Wednesday, February 28, 2018

March 1, 2018

"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything." Philippians 4:5-6

You have probably known that person who can walk into a room filled with angst or tension and their presence immediately brings a calming effect.

By the same token, you may also know a person who can walk into a calm room and put the room on edge.

Which is most true of you?

In this verse Paul calls you to be contagiously calm Christian.

The Greek word used for "gentleness" is translated to describe a temperament that is seasoned and mature. It envisions an attitude that is fitting to the occasion, levelheaded and tempered. A contagiously calm person is steady, evenhanded and fair. It looks objectively and reasonably at the facts of a case. Such a person is antithetical to one who over-reacts or panics in most situations.


The Amplified Version renders it like this: "Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near."

Max Lucado puts it this way, "A contagiously calm person is the one who reminds others, 'God is in control.'"


The Bible reveals the Lord was always present with his people:

He was with Abram - "After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram I am your shield, your very great reward.” Genesis 15:1

There is no doubt Abram had some low moments when he doubted if God was still with him. He panicked a time or two. But, in fact, God never did leave him or forsake him. And by the time Abram became Abraham he had become assured of God's presence and displayed a contagious calm.

He was with Hagar - "God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid;God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink." Genesis 21:17-19

Hagar and Ishmael bore the brunt of one the panic-stricken moments in Abram's life. She was put out of the camp at Sara's demand and left to fend for herself and her infant son in the barren desert. There God sent His angel to remind her of His presence and provision. Imagine the calming effect that had!

He was with Isaac - "That night the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.” Genesis 26:24

Isaac had witnessed God's faithfulness to his father, Abraham over the years and now God appeared to him with the calm assurance He would be with Isaac as well.

He was with Joshua - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

Joshua was stepping into some pretty big shoes, er, sandals. He was being called by God to do what Moses had not been able to do - lead God's people into the Promised Land. So, before he took the job God spoke to Joshua to remind him and assure him that He would be near him every step of the way.


He was with the Psalmist - "The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper.  I look in triumph on my enemies." Psalm 118:6–7

The Psalmist had a rolled coaster of emotions during his walk with God. He enjoyed numerous exhilarating moments with God but also a few deep and desperate lows when God seemed absent or distant.

Here are a couple of assurances given to ALL of God's people:

Jesus’ name "Immanuel" means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23 NIV).

At the end of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus promised, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” Matthew 28:20 NIV

How can I know this contagious calm these Bible heroes knew?

How can I live a life free of crippling anxiety?

Paul gives a clue in this verse! In his many stressful and anxious ministry moments he would hold onto this comforting fact, "The Lord is near!"

That powerful reminder of the Lord's presence calmed him in the deep, dark and damp prison or marooned on the high sea for nearly two days!

Do you need a calm that can become contagious?

Your gentleness will be the evidence you know the Lord is near!


Three Great Truths

"And in the same way—by our faith—the Holy Spirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying. For we don’t even know what we should pray for nor how to pray as we should, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows, of course, what the Spirit is saying as he pleads for us in harmony with God’s own will.  And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans. For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him—and all along he knew who would—should become like his Son, so that his Son would be the First, with many brothers. And having chosen us, he called us to come to him; and when we came, he declared us “not guilty,” filled us with Christ’s goodness, gave us right standing with himself, and promised us his glory. What can we ever say to such wonderful things as these? If God is on our side, who can ever be against us?  Since he did not spare even his own Son for us but gave him up for us all, won’t he also surely give us everything else?" Romans 8:26-32




A regal swan glides smoothly across the placid pond looking so calm. But just below the surface of the water his legs are moving frantically.

Is it possible to stay calm below the water as well as above it?

The Apostle gives three great truths that can have a calming effect on every believer.

First, trust God with your destiny. 

"For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him—and all along he knew who would—should become like his Son, so that his Son would be the First, with many brothers. And having chosen us, he called us to come to him; and when we came, he declared us “not guilty,” filled us with Christ’s goodness, gave us right standing with himself, and promised us his glory. What can we ever say to such wonderful things as these? If God is on our side, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son for us but gave him up for us all, won’t he also surely give us everything else?" 8:29-32

God and only God is able to guard and guarantee your future. As Paul said, "If God is for you who can be against you?"

Do you believe that?

If you do it will have a calming effect today and every day to come!

Second, you can trust God with your details!

"And in the same way—by our faith—the Holy Spirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying. For we don’t even know what we should pray for nor how to pray as we should, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows, of course, what the Spirit is saying as he pleads for us in harmony with God’s own will." Romans 8:26-27

One of the things that can wear you down and derail you from your destiny is the daily grind. Life's everyday demands, difficulties and details can suck the joy out of you.

