“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you..” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)

Faith and fear are choices to choose between… choose faith!

Bad things happen from time to time to everyone; the Bible says so: “Both good and bad things happen to everyone...” (Ecclesiastes 9:2). However, no matter what negative situation you may encounter, you are faced with a choice regarding how to react. You can respond with fear, or you can respond with faith. Both faith and fear are choices we must make.

In chapter three of the book of Daniel, three Hebrew men—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—refused to bow down to the king’s image, even when they were told they would be thrown into the furnace if they did not comply. Instead of succumbing to fear, they chose faith and trusted God, regardless of the outcome, whether good or bad. As we know, God ultimately delivered them. The key point to remember is that they chose to trust God, regardless of how things appeared or what the outcome might be. That is true faith.

The Bible tells us that we cannot please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). Faith is believing in God’s word over fear, no matter how dire the circumstances may seem. Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as being “certain of what we do not see.” It is an unwavering belief that God is constantly working behind the scenes in every area of our lives, even when there is no tangible evidence to support that belief. It means standing firmly on God’s Word, regardless of the situation.

There are thousands of promises in the Bible that address all possible situations and needs, and they are all “Yes” for you (2 Corinthians 1:20). When faced with any fearful situation, seek out the related promises and stand firmly on them.

A few examples of problems and Bible promises to stand firmly on

·      When faced with financial trouble

 “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)

·      When faced with disease, pestilence or any pandemic

“I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.” (Psalms 91:2-8 NIV)

·      When faced with uncertain future

·      “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you..” (Psalm 32:8)

·      When someone turns against you

 “If God is for us who can be against us!” (Rom. 8:31)

·      When fearful about anything at all

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7).

Quote:

“How sweet the name of Jesus sounds, In a believer’s ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, And drives away his fear.” - John Newton

“Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'” (Matt. 7:22-23 NIV)

Fake Christians Who Have Been Fooled

Imagine believing you were saved, only to hear Jesus say on Judgment Day that you were not saved because He never knew you. That would be a shocking revelation! According to Jesus, many will hear those words.

Consider this

They may have sincerely believed they were Christians because they faithfully attended church, participated in religious activities such as baptism, attended a religious school, held positions in the church, or even served as deacons or pastors. However, none of that matters if they were merely religious; being religious is simply not enough!

Being Religious vs. Being Born Again

There are countless religious people in the world, and it can be confusing to differentiate among them. In fact, trying to do so could be a waste of time. There is a significant difference between being “religious” and being “born again.” As someone once put it: “Religion” is what man does to reach God, but “Jesus” is what God did to reach man. Jesus expressed it clearly in John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” In John 3:3, He said, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” In other words, there is only one way to God, and that is through faith in Jesus.

Be Wise and Careful

While you don’t want to go around judging others, it is essential to exercise caution and good sense. The Bible reminds us that “Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.” A true Christian must have a changed heart.

What the Bible says about fake Christians

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Matt. 15:8) 

• They follow man made rules -  “And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.” (Isa. 29:13)

• They hate other believers - “Those who say that they are in the light but hate other believers are still in the dark.” (1 John 2:9) 

• They are detestable and disobedient - “They claim to know God, but they deny him by what they do. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit to do anything good.” (Titus 1:16)

• They disobey God’s commands - “Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.” (1 John 2:4)

• They practice sin - “The person who practices sin belongs to the evil one, because the Devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason that the Son of God was revealed was to destroy what the Devil has been doing. No one who has been born from God practices sin, because God’s seed abides in him. Indeed, he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born from God. This is how God’s children and the Devil’s children are distinguished. No person who fails to practice righteousness and to love his brother is from God.” (1 John 3:8-10)

• They do what is evil - “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” (3 John 1:11)

• They don’t obey what God says - “Why do you call me Lord but don’t do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46)

• They produce bad fruits – “You will recognize them by their fruits…” (Matt. 7:16)

Therefore, make sure you are truly saved

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13 ESV)

HOW TO RECEIVE CHRIST

1. RECOGNIZE GOD’S PLAN—PEACE AND LIFE God loves you and wants you to experience His peace and life. The BIBLE says ... “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

2. REALIZE OUR PROBLEM—SEPARATION FROM GOD People choose to disobey God and go their own way. This results in separation from God. The BIBLE says ... “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23, NKJV

3. RESPOND TO GOD’S REMEDY—THE CROSS God sent His Son to bridge the gap. Christ did this by paying the penalty for our sins when He died on the cross and rose from the grave. The BIBLE says ... “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

4. RECEIVE CHRIST—AS LORD AND SAVIOR You cross the bridge into God’s family when you prayerfully ask Christ to come into your life. The BIBLE says ... “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12

• Admit your need (I am a sinner).

