God’s Answer to Fear, Worry and Anxiety — Part 2

Harvest messages are brought to you by harvest partners to receive free email daily devotions or to become a harvest partner, please visit us online@harvest.org write out what you will grab your Bibles that think of this is sort of like a home Bible study. Okay. We just hang around having a good time see what the word of God has to say. I want you to turn to two passages with me. Matthew chapter 6 in Philippians chapter 4 again.

Matthew chapter 6 in Philippians 4 the title of my message is God's answer to fear, anxiety and worry prior to well we've all been self quarantined for a bit of time now have a way how's it going for you. Are you getting a little bit stir crazy you know someone wrote these words and I sort of adopted them but they wrote this, Satan says I will cause anxiety, fear and panic that though the devil may have thought all causes anxiety by shutting down business schools sports events restaurant s'mores. Most importantly, live worship services, but then the Lord would say in response bring together neighbors and restore the family unit bring dinner back to the kitchen table will help people to slow down their lives and appreciate what really matters to teach my children to rely in me and not the world of teach my children to trust me and not their money and material possessions. Finally, I'll teach families to read the Bible and pray together again. I hope that's happening in your home because God given work despite a bad thing.

This is a bad thing. The coronavirus eat.

We've never had anything like this that I can remember in my lifetime but yet this can be a moment for us to be still and know that he is God I posted a lot of things on social media. I hope you're following me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook because I'll share encouraging thoughts with you throughout the week, as will my wife Kathy, but I'll tell you what hang around my home a lot.

I spent a lot of time looking at birds is ever birdfeeder right in front of my kitchen and I'll sit there, my kitchen, and have breakfast in the morning and I watch the birds, and I also have a squirrel that's sort of an interloper and he comes in and and steel seed from the birds and by the way, it's a squirrel proof bird feeder. But somehow the squirrel was quite an Acrobat. I have to say hangs on it upside down eating the seed that is shaking his tail out as just come on with you when you got.

You want some of this crazy thing. What's a little birds. There's a lot we can learn from birds. By the way, Jesus made that .2 thousand years ago and I want to read to what he said from Matthew chapter 6 verse 25 and by the way I'm reading from the new living translation is what Jesus says, I'm telling you, don't worry about everyday life. Whether you have enough food or drink enough close to where is in life more than food in your body more than clothing. Then Jesus says look of the birds they don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more valuable to him. Then them. So why do you worry about these things can all of your worries at a single moment of time to your life. Why do you worry about clothing. Jesus says look at the flowers in the field. Look at how they grow, yet I say to you that Solomon in all of his glory was not arrayed like one of these. And if God's giving care so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, you'll certainly care for you, why do you have such little feet so don't worry about these things thing, what shall we eat, what shall we drink what so we wear these things dominate the thoughts of nonbelievers, but your heavenly father knows all of your needs.

I love the statement, Jesus says, but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you. So he concludes, don't worry about tomorrow.

Tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.

I have 10 things I want to share with you that will help you to not worry. Point number one very simple. The believer should not worry know Jesus is not saying we should be concerned about the needs of life. He's not saying we should be concerned about food on the table close on our back a roof over our heads, but what he is saying is don't worry about these things. Listen to this worry and anxiety can actually cause deep depression.

Now I know the experts tell us is what the Bible told is this a long time ago. In Proverbs 1225 it says anxiety in the heart of man causes depression so you want to be depressed a lot of times. What were self absorbed and I would ask you right now is worth facing this coronavirus together to not be selfish orders. Are you listening, leave a little toilet paper for the rest of us.

I would ask you to not be selfish. I'm an ass QB to be self less and I'll tell you why that's important. It's important for your own benefit because you can feel better. You know, studies have been done that have determined that when you help others you feel better yourself. I actually have a 10 step program to cure you of depression. Step number one do something for someone who is greater needs than you.

Step number two.

Repeat step number 19 more times. Yet it so there's someone around you.

That's a neat it's maybe a neighbor maybe a Fleming family member. Some of the could really use a helping hand.

You know they've actually called this the helpers high and they determine when you're actually not thinking about yourself, but thinking about someone else. It will elevate your mood.