Paul reminds you that the Holy Spirit is committed to strengthen you in your everyday challenges. He can help overcome your problems and to prevail in your prayers!

Do you believe that?

If you do you will find and amazing calm that will get you through the grind.

Third, you can trust God with your detours.

"And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans." Romans 8:28

Bad things sometimes happen to good people. And to be perfectly honest, sometimes good things happen to bad people. So, with that said let's forget about trying to make things fair. Life certainly isn't fair!

In this verse Paul acknowledges that bad things happen to godly people. But the key to finding calm in your life is knowing God Who is Sovereign over your destiny and over your details is also in charge of the detours that seek to throw you off course and cause you to wonder away from God.

Paul reminds you that God is able to make "ALL THINGS" (bad things, unfair things, confusing things, senseless things and painful things) to end up being a net positive for you in ways that will astound you!

Do you believe that?

If you believe that God is sovereign over the details of your life you will find a calming presence sweep over your heart and mind.

As you begin this day will you:
  • Trust God with your destiny and find calm?
  • Trust God with your details of daily living and be calm?
  • Trust God with your detours knowing He is able to work them all together for your good! Be calm!

Monday, February 26, 2018

February 27, 2018

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21

There is a good reason that the writer of Romans admonishes you not to allow yourself to be overcome with evil. Here are three of them:

Lucifer was overcome by evil and lost his exalted place in Heaven:

"How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” Isaiah 14:12-14

Ever since he became evil he has spread evil like a plague and is totally dedicated to overwhelming the world with evil:

“You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Genesis 3:4-6

Once sin spread to the human race, Adam and Eve, the first parents contaminated the human nature with evil. Since then every person who has ever been born has been overcome by evil. You were born evil. I was born evil. It is our default position. Unless something dramatic is done, all of humanity will be hopelessly overcome by evil.

God sent Jesus, His Perfect Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin - without a sinful nature! That enabled Him to become the sacrifice to bear the penalty for our sins. He Who was Holy absorbed our evil and became evil for us:

"Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. " Matthew 27:27-31

These three portraits of evil remind us of how hideous it is. They remind us of how powerful it is. So powerful is it that only God Himself can overcome it. What makes you think you can mess with it and get away with it?

Only the Second Adam could overcome the evil created by the first Adam. He is your only hope to be an overcomer!





February 26, 2018

When you want to express the inexpressible, look to a poet. It doesn’t take you long to run out of adjectives when you begin trying to describe the amazing infinite love of God. Nearly 100 years ago, a gentleman by the name of Frederick Martin Lehman penned this poem that was later put to music in a hymn called appropriately – “The Love of God”.

I think he captures it pretty well! See what you think.


The love of God is greater far, Than tongue or pen can ever tell.
It goes beyond the highest star, And reaches to the lowest hell.
The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled, And pardoned from his sin.


O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure  The saints' and angels' song.


When age and time shall pass away, And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall;
When men who here refuse to pray, On rocks and hills and mountains call;
God's love, so sure, shall still endure, All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam's race — The saints' and angels' song.

O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure  The saints' and angels' song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made;

Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade;


To write the love of God above, Would drain the ocean dry;


Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky.

O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure  The saints' and angels' song.

WOW! What a CRAZY love!

Saturday, February 24, 2018

February 25, 2018

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:4-8

Max Lucado wrote a very helpful book on the topic of dealing with anxiety and it is based on this great portion of Scripture. The book is entitled "Anxious for Nothing" I highly recommend it! It is the source of our sermons, blogs and study groups for the next five weeks.

To recap this week we have traced the roots of anxiety and found there was actually a time when anxiety. It was in the garden of Eden when God was Sovereign and Adam and Eve were happy under His control. But when they decided to try and take control they were introduced to worry, stress and anxiety.

Thanks to them, we are born with control issues. Because we believe we have to be in control of our lives and because we are not able to control much of anything we feel out of control. Or, we live under an illusion of false control. But either way the anxiety level rises because we feel out of control. What is our answer to feeling out of control? It is to try harder to get control! And the stress level goes higher!

Paul, who wrote these positive stress free words to the believers in Philippi was writing them from a dark, damp, cold dungeon in Rome chained to a Roman guard. He was awaiting a trial before a Roman court that hated Christians and that was largely influenced by a psychotic Emperor named Nero. So Paul's future largely rested on the whims of a crazy man who loved to send Christians to a brutal death.

