GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY JULY 14, 2012.
PROVERB
If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you. If you are a mocker, you alone will suffer. Proverbs 9:12.
PROMISE
Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8
PRAISE
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols but the Lord made the heavens. Psalm 96: 4-5
July 15, 2012
Influences: July 13, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY JULY 13, 2012
INFLUENCES
DEFINITION:
Power to control or affect others by authority, persuasion, or example.
SCRIPTURE:
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. Isaiah 61:1.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Isaiah was a prophet to the nation of Judah after the Israelites had become divided into two kingdoms. Under the influence of the pagan people that the Israelites lived among and inter-married with, the Israelites had turned to worshipping idols. Their land was devastated and their society was in an upheaval. Isaiah compared their wickedness to the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah. (Isaiah 1:10) This was the hopeless situation that God sent Isaiah to contend with. Isaiah’s role was to confront the Israelites with their sin and influence them to turn away from their wicked ways. They could have been rescued if they had listened to Isaiah.
Isaiah 61:1 gives the job description that God gave to him. In this verse that we have written above, Isaiah, the prophet of God was anointed by God to be a major influence on the children of Israel. These words written by Isaiah are relevant for us today as believers. We are to influence others in the world we live in by bringing good tidings to the poor, heal the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to the captives (those who are captivated by the evil in this world), and ministering to those who are prisoners of sin and bound by it.
Isaiah is a wonderful example and role model for us to understand the importance of being careful about what we allow to influence our lives. In the first verse of the book of Isaiah, Isaiah speaks of the vision he received from God. Isaiah’s life and ministry reflects how great an influence his encounter with God had on him.
What we experience in our lives as children has a profound impact on our lives as we become adults. External influences do help shape our personality but the direction we might go is not predictable. For example, early years full of painful experiences leave deep wounds in some people but for others those same painful experiences contribute to the development of depth and perseverance in one’s life.
During the years that children are living with their parents, the parents have a great influence on their lives. As parents, we are given a momentous task to model and teach our children to live according to God’s Word and His commandments. Good parenting requires prayerful self-evaluation, godly wisdom, much love and patience, and being a Christ-honoring role model.
There are many people and many things that can influence either for good or for the bad. Influences come from all kinds of people including parents, neighbors, friends, teachers pastors etc. Influences on our lives also come from radio, television, movies, the internet and other forms of entertainment available to you. You will spend the most time on what interests you the most. Is it the things of the world? If so these “things’ will be a lasting influence on your life and will set you on a path toward the evils of the world and away from God.
As Isaiah did years ago, he responded to the call of God on his life. God honored him because he looked to God for daily direction and guidelines to live as God desired of him.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Acts 4:12.
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
PRAYER:
Help me as a parent to consider the impact and the influence that I have on my children. Help me to also have a godly influence on those that I am with this day. Help me to evaluate what I allow to influence my life.
INFLUENCES
DEFINITION:
Power to control or affect others by authority, persuasion, or example.
SCRIPTURE:
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. Isaiah 61:1.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Isaiah was a prophet to the nation of Judah after the Israelites had become divided into two kingdoms. Under the influence of the pagan people that the Israelites lived among and inter-married with, the Israelites had turned to worshipping idols. Their land was devastated and their society was in an upheaval. Isaiah compared their wickedness to the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah. (Isaiah 1:10) This was the hopeless situation that God sent Isaiah to contend with. Isaiah’s role was to confront the Israelites with their sin and influence them to turn away from their wicked ways. They could have been rescued if they had listened to Isaiah.
Isaiah 61:1 gives the job description that God gave to him. In this verse that we have written above, Isaiah, the prophet of God was anointed by God to be a major influence on the children of Israel. These words written by Isaiah are relevant for us today as believers. We are to influence others in the world we live in by bringing good tidings to the poor, heal the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to the captives (those who are captivated by the evil in this world), and ministering to those who are prisoners of sin and bound by it.
Isaiah is a wonderful example and role model for us to understand the importance of being careful about what we allow to influence our lives. In the first verse of the book of Isaiah, Isaiah speaks of the vision he received from God. Isaiah’s life and ministry reflects how great an influence his encounter with God had on him.
What we experience in our lives as children has a profound impact on our lives as we become adults. External influences do help shape our personality but the direction we might go is not predictable. For example, early years full of painful experiences leave deep wounds in some people but for others those same painful experiences contribute to the development of depth and perseverance in one’s life.
