Many times we allow the circumstances to dictate our lives, our emotions, our decisions and choices.
Scripture says:
Pro 1:7 The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence];
Matt 6:33 See ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness...
Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting ALL your care upon Him; for He cares for you. (affectionately and watchfully)
1 Peter 5:8 Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind...SOUND MIND) be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring, seeking someone to seize upon and devour.
1 Peter 5:9 Withstand him; be FIRM in faith (against the onset--rooted, established, strong, immovable and determined) knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of believers) throughout the whole world.
The testing of our faith comes when things 'seem' worse. We have two choices to make. Are we going to allow those 'seemingly' worse circumstances cause us to become anxious and worried again?
When in reality the decision that needs to be made is this: who are you going to believe? The report of the world and the 'seemingly' worse situation? OR The report of the Lord which is a strong tower and the righteous run there and are saved. The Word of God is our Rock we shall not be moved.
Bless the Lord at ALL times, His praise shall CONTINUALLY be in our mouth, my soul (place of emotions/mind) shall MAKE IT'S boast in the Lord... Now this is an interesting scripture. When we are praising God continually, then our focus (our spiritual MIND, be renewed in the spirit of your mind) is on Him and when situations come that try T'RY' to steal us from that place of assurance (praising and thanking God, with whom is our peace) it gets pushed away because the praise and thanksgiving will not give it place. Submit yourselves therefore before God, resist the devil (you do this by casting down imaginations and every high and lofty thought, speculations that exalt itself against the knowledge of God and you speak the word of God, just as Jesus did in the desert, 'it is written') and the devil will flee from you.
I was reading about Solomon this morning and this caught my attention. When he gave a command, and someone would go against it, they got killed. God gives us a command to FEAR NOT, He expects us to FEAR NOT because He has not given us the spirit of fear but of LOVE and of POWER and of a SOUND MIND! So when we CONTINUALLY allow anxieties, worries, concerns to take the place that rightfully belongs to God, our faith will slowly begin to die until we come to the place of 'where is God?' I cried and pleaded and begged and we can't hear him because the cares of the world are screaming in our head. Surely as the word of God stand sure, He has never left you nor forsook you.
Father, let these truths hit the mark on ###'s heart and mind. Bring understanding to him. Your word stands sure, it is our sure foundation.
Thank you for answering our prayer when Mom called and said she is doing well and progression. Just as we prayed, I believe she will recover and also for ###'s amazing wife. Sweet sleep and peaceful rest, walking up refreshed everyday. Thank you for restoring neighborliness between the community in which ### lives. Bless each relationship with loving kindness and tender mercies, forgiving one another. In Jesus name. Amen.
