{"id":1075,"date":"2024-07-08T04:53:03","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T04:53:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=1075"},"modified":"2025-12-15T20:36:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T20:36:08","slug":"in-over-your-head","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/in-over-your-head\/","title":{"rendered":"IN OVER YOUR HEAD"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In Over Your Head<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isaiah 43:1-3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTRODUCTION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, good morning everyone! So good to see you all here today. Thanks for making this service a part of your weekend plans. Let me also give a quick shout out to our online family <\/strong>and those worshiping with us on FB<\/strong> and YouTube<\/strong> and our Website<\/strong> and App<\/strong>. We are so glad you\u2019re with us!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, today it\u2019s an honor to have some of my family visiting with us (from Florida<\/strong> & Mississippi<\/strong>). My aunt Sharon<\/strong>, and my cousins Gay<\/strong> and April<\/strong>. They flew in for a girls weekend \u2014 and I hope they\u2019ve fallen in love with the Upstate of SC <\/strong>as much as we have. Would you join me in WELCOMING them today?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, this morning we\u2019re continuing our series \u2014 INTO THE WILD! <\/strong>Throughout scripture we find numerous examples of God<\/strong> meeting people in the midst of the wild. It was often (in the wild) that God<\/strong> would teach<\/strong>, test<\/strong>, and toughen-them-up<\/strong> to accomplish the things He\u2019s called them to do. Frequently He uses the wild to reveal to us Who He is \u2014 and why He can be trusted! And that\u2019s what I want to talk with you about today.<\/strong> I know I\u2019ve told you before, but as a boy<\/strong> \u2014 my family would pack-up our car and travel to the Western<\/strong> corner of North Carolina.<\/strong> We vacationed regularly in Bryson<\/strong> City<\/strong>. This trip was filled with camping, hiking, rafting <\/strong>and tubing<\/strong>.\u00a0It\u2019s a tradition that I\u2019ve tried to maintain with my family (as an adult)<\/em>. So, nearly every summer we take a drive to the mountains and make our way down to Deep Creek.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, Deep Creek <\/strong>isn\u2019t the biggest river, but it is lots of fun. Along with its 56 degree water<\/strong> (year around) if has several small water falls<\/strong> and great <\/strong>rapids. About<\/strong> half-way down<\/strong> the creek, the banks widen and the creek gets deep<\/strong>. As a kid, we just referred to this area as the swimming hole.\u00a0<\/strong>Well, a couple of years ago, I had taken my family and we were having fun. We had gone down the river several times that day\u2026and at one point, we drifted over to the bank<\/strong> just before that swimming hole.\u00a0<\/strong>And while sitting on our tubes<\/strong> at the water\u2019s edge<\/strong>, we noticed an empty tube float by. Well, a few moments later \u2014 we saw a woman follow<\/strong> (being carried by the water). She was clearly out of control and having a very difficult time fighting the rapids (especially without a tube).\u00a0That day the current was strong, the river was high, and the rocks were sharp<\/strong>.And, she just couldn\u2019t catch a break<\/strong>. Every time she would reach for a limb<\/strong>, or try to stand against the current, she would slip and fall, and the river just kept pushing her down stream<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, in time, she managed to take hold of a large rock,<\/strong> and eventually make her way to the side (out of the water)\u2026but not before being beaten by the jagged edges of many rocks<\/strong>. As she walked away, she carried with her \u2014 many cuts and large bruises\u2026as proof that\u2026for a brief moment, she was out of control and IN OVER HER HEAD!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s the thing, I\u2019ve lived long enough to discover that at times \u2014  life can become a lot like Deep Creek. <\/strong>And what might see like fun can quickly take a turn for the worst<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

