Do Not Worry About Your Life

"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.'" (Luke 12:22)

This verse echoes Matthew 6:31-33, "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." Jesus told His disciples to not worry or be anxious about their lives, not even about basic necessities like food and clothing. Instead, observe the birds and how God takes care of them (who are not made in God's image) and know that God will certainly take care of us (who are much more valuable than the birds) and our needs. Simply and fully trust the faithful provision of our loving, caring, and omnipotent God. God not only creates life, but also sustains life. This verse is not an excuse for idleness. Wise planning and hard working are necessary but worrying is not. 

We must also get our priorities straight. We must not let ourselves become preoccupied with the things of the world, including what to eat and what to wear. Some people go overboard with diets, exercises, and fashion. Their bodies become their idols. Put God first above all else. Life comes from God and the fullness of life comes from Jesus Christ, Who has overcome the world and Who gives us peace that surpasses all understanding. "Of all the priorities of life, seeking God's kingdom is number one. It is doing what you can to promote God's rule over His creation. That includes seeking Christ's rule to be manifest in your life through 'righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit' (Rom. 14:17). When the world sees those virtues in your life instead of worry, it's evidence that the kingdom of God is there." (John MacArthur)

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (Matthew 6:27) Not only will we not lengthen our lives by worrying, but we will more likely shorten our lives by worrying. Worrying wastes our time and energy. It is counterproductive. It weakens us and makes us weary. It negatively affects our circulatory system, heart, glands, and nervous system. It weighs our heart down, causes our mind to wander aimlessly, and withers our soul. It paralyzes us. It ain't worth it! Those who don't know God as their Heavenly Father may have worries and seek after material things, but this should not be the case for us, His children. Jesus commands us not to worry; therefore, worry is a sin! The craving for control is a curse, burden, and disease. God is in control, not us. Let go of the illusion of control. Surrender all to God, pray, trust, and wait on Him. 

"Casting all your care (anxiety) upon Him--because He cares for you!" (1 Peter 5:7) "The Lord knows all His people--all their needs, and all their trials. He thinks upon them--to bless, deliver and supply them. He keeps His eye upon them--in all places, at all times, and under all circumstances. He has them in His hand--and will not loosen His hold. It is a Father's care which He exercises. It is a wise, holy, tender, and constant care. Therefore all will be well with you--only trust Him." (James Smith) Since God knows our needs and He promises to supply, we have no reasons to worry whatsoever. Yahweh Jireh will provide what we need when we need it. God meets our daily needs daily (ex: manna and quail for each day in the wilderness). He wants us to trust His faithfulness. God is never too late. His grace suffices for each day. Trust God with every concern each and every day. Rest your full confidence in God!  "If we can trust God for our eternal salvation, how can we not trust Him to provide for the "little" things of life?" (M.E.Howard)

Bottom Line: If God is enough for us, then we will always have enough because we will always have God. In other words, when all we have is God, we have all we need. Why worry? "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him (Christ) Who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:12b-13)

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for caring for my daily needs! Please help me remain focused on You as my Source of peace, hope, joy, and strength. Please teach me through challenging times to rest in Your faithfulness, grace, and power. Please fill me up with childlike faith so that I have no room for fears, worries, or doubts. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Fear Not: God Is With You

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)


This verse includes two commands for us to obey: Do not fear and Do not be dismayed. It also includes two reasons why we are to obey: For I AM with you and For I AM your God. Finally, it includes three promises that God will keep: I will strengthen you, I will help you, and I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

God's presence makes all the difference in the world! Fear not because God is with us all the time! “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me…” (Psalm 23:4) The problem for most of us is that we are not aware of His presence. "We cannot attain the presence of God. We're already totally in the presence of God. What's absent is awareness." (Richard Rohr) We must remember that even when we don't feel God's presence, He is always present. You and I have never been alone even when we are alone or feel lonely. "A Father to the fatherless, a Defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling." (Psalm 68:5) God is there for all the orphans, widows, and the lonely in the world. Sadly, we often tend to focus on problems in front of us and our needs/wants, instead of God's presence and power within us. God is here; there's no need to fear.