During the years that children are living with their parents, the parents have a great influence on their lives. As parents, we are given a momentous task to model and teach our children to live according to God’s Word and His commandments. Good parenting requires prayerful self-evaluation, godly wisdom, much love and patience, and being a Christ-honoring role model.
There are many people and many things that can influence either for good or for the bad. Influences come from all kinds of people including parents, neighbors, friends, teachers pastors etc. Influences on our lives also come from radio, television, movies, the internet and other forms of entertainment available to you. You will spend the most time on what interests you the most. Is it the things of the world? If so these “things’ will be a lasting influence on your life and will set you on a path toward the evils of the world and away from God.
As Isaiah did years ago, he responded to the call of God on his life. God honored him because he looked to God for daily direction and guidelines to live as God desired of him.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Acts 4:12.
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
PRAYER:
Help me as a parent to consider the impact and the influence that I have on my children. Help me to also have a godly influence on those that I am with this day. Help me to evaluate what I allow to influence my life.
Respect: July 12, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY JULY 12, 2012
RESPECT
DEFINITION:
Treat with high regard and high esteem.
SCRIPTURE:
Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise. Ephesians 6:1-2.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
In the two verses we have put above we want you to note, first, that verse 1 of Ephesians 6 deals with children and their responsibility to obey. This speaks of action that must be taken.
In verse two when Paul refers to honor he is speaking about attitude which is the motive behind the action. When God gave us His law in the Ten Commandments, the first law governing human relationships was this one. It relates to family and is the only one that does, because this principle alone secures a families fulfillment. And verse two ends with a promise of special blessing for those that obey this command – children obey and honor their father and mother.
Society is built on the family. When the family breaks down the society breaks down. We are seeing today the devastating effect the break-down of the family is having on society. The major factor for stability in the family is respect. Parents must respect one another and teach their children to respect them and their authority over them.
“To honor your parents” means to act in a way that shows courtesy and respect and to be submissive to them. It means to never speak disrespectfully to them or about them.
If children do not learn to honor parents, the disrespect spills over into their adult lives, affecting every other relationship. It is the responsibility of the parents to teach respect and, if they fail, problems accelerate into the next generation. Soon an entire society is plagued with disrespect in homes, schools and workplaces. Does this sound like our generation today?
Our culture is disrespectful because parents have abdicated their responsibility. Instead of standing in the place of honor that God has given them, they have stepped down and tolerated bad behavior from their children. Some parents fail to recognize that disrespect is a serious matter that calls for immediate action. This is ignorance about discipline. If you let such attitudes and behaviors continue it will escalate, if it is not checked, and you are not raising your child according to biblical principles so how can you expect anything but trouble later in life.
There also is a misunderstanding about love. In their desire to be loved by their children, parents try to be a child’s best friend instead of a parent. Children need an authority figure in their lives. If children see a parent as an equal they are less likely to respect or love the parent.
Probably the biggest reason for the lack of respect today by children is that parents get overwhelmed with busyness and they let it slide when their children show disrespect. Teaching children to honor you takes time, effort, and consistency. If you as a parent do not teach your child does not learn. Parents must remember that they teach by example. Parents must also obey God’s command and honor their own parents.
In Ephesians 6:4 Paul instructs parents to be the right kind of teachers and bring their children up “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Acts 4:12.
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
PRAYER:
Help me to train my children to be respectful. May I be strong and firm in a loving way showing them that it is Your will for them to love, honor and respect their parents. Help me to be a godly example for my children and to be deserving of their respect.
RESPECT
DEFINITION:
Treat with high regard and high esteem.
SCRIPTURE:
Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise. Ephesians 6:1-2.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
In the two verses we have put above we want you to note, first, that verse 1 of Ephesians 6 deals with children and their responsibility to obey. This speaks of action that must be taken.
In verse two when Paul refers to honor he is speaking about attitude which is the motive behind the action. When God gave us His law in the Ten Commandments, the first law governing human relationships was this one. It relates to family and is the only one that does, because this principle alone secures a families fulfillment. And verse two ends with a promise of special blessing for those that obey this command – children obey and honor their father and mother.