King<\/strong> David<\/strong> once acknowledged that truth in Psalm 69:1<\/strong>,<\/em> when he said:\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSave me, O God, for the\u00a0waters\u00a0have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 69:1-2 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He seems to echo what could be called A THEOLOGY OF STRUGGLE.<\/strong> Something that each of us are keenly aware of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TRANSITION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, this morning, I want to talk to those who are maybe struggling<\/strong> a bit<\/strong>. Those who may need<\/strong> some<\/strong> help<\/strong>. Those who are feeling<\/strong> desperate<\/strong> \u2014 or maybe are fighting<\/strong> despair<\/strong>. If you\u2019ve ever wondered what to do when you\u2019re IN OVER YOUR HEAD<\/strong>, then this message is for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MESSAGE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have your Bible<\/strong>, I want to invite you to turn with me to Isaiah 43<\/strong>. As you do, I\u2019ll give you a little background. Again, we\u2019ll be in Isaiah 43.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The book of Isaiah<\/strong> was written by the Prophet<\/strong> Isaiah.<\/strong> He lived and served the people of Judah<\/strong>. Judah<\/strong> was to the smaller of the two nations that had formerly been known as Israel<\/strong>. Some years earlier, the 12 tribes of Israel <\/strong>experienced a civil war<\/strong> and divided into two states. 10 of the tribes<\/strong> (in the north<\/strong>) kept the name Israel<\/strong>, and 2 of the tribes <\/strong>(in the south<\/strong>) called themselves Judah<\/strong>. In time, the northern nation was defeated by the armies of Assyria<\/strong> (mostly because of their sin and rejection of God).<\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, Isaiah<\/strong> lived in the south<\/strong> and didn\u2019t want to see the same thing happen to Judah. So, he called them to repent of their sin \u2014 and live differently than their brothers to the north. <\/strong>But, in the end \u2014 that didn\u2019t happen. And they too were attacked<\/strong> and defeated<\/strong> and taken into captivity in Babylon<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, the first half <\/strong>of this book is really a warning \u2014 but the second ha<\/strong>lf, is about God\u2019s promise to watch<\/strong> over<\/strong> them<\/strong> and protect<\/strong> them<\/strong>\u2026and give them hope!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, in Isaiah 43<\/strong>, God<\/strong> speaks<\/strong> \u2014 and He reminds the people that even though they have been through a great struggle \u2014 better days are coming! So look with me at Isaiah 43<\/strong> \u2014 beginning with verse 1<\/strong>. Here Isaiah<\/strong> writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 <\/em><\/strong>But now, this is what the Lord says\u2014he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: \u201cDo not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.<\/em> 2 <\/em><\/strong>When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. <\/em>3<\/em><\/strong> For I am the Lord your God, the holy one of Israel, your Savior.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isaiah 43:1-3 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s been a lot of preaching<\/strong> (as well as many books written<\/strong>) that teach (falsely), that if you follow Jesus<\/strong>, then you\u2019ll never have to face pain or hardship in life. But, that wasn\u2019t true for Jesus<\/strong>, and it\u2019s not true for anyone who has chosen to follow Him. The truth is, as long as we live in a fallen world<\/strong>, we will always have problems.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, no one is exempt from the turbulent waters of life. <\/strong>No one. Not even the most righteous and faithful Christ-followed. Following Jesus<\/strong> doesn\u2019t provide you with immunity from troubles. But it does give you the opportunity to receive His grace<\/strong> and strength in the midst <\/strong>of your troubles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And according to Isaiah, <\/strong>when you are IN OVER YOUR HEAD<\/strong> \u2014 you can be certain of this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. GOD KNOWS YOU FULLY! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a wonderful and life-changing fact. GOD KNOWS YOU. <\/strong>He knows you better than you know yourself. And He loves you. He loves you deeply<\/strong>, personally<\/strong> and wholly<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so, He says \u2014 \u201cdon\u2019t be afraid\u2026because I know you!\u201d Literally, He knew you before anyone else \u2014 and knows you better than anyone ever will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people see God<\/strong> as a distant<\/strong> or apathetic<\/strong>. But that couldn\u2019t be further from the truth. God is intimately involved in our lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He didn\u2019t just create Adam<\/strong> and Eve<\/strong> \u2014 and then leave the rest to science; He personally designs and creates every single person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen to how David<\/strong> put it in Psalm 139<\/strong>. He says of God<\/strong>,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13<\/em><\/strong> For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother\u2019s womb. <\/em>14<\/em><\/strong> I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so, as the creator of life \u2014 He has a special and unique claim upon each of us. <\/strong>Listen again to the promise of verse 1. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But now, this is what the Lord says\u2014he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: \u201cDo not fear, for\u2026<\/em>I have summoned you by name<\/em>; <\/em>you are mine<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He testifies to knowing everyone in the family of Israel<\/strong>. But His knowledge far exceeds that nation \u2014 and extends to every person on the planet. Just as Godc<\/strong> knew them \u2014 He knows you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He knows you \u2014 and your name!<\/strong> And He won\u2019t forget it!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have to admit, I recognize the value in knowing someone\u2019s name. In fact, I work really hard to remember names. I\u2019m not always successful \u2014 and when I forget a name, I feel really bad. But, I try hard to remember names. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I make word associations <\/strong>\u2014 Like DAN the man<\/strong>! Or Starvin\u2019 Marvin<\/strong>! Dennis the Menace<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or I try to say a person\u2019s name in conversation \u2014 A LOT! That repetition helps me to lodged their name in my mind. Skip<\/strong>, I remember when I first met you, I tried to say your name over and over again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, this past week I had some meetings for our District school of Ministry<\/strong> in Detroit. <\/strong>If flew out early Monday<\/strong> morning. And when I arrived, I realized I didn\u2019t know anyone there! But that also meant they didn\u2019t know me. And they didn\u2019t know my name. And for a moment, I felt very alone.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not being known can be a hard thing! But being known changes everything!<\/strong>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And in Isaiah<\/strong>, God <\/strong>says \u2014 I KNOW YOU! I KNOW YOU FULLY! <\/strong>And, I KNOW YOUR NAME! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, more than that \u2014 He knows your heart.<\/strong> He knows your thoughts and your personalities. And your interests. He knows your strengths and weaknesses and struggles and fears. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

HE KNOWS YOU FULLY! <\/strong>And there\u2019s just something comforting about BEING<\/strong> KNOWN<\/strong>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He knows YOU<\/strong> apart from everyone else. He knows YOU<\/strong> apart from everyone else with the same name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you remember that passage in Psalms<\/strong> where the psalmist<\/strong> asks: “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is astonishing that the Creator of the universe<\/strong> would know us. And yet He does. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So He says, when you feel like you are IN OVER YOUR HEAD<\/strong>\u2026don\u2019t be afraid. Because, I know you!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GOD KNOWS YOU.<\/strong> But in addition to that \u2014 Isaiah<\/strong> says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. GOD CARES FOR YOU COMPLETELY.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are IN OVER YOUR HEAD<\/strong> \u2014 you need to be reminded that God<\/strong> is not just able<\/strong>, but interested<\/strong>, and willing<\/strong> to meet you where you are (and care for your every need<\/strong>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This includes the physical<\/strong> needs your facing. The financial<\/strong> needs which appear to be towering over you. It includes the guidance through relational<\/strong> stress and tension. And even the meeting of your emotional<\/strong> needs and mental<\/strong> well<\/strong>–being<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When life comes at you fast \u2014 and you find yourself IN OVER YOUR HEAD<\/strong>, you can be confident that GOD WILL CARE FOR YOUR EVERY NEED.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider the testimony of David<\/strong> \u2014 when he writes in Psalm 37:23-25<\/strong>,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

