Memorize: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer & 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 your minds in Christ Jesus; Philippians 4:6&7
Devotional Reading: Matthew 6:25 – 34
One of the most potent weapons of Satan is fear which can lead to worry. Many people have become ill due to excessive worry about situations in their lives, some have aggravated the situation which have led to anxiety, frequent panic attacks, high blood pressure and even depression. A lady received doctor’s report that she have cancer, a report that was inconclusive and requires further tests & diagnosis, due to continuous & excessive worry, the lady developed heart problem which was never there before, she was narrowly saved from heart complications which was a result of excessive worry, the doctor’s report was later found to be false. Many people have needlessly aggravated their situation and made it worsened as a result of worrying, some have died which could have been avoided. Jesus asked in Matthew 6:27; which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? Jesus was saying in that portion of scripture that which of us can improve our situations and make it better by worrying? There is none. Worrying is not a solution, it is an added problem that can lead to more complications.
What you need is Faith, not fear. Worry is a product of fear. While Faith is not absence of fear, but commitment to believe & trust God in the midst of fear.
For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Hebrews 4:2.
The same power of God that exists during the time of the patriarchs & prophets of old, is the same power of God that exist today, what makes the difference between those that it worked for and those who did not receive their miracle was that, some allowed the word of God to mix with Faith in them while others did not allow the word to mix with faith in them.
Let us examine what is the downside of worry from a spiritual point of view? Connecting a number of biblical dots results in a serious conclusion: Worry can be viewed as sin, it is a sign that you do not trust God, and if you do, you do not believe God is able to do it. This type of sin just like any other sin is not pleasing to God, sin can keep God from working in our life.
Several times Jesus used the phrase, “O you of little faith” to describe people who were worried about the future: their physical needs (Matthew 6:30), their physical safety (Matthew 8:26), their inability to find a solution to a problem Matthew 14:31, for some people, they become worried due to their lack of resources for ministry Matthew 16:8.
The current lockdown of churches all around the world for over 4 months have made some men and women of God become worried.
In each situation, people were worried about their circumstances, Jesus linked their worry to a lack of faith.
The writer to the Hebrews says that “without faith it is impossible to please God” Hebrews 11:6, and Paul wrote that whatever is not from faith is sin Romans 14:23. Worry is not from faith, so a lifestyle of worry is certainly not pleasing to God. There is no need to worry, God is able to do it, and he will do it if you believe in Jesus name.
If you are worried about your present situation or future challenges, confess it to God and put your faith in Him, he will make a way for you in the name of Jesus, Philippians 4:6-7.
Prayer: My father and my God, please help me not to worry, but give me Faith that can stand the test of time in Jesus name.
Key Dose: Remember that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways and cannot receive from the LORD.
Pastor James Ademuyiwa
Senior Pastor (IHPCT)