The helpers I so would someone asked what you did last Sunday. You can say I got high really. Yes, helping people in the name of Jesus Christ, so focus on that worry is not a good thing.

I think something to think worry is some kind of her virtue, but let me say something that might surprise you. Worry can actually be a sin. Why, because worry is a failure to trust God and listen to this. Nothing touches the Christian that is not first pass through the loving hands of God. Think of the prophet Daniel. This was a man of God. This was a man who faithfully delivered the word of God to Kings. He was on intimidated by anyone. While there were others that knew Daniel that were sort of the counselors to the king that were very jealous of him. They didn't like the fact that he had the king's ear, but because he was such a man of integrity. They couldn't find anything in his life to trip him up on so they determine the only way were going to bring something against Daniel a charge against them is if we find something concerning him and his God.

They knew that Daniel had an awesome habit of praying every day you go every day to go home open as Windows get down on his knees and give thanks to the Lord. So they got the king to unwittingly sign a decree that no one could pretty any God except the king for 40 days know what would you do if a law was passed saying you can't pray in the longer we women told the shelter at home. We been told to not go out unless it's necessary. One of the next degree was by the way when you're at home you can no longer pray or read your Bible lesson or not you know a bit about Bob telling you right now and Daniel did no bad. He prayed like he always pray and he was immediately arrested and then he was taken to a den of lions to be fed to them alive. So it's an interesting thing the king actually really like Daniel was King Darius but he had signed a decree that even he himself could not undo so the Bible tells us that that night the king spent the whole evening not able to sleep worrying and on the other hand, here's Daniel in the den of lions who slept like a baby. You know the Bible says he gives his beloved sleep and so we can sleep and we can rest in the Lord, knowing that our God is still in control accurate. You drop my Bible you miss that. But here it is back again. But God is still in control and he's on his throne working in our life okay, but why should we not worry. Jesus illustrates he says birds don't worry, why do you worry have you overseen the stressed-out bird ever seen a bird popping a Valium know you ever seen a bird getting therapy would make maybe from a squirrel. I don't allude given therapy but you don't know. Of course you haven't. Birds just go out there and live their little birdlife snowbird is ever been promised eternal life.

Snowbird is the hope of heaven.

But what if you do every morning, they wake us up with their singing and they're happy and that doesn't mean the birds don't take action to get food.

I mention I have a birdfeeder to come and get the seat or the resting out of McDonald's away from Fry to hit the ground, but they do their due diligence.

What they don't worry about it.

There's an old Palm chapter wonder if you remember it member the one about the sparrow and the Robin you have it memorized. Go for words out of the Pongo.

While that's pretty good so that's true. So God did to cure birds is going to take care of you and Jesus illustrates the flowers look at flowers. They don't worry.

Why should you Solomon in all of his glory and his royal robes and is gold encrusted throne wasn't as beautiful as the simple wildflowers of Galilee. So the point that Jesus is making his God takes care of these things is going to take care of you. Here's another point worry does not make your life longer. It just makes it more miserable. Listen to this worry can actually shorten your life a medical experts have determined that worry can disease the nervous system, the digestive system.

It's really a very bad thing so we don't want to live that way and here's what Jesus is saying in verse 27 can all of your worries at a single moment to your life.

Listen, you live as long as God wants you the lip. Nobody changes that a virus doesn't change that a threat against your life doesn't change that. And as I mentioned last time. The question is indestructible until God is done with them and I think in many ways this coronavirus is a national test affected many ways it's a global test were told to shelter in place and for many, it's a nightmare, but it should not be for a Christian infected should be a challenge to us some 27 verse five says in the day of trouble will keep me safe in his dwelling. He will hide me in this shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. You can shelter in place in the Lord, not just in your home or your apartment or wherever you happen to live, you know. And while you're there. Redeem the time, the Bible says redeem the time, because the days are evil. The word redeem makes means make secret and wise use of every opportunity in one of the things you can do when you're at home is read the Bible that brings me to another point we grow in the faith that were often lacking, causing us to worry, we don't read the Bible, but if you want to grow in your faith and have more faith instead of worry.

Read your Bible believe what it says, because Romans 1017 says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Most of you have a Bible in your home. That was the view of more than one copy.

