Overcoming Anxiety

"So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows." -Matthew 10:31

Can we change anything that happens to us in life if we have done all we know to do to be in right standing with God?  The ultimate answer is "no." Yes we can and should do all the right things, we can plan, and we can do the things it takes to be successful - but unfortunately, we do not have any control over any outcome.  When it comes down to it, in fact, we have no idea what will happen tomorrow!
 
"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14
 
My dad has said, "Projecting outcomes leads to depression." When we fail to see results we want, or we think about things that could happen, we inevitably set ourselves up for fear.  It's great to have goals, and it's definitely great to have dreams.  But instead of projecting into the future, we need to allow ourselves to TRUST God every step of the way - allowing Him to direct out paths.  (Proverbs 4:11)

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Philippians 4:5-7

Do you struggle with anxiety, or do you worry about the future?  Pray and ask God to take away those burdens, and trust Him day to day, that He will meet all of your needs "according to His riches in mercy."  (Phil 4:19)  He desires that you and I completely trust and have faith in Him. 

Why God Raises Up a Leader

"And David realized that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel and had blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel." -2 Sam 5:12
 
Have you ever thought about why God raises up a leader? Why are leaders in positions of authority and power? Is it so they can use this power for their own gain? 

In David's case, God had specifically chosen him to be king over Israel. God chose a man "after His own heart"(Acts 13:22) to lead the people to Israel, to protect them, and to help them prosper. The reason God raises up a leader is for the people. In the verse above, it says God had "blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel." 

"The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant." -Max DePree 

So many people believe that leadership is about the perks they receive as a leader - the power, the prestige, the attention. But true leadership is not about that at all - leadership is a type of public service. It is to make the lives of those you serve better - economically, spiritually, emotionally, or relationally. If we aren't making people's lives better, then what are we doing as leaders? 

Let us be aware of what true leadership is, and the reasons why God raises up a leader - "for the sake of His people..."

Encountering the Sauls in Our Lives

(Source : http://www.paintinghere.com/painting/Saul_Attacking_David_227.html)

"Don't be afraid," he said. "My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this." 1 Samuel 23:17

Have you ever had a dream or goal that someone in your life was jealous over? This could be a supervisor, spiritual leader, friend, or family member. Have you ever had a boss who may have seemed threatened with your anointing or gifting? This was the case for David.
 
Anointed to be king when he was just a boy, and serving under the reign of Saul, David evoked such jealousy in Saul as he grew older that Saul tried to kill him! But David stayed pure in heart in spite of Saul's schemes and found strength in God even in the midst of his circumstances. "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." -Psalm 73:26
 
There are some things that David did that we should consider emulating when we find ourselves in tough spots when it comes to bosses, co-workers, or friends who appear to be threatened or jealous. David never tried to overthrow Saul by his own strength. Although he had the chance to kill Saul, he never did because he knew if he did, he would be taking matters into his own hands. Saul eventually killed himself by falling on his own sword. (1 Samuel 31:4) David simply served Saul until it was time for him to become king. And God used these experiences to purify David's heart as well, and to test him.
 
Do you have people in your life who are like Sauls, (perhaps unknowingly) trying to discourage you from your purpose? Are you prepared to let God fight those battles for you and stay pure in heart, and focused on Him?

The True Star

"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." -Revelation 22:16
 

We live in a culture saturated with entertainment. Anywhere you go you can't get away from the stars' faces on magazines in the grocery checkout isle, TMZ news after the regular news, and familiar faces in movies and TV. Celebrity culture has become a part of our lives. But it didn't always used to be this way. 

Before Television made it possible for everyone to view the same thing at one time, local artists entertained local people at a local theater. It was more community focused. And, it is doubtful we had the same type of celebrity-consumer relationship we have today. We see everything we want to see - no flaws, perfect makeup, perfect hair - all while consuming the dramatic aspects of their personal lives. We see them so often on movies and in TV that our brain actually interprets their presence in our lives as a close friend or family member. Is that crazy or what?! 

But, what we need to recognize is these celebrities are just people. If we feel differently about any of them that anyone else we are engaging in idolatry. The true star is Jesus - our Morning Star! 

In the kingdom, we were never meant to be celebrities; we were meant to be lovers of people, and most of all lovers of God.

Do you look to Jesus as your true north star?

