1 00:00:30,179 --> 00:00:30,979 First Peter. 2 00:00:31,379 --> 00:00:32,699 First Peter, chapter five. 3 00:00:32,699 --> 00:00:39,539 And appreciate the music today, tonight, again, this is a 4 00:00:39,539 --> 00:00:40,499 fleeting time. 5 00:00:41,139 --> 00:00:43,539 I'm looking forward to the promised land, aren't you? 6 00:00:44,099 --> 00:00:50,299 And again, as we are here, remembering that he cares for us. 7 00:00:50,299 --> 00:00:51,859 And that's tonight, the message. 8 00:00:52,499 --> 00:00:53,619 God cares for us. 9 00:00:53,699 --> 00:00:54,819 God cares for you. 10 00:00:55,869 --> 00:00:59,629 I'm glad the Sorsby family and the Mooney family got right with 11 00:00:59,629 --> 00:01:00,789 God, moved back to Texas. 12 00:01:00,789 --> 00:01:03,309 I'm just gonna start the rumor I'm just gonna start the rumor now. 13 00:01:04,269 --> 00:01:06,389 And so now it's good to see y'. 14 00:01:06,389 --> 00:01:06,589 All. 15 00:01:06,749 --> 00:01:08,909 And of course, Ms. Ratledge is trying to get. 16 00:01:09,389 --> 00:01:12,509 Trying to get back to Texas because she's got more important 17 00:01:12,509 --> 00:01:14,109 things here than they're up there. 18 00:01:14,989 --> 00:01:16,989 Yeah, yeah, no doubt. 19 00:01:16,989 --> 00:01:17,549 Yeah. 20 00:01:18,269 --> 00:01:21,629 And so it's Good to see Ms. Jennifer. 21 00:01:23,289 --> 00:01:26,169 What a blessing to have such a good and wonderful church, family 22 00:01:27,449 --> 00:01:29,609 and friends from other places. 23 00:01:30,009 --> 00:01:31,369 God's been so good to us. 24 00:01:32,809 --> 00:01:34,009 First Peter, chapter five. 25 00:01:34,009 --> 00:01:37,449 I'm actually going to read 11 verses, so let's start in verse one. 26 00:01:37,848 --> 00:01:42,329 The elders which are among you, I exhort, who am also an elder 27 00:01:42,649 --> 00:01:45,969 and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a 28 00:01:45,969 --> 00:01:49,479 partaker of the glory that shall be revealed, feed the flock 29 00:01:49,479 --> 00:01:51,159 of God which is among you. 30 00:01:51,639 --> 00:01:53,239 This is talking to pastors here. 31 00:01:54,119 --> 00:01:57,959 Taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly, 32 00:01:58,279 --> 00:02:02,439 not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind, neither as being lords 33 00:02:02,439 --> 00:02:05,639 over God's heritage, but being an example to the flock. 34 00:02:05,639 --> 00:02:08,199 And again, pastor ought to lead the flock. 35 00:02:08,359 --> 00:02:14,079 He take the oversight, lead the flock again, not because he has 36 00:02:14,079 --> 00:02:15,399 to, but because he wants to. 37 00:02:16,069 --> 00:02:20,309 And then not for money, but always be ready again. 38 00:02:20,469 --> 00:02:28,389 And not being Lord overall, not being again a king, but again 39 00:02:29,189 --> 00:02:30,549 being a leader. 40 00:02:32,469 --> 00:02:38,189 And we hope, as a pastor, we do that, and certainly with the help 41 00:02:38,189 --> 00:02:39,349 of the Lord to do that. 42 00:02:39,589 --> 00:02:40,549 Look at verse four. 43 00:02:40,869 --> 00:02:45,849 And when the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a 44 00:02:45,849 --> 00:02:47,769 crown of glory that fadeth not away. 45 00:02:48,809 --> 00:02:50,409 By the way, there is rewards coming. 46 00:02:51,529 --> 00:02:54,209 There is a day coming when we will give an account, but there will 47 00:02:54,209 --> 00:02:55,049 be rewards given. 48 00:02:55,849 --> 00:03:00,329 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder, yea, all 49 00:03:00,329 --> 00:03:04,889 of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility. 50 00:03:05,369 --> 00:03:08,809 For God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble. 51 00:03:09,649 --> 00:03:11,889 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that 52 00:03:11,889 --> 00:03:13,489 he may exalt you in due time. 53 00:03:14,209 --> 00:03:19,529 And verse seven is tucked in here, casting all your care upon 54 00:03:19,529 --> 00:03:21,889 him, for he careth for you. 55 00:03:22,449 --> 00:03:27,369 Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring 56 00:03:27,369 --> 00:03:30,689 lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour, whom resists 57 00:03:30,689 --> 00:03:33,889 steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions 58 00:03:34,619 --> 00:03:37,899 are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 59 00:03:38,459 --> 00:03:43,219 But the God of all grace, aren't you glad for that who hath 60 00:03:43,219 --> 00:03:46,659 called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that 61 00:03:46,659 --> 00:03:52,779 ye have suffered a while, make you perfect or complete, establish, 62 00:03:53,019 --> 00:03:58,659 strengthen and settle you to him be glory and dominion forever 63 00:03:58,659 --> 00:03:59,099 and ever. 64 00:03:59,339 --> 00:03:59,899 Amen. 65 00:04:01,249 --> 00:04:05,209 God cares for you, casting all your care upon him, for he careth 66 00:04:05,209 --> 00:04:05,649 for you. 67 00:04:05,649 --> 00:04:06,249 Let's pray. 68 00:04:06,249 --> 00:04:10,529 Heavenly Father, we thank you Lord, for your love for us and your 69 00:04:10,529 --> 00:04:11,289 care for us. 70 00:04:11,289 --> 00:04:17,609 And I just pray tonight that that would be increasingly believed. 71 00:04:17,609 --> 00:04:21,329 And Lord, that we would trust you as we ought to in difficult times 72 00:04:21,329 --> 00:04:22,529 and in good times. 73 00:04:23,409 --> 00:04:23,929 Thank you. 74 00:04:23,929 --> 00:04:25,249 In Jesus name, Amen. 75 00:04:26,779 --> 00:04:30,579 I would say that we all would admit and understand that we live 76 00:04:30,579 --> 00:04:35,579 in a stressful world, as we have pointed out many times through 77 00:04:35,579 --> 00:04:39,179 the themes of our church and other things, that we're all stretched 78 00:04:39,259 --> 00:04:40,859 in many different directions. 79 00:04:40,939 --> 00:04:44,339 And if we're not careful, our priorities will get out of whack 80 00:04:44,339 --> 00:04:45,779 and our focus will get out of whack. 81 00:04:45,779 --> 00:04:48,459 And we need to stay focused. 82 00:04:48,539 --> 00:04:53,119 We need to have a focus and our priorities need to be again, 83 00:04:53,599 --> 00:04:54,639 the Lord Jesus. 84 00:04:54,639 --> 00:04:55,999 Our priorities are God. 85 00:04:56,479 --> 00:04:57,799 God cares for his children. 86 00:04:57,799 --> 00:04:58,719 Aren't you glad of that? 87 00:04:59,279 --> 00:05:01,079 I care for my kids. 88 00:05:01,079 --> 00:05:02,799 I care for my granddaughter. 89 00:05:02,879 --> 00:05:03,919 I care for them. 90 00:05:03,999 --> 00:05:05,839 I care for my dad. 91 00:05:05,919 --> 00:05:06,959 I care for them. 92 00:05:07,599 --> 00:05:08,719 God cares for you. 93 00:05:09,119 --> 00:05:10,159 We are his children. 