23<\/em><\/strong> The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; <\/em>24<\/em><\/strong> though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. <\/em>25<\/em><\/strong> I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 37:23-25 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having lived a long life\u2014and observed the constant care of God<\/strong> to His people<\/strong>, David<\/strong> says, \u201cI have never seen the righteous forsaken!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What a testimony!<\/strong> In all of His days, his observation was that GOD WAS good <\/strong>and attentive<\/strong> to the needs of His people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s what Isaiah<\/strong> speaks of in verse 1<\/strong>, when he reports that God<\/strong> has said \u2014 \u201cDo not fear, for I have redeemed you!\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then in <\/em>verse 3<\/em><\/strong>,<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/em>3<\/em><\/strong> For I am the Lord your God, the holy one of Israel, your Savior.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isaiah 43:1 & 3 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understand, when you are in OVER YOUR HEAD<\/strong>, God<\/strong> will care for your every need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You see, this is just God\u2019s<\/strong> way<\/strong> of reminding you that He is in charge<\/strong>. He\u2019s our protector<\/strong> and He\u2019s our provider<\/strong>. And He is always looking out for our best interest. Again, Isaiah<\/strong> writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But now, this is what the Lord says\u2014he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: \u201cDo not fear, for I have <\/em>redeemed<\/em><\/strong> you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isaiah 43:1 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

God says, \u201cFEAR NOT\u201d, or DON\u2019T BE AFRAID<\/strong>. You\u2019re not responsible for resolving all your problems on your own. He\u2019s saying, when you travel with me \u2014 I cover the bill.<\/strong> I\u2019m not going to abandon you.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understand, when you are in OVER YOUR HEAD<\/strong>, God<\/strong> will care for your every need. The greatest of which is your salvation \u2014 or REDEMPTION<\/strong> as Isaiah<\/strong> describes it here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The kind of redemption (that God<\/strong> is talking about), is the kind that pays the bill for another. It was the term used in the Old Testament when ONE FAMILY MEMBER<\/strong> would pay the debt to get ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER<\/strong> out of prison or bondage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s the thing, during the days of Isaiah\u2019s<\/strong> life \u2014 if a person was IN DEBT, OVER THEIR HEAD<\/strong>, they could be arrested and in-chained. Shackled<\/strong>, beaten<\/strong>, and thrown<\/strong> in<\/strong> jail<\/strong>. And there they\u2019d sit UNTIL<\/strong> they could pay off their debt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it doesn\u2019t take a genius to figure out that your can\u2019t earn a living in chains. So, this would be the END OF THE ROAD for you \u2014 unless\u2026unless\u2026you had a wealthy and generous relative! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If so, they could REDEEM<\/strong> you. Sort of BUYING YOUR FREEDOM.<\/strong> They could pay the price you owed. They could assume your debt \u2014 and you could be freed. REDEEMED<\/strong>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so, when God<\/strong> says \u2014 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026for I have <\/em>redeemed<\/em><\/strong> you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is looking forward and speaking prophetically about that day when He would send HIS SON<\/strong> to be the BENEVOLENT RELATIVE<\/strong> and pay the debt for our sin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so, as He acknowledges the reality that MOST<\/strong> of our problems is a result of OUR<\/strong> sin<\/strong> \u2014 God<\/strong> says, \u201cI\u2019ve already handled the payment for you!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Christ Jesus, God<\/strong> has paid the price for our sin \u2014 and bought us back. Making us His twice. <\/strong>Because, as our CREATOR<\/strong>, He owns the rights to our lives. But as our Redeemer, <\/strong>He owns the rights to our lives again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, \u2014 His ownership is personal<\/em><\/strong> because He says I have called you by your name<\/strong>. But, His ownership is certain<\/em><\/strong> because He seals the deal by DECLARING \u201cYou are mine\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think God<\/strong> reminds us of this so often throughout the Bible, because we often forget it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this is critical to living a life of faith. If you\u2019re going through a storm in life \u2014 it may seem like your world is sinking fast in the deep waters of life. But if you\u2019ll confidently PUT YOUR TRUST IN GOD, HE\u2019LL care for you. Because, <\/strong>He\u2019s not going to neglect the INVESTMENT He\u2019s made into our lives. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

