Trusting in the power of God, not human wisdom – Full message

 

Pray like this: Lord, help me to love you and trust you

 

The challenge: Put your hope in God

 

Put your faith and trust in God

Lives turned upside down: Job

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Do you really trust God?

When your jokes fall flat...it's time to pray

Go ahead and step out

Four Quick Thoughts About Handling Media Fear Tactics

There are people and organizations who have significant communication platforms. For example, large news organization or well-known media personalities. It is helpful to keep in mind that sometimes the people and organizations who reach vast numbers of people maintain their large audience—at least in part—by sensationalism and capitalizing on our fears.

Here are a few simple thoughts…

1. Headlines and other promotional teases are frequently exaggerated and in many cases they are tested and designed to draw us in even if the truth has to be stretched. Really stretched.

2. We are going to read, watch, listen and click, of course, but be discerning. Virtually every information source has a bias of some kind. (If you’re thinking, “Oh yeah, well you’re biased too Dan.” You’re right. I am biased. But at least I’m admitting it.)

3. Be skeptical of fear tactics based on predictions about the future. Most aspects of the future are notoriously difficult to know in advance. (I hope you notice a bit of playful tongue-in-cheek attitude involved in that last sentence.)

4. It is not God’s intention for us to live in fear. He desires that we trust Him.

Here are some good, helpful and encouraging truths…

“For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.” [ Jesus ] Matthew 6:34

I Know I'm Not Supposed To Worry

I really hate to admit this, but I will be honest and write about it here: Sometimes when I wake up in the morning one of the first things to enter my mind is worry. I’ve read this is not uncommon for people. One of the most likely times for worry is just before going to sleep at night or first thing in the morning.

I don’t want to worry and as a follower of Jesus I know I’m not supposed to worry.

(The realization that I’m not supposed to worry will occasionally have me worrying about my tendency to worry. It gets complicated, doesn’t it?)

I know God is for me, not against me. I know God provides for our needs. So I shouldn’t worry. But it can be hard to stop doing something that almost seems to happen unintentionally and involuntarily.

I’m not writing this so you can join me in my worry and say, “Yep, that happens to me occasionally, too!” I’m writing this to tell you there is a simple passage of scripture which helps me. What the passage says is not complicated and it is almost somewhat obvious. But it has helped me, anyhow, and if something helps, my thought is, “Hey, that’s good! I don’t care if it’s obvious or simple. I’m just glad it is helping me.”

The passage is found in the book of Matthew chapter 6. Jesus is speaking and He says this:

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 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? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:28-34

When I read this passage I remember God has always provided for my needs. Jesus’ words help me trust Him and know He will always continue to provide for my needs.

So I tell myself… “Stop worrying and see all of life as a gift from God. Trust that God knows more about life than you do and He is providing fullness of life for you.”

Prayer: “Lord, help me to continue to trust you. Help any person who reads these words—even if they are not all that keen on ‘spiritual stuff’—to know you are for them, not against them. Help us to trust you. Amen.”

Trusting God? Yes.

Last night I had a very brief moment in which I was looking out the front doors of our church into the dark night sky as the snow was falling and I realized this: “I’m going trust God.”

You say, “For what specific issue are you trusting God?”

Answer: Yes.

It's Not A Cop Out To Trust God

I realize it can sound like a cop out to say, “Trust God.”  But I don’t use the phrase to suggest we should quit trying or quit thinking about solutions to problems.  However, there are things we can do and things we can’t do.  There are things we can control and a whole bunch of things we can’t control.

As I was watching the news this morning there were two key stories receiving a lot of attention.  One story had to do with ISIS, which affects many people under the broad category of terrorism activity.  The other story had to do with the Ebola virus, which seems to have the potential to affect more people than might have otherwise been reported. As you know, it is already classified as an epidemic in West Africa.

Both of these front page news stories are a good example of issues over which most of us have very little control.  And there are many other issues of life we do not control, as well.

I’m not writing this to make us feel hopeless or scared and I am definitely not trying to make us feel like victims.  I do not like the tendency of our culture to encourage a victim mentality. I’m just pointing out basic realities of life.

So, for me this statement is not a cop out.  It has to do with a fundamental truth of my existence:  I choose to trust God.

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Hebrews 13:5&6

"Stop Worrying!" Sure! But It's Easier Said Than Done

Some of us are wired up in such a way that we worry about… um… let’s see… well, pretty much everything.  By the way, when I write about being “wired up” in such a way, I’m not trying to use that concept as an excuse.  We need to trust in God and not worry.  However, this tendency for worry and anxiety is a part of the natural psychological profile for some of us.

I hate to admit it, it’s embarrassing, but I’m one of those with this tendency to worry.  I know, some of you are saying, “Just stop worrying, Dan.  Stop it.  Don’t do it anymore.”  I agree with your words of challenge.  You’re right.  But I hope you will be gracious and understand that it is easier said than done.

So, I find myself frequently, turning to the book of Philippians chapter 4, verses 6 and 7, and reading these words:  “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.”

The good thing about my struggles in this area is that they are, yet, one more reminder of my need for God’s help, His mercy, His love, His presence, His grace.

I’m glad that He is so generous with these qualities.  And I am thankful for the peace which transcends all understanding!

Walk Closely With God Because We Don't Know What Will Happen

Question: Exactly what will happen today?  

Answer: We don’t know for sure.  

Therefore:  Walk closely with God and put your full trust in Him.

Walk With God And Put Your Trust In Him

Question: Exactly what will happen today?  Answer: We don’t know for sure.  Therefore:  Walk closely with God and put your full trust in Him.