• Be willing to turn from your sins, and ask God to forgive you (repent).

• Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.

• Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit (receive Christ as Lord and Savior).

PRAYER OF COMMITMENT

Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I want to turn from my sins, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He died for my sins and that You raised Him to life. I want Him to come into my heart and to take control of my life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. In Jesus’ Name, amen

Note:

If you prayed this prayer for the first time, please let us know so that we can rejoice with you and then we will continue to lift you up in prayer.

“The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exo. 33:14 NIV)

Rest defined: Cessation from labor, refreshment.

We have forgotten how to rest our minds

While we still take breaks and vacations from time to time, we rarely give our minds a chance to rest. Instead, we remain constantly connected to our devices, which keep our minds engaged without pause. This has led to a national addiction, with our devices—especially cell phones. They are often the last thing we check before bed and the first thing we reach for in the morning. If we accidentally leave our devices behind, even for a short trip, we frequently turn back to retrieve them. The persistent distractions from smartphones can greatly diminish our productivity. Research shows that it takes an average of 23 minutes to fully regain focus after an interruption. Consider how often your phone interrupts you each day.

If you recognize signs of device addiction, you may find the following excerpt from a NeuroLaunch article helpful.

Strategies for Overcoming Smartphone Addiction

The first step is self-assessment and awareness. Start by tracking your phone usage. Many smartphones now have built-in screen time tracking features, or you can use third-party apps. Be honest with yourself about how much time you’re spending on your device and what you’re using it for.

Digital detox strategies can be incredibly effective. This doesn’t necessarily mean going cold turkey (although a “phone-free” day can be eye-opening).

Start small:

• Set specific times for checking emails and social media

• Create phone-free zones in your home, like the dinner table

• Use “Do Not Disturb” mode during work hours or at night

• Remove social media apps from your home screen to reduce temptation

Mindfulness and alternative activities are crucial in breaking the smartphone habit. When you feel the urge to reach for your phone, pause and ask yourself why. Are you bored? Anxious? Looking for a distraction? Once you identify the underlying need, try to address it in a non-digital way. This could be through meditation, exercise, reading, or engaging in a hobby.” - NeuroLaunch

The ultimate answer to find true rest is Jesus!

“Come to me, all 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.” (Matt. 11:28-30 ESV) 

Therefore

“Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.” (Psalm. 116:7)

Quote:

“Our rest lies in looking to the Lord, not to ourselves.” - Watchman Nee

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” (Matt. 6.33 CSB)

There’s an old story about a shoe company that wanted to expand its business to other countries. So they sent two salesmen to a developing country to explore potential opportunities. One salesman immediately sent back a message saying, “I’m coming home; it’s a waste of time here; nobody wears shoes!” The other salesman also sent a message back to headquarters saying: “Send me 10,000 pairs of shoes; everyone here needs them!” Both men had first impressions, and it determined their actions and ultimately, their success level. This story reminds me of the often quoted axiom, “All’s well that ends well.” However, it's also usually true to say, "All's well that begins well." That's because the beginning of things often determines their outcome.

Always seek God first in things!

At the top of the page is a Bible promise, one of my favorites, which says to seek God first, along with His Kingdom and His righteousness. After you do this: ‘All these things will be provided.’ You can read the verses preceding this promise in Matthew 6:33 to discover what these promised things are.

Therefore

In everything you do, whether in word or in deed, put God first in it and you’ll experience His provision. It’s a wonderful and powerful promise!

