God’s Answer to Fear, Anxiety & Worry: Trusting in God's Promises

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Visit our website and learn more about harvest partners@harvest.org what is so much money you made or where you live or what you do for a living will never be able to create trouble breathing troubles pile will leave us in fear or worry and despair.

Greg Maurice's listen to the Lord Jesus is this for you now I know what I'm doing. So I'm asking you I'm asking you to trust in qualify for the gold-medal, but in reality like so much to worry about the world is so many levels. We all have issues on a personal level as well. So many times we are so much more attached to her today on a new beginning for Greg Laurie begins a message is either set us free from the worry my messages God's answer to fear, anxiety and worry. Before I start I want to make from talking to the right people. How many of you deal with fear, anxiety and worry about it. How many of you don't you don't have any issues you're just always common because your liars of your art or your mentally disturbed or I don't know what you are but you're not normal outsourcer. Why is it 3 o'clock in the morning is the moment that many of us wake up. At least it is for me. 3 o'clock in the morning of the magic number and all of a sudden I'm awakened by a dream or something or some fear some anxieties some worry sort of me and then you start playing that what gets came in on him talking about. Oh no, what if this happens in the world. If that happens and all of a sudden you find yourself filled with deep fear intense worry and crippling anxiety. That's what I want to talk about in this little series I wanted to on God's answer to fear, worry and anxiety in a wanted child is afraid of the dark need someone to reassure them.

The best thing to do is turn on the lights so they know there's actually not a monster under the bed that there is no bogeyman. There is no threat to them. They need the reassuring words of an adult that can help them get a proper perspective while in the same way like little children more frightened and were scared. We need the reassuring words of our heavenly father to help us in times of anxiety and you know we all deal with fear when I'm amazed by itself. If there's not enough to be afraid of. We pay money to be frightened right all the new scary movie all it's really scary.

And then the scariest scene of the scariest movie comes on what we do we cover our eyes, how many of you seen the film Jaws jobs been around forever anyway. I read it's hard for you to believe now, but back in the movie came out. People were freaking out in movie theaters. No one wanted to go on the water field in the want to take baths after they saw Jaws and there's just one scene where the captain of the little boat is swallowed alive by the shark note when you look at it now. It is so fake. Looking at pickup figures shark ever, but somehow when I saw that scene for the birds. I'm asleep tomorrow find you no other scary movies.

And then there's amusement parks and these crazy roller coasters. People can get on I just decided a while ago.

I'm not going on another roller coaster.

I don't know if I ever enjoyed it, even when I was a kid I went to Disneyland not long ago with my son Jonathan and Levi Lesko and I we brought along some of the little kids. Levi brought his daughter Daisy and Jonathan brought Allie and Christopher and so were talking about rights are going to be decided they wanted to go on the new guardians of the galaxy right over California adventure nine I been on the right used to be called the twilight zone Tower of terror and I hated it because I hate to drop quickly, so I'd already done it. I said I'm not gone so Jonathan the Levite and Christopher little Christopher went on this ride and I took the little girls over to Mader's junkyard jamboree, and even that nauseated me a little bit there was a lot of swing in their a lot of hearing leaders voicing gear pewter right by the way, the guy that is the voice of Mader Larry the cable guys a Christian who is listen for a radio broadcast all the time. So anyway so I decided I'm tired of paying money to be sick to my stomach and to be scared but then there are things that really are frightening in life where the story of the hitchhiker mounted a pickup stop form and the hitchhiker jump in the back and as it turns out the man driving the truck had a coffin in the back that he was delivering so the hitchhiker was sitting there and it started to rain and even want to get what so we climbed in the coffin and the hum of the engine caused him to fall asleep. Bo unbeknownst to him, the truck driver stopped and picked up two more hitchhikers so they climbed in the back of the truck and the cruise along and then the rain stopped and the guide fallen asleep opened up the top of the coffin and set up the other guys jumped out.