Society is built on the family. When the family breaks down the society breaks down. We are seeing today the devastating effect the break-down of the family is having on society. The major factor for stability in the family is respect. Parents must respect one another and teach their children to respect them and their authority over them.
“To honor your parents” means to act in a way that shows courtesy and respect and to be submissive to them. It means to never speak disrespectfully to them or about them.
If children do not learn to honor parents, the disrespect spills over into their adult lives, affecting every other relationship. It is the responsibility of the parents to teach respect and, if they fail, problems accelerate into the next generation. Soon an entire society is plagued with disrespect in homes, schools and workplaces. Does this sound like our generation today?
Our culture is disrespectful because parents have abdicated their responsibility. Instead of standing in the place of honor that God has given them, they have stepped down and tolerated bad behavior from their children. Some parents fail to recognize that disrespect is a serious matter that calls for immediate action. This is ignorance about discipline. If you let such attitudes and behaviors continue it will escalate, if it is not checked, and you are not raising your child according to biblical principles so how can you expect anything but trouble later in life.
There also is a misunderstanding about love. In their desire to be loved by their children, parents try to be a child’s best friend instead of a parent. Children need an authority figure in their lives. If children see a parent as an equal they are less likely to respect or love the parent.
Probably the biggest reason for the lack of respect today by children is that parents get overwhelmed with busyness and they let it slide when their children show disrespect. Teaching children to honor you takes time, effort, and consistency. If you as a parent do not teach your child does not learn. Parents must remember that they teach by example. Parents must also obey God’s command and honor their own parents.
In Ephesians 6:4 Paul instructs parents to be the right kind of teachers and bring their children up “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Acts 4:12.
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
PRAYER:
Help me to train my children to be respectful. May I be strong and firm in a loving way showing them that it is Your will for them to love, honor and respect their parents. Help me to be a godly example for my children and to be deserving of their respect.
Believe: July 11, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY JULY 11, 2012.
BELIEVE
DEFINITION:
Accept as true; to have confidence in the truth, existence, reliability, or value of something.
SCRIPTURE:
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. I John 5:13.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When we believe in something we make a choice. As individuals we make choices daily to believe in something or someone or not to believe. We all have been given the choice to believe or not to believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We do this by faith. This is not something we can claim because we were born to parents who believed in Jesus or because we attend church or live in a so-called Christian country but because by faith we became a child of God.
In order to be a true believer in Jesus one must believe the precepts to several principles that have been made clear to all of us in the scriptures.
One must first of all have a clear understanding of the gospel and accept the message of the gospel to be true. It is essential in order for a person to believe and receive the good news (the gospel) of Jesus Christ. The death of Jesus on the cross was the only sacrifice required to remove us from our sins and to pay the penalty for them, which is death. God has offered His grace as a gift to anyone who will receive it.
It is not head knowledge about Christ that makes us right with God. It is what we believe in our heart. In Romans 10:10 Paul writes, “For with the heart one believes and is justified (made right with God), and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
At sometime each one of us must make a conscious decision to believe in Jesus. People just do not slip into becoming a believer in Jesus. It does not happen accidently. Faith in Jesus is a conscious and definitive choice. The choice to believe in Jesus defines who we are and determines where we will spend eternity.
When a person makes the choice to believe in Jesus the result is a blessed assurance that comes into the heart of the believer that his or her sins are forgiven and he or she has been made right with God.
Those who make a choice to become a believer enters into a personal relationship with Him and surrenders to Christ. He will desire to embrace the Word of God and live his or her life fully for the Lord. One will no longer want to muddle through the rituals of some religion out of habit but, instead will relish the opportunity of worship and fellowship with other believers.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Acts 4:12.
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Jesus, for dying on the cross to atone for my sins and make me right with God. Thank You for giving me the opportunity to choose to believe in You. Give me the certainty that I know You and am serving You according to Your will and not mine. Help me to be a faithful child of God who lives for You daily and serves You and loves You with all of my heart.
BELIEVE
DEFINITION:
Accept as true; to have confidence in the truth, existence, reliability, or value of something.
SCRIPTURE:
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. I John 5:13.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When we believe in something we make a choice. As individuals we make choices daily to believe in something or someone or not to believe. We all have been given the choice to believe or not to believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We do this by faith. This is not something we can claim because we were born to parents who believed in Jesus or because we attend church or live in a so-called Christian country but because by faith we became a child of God.