94 00:05:11,919 --> 00:05:14,719 That's one of the ways in which God in His word has written 95 00:05:14,719 --> 00:05:16,639 in a way that we can relate. 96 00:05:17,039 --> 00:05:20,769 He's helping us relate to him, that he is our Heavenly Father. 97 00:05:20,769 --> 00:05:24,049 We are his children, by the way. 98 00:05:24,049 --> 00:05:29,409 Jesus Christ is our brother and we're joint heirs with Him. 99 00:05:29,809 --> 00:05:31,089 But God cares for you. 100 00:05:32,609 --> 00:05:34,369 He knows what you're going through. 101 00:05:34,449 --> 00:05:38,169 Again, God didn't just make the world and create all things and 102 00:05:38,169 --> 00:05:42,369 then wind it up like a clock and throw it into space to not ever 103 00:05:42,449 --> 00:05:44,009 again visit and be here. 104 00:05:44,009 --> 00:05:45,329 No, no, he's here. 105 00:05:45,329 --> 00:05:46,449 He's right beside you. 106 00:05:46,449 --> 00:05:48,529 He's promised to never leave you nor forsake you. 107 00:05:49,239 --> 00:05:51,079 And he cares for you. 108 00:05:52,119 --> 00:05:54,919 And he relates to us in many different ways. 109 00:05:55,559 --> 00:05:58,359 One of those ways in which he relates to us and helps us to understand 110 00:05:58,439 --> 00:06:00,119 his position is the shepherd. 111 00:06:00,759 --> 00:06:02,359 The Lord is my shepherd. 112 00:06:02,599 --> 00:06:03,719 I shall not want. 113 00:06:04,919 --> 00:06:05,559 Amen. 114 00:06:05,799 --> 00:06:07,999 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. 115 00:06:07,999 --> 00:06:09,799 He leadeth me beside the still waters. 116 00:06:09,799 --> 00:06:10,959 He restoreth my soul. 117 00:06:10,959 --> 00:06:13,079 And yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 118 00:06:13,159 --> 00:06:17,319 I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me, Thy rod and thy staff 119 00:06:17,319 --> 00:06:18,239 they comfort me. 120 00:06:18,399 --> 00:06:21,039 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 121 00:06:21,119 --> 00:06:22,879 Thou anointest my head with oil. 122 00:06:23,439 --> 00:06:26,239 Not oil, because you guys trying to pronounce it right. 123 00:06:26,799 --> 00:06:27,919 My cup runneth over. 124 00:06:27,919 --> 00:06:30,519 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my 125 00:06:30,519 --> 00:06:30,799 life. 126 00:06:30,959 --> 00:06:31,599 And what? 127 00:06:32,639 --> 00:06:35,279 I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 128 00:06:35,999 --> 00:06:37,359 This time is fleeting. 129 00:06:37,839 --> 00:06:42,279 One day we will be and stand there at the gates of heaven. 130 00:06:42,279 --> 00:06:45,119 And one day we will be with him forever and ever. 131 00:06:45,519 --> 00:06:46,559 God cares for you. 132 00:06:46,559 --> 00:06:47,719 He's our shepherd. 133 00:06:47,719 --> 00:06:48,879 He's providing for us. 134 00:06:48,879 --> 00:06:49,839 He feeds us. 135 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:50,799 He protects us. 136 00:06:51,439 --> 00:06:54,319 Even the shadow of death, he is there with us. 137 00:06:57,439 --> 00:07:02,479 We all face difficulties and we all face different difficulties. 138 00:07:02,479 --> 00:07:07,719 Whether it's health problems or financial or relational, all of 139 00:07:07,719 --> 00:07:12,489 us experience the cares of this world. 140 00:07:13,289 --> 00:07:14,169 That's what it is. 141 00:07:14,809 --> 00:07:16,089 The cares of this world. 142 00:07:18,489 --> 00:07:20,409 The cure for worry and stress. 143 00:07:20,729 --> 00:07:21,769 We always want a cure. 144 00:07:21,849 --> 00:07:22,889 Here's the medicine. 145 00:07:23,369 --> 00:07:24,969 Here, take this pill, right? 146 00:07:25,929 --> 00:07:29,929 And when the Bible says, here, cast all your care upon him. 147 00:07:29,929 --> 00:07:31,329 That care means anxiety. 148 00:07:31,329 --> 00:07:32,009 It's the same. 149 00:07:32,089 --> 00:07:33,609 It's a synonym, anxiety. 150 00:07:35,139 --> 00:07:36,739 Cast your anxiety upon him. 151 00:07:37,539 --> 00:07:40,819 Cast the cares of this world upon him. 152 00:07:41,139 --> 00:07:41,539 Why? 153 00:07:42,339 --> 00:07:43,539 Because he cares for you. 154 00:07:44,979 --> 00:07:48,099 So it really is the cares of this world versus the care that God 155 00:07:48,099 --> 00:07:50,819 gives the cares of this world. 156 00:07:50,819 --> 00:07:55,259 And the anxiety of this world versus the care that God gives. 157 00:07:55,259 --> 00:07:55,899 That word care. 158 00:07:55,899 --> 00:07:59,219 There again, specifically talking about us individually. 159 00:07:59,539 --> 00:08:05,649 God cares for you as if you were the only one that he was caring 160 00:08:05,649 --> 00:08:06,009 for. 161 00:08:07,529 --> 00:08:11,769 I know with us as human beings, when we care for people, 162 00:08:13,209 --> 00:08:15,129 there's a limit to that, right? 163 00:08:15,769 --> 00:08:17,889 I can only do so much for my kids. 164 00:08:17,889 --> 00:08:20,409 Or I can only do so much for my loved ones. 165 00:08:20,409 --> 00:08:22,169 I can only do so much for my neighbors. 166 00:08:22,409 --> 00:08:24,089 I'm limited in my supply. 167 00:08:24,569 --> 00:08:27,369 I don't have enough to go around to everybody. 168 00:08:29,029 --> 00:08:30,709 Aren't you glad God's not that way? 169 00:08:32,149 --> 00:08:33,429 He's all powerful. 170 00:08:34,149 --> 00:08:35,909 His supply never runs out. 171 00:08:36,389 --> 00:08:38,629 You can cast every care upon him. 172 00:08:39,269 --> 00:08:43,909 Every care because he cares for you. 173 00:08:46,149 --> 00:08:47,509 Cast them all upon him. 174 00:08:48,309 --> 00:08:49,349 How do we do this? 175 00:08:49,909 --> 00:08:51,749 And this is what I liked about I came across this. 176 00:08:51,749 --> 00:08:53,989 It's just really stuff you already know. 177 00:08:53,989 --> 00:08:55,549 But just again, a practical outline. 178 00:08:55,549 --> 00:08:59,419 Just practically, how do you cast your care upon him? 179 00:08:59,499 --> 00:09:02,139 The first one is to surrender, to yield to Him. 180 00:09:03,179 --> 00:09:04,299 To yield to him. 181 00:09:05,739 --> 00:09:09,739 Romans 6:13 talks about yielding yourselves unto God as instruments 182 00:09:09,739 --> 00:09:14,299 of righteousness, yielding your body to him, yielding yourselves 183 00:09:15,019 --> 00:09:18,739 not as unto sin, as an instrument of sin, but an instrument 184 00:09:18,739 --> 00:09:19,659 of righteousness. 185 00:09:20,059 --> 00:09:21,699 That we ought to yield ourselves to Him. 186 00:09:21,699 --> 00:09:23,899 We ought to give our members to him. 187 00:09:26,639 --> 00:09:31,679 No holding back, giving everything to him, every room of 188 00:09:31,679 --> 00:09:32,079 the house. 189 00:09:34,479 --> 00:09:36,879 He ought to have access to every room of the house. 