Philippians 2:1-2 “If
you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from
his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and
compassion, then make my joy complete by being
like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one
mind.”
Continuing Pastor Gilbert’s
message: (2) We shut people out. In times when we need someone the most, we
tend to isolate ourselves. Most people have an inner circle of three in which
they trust to opening talk to in confidence. The worst position to be in is as
a “loner” with no one to talk to. Sure, trust and pray to God, but the Lord
places trusted like-minded and loving family and friends in our lives to talk
to and help us work through anxiety and stress. Also, remember what Jesus said
in Matthew
18:20 “For where two or
three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Be
in the middle of others that love, care and provide protection to us.
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever
things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever
things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever
things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there
is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
The third four mistake that
Christians make, which create or add to anxiety in our lives is (3) We focus on
the negative. Don’t be a “the sky is falling” type of person. God loves you,
but the reality is that there are people who won’t like you in life. Focus on
the positive and God’s strength. He is the One that guides and orders our steps
along the broken road of life’s journey. The things that we worry about, most
likely never come to pass; and the ones that do happen, God has them covered. (4)
We forget God. We take for granted the blessings that we enjoy. Deuteronomy
8:11-14 warns, “Beware that
you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments,
His judgments, and His statutes which I command you
today, lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built
beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and
your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and
all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and
you forget the Lord your God.” With good health, good
families, good work and wages, many pleasures and possessions, we have to keep
our heart’s eye upon the Lord, our Provider and Sustainer.
1 Kings 19:11-12 Then God said to Elijah, “Go
out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed
by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the
rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not
in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not
in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not
in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.”
The name Elijah means “God
is my breath”. Is anyone ready for God to walk by today? All-powerful, Almighty
God is not in the loud and flashy, but in the calm and quiet, always close to
you. It is the enemy that is loud and chaotic. 1 Peter 5:6-7 concludes, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that
He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares
for you.” Be grateful and thank God for His loving favor. We deal with
stress, but do not live there. We abide in Christ. We lay it at our heavenly
Father’s feet. Thank Him for who He is and what He does, then see Him move in
your life.
In Christ, Brian
No comments:
Post a Comment