Needless to say, now that's scary. That scared but so there's a place for rational fear that we actually want to have that fairly commune the Reds about a cliff. It's good to have fear and step back a little bit. I'm not talking about rational fear.

I'm talking about irrational fear that gnaws at us over time.

The fear of the unknown, the fear of losing something we have the fear of losing control the fear of the future and there's a lot of things this process out in one of the reasons is because we get our information on demand now so quickly. There's threats of war we open up the newspaper will very few people read newspapers anymore. You go to your favorite new society or news feed on your phone or on twitter in your reading the headline just scrolling through and oh there's a terrorism threat over here. Another terrorist attack in another place and all those things. And then there's the personal things we worry about losing our health losing our job, even worse, losing a member of our family and this is not limited to older people when you're young you worry all the time you worry about your future. You wonder will I ever get married and so will I like swimming and I'm not married yet or American appeal for my college debt or am I going to have a career. What will it be like to be an adult and then when you're an adult you look back in your childhood and say that I wish I was young again, those were the good old days. I didn't have a worry in the world right actually read the other day that millennial's are the most stressed generation ever. That's interesting. The most stressed generation ever.

They say they're even more stressed than what is called the greatest generation. That's a generation that came through World War II and I think there's a two word answer to why millennial's are stressed avocado so you know there's something in it. It's messing with your mind just stop by actually read headline a millionaire gave advice to millennial's, he said stop buying avocado toast if you ever want to buy a house right know seriously that the stresses caused clearly by these things that we all have. How many of you have a cell phone every most of your junk can only be don't have a cell phone you might be the smart one to know. But you know we hear these things around and I was very excited when this technology came to be because I'm old enough to remember when the first cell phones came out and they were very large they were called the brick and they were made by Motorola and they really were like a brick. They were massive better battery life of like eight minutes, but yet we were so excited to be able to carry a phone around but now these phones are causing so much stress.

They said that the most stressed people are called constant checkers. These are people who are attached to these devices just flipping from one screen to another.

You've seen people do this, you might even be one of these people you come to light you reach impulsively for your cell phone and you do start flipping flipping flipping Instagram you know when looking at what's going on over and twitter your newsfeed checking your emails or whatever it is and they say that these constant checkers report feeling isolated because of technology. Even when there with their families.

It's been said that millennial's are the loneliest generation of all Mr. Greg Laurie love the second half of this message just a moment, everybody Greg Laurie here encouraging you to join us as we give her what we call harvesting that home is worship the message of the word of God. You can watch it with your family, your front room or you can watch it on the go on your tablet on your phone or your computer.

Take it with you. Take the word of God with you. Join us or harvested home harvest pastor Greg is offering some very helpful insight today, common issue. It's a message called God's answer to fear, anxiety and worry.

Part one.

Let's continue. And I saw an interesting sending term. Right now it's hashtag is social media didn't exist.

Interesting question. What if there was no social media so course, we go to social media to talk about what it would be like if there was no social media.

Germany what people wrote one person wrote of social media didn't exist everyone would be so much happier and I think there's some truth to that is I remember what it was like to not have it in there with you. We had things called answering machines. And when you got home you turn it on and you hear all of the messages for the day, but the rest of the time. In some ways, ignorance could be blessed. Another person said well we would have a lot more productive people.

Another person said we would have to make friends the old-fashioned way going. Veronica said if social media didn't exist.

People wouldn't be constantly comparing themselves to guys or girls they see on their feet, which the majority of time are people who would been photoshopped. That's very true.

I wish I could look like them.

You say they don't even look like that. You see it sort of illusion.

Another person said I have social media didn't exist, but have to drag my cat from door to door. The show people the funny stuff you guys like that. What is with all these videos and pictures of cats. I don't understand it, so I had to jump into the fray in I wrote of social media didn't exist, they would have more time to be more productive but at the same time, I would not be able to offer hope from a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and many that really need it.

