It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
Psalm 119:71
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:6-8
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Proverbs 3:25-26
The last two above scripture references are commands from God meaning that He’s serious about setting us free from fear to enjoy His rest and peace all the time – Even in today’s world. He has the power to do it! What a great, faithful God we have.
My dear neighbor, Linda, replies to the daily emails with such enthusiasm. She’s really a blessing, and like me, really wants to walk in the full liberty Jesus died on the cross to give us, in this life.
Last week, another dear friend, Lori, replied to one of the “Choosing Jesus Every Day” emails with the following:
“You are such an amazing man of faith and I’m so THANKFUL that God placed your friendship in my life!! Thank you for daily being a reminder in “my” life that God works and does all things for good!! He loves us and wants us to TRUST in him fully…not “sorta” trust in Him, but FULLY trust and to cast ALL of our worry upon him. Thank you!! ”
What a blessing it was to see that Lori wants to break through in her life and that God means to bless her as she trusts in Him “fully” with all her heart, all the time. Lori reminds us all that God wants to richly bless us by casting all of our worry upon Him. We’re truly “rich” when we learn to do this. God is SO GOOD, saints. And, it only gets gooder. ☺
Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.”
Jeremiah 1:12
At one service in our Oregon church, Pastor Jon asked Ann and me to come forward so he and the church members could pray over us. I think he could sense that many generational strongholds (sins) needed to be uprooted so they could no longer harm us. Jon prayed that God would establish a “Dynasty of Righteousness” in our family and future generations. Over the ensuing years, we would discover what it all entailed.
Growing up, I was taught to worry. Even though many of the Christians I knew talked about the Word, their lives and actions were often examples of worry, doubt and fear. It was like they didn’t really believe what they knew in their heads about scripture. Like in the parable of the sower in the Bible (Matthew 13), for one reason or another, the Word’s promises never took root in their hearts where it could set them free deep in their souls. It may sound strange, but I had so many health issues that I had to learn to apply the Word to my life (Psalm 119:71). Honestly, it was the only way I could deal with all of the fear and worry I was experiencing on a daily basis.
Talk the Word out loud, precious people. Get it deep into your souls where it will protect you. Teach it to your spouse and children. Whatever you do, stop speaking and acting out fear and worry. Instead, quote Romans 8:28, and other verses that will build and instill a trust and confidence in Jesus. Doing so, will stop worry and fear in your generations. Doing so will bring an abiding peace and strength to your lives and the lives of your children. And, at those times when you slip up and still display worry, ask your spouse or child to forgive you. Say you’re sorry and that you intend to live in faith trusting in God’s Word. Keep doing this until it becomes automatic and reflexive in your souls.
And I (Jesus) will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever.”
John 14:16
The Holy Spirit, living in us, watches over our hearts. He reminds us of The Word we have in our hearts to help us have victory in our thoughts and lives.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
I’ve found that it’s so much easier to trust in the Lord with all my heart when I memorize Romans 8:28 (and many others) in order to realize that Romans 8:28 is true.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
I truly believe that Jesus is leading us to break through in our lives to establish Dynasties of Righteousness both now and into the future. Lives that will be richly blessed by entering His rest, now, in this life, as we believe and act on His Word.
I’d like to pray the “Aaronic blessing” over you as noted in Numbers 6:24-27
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance[a] upon you and give you peace.
And I put the Name of the God of the children of Israel on you and bless you in Jesus’ Name.
Mark