The key to not being dismayed (broken down and filled with fear, disheartened thoroughly) is to make sure that God is your God. Do you have a personal relationship with Him by trusting in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If you are not in Christ, you have not been made righteous and you have every reason to be fearful. But when we are in Christ and fear God, we have no reason to fear anyone or anything. We are Christ's in all circumstances and for eternity. We belong to Him, Who is sovereign over all. He makes it His business to take care of us/our needs. He loves us and cares about us. He is personally engaged in our present and eternal welfare. Christ is here to stay; do not be dismayed!

“In times of fear I don’t wrestle, I nestle.” (Corrie ten Boom) Lean on God to give you strength when you have nothing left to give/when fear cripples you and anxiety drains you. “The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.” (Psalm 29:11) When we are weak, in Christ we are made strong. "He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) His divine power and strength will cover our weaknesses. "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." (Isaiah 40:29) "It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure." (Psalm 18:32) "The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." (2 Thessalonians 3:3) We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). Fear not!

Trust God to help you when you feel helpless. God is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent! Nothing is too hard for God. No matter what trial and storm you're going through, God is bigger than your storm and He is right there with you to bring you through it. "For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my Helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:5b-6) "God is our Refuge and Strength, an ever-present Help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1) Trust in His infinite wisdom, mighty power, and unending love. He knows what we need and He will provide, guide, and equip us. He delights in helping us. "The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still." (Exodus 14:14) "I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2) Fear not!

We are upheld (securely supported) by God's righteous right hand. “The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” (Psalm 145:13-14) "The Lord makes firms the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand." (Psalm 37:23-24) Our lives are in His capable, all-powerful hand! Fear not! 

John Piper restates these promises using five different prepositions:

• I am your God--over you. 
• I am with you--by your side. 
• I will strengthen you--from inside of you. 
• I will help you--all around you. 
• I will uphold you--from underneath you. 

God is over you, by you, inside you, around you, and underneath you.

Now repeat after me: "I am never alone. I have never been unloved. I am never without help."

Prayer: Thank You, Abba Father, for Your presence which gives me peace, courage, confidence, and comfort! Please help me be constantly aware of Your presence and rest in Your presence, promises, power, provision, and protection. Thank You for strengthening me, helping me, and upholding me through all the ups and downs of my life! Please empower me to live a faith-filled, fearless life. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Fear God, Not Man

Fear of man is a snare! It can cause us to sin, stumble, compromise our principles/virtues, do foolish things, displease/disobey God, be in danger, be in bondage, be silent (when we should speak up), and/or shrink in cowardice, even to the point of denying Christ (as in Peter's case). Because the 10 spies let their fear of man trump their fear of God & their faith in God, the Israelites had to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, instead of entering the Promised Land. Fear of man made them lose sight of God's promise and power. We all have seen and heard (or even experienced) negative effects of peer pressure. "Walk with the wise and become wise,  for a companion of fools suffers harm." (Proverbs 13:20) Especially with all the social media available, the pressure to conform, to be accepted, to be liked, or to be admired, is everywhere. There's also the disease to please (everyone) and the temptation to compare (with others). Don't fall into any of these dangerous traps!