93% of American households have a Bible affect the average American household has four Bibles. I'll be honest, I've even more than for I have lots of Bibles. Maybe some of you do as well in the center for Bible engagement did an interesting study. They came up with this conclusion. If you are not reading your Bible four or more times a week you will make no significant choices or changes any different than someone who does not read the Bible, so obviously it's very important to read your Bible, not once, not twice, not even 3�4 times a week. Better to read it every day. However, the study goes on the show if you read your Bible more than four times a week. Your propensity for pornography goes down 61% your propensity for substance abuse goes down 57 verse percent. Your propensity for gambling goes down 74%.

Even your obesity will go down 20%.

So if you want to lose weight, read your Bible right but the study goes on to show this. Listen to this. This is cool if you read your Bible, at least four days a week you'll ever 228% greater chance of sharing your faith.

If you read your Bible at least four days a week 11 231% chance of discipling others. And here's a good one you love a 407% chance of memorizing Scripture. So by reading my Bible four times a week or more, all of a 400% plus percent chance of wanting to memorize verses just for scriptural touches can change your life so let the word of God bolster your faith and trade your worry for worship. Look at what Jesus says in Matthew 633 seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness put God first in your life. Put God first in your priorities. Put God first in your marriage, put God first in your singleness put God first in your career. Put God first in your finances. Honor the Lord let him have his way in your life. Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord's prayer to say thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. As one preacher said is named Alan Redpath. We cannot pray, thy kingdom come, until we first pray my kingdom go in God's plan for you are better than your plans for yourself.

Don't be afraid to commit an unknown future to a known God put God's kingdom first and turn your panic in the prayer I told you to turn to Philippians 4 let's flip over there now read a very familiar verse while you're flipping a minute take a sip of herbal tea. Philippians 46 pulses. Don't worry about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Now this promise and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. If you don't want to live in fear, anxiety and worry.

Put your concerns in the hands of God, as someone wisely said when your knees start knocking Neil on them. Now our natural inclination is when we face adversity to reach out to people for help.

The people have their place but ultimately we must turn to God. And here's another really important key given to us in Philippians 4 verse six in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. Don't wait for the answer to the prayer to give thanks.

Give thanks.

Now go back to the story of Daniel. A decree was passed that no one could pray to any God except the king, so Daniel goes into his home. He opens up his windows. He offers his prayer to God. We read these verses are this verse.

Daniel 610. When Daniel learned a lot been signed. He went home he knelt down as usual in his upstairs room with his windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day as it always done. Listen, giving thanks to God I give thanks to the Lord for he is good and his mercy endures forever. I don't give thanks to the Lord because I feel good because maybe you don't feel good right now I don't give thanks to the Lord because things are good." I give thanks to the Lord because he is good and his mercy endures forever. Here's my final thought for you replace thoughts of anxiety, worry and panic with godly thoughts.

Philippians 48 says this, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just in pure and lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue or anything praiseworthy in these things than meditate on them, meditate, you know. Some people say will II meditate to find peace. The Bible talks about meditation but it's different than Eastern meditation and Eastern meditation you empty your mind in biblical meditation.

You fill your mind with the word of God, and someone says blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, or stands in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of the scornful is the light is in God's word. Listen in it. He meditates day and night so you think about it you ponder it and you fill your mind with God's word. Why because as a man thinks Proverbs 23, seven says so Izzy, you need to train your mind to think biblically. Why so of thought, reap an act so an act reap a habit so the habit, reap a character so a character, reap a destiny.

It starts with your mind. Think godly thoughts of the next time you fly into a panic, or you're worried about something. Remind yourself of what the word of God says quote Scripture to yourself. Remind yourself of what is true, whatsoever things are true and lovely and virtuous and of good report, think on these things. So fill your mind with God's word.

That's a good place to do that is right here@harvest.org you can come here will of inspiring messages for you.

Praise and worship for you movies for you to watch and have great Christian themes but the most important thing is open up the word of God and read it for yourself and that's how we can spend our time and so you replace your worship with just me. Replace your worry with worship, and as I've said before, turn your panic in the prayer and turn your fear in the faith lesson all these things I'm sharing with you. These Jews are for believers only. I don't know some of you might remember this long time ago. There used to be those jackets. We were called members only for members only. Remember those I had one. I don't even know what I was a member of, but I had a for members only.

