Worry?? – We’ve Got Daddy!

Philippians 4:4-7

11/27/2012

Matthew 6:25-34

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Cure for Anxiety

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Luke 12:22-34

The Message (MSG)

Steep Yourself in God-­Reality

He continued this subject with his disciples. “Don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.

“Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.

“Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can’t go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bank robbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.”

Luke 21:34

Amplified Bible (AMP)

“But take heed to yourselves and be on your guard, lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed (weighed down) with the giddiness and headache and nausea of self-indulgence, drunkenness, and worldly worries and cares pertaining to [the business of] this life, and [lest] that day come upon you suddenly like a trap or a noose”

New International Reader’s Version (NIRV)

“Be careful. If you aren’t, your hearts will be loaded down with wasteful living, drunkenness and the worries of life. Then the day the Son of Man returns will close on you like a trap. You will not be expecting it.”

1 Peter 5:6-7

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, 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.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Philippians 4:4-7

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!

Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit). The Lord is near [He is coming soon].

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

New International Reader’s Version (NIRV)

Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord. I will say it again. Be joyful. Let everyone know how gentle you are. The Lord is coming soon.

Don’t worry about anything. Instead, tell God about everything. Ask and pray. Give thanks to him. Then God’s peace will watch over your hearts and your minds because you belong to Christ Jesus. God’s peace can never be completely understood.

Mark 4:18-19

The Message (MSG)

“The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it.”

New International Reader’s Version (NIRV)

And what is seed scattered among thorns like? The people hear the message. But then the worries of this life come to them. Wealth comes with its false promises. The people also long for other things. All of those are the kinds of things that crowd out the message. They keep it from producing fruit.

Luke 8:14

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

Matthew 13:22

New King James Version (NKJV)

Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

The Message (MSG)

“But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God.
They’re like trees replanted in Eden,
putting down roots near the rivers
Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf,
serene and calm through droughts,
bearing fresh fruit every season.”

New King James Version (NKJV)

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”

Psalm 23:4

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.

Psalm 27:1

New International Reader’s Version (NIRV)

The Lord gives me light and saves me. Why should I fear anyone?
The Lord is my place of safety.
Why should I be afraid?

Psalm 46:1-3

New International Reader’s Version (NIRV)

God is our place of safety. He gives us strength. He is always there to help us in times of trouble. The earth may fall apart.
The mountains may fall into the middle of the sea. But we will not be afraid.
The waters of the sea may roar and foam.
The mountains may shake when the waters rise. But we will not be afraid.
Selah

Psalm 112

New International Reader’s Version (NIRV)

Praise the Lord.
Blessed is the one who has respect for the Lord.
He finds great delight when he obeys God’s commands.
His children will be powerful in the land.
Because he is honest, his children will be blessed.
His family will have wealth and riches.
He will always be blessed for doing what is right.
Even in the darkness light shines on honest people.
It shines on those who are kind and tender and godly.
Good things will come to those who are willing to lend freely. Good things will come to those who are fair in everything they do. They will always be secure.
Those who do what is right will be remembered forever.
They aren’t afraid when bad news comes.
They stand firm because they trust in the Lord.
Their hearts are secure. They aren’t afraid.
In the end they will see their enemies destroyed.
They have spread their gifts around to poor people.
Their good works continue forever.
They will be powerful and honored.
Evil people will see it and be upset.
They will grind their teeth and become weaker and weaker. What evil people long to do can’t succeed.

Hebrews 2:15

Amplified Bible (AMP)

And also that He might deliver and completely set free all those who through the [haunting] fear of death were held in bondage throughout the whole course of their lives.