190 00:09:38,159 --> 00:09:40,079 There shouldn't be a closed door anywhere. 191 00:09:40,319 --> 00:09:44,559 So many times we yield, but we don't yield it all the way. 192 00:09:48,559 --> 00:09:51,479 We say, lord, I'll do this, this and this, but I will not do 193 00:09:51,479 --> 00:09:51,759 that. 194 00:09:54,259 --> 00:09:59,299 I've said this many times and I do it in jest. 195 00:10:00,179 --> 00:10:01,379 I say, you know what? 196 00:10:02,179 --> 00:10:07,779 I would never go to Michigan and pastor a church picking on some 197 00:10:07,779 --> 00:10:08,739 of these people from the north. 198 00:10:10,179 --> 00:10:11,419 We may be outnumbered tonight. 199 00:10:11,419 --> 00:10:13,019 I'm not going to have you raise your hand if you're from the 200 00:10:13,019 --> 00:10:13,779 north of the south. 201 00:10:15,379 --> 00:10:17,539 But I said, I will never go up north. 202 00:10:17,699 --> 00:10:21,659 I don't know why anybody would live in Wisconsin. 203 00:10:21,659 --> 00:10:22,419 I don't get it. 204 00:10:22,819 --> 00:10:23,619 I don't understand. 205 00:10:23,699 --> 00:10:25,219 Why would you live there on purpose? 206 00:10:26,179 --> 00:10:28,019 Why would you live in Canada on purpose? 207 00:10:30,659 --> 00:10:31,379 I don't know why. 208 00:10:31,539 --> 00:10:32,979 There's lots of other places to live. 209 00:10:32,979 --> 00:10:34,459 Why would you go there and live there on purpose? 210 00:10:34,459 --> 00:10:35,539 I don't understand it. 211 00:10:36,259 --> 00:10:37,219 It's too cold. 212 00:10:38,099 --> 00:10:40,259 And it's cold for like half of your life. 213 00:10:40,819 --> 00:10:43,219 You realize you're spending half your life in the cold. 214 00:10:45,059 --> 00:10:47,339 Then some of them would say, I don't know why you live in Texas. 215 00:10:47,339 --> 00:10:51,069 It's 125 and I love it. 216 00:10:52,989 --> 00:10:53,829 But I say it. 217 00:10:53,829 --> 00:10:54,709 I say it pretty often. 218 00:10:54,709 --> 00:10:55,229 I don't. 219 00:10:55,469 --> 00:10:58,189 And then what I say is, I'll clarify is I'll say, well, you know, 220 00:10:58,189 --> 00:11:01,469 if a hundred foot Jesus come down, he tells me verbally that I 221 00:11:01,469 --> 00:11:04,549 need to take a church in Michigan or Wisconsin or one of those, 222 00:11:04,549 --> 00:11:06,269 I would do it, but otherwise I'm not going. 223 00:11:10,349 --> 00:11:13,949 Now, if he wants to call me to, I got other places anyway. 224 00:11:15,959 --> 00:11:17,919 No, but we ought to be willing to do whatever. 225 00:11:17,919 --> 00:11:22,919 Yes, if God calls one of your kids the ministry, they ought to 226 00:11:22,919 --> 00:11:24,759 be willing to do whatever God asks. 227 00:11:26,519 --> 00:11:29,639 Whatever God asks of you, you should be able to yield yourselves 228 00:11:30,279 --> 00:11:31,279 to yield your body. 229 00:11:31,279 --> 00:11:33,559 A living sacrifice wholly acceptable unto God. 230 00:11:33,559 --> 00:11:34,279 Which is what? 231 00:11:34,439 --> 00:11:36,039 Your reasonable service. 232 00:11:36,279 --> 00:11:37,479 It's just reasonable. 233 00:11:38,279 --> 00:11:38,639 Why? 234 00:11:38,639 --> 00:11:40,039 Because of the mercy of God. 235 00:11:40,809 --> 00:11:42,609 Because he did not give you what you deserved? 236 00:11:42,609 --> 00:11:44,569 He didn't give me what I deserved, which was hell. 237 00:11:44,729 --> 00:11:48,129 And because he sent his son Jesus to die for us, shed his blood 238 00:11:48,129 --> 00:11:51,529 for us, be buried for three days and rise again from the dead. 239 00:11:51,769 --> 00:11:55,689 It's just reasonable that we would yield our lives to him, surrender 240 00:11:55,689 --> 00:11:56,489 our lives to him. 241 00:11:56,489 --> 00:11:59,689 And if we're going to overcome the anxiety and stress in our life, 242 00:11:59,769 --> 00:12:02,889 the very first thing we must do is just surrender it all to him, 243 00:12:03,769 --> 00:12:07,559 surrender our relationships to him, surrender our Jobs to Him, surrender 244 00:12:07,559 --> 00:12:11,199 our families to him, surrender our bodies to him, our lives to him, 245 00:12:11,839 --> 00:12:12,999 our stuff to Him. 246 00:12:12,999 --> 00:12:14,039 We don't have no stuff. 247 00:12:14,039 --> 00:12:15,519 We're just managers of God's stuff. 248 00:12:15,599 --> 00:12:17,679 We're just surrendering it and yielding it all to Him. 249 00:12:18,959 --> 00:12:21,679 It's reasonable to yield our will to His. 250 00:12:22,319 --> 00:12:25,959 It's reasonable to yield our way to his and our words and our 251 00:12:25,959 --> 00:12:29,039 work and to walk with Him. 252 00:12:31,609 --> 00:12:33,849 Number two, this is pretty close to the same thing. 253 00:12:33,849 --> 00:12:35,129 But again, trust Him. 254 00:12:36,009 --> 00:12:41,329 How are we to overcome and cast our care upon the Lord and overcome 255 00:12:41,329 --> 00:12:42,409 anxiety in our life? 256 00:12:42,489 --> 00:12:43,689 You got to trust him. 257 00:12:44,009 --> 00:12:47,129 This theme seems to have come up a lot lately in the messages I've 258 00:12:47,129 --> 00:12:49,369 preached, and rightly so. 259 00:12:50,089 --> 00:12:51,689 I know, I know. 260 00:12:51,689 --> 00:12:55,609 This is some areas in which people struggle of trusting God in 261 00:12:55,609 --> 00:12:55,929 everything. 262 00:12:56,569 --> 00:12:58,889 They got to trust God in some things, but not in everything. 263 00:12:59,689 --> 00:13:04,249 Psalm 37, verse 40 says, the Lord shall help thee because they 264 00:13:04,249 --> 00:13:05,209 trust in Him. 265 00:13:05,529 --> 00:13:08,569 You want the help of God, you're going to have to trust him. 266 00:13:09,689 --> 00:13:11,129 You're going to have to trust him. 267 00:13:11,769 --> 00:13:13,769 You're going to have to put your confidence in Him. 268 00:13:15,849 --> 00:13:17,929 I was forced to go to the doctor here lately. 269 00:13:20,009 --> 00:13:20,929 I think I told you all. 270 00:13:20,929 --> 00:13:21,809 I did tell you all about that. 271 00:13:21,809 --> 00:13:24,929 I went to the doctor, gave me a clean bill of health, said I was 272 00:13:24,929 --> 00:13:29,609 excellent shape, just like check the boxes. 273 00:13:29,609 --> 00:13:30,409 It was awesome. 274 00:13:31,049 --> 00:13:34,489 I went to my childhood doctor, actually up in the Kona. 275 00:13:35,529 --> 00:13:39,529 Anyway, we just kind of talked and fist bumped and I left. 276 00:13:39,529 --> 00:13:40,049 And that was. 277 00:13:40,049 --> 00:13:40,729 I'm just kidding. 278 00:13:41,768 --> 00:13:45,449 But as I go to the doctor's office and he says this, this and 279 00:13:45,449 --> 00:13:46,009 this, and he. 280 00:13:46,409 --> 00:13:48,809 It's amazing to me how many times I go to the doctor or you go 281 00:13:48,809 --> 00:13:50,009 to the doctor and they use these words. 