And yet this very man writes words, and phrases and sentences like these:

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"

"Do not be anxious about anything."

Seriously?

How is that possible?

As I said, over the next few weeks we will unpack this goldmine of spiritual wisdom and truth! From it we will learn how to be calm in situations where we used to know only anxiety!

Celebrate God’s Goodness – Philippians 4:4
Ask for God’s Help – Philippians 4:6
Leave Our Concerns With God – Philippians 4:6
Meditate on Only Good Things – Philippians 4:8

But in the meantime, here is a prayer you can pray in your anxious moments!

“Dear Lord, you spoke to the storms. Would you speak to me? Would you calm this storm in me? You calmed the hearts of the Apostles. Would you calm the chaos in me? You told them to fear not. Would you say the same to me? I am weary from my worry. I am beaten and battered by the storms in my life. Oh, Prince of Peace, give me a spirit of calm. Take control and place your confidence in me. Stir up courage. Let me know fewer frets and much more faith. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!”













Friday, February 23, 2018

February 24, 2018

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4

The first appearance of anxiety happened in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. Deceived by the serpent they rebelled against the Sovereignty of God and sought to take control of their own lives. Their lives became complicated in a hurry and spun out of control.

Anxiety is not only a product of rebellion against God's Sovereignty but it increases as we continue to resist His Sovereignty over our lives.

As Paul wrote these encouraging words of counsel to the Philippians he found himself deep in a dark, musty, cold Roman prison chained to a Roman soldier at all times. He was awaiting trial before a strongly biased anti-Christian court fully aware that his earthly fate rested on the whim of a psychotic Christian hating Emperor named Nero.

And he told them to "rejoice in the Lord always"? Was he serious?

How can this be?

Though Paul despised his circumstances at the time he wrote those words, he still was filled with hope and shared the source of his hope with these Christians in the Church of Philippe. Here's the encouragement he sought to give to these believers.


“Rejoice” = “Constantly celebrate and revel”
“In the Lord” = “His character and His sovereignty”
always” = “No expiration date”
“Again I say rejoice”

So, when life gets really hard and beyond your control you can continue trying to get it under your control or you can decide, as Paul did, to surrender control of your circumstances to the Sovereignty of God and rejoice in His love and power.

Learn from Paul in these verses and surrender control of your life to God and then control what is within your meager power. What you can control is your attitude, your decisions, the acts of your will and your surrender to the will of God. Then learn to trust God for all the rest of your needs!

Here's what taking control of your emotions, your attitudes and decisions might look like when the rest of your life is under God's control:


1) Don’t deny your feelings – defy them
2) Even if you dismay – obey
3) When urged to control – commit to His control
4) Allow Scripture to define reality not your suffering
5) View your pain through His promises
6) Counter despair with prayer
7) Serve the Lord with gladness
8) Sing songs that strengthen your spirit
9) To rejoice “in the Lord” you must be “in the Lord”
Do you know the Lord as your personal Savior?


HERE’S THE BOTTOM LINE – SURRENDER CONTROL TO HIS SOVEREIGNTY AND CONTROL WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL.

Anxiety is a DECISION not a PRISON!

When you decide to control what you can and SURRENDER EVERYTHING ELSE TO HIS CONTROL you are on the road to relief from ANXIETY!

At this moment, what fear, anxiety, worry is “Choking the breath” out of you? What is it that “squeezing” the joy, the hope, energy out of you?



Thursday, February 22, 2018

Control Is An Illusion

"Do not be anxious about anything....." Philippians 4:6



Anxiety entered the human experience when Eve would rather have control than trust God's sovereignty. Adam foolishly agreed with her.

Ironically, their craving for control sent life spinning out of control. 

So, the roots of anxiety are in rebellion against God's sovereignty. And the level of anxiety rises in direct proportion to your continued resistance to His control over your life!

To review:
  • Anxiety is an emotion not a sin, but it can cause you to sin. 
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap." Luke 21:34
  • Anxiety empowers us when we demand control of our lives and resist living under God's sovereign control.
  • So, anxiety is a decision not a prison.

The Hawaiians had a word for anxiety they coined to describe the white Westerners who came to pursue their fortunes in the tropical paradise. That word was "haole" and it meant "breathless" because that is how these driven and ambitious foreigners seemed to the Islanders. They were so intent on possessing and building and controlling their own little empires it seemed they barely had time to breath.

Does that sound familiar?

Do you know anyone like that?