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col 3:17)

“Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Prov. 3. 5-6)

“Never stop praying.” (1 Thess. 5:17 NLT)

The passage above instructs us to "never" stop praying; it is a command, not a suggestion. So, how do you do that? Actually, it’s not as difficult as you may think. When you become a Christian (born again), the Holy Spirit comes inside of you, and from that moment on, you are always connected to God. It’s similar to having your cell phone with you; you are connected all the time since you receive a signal continuously. Prayer is simply communicating with God, and you do that by speaking to Him with your mouth, your words, and even with your thoughts. Yes, God hears your thoughts, too! I know it may be hard to grasp mentally, but it’s true; many times you find in the New Testament Jesus knew what people thought and He reacted to it.

About prayer

The Lord's Prayer is a prayer the Lord Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. It’s a pattern you can easily follow.

Persevere in your prayers

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1 NIV)

“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” (Rom. 12:12 NLT)

Come to God who answers

“You who answer prayer, to you all people will come.” (Psalm 65:2 NIV)

The Holy Spirit will help you pray 

“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” (Rom. 8:26 NLT)

Pray that your joy will be complete 

“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:24 NIV)

Therefore

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Phil. 4:6)

“As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me…” (Psalm 55:16-17 NIV)

Quote

“Some people think God does not like to be troubled with our constant coming and asking. The way to trouble God is not to come at all.” – D. L. Moody

“He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.” (Rom. 4:21 NLT)

Promise: a declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified; a legally binding declaration that gives the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specified act.

God has given us great and precious promises 

“And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” (2 Peter 1:4 NLT)

No matter how many promises of God there are, they are all “yes” through Him

“For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.” (2 Cor. 2:20 NASB)

God’s promises never fail

“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” (Num. 23:19 ESV)

“Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.” (Josh. 21:45)

“Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed.” (Josh. 23:14)

Anything is possible if a person believes what Jesus has said about it

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” (Mark 8:23 NLT)

Therefore

“…and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.” (Rom. 4:21) 

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Heb. 10:23) 

“This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.” (Psalm 119:50

Quote:

“Knowing that God is faithful, it really helps me to not be captivated by worry. But knowing that He will do what He has said, He will cause it to happen, whatever He has promised, and then it causes me to be less involved in worrying about a situation.” - Josh McDowell

“Godly people find life; evil people find death.” (Prov. 11:19 NLT)

Life: (Greek) Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence.

Jesus came that you may have an  abundant life

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 NASB)

Through Jesus, you will live, even after dying 

“Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” (John 11:25 NLT) 

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” (John 14:6)

“When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Col. 3:4)

“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:12 NIV)

Therefore…

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24 NIV)

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” (Matt. 6:25 NIV)

Quote

“Believing the right things about Jesus isn't enough. You're not adopted as God's child until you confess and turn away from your wrongdoing and receive the freely offered gift of forgiveness and eternal life that Jesus purchased with his death on the cross. Until you do that, you'll always be on the outside looking in.” - Lee Strobel

“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” (Psalm 23:3 ESV)

Path: a route, course, or track along which something moves; a course of action, conduct, or procedure.

God leads you to upright paths

“I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.” (Prov. 4:11)

Ask God to teach you His paths

“Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths.” (Psalm 25:4)

•  The path of life

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11 ESV)

• The path of justice

“I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,” (Prov. 8:20 NIV)

•  The path of righteousness 

“So you will walk in the way of good men And keep to the paths of the righteous.” (Prov. 2:20)

• God’s Word will light your path

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105 ESV) 

Therefore

“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Prov. 3:6 ESV)

“Thus says the LORD, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” (Jer. 6:16)

Quote:

“Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

People sometimes become trapped by things which exert power over them. It may be an addiction to a chemical substance such as drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or something like pornography, gambling, food, electronic games, or anything else that gains control (fill in the blank). Whatever it is, large or small, God has provided a way of escape to get totally free from its control.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Cor. 3:17) 

Freedom: the quality or state of being free, such as the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action; liberation from slavery or restraint, or from the power of another; the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous.

God provides a way out for you

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13 NIV)

“…call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” (Psalm 59:15)

You are free indeed

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

Therefore…

 “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life.” (Rom. 6:22)

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 NIV)

“Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.” (1 Pet. 2:16)

“For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.” (Gal. 5:13)

Quote:

 “In almost everything that touches our everyday life on earth, God is pleased when we're pleased. He wills that we be as free as birds to soar and sing our maker's praise without anxiety.” - A. W. Tozer