"Comparing God To Man"

"O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.  But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth".  Psalm 86:14,15

Men/people won't always be kind and good to you.  They will rise up against you.  They will talk about you.  They will try to hurt you.  They will plot against you.  They will try to take advantage of you.  They may attack you-- your character, your possessions or even physically.  There are some who are out to do you harm.  They will mistreat you and abuse you.  The Psalmist learned that very well.  But he also learned something else.

He learned that while men were violent, uncaring and destructive, God was a good God who was full of compassion and mercy.  He learned that God would not treat him in such a way.  He knew he could always count on God to treat him fairly, even when he would fall or fail. 

I am thankful that God is not like man.  You don't have to wonder or worry about Him.  When people hate me, I know He still loves me.  When all forsake me, I know that He is still with me.  When there are those who try to do me harm, I know that He will only do good to me.  When there are those who are against me, I know He is for me.

So many people become "anti-God" because they equate Him to people.  They equate Him to an abusive father, to an unfaithful spouse, to a violent person they know, to the Christian who is a hypocrite, and so on.  But He is NOT at all like us.  He is not at all like any person we would dare to compare Him to-- good or bad.  He is God-- not man.  He is the Creator-- not the creation.  He is love-- not emotions running wild. 

Have you defined Him, acquainted Him with or looked at Him like you do some person?  Then you are seeing Him incorrectly.  He is in a "class" all by Himself.

Have a great day.  You can't compare God to men and get a true picture of who He is.   
 

"True Adversaries"

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive".  Genesis 50:20

Joseph said that his brothers thought- and did- evil against him.  He didn't say the devil did it.  We often say the devil is the one that does evil things against us.  True, he comes to steal, kill and destroy.  He plots and devises schemes.  He looks for opportunities to convince and inspire men to be the instrument to carry out his plans against us.  But the devil is not always behind every evil thing that is done against us.  The Bible says that the heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked.  We do have real, flesh and blood enemies.  The wicked plot against the just.  Men do evil when their hearts are evil.  The heart of man has to be regenerated by the power of the blood of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  Jesus said for us to "love our enemies".  We know He wasn't talking about loving Satan.  He was talking about loving those who are against us; those whom the wickedness in their hearts is compelling them to act in a harmful manner against us.  So, Joseph was correct when he said his brothers acted in an evil way against him.

Even though we have real flesh and blood enemies, take note.... if God be for you, who can be against you?  Although the brothers hated Joseph, although they plotted against him, although they did an evil thing to him, God was still with Joseph.  He did not let them succeed in their evil plan.  They wanted to kill him.  God made sure they didn't.  God watched over Joseph.  God delivered Joseph from their desires.  God preserved Joseph.

This is a lesson and encouragement to us.  The devil is out to destroy us, and he will use any means he can-- material things, dark places, addictions, sickness, even family, friends and good people.  But also remember that there are wicked people who are out to destroy us.  But never forget that if you are in God's hands, then what they mean for evil, God will work out for good and the evil that they intended to do to you will not prosper.

Have a great day.  You do have adversaries, the devil and wicked people.  But God is for you and their weapons will not prosper against you.  

"Deliverance In Darkness"

"And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord".  Exodus 14:10

The children of Israel had just left Egypt and were heading into the land that the Lord had promised to give them.  They ran upon an obstacle-- the Red Sea.  If that wasn't enough, they looked behind them and there was Pharaoh and his army pursuing after them.  Talk about being in an impossible situation.  Talk about looking hopeless.  They thought they were either going to drown or be destroyed by the sword.  There was no escape.  Or so they thought.

God made a way.  God delivered them.  God came to their rescue.  God gave them a miracle.  God saved them.  He not only removed the sea that was standing before them, but He also destroyed the army that was pressing in behind them. 

