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| Evang. (Mrs.) Esther Ogunbayeje |
Bible verse:” I will lift up my eyes to the hills- from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heaven and the earth” Psalm 121:1.
Introduction:
Help could be defined as support, comfort that one receives in time of need. It could also be the support or comfort that is available to make life and things easy. Help comes in different ways. Help comes in different forms. Help comes at different times of needs and life. Help comes from different sources. We all need help at one point in life as no one has everything or can do all things and no one can do some things alone without the contributions of others. There are times we need help desperately, and without help we will be overwhelmed or unaccomplished. Without help sometimes, life will be miserable. There are times we need specific help and help for specific things or projects without which we will be unaccomplished. There are times we need help from human beings or some people but we all need divine help for without God’s help and mercy, no one can do anything or help others.
Importance of receiving help and having helpers:
Receiving help:
· Makes achievements to become easy.
· Facilitates doing things we would not have done ordinarily or be able to do without receiving help.
· Facilitates doing things we would not have done perfectly/ very well.
· Changes or shifts our position and stage or level. It moves us from the point where we are to the point where we want or would like to be.
· Brings deliverance and breakthroughs.
· Moves us from the point where we are and move us closer to where we want to be.
· Moves us from the point where we are and move us to the level we want to be.
· Opens doors of success, progress, promotion and prosperity.
· Closes doors against the unwanted things.
· Takes us from lack to sufficiency.
· Takes reproach away.
· Uplifts and changes our countenance. It brings joy, peace, victory and comfort to the soul Psalm 23: 1-3
· Links or connects us to people and other people that are important for destiny fulfilment.
· Accelerates our speed and make things and life easy for us.
· Makes us to do things we need to do, have things we need to have and become who we need to be.
· Removes pains, misery and loneliness Psalm 113.
The Bible is full of examples of those who received diverse help at different stages of their needs and lives. Some examples are: Hannah, the widow of Zarephath, Joseph, David, Esther and Mordecai, the three Hebrew in the fiery furnace, Daniel, Isaac, the woman with the issue of blood, the man at the beautiful gate, Lazarus etc.
Some factors that facilitates receiving help
Trust in God: The first helper is God. The best helper is God. All blessings flow from Him. He knows the human agent to use for those who trust Him. He should be the first point of contact for any earthly help. Those who trust Him will never be disappointed.
Humility: A humble person will always receive support. Humility is important to receiving help from God and human beings. God frowns at those who rely on their own sufficiency but helps those who acknowledge His supremacy over all human beings and events of life.
Knowing what to ask for: To receive help, there is the need to know what one needs and is requesting from other people. To receive help, one needs to ask specifically and not assume that other people should know because what is apparent needs may not be the priority for the person who is in need. Sometimes to receive help, it is good to know and prioritise the request and be clear about it.
Asking from the right source: Going to the right source for help is important because no one can receive the right support from a wrong source. The right and unfailing source of help all the time is God.
Prayer: Prayer is key a factor for receiving help from God. God has made Himself available to His children. The best place to go for help is making one’s request known to God in prayer.
Some hinderances to receiving help:
· Pride: Pride can make someone not to ask help from who they should ask. It can make someone to be quiet and suffer in silence. Pride can also make someone to underestimate their helpers and thereby lose the benefits they should have received from such a person. But humility is very important e.g., Naaman listened to his maid and later received his healing.
· Keeping quiet and refusing to ask: Those who ask receive, those who seek will find. The door will open to those who knock Matthew 7:7.
· Asking from the wrong source or person: Asking from the wrong source can lead to rejection and disappointment. For example, Hannah could only receive Samuel from God and not her husband. 1 Samuel 1. She had Samuel at the right time.
· Disobedience to God’s word and directives: God is a great shepherd who knows the greener pasture to lead His children. Disobedience or going against His leading can lead to lack.
· Asking for the wrong purpose and motives: These can also lead to help not being released from God. It can also lead to delay.
Conclusion:
God still helps those who trust Him for help in different ways. The best place to seek help is still God. He makes the heavens and the earth. The one who created all things is not poor. He can meet all our needs all the time according to His purpose and plans for us. God is an ever present help in time of need. “ God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear; even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” Psalm 46: 1-3. God knows how to help His children. Let us humbly go to Him for help because He will never disappoints those who trust in Him.
Evangelist Mrs Esther Ogunbayeje
Christ Apostolic Church United Kingdom
+44-7478044454/+44-7988672933
Facebook: Esther Ogunbayeje
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