Does God Mean It When He Says Bear One Another’s Burdens?

We all experience and come in contact every day with fellow believers that are burdened down. They may be under the load of a physical, relational, vocational, or even a financial burden, or maybe it is something else.

When we encounter a fellow Christian that is burdened down, what do we do? Do we just thank God that we are burdened down by the same thing that has them burdened down? Or, do we ignore it and hope that someone else will assist them? Or do we do our part to alleviate the burden they are under?

How we respond is important to them, to us, and to God. Our response reveals whether we really believe the word of God or not and whether we are serious about being obedient to what God has instructed us to do.

Some friends of ours lost their son this past week. He was only 3 years old and was a great joy in their lives. They, of course, are devastated by his much too early passing. They are Christians (in fact he is one of the lay preachers in his church) and part of a large church family. My wife, Holly, called the mother a couple of days ago to see if there was anything we could do to be of assistance to them during this difficult time. She offered to cook, clean, or whatever they needed someone to do for them.

To our amazement the lady said to my wife, “thank you so much for calling. I have been so depressed the last few days I haven’t been able to get out of bed.” I can understand where she was coming from. She went on to say, “You are the first person that has called to offer our family help during this time. You need to be out there telling others what they should do when someone goes through something like this.”

I have to admit I was shocked and saddened when I heard that no one in their church family had offered to help them in this time of need. I was blown away by the lack of regard or common decency that others in the Body of Christ have shown to this family. This should never be the case. When the Apostle Paul was writing about the church, he compared it to the human body. While the human body is made up of many members they all work together for the good of the whole.

The Bible is explicit when it gives us instructions as to how we are to bear one another’s burdens. Yet when the rubber meets the road, in most cases, we simply disregard what the word of God teaches us to do. I fear that many times we fall into the same deception that Cain fell into when he said to God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

We make all kinds of excuses; some are even spiritual in nature (or should I say sound spiritual), as to why we don’t help our brothers and sisters in Christ when they are going through difficult times. One of the most common excuses I’ve heard is “well I’ll pray about it and see what God leads me to do.” This sounds spiritual, but in actuality it is very carnal. Why you ask? Because you don’t need God to give you a special word from Him as to whether you should help, you have a command. “Bear One Another’s Burdens.” Another excuse is “Let the government help.” It never was God’s intention for the government to bear the burdens of its citizens. It was always His plan for His people to help His people.

This must be of great disappointment to God. Why? Because, nothing in our actions, if we don’t do what we know we should do, displays the love of God that dwells in us as His children.

Let me share a few verses of scripture and some spiritual insight with you that may help you in assessing where you are when it comes to being obedient in this area.

Galatians 6:2 teaches, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Have you even taken the time to ask someone what they are struggling with? What is the law of Christ? It is to love. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” What kind of love did Jesus demonstrate? He was willing to lay down his life for his brethren. His was a sacrificing, giving, love. When you bear the burdens of another you are fulfilling the law of Christ.

1 John 3:16-19 declares, “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.” Notice what John penned to the church. If you see your brother with a need and you have what he needs yet you shut up your heart and do nothing how can you say the love of God abides in you? That is a very pointed yet powerful question. He goes on and says we are not to love in word only but also in deed. If you really have the love of God residing in your heart, and you are obedient to what His word says, when you see a need you won’t just talk about it, or pray about it, you will do something about it.

Galatians 6:10 says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” When you read this verse in context with verses 6-10, you come to realize that this whole passage on sowing and reaping is concerning giving. In verse 6, Paul says we are to give to support those that minister to us. In verse 10 he says we are to also give to those of the household of faith. Sandwiched between these two verses Paul makes it clear that when we are giving to others, we are sowing good seed. He also makes it clear when we do not grow weary or get tired of giving to ministries and members of the Body of Christ, we will reap if we faint not. Who in the ministry needs? What are you going to do about it?

James 2:14-17 states, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Do you know someone under a tremendous financial burden, and you have the resources to help them, yet you have done nothing but pray for them? According to these verses the Bible says your inaction profits nothing.

To answer the question Cain asked, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” the answer is yes you are.

Let me challenge you today to allow the Holy Spirit to point out to you areas where you have been missing the mark in this regard. Also, let me challenge you today to begin to do what the scriptures teach and begin “BEARING ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS.”

Written By: G Samuel Verret

Real Change

For the caterpillar to become a butterfly it must change!

Real change, lasting change does not come from any outside source, including your will power! It only comes from a deep inner change within your heart and mind! It comes when you determine in your heart that you have a purpose, that you have potential, and that God has a plan! When you understand those three things you will begin to understand that only an inner transformation can produce the results you want in your life!

Several years ago I was a teacher in a private Christian school.  The annual auction was just around the corner and they didn’t have any entertainment for the event.  They approached me and asked if I could take on this responsibility.  At first I hesitated because I had never done something like this before and I didn’t see how I could accomplish such an incredible task.  I went home that afternoon and prayed about their proposition.  As I sat there God reminded me of His ability to do the impossible, His willingness to provide everything I need, and His power to create something out of nothing with just a Word from His mouth!

Every time I gave a reason why it couldn’t be done I felt a prompting from his Spirit countering my thoughts of inferiority.  I kept thinking, “I am not a director.  I am not a song writer.  I am not a choreographer.  There is no way!”  But just as I was finished silently speaking a mental list of my inabilities, the tune to a familiar song came to mind, and a picture of some of the students came into my mind’s eye.  I took out a sheet of paper and a pencil and began writing.  Before I knew it I had written the words to a song that went with the theme of the auction to the tune of the song that had come to mind.

