Look to Jesus!

[Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks, PsyD]

Are you going through something today? You are NOT alone; we all are going through one thing or another!1 Peter 4:12-19 tells us not to think it strange or unusual, when we go through fiery trials; these things happen to test the quality of our faith (this is one reason for our trials) – God already know what kind of faith we have but we don’t until it is tested. James Chapter 1 talks about our faith being tested. This is what James said in verses 1-8:

1[a]James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve [Hebrew] tribes [scattered abroad among the Gentiles] in the dispersion: Greetings (rejoice)! 2 Consider it nothing but joy, my[b]brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind. 7 For such a person ought not to think or expect that he will receive anything [at all] from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable and restless in all his ways [in everything he thinks, feels, or decides].

Footnotes: a. James 1:1 James, the leader of the Jerusalem church, was the half brother of Jesus. He became a believer after the resurrection of Jesus and was later martyred for his faith. b. James 1:2 Lit brethren.
 
As you can see, James 1:2-4, fully explains the importance of our faith being tested and verses 5-8 tells us what to do when we are going through our trials – seek God for wisdom, asking in faith and not doubting. Because if we doubt, we will not receive anything from God – then James tell us that a doubleminded man is unstable in all his ways (I will repeat this later on in this message).

Another reason why we go through trials and tribulations is that, it signifies we are sharing in Christ’s suffering – IF we are not suffering because we broke the law in anyway (1 Peter 4:13-19). When we suffer, we are not left alone; God is with us! 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 is a good Scripture to ponder on, when we are suffering – it says, “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

Jesus already let us know in John 16:33, that in this world we would have trials, tribulations, and sorrows but to be of good cheer, because HE has overcome the world. Therefore, we don’t have to try and overcome the world; what we do is “Look to Jesus” and fight the GOOD fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12; “Fight the Good Fight of Faith”). Since we are not wrestling against flesh and blood, “but against against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a]against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:10-18), we use the weapons of our warfare, which are not carnal but MIGHTY in God, to pull down strongholds, cast down arguments and EVERY high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ, bringing EVERY thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). REMEMBER, we are in a spiritual war; we MUST use God’s strategies and wisdom to keep our victory, Jesus has ALREADY given us – what we DO NOT know, will hurt us!

This is what Jesus said in John 16:33 (NLT): “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

The KJV version of John 16:33: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

 

The AMP version of John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]”

In response to what Jesus said in John 16:33, to “Be of good cheer,” you might say, “How am I supposed to be of good cheer?” I am going to list three ways for you to be of good cheer (not saying these are the only ways but these are what God gave me):

1. Seek God for Wisdom! - James 1:5-8 tells us what to do, when we are going through our trials – seek God for wisdom, asking in faith and not doubting. Because if we doubt, we will not receive anything from God – then James tell us that a doubleminded man is unstable in all his ways. We MUST believe God will give us our way of escapeand not doubt Him – WAIT for God to deliver us!

2. Don’t Lean to Your Understanding - don’t try to figure things out! – what you are going through is deeper than what you can see with your natural eyes! This is why it is important to seek God for wisdom so you want be trying to figure things out; making the wrong move and messing up. Know that are NOT alone; God is with you and will give you YOUR way of escape, if you acknowledge Him in ALL your ways, at ALL times, not only when you going through (Proverbs 3:5-6). To KNOW that you are not alone, requires you knowing God, knowing His Word, and TRUSTING God ALONE!! Look to God to bring you out and NOT man; RUN to God!!

3. Be Anxious for Nothing - don’t worry, pray! This is what Philippians 4:6-7 says, “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25-34 not to worry about our life but to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and EVERYTHING else we need, WILL be given to us – that is a promise from Jesus and should not be taken lightly!

Isaiah 53 tells us exactly what Jesus HAS done for us; He saved us AND healed us! This is what Isaiah 53:3-5 says, “3 He was despised and rejected and forsaken by men, a Man of sorrows and pains, and acquainted with grief and sickness; and like One from Whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we did not appreciate His worth or have any esteem for Him. 4 Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy]. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.”

As you can see, Jesus not only died for us to be saved, but also for us to be healed AND made WHOLE(vs. 5)! Verse 5 of Isaiah Chapter 53, let’s us know that Jesus’ stripes (His wounds) HAS healed us and made us WHOLE; we are not GOING to be healed and made whole, but we ARE ALREADY healed and made whole!! Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, caused us to be made WHOLE in EVERY area of our lives, be restored to the Father, and be able to do the will of God, with the help of the Holy Spirit – Holy Spirit is our Helper, Comforter, Prayer Partner, and much, much more!

Jesus tells us about the works of the Holy Spirit in John 16:5-15; this is what He said, “5 But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.[a]

Footnote: a. John 16:15 NU-Text and M-Text read He takes of Mine and will declare it to you.

In John 14:15-21, Jesus promises us a Helper (Holy Spirit) and talks about the indwelling of the Father and Son – this is what He said, “15 If you love Me, keep[a]My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. 19 “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

Footnote: a. John 14:15 NU-Text reads you will keep.

Therefore, we got to HOLD onto God, HOLD onto His Word, until He delivers us; He is our HOPE and our HELP and WILL deliver us, no matter how things look!! God gave me a prayer the other morning (3.6.2018), inspired by Psalm 18:3-6, and I want to share it with you all, so you can be encouraged (God is allowing me to release it now – it was not time to release it, when He gave it to me). This is what Psalm 18:3-6 says: “3 I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies. 4 The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. 5 The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. 6 In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.”

Let’s pray – let US cry out to God for help, in our time of distress: God help us to HOLD on to You and not faint!! Lord we are crying out to You this morning (evening) and we NEED You to come to our rescue!! Father we know Your time is not our time, so give us strength and comfort, as we WAIT for You to deliver us; we WILL NOT worry or fret but WILL trust You to fix our “This!” Lord we cry out to You for help; You ALONE are our Helper!! You ALONE Father are our Refuge!! We NEED You Father today and everyday!! Come to our rescue today; deliver us from “This” - whatever "THIS" is!!!

God deliver us from the root cause of our problems - Jesus has already purchased our healing, our salvation, and our restoration! Therefore Father, let the Holy Spirit manifest our healing, deliverance, and restoration today in our spirit, soul, and body, in Jesus' Mighty Name!!!

Father, we know Jeremiah 29:11-12, applies to us today too; not just the ones carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon(Jeremiah 29)! We KNOW You have plans for us, plans of good, plans to prosper us (make us rich in our relationship with You – not thinking about earthly treasures), and not harm us, plans to give us hope and a future(Jeremiah 29:11-12). You said Father when we call on You and come and pray to You, You would listen to us; we calling and praying to You Father for help – thank You for helping us(Psalm 18:3-6)!

We praise You Lord God Almighty, for hearing our cry to You and answering us; as Isaiah 25:1 says, “Lord, you are my God I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” We accept Your plans for us Father; Your plan to prosper us and not harm us, as you said You would in Jeremiah 29:11-12 – we believe You Father! In Jesus’ Mighty Name we pray, Amen!!

Click here for PDF version of “Look to Jesus!”

God’s blessings to you all!
Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks