one person at a time or small groups of people less fortunate than others. Even men notice when a small deed is performed in a timely fashion. Howard Hughes, the worlds most noted billionaire, searched an entire western community to find one man who had given him a mere twenty five cents as Hughes traveled through the region without money or means. The man was rewarded by Hughes by being included in his final will with a gift that reportedly was in the millions of dollars. If men notice such deeds then dont worry Providence is keeping the perfect record. It is the fine almost golden threads that make up lifes expansive tapestry. A few kind words said at the right time and in the right place are often all that these golden threads accomplish. Yet, there are many who say they dont know how they could possibly know what to say, or how to say something to help others. It is probably more a matter of instinct than of intelligence. Arthur C. Benson, a poet and associate of England's College at Cambridge University who lived from 24 April 1862 to 17 June 1925, is said to have kept the world's longest diary, which contains four million words. As a man of many tongues, Mr. Benson was best known for his admonition for using the fewest words when addressing human suffering or sorrow. He was a strong proponent of trusting the gut when it came to finding the right words for the right moment. He said, I don’t think some decisions are made by the reasoning faculties, but by some instinct. One knows what one can do and what one cannot do, when the time arrives. Sometimes not even words may be required to lend a helping hand. Sharing other peoples feelings silently can be useful. This is the essence of empathy, which is feeling along with another so they are attended or not so alone in their grief, calamity or sorrow. A New Orleans man once told me a story about one of his friends who had suddenly lost his beloved wife of many years. He made his way to the hospital just as his friend found out that his wife had passed away. He found his friend leaning against the waiting room wall and convulsing and weeping with overwhelming sorrow. Not knowing either what to do or say he instinctively responded by leaning on the same wall and crying along with his friend. Weeks later he met with his friend again and the first words he heard were, Thank you for being there for me you will never know how much you helped me. I had to take a short ride to town between writing this paragraph and the one before it. As I strolled back down the rural road to the house, I considered what small act of kindness I might use. Suddenly I was waved down by a woman who seemed to be in some kind of distress. Across the road I noticed a very young man struggling to jack up his car and change a flat tire. She asked if I had a four way wrench because the one the young man, her son, was using didnt fit. I brought him my four way wrench and a hydraulic jack I was carrying in my car and mother and son were back on the road in a matter of minutes. Naturally I thought this is an example of the small threads I was trying to write about. I dismissed it out of hand because, I reasoned, it is too insignificant. It was the word insignificant that caught my attention. Yes, it was no big deal but it was after all the very kind of small thing that makes up the big picture. Of the many genres of music that I love one is old fashioned Appalachian mountain bluegrass. The chorus of By the Side of the Road, one of my favorite bluegrass gospel songs, came to mind after I helped that young man and his mother. Let me bring it to your attention so that you can imagine it. I think it is what could help the world to be a better place in a very real and practical way. I’d rather live, by the side of the road And make an effort to direct souls to the best home. Than to be a king, or a millionaire And reside in a lavish mansion with I’d rather do, a neighborly deed For a traveler here, or a friend in need I prefer to live by the roadside. And help some pilgrim along life’s way Reverend Bresciani is the author of numerous online and printed books as well as articles. Over a quarter of a million readers have enjoyed his articles of hope, inspiration, practical living, politics and much more.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, "I have appointed watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never speak during the day or night." You who remind the Lord, take no rest for yourselves.” Isaiah 62:6 Recently I was given an opportunity through which the Lord reminded me about aspects of intercessory prayer which I had forgotten. Perhaps you have been in the place I was and can identify. When it comes to spiritual matters, I admit that I am a slow learner and require repeated instruction to "sink in." My spirit was unsettled about a sister in Christ and I was prompted to pray for her. Nothing appeared to be wrong. I was not notified of any pressing need for prayer. In fact, the thoughts that came to my mind were those such as, “there’s nothing wrong”, “there are plenty of ‘real’ things to pray about, so don’t go looking for problems where there are none”, and mainly, “it’s probably just your imagination”. Whenever someone comes to mind in this way, I usually get past these objections by rationalizing, “Well, it never hurts to pray for someone–for protection, for peace, or the like.” To the Lord’s credit, He has taught me, in the midst of thoughts like these, to go ahead and pray anyway. Sometimes He even causes me to realize that the voice I hear telling me not to be concerned may not be my own feelings but could be from another source–one who would like for me not to pray. After thinking and praying awhile as I was prompted to do, there was a still stronger feeling which led me to ask my wife Chris to join me in praying. After at first doubting there was any special need for intercession, my spirit got so adamant about prayer that I could not help but tell her–even amidst my doubts–and we prayed together. Later that same day, my “need to know” if there actually was a need led me to call and inquire. When we talked, there was a prayer need expressed, but there was also the report that everything was generally fine. Was I disappointed that my call to intercessory prayer had no apparent need to meet? Not in the least. To the contrary, I was elated to hear everything was okay. Being obedient to what I believed to be His call made me