December 21,1021
William P Goff
Worry and unbelief is the same, 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. He does so by placing negative thoughts and lies in our minds. It is up to us to cast down such thoughts. If we dwell on those thoughts, we will find ourselves overwhelmed by them. Jesus tells us it is those who overcome that will enter the Kingdom of God. Worrying leads us away from the Kingdom of God. It will lead us into sickness mental and physical. It will lead us into darkness and despair. So, it is very important to believe that our Father does take care of us and will bring us through every situation.
Psalms 34:19 (ESV) Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
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 more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
If we believe what our Father says about providing for us there will 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 of this wicked world.
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.
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 Jesus speaks of.
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.
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.
James 1:22 (NKJV) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.