You may feel like your situation is so dark that there is no light anywhere.  You may feel as if what you are going through is going to consume you and take your life.  You may feel like there is no hope, no way, no deliverance.  Listen to the word that the Lord wants to speak to you this morning.  It is the same word He gave to the Israelites.  (Exodus 14:13) "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord".  He fulfilled it to them; He will do the same for you.  This darkness will pass.  He will overcome it on your behalf, and you will be doing what they did afterwards-- singing songs of praise to God for His mighty protection, salvation and deliverance! "Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea". (Exodus 15:1)

Have a great day.  It may look dark now, but God will bring deliverance.   

"Filled For A Purpose"

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth".  Acts 1:8

When Jesus left the earth, He promised that He would send the Comforter to be with us-- the Holy Spirit.  He told us what the Sprit would do in our lives and why we needed Him.  He told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit.  Receiving Him endowed them with power.  That power was two-fold.  It was an empowerment to live the Christian life and be transformed into the image of Christ.  The second was to be empowered to be a witness for Jesus and the Kingdom of God. 

My question to those of us who say we are "Sprit-filled" is-- why are we Spirit-filled if we aren't going to be led by Him to reach the world for Jesus?

Many people stop with the first reason-- the more personal one.  They are allowing the Spirit to do a work in them, but they are not allowing Him to move through them to reach others for Christ. 

We have been empowered to be able to witness to others.  He desires to work through us to reach the lost for Christ.  He has given us gifts of the Spirit that will show the world that He is real, powerful and worthy of being served.  He has empowered us to lay hands on the sick and see them recover.  He has anointed us by His Spirit to do miracles, signs and wonders so that Jesus is exalted before men.  The Spirit's work in our lives is in order to convince the world and convict the sinner of who Jesus is.  So, my question again is-- Why aren't we letting Him move through us?  Why are we "keeping Him in a box"?  Why are we confining Him to one role only?

Have a great day.  Why are you Spirit-filled if you are not going to let the Spirit do through you the thing that He has filled you for?

"Real Peace"

"Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."  Psalm 119:165

When we feel stressed out, tried, weary, overwhelmed by life, we will go to great lengths and take all kinds of measures to try to regain and restore that peace.  We will spend money on all sorts of remedies.  We will go to the doctor and get a prescription to calm our "nerves".  We will take a nap.  We will get a drink.  We will take a trip.  We will engage in some sort of entertaining activity.  We will go for a long walk.  We will try to get away from reality for a while.  If we think it will help, we will do it.  But we will neglect to do the one thing that will ensure that peace---- Go to God's word.  We will totally neglect it or use it as a last resort.   

For some reason we don't think that His word is what we really need.  Evidently, we don't think that it is as powerful as the other things we are willing to try.  If we did, we would go to it.  If we did, we would take the time to read it.  If we did, we would sit down with it and "bathe" our heart, mind and emotions in it and let it wash away all the mental clutter, confusion, frustration, anxiety, worry and emotional fatigue. 

Before you totally neglect His word and put all your hope in some other alternative, that only brings temporary relief, remember this:  His word is life.  His word is peace.  His word brings hope.  His word is trustworthy.  His word is powerful.  His word is Him.  It is His very breath, heart, love, grace and will.  He is the Living Word.  He is the Prince of Peace.  He is the glory and the lifter of your head.  He is Grace; therefore, He gives grace over every trying thing that wants to steal your peace. 

Do you want real peace?  Do you want just momentary peace?  Do you want just some peace?  Or do you want great and sustaining peace?  Remember, great peace comes as you love His word and loving it means you read it, study it, embrace it, hide it in your heart and do it. 

Have a great day.  Do you want peace?  Real peace?  Then you will find it in God's word.   
 

"Storms Have Purpose"

"And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?"  Mark 4:38

Storms in life are a given.  They are unavoidable.  We have to go through them sometimes.  Remember, Jesus sent His disciples out to sea knowing a storm was coming. 

Storms do three things: 
1)  They test our reactions.  They test what we are made of.  They expose what is inside of us.  The disciples reacted in fear, doubt and unbelief.  The storm exposed the fear that was hidden in their hearts.  It exposed their lack of faith in Jesus and His word.  They had heard Him preach and teach.  They had seen Him heal the sick and cast out devils.  He had already told them that would do the same in His name.  But then the storm came and they were tested.  Their hearts were tested, not just their intellect. 