In order to be a true believer in Jesus one must believe the precepts to several principles that have been made clear to all of us in the scriptures.
One must first of all have a clear understanding of the gospel and accept the message of the gospel to be true. It is essential in order for a person to believe and receive the good news (the gospel) of Jesus Christ. The death of Jesus on the cross was the only sacrifice required to remove us from our sins and to pay the penalty for them, which is death. God has offered His grace as a gift to anyone who will receive it.
It is not head knowledge about Christ that makes us right with God. It is what we believe in our heart. In Romans 10:10 Paul writes, “For with the heart one believes and is justified (made right with God), and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
At sometime each one of us must make a conscious decision to believe in Jesus. People just do not slip into becoming a believer in Jesus. It does not happen accidently. Faith in Jesus is a conscious and definitive choice. The choice to believe in Jesus defines who we are and determines where we will spend eternity.
When a person makes the choice to believe in Jesus the result is a blessed assurance that comes into the heart of the believer that his or her sins are forgiven and he or she has been made right with God.
Those who make a choice to become a believer enters into a personal relationship with Him and surrenders to Christ. He will desire to embrace the Word of God and live his or her life fully for the Lord. One will no longer want to muddle through the rituals of some religion out of habit but, instead will relish the opportunity of worship and fellowship with other believers.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Acts 4:12.
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Jesus, for dying on the cross to atone for my sins and make me right with God. Thank You for giving me the opportunity to choose to believe in You. Give me the certainty that I know You and am serving You according to Your will and not mine. Help me to be a faithful child of God who lives for You daily and serves You and loves You with all of my heart.
Rekindle: July 10, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY JULY 10, 2012.
REKINDLE
DEFINITION:
Set on fire again; stir up and inspire; to excite.
SCRIPTURE:
Therefore I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:6-7.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
What do you do when you have lost your enthusiasm for something you once were totally committed to? Many people just give up and move on to something else. When something becomes difficult it takes perseverance to continue on. People tend to give up too easily today. If a job becomes too difficult, they quit. If there are serious difficulties in their marriage, they walk out. The fire of love and desire that once was felt for someone or something can quickly die out when dampened by obstacles and difficulties.
When a person loses the fire of enthusiasm in their spiritual life it is serious. When our faith grows cold it affects our relationship with the Lord and our desire to serve Him. The lack of faith leads to discouragement and an attitude of indifference that says “I do not care about God, the Bible or anything spiritual.”
II Timothy is Paul’s letter to Timothy, his young assistant, written while Paul was in prison in Rome and waiting to die. There is a sense of urgency in Paul’s letter. Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus to deal with some difficulties that had risen from some immoral people and from some false teachers in the church. Some in the church opposed Timothy’s leadership and Paul was deeply concerned that Timothy’s enthusiasm for his faith might die in the face of opposition and persecution.
Paul wrote to urge Timothy to “kindle afresh the gift of God that is in you.” (II Timothy 1:6-7) Satan is continually at work to destroy our faith so that we become spiritually empty. The following are four “R’s” that will help you rekindle the gift of God that is in you.
First you need to REFILL. Get on your knees and ask God through His Holy Spirit to give you a refill, a rekindling of your love for the Lord. Examine your life, repent of any sins, and then submit to His leadership in your life.
Secondly, you need to REFOCUS. Take your focus off the problems in your life that have caused you to lose your enthusiasm for the Lord. When we focus on obstacles in our life they become bigger and nothing will dim the flame of enthusiasm in your life more than fixing your thoughts on the problem that caused your to lose enthusiasm. Thus, what you need to do is to fix your eyes on Christ, focus less on the problems and He will become bigger than any problem you may face.
Thirdly, when we are spiritually down, the devil whispers lies into our minds such as: You can’t do this, no one appreciates you, why not call it quits. You need to recognize that these discouraging thoughts come from the devil and you need to REJECT them.
Finally, you need to get away from life in general and get alone with the Lord to rekindle your relationship with Him. This RETREAT will allow you to turn off the phone, be by yourself and will allow the Lord to speak to you.
Rely on the Lord and He will empower you to live your life for Him.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Acts 4:12.