God<\/strong> cares for you! Don\u2019t<\/strong> forget<\/strong> this<\/strong>. God<\/strong> cares for you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, while the overwhelming floods of your life may feel like they are consuming you \u2014 they are not. They cannot defeat<\/strong> you<\/strong> and destroy<\/strong> you<\/strong>. Because as a believer in Christ<\/strong>, He can take the worst part of your life<\/strong> and use it for your good. (Romans 8:28<\/strong> \u2014 \u201c\u2026in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who<\/em>[<\/em>i<\/em>]<\/em> have been called according to his purpose\u201d<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, while the waters may rise<\/strong>, and they may spray you<\/strong>, they may even soak you<\/strong> to the bone. In the end, they will not destroy you<\/strong>!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, when you feel like your IN OVER YOUR HEAD<\/strong>, Isaiah<\/strong> says\u2026GOD KNOWS YOU FULLY.<\/strong> And GOD CARES FOR YOU COMPLETELY.<\/strong> And lastly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. GOD ABIDES WITH YOU CONTINUOUSLY!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He will ALWAYS<\/strong> be with you! So, if you are IN OVER YOUR HEAD<\/strong>, you\u2019re not alone. He\u2019s there with you! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s one thing to deal with water levels rising above your head, it\u2019s another when you encounter rivers that want to sweep you away alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some rivers flow with such force that they can sweep you away <\/strong>before you realize it. In those moments \u2014 God<\/strong> reminds you, HE IS WITH YOU!<\/strong> Always and forever! Listen to verse 2<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

God doesn\u2019t promise that there won\u2019t be floods or fires.  But when there are \u2014 He will be with us.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He will be with you through it all \u2014 good, bad, and indifferent<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isaiah\u2019s<\/strong> first<\/strong> audience<\/strong> would have understood this. Because they had faced the hopelessness <\/strong>of the RED SEA,<\/strong> and yet \u2014 God<\/strong> MADE A WAY<\/strong> for them through it (separating the waters and allowing them to cross on dry ground). And they would have remembered the stories of the JORDAN RIVER<\/strong> at flood stage, when God<\/strong> stopped the river from flowing so they could cross into the promised land safely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again and again, God<\/strong> proved His promise to be true \u2014 HE WAS WITH THEM<\/strong>. And so He is with you! So, understand \u2014 there\u2019s no where you can go, that God<\/strong> isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014He\u2019s with you in your home.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014He\u2019s with you on your job.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014He\u2019s with you when you walk the road.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014He\u2019s with you when you get up in the morning<\/strong> \u2014 and when you lie down at night.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014He\u2019s with you when you\u2019re happy and when your sad.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014He\u2019s with you when you\u2019re gripped with fear \u2014 and when you\u2019re not.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014He\u2019s with you when you\u2019re well, and he\u2019s with you when your sick.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014He\u2019s with you when you\u2019re weary and tired.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014He\u2019s with you when you <\/strong>do<\/strong> good<\/strong> and when you <\/strong>do<\/strong> bad<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014He\u2019s with you when life is easy <\/strong>\u2014 and when it\u2019s hard.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014He\u2019s with you everywhere, and at all times \u2014 and most importantly, He\u2019s with you now!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As David<\/strong> testifies in Psalm 23:4 <\/strong>(NASB)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 23:4 (NASB)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What an awesome reminder of God\u2019s abiding, comforting, strengthening presence <\/strong>with us! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, don\u2019t despair. Hold on to hope \u2014 and remember, God is with you <\/strong>ALWAYS<\/strong>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Closing:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we prepare to close this morning\u2026I want to go back to the very first thing<\/strong> we discovered in this passage. And it\u2019s this \u2014 GOD KNOWS YOU! He knows your name.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s amazing. But maybe the bigger question is \u2014 DO YOU KNOW HIM? Do you know His name. <\/strong>Have you become fully acquainted with HIM?