feel blessed by the Lord. I was happy that my friend had not been taken through anything like what I was so vaguely sensing. And, as I have said, a little extra prayer for someone is a good thing no matter what their circumstances. Besides, there was the prayer request which I would not have known about without my call. Then my friend said something which she probably didn’t realize would take me further into a spiritual study. She suggested that my prompting to pray could have been to prevent something that would have occurred without it. To put it another way, it's possible that my prayer was proactive as opposed to reactive. I use those particular words because they lead me to the book The Beginner's Guide to Intercession by Dutch Sheets, which I was prompted to pick up once more thanks to her comments. When I did, I opened the book immediately to a chapter titled Proactive Intercession. "Too frequently we are reactionary when it comes to Satan," the author writes. The results? You guessed it: breaks, bruises, separations, and various other spiritual casualties. We must learn to be proactive in our intercession, not waiting for Satan’s attacks and then reacting, but proactively praying against the stealing, killing, and destroying of the ‘thief’ (see Jn 10:10).” He includes the scripture reference from Isaiah, with which I began above and describes this concept of prayer as “watchman intercession.” Sheets continues, “Two New Testament Scriptures also mention the watching aspect of intercession. The first is Ephesians 6:18: ‘With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints’ The King James Version uses the word ‘watching’ for the phrase ‘be on the alert.'” “The second verse”, he continues, “is 1 Peter 5:8, ‘Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour’ Again, other translations use the word ‘watchful.’ The context of both verses is spiritual warfare. Each mentions our adversary and challenges us to alertness or watchfulness, both for ourselves and for our brothers and sisters in Christ.” In writing about how we often see times for intercessory prayer he says, “Too often Christians have interpreted these verses as only reactive–in other words, waiting for the attack and then going into damage control. While intercession can certainly release God’s redemption into destructive situations, God is offering us much more than ‘look-out blocks’ and damage control. He desires to warn us in advance of Satan’s attacks, so that we can pray for others and build the boundaries of protection we spoke of in chapter seven. This is watchman intercession.” His use of the term “building boundaries” refers to this section from a previous chapter: “In the context of intercessory prayer, paga is the establishing of boundaries or walls of protection and the marking of a territory as one’s own, declaring, ‘I will not permit intruders or interlopers.’ I adore The Message's Psalm 91:1-4, which reads, "You who sit down in the presence of the High God, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow, say this: God, you are my refuge." I trust in you and I’m safe!’ That’s right–he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. You are protected by his enormously outstretched arms; under them, you are completely safe; his arms protect you from all harm. Then Sheets writes, “Wow, what a promise!” Sheets recognizes that we cannot say that all our difficulties and troubles come directly from our enemy. He writes, “I do not mean to imply that every negative thing that happens to people is a direct result of Satan. I am aware that accidents, diseases, and other destructive events are caused by a variety of factors, including our own carelessness, the carelessness of others, the curse of sin on our fallen world, and others. I believe there is protection from both satanic attacks and otherwise-caused adversity to be found through watchman intercession.” The essence of what the Lord told me was this: We ARE our brother's (and sister's) keeper, not Cain, when he was asked where Abel was. According to Sheets, the words "maintain" and "preserve" are related translations of "keep." He says, “We can be keepers today. We can preserve lives, destinies, health, ministries, and more through our intercession. When warnings are heard and acted upon, the interloping serpent is kept from our gardens. Security is maintained.” Finally, there is this prayer at the end of the chapter: “Father, I accept your assignment in my life to keep the serpent out of my garden. His schemes will not succeed against my home and my family. I stand now as a door-keeper for my children [or whatever your garden may be], and I say no compromise will come into their lives. No attempt to harm them will succeed. I assert that You have promised that You will instruct them and that their peace will be great. I ask You to establish them in righteousness and to keep them far from oppression and fear (Is 54:13,14). Holy Spirit, as I listen to You, help me to be sensitive to Your voice. Alert me to Satan’s schemes and plans. Don’t allow the serpent to take advantage of my family in any way. Thank you, Father, for these things. In the name of Jesus, I ask them. Amen.” What a privilege we have as brothers and sisters in Jesus, as part of the body of Christ, to lift each other up in prayer. How gracious it is of Him to get our attention when another is in difficulty of any magnitude to prompt us to pray for them. You can stand in the gap for me and I can do the same for you. Heavenly Father, there is so much for me to learn and review in order to live the abundant life–the life in all its fullness that Your gave us through Jesus. But the first thing to which I must give attention is in the words preceding that gift. I must be aware that there is a thief whose purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. I must keep an eye out for myself, my family, and my Christian brothers and sisters. And that is what I’ve learned in “school” this past week. Love, Bill the Brother

