Psalm 46 God Is Our Refuge And Strength

Psalm 46:1

46 

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

(Psalm 46:1-3 NKJV)

What truly wonderful and powerful these verses are to hold on to when troubles strike. We all live in a fallen world which guarantees we all will face many challenges in life. Some of these will be quite difficult. The question we must ask of ourselves is: "Do I go through this with God, or apart from Him." One may rely on God's strength and wisdom in going through this thing or their own. Here is where faith comes in, "Do I believe God?" Remember Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."Just something to think about.

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NKJV)

Tempted, Now What?

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Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16 NKJV)

I am sure all us have battled, and still battling sin in our lives. In my journey with the Lord, I have experienced times in which sin kept knocking on my door saying, “Just go do it…it will be pleasing…” I resist, yet it keeps knocking. I am sure many of you, if not all have experienced the same thing. Often times when we come to Christ and get saved, there is a sin (or sins) in our life which does not want to go away. Maybe we are tempted to party and get drunk or stoned. Maybe it is a sexual sin. Maybe it is something else, like anger or worry. We believe we are starting to have victory, only to find ourselves doing the very thing we do not want to do. Fortunately, God has given us a way of escape, but the question is, do we want to take it? And if we do, then what is the way of escape? In simple terms, the answer is that Jesus is the way of escape. Below I am going to share with you three things from Romans chapter 6 which will help one overcome their temptation. Before I share with you these with you, I first want to make a quick statement. Be persistent, do not give up in your battle!

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV)

3 Things You Need To Know:

1. Know The Truth.

⁵ For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, ⁶ knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. (Romans 6:5-6 NKJV)

The first essential is to know the truth. As believers, our old man was crucified with Christ. We no longer need to be slaves to sin. How would you know this fact if you have never taken the time to learn what God says in His Word? Many of us, we are only fed on Sunday morning. Commit to spending time daily in the Word learning all you can about what God has to say. It is also wise to commit to memorizing Bible verses that way you have truth hid in your heart to draw upon in the time of need. Remember Jesus used Scripture to defeat the devil when He was tempted in the wilderness. (See Matthew 4:1-11) Just as a side note, here are a couple free tools you may use to help memorize scripture.

 http://scripturetyper.com/

http://www.memverse.com/

2. Reckon Yourselves To Be Dead To Sin.

¹⁰ For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. ¹¹ Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:10-11 NKJV)

Other translations say to count or consider yourselves dead to sin. In order to consider yourself dead to sin, you must believe God’s Word to be true. It is then when one may behave as though he is a child of God, instead of a child of the devil. As believers, Jesus set us free from the penalty of sin and we are able to walk in His strength. We will never stop sinning in this life, but we are no longer salves to it. Instead, we become salves of righteousness.

 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:18 NKJV)

3. Quit Presenting Yourself To Sin, But To God.

And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. (Romans 6:13 NKJV)

We must all remember that “we have been bought at a price in, therefore we are to glorify God.” (See 1 Corinthians 6:20) Make it our hearts desire to live life to bring glory to God, not ourselves.  Rejoice in all things of God and be a man or woman after His own heart. As we do this, we will love the things God loves, and hate the things God hates.

Delight yourself also in the Lord,

And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 

(Psalm 37:4 NKJV)

To Believe Is To Follow

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I have people in my family who profess to be saved. They say, going to church is not necessary for salvation, so there is no need to go. My stepdaughter chooses to live a sinful lifestyle with no plans of changing. She said, "I got baptized, so I am saved. Since I cannot lose your salvation, I am not going to change. I will do as I please with my life." She feels as though there is nothing to worry about, when she dies, she believes she will be in heaven.

This brings up a good question, since we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, does it matter what we do? After all the Bible is clear, all who believe on the Lord Jesus, will be saved. It is also a true fact that one need not do anything to get saved except receive the free gift of salvation. So why must I change the way I live my life? The reason is because Jesus also said that "unless you repent you will like wise perish." (See Luke 13:3) Yes, this may be confusing, if you believe, then you are saved. If you don't repent, then you will perish. 