2)  Storms also reveal our trust in the Lord.  The disciples got in the storm and didn't trust His word-- His word that they were going to the other side; not that they were going to drown in the sea.  They didn't trust His presence that was with them to keep them safe.  They didn't trust His love for them.  Instead, they believed He didn't care.  They trusted Him enough to get in the boat but not enough to keep them safe in the boat.  Sound familiar?  We trust Him until it gets rough.      

3)  Storms give us a revelation of who Jesus really is.  "And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (Mark 4:41)  Again, they had seen the miracles He had performed.  They had seen the devils bow down and submit to His authority.  They had heard Him teach with an anointing and authority that the other teachers of the day did not have.  But when they saw His power demonstrated in the storm they marveled and became afraid because they realized this was no ordinary man. 

Are you in a storm?  You may have to "ride it out".  It may not go away quickly.  But let the storm cause you to take inventory and see what is in you.  Let it take you into a whole new level of trust in the Lord.  Let it give you a fresh revelation of Who Jesus is, and through that revelation give you peace to weather the storm and go through it to the other side.  It is possible when you realize exactly Who is in the storm with you.

Have a great day.  Storms serve a purpose in our lives.  Therefore, sometimes we just have to go through them.   
 

"Follow The Instructions"

"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye".  Psalm 32:8

I don't care how old you are, how well educated you are or how much you think you know, we all need instructions from time to time.  Practically everything we purchase or have to assemble come with instructions.  When we try to get information concerning a service we have, get through to our doctor, check on our banking, we have to follow the instructions given to us by the automated menu.  Those instructions are meant to help us. 

This world is full of instructions to help us navigate through it.  By the same token in order for us to be successful in our spiritual life God has given us instructions as well.  If we heed and follow those instructions, we will do well.  We will be victorious, we will walk in abundant life, we will run the race with the strength and endurance that we need.  But on the other hand, if we neglect to heed and follow the Lord's instructions we will struggle, we will fall short, we will not be successful, we will miss out.  It won't be God's fault.  We can't blame Him.  He has given us the instructions that we need to make it through whatever situation we are facing.  If we don't follow them, it will be our fault when things go poorly.   

I know people who try to assemble something without ever reading the instructions-- perhaps you are one of them.  When they think they can do it without the instructions, they mess up.  They have left over parts.  The thing is lopsided.  It isn't sturdy.  It has to be redone.  The same principle applies in dealing with the spiritual life.  If you are wondering why things aren't working out.  If you are wondering why you aren't victorious.  If you are wondering why things are always going wrong and never seems to get any better.  Perhaps it is because you are trying to do it without reading the instructions and following what the Creator says to do.

Have a great day.  You can't make it through life or have a successful spiritual life without reading, heeding and following the Lord's instructions.  
 

"Keep Your Bags Packed"

"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh".

We are looking for the Lord's return.  By the signs of the time, it won't be long.  But also, because He hasn't return yet many are getting careless and have stopped planning for and watching for His return.  They are busy with the cares of this life.  They are consumed with the pleasures of this world.  They are taking care of the flesh and natural man and are neglecting the spiritual one.  They have stopped looking for Him to come because they have heard so much that says it will be soon but don't see the evidence of it.  They protest that they have heard it for so long, but it has not happened so why believe and watch for it.  According to the Bible, this is another sign that His return is soon to come. (2 Peter 3:4)

The key to this verse is "be ready".  It doesn't say to get ready then forget about it.  It doesn't say to only think about getting ready.  Since we don't know when His return will be, we are to get ready and stay ready.  In times past when a woman was pregnant you never heard much about their labor being induced.  We all just went to have the baby when the pains hit us, and the baby was ready to come on its own.  Therefore, the closer it got to our due date we would make preparation and have our "hospital/baby" bag packed and ready to go.  Once we packed it, we didn't unpack it.  It stayed packed and ready to go with us at all times because we had no idea when it might be time to go to the hospital.  That time could come during the day or the middle of the night.  It didn't matter, that bag stayed packed and in an easily accessible place. 