282 00:13:50,009 --> 00:13:51,289 I have no idea what they're talking about. 283 00:13:53,459 --> 00:13:58,899 I say, can you explain that in English, right? 284 00:13:58,899 --> 00:14:01,939 I mean, but why do we put up with it? 285 00:14:03,699 --> 00:14:04,819 Because we trust them. 286 00:14:06,979 --> 00:14:10,499 The doctor I went to, he's known me since I was 14 or 15 years 287 00:14:10,499 --> 00:14:10,819 old. 288 00:14:12,339 --> 00:14:13,219 I trust him. 289 00:14:13,619 --> 00:14:14,979 I trust him implicitly. 290 00:14:15,539 --> 00:14:17,779 If he told me that's wrong with this, is wrong with you. 291 00:14:18,149 --> 00:14:21,949 Take this medicine that I can't pronounce either, but I trust 292 00:14:21,949 --> 00:14:22,189 him. 293 00:14:22,189 --> 00:14:25,189 I'm going to take it because he said that's what's best for me, 294 00:14:25,669 --> 00:14:26,069 right? 295 00:14:26,949 --> 00:14:27,909 We trust him. 296 00:14:28,549 --> 00:14:32,229 Listen, if we could trust a doctor, we could trust our physician. 297 00:14:32,629 --> 00:14:36,389 Surely we could trust the great physician because he's always 298 00:14:36,389 --> 00:14:37,349 working on us. 299 00:14:37,909 --> 00:14:42,149 He's always, if you're a Christian, he's always working on 300 00:14:42,149 --> 00:14:42,269 this. 301 00:14:42,269 --> 00:14:44,469 He's always conforming us into the Image of his son. 302 00:14:44,949 --> 00:14:47,829 He is using the trials as tests in our life. 303 00:14:47,829 --> 00:14:51,909 He is using these things in our life to mold us, to shape us 304 00:14:52,229 --> 00:14:52,589 again. 305 00:14:52,589 --> 00:14:54,069 He's the potter, I'm the clay. 306 00:14:54,789 --> 00:14:58,149 And we have to yield to him and then trust him. 307 00:14:59,269 --> 00:15:01,989 Trust him that he always, always, always. 308 00:15:02,149 --> 00:15:03,349 I know I'm a broken record. 309 00:15:03,669 --> 00:15:06,549 He always has our best interest in mind. 310 00:15:07,269 --> 00:15:09,349 Do you not have your kids best interest in mind? 311 00:15:10,319 --> 00:15:12,239 Do you not have your children's best interest in mind 312 00:15:12,239 --> 00:15:15,919 when you set rules and are you do this for them or that for them? 313 00:15:15,919 --> 00:15:16,679 Yes, you do. 314 00:15:16,679 --> 00:15:20,959 God has your best interest in mind in whatever is going on in your 315 00:15:20,959 --> 00:15:21,279 life. 316 00:15:21,279 --> 00:15:22,239 We trust him. 317 00:15:24,719 --> 00:15:25,999 We must trust the Lord. 318 00:15:26,719 --> 00:15:28,239 By the way, he's all powerful. 319 00:15:28,879 --> 00:15:31,279 As I've already said, he'll never fail you. 320 00:15:31,279 --> 00:15:36,929 Trust in the Lord, what with all thine heart and lean not unto 321 00:15:36,929 --> 00:15:38,249 thine own understanding. 322 00:15:38,649 --> 00:15:41,889 I don't know how many times I've got myself in a mess because 323 00:15:41,889 --> 00:15:44,409 I just leaned on my own wisdom and my own understanding. 324 00:15:46,409 --> 00:15:48,249 Lean not on those in all thy ways. 325 00:15:48,249 --> 00:15:49,449 Wide acknowledge him. 326 00:15:50,809 --> 00:15:52,289 Give him the credit I love. 327 00:15:52,289 --> 00:15:55,689 Again, as we preached this morning, we used Elijah there on 328 00:15:55,849 --> 00:15:59,609 top of Mount Carmel as he was facing the prophets of baal. 329 00:16:00,889 --> 00:16:04,499 If you went back and you read his prayer, his prayer to God was 330 00:16:04,499 --> 00:16:07,859 absolutely number one on the list, giving God the credit. 331 00:16:08,499 --> 00:16:12,779 And if you acknowledge God and give God the credit, he will direct 332 00:16:12,779 --> 00:16:13,619 your paths. 333 00:16:14,179 --> 00:16:15,539 He will guide you. 334 00:16:16,499 --> 00:16:19,939 He will be that tender shepherd that leads you. 335 00:16:21,059 --> 00:16:22,419 But you have to trust him. 336 00:16:24,019 --> 00:16:26,419 I know I've used this illustration before, but I like it 337 00:16:26,419 --> 00:16:28,419 because my middle son says I never talk about him. 338 00:16:31,259 --> 00:16:34,419 But it is amazing how little kids trust their dads or trust their 339 00:16:34,419 --> 00:16:34,939 moms. 340 00:16:35,019 --> 00:16:38,099 I love it when they're that age, you know, five, six, seven, 341 00:16:38,099 --> 00:16:38,939 even eight. 342 00:16:39,179 --> 00:16:41,819 At some point they start getting wise. 343 00:16:42,939 --> 00:16:46,339 But before that you could take a two or three year old and I have, 344 00:16:46,339 --> 00:16:51,379 and I've taken and just wait two seconds, catch them behind your 345 00:16:51,379 --> 00:16:51,659 back. 346 00:16:52,059 --> 00:16:53,019 It's amazing. 347 00:16:54,789 --> 00:16:57,269 Throw them up in the air, do all sorts of stuff to them. 348 00:16:57,909 --> 00:17:01,029 I like taking their, you know, swinging them around, trying to see 349 00:17:01,029 --> 00:17:04,429 if I can get their joints out of socket until you're dizzy. 350 00:17:04,429 --> 00:17:05,269 And they're dizzy. 351 00:17:05,269 --> 00:17:07,269 And it's so much fun, isn't it? 352 00:17:08,149 --> 00:17:09,149 They just trust you. 353 00:17:09,149 --> 00:17:10,149 It's like, it's crazy. 354 00:17:10,389 --> 00:17:11,429 Jump to Daddy. 355 00:17:11,429 --> 00:17:12,469 Jump to daddy. 356 00:17:12,949 --> 00:17:14,869 You know, 30ft high. 357 00:17:15,429 --> 00:17:16,429 Okay, Daddy. 358 00:17:16,429 --> 00:17:16,949 Boom. 359 00:17:20,399 --> 00:17:21,479 I've used this illustration before. 360 00:17:21,479 --> 00:17:24,239 I was throwing Joshua up in the air inside the house. 361 00:17:24,639 --> 00:17:27,719 Just throwing him up in the air, threw him a little too high. 362 00:17:27,719 --> 00:17:31,999 One Time he hit the ceiling fan, trust was done. 363 00:17:33,439 --> 00:17:34,079 Now it was. 364 00:17:34,079 --> 00:17:38,079 Every time I threw him up, he duck, flinch. 365 00:17:39,679 --> 00:17:40,799 We trust the Lord. 366 00:17:40,959 --> 00:17:45,279 We trust our heavenly Father and that type of faith. 367 00:17:45,279 --> 00:17:45,599 The. 368 00:17:45,669 --> 00:17:49,989 The Bible speaks of a childlike faith, having that faith 369 00:17:49,989 --> 00:17:55,069 in him to overcome anxiety and stress in life, we need to have that 370 00:17:55,069 --> 00:17:55,669 kind of trust. 371 00:17:56,469 --> 00:17:58,469 And then we've preached this before too. 372 00:17:58,549 --> 00:18:00,869 Number three would be rejoice that. 373 00:18:00,869 --> 00:18:02,309 Rejoicing in thanksgiving. 374 00:18:02,629 --> 00:18:08,869 It's hard to do, to thank him for all things and in all situations. 375 00:18:09,509 --> 00:18:12,069 It is one of those very hard things to do. 376 00:18:12,599 --> 00:18:15,959 Philippians chapter four, Rejoice in the Lord sometimes. 