Philippians 4:6 NIV “Do not be anxious about anything”

 Be honest! How much time do you spend worrying about things that usually never happen? And has anything improved as a result of your worrying about it? Absolutely not! Apostle Paul writes: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6 NIV). He then encourages us by saying that when we do this, the peace of God will fill our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7). The instant you begin to worry or feel anxious about something, take your concern to God in prayer. Release the weight of it, and totally trust Him to take care of it. Prayer is powerful against worry. When you are feeling pressure, it is always best to pray about it instead of fretting and talking about it. Instead of trying to get rid of your negative thoughts, which only keeps you focused on them, fill your mind with positive thoughts (Philippians 4:8). Also, as soon as you begin to worry, say, “No, I’m not going to worry about this because I have entrusted it to the Lord; He will take care of it.” His Word says, “The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us. (Psalm 115:12).”

 

Psalm 105: 19 NLT “Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.”  

God is never late. He is always on time. He will always deliver on His promises, but at His own time. God works according to His own calendar. And when you accept that, you will be thankful for where you are right now, and have sustainable faith to get to where He wants you to be. God may not answer all your questions exactly the way you would like Him to, but be assured He is working. What He is working on is often bigger than you can comprehend, so leave Him with the details and you just believe. He knows how long it will take to bring your dream to pass at the most beneficial time. Joseph discovered during his time in prison that when God gives you a vision and you commit yourself to it, He will bring it to pass. Delay is not denial. He will make all things beautiful for you, but in His own time! While you are waiting, you should hold fast to the profession of your faith (Hebrews 10:23). Trust God to work things out for you according to His calendar.

JOSHUA 1:8 NKJV “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

God has the answer for every problem you will ever face in life. Your redemption through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ is your assurance for victory always (2 Corinthians 2:14). God’s Word is God’s wisdom. The Bible is God’s Word, given to you from His heart of love, so you can know the truth, and have a sure foundation on which to base your life. The Bible was not given to put you down, but to raise you up. Not to put you in bondage, but to make you free (John 8:31-32). God’s Word gives you dependable truth you can use to form your beliefs, so that your beliefs will line up with God’s beliefs. God alone knows all truth, and in the Bible He shares what you need to know to live a blessed life. I want to encourage you today to follow God’s instructions, so that all things will go well with you. The answer for success in life is to do what the Bible says to do, because it is truth. The Bible is your instruction book for victory.

Revelation 1:18 “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”

As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ today, we are rejoicing about the rescue from sin and death, and the restoration of the relationship between God and man. But I want to you to look beyond the miraculous event and focus on two main issues.  One is that Jesus Christ was raised from death and He lives forever. That is a settled matter. Second is the question you have to settle for yourself:  does Christ live in you? Is Christ’s light shining through you and visible around you so much that darkness cannot stand your presence? Is Christ’s life being lived through you so that men can see and experience His good works through you? Can He manifest His power through you in tangible ways? Is Christ’s love being expressed through you so you can love the unlovable; that you can look into people and have compassion on them instead of looking down on people and despising them. Jesus Christ is alive. But can you show with proof that He is alive in you? That is the food for thought from today’s word of encouragement!

Proverbs 17:22 TLB “A cheerful heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit makes one sick.”

These words, along with many others found within the pages of God’s Word, the Bible, inform us of the significance of a merry heart. Although there are times of sadness, sickness, and sorrow, God does not intend for us to live a life of gloom and doom. This does not imply that we minimize life’s sorrows, but that a Christian, through the strength of God, and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, has the ability to rise above life’s discouragements. You probably you know of someone who battles sickness and discouraging issues every day yet has a cheerful disposition. On the other hand, you know others who, although have many things over which to be happy, never seem to have a cheerful day. It is all about perspective. If we let God guide our hearts, we can be happy even in overwhelming disappointments. God can give you a merry heart in spite of yourself. A merry heart is a good prevention for illness. Medicines sometimes treat only the symptoms while a merry heart may prevent the illness from ever occurring. Be merry. God loves you and He is still on His throne, watching over you!