When I finished I thought of a close friend who loved to dance and knew how to do choreography.  I called her and asked if she would be interested in helping me with this venture. She quickly agreed.  The next day I approached the students and they were excited about the idea.  We met in the gym that day and for several days after, working on the project.  The next week we presented the idea to the auction committee and they loved it!

As the day of the auction approached I was excited and nervous at the same time!  On the day of the auction I was praying and reading the Bible.  I read four Scriptures.  Jeremiah 29:11-13, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”  Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Luke 18:27, “But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”  And Isaiah 43:19, “Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?  I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

An inner transformation had taken place in me over the course of those few weeks!  What I thought was impossible became possible!  What I thought I was incapable of doing, I accomplished!  Nothing from the outside changed my beliefs or abilities!  It was my willingness to allow God to do a work deep within my heart and mind; revealing His purpose, my potential, and His plan!  These three things produced the results I desired!  And because of my willingness to listen and obey thousands of dollars were raised that night, the people were entertained, the students were inspired to pursue more acting and singing opportunities, and my faith was strengthened!  This kind of inner transformation is available to everyone if you are willing to listen and obey!  

What is God calling you to do?  What is your purpose?  What limiting beliefs do you need to release in order to discover your potential?  Spend time in prayer and the Word asking God to reveal His plan and then be willing to make the changes necessary so you can accomplish it!

written by Holly True Verret

Faith it Till You Make It

   There are two powerful forces that you can choose to live by.  One is fear the other is faith.  One is negative the other is positive.  One will defeat you the other will cause you to succeed.

     Faith is the belief in a positive outcome.  Fear is the belief in a negative outcome.  Faith expects the best.  Fear expects the worst.  Neither is disappointed.

     Henry Ford once said, “If you believe you can or believe you can’t, you’re right.”  Jesus said, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to them that believe.”  This is true in both the negative and the positive sense.  You get what you believe.

     The Apostle Paul wrote, “God has not given you the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.”  God’s best is for you to face life with faith, confidence and positive expectation.  No wonder the Bible teaches us “The just shall live by faith.”

     Everything you do in life is either from a position of fear or faith.  Whether it is looking for a job, managing your money, your relationships with others, or anything else. 

     It is possible to see if a person is operating in fear or faith by what they do.  The old adage, “Action speaks louder than words,” is still true.  People operating in fear are constantly trying to protect what they have.  They are suspicious of others and their intentions.  They refuse to take a risk even if it’s a safe one.  As a result they are miserable, frustrated and easily defeated.

     People operating in faith on the other hand, are always looking for and expecting positive results.  They have the ability to believe in and trust others.  They are risk takers.  As a result they have positive outcomes.

     In order to experience success in life you must become a person of faith.  The Apostle Paul taught, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  (Romans 10:17)  As you spend time in God’s word, focusing on what He has made available and promised to you, your faith grows.  By knowing what is available to you as a believer, and seeing what God has done for others that have believed, you are able to release your faith to receive positive results.

     While the world lives by the credo, “Fake it till you make it.”  Christians should live by the credo, “Faith it till you make it.”  The fact is if you live by faith you will make it!

How to faith it:

Faith must be grounded in God’s word.  Romans 10:17  “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”   Faith comes by hearing, understanding and receiving the promises that are in the word of God. Your faith is not to be grounded in your experiences or the experiences of others.  It is not grounded in what the so-called experts have to say.  Faith must be grounded in what God has said and promised in His word.  I choose to believe what God say over what the circumstances look like or the opinions of others.  Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not a man that He should lie."  God is a God of integrity.  What He says is true.  Begin today to ground your faith in the integrity of God's word.

Claim as yours what your faith has embraced from God’s word.  The Bible is a book filled with God’s promises to you.  In fact it is calculated that there are over 7000 of them.  They cover everything from health for your body, provision of your daily needs, success in all areas of your life as well as heaven after this life.  They are yours for the claiming.  Because you are a part of God’s kingdom and family you have a right to everything He has promised in His word.

Faith is released through words.  Proverbs 18:21 says,  “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”  Your words have power.   God spoke faith-backed words and created the world.  Your faith is released through the words you speak.  Mark 11:23 says, “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says.”  Jesus plainly teaches in this verse that faith is released through the words you speak.

Faith is released through actions.  James 2:17 declares,  “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”  A person’s faith is seen not in what they say but in what they do.  There is no such thing as success without action.  Our faith is released when we obey God's principle's and instructions.  "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land."

Faith sees what can be, not what is.  Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  Notice, faith is the substance or assurance of things hoped for.   According to Strong’s Dictionary of New Testament words, the word “hope” means, “to anticipate, usually with pleasure, expectation or confidence.”  Hope then, is the vision of your faith—the end result.  So then faith is the inner image of the finished product.  It is seeing things as they can be not as they currently are. 

Faith plus patience equals results.  Hebrews 6:12 says,  “that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”  Patience is not the ability to put up with something, but rather the ability to continue in faith until you see the reality of what you are believing for.  It means being steadfast, continuous plodding toward a goal, with no faltering or turning aside or stooping to take a break.  By being patient we are promised great rewards or results.  Hebrews 10:36  “For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise.”