377 00:18:16,359 --> 00:18:17,799 And again I say rejoice. 378 00:18:18,359 --> 00:18:19,559 It's not what it says, right? 379 00:18:19,559 --> 00:18:22,999 Most of you know the verse Philippians chapter 4, verse 4 through 380 00:18:22,999 --> 00:18:23,359 6. 381 00:18:23,359 --> 00:18:25,479 There Paul says, rejoice in the Lord always. 382 00:18:26,679 --> 00:18:28,199 And again I say, rejoice. 383 00:18:29,559 --> 00:18:36,719 It's hard to do so many times when you're in the thick of it, when 384 00:18:36,719 --> 00:18:40,679 you seem to be drowning, hard to rejoice in the Lord. 385 00:18:41,879 --> 00:18:46,159 But I tell you what, you can't rejoice and have anxiety at the same 386 00:18:46,159 --> 00:18:46,439 time. 387 00:18:48,679 --> 00:18:49,519 You really can. 388 00:18:49,519 --> 00:18:50,239 I'm telling you. 389 00:18:50,239 --> 00:18:54,358 Just some kind of switch in your brain that being thankful to 390 00:18:54,358 --> 00:18:56,839 God, it just switches the brain. 391 00:18:58,359 --> 00:19:01,799 Be thankful to him and praise him in every situation. 392 00:19:02,439 --> 00:19:04,639 And there in Philippians chapter four, it says, be careful 393 00:19:04,639 --> 00:19:05,079 for nothing. 394 00:19:05,079 --> 00:19:06,399 That means don't worry about anything. 395 00:19:06,399 --> 00:19:07,239 God's got it. 396 00:19:08,429 --> 00:19:09,549 He's got it handled. 397 00:19:12,109 --> 00:19:17,149 When you're overwhelmed by pressure, by the way, sometimes the 398 00:19:17,149 --> 00:19:20,629 holes that we dig ourselves, in fact, I would say most of the 399 00:19:20,629 --> 00:19:21,469 time that's the case. 400 00:19:23,388 --> 00:19:26,749 When you're overwhelmed by the test that God is sending you through. 401 00:19:29,229 --> 00:19:31,949 God is doing those things to sharpen you, by the way. 402 00:19:33,239 --> 00:19:35,239 I have to remind myself of that many times. 403 00:19:36,519 --> 00:19:37,799 I don't like it, do you? 404 00:19:40,039 --> 00:19:46,759 But I know God again loves me, cares for me, that he's guiding my 405 00:19:46,759 --> 00:19:49,719 steps because I have trusted in him. 406 00:19:52,279 --> 00:19:56,199 Psalm 119 says, Seven times a day do I praise thee. 407 00:19:56,999 --> 00:19:58,719 I'll never forget there. 408 00:19:58,719 --> 00:20:01,879 The Bible speaks about Paul and Silas being thrown into prison, 409 00:20:02,609 --> 00:20:03,329 being beaten. 410 00:20:05,889 --> 00:20:07,009 And what happened? 411 00:20:08,289 --> 00:20:09,329 They began to sing. 412 00:20:12,209 --> 00:20:15,769 Beaten and then yet started to sing. 413 00:20:15,769 --> 00:20:20,089 Can you imagine what the other people in the jail were going like? 414 00:20:20,089 --> 00:20:20,689 What in the world? 415 00:20:20,689 --> 00:20:24,449 This guy crazy singing in the jail. 416 00:20:25,729 --> 00:20:27,409 And then the jailhouse rocked, right? 417 00:20:27,409 --> 00:20:29,089 First time there was jailhouse Rock. 418 00:20:34,669 --> 00:20:39,909 No, God was there again. 419 00:20:39,909 --> 00:20:41,069 God again. 420 00:20:41,309 --> 00:20:44,149 You may be in the heat of the battle, but God always has us hand 421 00:20:44,149 --> 00:20:45,069 on the thermostat. 422 00:20:45,789 --> 00:20:47,869 Always has his hand on the thermostat. 423 00:20:48,109 --> 00:20:50,109 I got to Where I really enjoy coffee. 424 00:20:50,669 --> 00:20:51,389 I really do. 425 00:20:51,389 --> 00:20:54,829 I'm now addicted to it, I totally, totally admit. 426 00:20:56,319 --> 00:20:59,519 But you're not going to get good coffee without some hot water, 427 00:21:01,679 --> 00:21:04,399 without it brewing through the filter and all those. 428 00:21:04,879 --> 00:21:12,599 Again, the good stuff happens with tea or with coffee after it's 429 00:21:12,599 --> 00:21:18,319 gone through the brewing process, brings out the good stuff. 430 00:21:18,639 --> 00:21:20,319 And that's what God's doing in our lives. 431 00:21:21,849 --> 00:21:23,289 He's going to bring out the good stuff. 432 00:21:24,009 --> 00:21:25,409 We have to go through some things. 433 00:21:25,409 --> 00:21:25,929 I was. 434 00:21:26,249 --> 00:21:29,289 We were with our preachers in training upstairs while ago. 435 00:21:29,289 --> 00:21:31,809 That's when I was a little late and just talking about what 436 00:21:31,809 --> 00:21:33,609 is it like to enter the ministry. 437 00:21:34,089 --> 00:21:35,769 How much training should you have? 438 00:21:36,488 --> 00:21:38,689 How much time should you have before you go pastor? 439 00:21:38,689 --> 00:21:42,529 And just talking about various things and, you know, it's hard to 440 00:21:42,529 --> 00:21:42,809 tell. 441 00:21:43,289 --> 00:21:44,489 But I can tell you this. 442 00:21:45,769 --> 00:21:49,019 I'm so thankful for the training that I had and the time 443 00:21:49,019 --> 00:21:53,539 that I spent with my pastor and the time I spent with the other 444 00:21:53,539 --> 00:22:00,099 two pastors as well, learning God's so good. 445 00:22:02,179 --> 00:22:03,379 Rejoice in the Lord. 446 00:22:04,019 --> 00:22:06,179 And then number four is patience. 447 00:22:06,419 --> 00:22:07,699 Ooh, we hate this one. 448 00:22:08,499 --> 00:22:09,299 This is the one. 449 00:22:09,539 --> 00:22:13,139 In fact, if I was to look at all of these, this may be the most 450 00:22:13,139 --> 00:22:14,099 difficult one for me. 451 00:22:15,279 --> 00:22:15,759 Patience. 452 00:22:16,159 --> 00:22:21,799 Hebrews 6:15 says, and so after he had patiently endured, he 453 00:22:21,799 --> 00:22:23,039 obtained the promise. 454 00:22:23,519 --> 00:22:24,719 Who's it talking about? 455 00:22:24,719 --> 00:22:25,359 Abraham. 456 00:22:26,799 --> 00:22:33,639 So Hebrews Paul says that Abraham patiently endured until he 457 00:22:33,639 --> 00:22:34,719 received the promise. 458 00:22:36,319 --> 00:22:37,439 Abraham knew. 459 00:22:37,759 --> 00:22:39,079 The Bible makes it very clear. 460 00:22:39,079 --> 00:22:41,119 Abraham knew that God was going to use him. 461 00:22:42,139 --> 00:22:44,059 Through him, the Messiah would come. 462 00:22:45,659 --> 00:22:47,579 But they had to wait for Isaac. 463 00:22:48,859 --> 00:22:50,299 They had to wait for Isaac. 464 00:22:50,779 --> 00:22:54,219 They tried to manipulate some things on their own, and that didn't 465 00:22:54,219 --> 00:22:55,379 work out well at all. 466 00:22:55,379 --> 00:22:56,899 In fact, it's still not working out because they're still 467 00:22:56,899 --> 00:23:00,539 fighting over there in the Middle east with Ishmael's descendants. 468 00:23:02,619 --> 00:23:06,139 Patiently endured, waiting for the promise. 