Do Not Worry
(NIV) Phil 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(NIV) Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
I wonder what would have happened if “Thou Shalt Not Worry” had been part of the Ten Commandments? Since God’s original laws are so often ignored, I would imagine a divine rule regarding worry would not have fared much better.
Not long ago someone asked me if worry is a sin. I responded with “Yes, worry is a sin because we are taking a situation out of God’s hands and placing it into our own hands.”
So, how long do we have to be a Christian before we learn that worry does not resolve anything? Do you know what helps us overcome worry better than anything? Prayer and Scripture. Scripture is either true or it isn’t. Prayer is either effective or it isn’t.
I would suggest if we do not already have a practice for dealing with worry, anxiety or fear, then we develop one today.
- If we can avoid getting into a situation that produces worry, do so
- Incorporate into our daily devotions scriptures that speak against worry and say them out loud.
- Take our worries and concerns to God in prayer, approaching Him with Thanksgiving
- Remember who you are and Whose you are. You are a child of the Most High God—Act like it
I wrote this poem a few months ago—short and to the point.
Pulling The Plug On Worry
Wouldn’t it be wonderful
If worry, concerns and fear
circled the drain like
bubbles in a bathtub,
never to be seen again.
You do not have to live with worry. It is a choice. Choose peace and choose joy.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Strength, Assurance and Peace
Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
(NIV) 1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
(NIV) Phil 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
(KJV) Ps 121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,
from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the LORD,
which made heaven and earth.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint.
I was thinking recently of some of my favorite Bible verses, and thought it might be fun to share a few.
When I was preaching, it was not unusual for me to preface the reading of God’s Word with, “this is my favorite verse.” I did not realize how often I shared “my favorite verse” until I retired and my churches gifted me a Bible where many of my congregants highlighted their favorite verses and wrote their names beside them.
What makes a verse a favorite? I think it must connect with us on an emotional level, and when that happens the scripture will be easy to memorize.
Although I read mostly the NRSV (new revised standard version), the verses I have committed to memory are from the King James translation. I used to take great joy in memorizing entire chapters, and I have purposed to at least recommit specific verses that give me strength, assurance and peace.
Join with me, won’t you, in making God’s Word an integral part of our being.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
My Strength, Song and Salvation
(KJV) Psalm 118:14 The LORD is my strength and song,
and is become my salvation.
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous:
the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted:
the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
17 I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the LORD.
18 The LORD hath chastened me sore:
but he hath not given me over unto death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness:
I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
20 This gate of the LORD,
into which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me,
and art become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders refused
is become the head stone of the corner.
I love the songs of salvation. As a little girl the songs comprised of easy melodies giving way to four part harmonies. I found myself sometimes singing the alto line even when alone—it just came that easy. Songs like “Love Lifted Me,” “Victory in Jesus,” and “The Old Rugged Cross” became a part of my being, and I sought out the scriptures in which these songs were rooted.
As praise and worship music began to take hold I became enamored of songs like “Majesty” and “As the Deer Panteth for the Water.” The lyrics were made easy because they so closely mimicked the Scriptures.
Now I am old, and I find myself listening repeatedly to CeCe Winans singing “Come Jesus Come” a song that lends it self to singing, or listening to Nicole C. Mullin “I Know my Redeemer Lives.” My vocal cords are shattered, yet music still lives within my heart, and the music lifting high the name of Jesus is still the best.
May we today begin our morning by lifting high the cross of Jesus, praising Him in song for our salvation, relying on His strength which never fails.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Ready Yourselves
(KJV) Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
When Jonathan was in grade school, I drove carpool along with two other moms. When it was my week, I would not let the kids exit the car until we prayed, putting on the whole armor of God, and asking God to walk with them and keep them safe. Jon came to visit me on Mother’s Day and I was dismayed to learn he did not remember those mornings and the many prayers I prayed.
I still return to prayers of protection, prayers for strength and peace. And I am thankful for the reminder that our battle is not against fresh and blood, although it sure feels like it.
But about the time I am feeling sorry for myself and ready to give up, a short clip appears on Facebook reminding me and other women like me that the women God used in the Bible did not have it easy.
So, I put on the whole armor of God and wait on the Lord. Praise His Holy Name.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Lord our Strength
Ps 28 (NIV) 6 Praise be to the LORD,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.
8 The LORD is the strength of his people,
a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
9 Save your people and bless your inheritance;
be their shepherd and carry them forever.
I love the way David praises God. He recognizes who God is and how God impacts his life. I think of the praise and worship song, “What a mighty God we serve, What a mighty God we serve, Angels bow before Him, Heaven and Earth adore Him, What a mighty God we serve” and I think that song could have been written by David.
Wouldn’t it be a good spiritual practice if we followed David’s example and wrote psalms to God? In this psalm, David praises God’s strength and recognizes He is his source.
Recognizing God as our source is huge. When we admit that God is our provider, He is our present help in times of need, He is our hiding place when we are afraid, then we begin to live as kingdom people. Suddenly everything is seen through the lens of holiness
Today, as I start my day, I listen for the sound of His voice, I look above the battle of life for His banner and run to it for there I will find refuge. Then I consider those in my circle of friends and acquaintances who need prayer, and I pray that God’s banner over them is love.
May we use the Psalms as our guide for prayer, for comfort and for assurance.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and if the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Seeking Holiness 