“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 (NIV)

Remember “God is” promises

The above passages gives us four  “God is” promises to remember when in trouble.

1. God is our refuge. A refuge is defined as a shelter or protection from danger or distress. Psalm 91:2 says, “I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!’” 

2. God is our strength. Strength is the quality or state of being strong. Phil. 4:13 says, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me. “

3. God is ever present. Josh. 1:9  says,  “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

4. God is our help. Isa. 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Therefore…

“Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:17-18 NIV)

Quote:

“You have need to pray to God, not only to help you in your troubles--but to help you in your blessings.” - Charles Spurgeon

“Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matt. 9:13 ESV) 

Mercy: compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one’s power; lenient or compassionate treatment.

All of us need God’s mercy!

According to the Bible, our own righteousness is like filthy rags when compared with God’s righteousness (Isa. 64:6). And no matter how hard we may try, because we’ve all been born with a sin nature, we will still fall way short of God’s glory (Rom. 3:23). That’s why we are all in need of God’s mercy without exception. And, the good news is that we have received great mercy from Him through Jesus Christ!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” (1 Peter 1:3 ESV)

Be merciful to others and be blessed

“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 36:37 ESV)

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matt. 5:7 ESV)

Therefore…

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16 ESV) 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 ESV)

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6 ESV)

Quote:

“The wonderful news is that our Lord is a God of mercy, and He responds to repentance.” - Billy Graham

“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” (1 Tim. 6:18-19)

The above passage describes four kinds of treasure to store up in order to have a good foundation for the future. 

1.     Do good – “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9 ESV)

2.     Be rich in good works – “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16 ESV)

3.     Be generous – “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Cor. 9:6 ESV)

4.     Be ready to share –  “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Heb. 13:16 ESV)

The passage at top ends with the reason we must continually do the above four things. “…so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” 

Therefore…

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt 6:19-21 ESV)

Quote:

“The person who thinks the money he makes is meant mainly to increase his comforts on earth is a fool, Jesus says. Wise people know that all their money belongs to God and should be used to show that God, and not money, is their treasure, their comfort, their joy, and their security.” - John Piper

“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” (2 Thess. 3:3)

God protects you from overwhelming temptation

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13 NIV)

Don’t panic for the LORD will personally go ahead of you

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deut. 31:6 NLT)

Therefore…

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isa. 41:10 NIV)

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” (Psalm 5:11   NIV)

Quote:

“After a hard day scrambling to find your way around in the world, it's assuring to come home to a place you know. God can be equally familiar to you. With time you can learn where to go for nourishment, where to hide for protection , where to turn for guidance. Just as your earthly house is a place of refuge, so God's house is a place of peace.” - Max Lucado

Renew your mind

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2 ESV)

Take every thought captive 

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…” (2 Cor. 10:5 ESV)

Set your mind on the things of the Spirit

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Rom. 8:5-6 ESV)

Therefore…

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Phil. 4:8 ESV)

Quote:

“Watch your thoughts for they become words. Watch your words for they become actions. Watch your actions for they become habits. Watch your habits for they become your character. And watch your character for it becomes your destiny. What we think, we become. My father always said that... and I think I am fine.” - Margaret Thatcher

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:3-5 ESV)

Take up the whole armor of God

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” (Eph. 6:13-18 ESV)

God is your stronghold 

“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” (Nahum 1:7 KJV)

Therefore…

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36 ESV)

Quote: 

“Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that things can never change. We need to remind ourselves that God can change things. Outlook determines outcome. If we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory.” - Warren Wiersbe

“Though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” (Psalm 37:24 ESV)

Everyone makes mistakes

“For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.” (James 3:2 ESV)

When you make a mistake humbly confess it 

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Prov. 28:13 ESV)

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV)

Therefore…

“For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.” (Prov. 24:16 ESV)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 ESV)

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 8:1 ESV)

Quotes:

“When you make a mistake, there are only three things you should ever do about it: admit it, learn from it, and don’t repeat it.” - Paul Bear Bryant

“All men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from their mistakes.” - Winston Churchill 

“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” - Albert Einstein

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36 ESV)

People are trapped and held captive by many things they need to be set free from. It can be physical bondages of many kinds. Or addictions to drugs, alcohol or tobacco. It can be a physical condition or a crippling disease. It can be mental illness, great fears and crippling anxiety attacks. It can be destructive social entrapments. Or it can be demonic attacks from the enemy. But, no matter what, God gives total freedom from it! The passage above says emphatically, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!” And, that is precisely why Jesus came! By faith you must claim it personally, and hold to it completely!

Jesus proclaimed liberty to captives of all kinds

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” (Luke 4:18-19 ESV)

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Cor. 3:17 ESV)

For the answer to your distress, call upon the Lord! 

“Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.” (Psalm 118:5 ESV)

Once free, stay free!

“Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery.” (Gal. 2:4 ESV)

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Gal 5:1 ESV)

Therefore…

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:1-4 ESV)

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Gal. 5:13 ESV)

“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” (1 Peter 2:16 ESV)

“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” (Rom. 6:22 ESV)

Quote:

“I am free. I am ransomed. I've never felt this way before, like a slave set free who was born a slave and never knew what freedom was like.” - Frank E. Peretti

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NIV)

Witnessing becomes powerful when you give the Holy Spirit control

The passage at top says you will become a powerful witness everywhere you go when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. The key is to ask Him to fill you and to speak powerfully through you. The key is to be His ambassador and represent Him faithfully everywhere you go, expecting Him to work powerfully in and through you. 

You are a powerful ambassador as Christ makes His appeal through you 

“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor. 5:18-25ESV)

God will give you the words to speak even in the most trying circumstances 

“You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” (Matt. 10:18–20)

Quote:

“If you had the cure to cancer wouldn't you share it? ... You have the cure to death ... get out there and share it.” - Kirk Cameron