In this same way, we have to make sure our "bags" are packed and we are ready to go regardless of when the time of Christ's return takes place.  If we are ready, we have nothing to worry about.  If we are watching, if we are looking, if we are living in expectation of His return, we have nothing to worry about, we will be prepared for that time regardless of when it comes. 

Are you "packed and ready" to go when He returns?  Were you "packed" but have unpacked a few things?  Have you stopped watching and waiting for His return?  Have you neglected the fact that He will return again--- it could be today?  Are you ready?  And are you staying ready?  If not, get ready and don't let anything hinder you from staying ready.... for in the time when you think not, He will return.  Let Him find you ready.

Have a great day.  Are your "bags packed" and ready to go should the Lord return today?
 

"Able To See Spiritually"

"And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.  And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha".  2 Kings 6:16,17

There are several things about this story that I notice.  One is that it is a comfort.  How comforting to know that even when we don't see it with the natural eyes God is right there with us and has His heavenly host encamped around us.  The other thing is something that amazes me. It amazes me that this Old Testament prophet who is still under the Law, who is under the old covenant, who has the Spirit only upon him was able to see so clearly into the spiritual realm.  He did not have the kingdom residing in him.  He did not have the Holy Spirit indwelling him at all times.  Yet he saw so clearly.

The thing that amazes me most is that we now have the Holy Spirit abiding in us.  We have the kingdom of God within us.  We are heirs of the new covenant, a better covenant.  We are not under the Law but under Grace.  So, why can't we see into the spiritual realm?  Why is it we aren't more discerning?  Why are we blind to spiritual things?  Why are we more like the servant who didn't see, than the prophet who did?

I believe it comes down to how much we "walk" in the spirit.  How much attention do you give to spiritual things?  How worldly and materially minded are you?  How God focused are you?  Are you seeking the Kingdom of God?  Do you desire to see past this natural realm and into the things of God?  This servant walked after the "natural" life.  He lived only in what he saw with the natural eye.  The prophet lived the "spiritual" life.  He lived in what God saw-- from God's perspective. 

Which of these two defines you?  Are you content with walking after the natural course of things?  Are you desirous to see great and mighty things?  Are you wanting what is on the surface or to go deeper?  Do you want to continually walk by sight?  Or do you want to live by faith?  The choice is yours.  The ability and possibility have been given to you by the Lord.  It is all a matter of how much you desire it and are willing to press in to receive it.  The scripture says that if we are willing and obedient we will eat the good of the land. (Isaiah 1:19)  If you are willing and obedient to do what you need to do-- seek, press, pray, draw near, study, move, get out of your comfort zone, trust the Lord, lay aside what hinders you-- then you too will "eat the good of the spiritual land" by having a deeper spiritual understanding of spiritual things. 

Have a great day.  Are you desirous to see spiritual things?  Or are you content to see only with the natural eyes?   

 

"Be Prosperous"

"And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper".  2 Chronicles 26:5

When we think of the word prosperous, we think primarily in monetary terms.  There are so many more ways of being prosperous than just financially or economically.  John wrote, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (3 John 1:2) This prosperity had to do with being successful in your journey and along the way. 

There is a sure way to have prosperity in our lives.  It is found in the verse above.  "As long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper".  Prosperity comes, not as we go and do things on our own, or lean to our own understanding, or set our own course or own course of action.  It comes as we seek the Lord continually asking for His guidance, direction and wisdom.  Then it comes as we obey and follow His direction and instructions.  

Have a great day.  May you have a prosperous life. But true prosperity comes as you seek the Lord in all your ways and allow Him to guide you.  
  

"Not Too Old"

"They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing."  Psalm 92:14

How many times have you heard someone say, "It is too late for me.  I am too old."?  Perhaps you have said it yourself.  We tend to think that when we get older, we are too old for the Lord to use us, to fulfill dreams, to be of any service or value. 