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that You have invited me to come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. (Words by Charlotte Elliott, 1835. Music by William B. Bradbury, 1849) So begins one of the oldest hymns that people probably remember because it was used as an "invitational song" at the end of a lot of traditional church services and, most famously, at the end of every Billy Graham Crusade service. Whether or not you know this hymn, you probably are not familiar with the history of its authorship and the story behind its writing. At least, I know I was not. In his book My Life and the Story of the Gospel Hymns, Ira David Sankey writes, “Miss Charlotte Elliott was visiting some friends in the West End of London, and there met the eminent minister, Csar Malan. While seated at supper, the minister said he hoped that she was a Christian. She took offense at this, and replied that she would rather not discuss that question. Dr. Malan said that he was sorry if had offended her, that he always liked to speak a word for his Master, and that he hoped that the young lady would some day become a worker for Christ. When they met again at the home of a mutual friend, three weeks later, Miss Elliott told the minister that ever since he had spoken to her she had been trying to find her Saviour, and that she now wished him to tell her how to come to Christ. “Just come to him as you are,” Dr. Malan said. This she did, and went away rejoicing. Shortly afterward she wrote this hymn.” Just imagine! The author of this beloved hymn was herself saved after hearing the message “Just come to him as you are” and this led to the writing of the song which has spread that message to countless others who have come to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ in the same way–just as they were. Charlotte Elliott wrote over 150 hymns during her lifetime but few of us would recognize any but this one. However, referring to this one song, Miss Elliott’s brother said, “In the course of a long ministry, I hope I have been permitted to see some of the fruit of my labor, but I feel that far more has been done by a single hymn of my sister’s.” There’s no doubt in my mind that both Charlotte Elliott and this great hymn were anointed by God to bring the lost to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Let’s look at the words of this old song to explore the power of its message. "As I am, without a single plea" The legal and everyday meanings of the word "plea" overlap. Its various definitions include: an earnest request; an appeal: as in spoke out in a plea for greater tolerance. It also means an excuse; a pretext. In the Law, it can mean: 1. a claim made in a case's pleading. 2. In a civil action, a defendant's response to the declaration made by the plaintiff. 3. The answer of the accused to a criminal charge or indictment: entered a plea of not guilty. 4. A special answer depending on or demonstrating one or more reasons why a suit should be delayed, dismissed, or barred in equity law. 5. An action or suit. But we have no real plea to make in our own behalf when it comes to our salvation: “Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. You used to be like the rest of the world—full of sin and obedient to Satan, the powerful air prince. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God’s anger just like everyone else.” (NLT, Ephesians 2:1-3) Guilty. The case has been resolved, and the sentence has been handed down. But what’s this? However, your blood was shed for me. In the book of Hebrews it says, “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (9:22 NIV) And we read also, “He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation–he incurs no damnation]; but he who does not believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence] because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ’s name.]” (John 3:18 Amplified Bible). The plea is to be found not guilty. In fact, it’s more than that. There is no need for a plea because the case has been dismissed for lack of evidence. "And I will forgive them their wrongdoings, and I will never again remember their sins," declares God. (Hebrews 8:12 Amplified Bible) We have no plea but the blood of Jesus. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9 NIV) And look at how 1 John 1:9 reads in the Amplified translation: “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].” God forgives our sin condition. Our sins of the past have been forgiven and He continually cleanses us as we confess our ongoing lack of ability to live a sin-free life on our own. Then we hear the third line of the first stanza: “And that Thou bidst me come to Thee” The word bidst is, of course, the old form of the word bade, the past tense for bid. The meaning here is to issue a command to; direct, also to invite to attend; summon, as well as to make an offer to pay or accept a specified price. Do you see the significance of these definitions when it comes to our salvation? God is the shepherd seeking the lost sheep; the woman searching for the lost coin; the father running to embrace the prodigal son (Luke 15). And we are the sheep, the coin and the son! God is not standing idly by waiting for us to find Him. He is actively inviting us, commanding us, and summoning us. Not only that. He also offers a deal we can’t refuse (or at least shouldn’t)! He makes a bid for us, making an offer to pay or accept a specified price: the death of His Son on the cross as payment in full for our sin. Before we began to seek Him, He was seeking us: “For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God’s anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us. God was being entirely fair and just when he did not punish those who sinned in former times.” (Romans 3:25 NLT) “And then I will keep my covenant with them and take away their sins.” (Romans 11:27 NLT) “Therefore, it was necessary for Jesus to be in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. He then could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17 NLT) When we express faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and accept Him as Lord of our lives, God does it all. "Wages earned by workers are not gifts. What workers get is what they earn. But people are declared righteous because of their faith, not because of their work.” (Romans 4:4-5 NLT) Just as I am and waiting not. Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind. Just as I am Thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve. O Lamb of God, I come! Jesus, the Lamb of God, has come to take our sin. John the Baptist announced it: “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'” (John 1:29 NLT) If you want to know how to come to Christ like Charlotte Elliott did, simply follow Dr. Malan and the words of the hymn they inspired: “Just come to Him as you are.” Love you Brother