HIDE ME IN THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS, DEAR LORD
THE WAVES OF DARKNESS BLOW ACROSS MY PATH
I FEEL THE NIGHT OF EVIL GAINING GROUND
"O MASTER OF LIFE'S STORMS, CAN PEACE BE FOUND?"
THE WORLD'S ELIXIR THAT ONCE OFFERED JOY
IS BUT AN EMPTY GLASS, A BROKEN TOY!
YET FROM A LONELY HEART A VOICE IS HEARD:
"O GOD! CAN HEAVEN SEND ONE CALMING WORD?"
THE TORCH OF TRUTH THAT BURNED SO BRIGHT & CLEAR
THAT OFFERED HOPE AGAINST THIS MONSTER:"FEAR"
WE'RE ANXIOUS MOMENTS BUILT ON SINKING SAND
FOR IN MY SEARCH I FELT NO HELPING HAND!
YET IN THE NOISE AND CLAMOR OF UNREST
THE SPIRIT'S GENTLE VOICE ASSURED ME "REST!"
AND FROM GOD'S WORD I HEARED THE MASTER SAY:
"COME UNTO ME, YOU'LL FIND REAL PEACE TODAY!"
NOW FROM THE FOUNT OF GRACE I FREELY DRINK
THE COOL, REFRESHING STREAM OF PEACE I SEEK
AND WITH UPLIFTED HEART IN PRAISE I SING
ALL GLORY TO THE RISEN CHRIST, MY KING!
ben pent
Showing posts with label anxiety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label anxiety. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Monday, February 1, 2010
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT - Matthew 6:25-34
Someone stated that worry is the advance interest you pay on troubles that seldom come. It springs from the desire that things should happen as we wish rather than as God wills. Pressure to succeed is today's biggest contributing factor to anxiety and worry. Worry not only affects us mentally but also physically. It affects circulation, the heart, the glands and our whole nervous system. It also affects us spiritually by robbing us of peace and trust in God's leading and plan for our lives. The Anglo-Saxon word for worry means "to strangle or chock." It also means "to divide the mind; to be drawn in different directions."
What does Jesus say about living worry free? Obviously, it was a high priority in His agenda for happy, victorious and productive living. So six times in these verses he commands us:
"do not worry about your life." He explains that the cause of worry stems from a wrong emphasis on materialism. If we get out of focus spiritually we become slaves to money or the things that money buys. When money rules, we becomes greedy, selfish, covetous and self-indulgent. Our Western cultures is obsessed with body shape, nutrition, vacations, cars, clothes, homes and an endless accumulation of toys and gadgets. Jesus stated emphatically, "no one can serve two masters."
Kingdom servants have a Master that promises to supply all our needs. So He moves from one command ("do not worry") to another command ("seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness"). If we transfer our focus from the earthly kingdom ruled by Satan to the heavenly Kingdom ruled by Christ, He promises "all these things" (what you are going to eat, drink, or wear)"will be given to you as well." While dealing with this same issue, Paul concludes in Phil.4:7, "the peace of God will guard your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus." God's prescription sure beats the Enemies, wouldn't you say? So then, lets put it into practice and begin living it. That is what I want to do! Don't you?
What does Jesus say about living worry free? Obviously, it was a high priority in His agenda for happy, victorious and productive living. So six times in these verses he commands us:
"do not worry about your life." He explains that the cause of worry stems from a wrong emphasis on materialism. If we get out of focus spiritually we become slaves to money or the things that money buys. When money rules, we becomes greedy, selfish, covetous and self-indulgent. Our Western cultures is obsessed with body shape, nutrition, vacations, cars, clothes, homes and an endless accumulation of toys and gadgets. Jesus stated emphatically, "no one can serve two masters."
Kingdom servants have a Master that promises to supply all our needs. So He moves from one command ("do not worry") to another command ("seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness"). If we transfer our focus from the earthly kingdom ruled by Satan to the heavenly Kingdom ruled by Christ, He promises "all these things" (what you are going to eat, drink, or wear)"will be given to you as well." While dealing with this same issue, Paul concludes in Phil.4:7, "the peace of God will guard your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus." God's prescription sure beats the Enemies, wouldn't you say? So then, lets put it into practice and begin living it. That is what I want to do! Don't you?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)