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Closer than a Brother
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
We all have struggles and trials and temptations that we face along the way in our Christian walk. It’s so easy to give into them when they show their face. I know that for the longest time this one particular temptation kept coming my way. I’d be able to resist and turn to God for a little while, but then it would pop up again and I’d find myself back in the mess I had just crawled out of.
Proverbs 26:11 says, “As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.”
That’s where I was until it took over my life completely and I found myself missing church and pulling away from friends. My focus turned away from God as first in my life and it was replaced by this thing that had me bound. I was miserable inside. I was hurting inside. I hated myself for what I had become. Looking back I remember how God’s hand was always upon my life even during that time. He had made a way out but I was too blind to see it.
It wasn’t until I surrendered it all to Him that I began to get that breakthrough. God began to send people in my life that helped me grow in my spiritual walk. He began to send people to challenge me and keep me focused on Him. Instead of focusing on the sin that had me bound, He gave me the opportunity to write for Him. He opened up doors for me to do music for Him. He even brought my brother Gabe from Albuquerque to Houston to help me get on track. And there are many other friends that have been there and helped me along the way.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
I’ve found that it’s important to have people there to help you and support you. God didn’t create us to be alone. He made our brothers and sisters to lift us up when we’re down, to pick us up when we fall, to be that shoulder to cry on when we’re weak and to laugh with us and rejoice with us when we’re happy. He put them there to help us grow and so that we can encourage one another.
I’ve always been the quiet and more “to myself” type person, but God has showed me the value of friendship over the years. There is power in numbers. Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” God has blessed me with many awesome friends that have helped me in ways they could never know.
I don’t know your specific struggle. I don’t know what temptation you’re facing. I don’t know your situation, but I know somebody that understands you completely. His Name is Jesus. He has gone ahead of you and made a way of escape. He’s there to help you in any situation. Maybe you don’t have any friends that you can turn to, but I want to let you know that He is always there for you. There is no greater friend than Jesus.
Proverbs 18:24 says, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
No matter what you’re going through, we here at PutHimFirst.com want to let you know that we are here for you, too. I know that we can’t be there in person, but we can pray for you. I try each week to bring you what I believe God has put in my heart to say. You are always welcome to write us or email us or hit up our message boards. We will keep you in prayer and try to get back to you as soon as possible. I believe God wants to do a great work here through this website and in your life as well.
As you go throughout your week just remember that Jesus loves you. He is always there in your time of need. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He is that friend that sticks “Closer than a Brother”.
w/muchluv,
geno
COMING SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
New PHF T-Shirts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The PHF Compilation Album!!!!!!
Enock “The Return” Album!!!!!!!
Are You Ready?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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