{"id":23492,"date":"2018-07-15T03:30:16","date_gmt":"2018-07-15T10:30:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/?p=23492"},"modified":"2018-07-10T13:54:35","modified_gmt":"2018-07-10T20:54:35","slug":"july-15-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2018\/07\/15\/july-15-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"July 15, 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cI will lift up my eyes to the hills\u2014From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>Psalm 121:1-2<\/p>\n

Beyond The Hills<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Whether I am at home, in my city, or traveling, I am exposed to evil and danger more than I am actually aware of. I am also surrounded by God\u2019s grace of protection and the angels that He has put in charge over me. I live alone, (well, I do have my Pup for companionship) and many times I travel alone, and therefore I have to rely upon my Lord for His confidence, guidance, and protection as I submit myself to His care for me.<\/p>\n

There were times in my walk with Jesus when I would immediately go to the phone and call a family member or friend and cry to them for help\u2014or ask for their advice or instruction. However, I\u2019ve learned from past experience that they have their limitations, and are not always available to me in my time of need.<\/p>\n

The Lord, over the years, has shown me that when I called upon a friend for help, I felt empty, confused, and unsatisfied after the phone call\u2014I had things out of order. I looked to others first before acknowledging my Lord first and foremost. I do not mean to imply that we shouldn\u2019t make that phone call for assistance from our church family, family or friends\u2014but it should be secondary or in request for prayer. Prayer is a privilege that we have as believers in Jesus Christ. A true friend will not have to know all of the details of our situation, and will go to the Lord in faith on our behalf\u2014then after that phone call or connection, we will experience encouragement and peace.<\/p>\n

I have many times experienced that when I go to my Lord first and ask for HIS help\u2014He is always there! He is sitting at the right hand of God making intercession for me. He never sleeps. He is closer than a phone call, he is closer than a friend\u2014and He is always available!<\/p>\n

\u201cWe must encourage our confidence in God with this, that He made heaven and earth, and He who did that can do anything. He made the world out of nothing, Himself alone, by a word\u2019s speaking, in a little time, and all very good, very excellent and beautiful; and therefore, how great soever our straits and difficulties are, He has power sufficient for our succour and relief\u201d (M. Henry).<\/p>\n

\u201cLord, we are so thankful for the beauty that surrounds us\u2014the hills, our church, material blessings, our businesses, our family and friends; however, may we always look beyond those things and directly to You for our help. May we always be reminded that You are always near. You are Jehovah. You are where our help comes from\u2014the maker of heaven and earth. Amen.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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