Be strong and of a good courage…Only be thou strong and very courageous…Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: For (Because) the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest…Only be strong and of a good courage.
From Joshua Chapter 1
Ever feel like the following?
But God, what about my health? “Only be thou strong and very courageous.” What about my finances? They’ve got me scared? “Only be thou strong and very courageous.” What about this and that? Oh God, help! “Only be thou strong and very courageous.”
The devil wants us to get caught up with trials and tribulation. He wants to make us ineffective witnesses for Christ by trying to weigh us down with anything he can.
It hit me last night that “care” is God’s job. And, He does a good job with it. I don’t ever have to try to do His job. Hallelujah! I mean, how loving is God that He commands us to cast ALL our cares on Him? Amazing. Simply amazing.
Boy, I just love it. Don’t you?
“What are you talking about, Mark?”
Well, I’ve been wrestling with more health issues and woke up “feeling” pretty lousy about myself and life. Came out and had coffee with Ann while we talked about a book she’s reading. The book is about the life of one of our dear Oregon friends. The book inspired me to drop the care, self-pity and ill feelings I was having about my own life. That’s when Jesus said, “We don’t live by feelings and I’m never going to stop teaching you this incredibly liberating lesson, Mark. Now, come on. Let’s go and I’ll show you all the great things I have in store for you and your spiritual well-being today. In Me, you’ll only have victories because I’ve overcome the world.”
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:7
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I (Jesus) have overcome the world.
John 16:33
God bless,
Mark