His Representatives

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20

At the moment we are born-again, we become new creatures. Not only this, but at the moment of our conception into faith we become His representatives on earth. Now, when we say we are Christians, we are saying we are a reflection of Jesus. (Which can be challenging at times!)
 
We will never be perfect - that's for certain. That's why we needed Christ in our lives in the first place. But even though we know we're still full of flaws, it doesn't mean we aren't striving for God's reflection in our lives. The moment we are saved we become ambassadors for His kingdom, wherever we are. We become His ministers, in whatever we are doing. We grow in love as His sons and daughters. Day by day, we become more like Him, as we study His word and spend time worshipping Him. There is nothing to be afraid of - He knows we will fall short. That is why He has given us His gift of grace to help us when we make mistakes.
 
Imagine you are working for a company, one of the best in the world. This company is known for its service excellence and the way it treats its customers, employees, and the community. You have just been hired to be on the sales team, and you go through the training to learn the company rules and procedures. These policies aren't too distant from those found in the Bible. In order to keep your position however, and grow in the company, you must attempt to follow those rules and procedures to the best of your ability. Sure, there are fun days at work. Sure, challenges will happen. But, the policies and procedures will help to guide you through the business landscapes you will endure.
 
Being a Christian isn't all that different - the Bible is our guide. As we walk into our future in Him, we move knowing that our lives are a reflection of His love, grace, mercy, beauty, strength, and everything else that He is. Consider yourself a sales representative for the greatest franchise in history - the Kingdom of God. Both an exciting and sobering concept, huh?
 
May we grow in faith, grace, excellence, integrity, and most of all love, as we discover who we really are as His representatives on earth. 

Resiliency

"'All right, you may test him,' the Lord said to Satan. 'Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don't harm him physically.' So Satan left the Lord's presence." -Job 1:12
 
I wonder if God and Satan ever have the above conversation about you and I. Often things happen to us over which we have no control, that do not appear to be a consequence of any sin or action we have taken. It is true that doing the right things don't always equal everything working out according to plan: God is not a vending machine - we can't make Him to do the things we want based on our behavior. But, we can trust Him that what He has promised will come to pass at the appointed time. (Habakkuk 2:3) 

It is during the desert times when we are most tested in our hearts. We will continue to believe that God loves us? Will we continue to believe and trust Him, in spite of what seems like a void of hope? Will we continue to do the right things, "No matter what"? It is these times when we are tested, to see if we will be found resilient in our faith. 

Job was tested so greatly, he lost his business, his family, and his health. His friends didn't understand what he was going through and assumed he had done something to offend God. Job also did not understand - and questioned God as to why He had to go through such hardship, even though he thought he had done all the right things. God responded - "Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God's critic, but do you have the answers?" (Job 40:2) and Job repented. "I know that you can do anything..I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance." (Job 42) 

Righteousness doesn't always equal lack of hardship. But resiliency in faith reserves our heavenly reward. Will you be found resilient in your faith?

Striving vs. Thriving

"What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun?" -Ecc 2:22

I remember being in grade school trying to beat all 6 (small school is an understatement) of my classmates by getting through my coursework quicker.  We were working through our phonics books, and it was down to me and the last guy.  Once he saw he was going to lose by a long stretch, he gave up.  I kept on going to finish, but at that point it really didn't matter anymore.  What was going through a phonics book as quickly as possible going to get me anyway?  I really wasn't learning that much more by going through it at a ridiculous pace.  In fact, I was absorbing less!

So much of striving in life relates to a life of faith.  When we're striving, we're busy - and B.U.S.Y. equates to "Being Under Satan’s Yoke."  Do we fear not having enough provision?  God is our Provider.  Do we fear other's thoughts of us?  God should be the one we care about pleasing most.  Do we fear we won't measure up? God has given us our own identity - unique to anyone else. Do we fear success or failure?  "Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:8)  "Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave Moses for Israel." -1 Chronicles 22:13

Another case in point:  In singing, if you try too hard and strain your voice, you can do irreparable damage to your vocal chords.  But, if you learn to use the natural range of your voice and free it from the rest of the muscles in your throat, you can have a lot of success in singing.  Most of singing is freeing your vocal chords from the tension of the muscles surrounding them, while training your vocal chords to sing the right note.

Are you striving in any area of your life?  Ask God to help in you in that area, and help you give it to Him.