The statements above by my family members are actually a testimony of disbelief, not belief. The thing is, saving faith will produce change. What I believe or put my faith in will affect the decisions I make and the things I do. It is like this, suppose you are staying in a cabin in the forest. One morning you wake up surrounded by a raging forest fire. Everywhere you look, there is fire. Someone comes to you saying, "Follow me, and I will lead you to safety." If you believed him you would follow him. If you felt you were safe, or knew better than him, you would not follow him, now would you? The same way with Jesus, if you belie Him, you will follow Him.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:27-28 NKJV)

Children of God

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^“For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:50 NKJV)

Some people may feel that this passage of scripture is disrespectful to Mary, the mother of Jesus. However, Jesus was, (is) so much more than her son. Jesus is the Messiah, God incarnate, who came from heaven to earth to pay for the sins of all those who would believe. The good news is that this Jesus desires a close and personal relationship with each of us. Then there is even more good news:

¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ¹³ who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 
(John 1:12-13 NKJV)

What an awesome thing that a holy, majestic, all knowing and powerful God who created the heavens and earth pursues a personal relationship us and receives sinners into His family. For those who are the children of God, He will cast our sins as far away as east is from the west and make us into a new creation.

“Come now, and let us reason together,”

Says the Lord,

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

They shall be as white as snow;

Though they are red like crimson,

They shall be as wool. 

(Isaiah 1:18 NKJV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV)

Is this disrespectful to Mary? Not, but good news to her and all who believe upon the Son of God. What an amazing blessing, isn't it? However, one must be in Christ Jesus to receive such a blessing.

Am I Accepted?

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I believe most people want to be accepted by others. Many high school students smoke their first cigarette because they want to fit in with the "cool kids." Us adults are no different, we may wear one mask at work, another when out with friends and yet another when we around church members. Why is this? The reason is that we want to be accepted.

Unfortunately most people give no consideration of the acceptance of God. Some people believe in the existence of God, yet care less if they are accepted by Him. Of course we have those who do not even believe in God’s existence. But for those who do care, is it possible to know for sure that that I am accepted by God? If I am not saved and done many horrible things, would He still accept me? How is it that I can know for sure that I am accepted by God?

1 John 5:13 informs us that we can know for sure that we have eternal life, which means we are accepted by God. I have spoken to many people who say, "no one can know for sure, we just have to wait and see." Those who say this may (in fact) have good reason to question their salvation. They may be in church, yet are not walking with the Lord or obeying His commandments. However, we may rest assured that God desires a relationship with each of us. "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:3-4 NKJV) 2 Peter 3:9 confirms Gods desire for a relationship with everyone, even those who has done many horrible things. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." If you are an unbeliever who feels as though God would not save someone like you because of the things you have done in the past, I encourage you to do some Biblical research on this matter. First you may investigate the thief of the cross who died along side Jesus. You may also research the life of the Apostle Paul before his conversion then consider the transformation God made in his life.

Now that we have established that God is willing to save us, we must ask, “On what bases does our salvation rest?" The answer is that our acceptance is totally based upon Jesus. I cannot do enough good deeds to right my wrongs. No amount of religious activity, rites or rituals will earn me God's favor.  Only through faith in Christ Jesus may one be accepted of God. Please consider the following passage: "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.” (John 14:21 NKJV) Note that those who love Jesus are loved by the Father. Now let’s read the passage from 1^st John mentioned above.

¹¹ And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. ¹² He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. ¹³ These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:11-13 NKJV)

Ask of yourself these questions: Do I have the Son? Do I love Jesus? If you can truthfully answer yes to these questions, you can rest assured you are accepted of God. My friend, you are either with Jesus or against Him, there is no middle ground. If you do not have the Son, you must come to Him. Scripture says "All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Call out to Him today, repent and believe in the gospel.

For further study:
Read the Gospel of John. John wrote this book that we believe in Jesus and be saved. (See John20:30-31)

Read the Book of 1st John which informs us on how to know that you are saved. Print the little work sheet here and use while you study this book. This is a PDF file. The First John Project by Life Action Ministries.