Instead of fearing people, we must fear (have reverence for) God, trust Him, obey Him, and rely on Him. God will keep us safe and secure in His loving arms and will guide us on the right path. He will protect us from the devil's schemes and snares. Live for the Audience of One. God's approval alone is what matters. When we truly fear God, we don't need to fear anyone or anything. Have God-confidence! True courage comes from fearing God, rather than men, trusting God totally, and acknowledging God's sovereignty. Learn to care less what people think of you. You wouldn't be worried about what people think of you if you knew how seldom they actually do. Aim to please God, not people. "If your all is in the hand of the Lord, why worry about what 'they say'?" (Unknown) Derive your identity, value, and meaning from God alone, not from other people's approval or opinions of you. "Don't be held captive to either praise or criticism. Know who you are, what you're about, and most important, Who you serve." (Eugene Cho)

"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10) 
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?” (Deuteronomy 10:12-13) 
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him Who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28) 

"The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" (Psalm 118:6)

To ponder: Are you hiding your light for fear of what others think? Would you fear man's opinion so much that you would let someone die not knowing Christ? Is your fear of offending people greater than your fear of God? It must not be.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for Your promises, presence, power, providence, and protection! Please free me from the fear of man. Please give me the courage to always do what's right in Your eyes, no matter what others may think, feel, or say about me. Please help me to share the gospel boldly and stand up for Your truths always with no compromise. May my attitudes, words, and actions honor and glorify You! In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Without Dread of Disaster

"But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." (Proverbs 1:33)

Whoever listens to the counsels and instructions of wisdom (God's Word) will be safe and secure (spiritually) and have peace without fear of disaster/harm/evil. Wisdom from God's Word guides us and protects us from going astray and thus avoiding disaster. If we listen to (obey) God and His Word, we will be safe from Satan and his temptations and we can face anything with peace and confidence in our Rock, Jesus Christ. We have no reason to fear the eternal disaster awaiting those who ignore God and His Word. "Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your feet from being snared." (Proverbs 3:25-36)

Everyday when we watch or read the news, we see all sorts of disasters and crimes. Nowadays, we are even more aware of international and global problems. As I write this, the novel coronavirus has now infected more than 80,000 people worldwide and killed at least 2,700 people. Jesus Himself even warns us of deception, disasters, dangers, and death. "Jesus answered: 'Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in My Name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:4-11) However, God does not want us to be fearful or anxious by what is happening in the world. Jesus told His disciples, "See to it that you are not alarmed." Don't freak out when disasters happen. 

God's Word (wisdom) tells us to trust and rest in Him Who is our Refuge. According to Webster's Dictionary, the word "refuge" means “that which shelters or protects from danger, distress or calamity, a stronghold which protects by its strength or a sanctuary which secures safety by its sacredness, any place inaccessible to an enemy.” We can feel secure and be at ease without dread of disaster because God is our Refuge, God is with us, and God is in total control. "God is our Refuge and Strength, an ever-present Help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." (Psalm 46:1-3)  Picture yourselves as baby birds hiding under their parent's wings/feathers (feeling safe and secure) as you read Psalm 91 and experience the calmness, comfort, and confidence our Abba Father provides. "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God, in Whom I trust.' Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday...If you say, 'The Lord is my Refuge,' and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." (Psalm 91:1-6, 9-11)

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for being my Rock, Refuge, and Strength! You are greater than any disaster. I rest confidently in Your presence, faithfulness, and sovereignty. You are my Hiding Place. Please help me not to dread disasters, but to look to You and Your Word, instead.

Fear Not: Trust Your Future To God's Plans

This verse is one of the most popular Bible verses. It is often taken out of context. Jeremiah 29 was addressed to the Israelites who were in exile in Babylon (a punishment from God for their sins). Jeremiah told them that they needed to stay put in Babylon for 70 years and seek peace and help prosper Babylon. After that, God would fulfill His promise of returning them to their home. Jeremiah 29:11 was God's promise and plans for the Israelites who were captives in Babylon. It sounds very encouraging yet God did not take away their suffering and very few or none in that generation of Israelites would return to their land.

Does this verse apply to us (those who are in Christ)? Yes, in a sense that God does know the plans He has for us. And He will ultimately give us a glorious future. Therefore, Jeremiah 29:11 can help us rely on God's unchanging nature (His grace, love, faithful care for His children) and not worry or fear about our future. It should make us think of confident hope and security in Christ in the midst of our trials and suffering. However, we must be careful not to misuse Jeremiah 29:11. First of all, Jeremiah 29:11 doesn't apply to everyone. There is no future and no hope for those without Christ (John 3:18). Secondly, the hope and future we have in Christ does not guarantee that we will never face any difficulties or dangers in life. 

