Worry

THE WORRIES OF THIS LIFE AND THE DECEITFULNESS OF WEALTH

Matthew 13:18-23.

The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Don’t worry

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The cares of this life are a weight and a hindrance that will rob us of our peace and cripple our spiritual life.

We hear the word regularly,

Why is it that GOD’S WORD produces so little fruit in our lives?

Have we set our hearts on our job/ hobbies or something else rather than on seeking God and knowing Him. His word cannot produce fruit in our lives if it can’t take root through all the clutter and cares we are filling our heart with,

Matthew 6:25-34

Then Jesus said to his disciples: Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap; they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the wildflowers grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour 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, how much more will he clothe you, you of little faith! 

Philippians 2:4.

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

James 2:14-17.

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

1 Corinthians 12:25-26. 

There should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.

Galatians 6:2.

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:9-10.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Luke 12:22-34.

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the wildflowers grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour 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, how much more will he clothe you, you of little faith! 

When you worry, your body responds to your anxiety the same way it would react to physical danger.

To help you cope with the physical demands you are about to ask your body to perform, your brain releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol into the bloodstream. They trigger a range of physical reactions that will equip your body for action.

Your heart rate increases, your breathing becomes heavier, and you may sweat more. You may also become pale as the blood moves away from the skin towards the muscles to help them prepare for the 'fight or flight' situation your worry has created.

The 'fight or flight' response is your body's instinctive reaction to danger.

Unconsciously your body prepares itself to either run away from danger or becomes very alert in order fight predators.

But many of the things we worry about today cannot be dealt with by fighting or running away. Credit card bills, bad relationships or stress at work cannot be dealt with physically, so our body remains in a state of anxiety, ready for action.

This means the stress hormones are still circulating in the blood stream. Theresa Francis-Cheung says over a prolonged period of time, raised levels of these chemicals can start to have a toxic effect on the glands, nervous system and the heart, eventually leading to heart attacks, increased risk of stroke and stomach ulcers.

Worrying also has an effect on our brains. Excessive worry disturbs your peace of mind making it harder for you to concentrate on one task at a time.

daily MailOnline

This means it may also be difficult for you to fall asleep at night. Once you are suffering from insomnia, many worriers start to worry about that as well making their symptoms even worse.

Worry may also make you absent minded or neglectful of your health. You may feel too stressed to eat properly so you are not getting enough vitamins and minerals in your diet. This could speed up the ageing process as you are not replenishing your skin, muscles or brain with the right nutrients from your food.

Excessive worry could even lead into depression. If you start to worry about everyone and everything day and night.

daily MailOnline

HEBREWS 12:1.(NKJV)

Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Psalm 55:22.

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

    1 Peter 5:7.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you

Matthew 11:28-29.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls. 

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

2 Corinthians 11:23-29.

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again, and again.   Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,

PAUL’S CARES

2 Corinthians 11:23-29.

I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have laboured and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

PAUL’S CARES

2 Corinthians 11:23-29.

Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

PAUL’S CARES

2 Corinthians 4:17.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

PAUL’S CARES

2 Corinthians 4:17.

For our light and momentary troubles

how could Paul call his troubles light? well because Jesus said my burden is light.

Not only was Paul doing all this missionary work for the Lord, but he was also doing it with the Lord.

PAUL’S CARES

Philippians 4:6-8.

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.

Luke 21:34-35.

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. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (Amp)

 Therefore, humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

(It says), "Humble yourselves Casting all your care on Him”,

They are not separate actions, but the same action carried out to its ultimate end. According to God’s Word, the best way to humble ourselves is to cast all our care on Him, to recognise and admit that we are not capable of bearing it or finding solutions for it.

That’s a far cry from what most of the world thinks about the meaning of humility. Most people seem to think that being “humble” means that they are willing and even glad to carry all their own problems and burdens – willing to suffer with them – willing to have to find solutions for them on their own. Most of the world thinks that a humble person will not strive to make things easier on himself.

But God’s definition of the humble man is exactly opposite.

IF WE WANT TO BE TRULY “HUMBLE” AS GOD DEFINES HUMILITY, WE MUST DECIDE THAT WE WILL NOT CARRY OUR OWN BURDENS OR WORK OUT THE SOLUTIONS TO THEM. RATHER, WE WILL CAST THEM INTO HIS LOVING HANDS AND REJOICE IN BEING CARE-FREE AND UNBURDENED. AFTER ALL, HE HAS PROMISED

Psalms 138:8.

He will perfect that which concerns us.

One thing that may stop you from totally surrendering to God’s will are peer pressures. Friends may come into town to visit you at that same time you were to go to church or a Bible study. We may put the desires of our children or our spouse before our commitment to the things of GOD.

agfbrakpan

When these and other things that follow hinder or stop a person from doing the "WILL OF GOD," there is no doubt they are being used by Satan to accomplish his purpose. Will these things stop you from going to church, prayer meetings, Bible studies, fellowshipping with other strong believers, studying your Bible, memorizing Scripture, witnessing for Jesus, serving Jesus, and doing the will of God?

   Family problems may arise. You may need to go on a honeymoon, or go and see a house, land, merchandise, or an automobile you want to buy. Perhaps you have to sign papers to buy it, and it just happens to be when the church service is being held or a Bible study.

Or perhaps you need to paint your house, repair a faucet, wash the dog, mow the grass, clean the swimming pool, wash the car, and cook meals…..

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1 Timothy 5:3-8. (RSV)

Honour widows who are real widows. If a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn their religious duty to their own family and make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. She who is a real widow, and is left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day; whereas she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. Command this, so that they may be without reproach.

If any one does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Luke 14:16-21. Jesus replied: A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.  At the time of the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, Come, for everything is now ready. But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must see it. Please excuse me. Another said, I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.

Still another said, I just got married, so I can’t come. The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.

I found this site on the internet yesterday: What are some polite excuses to give when declining an invitation

SO IF YOU ARE RUNNING OUT OF EXCUSES FOR MISSING CHURCH,DON’T WORRY AND LET THOSE STRESS HORMONES GET THE BETTER OF YOU JUST USE GOOGLE AND GET SOME NEW MATERIAL

Cares of this life lead to wrong priorities

It depends on who you are and what it is. The Queen sent a message to Meghan after she married Harry to come to see her, she replied that she was busy with other things, now NO ONE says no to the Queen. She was told to cancel whatever she had been going to do and attend the Queen immediately.

If one is invited to meet the British monarch, can they refuse?

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THE INVITE OF THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS TO SIT AT HIS TABLE?

Cares of this life lead to wrong priorities

8:20.

Matthew 8:20.

t Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.

I will follow you

Matthew 19:16-21

Someone who kept the commandments.

Do not murder.

Do not commit adultery.

Do not give false testimony.

Do not steal.

came to Jesus Jesus spoke to this rich man who kept all these commandments, yet Jesus said that something was still lacking in his life. (He would not give away his wealth to follow Jesus)

“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Matthew 19:23-30

 Then Jesus said to his disciples, Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Again, I tell you; it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God. When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?

Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Peter answered him, We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?

Matthew 19:23-30

 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

While the world looks upon me As I struggle along They say I have nothing But they are so wrong In my heart, I'm rejoicing How I wish they could see Thank you, Lord, For your blessings on me

There's a roof up above me I've a good place to sleep There's food on my table And shoes on my feet You gave me your love Lord And a fine family Thank you, Lord, For your blessings on me

Although I'm not wealthy And these clothes, they're not new I don't have much money But Lord, I have you To me, that's all that matters Though the world may not see Thank you, Lord, For your blessings on me

Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me