God’s Answer to Fear, Anxiety & Worry: Pray and Persevere

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Learn more@harness.org and while you're there, browse our library of free e-books designed to help you grow in your faith you want to live in anxiety and worry about her because as a pastor Greg Laurie points out like there's more than he assures that he cares is the Lord versus problem there's a problem there's five more you go to sleep. I'll talk to you in the morning. That's exactly what she should do it consumes her since these will be emotionally delivery of passion and fire out what extinguishes the fire burned today on a new beginning pastor Greg Laurie answers the question was a prayer can keep us from worry we have to have perseverance because worry what your long grab your Bibles and turn to jukebox it just today to be Matthew chuckers six Philippians chapter 4 Matthew six will be up for this is part three of a three part series on recalling God's answer to fear, worry and anxiety.

No worries does not make life longer. It just makes it more miserable.

Worry the stomach like laundry just makes it more miserable and I without this worry does not resolve problems.

It simply creates new ones. Matthew six. Look at verse 27 to all your worries at a single moment to your life. How many of you through worry and anxiety can extend the link of your life answer.

No one in fact worry, may actually shorten your life, or at least make it more miserable.

I have a friend who's a doctor who heard my message last Sunday and came up to me and said you know Greg you were talking about how medical scientists and others have said that worry and anxiety and shorten your life. And he said there's actually a condition for that and it's called broken heart syndrome that I've never heard about that before. That's also known as octopus heart of all things, because it affects the shape of a heart. What happens is sudden bad news can cause fear, fright, or anxiety. It takes hold of you and the tip of your heart enlarges immediately in a result in chest pain, depression, heart failure and even death so sudden bad news. Maybe the sudden death of a loved one, maybe a car accident. Maybe some other traumatic event that happened to you. Interestingly, I read that one of the things that can also cause this is public speaking. So for some it could be a terrifying thing, but whatever it is that frightens you, it overwhelms you. At that very moment, and so worry does not link in your life you can actually shorten your life. Worry is an indication of a lack of faith look here at Matthew chapter 6 verse 30 and of God care so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today the throne of the fire tomorrow he will certainly care for you, why do you have so little faith noticed Jesus did not say you I don't think you said you of little faith because some are weak, spiritually of little faith there prone to worry and anxiety. There always stressed out.

There always worried there always defeated the sort of like those little Chihuahua ever seen a chill Chihuahua. There always seeking shaking shaking it out. It is dreadfully nervous. Why because they know I just look like a rat and no one loves me even though cats are better than me. I'm like, always shaking, but some people are that way everything all what if Elizabeth would've that I was aware that out of the heavens and they worked themselves up into these frenzies and you can control that.

You don't have to live that way. It's because your faith is small, so make your faith big make your faith strong drink.

So how do you do that you grow in faith by what you're doing right now studying and believing the word of God. Your faith grows by hearing God's word and acting on it. Romans 1017 says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. When I listen to God's word. It puts everything in perspective I see God for who he is. I see life with all of its challenges for what it is I see everything as I ought to see okay so don't worry I got that. What should I do, instead of worrying trade your worry for worship, but God in his word first in your life and here's a very familiar verse. Matthew 633 seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.

What is that mean to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness to seek first means to seek it, principally above everything else give it priority ever lost something.

Let me put it another way, you misplace your cell phone that's kind of a big deal is that it so the other day I was driving with my wife. Is it worth my cell phone. She said I don't know, and said, for that matter worth my while all know I love my cell phone and my wallet. Well we called my wallet which I can do because I have a little device and it called tile by the women to try to attach it to my brain later but anyway my child's battery is low, so it wasn't working, so we symbol.

Let's try to find the phone so we use the find my phone feature boy sure to plumage you showed up at a certain spot so were driving along its along the road like almost a highway and or driver longevity.

Since it's a little further. It's a little further stop right now.

Look their lives. It bounced a few times my phone right next to it. My wallet with my credit cards laying on the ground. We scooped them all up, gave thanks to God and in and on we went.

But you know we sought it out what you know we're going to find it. No matter what.

And this is the idea put God's kingdom first. Don't give up on this secret above all things.

Listen if you don't want to live in anxiety, fear and worry, put the matter in God's hands like what Martin Luther said, quote pray and let God worry that's good estimate. Do you think God worries. I don't so tonight when you going to bed is a will. Lord hears this problem here is that problem and there's five more here you go. I'm going to sleep. I'll talk to you in the morning. That's exactly what you should do.

It's in God's hands, place it in God's hand see. Often we turn to people for help and we forget that we need to turn to the Lord for help. No notice. As Paul says that we should turn these things over to God because he is in control and he is the one that wants to help us with these issues. I would split over to Philippians chapter 4 in our next point is churn your panic in the prayer, churn your panic in the press of the next time you're tempted to worry. Pray instead look at Philippians 46.

Don't worry about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, maybe underline that let your requests be made known the God of the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus. So you put it God's notice, he says in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. He doesn't say that only the big scary things he says and everything to discuss what little things become big things.