That's what I try to do with my social media platform notes become lethal. We have death by Sophie's a young university student 22 years old, fell off a mountain after she stepped over a retaining wall to take a Sophie a daredevil in China was filming himself hanging off the side of the building had a camera set up at a distance and fell 62 stories a young lady who like to take cell preservers up on snow-covered mountains in her bikini. Continue to do so until she fell to her death, and so some of yours and you know that she was very happy after the time of worship, but you sold stressed me out with everything you've said: struts is a serious problem which is connected to worry and anxiety.

Because the national Institute of mental health reports a significant increase in the number of Americans who peers have moved into full-blown anxiety disorders and phobias. Now we've all heard of claustrophobia, the fear of small spaces, but there's other phobias, and these are real. I'm not making any of them up.

I don't even know I'm pronouncing this one right. This phobia.

It's the fear of sitting. I hope you don't have that phobia good. You're sitting even worse, a blue phobia. The fear of bathing hope you're not sitting next to someone that has that fear this when I almost understand dental phobia so you can forget that we think that's a fair dentists.

I don't like the sound of those drills. I was on my dentist the other day and they're doing a teeth cleaning it and I don't like it because they're looking for trouble. You know who we have a little problem here and then she calls Adele here we go. You know, and of course it was something that needs to be dealt with but I'm not dealing with it because I've dental phobia know I'll get to it eventually.

I have procrastinate a phobia to a thing. There's auto Moton phobia. I'm not making this up automaton phobia that fear of ventriloquist dummy one with this fear be experienced exactly. I don't think of many ventriloquist dummies I come in the contact with the hope you don't have this one held a phobia.

It's the fear of baldness and bald people but my favorite is photophobia. That's the fear of phobia's there's another one was a phobia. It's the fear of public speaking that is the number one fear number two is death to basically what you're saying you go to a funeral you'd rather be in the casket and saying a few words about the deceased right so all these things to lead the high levels of stress literally be filled with anxiety and fear can cause you do have ulcers, depression, obesity, nervous breakdowns, even cancer. One expert said that 90% of all doctor visits in the USA are triggered by stress related illness.

Okay, so what's the answer was always the Bible has answers doesn't so it's read some words from Scripture John chapter 14, a very familiar passage, one that I really love Jesus says and let's get the context of who he was saying it to. He said this to his disciples in the upper room. This is after it had become known to them that he was going to be crucified that he was going to be leaving them.

So needless to say they were very stressed. There were filled with fear and deep anxiety. So with that backdrop. Jesus says these words, let not your heart be troubled you believe in God believe also in me. In my father's house are many mansions never were not so I would've told you. I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself. There were I am you know and you may be there also. Where where I go you know in the way you know. There word that Jesus uses here for trouble is picturesque word means.

Don't let your heart shutter. Ever had your heart shutter just really bad news, something that just was a shock to your nervous system.

He says don't let your heart shutter.

Jesus did not say worry and get super stressed the mole over your problems. Rather, he said don't be troubled and pay.

Life is full of troubles, no matter how much money you make, or where you live or what you do for a living. You'll never be able to create a trouble free life. Job says in chapter 5 or seven people are born for trouble as readily as sparks fly up from a fire. I hate to break it to you but it's always good to be something it's always going to be something just when you get to that one conflict of that one difficulty that one hardship that one trial and another one is coming. I don't say that to depress you, I say that to prepare you so you understand the troubles may come, and what you need to do when those troubles do come there's big things that seem to overtake us in their small irritating things. But know this, while there are reasons to be trouble. There is a greater reason not to be. Jesus says in verse 10 from the new living translation trust in God, trust also in me another where Jesus is a look I am abroad to this far to abandon you now I know what I'm doing. So I'm asking you to believe I'm asking you to trust me there's something to consider.

What I don't understand what is happening fallback in what I do understand. Let me say that again and directed toward you when you don't understand what is happening fallback in what you do understand so what don't you understand what whatever it is you're facing whatever hardship difficulty why why why we okay fallback in what you do understand what wino will find a Christian I know my sin is forgiven right by me Christian. I know the one, the I'll go to heaven if I'm a Christian. I know that God is in control of my life. And if I'm a Christian. I know that God loves me and if I'm a believer. I know that all things work together for good to those who love God. Another called according to his purpose.