I mentioned Latin word for anxiety means to "choke" or "to squeeze". That is a great description of how it feels when you insist on controlling your life while resisting God's control over it.

Excepting a life-altering trauma, some mental or emotional disorder, anxiety is rooted in rebellion against God's sovereignty or control over the affairs of your life! And continued repeated resistance to His will and His control will cause a rise in the level of your anxiety.

It is like the definition of insanity. Insanity is continuing to do the same thing while expecting anew result. That will never happen!

If you want to change your behavior you will need to first change your belief! 

Life is beyond your control! Even when you think you have it under control you don't. Control is an illusion that can become a delusion!

Only God is able to control the events and circumstances of your life. He is Sovereign!

Anxiety will plague your life, rob your joy, sap your energy, steal your enthusiasm and trouble your sleep until you relinquish control of your life unto Jesus!

Will you surrender to His sovereignty today and catch your breath?

February 22, 2018

"The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.” Genesis 3:6-13

Our automobiles are safer than ever. Our food sources and our food production are safer than ever. The drilling, the production, the generation and transportation of energy is safer than ever. We have simple wireless security systems that are safer than ever. The Stock Market is rising and our economy is expanding and becoming stronger every month. There is much to be encouraged about!

So why are anxiety levels at an all-time highs? Why are stress-related physical, mental and emotional issues rising exponentially?

Although the scope and breadth of anxiety-related issues are fairly recent phenomenon anxiety has plagued the human condition since Adam and Eve.

To trace the origins of anxiety you must go back to the Garden of Eden and recognize the primary issue is control. 

When Adam and Eve lived blissfully under the Sovereignty of God their lives were prosperous, peaceful and content. God was lovingly sparing them from the worries of everyday life. They had clearly defined responsibilities that provided them a sense of meaning and worth. God had made them a perfect match for each other and for being in fellowship with Him. For them it was literally a living paradise while God was in charge!

But the Serpent sought to change that. He sowed seeds of doubt and discontent in their heart and mind. Original sin was a power play, a quest for control. He was able to get Eve to believe life would be better if she could be in control. Why depend on God when she could call the shots herself? She took the deal, she sold it to Adam and they discovered the joys of anxiety. Once they took control life soon got out of control. Our ego says we can handle life but our emotions know better.

Perhaps you hadn't thought about it before but anxiety is so destructive because it was born out of rebellion. Life is way too big for us! We may be able to control our decisions but we can't control the consequences or the outcomes. Being in control brings control issues! Not only do we now bear the responsibility for the decision we also become responsible for the fallout! The more we try to control our lives the more out of control we feel. That's anxiety 101 and life gets complicated quickly.

"Then he said to the woman, “I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you.” And to the man he said, “Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” Genesis 3:16-19

So, how's that control thing working for you now, Adam and Eve?

Feeling anxious is not a sin, nor is worry. But when you are anxious it can cause you to sin because you feel like you need to take control of things you cannot control.

Take control of your anxiety! Put your life under God's control today!


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Tuesday, February 20, 2018

5 Anxiety Fighting Statements

"Do not be anxious about anything...." Philippians 4:6




I have had anxious moments.

So have you.

There are times I catch myself worrying over something I shouldn't.

You probably have too.

That is not what Paul has in mind when he pens these words. The root word he uses for "anxious" literally means "to choke" or "to squeeze". He is referring to being so overcome by fear, worry and anxiety that your energy is low and your blood pressure is high and your sleep is troubled.

The Apostle, writing from a dark, damp prison chained to a Roman guard knowing his life depends on the whims of a psychotic Emperor named Nero. If anyone had reason to be anxious it was him. Yet he wrote with complete integrity when he admonished the Philippians to be anxious for nothing!

I have had an anxiety attack. I never want to have another one. I was overcome by worry, despair and hopelessness and felt absolutely powerless to do anything about it. It was the lowest moment of my life. I emptied every glass, coffee cup and dish in my cabinet and shattered them against my brick fireplace.

It wasn't until I began cleaning up the mess that I realized how totally out of control I had been.

Once you are overcome by anxiety it is followed by deep feelings of shame and guilt. Before you know it you are caught in a powerful downward spiral.

Studies have found that 17% of Americans suffer from severe anxiety. When you do the math it factors to 56,000,000 people!

Prescriptions for anti-anxiety medications have more than doubled in the past 20 years.

If worry was an Olympic event America would take the Gold Medal.

But in view of all those facts Paul assures us it is possible to "be anxious for nothing"! How can that be?

Here's the answers! There are five anxiety fighting statements below. Can you find them?

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Fin ally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:4-9