God's Handiwork

I just returned from a wonderful vacation with my wife. For as long as I can remember I wanted to see the Sequoia trees in California, and that dream was fulfilled by visiting Sequoia National Park. I tell you I was in awe looking at the size of these beautiful trees. As I stood looking up, I felt so small. That is me in the first picture above looking up at the "General Sherman Tree," the largest tree. Actually according to the US Park Service, the "General Sherman" is the largest tree (by volume) in the world.

In case you are unfamiliar with the Sequoias,  I would like to share some interesting facts from the pamphlet the Park Service hands out when you enter the park. They grow up to a height of 311 feet, live over 3,000 years, weigh up to 2.7 million pounds and have a diameter at the base of up to 40 feet. The "General Sherman Tree" is estimated to be 2,200 years old. Just think, it was living 200 years before Christ was on earth. The trees usually do not die from old age, but from falling over. These trees are resistant to fire and insect damage. I suppose a young tree could be burnt up, but the thick bark and size of the larger trees makes them fire resistant.

I suppose many wonder how it could be that these trees get so big and just keep on living. I do not know, but maybe some scientist could offer up a "scientific answer," but the answer is actually quite simple. That is, it is by God's design that these trees grow as they do.

For all those who say, "There is no evidence for God," I would like to propose to you the evidence is right before your eyes. Take a look at all the design in creation, you see evidence for God. When you look at a new born child or gaze at the stars, you see His handiwork. Examine of all the species and kinds of life on earth, each unique is its own way, the proof for God is before your eyes. When you look at a building you know someone designed and created it. Same way, when you look at creation you know their is a Creator. If there was no God, how did we get here? Either the matter which makes up the universe existed forever and then it began to evolve all on it's own. Or else it created it self from absolutely nothing. Either that, or everything is just an illusion. Try that allusion thing if you ever break a leg and say, "it's just an illusion."

I believe it takes more faith to believe there is no God than to believe in God. The problem is, if there is a God, then it is only logical to conclude that one would have to answer to Him. Because of our pride, we want to make the rules and answer to no one. I know before I became a Christian, I willfully believed a lie because I wanted to live as I pleased, without any consequences. One must remember, all the things God instructs us in is for our own good, just like a parent does with their child.

Just one last point. While my wife and I were enjoying the beauty of these amazing Sequoia's, we met a Christian woman who made a comment I would like to share with you. "Just look at how amazing and beautiful this is. Can you imagine what heaven will be like?" 

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,  (Romans 1:18-20 NKJV)

The heavens declare the glory of God;

And the firmament shows His handiwork.

(Psalms 19:1 NKJV)

The Perfect "A"

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It was one week into a new class and all the students were overwhelmed. It was as if they should have taken another class before this, like a prerequisite. Many students were thinking of dropping the course. Then the teacher dropped the bombshell; “one week from today is the first test and you are required to receive a ‘perfect A’ to pass. Not only this test, but every test the entire year you must answer every question correctly or you will fail.” The students could not believe what they just heard. “What? This is impossible” they said. The teacher replied “this is the way it is; score 100% every test all year or fail. But there is more, I will give everyone who will receive it a ‘perfect A’ right now and you will pass the class no matter how well you do.”

What would you do?

The teacher proceeds to with instructions as to what the students must do. He said “you have a choice to make. You may refuse the passing grade right now and either walk out of class or stay and do the work trying to pass on your own. Or else you may receive your passing grade right now. You will pass no matter how well you perform. Those who want the passing grade get up and come forward to receive your ‘perfect A.’ As for the rest, you may walk out and withdraw or stay seated if you want to attempt completing the course on your own.”

The first group of students thought “this is a joke and how stupid” so they got up and walked out.

The second group of students said “I will not receive a free passing grade I did not earn.” So they stayed in their seats determined to earn their score.

The third group of students believed the teacher would give out a free passing grade yet they stayed seated anyway thinking why bother with going forward to receiving the passing grade. They believed they had a free ride. They thought just because the teacher was good, they would pass.

The forth group of students went forward, received the passing grade thinking they also had just received a free ride and they could coast all year.