How many of you have children, raising how many of you have children under the age of eight. Raise your hand. How many of you have children over the age of 12. Raise your hand up.

Okay you guys really need to be praying a lot right know when you have a teenager or young adult a lot of new problems develop. They face a lot of temptations a lot of challenges and you do as well as apparent. Let me say a word to you. Parents of younger children start praying for your children when they're small because one day when they're older, you will have laid a foundation in their life. Pray for them when they're young and not pray for them when they're older pray for little things. Pray for big things. Pray for everything the Bible says in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Notice he says Thanksgiving. We need to spend more time in our prayer in Thanksgiving and maybe not as much in petition I'm not suggesting you not pray for things. What I'm saying is spend time giving glory to God first and might even affect the things you pray for after the fact. I'm sure it will. Mr. Greg Laurie will have the second half of this message just a moment, everybody Greg Laurie here. You know my uncle Fred Jordan that one of the first Christian TV programs out there. It was called church in the home.

I remember watching it as a little boy when I was living with my grandparents we have church in the home for you every weekend is called harvest that you can find it in harvest.org we have worship in a message of God's word. So join us this weekend for harvested home harvest.now Pastor Greg continues his message called God's answer to fear, anxiety and worry. Part three here's my last point, replace thoughts of anxiety, worry and panic with godly thoughts replace thoughts of anxiety, worry and panic with godly thoughts. Look at Philippians 4 verse eight finally, brothers, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are noble, whatsoever things are just impure and lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, if there is anything praiseworthy. Meditate on these things. Listen, maintaining personal peace involves both the heart and the mind.

Isaiah 26 three says you will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Why the thoughts matter, because what we think about ultimately affects what we do. Proverbs 23, seven says as a man thinks so is he. Guard your mind.

People protect your mind.

Think about what you're going to put in their think about this thing that I'm in a watch right now on Netflix.

Think about this thing that I want to download and listen to think about this place. I'm going to go think about this thing. I'm about to do this is going to build me up or tear me down spiritually. Think about that thing that I'm in a put in my mind because it's going to affect me.

Ultimately, in my action and so we need to think about godly things more and we need to think biblically in second Corinthians 10 five says bring every thought into captivity of the obedience of Jesus Christ memorize Scripture. Fill your mind with the word of God and it will be there to strengthen you in your time of need. These promises are amazing. Everybody has trouble in life the rainfalls.

The Bible says on the just and the unjust nonbelievers have tragedies happen to them and tragedies happen to Christians as well. Christians get cancer.

Christians die in automobile accidents, Christians lose loved ones unexpectedly. Christians face every kind of hardship. But here's the difference. The nonbeliever water they have to turn to. We have God to turn to and he wants to hear our prayer and will help us in our time of need. So wonderful to know my doctor friend who told me about the broken heart syndrome said I was a senior message today and I just thought I was a good see, the more of my patients when bad news comes when a hardship comes call out to God.

See that's what we could do. We can call out to God, Lord.

Here's my problem. It's bigger than me. I don't know what to do. It's scary.

I'm afraid, but your greater in your bigger than you love me. So here that's all right up to heaven and he takes it from because what did Jesus say come to me all of you who are laboring and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest you want to take your problem. I don't know about you but when I travel I always overpack and I don't like to check my luggage. I like to go carry out which means I am that obnoxious guy trying to cram my back into the overhead of the plane right. I always put too much in it.

It's always a little too big so sometimes about walking along with some heavy bag and seven says let me give you a hand with that, I'll say will thank you very much to hear we are in life. Pulling all these problems, why all of these burdens. Then along comes Jesus and says let me help you with that guy could do it myself really all carry the whole lot for you. Give it to. What are you facing right now. What burden if you come in with today. What is troubling is something concerning you some anxiety, some fear committed to the Lord and listen. If you're not a Christian, you need to be why because these promises are for believers only. Only the man of the woman is put their faith in Jesus is and what is that even me. I think I'm a Christian. I come from a Christian family doesn't make you a Christian has to be a moment in your life or you realize you're a sinner in need of a Savior. Let me put it another way, talking about the beach.

If you're out of the ocean in your drowning. If you see a lifeguard you need to cry out for help, and Jesus is ready to rescue you.

He's ready to save you and I love the fact that the Bible uses the word save the law by grace we been saved through faith, not of works lest any man should boast say that God wants to do you want to save you from your sin forgive you of all the awful things you've done, and wipe your slate clean and give you a fresh life, a new life but you must come to him and admit your sin be sorry for and then put your faith in Jesus and through all of your burdens on him. I'll close with this.

I remember as a young man when I came to Christ. I was 17 years old.

This was 10 years ago and a few more years. I went forward at a meeting and I write a prayer with Christensen as Jesus in the my life. I really didn't know what I was doing but I do remember this very distinctly I remember I felt as though a huge weight had been lifted off of me. Don't get them awake at a 17-year-old BK well, I guess, a pretty heavy one because it was like lifted off of me. It was my guilt.

