Apr 29

Written by: News
4/29/2007

No matter how beautiful we are, we struggle with heartaches. No matter how rich we are, we all have burdens in our lives. We all suffer from a myriad of temptations and bad habits. Someone might look all put together on the outside, but that doesn't mean they're not struggling with debilitating issues on the inside.
Unfortunately, more often than not, pride keeps us from admitting we're going through something difficult and need help. James told us to confess our sins to one another so we could pray for each other and be healed. (See James 5:16.) Instead, we pretend like everything is fine—we wear holy masks—we think we’re deceiving those around us when we’re really only deceiving ourselves.
Do not be deceived! No matter what burden you are facing, no matter what difficulty you are dealing with, you cannot overcome it if you will not confront it. As long as you sweep it under the rug, whatever it is, you will not be able to defeat it. You need to begin by taking off that mask and getting real before God and the people around you. God wants to bring healing to you, and often that healing comes through His Body here in the earth—for each of us, that body is the local church. That’s why we have the Connect Groups and “Class 201 – Life Hurts…God Heals” and the “Leadership and Life Coaching” classes. Don’t be alone on your journey, God made us to be together and to help one another.

Coming Clean
One of the greatest things about our God is that no matter who we are or what we have done, He will never leave us or quit on us. God will continue do everything He can to help us overcome and get whatever it is behind us. We are only required to do one thing; come clean before God and our brethren. Sometimes we must begin by facing ourselves—taking a good look in the mirror and speaking truth to ourselves. One of the most difficult things can be confronting our own selves about the issues the Lord has put on our hearts. God is trying to get our attention. It's time for change. It's time for us to confront our problems and make some changes.
The Word of God says that if we will judge ourselves, God won't have to. (See 1 Corinthians 11:31-21.) What is your burden today? What are the issues that you need help with? Many are the afflictions, or troubles, or burdens of the righteous, but the Lord shall deliver you out of them all. (See Psalm 34:19.) If you're in a desperate situation, be assured that God does His best work in your darkest hour. God does His best work when your back is up against the wall. That’s the kind of God we serve.
But you also have a spiritual enemy that is trying to convince you that nothing is ever going to change in your life. You have an enemy who is trying to keep you from getting involved in your church. He is doing everything he can to stop you from growing in your faith. The enemy's plan is to isolate you and make you think that you will never be happy again. His plan is for you to feel sorry for yourself and believe that nobody loves you—to become so hopeless that he can steal your future.
But I am here to serve an eviction notice on the enemy of your soul! The Lord gave me a word some time ago and He spoke to my heart and said that your healing is going to come through the Body of Christ. Now don't misunderstand me; the source of our healing is God's Word and Jesus Christ, but faith for that healing will be stirred through your involvement in a local church. If you'll get hooked into your local church, your healing or provision or whatever you need is going to come to pass in your life.
If you are looking for God to do a miracle in your life, you will have to pass the love test. Faith works by love. If your love isn’t working, your faith isn’t going to work. James told us to pray for one another so that we can be healed. We are to give to each other what we need ourselves. We've got to give to each other if we’re going to expect God to give back to us. We're supposed to restore one another in a spirit of gentleness, bear one another's burdens, and believe the best of each other, while also preferring one another in love. God says that we're not supposed to judge each other, but to love one another.
Love will heal you when nothing else can. You can be tired, discouraged, maybe even a little depressed, and someone offers a hug, and maybe you see another friend and offer them a hug, and before long, you feel encouraged and energized. We have heard it said, “No man is an island.” That means we are not meant to deal with our problems alone. The reason the Lord wants us to bear each others burdens is because of the strength that comes to us when we stand with each other. One can put a thousand to flight, but two can put ten thousand to flight. (See Deuteronomy 32:30). In other words, by myself I've got a certain amount of power in the spiritual realm, but when you stand with me it's multiplied tenfold!
The Bible tells us that there is great power in agreement. Jesus said, “If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you” (Matthew 18:19 NLT). For that reason alone, it is important to keep the peace in your home! Your prayers will not be answered as long as there is strife and unforgiveness. It is so important to stay in agreement with your marriage partner and your business partner. A house—or a company—divided cannot stand. You've got to make up your mind to do everything you can to bring peace into your personal and professional relationships, settle your issues, give up quarreling and walk in agreement with people.
After you have come clean with the Lord, wait on Him for new strength. Trust Him that He will give you what you need to overcome. Cast your care upon Him and let Him bear the burden for you. (See 1 Peter 5:7.) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6,7 NIV).
God wants you to learn to trust in Him in the middle of your storm. But God also knows that until you come to the end of yourself, you will never really be able to trust Him with your whole heart. Until you are finally able to say, “Lord, I give up! I give it all over to You!” He can't do much for you. It is when you come to the end of yourself that God can move into your life. I don't know about you, but I'm not too proud to say, “Lord, I'm weak and I need Your help!” I'm not too proud to say, “Lord, my burdens are so heavy, I can't make it if you don't take them from me.”

Bearing One Another’s Burdens
C. S. Lewis said that the greatest sin in the church today is that of judging others. God hasn't called us to judge one another; He's called us to love one another. Jesus provided the example; He walked ahead of us showing us how to live among one another. He is the “Great Burden-bearer.” He said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).
It's time for Christ’s Body—His Church—to get into the flow of God's love. We were not created to hate; we were created to love. We were not created to tell people off or give them a piece of our mind. We were created to be instruments of love because love brings healing to people. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you. And by this all men will know that you are my disciples,” (John 13:34-35)

Copyright ©2007 Pastor Dennis Leonard

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