God knows the specific plans and purposes He has for each one of us. Since God is always good, faithful, wise, loving, and all-knowing, we can and should totally trust Him and His plans for our lives/our future. God only wants what's best for us. Our future is bright and full of hope because it is in God's hands. In His hands, we are spiritually safe and secure today, tomorrow, and for all eternity. We don't have to be afraid of or anxious about the future because we know the One who holds the future. We are guaranteed the hope of glory (Christ in us) and a glorious future in Heaven with Him.

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34) God gives us daily grace for our daily needs. Worry or fear about the future only rob us of today's peace and joy. "You can't change the past, but you ruin a perfectly good present by worrying about the future." (Unknown) "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength." (Corrie ten Boom) Trust God with your future. He is already there and He is aware of all your needs. "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

"Though I know not what awaits me,
What the future has in store,
Yet I know the Lord is faithful,
For I've proved Him oft before."
(Unknown)

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for faithfully providing for me and sustaining me throughout my life! I trust You to do the same each and everyday, come what may. My life and future are in Your loving, capable, merciful hand. I only want Your will...nothing more...nothing less...nothing else. Please help me not to be afraid of or anxious about the future but to trust and rest in You with steadfast, childlike faith. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

God Will Finish What He Started

"Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6 NIV)

Paul was confident (no doubt, whatsoever) of this truth; we should be, too. God is dependable; He always keeps His promises and finishes what He starts. God is mighty to save us, transform us, sanctify us, strengthen us, sustain us, equip us (to serve Him), and conform us to the image of Jesus Christ. God faithfully continues His work in us until the day we see Christ face-to-face. He never gives up on us. He doesn't just save us and then leave us to fend for ourselves on our way to Heaven. God not only begins the good work of salvation (regeneration), but also continues to work in us (sanctification) and guarantees to bring it to completion (glorification) which includes eternal security. He is with us every step of the way, helping us in our faith journey and pursuit of holiness. As we surrender our lives (and wills) to Him, He gives us the desire and the power to live a godly life that pleases and honors Him. His omnipotence, omnipresence, dependability, and faithfulness give us confidence (to persevere), comfort, peace, and joy. However, this wonderful promise by no means negates the fact that we are called to be active instruments (to live out our faith in action/ obedience).

Since sanctification is a lifetime process of spiritual growth (we're God's works in progress), we must be patient with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ as we all grow spiritually at different rates. God has not finished with us yet. Understanding this should help us be empathetic, gracious, forgiving, and hopeful towards one another. By the way, we (esp. those of us who are perfectionists) must be patient with ourselves, too. Don't listen to the Enemy's lies of discouragement and defeat. Be encouraged and remember that God is not finished with you yet.

"The Lord will perfect that which concerns me;

Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever;

Do not forsake the works of Your hands."

(Psalm 138:8)

"Listen to Me, you descendants of Jacob,
all the remnant of the people of Israel,
you whom I have upheld since your birth,
and have carried since you were born.
Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am He, I am He who will sustain you.

I have made you and I will carry you; 

I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

(Isaiah 46:3-4)

"The work which His goodness began,
The arm of His strength will complete;
His promise is Yea and Amen,

And never was forfeited yet."
(Augustus M. Toplady)

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for giving us such an encouraging promise and for always keeping Your promises! It gives me such joy to know that You've got my back, You are working in me, and You will keep me for eternity. Please mold me to be like Christ and help me bear much fruit for Your glory and Your kingdom. Thank You for being patient with me! Please help me be patient with my children when they get off track in their spiritual walk and give me wisdom how to gently & lovingly guide them back and encourage them. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.