Don't Worry

There’s nothing wrong with being concerned, but concern can turn to worry and then we have a problem.  Worry is dangerous because it allows the mind to conceive false notions about God.

Worry says that God doesn’t care or can’t help. Not true. The Apostle Paul tells Philippian believers how to handle worry.

Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The Lord wants us to humbly pray, trusting as we plead for His help. He wants us to be thankful for His blessings.

God promises to  replace our worries with peace.

Instead of worrying yourself sick about things you can't change, learn to lean on the Lord in prayer.

Charity -- Love

1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.

Eloquent oratory can move a person's emotions. Great rhetoric can move a person's mind. A skillful speech can move a person's will, but abounding love can move a person's heart.

No matter what you say, how you say it or how accurate it may be, without love it’s just noise--- like a cymbal solo. Without love, talk is cheap.

To be like God, we must learn to love like God.  When we speak with love, our world will be altered for the glory of God.

At The Name Of Jesus

Philippians 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

At the name of Jesus

• Lives have been altered
• Fevered brows have cooled
• Blinded eyes have opened
• Deaf ears have unstopped
• Sin’s shackles have fallen
• Defeat has been swallowed up in victory
• Hope has replaced hopelessness
• Dead men have come to life
• Lost men have been found
• Devils have trembled
• Saints have shouted
• Angels have bowed

Praise The Lord For He Is Good

Psalm 106:1  Praise ye the Lord . O give thanks unto the Lord ; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Our praise for God says a lot about how much we value Him. We praise Him----

• By meditating on His Word and ways, remembering His benefits and unspeakable Gift
• With our whole heart
• All the time---at church---to the world---in private
• Because He is good---on the mountain and in the valley
• For our salvation---Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and His love
• For His mercy because we aren’t perfect
• For His many blessings

We can never out-praise the Lord.

Make Prayer A Priority

Mark 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

If Jesus felt the need to pray to His Father, how much more do we need to make prayer a priority in our lives?

Prayer is essential for a holy, empowered spiritual life.

Most of our praying can be described by the acrostic A.C.T.S.---“A”doration, “C”onfession, “T”hanksgiving, “S”upplication.

Do you want the power of God in your life? Do you want a close fellowship with the Lord, to be used to your potential? Pray for those in need.

Set aside a time to pray. Make prayer a priority in your life.ll

A Tender Heart

God  speaks to us as we study His Word. Sometimes He speaks to us with a still small voice. When we listen and respond to His message, our hearts becomes tender---useable for the Lord's work.

If we don’t listen or respond to the message of the Lord, our hearts grow callused---insensitive to the spiritual things of God.

Believers must never reach the place where we lose our compassion for those who need the Lord, our prayers and love.

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Make The Rest Of Your Life The Best

If you could ask the Lord Jesus how to make the rest of your life the best of your life, what do you think He would say? I think I know.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

In other words, first things first---seek the kingdom of God. In order to seek the kingdom you must first seek the King. God is not someone you passively accept. He’s someone you actively seek.

God doesn’t have any favorites, but He does have intimates. "Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you." (James 4:8)  

"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13)

There is no higher calling in life than to find out what your King wants done and then do it.