When we look through the scriptures, we see that the Lord has used many young people to do His work and accomplish His plan. He crowned Josiah to be king over Israel when he was only eight years old.  He chose a young virgin to give birth to His Son Jesus.  He used a young Timothy to pastor a church.  He anointed David to be king of Israel when he was still a young shepherd boy.  But God is not a respecter of persons.  He looks for willing hearts and yielded vessels regardless of age, gender, education, position, financial status, etc. 

God used Moses to lead His people out of Egyptian bondage at the age of eighty until he was one hundred and twenty years old.  Caleb fought a battle and took possession of a mountain that was promised to him when he was between eighty and ninety years old.  Elizabeth was old and pass the childbearing age when she gave birth to John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ.  Sarah gave birth to the son of promise when she was around ninety years of age.  These are only a few that the Bible tells us about. 

The point this morning is this-- you are never too old for the Lord to use you to accomplish the task that He has called you to.  You are never too old to not fulfill His plan for your life.  It is never too late.  Age doesn't matter to the Lord.  He chooses young and old alike.  Stop letting the devil convince you that you are too old.  Stop letting other people intimidate you and make you think that your best days are past and you are of no use.  Stop letting society label you as too old and unable.  Don't let the weakness of your own body determine God's plan for you.  It is God's calling, it is God's plan, it is God's work, it is God's will and He can call and equip whoever He chooses to do it. 

Have a great day.  It is not too late.  You are not too old to do what God has planned for and designed you to do.     

"Protect Valuable Things"

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy..."  John 10:10a

We all decide for ourselves what is valuable and the things we treasure most.  For some it is money.  For others it is a family heirloom or some other material object.  For some a relationship, family or friends are what is most valuable.  At any rate, the things that we think are the most valuable, we aren't careless with.  We take care of them and take care to make sure they are safe and secure.  To take care of our valuable possessions we purchase safes, rent a deposit box or have a secret hiding place for them.  But what about the things that are truly valuable?  What do we do to secure them and make sure they aren't stolen from us?

I am talking about eternal things.  I am talking about the things that deal with your soul.  Those things are peace, joy, holiness, godliness, contentment, love, etc.  What are you doing to ensure that the thief doesn't steal them from you?  What are you doing to ensure that the circumstances and cares of this life aren't robbing them from you?  The first thing you have to do is decide just how valuable they really are to you.  If they are, then you have to decide to protect them.  That means you can't be careless or casual with them.  You have to guard them.  

How do we do that?  You can't put peace in a vault.  You can't place joy in a lock box.  No, but you can still protect it.  The way you protect them is through the Word of God.  Keep your mind renewed in God's Word.  That way when the enemy comes to steal it you will recognize him and have the weapon to fight him with.  Keep on the full armor of God.  Wear it always and the enemy will have a hard time "penetrating" through it to get to your treasure.  Keep your heart and mind fixed and stayed on spiritual things-- things above.  Stay full of the Holy Spirit, who will make you aware when the enemy is sneaking around trying to steal.  And He will give you the needed strategy to defeat him. 

The bottom line is you have to decide how truly valuable these spiritual things-- these gifts from God-- are to you.  Then you have to decide to protect them.  Then you have to do whatever it takes to make sure they are protected and not allow anything to steal them from you.

Have a great day.  Just how valuable are spiritual things in your life?  If they are, are you doing everything necessary to insure they are protected?    

"Use More Effort"

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."  Matthew 7:7

Occasionally I will do some painting in my house.  I usually use the kind of paint that just washes off with water.  Once, though, in a particular room I had to use an oil-base primer.  (I think I got as much on me as I did on the walls.)  When I get paint on myself, I am accustomed to just going to the bathroom and using soap and water to get the paint off, but not in this case.  Soap and water didn't work.  It took something extra.  It took more effort on my part to get clean.  I had to use a paint thinner and "wash" in it. 

