Praise the Lord for this new day. My wife has been fasting and praying for some snow this winter. The Lord is answering her prayer. Her school was canceled last Friday because of wintry weather. They are forecasting for some snow for tomorrow. My confidence is this that sweet spring is not faraway. Early this morning I got an e-mail from Sunita, who arrived in Armenia safe and sound on assignment. She flew there via London. There is 9 hour time difference between Armenia and New York. Sunita shared in her mail that the people of Armenia are beautiful and very friendly and hospitable. The country is brilliant. She also shared from Psalm 27 that she used for her devotion today.
FEB. 11, 2012 Saturday , at First UMC, Endicott. 5:30 PM Special Banquet prepared by Joe Walker, 6:30 PM Hymn Sing with Aric Phinney at the Grand Piano and Yancey Moore at the Organ
Life can be risky and it is therefore filled with opportunities or reasons to fear or have with anxiety and the sales of calming drugs indicate. Fear is very unpleasant and it is very harmful physically, mentally, and even spiritually for, as the Bible tells us in Matthew 13:22, fear or anxiety chokes out the word of God. Fear can be very displeasing and dishonoring to God if we do not respond to it with faith in him. As the Bible says, we will have anxieties but we are to "cast all of our anxieties on Him."
In Psalm 27:1-3, David expressed his confidence in God and an absence of fear in a very fearful situation because he focused on God as his Light, Salvation, and Stronghold. In verses 4-7 we see David focused upon God. David lived in the Lord's presence, looking at his beauty, and listening to his voice. Because of this focus on God and because of dwelling in his presence David could lift his head with confidence and sing with joy (verses 5,6). In verses 7-14 he again focused on God, praying to him in the midst of this trouble, reminded that God would never forsake him (vs. 10) and would always guide him (vs. 11). Therefore, even though he might not receive an immediate answer or relief he could still say in verse 13, "I am still confident..."
In Isaiah 26: 3 God said, "I will keep in perfect peace all who trust in me, who thoughts are fixed on me!" The same concept is expressed in Philippians 4: 6-7 which says "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. Then the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
There will be times when anxiety and fear come into our lives. It is then that we have a choice to make, whether to focus on the problem and be overcome with fear or to focus on God and our fear will disappear. David declared in verse 14, "I will wait for the Lord and I will be strong..."
As David focused on God he began to see that he really has no reason to fear. When we consider who God is and what he will do in our lives there is no real reason to fear. This is why David asked the rhetorical question, "Whom should I fear?" or "Why should I be afraid?"
David was saying that we should have confidence and peace not because there are no serious storms in our life but because we have a secure place, a sure stronghold, for the Lord is our refuge. As we look to the greatness of our God instead of looking at the greatness of our problems our anxiety will fade. It is then that we will know that we have the Lord as a Light to guide us, as a Savior to rescue us, and as a Stronghold to protect us. We have the ultimate in security and therefore we can have peace and confidence in our lives.
Sometimes we may feel alone, and fear and anxiety may try to creep in, but the reality is that God is always there even when we can not see Him or feel Him. Dr Leonard Sweet, whom I have met a couple times in conferences, tells the story of one tribe of native Americans who had a unique practice for training young braves. On the night of a boy’s thirteenth birthday, he was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night alone. Until then he had never been away from the security of his family and tribe. But on this night he was blindfolded and taken miles away. When he took off the blindfold, he was in the middle of thick woods by himself, all night long.
Every time a twig snapped, he likely imagined a wild animal ready to pounce. Every time an animal howled, he imagined a wolf leaping out of the darkness. Every time the wind blew, he wondered what more sinister sound it masked. No doubt it was a terrifying night for many.
After what seemed like an eternity, the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest. Looking around, the boy saw flowers, trees, and the outline of the path. Then, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow. It was the boy’s father. He had been there all night long.
In Isaiah 26: 3 God said, "I will keep in perfect peace all who trust in me, who thoughts are fixed on me!" The same concept is expressed in Philippians 4: 6-7 which says "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. Then the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
There will be times when anxiety and fear come into our lives. It is then that we have a choice to make, whether to focus on the problem and be overcome with fear or to focus on God and our fear will disappear. David declared in verse 14, "I will wait for the Lord and I will be strong..."
As David focused on God he began to see that he really has no reason to fear. When we consider who God is and what he will do in our lives there is no real reason to fear. This is why David asked the rhetorical question, "Whom should I fear?" or "Why should I be afraid?"
David was saying that we should have confidence and peace not because there are no serious storms in our life but because we have a secure place, a sure stronghold, for the Lord is our refuge. As we look to the greatness of our God instead of looking at the greatness of our problems our anxiety will fade. It is then that we will know that we have the Lord as a Light to guide us, as a Savior to rescue us, and as a Stronghold to protect us. We have the ultimate in security and therefore we can have peace and confidence in our lives.
Sometimes we may feel alone, and fear and anxiety may try to creep in, but the reality is that God is always there even when we can not see Him or feel Him. Dr Leonard Sweet, whom I have met a couple times in conferences, tells the story of one tribe of native Americans who had a unique practice for training young braves. On the night of a boy’s thirteenth birthday, he was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night alone. Until then he had never been away from the security of his family and tribe. But on this night he was blindfolded and taken miles away. When he took off the blindfold, he was in the middle of thick woods by himself, all night long.
Every time a twig snapped, he likely imagined a wild animal ready to pounce. Every time an animal howled, he imagined a wolf leaping out of the darkness. Every time the wind blew, he wondered what more sinister sound it masked. No doubt it was a terrifying night for many.
After what seemed like an eternity, the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest. Looking around, the boy saw flowers, trees, and the outline of the path. Then, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow. It was the boy’s father. He had been there all night long.
In Christ,
Brown
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Praise and Worship Service
First United Methodist Church, Endicott .
Sponsored by Union Center UMC
6 PM Gathering - Coffee - Fellowship
6:30 PM Worship
Music: Laureen Naik
Speaker: Brown Naik
FEB. 11, 2012 Saturday , at First UMC, Endicott. 5:30 PM Special Banquet prepared by Joe Walker, 6:30 PM Hymn Sing with Aric Phinney at the Grand Piano and Yancey Moore at the Organ
FEB. 4 & 5 Movie “Courageous” to be shown at First United Methodist Church, 53 Mckinnely Ave, Endicott, on Saturday (Doors open at 5:30) and at Union Center UMC on Sunday (doors open at 2:00). As vividly illustrated in COURAGEOUS, the
impact of fathers in the lives of their children is immense. This powerful
film has been the starting point for a movement of fathers creating a legacy of
Godly families. A free will offering will benefit the youth retreat in April.
impact of fathers in the lives of their children is immense. This powerful
film has been the starting point for a movement of fathers creating a legacy of
Godly families. A free will offering will benefit the youth retreat in April.
No comments:
Post a Comment