Barnabas Bulletin ~ 0241
GOD CARES FOR US
Have you ever considered just how much God cares for you? Life can throw all kinds of challenges before us, and it is good to know that we have a loving God Who cares very much for us. He knows everything about us; nothing is hid from Him with whom we have to do: “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 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 4:13-16).
God knows everything about us and He desires that we also know Him personally so we can experience more and more of His love and goodness towards us. He so loves us that He gave His all on Calvary’s Cross so that we could know the joy and power of sins forgiven ~ washed away in His precious blood ~ and have a new life free from the curses of the world, the flesh and the devil. Do you know His love and forgiveness in your life?
God so knows us that even the very hairs of our head are numbered (do you know the number of hairs you have on your head?): “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:28-33 & Luke 12:4-9).
These verses show us how much God values us. We are very important to Him ~ even to our very last hair! How caring is that? Make very sure that you confess and also know Him as your personal Lord and Saviour. He is the best Friend we can ever have! The Bible declares: “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
- When we have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, then life takes on a whole new meaning and our values change to put Jesus as Lord of our life.
If there is nobody else who cares for you, remember that God cares for you. He gave His all for you so that “you may have life and life more abundantly” (John 10:10). He longs to reveal Himself more and more to you, but first you have to be willing to let Him. He does not violate your will, so be encouraged to yield your will to Him and watch what He will do for you. The word “care” means “an earnest, serious purpose; to think earnestly upon” (Bullinger’s); “be affected emotionally; to have regard, affection, or consideration for; to provide physical needs, help or comfort for” (Collins English Dictionary). I have been amazed at what God has done for me over the 60-plus years I have been loving and serving Him. And He continues to bless and provide my needs. God wants us to have such a relationship with Him that we have no doubts whatever that He is the provider of our every need.
Consider this Scripture: “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). His riches in glory are far over and above anything we can think or imagine!
God wants us to know His heart for us: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, what whoever believes (“be persuaded, to rely upon, to trust” – Bullinger’s) in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). God’s love for us is demonstrated through His reaching out for us, even in spite of our sinful living: “. . . the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength (“without strength, infirm, weak, feeble, impotent, sick” – Bullinger’s), in due time Christ died for the ungodly (“one who has no reverence for sacred things, godless, without fear and reverence before God; not merely irreligious, but he who actually practises the opposite of what God demands” – Bullinger’s). For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates (“commends, to represent as worthy” – Bullinger’s) His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation (“change on the part of one party only, induced by some action on the part of another; the reconciliation of men by the love of God in the gift of His Son” – Bullinger’s)” (Romans 5:5-11).
God has provided a way for us so that we can know Him in a very real and personal way through our accepting what Jesus has done for us through His sacrifice and shedding of blood for us on the Cross of Calvary. He knows our needs far better than we ever will. Therefore it is important that we develop a friendship relationship with Him, get to know His voice and ways, so we can gain the benefits of what it means to be a recipient of His love and care in our lives. Job said this of the Lord: “You have granted me life and favour, and Your care has preserved (“to keep safe from harm or danger; protect from decay”) my spirit” (Job 10:12).Hallelujah! In the light of all this let us make sure that we “cast all our care upon Him, for He cares for you/us” (1 Peter 5:7). Know that Jesus really does care for you! ~ Rodney W. Francis.
HYMN ~ written by: Civilla D. Martin
GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU
Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.
Through days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you.
All you may need He will provide, God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied, God will take care of you.
No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon His breast, God will take care of you.
Bible Reading: Ephesians Chapter 1
Prayer: “Dear Lord God, I come to You in Jesus’ name, and I ask You to help me to be more aware of just how much You really do care for me. Help me to know more and more of what You have accomplished for me, so I will know Your abiding and caring presence day by day in a more powerful way. I do want to be a true disciple of You, Jesus, and walking in the revelation of Your teachings day by day with a rejoicing heart. Help me to be strong in times of difficulty and opposition, so I can shine more effectively for You in these needy times. I do long to be the person You have saved me to be. Thank You, dear Lord, for caring for me. In Jesus’ Name I pray these things, Amen.”
The Gospel Faith Messenger Ministry, , New Zealand. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.