There are times, and situations, in our lives when it is going to take a little more than just simply "asking" God for an answer.  Sometimes we are going to have to go a little deeper and a little further.  We are going to have to do more than just ask.  We are going to have to seek.  Seeking involves putting forth more effort and continuing until you find the answer that is needed.  Knocking involves even more effort.  Knocking is more serious petitioning. When we knock, we are determined to stay there in prayer until the door/answer is opened.

We are so used to having everything quickly, easily and without much effort on our part.  But prayer isn't always like that.  It involves more than just the simple way.  But if the prayer is worth praying and the need is worth the answer, we need to learn to go the extra mile in prayer, take the longer path, persevere and stick with it until the answer comes.  Don't give up or quit until you have not only asked but sought and knocked to get your answer. 

Have a great day.  Prayer is not always as simple as just asking.  Sometimes it involves more effort on our parts.   
 

"Who Accepted Who?"

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out".  John 6:37

When we get saved, we say that we accepted Jesus as our Savior.  It would be more correct to say that He accepted us instead.  We don't "accept" Him.  We put our faith in Him as Savior.  We come to Him in faith believing that what He did at the cross was the way for us to be saved.  "We are saved by grace through faith".  We are only saved when the Father accepts us and says that we are.

The story of the prodigal son is one that shows us the plan of salvation.  It shows a lost son who repents and goes to his father for forgiveness and restoration.  When the prodigal son finally came to himself and got up out of the pigpen, he decided to go back to his father's house and see if he would make him a servant.  The father did not make him a servant; he welcomed him back as a son.  The father could have rejected him.  The father could have made him a hired hand.  The decision was all in the father's hand.  The outcome would have been whatever the father decided.

The outcome as to our salvation is strictly in the Heavenly Father's hands.  He decides and chooses to accept or reject us.  When we come to Him in faith through His Son Jesus, we have the assurance that He will accept us.  But if we come to Him any other way-- good deeds, religious adherence, to make a show, through pride or arrogance-- He will reject us.   

So, when we get saved, it is because the Father loves us so much.  It is because He sent His Son to make a way.  It is because He drew us by His Spirit to repentance.  He saved us by accepting us.  In the Old Testament they brought an offering to Him.  He either accepted or rejected their offering.  It hasn't changed.  We still bring Him an offering.  Only our offering is not a lamb, a goat or a bull.  Our offering is us, given to Him in faith.  So, if we are saved it is because He accepted our offering-- our faith. 

Have a great day.  We aren't saved because we accepted Him, we are saved because He accepted us. 

Psalm 51:16-18; 40:6
Ephesians 2:8

"We Can't Help Ourselves"

"And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."  Luke 18:27

We have all heard it said, "The Lord helps those who help themselves".  This is not a scripture, and it is not even true.  The truth is that the Lord helps those who can't help themselves. Man was hopelessly lost because of his rebellion against God and unable to "help" himself out of his sinful lost condition.  So, God helped us and offered us hope and salvation by sending His Only Begotten Son into the world to save us from our sins... because we couldn't save ourselves.

God required a sacrifice for our sins.  He is a holy God and in order to come into His presence there has to be a sacrifice.  The whole Old Testament taught us that there weren't enough sacrifices, even offerings, even obedient acts that we could do that would save us.  It taught us that it was impossible for us to "help" ourselves have a relationship with God and eternal life on our own. 

Since we couldn't "help" or "save" ourselves, God sent us a gift that would.  That gift came wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.  It was a gift.  It was freely given.  We didn't earn it.  We didn't work for it.  We didn't deserve it.  It wasn't something He gave us as a little extra help to what we were already doing. 

A virgin (Mary) could not get pregnant on her own.  It took God intervening and opening her womb and planting the "seed" (the Savior) in there.  Neither can we save ourselves on our own.  Neither can we help ourselves and make it possible for us to be saved on our own.  It takes God.  Without Him it is impossible for us to do-- no matter how hard we try, or how much we help ourselves.

Have a great day.  We couldn't help ourselves, so God sent the gift of His Son to help us and save us.