The fifth group of students went forward, received the passing grade but they were grateful. They were determined to do the work they were called to do, also learn and grow in knowledge. They worked hard without the pressure of passing the course, knowing they already received the “perfect A.” They benefited greatly from the class.

The forth group of students spent most of their time on what they felt was more important to them so they did not learn or benefit much from the course.

As the year proceeded some of the ones who rejected the passing score realized they would fail without receiving the free gift of a passing grade so they went forward and the teacher gave them the passing grade.

Others who rejected the free gift kept on working hard trying to earn a passing mark. They thought “surely I will pass because of my good work; after all I am outperforming those who are not giving any or little effort.” At the end of the school year they were shocked to learn they failed the class. But they failed to learn the lesson being taught: humility, mercy and grace. They also did not do the one thing required to pass, which is to go forward and receive the passing grade.

Still the ones who felt they had a free ride and never went forward failed also for they believed the teacher would just go ahead and give them a passing grade. After all the teacher did promise to give away passing grades. They did not realize intellectual knowledge of the teacher’s free gift was not enough.

Jesus offered you a free gift of salvation, the “perfect A” so to speak. Which group did you fall into?

Scripture references for each of the groups:

1st group:

21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, (Romans 1:21-22)

2nd group:

For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)


8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Eph 2:8-9)

3rd group:

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. (John 10:1)

4th group:

If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:15)

5th group:

His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ (Matthew 25:21)

Relationship Not Hoops

Why do you suppose many times we rush through each day with little time for God? We are motivated trying to get things accomplished yet miss what is the most important. We may feel overwhelmed with things, yet not pray. Our eyes are on the things around us and not see Gods hand in our lives. Do we sometimes think “Why would God help me in this situation?” It can be easy to believe “How could God really care about little ole me? He is big and holds the entire universe in the palm of His hand. He can’t really care about me now can He?”

But without faith it is impossible to please Him,

for he who comes to God must believe that He is,

and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

(Hebrews 11:6 NKJV)

But God wants a relationship with us. He is faithful and true. He is not some far away God who gives us a bunch of does and don’ts we must follow just because He can. He is a God we can fully trust. His commandments are for our own good, not just a bunch of hoops to jump through which rob us from enjoying life. Think about this, He created us to spend eternity with Him. He wants to give us the keys to His kingdom. He came down from heaven to earth to die for us. He paid our sin debt, a debt we could not pay. Let us diligently seek to know Him more.

I want to make one thing clear to anyone who has not trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, He is the only way you will enter into the kingdom of heaven. You must repent and put your faith and trust in Jesus.

Know Scripture Yet?

You know what it is like when you are reading Scripture and something strikes you profoundly and you just cannot continue on without stopping and pondering on it for awhile? Well that is what happened with me as I read of the resurrection in John 20. This verse stopped me dead in my tracts: “For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.” (John 20:9 NKJV) I read this and thought “What? They did not know the Scripture yet? How many times did Jesus tell them that He would die and rise again from the dead?” Thomas, even after learning of the resurrection of Jesus form those who already saw Him still did not believe. He said “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” John 20:25b NKJV)


The word “know” in John 20:9 is translated in some translations as “understand.” We are no different that the apostles or Mary Magdalene, we can know all about Scripture and still not know it. What I noticed, when they saw they believed and understood.

6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. (John 20:6-8 NKJV)

18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her. (John 20:18 NKJV)

27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:27-28 NKJV)

The disciples spent all that time with the Lord seeing His miracles and hearing His teaching. He told them many times over that He would die and rise again, yet they did not understand. We can quote Scripture, hear teaching after teaching, spend hours in the Word and still not “know” Scripture. We must put on the Lord Jesus Christ and not only talk the talk, but walk the walk. James said “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22 NKJV)

To illustrate my point, Scripture says:

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV)

Suppose we are always complaining about what we do not have, our only prayer is at supper time when we say some canned prayer plus we take everything have for granted. We may be able to quote this passage all day long, but do we really know (understand) it? As we step out in faith and apply the Word in our lives, we see His work and our lives changed. Then we start to know Scripture and our Lord, not just know about Scripture.

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