Check it. Listen what I'm telling you this is for believers only see what you mean by that I mean what I'm sharing with you is only for people who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. I'll be honest with you, you're not a Christian. Right now you're probably freaking out. Maybe want to be because what hope do you have do think technology is going to save you do think Hollywood skin is AB with the new blockbuster film. You can even go to the theaters right now.

Do you think governments gonna save you there doing what they can but they can't save you. Only Jesus can save you of your sins and there someone watching me right now that does not have this hope. I've talked about ridge of the words of the apostle Paul. He said don't worry about anything, pray about everything in the peace of God that passes all human understanding, will guard your heart and mind. I have peace right now. I know things are chaotic. I know the stock market is crash gone up goes down. I know that there's uncertainty in the air. I know these are scary times but I have peace in the middle of the storm that peace comes from my relationship with God and ask you to have that piece you're looking to find it in a bottle you're gonna find it in a drug you're not gonna find it and hope for little scenes you read on Instagram or Pinterest. You need God's word. You need truth man and most of all, you need Jesus. And guess what Jesus is here for you right now he's ready to come into your life because being a Christian is not just being religious, being a Christian is having a relationship with God or Jesus come comes and lives inside of you and some of you don't know him know you're stressed out your agitated your freight. Here's what Jesus says come to me all of you that are weary and stressed out. He says come to me and I will give you rest. Come to him is they would only need to clean my life up first know you don't clean your life up and come to Christ, you come to Christ you claim your life up you'll make changes and come to Jesus you come to Jesus, you'll make the changes. Listen, Jesus cleans his fish after he catches them so I would ask you to come to Jesus ago. Would you even talking about come to Jesus you're talking to me on the screen right now.

How can I come to Jesus. Here's how Jesus is with you wherever you are.

He's in your vehicle.

He's in your room he's in your space, he's there, he's standing at the door of your life and he's knocking anything. If you hear his voice and open the door he will come in.

Listen, I'm telling you on the authority of the Bible which is God's word. You can be forgiven of all of your sin, you can replace your fear with faith and you can have hope in a hopeless time will come to hope as it is the hope of heaven because no matter what the Christian knows will go to heaven for the Christian is the apostle Paul says to live is Christ, the die is gain. Nobody loves life more than the follower of Jesus. We live life we enjoy it, but we know when they life will come to an end. Then there's the afterlife and I wonder right now. Are you prepared for the afterlife.

What if you didn't have a week or a day. What if you were going to pass into eternity. Do you know was certain he would go to have it is a will. No one can know that though actually you can, because Jesus said for God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son.

And whosoever believes in him should not perish, but they'll have ever lasting life. Listen, I know I'm going to heaven when I die, say, how do you know that I put my faith in Jesus and the Bible says, for as many as received him, he gave them the power to become sons and daughters of God. The Bible says these things we write to you that believe in the name of the son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life if you don't know that you have eternal life. If you are not sure that your sin is forgiven.

If you don't have the confidence that you go to heaven when you die, or if your life is filled with turmoil and fear can change right now by you asking Jesus to come into your life. He's just a prayer away is a had a way to do that. You just pray affected be my honor to lead you in a prayer, a simple prayer so simple a child can pray in an adult can pray it.

The Bible says you must become as little children enter the kingdom. So here's what I'm in a do under lead you in a prayer if you want Jesus Christ to come in your life if you want him to forgive you of your sin if you want to find peace in the midst of this storm.

If you want your guild taken away. I want you to pray this prayer after me you can pray it out loud you can print quietly if you like, but I want you to pray this prayer after me because the Bible says whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved and that's what you're doing in this prayer you're calling on the name of the Lord. I would ask everyone in the stage appear to pray this after me just like I'm going to help folks out there watching pray so you pray with me as everyone in the states will pray with me now in this prayer you're asking Jesus Christ to come into your life.

Just bow your head if you would, and pray this prayer after me. Pray these words.

Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner but I believe you are the Savior who died on the cross for me because you shed your blood for me and then you rose again from the dead. Jesus come in the my life be my Savior be my God, be my friend. Thank you for hearing this prayer in answering this prayer in Jesus name I pray, amen