1 Peter 1:25 ... the word of the
Lord endureth for ever...
Aurelius Baptist Church 4419 W. Barnes Rd.
(517) 628-2085 Mason, MI 48854
Grace Extended
Bible Study.... Trust
God’s love reaches out to you and when God’s love touches your need, we call it Grace.
"For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God ... "
(Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and
lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct your paths."
(Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV)
If you were asked — "Do you believe in the promises of God and that God can make a difference in your life and the circumstances you are facing today?" — how would you respond? Most of us would have to admit that it is easier to trust God on the sunny mountain top than it is in the deep dark valley. It takes a lot of faith to believe that God is working "all things for good" when you helplessly watch loved ones suffer or when your marriage is falling apart or you’re struggling to make ends meet. Yet, it is in the valley when faith in God is most crucial.
(References: Psalm 118:8; Isaiah 54:10; Jeremiah 17:7, 8; Romans 8:28)
Years ago, a young boy, as was his custom, came early to the small country schoolhouse to light the fire in the old-fashioned, pot-bellied stove. When his teacher and classmates arrived, they found the schoolhouse engulfed in flames. Heroically, they dragged the young man from the burning building and rushed him to a nearby hospital. The doctor, leaning over the semi-conscious child, told his anxious mother that he did not believe the child could survive and that, if by some miracle he did, he would never walk again. The little boy, hearing this, made up his mind that he would live and that he would walk again!
He never gave up. In time, he was able to leave his wheelchair, dragging his legs behind him, and to pull himself upright by holding onto the backyard fence. Clinging to that fence, he drug himself along day-after-day until he had worn a path all around the yard. All his hard work, determination, and faith paid off and he was finally able to stand up, then to walk – and then – to run!
This young man began walking to school and running for sheer joy. In college he made the track team. Later, in Madison Square Garden, this young man who was not expected to live and who could never hope to run – Dr. Glenn Cunningham – ran the world’s fastest mile.
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart..."
Trust is fundamental to our relationship with God. In the New Testament, trust is synonymous with "belief" and "faith," and expresses reliance and complete confidence. Absolute trust gives one a feeling of well-being and security. Sadly, instead of trusting in God, we often place false confidence in riches, military power, or in our own goodness and intellect. When these fail, as they will, we are left disillusioned and cynical.
(References: Psalm 27:13; Psalm 32:10; Psalm 37:3; Psalm 118:8; Matthew 19:17)
Our text implies that to lean or not to lean upon God is our free choice. Before we can trust God, we must know God. "They that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee." God can be known. We come to know God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
(References: Psalm 9:10; Romans 1:20; 1 John 2:22, 23)
Jesus knew God the Father as none other in heaven or on earth. He trusted His Father entirely and loved Him completely. In death’s dark hours, Jesus obediently suffered the shame and humility of the cross because he had absolute trust and unwavering confidence in the omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), and omnipresent (everywhere present) God, His Father.
(References: John 3:16; John 8::18, 19; John 10:30; John 16:28; Philippians 2:9-11)
"I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently will find Me." It is important to acknowledge the superior wisdom and ever-present help of the Father. By faith we acknowledge that God is aware of our circumstances and that He delights in giving good gifts to His children. A person truly seeking God’s favor will be blessed with divine peace — a calming of the spirit "that surpasses all understanding." It is a grace gift — an outpouring of God’s love to those who trust in Him.
(References: Psalm 37:4; Proverbs 8::17; John 14:27; John 16:33, Romans 5:1, 2; Philippians 4:7; Ephesians 2:14)
Failure to trust in God is an act of disobedience. Disobedience brings (1) God’s curse (divine judgment) and (2) the withdrawal of God’s blessing. Some spiritual manifestations of the curse are heaviness of heart, emptiness, loss of spiritual discernment [God’s silence], indifference to God’s Word and prayer, willful and unconfessed sin. Disobedience may be (though not always) manifested by physical illness and disease, mental illness, depression, worry and anxiety (ahead of time), and so forth.
(References: Proverbs 3:33; Jeremiah 17:5; Malachi 2:2; Galatians 5:19-23; Romans 1:21-32 )
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Of course, there are legitimate concerns in our daily lives, but if we are to keep these from overwhelming us, we must, by faith, leave them in the care and wisdom of the Holy Father above. Faith releases us from the (1) being dominated by the problems of today and the fear of tomorrow; (2) it keeps our relationship with God strong so that we are enabled to keep all things in perspective (3) it moves us away from constantly worrying about a future which we cannot control.
(References: Psalm 23; 1 John 2:29; 1 John 4:15-19; Philippians 4:19}
God is our "very present help in the time of trouble." Personal commitment to Jesus Christ places us in right relationship with God. When we place our trust in Jesus Christ and walk the path way of faith and prayer, we acknowledge our dependency upon God, His wisdom, power, and goodness. As we live in obedience to Christ and His Word, we have assurance that our prayers will be heard and answered. When God is loved and rightfully honored, He honors His promises.
(References: Psalm 46:1; Judges 11:11; Philippians 4:6)
"Acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy path..."
At the close of a Sunday service and visitor approached Pastor D. M. Stearns and handed him this message, "I don’t care for your preaching, Dr. Stearns. I don’t care for the cross. I think that instead of preaching the death of Christ, it would be far better to preach about Jesus as the teacher and example." "Would you be willing to follow Him if I preached that way?" asked the minister. "I would, " said the stranger. "I would follow in His steps." "Then," said Pastor Stearns, "let us take the first step. It is said of Him that He "did no sin." "Can you take that step?" The man looked confused. "No," he said, "I do sin, and I acknowledge it." "Well then," said Dr. Stearns, "your first need of Christ is not as an example but as a Savior. You must have His Spirit to guide you before you can walk in His steps." [ Windows on the Word, p. 120, Radio Bible Club, 1984.]
"Many people today are seeking joy and happiness but not finding it. Perhaps they don’t understand what true happiness is. At best, only fleeting happiness can be found in possessions, pleasures, or accomplishments. But the joy God gives is not just a feeling. It is not affected by our circumstances. In fact, it is an unchanging, natural by-product of our faith in Jesus Christ. As you trust in Jesus and look forward to his return, you will be filled with an ‘inexpressible joy.’ It won’t be just some sort of emotional high. It will be a deep, supernatural experience of contentedness based upon the fact that your life is right with God. And this lasting joy and happiness will sustain you for the rest of your life." [The Book of Hope, p. 32, Tyndale House Publishers 1998.]
"A Christian is ... any man, woman, or child who comes to God as a lost sinner; accepts Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Redeemer, and confesses Him as such before the world; surrenders to Him as his Lord and Master; and strives to please Him in everything day by day." [Billy Sunday]
Billy Graham states: "God’s forgiveness is not just a casual statement; it is the complete blotting out of all the dirt and degradation of our past, present, and future. The only reason our sins can be forgiven is that, on the Cross, Jesus Christ paid their full penalty. (But) only as we bow at the foot of the Cross, in contrition, confession, and repentance, can we find forgiveness." [The Billy Graham Christian Worker’s Handbook [hereafter referred to as BGCWH], p. 107, 1984.]
You can commit your life to Jesus any time and any where. Here is a simple prayer to help you become a Christian.
Dear Lord Jesus:
I know that I am a sinner. I believe you died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life. I receive you as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me.........In Jesus name, I pray. Amen. [ BGCWH, p. 6.]
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
(Revelation 22:21)
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