No Worries

Worry and anxiety steals life from all people. They are synonymous in definition meaning, "a feeling of nervousness, or uneasiness, concerning an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome which causes one's mind to dwell on difficulty, troubles or uncertainty over actual or potential problems." Jesus tells us, "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" (Matthew 6:27) Basically, worry cannot add anything to one's life. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Peter says, "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) The Amplified Bible presents it this way, "Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully."

Peter is not the first person to suggest that believers should do this. We see David with the same revelation, "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22) David also exposes the real problem behind worry or anxiety, "Do not fret (to be constantly or visibly worried or anxious) it only causes harm." (Psalm 37:8) Although we cannot throw away, run away from or pretend that problems do not exist, we can get rid of the anxiety that is caused by life's problems. We can refuse to be burdened down by cares. We can reject the kind of worry that disturbs our peace and distracts our mind. What can we do? Turn to God.

We find relief in God. We hand our worry over to Him so that we do not have to carry them. How do we do this? "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; the results of doing this, "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)  We pour out our anxiety, our worries to the Lord in prayer. "We cast our cares on God." When we do this, we can feel at peace. We can be calm even in the midst of times of trouble. We can experience the serenity that God promises and that Jesus exemplifies.

Peter gives us the reason why we should "cast our cares on the Lord." Because "He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." Although Peter does not mention this, there is another reason for casting our cares on God. Let's face it, God is big enough to carry our cares for us. He is so big, He can carry all of our cares and burdens. Even the burdens of the whole world are not too much for Him. (Jeremiah 32:17) In times of trouble, let us respond to Jesus' invitation, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Next, Peter moves on with more instruction. He tells us, "Be sober, be vigilant; because our adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8) While casting your cares upon God, do not doubt that he is able and willing to support you, but be watchful against, the devil, our foe. We should act wisely as one does when he or she senses danger. In other words, we are to be on our guard against the wiles, the schemes of the evil one who opposes us. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul warns us, "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14)

Sometimes Satan is represented as transforming himself into an angel of light, and sometimes, as revealed by Peter, as a roaring lion. This means, Satan puts great effort in trying to to alarm and overpower believers, trying to rob us of our faith. However, believers must remember that Satan is a defeated foe, "Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:15) According to the Amplified; American Standard; Phillips; Rotherham; Weymouth; and Conybeare Versions of the same scripture, Jesus, spoiled; disarmed; stripped of power; exposed; shattered; empty; defeated; shook off, Satan and his evil hosts in triumph!!!

Next, Peter tells us to, "Resist him, (Satan) steadfast in the faith." We are resisting our adversary’s fight against us, by upholding and enforcing what Jesus has already accomplished for us as we also see, "Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil." (Hebrews 2:14) Again, in the American Standard; Rotherham; and Conybeare Versions of the same scripture, Jesus brought to nothing, paralyzed, destroyed, Satan who had the power of death, that is spiritual death. We also see the same thing as revealed by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle John, "He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8) Again, we find in the American Standard; Phillips; and Rotherham Versions of the same scripture, Jesus, undid; destroyed; liquidated the works of the devil.

Because Satan is a defeated foe, believers are to stand firm in faith. The Apostle Paul tells us, "my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." (Ephesians 6:10) We are to stand in the power of God's might. Paul also reveals, "Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]." (Ephesians 3:20 AMP), and, "[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight." (Philippians 2:13 AMP) PTL...

Finally, God is the God of grace. He freely forgave us our sins and paid the price with his own Son. (Ephesians 2:8) He freely gives us grace even now, grace that sustains us and upholds us. (2 Corinthians 12:9) We know that our salvation is not based on our works of righteousness. (Romans 3:26) Our salvation is based on the meritorious work and promises of Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 87:6) The Father includes us in His promise because He loves us. These truths about God should give us great comfort, great hope, great strength and increase our faith. If the God of all grace called us in Jesus Christ, then we can be assured that in times of discouragement, He will encourage us. In times of weakness, He will give us strength. When we fall down, He will pick us up. When we are tempted, He gives us a way of escape. When we fail, He will forgive us.

So, when life's problems, the wiles or schemes of the devil try us, never forget what God's Word encourages us to do, "Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." Amen...

God at Work In Us

During a particular encounter that Jesus had with a group of Pharisees, He said to them, "For 
laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men...All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition." (Mark 7:8-9) This brought Jesus to tell them, "...making the word of God of no effect ..." (Mark 7:11) This provokes a question for believers today. "Do we also make the Word of God of no effect by failing to enter into our privileges that the Father has provided us through Jesus Christ?" The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul reveals, "And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 1:19-20)

Is it not true that God worked in Christ and provides an answer to every need and demand of the believer's life? Is it not true that redemption covers absolutely every need of mankind? The answer is yes to both questions. Therefore, should it not be wrong for us to live in spiritual weakness when there is grace to meet every need? Far too many believers have unconsciously put a premium on weakness, and talk about unbelief, doubts, and fears as though they were the typical way of life for the believer. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle John reveals, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13)

The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul tells us, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ." (Romans 8:16-17) Because we are sons and daughters of God almighty, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, it would seem as though it were wrong for a believer to confess weakness and failure. Look what David tells us, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1) So, if God is the strength of my life, if He comes into my life and imparts Himself to me, then I have the strength of God!

John reveals, "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4) Believer, "You are of God!" "You are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." He is a part of you. He has imparted His own nature to you. (2 Peter 1:4) Not only that, but He has actually come into your body
and now lives within you. (1 Corinthians 3:16) He has the same power today that He had when He raised Jesus from the dead. Therefore, every believer has a right to His strength and ability.

God is the strength of the believers life, and He is with us now. His life is our life; His strength is our strength. No wonder the Apostle Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) There is limitlessness to Paul's wonderful statement. This does not only mean physical strength, it also means the ability to meet any kind of need. When Jesus said, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you..." (Acts 1:8) A more literal translation would be, "You shall receive the ability of God, when the Holy Spirit has come upon you." 

Again, the Apostle Paul tells us, "that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man." (Ephesians 3:16) If your "inner man" is made strong, then it only stands to reason that the outer man will respond to that strength. In other words, the strength of God for the inner man is the strength of God for the physical man. Therefore, we have the God given ability to enjoy the very fullness of our privileges in Christ. The Apostle Paul goes further and says, "and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." (Colossians 2:10) The believers relationship through new birth has brought each one of us into absolute union with God. Paul also tells us, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

The new creature is made according to God and His very nature, "and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:24) It is God's nature, God's life, which is imparted to our recreated spirit. We are actually members of the body of Christ, physically and spiritually, "Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?" (1 Corinthians 6:15) "For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." (1 Corinthians 6:20) Based on these truths, it is absolutely wrong for any believer to consider or think of themselves as being weak and useless. God planned that every believer should be filled with the Holy Spirit, and that the Spirit's ability should dominate our life.

So, with these thing said and in the presence of grace, that is, God's ability at work in us, let us never again talk about, confess or even think that we are empty or weak when every believer can be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:19) Finally, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)