In my life of believing, learning, growing, and serving in Jesus Name, God gives me people to help me mature at different stages and phases of my life.  I thank God for those timely, specific people who seemed to know exactly what I needed to hear that helped me.  Like the iconic Mr. Rogers used to say, “Kids, look for the helpers” when troubles come.  That’s what I did most times.  But God knew who I needed even before I knew I would need them to help me through the next challenge, trouble or trail that would test my faith. That’s who God is—the Greatest Helper of all!

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2, ESV

I have also discovered that the people who I respected most for their wisdom, demeanor in troubles, insight in confusion, and understanding for others when broken and perplexed in life where those who had suffered greatly in their own lives in ways no one else knew.  I’m thinking of one of my most revered mentors right now.  I asked him privately one day how he got to be so wise, loving, and understanding. 

My great mentor of faith paused and then slowly related his painful past of being “given away” as a child because his parents could no longer afford feeding he and his brother.  He told of the day he was adopted by a couple; but was separated from his brother for years.  He felt rejected, alone, and unloved—until he met Jesus.  His adoptive parents led him to Jesus.  Later, he would accept God’s call to be a minister of the gospel that saved his life.  After years of being a pastor, he was then led to answering the call to be President of a Seminary that would train people to minister in Jesus Name for His glory.  Wow.  God knows how to pick people whose hearts are fully committed to Him, doesn’t He?  This man was a mentor to many!

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9, NIV

The mentors with the most wisdom and greatest help to others and myself have walked through pain with God helping them and they always give God the glory! Great men and women give credit to their mentors and helpers sent by God to them!  Great mentors truly know how you hurt and can feel your pain because they have previously traveled that road and learned great lessons that made their faith strong and their love consistently growing without conditions—taking on the character of Christ! People who know you are suffering have suffered themselves.

The greatest advice Randy and I received came from his dad when we were going through troubles that seemed unbearable at the time.  “Someday you will be able to help someone else going through the same.”  This quiet mentor of few words foretold our future as believers who would be later called of God to minister to others.

Paul reminds us that troubles and trials while living in this dark, imperfect world are to be expected.  “It’s part of our calling” to help people find Jesus as Savior and follow Him as Lord of their lives.  Our “calling” by God in Jesus Name will be in direct opposition to the enemy who still tries to distract, deceive, and deconstruct our faith with the goal to destroy our soul.  It’s in the job description as believers in Jesus!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”—Jesus, John 16:33

1 Thessalonians 3, The Message

^1-2 So when we couldn’t stand being separated from you any longer and could find no way to visit you ourselves, we stayed in Athens and sent Timothy to get you up and about, cheering you on so you wouldn’t be discouraged by these hard times. He’s a brother and companion in the faith, God’s man in spreading the Message, preaching Christ.

^3-5 Not that the troubles should come as any surprise to you. You’ve always known that we’re in for this kind of thing. It’s part of our calling. When we were with you, we made it quite clear that there was trouble ahead. And now that it’s happened, you know what it’s like. That’s why I couldn’t quit worrying; I had to know for myself how you were doing in the faith. I didn’t want the Tempter getting to you and tearing down everything we had built up together.

^6-8 But now that Timothy is back, bringing this terrific report on your faith and love, we feel a lot better. It’s especially gratifying to know that you continue to think well of us, and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you! In the middle of our trouble and hard times here, just knowing how you’re doing keeps us going. Knowing that your faith is alive keeps us alive.

^9-10 What would be an adequate thanksgiving to offer God for all the joy we experience before him because of you? We do what we can, praying away, night and day, asking for the bonus of seeing your faces again and doing what we can to help when your faith falters.

^11-13 May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus’ promise to always be with us stands firm today.  (Matthew 28:20) This war on earth has already been won by Jesus who defeated death and rose again, assuring all believers of eternal life.  (John 3:16)

Paul had mentors and was a mentor to many. Barnabas, named the “Encourager” stood by Paul in his early years of ministry for example and taught Paul how to encourage the church!  Timothy, a young man of strong faith was mentored by Paul who carried out the work when Paul could not.  We need each other.  When God sends people into our lives to love and help us—take notice and thank God for them!  Paul consistently gave thanks for all those God put in his life.

How can we give thanks to God, “what would be adequate,” writes Paul.  I am reminded of a song, (it’s who I am), from my past that comes to mind as I think of how God helps us—even in those times of despair when we feel “so undeserved” of His care.

How can I say thanks
For the things You have done for me?
Things so undeserved
Yet You gave to prove Your love for me
The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude
All that I am and ever hope to be
I owe it all to Thee

To God be the glory
To God be the glory
To God be the glory
For the things He has done…

(My Tribute, Sung by Andre Crouch and the Disciples)

Paul’s answer to his own question:  “Pray, then do what we can to help others…”  Best advice ever!

Lord,

Until you come again, our prayer this morning is Paul’s prayer for all believers:

May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen.  Yes!