<\/strong> That\u2019s what SALVATION<\/strong> is all about! That\u2019s where hope is found\u2026when you put your faith<\/strong> in Jesus<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s what Peter<\/strong> described in Acts 4:12<\/strong>, when he said: \u201cFor there is no other name under heaven <\/em>given to mankind<\/em> by which we must be saved.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s because \u2014 His Name is life<\/strong>. His name is love<\/strong>. His name is hope<\/strong>. His name a salvation<\/strong>\u2026and redemption<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, have you put your faith in Him? Are you living for Him? Do you trust Him?  If not, then what are you waiting on? Put your faith in Jesus<\/strong> \u2014 and then look to Him <\/strong>for help when life gets tough. The writer of Hebrews<\/strong> put it this way:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SALVATION: <\/strong>If you\u2019d like to put your faith in Christ today \u2014 and experience salvation<\/strong> for yourself, then pray with me<\/strong>\u2026right where you are. Pray with me<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heavenly<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>Father<\/em><\/strong>, I admit that I am a sinner and I\u2019ve made many mistakes in my life. Too often, I\u2019ve chosen my way over yours. But <\/em>all that changes today<\/em>. Because, I believe in Your Son, Jesus. I believe that He came from Heaven to earth to pay for my sin. I believe He died on the cross, shed His blood, was put in a grave \u2014 and rose again. So, today \u2014 I put my faith in Him. <\/em>Forgive me of my sin<\/em><\/strong>. Save me and give me new life in you forever. I pray this in Jesus name, Amen. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen, if you prayed today and made a decision to follow Jesus \u2014 would you let us know? Stop by Guest Services in the foyer, and pick up your free gift today.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, I realize that some of you may feel like you\u2019re IN OVER YOUR HEAD<\/strong> today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe you feel like your life is falling apart<\/strong>. Or\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe you\u2019re sick<\/strong> and need to be healed<\/strong>. Or\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe you\u2019re afraid<\/strong> and need some<\/strong> courage<\/strong> today. Or\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe you\u2019re weak<\/strong> and need to be strengthened<\/strong>. Or\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe you\u2019re grieving<\/strong> and need to be comforted<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If that\u2019s you, and you\u2019d like prayer \u2014 then stand with me, and let me pray over you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CLOSING PRAYER:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lord, I choose to trust you in this season. In the midst of my struggle \u2014 and pain, I trust in you! Thank You for your promise to <\/em>KNOW<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>ME<\/em><\/strong> and <\/em>CARE<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>FOR<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>ME<\/em><\/strong>\u2026and <\/em>STAND<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>WITH<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>ME<\/em><\/strong>! Meet me at the point of my <\/em>pain<\/em><\/strong>, and give me <\/em>hope<\/em><\/strong>? <\/em>Heal<\/em><\/strong> me, <\/em>encourage<\/em><\/strong> me, <\/em>strengthen<\/em><\/strong> me, and <\/em>comfort<\/em><\/strong> me \u2014 as I trust in you! <\/em>I<\/em>n <\/em>Jesus<\/em><\/strong> name, amen!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BENEDICTION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once again, as we end this morning \u2014 I want to send you out with a benediction, or blessing,<\/strong> based off of the passage we\u2019ve studied this morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

May you go today in the strength of the Lord.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

May you be emboldened by His promises<\/strong> to always love<\/strong> you, care<\/strong> for you, and remain<\/strong> with you. May you overcome fear with faith<\/strong>, and may the peace of God<\/strong>, which surpasses all understanding, guard your heart and mind<\/strong> in Christ Jesus<\/strong>. Amen!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In Over Your Head Isaiah 43:1-3 INTRODUCTION: Well, good morning everyone! So good to see you all here today. Thanks for making this service a …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1075","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1075","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1075"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1075\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2666,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1075\/revisions\/2666"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1075"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}