So though I don't understand these circumstances, I'm in the fallback know what I do understand and I have found the Windows what if questions start rolling through your mind. I like to go back to what I do understand what I know is true, so here's something to consider. I love this little verse so much packed and the one verse of Scripture.

Luke 1232 Jesus said, fear not, little flock, it is your father's good pleasure to give to you the kingdom.

Notice he says it's his good pleasure.

I think sometimes we think of God is stingy. God doesn't want to give you that God doesn't want to bless you.

God wants to hold all the good stuff back just to make your life are nothing could be further from the truth. It's his pleasure to give to you the kingdom, but also when we think of God's kingdom remind us of the sovereignty and the power of God. So when you're filled with anxiety and fear and worry because of a problem you're facing. Consider this, God is bigger then your problem and if you have a big God, you have a relatively small problem it. If you have a big problem. Do you realize how big your God actually did and so he's your king is in control of your life. Today Pastor Greg Laurie and his counselors and finished 11 more from this presentation next time you're on a new beginning.

What were making available a fascinating new book called the Jesus music pastor Greg you wrote a book called the Jesus revolution talking about the Jesus movement how much is Jesus music linked to the Jesus movement yeah Dave, I would say it's very linked. It was well they say the music of the 60s was a soundtrack of a generation then that's true, and the Jesus music which would be late 60s onto the 70s and really to the present day is also a soundtrack of a generation, but it's a Jesus generation and it's very important music because it was borne out of revival.

It was revival music in its early stages. It's worth noting that in the beginning we call the Jesus music and later became an industry known as contemporary Christian music, but it really started with just songs about Jesus and I had a front row seat we were attending Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa in 1970 which was the epicenter of the Southern California Jesus movement in all these bands were forming before our eyes every week. It was like a new bandit was bands with names like love song. Of course, gentle faith, joy, country Bay mustard seed save lots of faith. Back in those days, but what was really unique was these were songs that were written to speak to people they were songs that express his newfound faith that these musicians had found after coming to Christ, and so was very exciting to see and then it became a whole industry and others contemporary Christian music stations. Of course, and in huge events and concerts that happen all around the world. But it started very simply and it started in revival and we have a brand-new book that sort of tracks the history of Jesus music back in the late 60s early 70s. Yes we do. It's called the Jesus music written by Marshall Terrell, by the way, there's a documentary film put out by the year when brothers and kingdom productions by the same name an amazing film, but this book the Jesus music written by Marshall Terrell tells you the story and I was able to have some input in the writing of this book because it was there. I wrote the introduction to the book as well and as a matter of fact, some of you may recognize Marshall's name because we have written three books together. One of them is Johnny Cash, the redemption of an American icon.

The another is Steve McQueen the salvation of an American icon, and of course Billy Graham, the man I knew. So Marshall is a great writer is a good researcher and this is gonna take you back to the beginning of this music to the present day.

There's a lot of stories you read, and a lot of things you will learn and I'm sure you did not know about some of your famous artists out there and have touch our lives in so many ways. Yet such an interesting book, you'll love it. Even if you're a relative newcomer to Jesus music again. It's the new book called the Jesus music and would be glad to send a copy your way to thank you for your partnership with us in making the studies available each day. It's only through listener support the best possible so thanks so much for your generosity. Writer set a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300. We can take your call anytime. That's 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org are simply problem stealing your joy and peace of mind next time pastor Greg reminds us that no matter how big our problems are.

God is bigger still for good reassurance, join us run a new beginning.

Pastor and Bible teacher Greg Moore and everybody thinks or listening to beginning this is a podcast made possible by harvest partners. So for more content can help you know God and equip you to make him known to others or to learn more about how you can become a harvest partner. Just go to harvest.org