WHAT WILL IT COST ME TO ACESS THE HELP OF THE LORD?

Reference scriptures: Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 14:22-25, 29, 31, Philippians 2:12-16, Matthew 21:28-31, James 1;22-25, Matthew 24:45-51, Matthew 25:1-12

Introduction
We are still reminded of this year’s theme from Isaiah 41:10, “fear not”. In two instances our presbyter has given an example of a drowning man calling out for help with their hands lifted to the Lord. For God to stretch out His right hand to hold your right hand, you must be looking at Him. We need to be looking to God in order to see His hand. We are expected to play our part as we wait on God for help; check our walk with the Lord and lay out strategies on how to walk with God.

How do we continually access this help from the Lord?

1. We need to understand that we totally and completely need Jesus -Matt 14:22-25, 29, 31
We need Jesus because He brings peace and calmness to our situations in life.
When Peter began to sink, he cried out to Jesus. It is important to understand that though people can help out in our situations, they too need help from the Lord so that they can come to your help. If you are in a difficult situation, call unto Jesus and He will save you.

2. Working out our salvation -Philippians 2:12-16
The Bible tells us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling so that we may become blameless. To hold fast to the word of faith that we may guard the salvation we have received, knowing that it is the Lord who works in us. As we look to God, let us work out our salvation and hold fast to the word of God, because we will get help in our situations from the word of God.

3. Exercise revisiting- Matt 21:28-31, James 1;22-25
The word of God is our mirror, if we forget we go back to the word and we remind ourselves. If you are sick in your body go back to the word of God and see what it says about the wholeness of our bodies. There is a provision for us to always go back to the word of God and look at ourselves again.

4. Serving the Lord faithfully- Matt 24:45-51
At any given time you are under an authority; it could be your boss, parents, or anyone to whom you are answerable. We need to be faithful in the work that we do. When we are faithful to the Lord and a situation arises, we are able to boldly ask for help from the Lord. And we know that when we call upon Him He will respond.

5. Do not take chances- Matt 25:1-12
When the Lord warns or inspires you through the Holy Spirit, take counsel.
Some situations will require you to pray longer or dwell more in the presence of God than usual for God to come through.
The foolish virgins went to the wise ones to borrow more oil but they told them, “What we have cannot be enough for you”. Like the foolish virgins, you may be running for help somewhere that you cannot find . Sometimes, you may be required to stand in the gap for yourself as an individual without looking for help from someone else.

Conclusion
Invest in prayers for yourself for they will help you in your day of need.
Invest in prayers and the word of God all the time, not just when you are in difficult situations.
Let us be young people who can be relied on, making time to seek God through prayer and reading the word of God.