July 13 2014 When I Feel Stressed About My Future

When I Feel Stressed About My Future

1. REMEMBER GOD’S FAITHFULNESS IN MY PAST.

“Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again – my Savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember your kindness – from Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar.” – Psalm 42:5 - 6

2. EVALUATE THE SPECIFIC SOURCE OF MY STRESS.

eu-stress: GOOD STRESS

“Then Jesus said, ‘Let's get away from the crowds for a while and rest.’ There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn't even have time to eat.” – Mark 6:31

dis-stress: BAD STRESS

(Jesus) "So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.” – Matthew 5:31 - 34

3. STICK TO WHAT I KNOW IS RIGHT

“The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”– 1 Peter 3:12

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9

4. TRUST GOD COMPLETELY WITH MY FUTURE.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope’”” – Jeremiah 29:11

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

“Then the angel spoke to the women. ‘Don't be afraid!’ he said. ‘I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn't here! He has been raised from the dead, just as he said would happen.’” –Matthew 28:5-6

May 1 2011 When You're Running Out Of Everything

WHEN YOU’RE RUNNING OUT OF EVERYTHING

(I Kings 17:1-16)
(I Kings 17:1 – Now Elijah confronted King Ahab, as surelyas God lives, the God of Israel whom I worship and serve, there will be no dew or rain during the next few years unless I give the word!)

KERITH: THE RAVINE OF OBSCURITY
(I Kings 17:2-7 Then the Lord said to Elijah, Go east and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. The Kerith brook will give you fresh water to drink and I’ve commanded ravens to bring you food there every day. SoElijah obeyed what the Lord said to do. He moved to the Kerith Ravine and lived there. The birds brought him food each morning and evening and he drank from the brook. But after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain.)

3 REASONS GOD ALLOWS BROOKS TO DRY UP

1. To keep from depending on the brook
2. To move me to a better place.
3. To prove He hasn’t forgotten me.

JOURNEY NORTH: THE ROAD OF INSECURITY
(I Kings 17:8-9a – Then the Lord said, now get up and go to Zarephath and live there. I’ve prepared a widow there to take care of you. So Elijah went to Zarephath.)

WHAT TO REMEMBER

1. The path to a miracle is always through discomfort.
2. The source of a miracle is always unexpected.
3. The pattern for a miracle is C.P.R.

ZAREPHATH: THE REFINERY OF SCARCITY
I Kings 17:9b-16 – When he reached the town gate, Elijah saw a widow gathering firewood. He asked her, Would you please bring me a drink of water? As she was going to get it, Elijah added, And please bring me a small piece of bread too. The woman answered, As surely as your God lives, I swear I have no bread. I only have a handful of flour left in a small jar and a little olive oil left in a jug. I came to gather some wood so I could go home and cook our last meal. My son and I will eat it and we’ll die of hunger. Don’t be afraid, Elijah said, Go home and first make a small loaf of bread from what you have, and bring it to me. Then cook something for yourself and your son. God says, I assure you that jar of flour will never be empty, and the jug of oil will never run out, until the day I send rain to the land. So the widow did what Elijah told her to do, and she and her son and Elijah had enoughfood every day. The jar of flour and the jug of oil never ran out, just as God had promised.)

WHAT TO REMEMBER

1. What I need more of, give what I have to God.
2. What I have the least of, give that to God.
3. I give to be a blessing.

LESSONS FOR TOUGH TIMES

1. God is all you need.
2. Where God guides, God provides.
3. Trust God one day at a time.
4. God’s promises hinge on my obedience.