Help! I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up

The phrase became popular a few years ago as Life Alert promoted the emergency button necklace. I think we all could benefit by having a Life Alert button around our neck at all times. If you suddenly find yourself flat on your face or stuck in a situation you can’t get out of, just press the panic button and help is on the way.

There is a reason the Bible often refers to us a sheep. They are quick to fall down and find themselves cast down. They might fall into a little dip in the ground but because they wallow, twisting and rolling around in a pitiful state, they soon make a groove in the ground where they are literally stuck flat on their back. It is impossible for a cast down sheep to put themselves back upright. Another sheep can only nudge and “baa….a” at the fallen sheep. The shepherd is the only one that can bring the help that is needed and put them back on their feet again.

We can be so quick to baa…a at each other giving advice, judging and ridiculing one another that we make Job’s friends look good. All of our bleating and judging does no good to get them back on their feet. If we would just run to the good Shepherd on behalf of one another, we would be so much better for it.

The truth is we do have a panic button.

Call to Me and I will answer you and

tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know.

Jeremiah 33:3

We can push the call button at any moment and help is on the way. But let’s not forget to press the panic button for others that we see stuck in pain, grief, loneliness and destructive behaviors. Our prayers for one another are effective and can accomplish much. (James 5:16)

Prayer is one of the greatest ways we can Stand Shoulder to Shoulder.

Even when we are unable to sit for coffee or share a meal, we can intercede for one another. We can fight for truth. We can pray the Holy Spirit go to them and encourage them and lift up their heads. We can pray prayers of protection for one another and on and on it goes. Fill your lonely days with prayers for someone else. Before you know it, help has shown up and lifted you from your own pit.

Standing Shoulder to Shoulder

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that--whether I come and see you or whether I remain absent--I should hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, by contending side by side for the faith of the gospel. Phil. 1:27

I still remember standing at the stoplight waiting to cross over the street. As a young girl, probably five years old, I guess I was feeling especially grown up that day, because when my mama reached to take my hand, I jerked away. I took my own hand and with great self-confidence said, “I hold my own hand.” I did just that! I took one hand in the other, even swinging it the same as it felt when my mama held my hand. I’m sure she didn’t let me take off on my own, being certain to have a firm grip on my arm.

I have fought this independence all of my life. When I am quick to open my own door, carry my own load, and solve my own problems, my husband is quick to turn on his best little girl voice saying, “I’ll hold my own hand”. We all entered the world the same way, with the words, “I, me, mine” never having to be taught. The independent nature not only rolls off our lips, but also beckons us to jerk away from God and other’s to just do it my way.

For many, self-reliance was deeply ingrained convincing us that to need help was a sign of weakness. We stomp off into life, swinging our own hand and finding ways to do life alone.

There is a huge problem with this mode of living. God never intended us to do life alone. His plan has always been for us to live in total dependence on Him and function as an individual body part connected to the body of Christ. I am learning to love leaning into those that God has placed around me for His purposes.

The body of Christ is to function just like our physical bodies. Each part, each organ is dependent on the other to work properly. When one part of the body is out of sync, the entire body struggles. Our key verse speaks of standing firm with one spirit and one mind, side by side or shoulder to shoulder.

The Lord has made this very real to me through the years as He has shown me through personal experiences, the power of standing with one another. I have dropped my hand and allowed others to come alongside of me. Where I am weak, they cover me with their strengths. Where I am unequipped, they are equipped. When I am blind, they bring discernment. When I am crushed and broken, they bring wholeness. When I am tired and weary, they pick up the slack. When I am confused, they bring wisdom. When I’m waiting on God, they wait with me. When I need to talk, they listen. When I am easily distracted from the straight path, they speak truth.

How do we get there?

Shoulder to Shoulder

It’s not a program. It’s not a study. It is not a method. But it is an intentional decision to be connected with others for the Kingdom of God.

"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)

• Admit you need others in your life, because God said so.

• Drop your hand holding and extend it to others

• Invite a few others into your inner circle

• Meet regularly for encouragement and sharpening

Contact Touching Hearts to learn how to begin a Shoulder to Shoulder Group by emailing us at info@touchinghearts.tv.

"The Call to Stand"

“Put on God’s whole armor (the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies), that you may be able successfully to stand up against (ALL) the strategies and the deceits of the devil. “Eph. 6:11 AMP

While studying the armor of God found in Ephesians 6:10-18, the word “stand” continued to glare at me. The word stuck out like braille lettering created for those with no sight or low vision. It was as if God was saying, “It has always been here but you have not seen it. Pause and run your fingers across the word and understand what I am calling you to.”

After walking with God for over 50 years, I see that He speaks to me in patterns. When I hear it once, I take note, but when it comes in multiples I know He has an important message for me. Within 3 short but powerful verses, the word “stand” appears four times. Paul was calling us to a soldier stance, fully armed, equipped, and empowered to stand in the midst of any attack. Our key verse says that we can stand up against ALL the attacks and strategies of the enemy. The passage goes on to teach us how.

Stand up against all the strategies and deceits of the devil

Resist and Stand your ground

Stand firmly in your place

Stand therefore; hold your ground

Stand is more than a word; it is a call. Do you hear it? Will you answer?

This is not an impossible command, but possible through His mighty power that lives within all who are saved. We have been given authority and power to stand.

In 2017, I have answered the call not only to stand myself, but also to rally others together to stand. The church has been rocked to sleep. We have longed for and feasted on comfort food instead of power food. We have fainted when we should be brave and courageous. We have relaxed and settled in as if it is half time. We have turned a blind eye while the enemy has stolen from our marriages, our children and grandchildren, our finances and the fulfillment of God’s dreams. We have given the enemy access to everything that Jesus purchased for us. It is time for the church of Jesus Christ to Arise and Stand as the mighty army of the Lord. We must become enraged over the enemy’s fierce attempts and stand together fully armed.

If the verse is true, let’s move into action. Do I have any takers out there that want to stand in His mighty power and take back what the enemy has stolen? Do you know how Webster defines steal? To take (another person's property) without permission or legal right and without intending to return it.

No! He must return it because the blood of Jesus purchased it for us, His children. The enemy must loosen his grip as we put into action the power in prayer. “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7. This call requires a personal “YES” followed by action. I will not only read the word, or rub my fingers across the letters, but I will hear the call and I will arise and stand.

As we stand, others will come alongside us and “Stand Shoulder to Shoulder”. (Don’t miss next week’s blog!)

So what am I to do?

• Answer the call personally. As you have read these words I believe the Spirit has stirred hope and desire within your heart. Give a new surrendered “YES” to the Lord. Physically stand up and declare to the Lord you want to “STAND” in His mighty power as the army of the Lord.

• Women, you are invited to rally together with us for our Fayette County STAND CONFERENCE on April 22. (Details below)

• The “STAND” team would love the privilege of bringing the conference to your city. As you stand, will you help sound the trumpet with us? Please reply for more information.

• Read next weeks blog to learn another way to be a part of “STAND”

Click on picture for more information and to register