No Worries

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’ Romans 8:15

We get SO worked up sometimes over events that are happening in the world today, but NO WORRIES - God is STILL on the throne.

We are facing so many issues in todays times, and they don't seem to be getting any better. Faithful employees being laid off, children are being sold on our streets, children getting pregnant, bills stacking up that are way past due, couples fighting, sickness, death, rejection, betrayal, members of your own household being your worst enemy, people loosing their homes, drugs and alcohol taking over society, physical abuse, prostitution, etc. God's people are suffering. Life hurts. Big time.

But ... MIGHTY is our God, MIGHTY is our King, He is ruler of EVERYTHING. God is our MIGHTY fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble. And so ... we WON'T be afraid.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Psalm 46:1-3

Ways to be free from anxiety:

-  pray and believe
-  cast Your burdens on the Lord
-  know that you are in the hands of God
-  be certain that you are prepared to meet Him face to face
-  spend time fellowshipping with your Savior, for His very presence brings peace because He IS our peace
-  read the Psalms
-  trust Him

Be still AND unafraid AND not worried ... know that HE is God.

Father, in our changing times of uncertainty, there is peace and hope in the fact that You are unchanging. You are the same yesterday, today and forever. I find comfort in Your stability. Thank You for being a strong tower that we can run in to and are safe. I speak PEACE over us ... to our spirit, over our mind and over our thoughts. In Jesus' name, amen.




see also: AFTA Blog Worrying Will Never Change the Outcome
                              What's the World Coming To     

Down, But Never Out

From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me - let Israel now say - from my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me, but THEY HAVE NEVER been able to finish me off. Psalm 129:1,2

Has there ever been a people so despised as Israel and the Jews? Despite persecution and numerous attempts at annihilation, the ancient people of God have endured.

Why? Because God keeps His promises.

In a similar way, the church has been a lightning rod for hatred for over two thousand years. Evil rulers (spurred on by the evil one) have attempted to rid the earth of the Word of God and the followers of Jesus - but without success.

Why? Because God is faithful.

Jesus assured us that all the powers of hell cannot stop the church in Matthew 16:18 - On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

We’ve probably all been knocked to the ground - many times, but we will never be permanently grounded. Through all the trials, struggles and failures God always through Christ will give us the strength to get up and get back in the race.

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed or distressed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are persecuted and hunted down, but never forsaken or abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8,9

The scriptures above express the fact that though we face troubles, it is our outward circumstances that are effected. We don't have to let those circumstances change us inwardly or take away God's promises to us and the comfort that we have from within knowing we are His. When faced with defeat, we CAN have the inner strength through Christ to turn failure into victory. Through Christ we CAN keep going.

Proverbs 24:16 says, A righteous man may fall seven times but he will get back up again.

This tells us that no matter how many times we get knocked down, we CAN get back up again. The mere effort of us trying to get up, to keep going ... gets God's attention. In our weakest moments God's strength is made perfect and because of this promise, God ALWAYS shows up in our weakest moments. To help, hold, nurture and guide till we're up on our feet and stable and strong again.

Be determined. Say aloud, 'I will NEVER stay down. I will ALWAYS get back up. I'll NEVER, EVER give in!'

We believers may be down at times, but we are NEVER out.

Father, despite hard times and attacks coming against us, our families, our country, our beliefs and the church, be with us. Keep us. Give us peace despite the fact that the world as we know it is ending and things are going to be a whole lot different very soon. Help us to not get caught up in arguments and distractions and even if our 'rights' are stripped away from us, help us to continue to be faithful, try to live right, and share You with whomever will listen. Cause Your people to listen. Protect Jerusalem and may there be peace within its borders. May Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Hurry and come get us Jesus, and help us to be ready. In Jesus' name, amen.