Worry Not

December 21,2021

 William P Goff

I know many of you are suffering, and have been going through a lot of difficulties. Elder John Magara is still sleeping on the floor in the Hospital, waiting funds to be discharged.

Dauglas has a deceased widow, who died from starvation, and is still in the mortuary, still looking funds to bury her, and still fearing being arrested for not paying.  And many of you have been sleeping hungry, some even starving.

At this weeks Bible study we addressed this issue of suffering and trials, trying to put all these difficulties into perspective.

Today, I want to continue  addressing this subject of suffering and trials, and why  some have so much “worry” in their lives? 

Is it possible that worry comes from a lack of belief? In today’s message we going to see that worry and unbelief go hand in hand.

The title of today’s message is “Worry Not”.

The definition of worry is: “anxiety or concern about a real or imagined issue.” Now the Scriptures have much to say about worrying, or anxiety.

In (Philippians 4:6-7 ) the NIV says:: “Be anxious for nothing; but by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 This verse is telling us that when we have troubles, don’t become anxious , or worried, but instead inform God of our situation, and believe that He (who transcends)  or is above, or superior to everything, will “guard” us, or take care of the situation.

Yes, Scripture tells us not to worry, that our Creator will take care of any and all situations we find ourselves in. IF we believe Him.

Worry  comes from unbelief. Worry and unbelief go hand in hand. When we worry, we are not trusting God to workout whatever situation that we find ourselves in. 

In this world there is plenty that we could worry about. Satan encourages worry when we find ourselves in tough situations. But, If we dwell on those thoughts, we will find ourselves overwhelmed by them.

 So, it is very important for us to believe that our Father does take care of us, and will bring us through every situation.

But how about all these troubles, why so many trials and tribulations?

Let go to (Leviticus 23:17) like we did at Bible study the other night, and put our High Calling, and our many trials and tribulations into perspective.

(Leviticus 23:17) says: “Bring out of your habitations two wave loaves (wave loves represent the church, His First Fruits.) Bring out of your habitation two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of “fine flour”  they shall be baked with leaven.”

(Remember, God always gives us the physical, which we humans understand quite well, so we can better understand the Spiritual, which we humans do not understand so well.)

The physical ingredients in the wave loaves is very significant. It will help us understand why so many trials, and what we need to do about them.

 The leaven spoken of here resents God’s Spirit. (Don’t believe the false teachings of men in the church that say that the  leaven which the wave loaves are baked with represents sin, because it does not.)

Leaven does not always represent sin in the Bible. There is a good leaven spoken of in (Matthew 13:33). (Not turning now, we can discuss that verse later.) The leaven that the wave loaves are baked with, is God’s Holy Spirit, and it is a major part of the ingredients of the wave loaves.

Now the flour used in the wave loaves represents us. And the recipe calls for “Fine” flour. Fine flour is produced by sifting the flour,  and sifted more than once or twice.

Sifting flour aerates the flour, or puts air in it, which improves the quality. I have read that the flour that went into the wave loaves was of the best quality, sifted five times. 

Do you think that all that sifting could have anything to do with trials, suffering and tribulations?  Is this why James says to count it all joy, when falling into these troubles? Troubles that produce quality and perfection?

Brethren, the wave loaves consist of the best quality ingredients, because the wave loaves represent His church, His little flock.

We are talking Perfection here. Remember, our Lord is soon to return, I hope we all realize that His first stop will to present to Himself  His current church. And it won’t be lacking any perfection. because its turning into a glorious  church, even now,  as we speak. (Ephesians 5:27). One without spot or wrinkle, We are talking perfection here, and  His bride, is soon to be ready. (Revelation 19:7). 

Don’t believe the false teachings of men, who say that perfection is impossible, or out of our reach while in the flesh. Because that’s another false doctrine taught and believed by many in the church. 

The “wave loaves” ingredients consists of fine flour. Fine flour that has been sifter not once or twice, but many times.  That’s a lot of air. that’s a lot of sifting, That’s a lot of His Spirit flowing, and that’s a lot of suffering.

Like James said : (James 1:2-3)  “count it all joy at these troubles, because they are perfecting you.)

God’s people, those that are His sheep, those who hear His voice, and follow Him, are called the righteous, and the righteous will have many  trials and tribulations. But He tells us that He will deliver us out of all of them. The question is do we believe him?