It was my sin was all the things that I done wrong but I guess I'd grown so accustomed to. I didn't even know it was there I just carried it around every day that weight of sin. When I prayed it was like relief, the pressure was lifted. This sin was removed and God can do that for you today.

Jesus died on the cross and he rose again from the dead, the stands now at the door of your life, and he knocks and if you will hear his voice and open the door to commit. Do you need Jesus in your life in a moment will get a prayer and I'll extend an invitation for anyone here that once or sin forgiven that once the burdens of life lifted that once a fresh start. It can happen for you right here right now it's up our heads and pray father speak to every person here and every person that is watching and listening wherever they are. Show them their need for Jesus and help them come to you and believe today we pray.

Amen.

Important prayer about coming to the Lord to find forgiveness of sins, and if you'd like to do that. Pastor Greg will help you in just a moment before today's edition of a new beginning. Concludes what were making a new book available.

That's just fascinating called the Jesus music. It talks about the rise of contemporary Christian music and how it wasn't always smooth sailing. Some of the church opposed it, but I found it fascinating.

Pastor Greg at one point Billy Graham wanted to make the music in his Crusades more contemporary and get invited Michael W Smith in DC talk has to be his music guests at a youth event and Billy was in his 70s at the time. Fascinating story yet Billy was always a person who was willing to take risks for the kingdom of God. So going back a few years when Jesus music was just exploding.

There was an event in Texas called X blows 72. It was described as a religious Woodstock so 80 200,000 young people really people of all ages gathered there in Texas and an artist like love song and Larry Norman and Johnny Cash are performed before thousands of people and Billy Graham spoke so is sort of like the seal of approval from the leader. If evangelical is him at that time, Billy Graham Aquino. Fast forward many years Billy has been doing his Crusades and he wants to reach younger people, so the idea came of let's put Christian music that's contemporary on this date I can tell you. Not everyone supported the idea.

I know because I was there. It became a little bit of a debate among the members of the Billy Graham evangelistic Association Board of Directors because I been on that board for 25 years.

Some opposed it.

I stuck up for it and said this is a great idea this to reach more young people, and indeed it did. But I have to tell you, Dave. I was at one of those concerts and Michael W Smith played in DC talk played and the young people loved it, but when Billy Graham walked out he got the greatest ovation of the night, and that this was just his willingness to do whatever he could to bridge the gap and reaching culture with the gospel.

So this music is played a significant role in the church for the last 50 years, but I bet a lot of you do not know the origin story you don't know how it got started. You don't know who were the sort of pioneers of this music and now turning in the music you love today on the many Christian stations around the United States and indeed the world, so there's this brand-new book out called the Jesus music written by my friend Marshall Terrell, I've written three other books with Marshall is an excellent writer. A great researcher and you don't learn a lot and I think this book is going to be a blessing to you and frankly you would pay a lot for this hardcover book with glossy pages and photographs and stories of these artists through the years working to give it to you for your gift of any size.

So whatever you send to us. We will send you this book the Jesus music.

In return, but I will encourage you to be generous because whatever you send us will be used. To get the gospel out into teach the word of God.

So thanks in advance for whatever you can do and let us send you a copy of this new book the Jesus music you know we would merely bring you the studies each day without the support of listeners like you, we have no other way to cover the cost of broadcasting other than the generosity of those who listen.

So thank you so much for your investment and with your generous donation today.

Be sure to ask for the Jesus music will send it right out. You can write us at a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300. We can take your call anytime around the clock that's 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and then before we go any further. Pastor Greg wants to help you make a change in your relationship with the Lord today. Listen if you would like Jesus Christ to come in your life right now.

If you would like your sin forgiven if you would like a new start in life. I like collegial and a prayer when you would ask for God's forgiveness.

Someone ask you to just stop what you're doing right now and bow your head and pray this prayer with me if you want to make a commitment or recommitment to Jesus Christ. Let's pray together, Lord Jesus, come in the my life.

I know that I'm a sinner and I think you for dying on the cross for my sin and paying the price for it and rising again from the dead.

I turn from that sin.

Now I make a choice to follow you as my Savior and Lord, thank you for calling me and for giving me and receiving me and loving me in Jesus name I pray, amen man listen. If you have just prayed that prayer with Pastor Greg and made a commitment to the Lord just now would like to help you would like to send you our new believers growth packet to help you get started living for the Lord. Just ask for the new believers growth packet when you contact us. You can write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300 call anytime we're here 24 seven. Again, dial 1-800-821-3300 and you can even make the arrangements online. When you go to harvest.org and click on no God but next time Pastor Greg brings an encouraging message called the refreshing power of prayer. Good insight on the privilege we have bringing our needs and concerns to the Lord. Join us here on a new beginning.

Pastor and Bible teacher Greg for beginning Greg Laurie podcast made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for daily devotions and learn how to become a harvest partner harvest.org