Friday, April 26, 2013

7 Steps to Overcoming Worry

WORRY IS A CHOICE…SO I CHOOSE NOT TO WORRY BUT TRUST! 


1.  I WILL NOT WORRY… ABOUT NEEDS  BECAUSE  GOD WILL PROVIDE!
Matthew 6:25 (NIV) 
    "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food and the body more important than clothes?



2.  I WILL NOT WORRY… ABOUT WHAT COULD HAPPEN TOMORROW!
Matthew 6:34 (NIV) 
    "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”


TODAY IS THE TOMORROW YOU WORRIED ABOUT YESTERDAY”


3.   I WILL NOT WORRY... ABOUT OTHERS SINS BEFORE CHECKING MYSELF! 
Matthew 7:3 (NIV) 
“Why do you look (worry) at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"



4.  I WILL NOT WORRY... ABOUT BEING FALSELY ACCUSED!
Matthew 10:19 (NIV) 
    “But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say”




5.  I WILL NOT WORRY… ABOUT THE  CARES OF LIFE AND NEGLECT THE GOSPEL!
Matthew 13:22 (NIV)
    “The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.”



6.  I WILL NOT WORRY… ABOUT SUFFERING AS A CHRISTIAN!
1 Peter 3:14 (NIV) 
    But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't be afraid and don't worry



7.  I WILL NOT WORRY… ABOUT DEATH!
Matthew 6:27 (NLT) 
    “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”
 

Hebrews 2:14-15 (NIV)
“Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity sot that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death..that is the devil. 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”

 
 
What Jesus is saying is that:
  • even though the storms come…
  • even though the winds blow…
  • even though the rains fall…
You can have peace!


"Ain't No Need to Worry" by the Winans with Anita Baker

Monday, April 22, 2013

When God Says..."YO"!

I believe being a "hardhead" is a chronic illness in America today.  Unfortunately, this is especially true even among Christians!  In fact, I'm pressed to believe that if the Lord Himself, was standing in front of us, giving specific instructions on living the Christian life, many of us still would not listen!

We live in a world where "knowing it all" is worn as a badge of honor!  We will stand for anything, and fall for everything, simply because of a hard head!  When we make a mistake, instead of admitting it and moving in a new direction, many times we hold on to our beliefs and opinions simply for the sake of being right!  What a shame!

But God in His grace and mercy has given us 66 books, called the Bible, where His clearly understood Word can be read, and applied to our lives.  However, the pressure to be right or listen to other voices can sometimes be an  overwhelming obstacle! Because of this "chronic illness", God sometimes has to send trials of adversity into our lives simply to get our attention... and scream... "Yo ___" from heaven!  I want you to do things my way!

What we need to realize is that God's way is :
  • Always Right! 
  • Always Best! and 
  • Always Right on Time!

Has God been trying to get your attention on an important situation in your life?  Has God sent a trial of adversity that seems to have no purpose at all?  Have you refused to pick up His Word on a regular basis and find out for yourself what He has to say about that puzzling situation you are facing!  Are you simply being a "hardhead", and is God screaming "Yo ____" as loud as He can, right in your ear!

  • Remember He loves You!  John 3:15-18  
  • Remember He cares! 1 Peter 5:7
  • Remember He has a plan! Jeremiah 29:11

So do yourself a favor, and put down your pride, and pick up His Word!  If you don't know where to turn, check the table of contents in the front, or the subject index in the back!  As you do that, you will be surprised that over time the screaming will cease, and your understanding will increase from spending time with the Lord, your God!

Then always remember these words of admonition from my grandma as you do so... "a hard head, makes for a soft behind"!  God bless you as you turn His Yo ____, into... Yes Lord, I'm now listening!

Speak to My Hear by Donnie McClurkin


God's is up to Something Great by Tony Evans