Psalms 34:19 (ESV) Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Notice this verse not only tells us that the Lord will deliver the  righteous out of all afflictions, but also tells us that the righteous will have many afflictions.

The word righteous here is Strong’s # 6662 meaning just, or lawful. So, if someone walks properly, keeping God’s commandments, and walking in His ways, striving to live by every word of God, then they classify as being righteous, and IF you’re righteous, you will have troubles.

 Also, in (2 Timothy 3:12) we are told “All who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (Those three words here come from only one Greek word Strong’s #1377 meaning to suffer.) 

Also notice what it doesn’t say. It doesn’t say all who are “trying” to live Godly shall suffer persecution, trying doesn’t cut it with God. If we are not being persecuted,  we are probably not living godly.  

Same with overcoming, All seven churches are told “To him that overcometh I will Grand this and give that. Just trying to overcome doesn’t cut it with God. And with His Spirit in us, we have the power needed to succeed at overcoming. Yes, we have the power to walk upright. Just as He walked upright. (1 John 3:3). 

Brethren, the kingdom of God is upstream. You cannot reach it by drifting. (Matthew 11:12) tells us its taken by force. Its a fight. A fight that has to be fought.

And don’t think for a minute that then fight doesn’t consist of trials, tribulations add suffering, because it does.

That’s why in order to enter the Kingdom, one must posses His Spirit. Because one cannot overcome without it. God is no respecter of persons. That’s why our Lord told Nicodemus, (John 3:5) To enter the Kingdom, everyone MUST be baptized, and everyone MUST poses His powerful Holy Spirit.

Sinners will not be allowed in the Kingdom. We have to have changed nature first, changed from sinful nature, to God’s Holy Righteous Character. And as we been reading, only His Spirit is powerful enough to do that.

That why the wave loaves are baked with “leaven”, His Spirit, Powerful Enough to change our sinful nature into His holy Righteous Character.  

Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV) 25 “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 than food, and the body than raiment?”

If we believe what our Father says about providing for us, there should be no worries. If we continue to worry, we are like the pagans that run after those things and allow the cares of the world to consume them.  Our Father tells us seek the Kingdom of God (not the kingdoms or anything else of this wicked worlds) And to seek His righteousness. 

Our Father gave Israel and us these commands

Deuteronomy 30:15 (KJV) See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;

Deuteronomy 30:16 (KJV) In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

Our Father intended for us to live without worry because he would provide our every need. As long as we are obedient to His words. When we put our focus on seeking truth and apply it to our lives, worry will not be part of our lives. But suffering will. 

1 Peter 5:6 (ESV) Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

1 Peter 5:7 (ESV) casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Instead of worry when we find ourselves in various trials, we should seek God and find out what we need to learn. We should also be excited because when God puts us through trials, He is actually disciplining us and He only does that to His sons and daughters.

Proverbs 3:12 (NIV)12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

James 1:2 (ESV) Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

James 1:3 (ESV) for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

When we embrace our trials and look forward to the continued destruction of our carnal nature which is the result of going through them, we have victory. This is all part of overcoming that we all need to succeed at.

1 Peter 1:6 (ESV) In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,

1 Peter 1:7 (ESV) so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

When we seek God and ask Him to help us it is absolutely guaranteed that He will respond. The scriptures are full of proof of how He always delivers the righteous. Also, the brethren have a multitude of testimonies of how much our Father loves us.

Psalms 34:4 (ESV) I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalms 34:5 (ESV) Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Radiant means “sparkle”.  Remember, those stars in the heavens represent us, His peculiar  people. (Some stars shine brighter than others.) 

At some point in our lives, we are going to face death. For those that are obedient and have been striving to be righteous they are assured a place in the Kingdom of God and are at perfect peace.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV) 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day —and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Too many are seeking to increase in material goods and are never content with what they have. They fall into the devil’s trap of greed and selfishness which leads to unrighteousness.

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:6 (ESV) So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Brethren there are conditions that we must meet if we want to receive the provisions and blessing that our Father speaks of. Remember that it is the doers of the Word that are blessed.

Philippians 4:6 (ESV) do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

J

ames 1:22 (NKJV) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yo