Luke 12: 25 5/26/2020*

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”

That’s a legitimate question… Jesus asked it while He was teaching on anxiety…. Have you thought about it? Have you contemplated what you can and cannot control?

It seems that Jesus is making a connection between anxiety and humility.  The question determines whether or not you have a realistic view of your capabilities.

If you don’t you will waste time worrying about things you don’t control … like Christ’s example, of when you die… That is determined before you are born (Psalms 139) - So no one changes it by worrying.

Consider this question carefully. - If God gave you the option to decide every outcome today - would you take it? ...If you would – then your view of yourself is too big - and your view of God is too small. 

At the end of the day that is definition of anxiety…. It is believing you must control the uncontrollable… If that is your position…then anxiety is the only possible response.

But Humility comes from understanding that God controls all – and it destroys anxiety. It is produced by having a tremendous view of God. It is not thinking badly of yourself, it is just not thinking of yourself at all…. And that is a byproduct of seeing how overwhelmingly powerful God truly is.

Once you see it - you will stop worrying about you - and instead focus on the glory of The Lord.  Suddenly you will trust Romans 8:31 “If God is for us who can be against us?” And when that occurs - anxiety evaporates.

So, think about Jesus’ question…. What do you control?

If there is something bothering you that you control – change it.

If there is something troubling you that you don’t control … talk to God about it - He loves you and can change anything.

Philippians says to worry about nothing and pray about everything ….” And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

You don’t control everything… but God does…. Give it to Him and He will give you a peace so powerful that it will be the death knell of anxiety - and the birth of freedom.

 “Not everything that weighs you down is yours to carry.”
—Anonymous

John 14:15 5/19/2020*

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Jesus spoke these words and they are not difficult to understand.  In the original language they mean… “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Yet many people do their best to interpret them in some other way…any other way!  Desperately trying to secure grace without sanctification. Trying to find a way to twist the words of Christ into fire insurance so they can keep living as their own god.

We love the gospel…the good news that we are redeemed…but we balk at obedience…. nevertheless, redemption is always offered with transformation.

Why would God pay for your sin and not deliver you from its power?  Grace and sanctification are the bookends of salvation.  They identify it as valid and offer assurance to the believer.

If you try to claim grace without sanctification - you end up with license.

If you strive for sanctification without grace - you are involved in legalism.

The definition of salvation requires both…  Which brings us back to our verse - “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

You are saved by grace alone - but saving grace is never alone…It changes you.  Ignoring this truth results in people carrying around chains that were unlocked years ago… and worse, others confidently lost in their religion.

This point was too important for Christ to mince words… He said “it is finished” - he was referring to the rescue mission that freed you from the power of sin.  You are no longer a slave to your old life - you have the ability to resist temptation. You may not be perfect…but you will be different.

Scripture is clear …resist the devil and he will flee from you…Stop sitting in your open prison cell … The cross not only paid for your sin, it freed you from its power. You are pushing a Ferrari…get in, start the engine, and go.

Stop listening to the lie that you must obey your flesh… that body perished, and you have been reborn.  There is nothing sadder than a Prince living like a pauper…put on the armor of God and live like the champion God made you to be!

“Sanctification grows out of faith in Jesus Christ. Remember holiness is a flower, not a root; it is not sanctification that saves, but salvation that sanctifies.” - Charles Spurgeon

Genesis 41:46 5/12/2020*

“Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”

When Joseph was seventeen, God told him that he would someday reign over many people.  This verse says it was thirteen years before any hint of fulfillment of that dream began.

Between God’s promise and it’s fulfillment - things did not look very promising – He was criticized by his family…His brothers planned to kill him but instead sold him into slavery …As a slave he was falsely accused of sexual harassment and imprisoned. 

He endured a decade and a half of misery after God promised he would rule.  Yet, during this time there was no complaining or self-pity from Joseph … He continued to serve God and care for others while in prison – He did not plead his case, seek revenge, or force his own way. Day by day, he faithfully waited on the Lord.

Are you patiently waiting on the Lord?... or are you experiencing a season of fear and anxiety?  Are things not like you hoped they would be? Perhaps you are a slave to a situation - or in prison because of things you have done. Maybe you are suffering because of the dishonesty of others.

If you will choose to wait in faith – God has made a promise to you in Isaiah 40:31 - “…those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Joseph endured over a decade of anguish after God’s promise, and like Joseph you may be suffering right now too…You may be walking and trying not to faint. But keep walking.

Keep putting one foot in front of the other…. because no matter how dark it seems - the time is coming when you will mount up on wings like an eagle if you will just wait on the Lord.

Have faith in God…wait expectantly for His deliverance. And while you wait – grow – trust – study - believe.  Handle what is in front of you today and have confidence in God for tomorrow.

Like Joseph you have no idea how or when God will deliver you – so just focus on the fact that He will….and take the next step.

“God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.” - Andrew Murray

Matthew 6:7 5/5/2020*

“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.”

How passionate is your prayer life?

In this verse, Jesus is warning us not to allow our prayers to become religious rituals that we recite so we can check a box. Babbling unemotional phrases does not change anything.

Prayer should be the most intense part of your day. Meeting with God should impact you emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It should be exhausting and rejuvenating at the same time.

Routine prayer is not the objective…Life changing, impassioned communication with God is the goal.

Jesus prayed so deeply He sweat blood; Jacob had a new name and a noticeable limp after wrestling with God.  Moses’ face glowed after meeting with the Lord. How big of an impact has prayer had on you lately?

Maybe your expectations are too low…Perhaps prayer is more powerful than you imagine. Could it be that you are neglecting your most formidable weapon?

When Christ died, the vail separating man from God in the temple was torn in half (Matt. 27:51). His death allowed us unrestricted access to the Father.  The price Jesus willingly paid would indicate the value of communicating directly with God is enormous.

Prayer is the only thing you do that effects real change in areas you otherwise cannot control. Worry alters nothing and ignoring problems does not make them go away. But walking into the Throne Room of God and hitting your knees changes everything.

Let me encourage you to re-evaluate your prayer life. Maybe you should raise the bar.  Quit asking for mundane things… Stop regurgitating monotone phrases…Get serious with God.  Write down your prayers and assess them often. Be passionate and personal with your Father.  Consistently be still and listen…it will change your life.

However, be warned…. if you choose to do this it will be difficult…The enemy will do anything he can to distract you because prayer is the only power you have that he fears.

Fight for it…. You are missing blessings if you are not impacted every time you meet with God. 

Circumstances do not determine the vibrance of your life…time spent with your Father does.

“I know of no better thermometer to your spiritual temperature than this, the measure of the intensity of your prayer.” – Charles Spurgeon