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
PRAYER:
Keep my faith in You strong so that the fire of the gift of God does not die in me. Keep me faithful to You so that I can rekindle my love for You. Help me to refill by studying Your Word, refocusing on You, rejecting what is of the devil and taking time to be alone with You. May my relationship with You be what You need me to be so You can use me to bring honor and glory to You.
REKINDLE
DEFINITION:
Set on fire again; stir up and inspire; to excite.
SCRIPTURE:
Therefore I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:6-7.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
What do you do when you have lost your enthusiasm for something you once were totally committed to? Many people just give up and move on to something else. When something becomes difficult it takes perseverance to continue on. People tend to give up too easily today. If a job becomes too difficult, they quit. If there are serious difficulties in their marriage, they walk out. The fire of love and desire that once was felt for someone or something can quickly die out when dampened by obstacles and difficulties.
When a person loses the fire of enthusiasm in their spiritual life it is serious. When our faith grows cold it affects our relationship with the Lord and our desire to serve Him. The lack of faith leads to discouragement and an attitude of indifference that says “I do not care about God, the Bible or anything spiritual.”
II Timothy is Paul’s letter to Timothy, his young assistant, written while Paul was in prison in Rome and waiting to die. There is a sense of urgency in Paul’s letter. Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus to deal with some difficulties that had risen from some immoral people and from some false teachers in the church. Some in the church opposed Timothy’s leadership and Paul was deeply concerned that Timothy’s enthusiasm for his faith might die in the face of opposition and persecution.
Paul wrote to urge Timothy to “kindle afresh the gift of God that is in you.” (II Timothy 1:6-7) Satan is continually at work to destroy our faith so that we become spiritually empty. The following are four “R’s” that will help you rekindle the gift of God that is in you.
First you need to REFILL. Get on your knees and ask God through His Holy Spirit to give you a refill, a rekindling of your love for the Lord. Examine your life, repent of any sins, and then submit to His leadership in your life.
Secondly, you need to REFOCUS. Take your focus off the problems in your life that have caused you to lose your enthusiasm for the Lord. When we focus on obstacles in our life they become bigger and nothing will dim the flame of enthusiasm in your life more than fixing your thoughts on the problem that caused your to lose enthusiasm. Thus, what you need to do is to fix your eyes on Christ, focus less on the problems and He will become bigger than any problem you may face.
Thirdly, when we are spiritually down, the devil whispers lies into our minds such as: You can’t do this, no one appreciates you, why not call it quits. You need to recognize that these discouraging thoughts come from the devil and you need to REJECT them.
Finally, you need to get away from life in general and get alone with the Lord to rekindle your relationship with Him. This RETREAT will allow you to turn off the phone, be by yourself and will allow the Lord to speak to you.
Rely on the Lord and He will empower you to live your life for Him.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Acts 4:12.
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
PRAYER:
Keep my faith in You strong so that the fire of the gift of God does not die in me. Keep me faithful to You so that I can rekindle my love for You. Help me to refill by studying Your Word, refocusing on You, rejecting what is of the devil and taking time to be alone with You. May my relationship with You be what You need me to be so You can use me to bring honor and glory to You.
Anxiety: July 9, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY JULY 9, 2012.
ANXIETY
DEFINITION:
Distress or uneasiness caused by fear of danger or misfortune; concern; worry; dread.
SCRIPTURE:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made to God. Philippians 4:6.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Anxiety in a person’s life brings about an unwelcome interruption to the normality of life. Anxiety can also totally distract us and consume us so that we can think of nothing else. We can be so preoccupied by our anxiety that we become completely non-productive.
Anxiety affects our relationship with others. If you are a parent your relationship to your spouse and your children is affected by the fact that your time and energy is focused on the anxiety concern that you are faced with.
Anxiety also leads to one making unwise decisions and steals away from you the joy and peace that you enjoy as a believer. Peace and anxiety do not mesh. A person cannot be anxious and at the same time be at peace in their life. Anxiety also wastes our valuable time and energy.
Anxiety is not necessarily avoidable. If you are dealing with a serious health issue or that of someone close to you, or if you are in a serious financial crisis, or you are in some life threatening danger, it is to be expected that you would have anxiety.
When a person has long-term and deep rooted anxiety to deal with on a daily basis it brings on physical concerns. Constant anxiety is detrimental to a person’s health.
The apostle Paul faces this issue right on in Philippians 4:4-7. Paul gives us in these verses three specific solutions to deal with anxiety in one’s life.
