Just Checking In // How Ya Feelin’?
Anxiety
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
The “Anxious for Nothing” Blueprint
Don’t + Do = Peace
1. Don’t Worry
Don’t worry about anything…
—Philippians 4:6a (NLT)
Do not be anxious about anything…
—Philippians 4:6a (NIV)
The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.
—Matthew 13:22 (NLT)
The low view of God entertained almost universally among Christians is the cause of a hundred lesser evils everywhere among us.
—A.W. Tozer
2. Do Pray
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
—Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
“I am here taking a stand for what I believe is right but now I am afraid. The people are looking to me for leadership, and if I stand before them without strength and courage, they too will falter. I am at the end of my powers….I’ve come to the point where I can’t face it alone.”
—Martin Luther King Jr.
“Three nights later, our home was bombed. Strangely enough, I accepted the word of the bombing calmly. My experience with God had given me new strength and trust. I knew now that God is able to give us the interior resources to face the storms…of life.”
—Martin Luther King Jr.
3. Then You Will Experience God’s Peace
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
—John 16:33 (NIV)
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.
—John 16:33 (AMPC)
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
—John 14:27 (NLT)
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
“I knew it was done! Life—Abundant Life—had taken possession of me…I went through the days, working far into the night, and came down to bedtime wondering why in the world I should ever go to bed at all, for there was not the slightest trace of tiredness of any kind. I seemed possessed by life and peace and rest—by Christ Himself.”
—E. Stanley Jones
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
—1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Anxiety
November 1, 2020
Loneliness
November 29, 2020 • Seth Wolverton
Just Checking In // How Ya Feelin’? Loneliness 18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” —Genesis 2:18 (NLT) 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. —John 10:10 (NIV) 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” —Matthew 18:20 (NLT) REALIZATION: We’re better together 9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. —Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT) 35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. —Mark 1:35-45 (NIV) TRUTH: Your mentality has the power to shift your reality. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. —Matthew 6:33 (ESV) 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. —Psalm 23 (NIV) 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. 40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” —Mark 1:35-45 (NIV) 45 “Those who suffer from a serious skin disease must tear their clothing and leave their hair uncombed. They must cover their mouth and call out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ 46 As long as the serious disease lasts, they will be ceremonially unclean. They must live in isolation in their place outside the camp. —Leviticus 13:45-46 (NLT) 41 Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. —Mark 1:35-45 (NIV) TRUTH: The solution to someone’s loneliness is within your reach 43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere. —Mark 1:35-45 (NIV)
Depression
November 15, 2020
Just Checking In // How Ya Feelin'? Depression When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. 2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them. —1 Kings 19:1-2 (NLT) Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. 4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” —1 Kings 9:3-4 (NLT) Four Keys to Win in the Valley of Depression: 1. Perspective “Before any great achievement, some measure of the same depression is very usual…. Such was my experience when I first became a pastor in London….This depression comes over me whenever the Lord is preparing a larger blessing for my ministry.” —Charles Spurgeon 2. People Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. —1 Kings 19:4 (NLT) Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. —Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT) 3. God’s Presence I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. —Ephesians 3:16 (NLT) But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” —1 Kings 19:9-10 (NLT) “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. —1 Kings 19:11-13 (NLT) 4. Purpose Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came… —1 Kings 19:15 (NLT)