GET TOGETHER- Rejoicing Beats Fretting!
Lu 11:24 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’
The first weekend in February I always celebrate my new birth. I was born again on that weekend in 1990. It is also a spiritual Anniversary Celebration for me since I became a part of the Bride of Christ on that weekend. Before that weekend worry was such a part of my life that I often took valium to sleep at night and occasionally mixed it with other things as well. I had bitten my finger nails since my early childhood. The Lord broke that habit off of me when I got saved at the age of forty-one. Now I am not judging you if you are doing either one of those things. However, I pray that what the Lord gives me to write here today will help you to walk free of worry, anxiety, and fretting.
Last week it seemed like I was almost headed back in that direction over several various things. Not that I was considering doing any kind of drugs, or any other bad habit that I formally had. But to be honest it just seemed like it was a lot of little things and I wasn’t trusting God in those matters. Then the Holy Spirit alerted me that I needed to get back to one of my favorite verses in the Bible and it may be one of yours as well. Php 4:6,7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The Lord used a Book by Max Lucado Anxious For Nothing to remind me of how to walk in God’s peace and to come back to that place of trusting God with every detail in all situations and circumstances. I have found out in this journey that there are tests and trials that come that will challenge us in greater ways the longer that we walk with the Lord. On the other hand, I have also found out that there are great victories on the other side of those tests and trials.
One thing that Lucado emphasizes in his book that I think is very important is to rejoice in all circumstances the Apostle Paul said it like this Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Yesterday I got one of those little tests. I was planning on going into the Sanctuary and praying and meditating on Philippians 4: 4-8. Then the Holy Spirit reminded me of a vision that He had gave me during the night. He had me to go around to the back of one of our buildings here at the church and check one of our faucets. The faucet had been covered. It had not frozen, but it was leaking water. It was also pouring down rain. I tried to get it to stop and I couldn’t. I did several other things to no avail. Then the Holy Spirit reminded me of the verse “rejoice in the Lord always! Rather than griping, worrying, complaining, fretting, I began to thank God. Another friend many years ago had given me a book based on this verse: 1Th 5:18 : in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Two verses prior to this Paul had once again written about rejoicing always. He said it with a big shout in 1Th 5:16 ¶ Rejoice always!
Well it wasn’t long before the Holy Spirit told me to call Ben Harbor from our church and he came up there and fixed the situation. If I had been complaining and worrying I couldn’t have heard what the Holy Spirit was saying to me.
Well if Paul could write words like this from prisons and endure what he endured and walk in victory surely in the assignments that the Lord is giving us we can to. By the way another important part of not worrying is to be meditating and thinking on the good stuff rather than all the bad that is out there. Paul said it like this : Php 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.”
Back to our verse at the top. Lu 11:24 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ As I tell the people at the drug and alcohol ministry where I minister sometimes. I don’t won’t my condition to be seven times worse than it was before I met Jesus and got set free. If we apply these principles in Philippians 4:4-8 I believe that we can walk in that peace that Jesus has promised us no matter the circumstance, or situation. Jesus said it like this. Joh 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Let Us Pray
Lord Jesus today so fill us with Your Holy Spirit that rejoicing comes so automatic to us and that worry, fear, griping, and complaining have no place in our lives.
In Jesus Name
Amen
Love you all!
Your Friend/Kinfolk
Preston