469 00:23:06,139 --> 00:23:10,509 You understand and know that God has promised again to the child 470 00:23:10,509 --> 00:23:13,749 of God again that he would never leave us nor forsake us. 471 00:23:13,989 --> 00:23:16,749 There are so many great and precious promises the Bible talks 472 00:23:16,749 --> 00:23:22,549 about, but so many times we don't have the patience to wait. 473 00:23:25,029 --> 00:23:26,429 Those that wait upon the Lord. 474 00:23:26,429 --> 00:23:29,189 That word wait there means trust those that trust the Lord, 475 00:23:29,509 --> 00:23:31,189 he shall renew thy strength. 476 00:23:34,709 --> 00:23:37,989 See, it's not about our timing, his timing. 477 00:23:38,949 --> 00:23:42,869 And that's where we have such a difficult time, no pun intended. 478 00:23:43,909 --> 00:23:44,429 We do. 479 00:23:44,429 --> 00:23:45,749 We have a difficult time with that. 480 00:23:47,029 --> 00:23:48,229 God is never early. 481 00:23:48,229 --> 00:23:49,149 He's never late. 482 00:23:49,149 --> 00:23:50,549 God is always on time. 483 00:23:51,509 --> 00:23:55,109 And then whatever difficulty and whatever thing it may be causing 484 00:23:55,109 --> 00:24:00,229 anxiety in your life, understand and know that God is there 485 00:24:00,229 --> 00:24:06,319 and he cares and we have to trust him and be patient. 486 00:24:07,999 --> 00:24:09,399 I've told you this many times. 487 00:24:09,399 --> 00:24:10,599 I have a couple of things. 488 00:24:10,599 --> 00:24:12,079 I don't eat them as much anymore. 489 00:24:12,799 --> 00:24:14,399 My wife and I eat out too much. 490 00:24:14,879 --> 00:24:17,279 But used to the little Sam's. 491 00:24:17,519 --> 00:24:18,439 Go to Sam's. 492 00:24:18,439 --> 00:24:19,919 You buy the frozen stuff, right? 493 00:24:20,239 --> 00:24:21,879 And they have the little hamburgers. 494 00:24:21,879 --> 00:24:24,479 And hamburgers only took take. 495 00:24:25,519 --> 00:24:29,489 It's a minute and 20 seconds in a microwave, brother Tony. 496 00:24:29,489 --> 00:24:32,009 A minute and 20 seconds and I can be eating a hamburger. 497 00:24:33,209 --> 00:24:34,409 It's a miracle. 498 00:24:35,289 --> 00:24:36,329 And they're pretty good. 499 00:24:36,409 --> 00:24:36,889 They are. 500 00:24:36,889 --> 00:24:37,609 They're pretty good. 501 00:24:37,609 --> 00:24:40,609 And so what I would do is whatever takes longer than that, 502 00:24:40,609 --> 00:24:43,529 which is usually the other stuff, like whether it's a burrito 503 00:24:43,529 --> 00:24:44,689 or whatever else. 504 00:24:44,689 --> 00:24:46,729 Because I want to cook those in the oven, because I want them 505 00:24:46,729 --> 00:24:51,289 to be crispy and not microwaved, soggy. 506 00:24:51,929 --> 00:24:53,049 I want them to be crispy. 507 00:24:53,049 --> 00:24:56,819 So I put those in the oven, let them cook, and then while I eat 508 00:24:56,819 --> 00:25:00,859 the hamburger that only took a minute and 20 seconds to heat up 509 00:25:02,139 --> 00:25:06,499 because I'm not patient enough to wait for the burritos to come 510 00:25:06,499 --> 00:25:07,179 out of the oven. 511 00:25:08,939 --> 00:25:09,539 Now, this is. 512 00:25:09,539 --> 00:25:11,939 I'm talking about lunch when you're trying to, you know, get on 513 00:25:11,939 --> 00:25:14,539 with the thing and get back to work or whatever. 514 00:25:15,259 --> 00:25:16,779 Yeah, a minute and 20 seconds. 515 00:25:18,299 --> 00:25:19,419 Patience is hard. 516 00:25:20,779 --> 00:25:21,659 It really is. 517 00:25:23,949 --> 00:25:26,109 But it is about his timing and not ours. 518 00:25:28,829 --> 00:25:30,589 Number five is self discipline. 519 00:25:31,949 --> 00:25:33,309 This is a difficult one, too. 520 00:25:33,309 --> 00:25:34,869 First Corinthians 9:27. 521 00:25:34,869 --> 00:25:39,509 I memorized this early on in the ministry when I was attending 522 00:25:39,509 --> 00:25:43,709 seminary because my schedule was really, really full. 523 00:25:43,709 --> 00:25:46,629 And so I was trying to burn the candle at both ends. 524 00:25:46,629 --> 00:25:49,149 And so I actually, at one point, and my wife will remember 525 00:25:49,149 --> 00:25:51,309 this, I actually pinned it to the ceiling in my. 526 00:25:51,579 --> 00:25:54,459 In my bedroom so that when I woke up, I'd see it. 527 00:25:56,539 --> 00:25:59,659 And there Paul says in First Corinthians 9:27, But I keep under 528 00:25:59,659 --> 00:26:02,779 my body and bring it into subjection, lest that by any means 529 00:26:02,779 --> 00:26:05,779 when I have preached to others, taught to others that I myself 530 00:26:05,779 --> 00:26:09,099 should be a castaway, that bring our bodies into subjection, 531 00:26:09,579 --> 00:26:13,339 and though we want to be careful again when it comes to self 532 00:26:13,339 --> 00:26:16,419 discipline, that we are not haughty in that, that we're not prideful 533 00:26:16,419 --> 00:26:17,989 in that, that, oh, I can be. 534 00:26:17,989 --> 00:26:20,669 I can do this, this, this and this, and I'll be spiritual. 535 00:26:20,669 --> 00:26:21,429 And that's not true. 536 00:26:21,429 --> 00:26:24,909 You can't just check the book, the boxes off of everything that 537 00:26:24,909 --> 00:26:27,269 you think you're required to do to be spiritual and think that 538 00:26:27,269 --> 00:26:28,149 you're going to be spiritual. 539 00:26:28,229 --> 00:26:29,509 That's not the way it works. 540 00:26:30,149 --> 00:26:33,509 But we as Christians ought to be disciplined enough to put ourself 541 00:26:33,509 --> 00:26:39,269 in a position where God can make us spiritual, where God can 542 00:26:39,509 --> 00:26:45,169 walk with us, where God can use us as a vessel, meet for the 543 00:26:45,169 --> 00:26:45,889 Master's use. 544 00:26:47,409 --> 00:26:47,969 Amen. 545 00:26:48,689 --> 00:26:51,409 And this is an area too where a lot have a problem. 546 00:26:51,489 --> 00:26:55,089 Being disciplined enough to get up and read your Bible before 547 00:26:55,089 --> 00:26:58,489 you go to work, being disciplined enough to take time to 548 00:26:58,489 --> 00:27:02,049 pray and communicate with God in the morning or in the evening. 549 00:27:03,009 --> 00:27:07,049 Being disciplined to give as you ought to give, and being disciplined 550 00:27:07,049 --> 00:27:07,689 to be at church. 551 00:27:07,689 --> 00:27:09,369 And I'm preaching to the choir tonight. 552 00:27:09,369 --> 00:27:09,889 Cause you're here. 553 00:27:10,549 --> 00:27:15,949 But being disciplined, having that self control, it's what most 554 00:27:15,949 --> 00:27:20,869 of us don't have when it comes to our appetite physically. 555 00:27:21,749 --> 00:27:23,269 I have a hard time with that one. 556 00:27:24,869 --> 00:27:28,149 But self control does bring healing of anxiety. 557 00:27:30,949 --> 00:27:32,949 Putting our appetites into subjection. 558 00:27:33,909 --> 00:27:39,779 And maybe for you, social media, whatever appetite that's out 559 00:27:39,779 --> 00:27:43,499 of control in your life and bringing that into subjection. 