First, Paul tells us to bring our anxiety to God in prayer. You need to acknowledge your anxiety or it will never leave you.
Secondly, you need to come to God in prayer in the spirit of thanksgiving. God loves you and understands your anxiety and He has the sovereign power to overcome any issue that you face. He promises to help us when we face anxiety in our lives.
Thirdly, we are to come to God with a conviction that God does love us and that He wants to help us and that we can trust Him to help.
Anxiety is a faith battle. One must, by faith, ask God to relieve you, rescue you, cover you, protect you and give you peace. Anxiety is a choice most of the time. It is how you handle it that eliminates anxiety.
Anxiety is bondage. You can be free of that bondage by turning your anxiety into a prayer. As Paul advises in Philippians 4:6 when you start to worry -- just stop and pray. If you want to be less anxious then pray more. Fret and worry over the things that are troubling us is no antidote for anxiety. Doctors often prescribe medication to relieve anxiety. That is no real solution either. Many people turn to liquor which needless to say is not the solution.
Since everyone will have reason to feel anxiety at one time or another why can Paul tell us not to be anxious about anything? It is because anxiety stems from a lack of trust in God’s power, His sovereignty and His wisdom. Paul had an antidote for anxiety. It was his complete trust in God.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Acts 4:12.
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
PRAYER:
Help me to come to You with every anxiety in life that I may face so that I will not be distracted from serving and living for You. Help me to be an influence on my family so that they will work, as is my desire, to eliminate any and all distractions that can affect our relationship with You.
ANXIETY
DEFINITION:
Distress or uneasiness caused by fear of danger or misfortune; concern; worry; dread.
SCRIPTURE:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made to God. Philippians 4:6.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Anxiety in a person’s life brings about an unwelcome interruption to the normality of life. Anxiety can also totally distract us and consume us so that we can think of nothing else. We can be so preoccupied by our anxiety that we become completely non-productive.
Anxiety affects our relationship with others. If you are a parent your relationship to your spouse and your children is affected by the fact that your time and energy is focused on the anxiety concern that you are faced with.
Anxiety also leads to one making unwise decisions and steals away from you the joy and peace that you enjoy as a believer. Peace and anxiety do not mesh. A person cannot be anxious and at the same time be at peace in their life. Anxiety also wastes our valuable time and energy.
Anxiety is not necessarily avoidable. If you are dealing with a serious health issue or that of someone close to you, or if you are in a serious financial crisis, or you are in some life threatening danger, it is to be expected that you would have anxiety.
When a person has long-term and deep rooted anxiety to deal with on a daily basis it brings on physical concerns. Constant anxiety is detrimental to a person’s health.
The apostle Paul faces this issue right on in Philippians 4:4-7. Paul gives us in these verses three specific solutions to deal with anxiety in one’s life.
First, Paul tells us to bring our anxiety to God in prayer. You need to acknowledge your anxiety or it will never leave you.
Secondly, you need to come to God in prayer in the spirit of thanksgiving. God loves you and understands your anxiety and He has the sovereign power to overcome any issue that you face. He promises to help us when we face anxiety in our lives.
Thirdly, we are to come to God with a conviction that God does love us and that He wants to help us and that we can trust Him to help.
Anxiety is a faith battle. One must, by faith, ask God to relieve you, rescue you, cover you, protect you and give you peace. Anxiety is a choice most of the time. It is how you handle it that eliminates anxiety.
Anxiety is bondage. You can be free of that bondage by turning your anxiety into a prayer. As Paul advises in Philippians 4:6 when you start to worry -- just stop and pray. If you want to be less anxious then pray more. Fret and worry over the things that are troubling us is no antidote for anxiety. Doctors often prescribe medication to relieve anxiety. That is no real solution either. Many people turn to liquor which needless to say is not the solution.
Since everyone will have reason to feel anxiety at one time or another why can Paul tell us not to be anxious about anything? It is because anxiety stems from a lack of trust in God’s power, His sovereignty and His wisdom. Paul had an antidote for anxiety. It was his complete trust in God.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Acts 4:12.
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
PRAYER:
Help me to come to You with every anxiety in life that I may face so that I will not be distracted from serving and living for You. Help me to be an influence on my family so that they will work, as is my desire, to eliminate any and all distractions that can affect our relationship with You.
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