Just Checking In
How Ya Feelin'?
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)
Uncertainty About the Future
November 8, 2020
Just Checking In // How Ya Feelin'? Uncertainty About the Future The Lord now said to Moses, 2 “Send out men to explore the land of Canaan, the land I am giving to the Israelites. Send one leader from each of the twelve ancestral tribes.” 3 So Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He sent out twelve men, all tribal leaders of Israel, from their camp in the wilderness of Paran. —Numbers 13:1-3 (NLT) Four Truths on Navigating Uncertainty: 1. Fear is the Cause of Uncertainty This was their report to Moses: “We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country—a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces. 28 But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak! —Number 13:27-28 (NLT) A. Fear is a Contagious Feeling “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” 32 So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. 33 We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we FELT LIKE grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!” —Number 13:31b-33 (NLT) B. Fear is a Crippling Forecaster Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. 2 Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. 3 “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” —Numbers 14:1-3 (NLT) 2. Faith is Our Response to Uncertainty But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!” —Number 13:30 (NLT) For we live by FAITH, not by SIGHT. —2 Corinthian 5:7 (NIV) 3. Disobedience is the Danger in Uncertainty Do not rebel against the Lord… —Numbers 14:9a (NLT) “At the age of 22, I arrived in America with Lia and Flavius and $2,000 in our pocket that we saved while working in a refugee camp for 18 months. We knew Jesus, but everything else was unknown. Looking back, I can’t believe what God does when someone just obeys without knowing all the pieces.” —Ben Sterciuc 4. God’s Presence is Our Assurance in Uncertainty “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! 8 And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. 9 Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!” —Numbers 14:7b-9 (NLT)
Anxiety
November 1, 2020
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)
Fear of Failure
October 25, 2020
Just Checking In // How Ya Feelin’? The Fear of Failure Peter’s Failures: Failure #1: Faithlessness Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” —Matthew 14:31 (NLT) Failure #2: Rebuke But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” —Matthew 16:22-23 (NLT) Failure #3: Pride Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 35 “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same. —Matthew 26:33-35 (NLT) Failure #4: Asleep at the Wheel Then he came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!” —Matthew 26:45-46 (NLT) Failure #5: Violent Overreaction Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?” —John 18:10-11 (NLT) Failure #6: Disowned Jesus Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly. —Matthew 26:75 (NLT) Two Lessons on the Fear of Failure: Failure is a “What” Not a “Who” Failure is a Place for “Restoration” not “Rejection” “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. 16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. 17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. —John 21:15-17 (NLT)