560 00:27:43,979 --> 00:27:53,299 Maybe that's the TV or maybe it's McDonald's bringing those appetites 561 00:27:53,299 --> 00:27:53,979 and subjection. 562 00:27:53,979 --> 00:27:57,019 Second Corinthians, chapter 12, verse 9, says, My strength is 563 00:27:57,019 --> 00:27:57,739 made perfect. 564 00:27:57,819 --> 00:27:59,259 What in weakness? 565 00:28:00,459 --> 00:28:01,219 In weakness. 566 00:28:01,219 --> 00:28:03,569 When I am weak, then am I strong. 567 00:28:05,089 --> 00:28:08,169 Realizing and humbling ourselves before God and saying, 568 00:28:08,169 --> 00:28:12,609 lord, I have this sin in my life or I have this issue in my life, 569 00:28:12,609 --> 00:28:14,689 this weight that does beset me. 570 00:28:15,889 --> 00:28:19,329 Maybe it's not a sin, maybe it's just a hobby that's out of control 571 00:28:19,329 --> 00:28:20,649 or something else that's out of control. 572 00:28:20,649 --> 00:28:24,369 And to humble ourselves before God and say, lord, I need to get 573 00:28:24,369 --> 00:28:26,009 this appetite under control. 574 00:28:26,009 --> 00:28:30,089 And Lord, would you strengthen me and give me the grace I need to 575 00:28:30,089 --> 00:28:32,769 bring it into subjection, to bring my body in subjection. 576 00:28:33,089 --> 00:28:37,329 Lord, help me to get up 10 or 15 minutes earlier so that I can 577 00:28:37,569 --> 00:28:38,689 spend some time with you. 578 00:28:38,689 --> 00:28:41,329 Lord, strengthen me and give me the grace I need to do so. 579 00:28:42,449 --> 00:28:43,449 And then follow through. 580 00:28:43,449 --> 00:28:44,049 Get up. 581 00:28:47,889 --> 00:28:50,289 And lastly, service. 582 00:28:52,449 --> 00:28:56,649 I believe this is what Philippians is teaching us, the book 583 00:28:56,649 --> 00:29:01,829 of Philippians, and that is doing for others will bring joy into 584 00:29:01,829 --> 00:29:02,429 your life. 585 00:29:03,949 --> 00:29:08,909 Serving God and serving others will bring peace into your life. 586 00:29:12,109 --> 00:29:14,829 You talk about doing away with anxiety and worry in your life. 587 00:29:16,189 --> 00:29:17,709 Do something for somebody else. 588 00:29:18,749 --> 00:29:20,029 Do something for your neighbor. 589 00:29:20,029 --> 00:29:21,709 Give a cup of cool water in his name. 590 00:29:21,789 --> 00:29:24,589 The Lord's going to reward you for that and bless you for that. 591 00:29:25,169 --> 00:29:26,609 Do something for a co worker. 592 00:29:27,169 --> 00:29:28,609 Again, get involved in the church. 593 00:29:28,609 --> 00:29:31,489 And most of you had a lot of you had signed up to do something 594 00:29:31,489 --> 00:29:34,449 here at the church or maybe with Meals on Wheels or whatever 595 00:29:34,449 --> 00:29:34,729 it is. 596 00:29:34,729 --> 00:29:37,729 Get involved, serve others, do for others. 597 00:29:40,209 --> 00:29:42,929 By the way, Jesus served others. 598 00:29:44,049 --> 00:29:45,649 He was the servant of servants. 599 00:29:46,849 --> 00:29:48,809 I still don't the washing feet thing. 600 00:29:48,809 --> 00:29:49,329 Whoo. 601 00:29:49,969 --> 00:29:51,409 Washed his disciples feet. 602 00:29:52,229 --> 00:29:54,069 What an example he set for us. 603 00:29:54,069 --> 00:29:55,589 To follow in his steps. 604 00:29:56,229 --> 00:29:59,749 To follow in the steps of Jesus as he healed the lame, as he 605 00:29:59,989 --> 00:30:00,909 healed the blind. 606 00:30:00,909 --> 00:30:06,869 And he provided nourishment, food and all the things he did for 607 00:30:06,869 --> 00:30:10,309 others and put himself aside. 608 00:30:11,989 --> 00:30:14,949 Well, preacher, if I all I'm doing is taking care of everybody 609 00:30:14,949 --> 00:30:16,629 else, who's going to take care of me? 610 00:30:17,679 --> 00:30:22,759 But my God shall supply all my needs according to his riches in 611 00:30:22,759 --> 00:30:24,079 glory by Christ Jesus. 612 00:30:25,199 --> 00:30:28,159 Yeah, the popular thing today is self care. 613 00:30:28,239 --> 00:30:34,759 And you know words like that and you know self esteem and you 614 00:30:34,759 --> 00:30:36,159 need to take care of yourself first. 615 00:30:36,159 --> 00:30:37,119 No, no, no, no, no. 616 00:30:37,119 --> 00:30:38,479 That's the opposite of the Bible. 617 00:30:39,359 --> 00:30:41,039 I don't need to take care of myself first. 618 00:30:41,599 --> 00:30:43,679 I take care of my wife first. 619 00:30:44,269 --> 00:30:45,789 I take care of my kids first. 620 00:30:46,109 --> 00:30:47,869 I take care of my grandkids first. 621 00:30:47,869 --> 00:30:49,669 I take care of my friends first. 622 00:30:49,669 --> 00:30:51,149 I take care of my neighbors first. 623 00:30:51,229 --> 00:30:52,349 I take care of them first. 624 00:30:52,349 --> 00:30:53,989 I take care of everyone around me. 625 00:30:53,989 --> 00:30:55,469 I serve them, I do for them. 626 00:30:55,469 --> 00:30:56,109 And guess what? 627 00:30:56,109 --> 00:30:57,229 God will take care of me. 628 00:30:58,749 --> 00:30:59,549 Self care. 629 00:31:00,989 --> 00:31:02,349 I know what they mean by that. 630 00:31:02,349 --> 00:31:04,509 Sometimes and there is times you need to be careful. 631 00:31:04,589 --> 00:31:07,309 If it's a physical issue, make sure you get that taken care of. 632 00:31:07,309 --> 00:31:09,989 But if you're just talking about looking out for yourself, it's 633 00:31:09,989 --> 00:31:10,509 number one. 634 00:31:11,049 --> 00:31:13,929 That is totally, totally contrary to the scriptures. 635 00:31:14,729 --> 00:31:17,489 And you want to stay under the burden of stress and anxiety, go 636 00:31:17,489 --> 00:31:20,289 ahead and treat yourself as number one because you'll stay right 637 00:31:20,289 --> 00:31:20,649 there. 638 00:31:21,689 --> 00:31:23,129 You'll be so disappointed. 639 00:31:24,649 --> 00:31:26,409 God loves you and he cares for you. 640 00:31:26,729 --> 00:31:29,889 One of the greatest ways to overcome anxiety in your life and 641 00:31:29,889 --> 00:31:31,929 stress in your life is to do for somebody else. 642 00:31:33,209 --> 00:31:38,669 Years ago somebody had done something to me and, and I'll never 643 00:31:38,669 --> 00:31:39,629 forget it was Brother J.D. 644 00:31:39,629 --> 00:31:40,029 wheato. 645 00:31:40,029 --> 00:31:43,109 Some of y' all remember Brother Guido, a friend who pastors 646 00:31:43,669 --> 00:31:44,469 in Arkansas. 647 00:31:44,469 --> 00:31:45,669 We won't hold that against him. 648 00:31:46,709 --> 00:31:49,149 He's preached some of our early missions conferences when we 649 00:31:49,149 --> 00:31:49,949 were in the storefront. 650 00:31:49,949 --> 00:31:51,269 And he's been a real blessing. 651 00:31:51,269 --> 00:31:53,829 In fact, I think we got him lined up again here in a couple of 652 00:31:53,829 --> 00:31:54,069 years. 