What The Lord Can Do For Us !
I. The Lord Will Lift You Up.
Psa 40:2 He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
David describes the condition he finds himself in as like being in a horrible pit whose bottom is of miry clay. Picture yourself being in a cavern of rushing water......the noise of rushing water, and your cries echo off of the walls of the caves.....and it seems that there is no one that can hear your cry !
Story: Bill Shell
a. Out of the rut !
Jesus hears our cry no matter how deep the rut we find ourselves in. He is able by his strong hand to reach down, and lift us up !
Illust. Quick Sand
b. On to the rock !
The Lord gives us stability !
In lovingkindness Jesus came;
My soul in mercy to reclaim,
And from the depths of sin and shame, Thro’ grace He lifted me!
Refrain
From sinking sand He lifted me, With tender hand He lifted me From shades of night to plains of light; O praise His name He lifted me!
c. On to the road. (established my goings)
The Lord gives direction to our lives !
II. The Lord Will Loosen You Up !
Psa 102:19-20 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;
Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
a. From Our Failures.
The Lord can forgives us of our sins, and set us free ! Too many folks are prisoners to the past ! God wants to loosen you from the past.
b. From Our Fears.
Alot of people are prisoners to fears....God wants to liberate you from the fears that hold you back !
c. From Our Friction.
One of the biggest enemies, and obstacles that we face today is stress !
Satan wants to frustrate us, and stress us out to the point to where we’re miserable, and everybody around us is as well ! God wants to, and can loosen you from your fears, and friction ! Jesus said......"Come unto me, all ye that labour......"
III. The Lord Will Light You Up.
Psa 18:28 For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
Isa 55:10 Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light ? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.
Illust. When lights go out.....
a. From Stumbling.
Story: Stumbling over the watermelon
Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psa. 119:30 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
Isa. 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of deaht, upon them hath the light shined.
b. From Shadows.
We associate shadows with danger.
He lights our path so that we can see the dangers !
c. For Sharing.
He gives us light to help others who are without power !!!
Matt. 5:16 Let your light so shine before me, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
IV. The Lord Will Liven Us Up.
a. From our deadness.
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins.
To be without Christ is to be dead spiritually, separated from God.....Jesus wants to quicken us.....liven us up.....give us life so that we can have a right relationship with God !
b. From our defection.
Psa 80:18 So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.
There are many that have been saved....but have defected.....gone back.....and you need to be livened up.....quickened........revived if you will !
c. From our depression.
Psa. 119:107 I am afflicted(depressed)very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
David describes his condition as being depressed ! Depression which is systematic of stress is near epidemic proportions in our society.....and among the church ! God can lift us up, and liven us up from our depression......but we’ve got to take his hand.....we’ve got to receive his offer !
d. From our distress.
Psa. 143:11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness sake bring my soul out of trouble.
Trouble is affliction......tightness......distress !
God is all powerful ! He is well qualified to meet all of our needs !
He desires to lift you up this morning.....he can loosen you from those things that bind you.....that restrain you.....and hold you back. The Lord can light you up.....give light, and direction to your path ! And thank God he can liven you up ! He can give you a new life in Christ Jesus !