653 00:31:54,709 --> 00:31:57,189 But I never forget him preaching and saying, hey, somebody 654 00:31:57,189 --> 00:31:57,829 wronged you. 655 00:31:58,629 --> 00:31:59,789 Has somebody wronged you? 656 00:31:59,789 --> 00:32:01,709 And you can't seem to get past it. 657 00:32:01,709 --> 00:32:02,709 You can't get over it. 658 00:32:03,199 --> 00:32:05,439 You're having a hard time forgiving that person. 659 00:32:05,999 --> 00:32:08,439 He said the best way to get over that, the best way to forgive 660 00:32:08,439 --> 00:32:10,079 that person is to do something for them. 661 00:32:12,239 --> 00:32:13,239 And that's biblical. 662 00:32:13,239 --> 00:32:14,799 That is a biblical principle. 663 00:32:16,399 --> 00:32:18,159 And man, I did something for this person. 664 00:32:18,639 --> 00:32:19,759 It really did help. 665 00:32:20,719 --> 00:32:21,919 That's amazing. 666 00:32:22,639 --> 00:32:24,319 The Bible actually works. 667 00:32:25,279 --> 00:32:28,159 That's amazing even for the preacher. 668 00:32:29,689 --> 00:32:30,969 Do something for somebody else. 669 00:32:30,969 --> 00:32:34,169 Serve again. 670 00:32:34,169 --> 00:32:35,689 Follow in the footsteps of Jesus. 671 00:32:36,489 --> 00:32:37,129 Serve others. 672 00:32:37,929 --> 00:32:39,129 Serve in your church. 673 00:32:40,089 --> 00:32:41,049 Serve your family. 674 00:32:41,769 --> 00:32:43,049 God will take care of you. 675 00:32:45,849 --> 00:32:52,409 Ephesians 6, 7 says, with good will, doing service as unto the Lord 676 00:32:52,489 --> 00:32:53,769 and not unto men. 677 00:32:54,659 --> 00:32:58,019 Do you realize again, a cup of cool water in his name when you are 678 00:32:58,019 --> 00:33:01,539 serving others, and you do, and your motivation is right, that 679 00:33:01,539 --> 00:33:02,739 you are serving God. 680 00:33:03,299 --> 00:33:06,699 When you do serve that neighbor, and you do so, and your 681 00:33:06,699 --> 00:33:10,258 motivation's right and your heart is right, and God's going to 682 00:33:10,258 --> 00:33:11,939 bless you and reward you for that. 683 00:33:12,339 --> 00:33:16,979 You ought to do that service as unto God and not unto man. 684 00:33:17,139 --> 00:33:19,219 When you're teaching the Sunday school class, just remember 685 00:33:19,219 --> 00:33:19,539 that. 686 00:33:20,579 --> 00:33:23,619 When you're helping in master clubs and you're dealing with little 687 00:33:23,619 --> 00:33:27,579 babies in the nursery, remember that we're serving as unto 688 00:33:27,579 --> 00:33:28,739 God and not unto men. 689 00:33:31,459 --> 00:33:32,899 God will reward you for that. 690 00:33:33,779 --> 00:33:38,099 And one of the ways in which he rewards you is that he, because 691 00:33:38,099 --> 00:33:45,099 he cares for you, you can overcome through him that anxiety 692 00:33:45,099 --> 00:33:47,949 and that care that has weighed you down. 693 00:33:48,749 --> 00:33:50,349 Cast those cares upon him. 694 00:33:51,549 --> 00:33:54,029 Cast the care upon him because he cares for you. 695 00:33:54,909 --> 00:33:59,429 Cast that care upon him by yielding yourself to him and trusting 696 00:33:59,429 --> 00:33:59,789 Him. 697 00:34:00,749 --> 00:34:02,509 There's no greater one to trust. 698 00:34:04,189 --> 00:34:06,229 You put your trust in your friends, they'll let you down. 699 00:34:06,229 --> 00:34:08,109 You put your trust in your family. 700 00:34:08,109 --> 00:34:09,469 At some point they'll let you down. 701 00:34:10,029 --> 00:34:11,469 But God will never let you down. 702 00:34:12,759 --> 00:34:13,479 Be thankful. 703 00:34:14,519 --> 00:34:16,759 Thinking people are a thanking people. 704 00:34:16,759 --> 00:34:17,639 Thankful people. 705 00:34:18,359 --> 00:34:19,079 Be thankful. 706 00:34:19,399 --> 00:34:20,119 Praise Him. 707 00:34:20,439 --> 00:34:23,199 Don't forget to give him credit for what he's done in your 708 00:34:23,199 --> 00:34:26,359 life and the things that has come your way. 709 00:34:27,639 --> 00:34:28,359 Praise Him. 710 00:34:28,519 --> 00:34:29,319 Be patient. 711 00:34:30,599 --> 00:34:33,079 Remember, it's not your timing, it's his timing. 712 00:34:34,999 --> 00:34:37,839 If you're having a hard time with self discipline, remember that 713 00:34:37,839 --> 00:34:40,359 God said He would give you grace to help in your time of need. 714 00:34:41,258 --> 00:34:41,658 Go to him. 715 00:34:41,658 --> 00:34:45,138 Humble yourself to him here at the altar and just say, lord, I need 716 00:34:45,138 --> 00:34:46,378 help in this area of my life. 717 00:34:46,938 --> 00:34:49,938 I need help with this weight or I need help with this sin in my 718 00:34:49,938 --> 00:34:50,218 life. 719 00:34:50,298 --> 00:34:51,258 Lord, help me. 720 00:34:51,258 --> 00:34:57,018 Give me self control and then serve others. 721 00:34:59,098 --> 00:35:01,898 Serving is the way to have joy. 722 00:35:03,098 --> 00:35:06,098 I know it's a small thing and we use the same illustration all 723 00:35:06,098 --> 00:35:08,799 the time, but it is amazing how you feel when you do something 724 00:35:08,799 --> 00:35:09,679 for somebody else. 725 00:35:09,679 --> 00:35:13,079 It's amazing how you feel, but can I tell you that it's doing more 726 00:35:13,079 --> 00:35:13,599 than just. 727 00:35:14,159 --> 00:35:16,239 It's doing more than just giving you a feeling. 728 00:35:17,439 --> 00:35:18,559 It's doing more than that. 729 00:35:18,559 --> 00:35:20,959 You maybe don't know it, but it's doing more than that. 730 00:35:22,479 --> 00:35:25,599 It's helping cast that care upon the Lord. 731 00:35:26,399 --> 00:35:28,959 It's helping that stress and that anxiety in your life. 732 00:35:30,159 --> 00:35:30,879 It's helping. 733 00:35:32,079 --> 00:35:33,039 It is the cure. 734 00:35:34,469 --> 00:35:35,189 God is so good. 735 00:35:35,989 --> 00:35:36,429 Amen. 736 00:35:36,429 --> 00:35:37,109 Let's all stand. 737 00:35:37,269 --> 00:35:41,909 We have a verse invitation tonight I have decided to follow 738 00:35:41,909 --> 00:35:42,349 Jesus. 739 00:35:42,349 --> 00:35:43,069 After we pray. 740 00:35:43,069 --> 00:35:46,549 Heavenly Father again Lord, what a blessing it is to know that 741 00:35:46,549 --> 00:35:53,029 your Bible, your word gives us a prescription, Lord to overcome. 742 00:35:53,189 --> 00:35:55,549 You've made us more than conquerors and Lord may we follow 743 00:35:55,549 --> 00:35:56,549 that prescription. 744 00:35:56,869 --> 00:35:58,469 May we yield our lives to you. 745 00:35:58,469 --> 00:36:00,029 May we trust you as we ought to. 746 00:36:00,259 --> 00:36:05,459 May we praise you and rejoice and Lord practice self discipline 747 00:36:05,459 --> 00:36:06,659 and Lord and serve others. 748 00:36:07,459 --> 00:36:10,539 God, may you through your grace and your holy Spirit enable 749 00:36:10,539 --> 00:36:13,989 us to do so and we'll thank you in Jesus name, amen.