Are You Obsessed By Something?
Psalm 25:12
"Who is the man that fears the Lord?
To fear the Lord is to recognize God for who He is: holy, almighty, righteous, pure, all knowing, all-powerful, and all wise. The closer we become to God and the more correctly we regard God, the more honestly we will recognize ourselves: sinful, weak, frail and needy. When we truly recognize who God is and who we are we will fall at his feet in humble respect. Only then will He show us how to choose His way.
Oswald's Chambers' book My Utmost for His Highest was first published in 1935, 13 years after his death. Other than the Bible, it is one of the most widely read Christian books in the world.
For June 2, the question was "Are You Obsessed by Something?" My first answer was,"Of course not," but really I guess I am obsessed by all kinds of things. My family, a successful business, and on and on. Oswald Chambers says we are to be obsessed only by the presence of God.
He gave this example. "A child's awareness is so absorbed in his mother that although he is not consciously thinking of her, when a problem arises, the abiding relationship is that with the mother. In that same way we are to "live and move and have our being" in God (Acts 17:28), looking at everything in relation to Him because our abiding awareness of him continually pushes itself to the forefront of our lives.
If I am obsessed by God, nothing else can get into my life - not worries, not concerns.
WORRY
God emphasized the sin of worry over and over in the bible. The next verse from Philippians teaches us how to turn worry into prayers. Do you want to worry less? Then pray more! Whenever I start to worry, I must stop and pray. Remember the little child automatically running to its mother? Shouldn't we automatically run to our Father who love us more than any mother can possibly love her child?
Philippians 4:6;
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts, and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brother, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praise worthy - think about such things.
James 1:2-6
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
Matthew 6:28-34
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith. So do not worry, saying "What shall we eat or What shall we drink? Or what shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PLANNING AND WORRY
Planning for tomorrow is time well spent; worrying about tomorrow is wasted time. Sometimes it is difficult for me to tell the difference.
1. Careful planning is thinking about goals, steps and schedules using God's guidance. Planning can help aleviate worry.
2. Don't let worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with God today.
"Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7
From one of my favorite books of my lifetime, Experiencing God Day by Day, Dr. Henry Blackaby writes, "As you no doubt have discovered, becoming a Christian does not make your problems go away. But it does give you an advocate to whom you can take every concern."
1. Dr. Blackaby writes further, "Casting our cares is a choice. 2. It means consciously handing over our anxiety to Christ and allowing Him to carry the weight of our problems. At times this is the most difficult part of trusting God. We don't like turning over the responsibility for our problems." "God asks us to turn over all of our problems - big ones as well as little ones."
Dr. Blackaby writes, "God sees you as His frail child, burdened with a load that surpasses your strength. He stands prepared to take your load and to carry it for you. Will you let Him?"
Dr. Blackaby describes how his only daughter, Carrie, was diagnosed with cancer at age 16. He says you can question God and ask him what is going on during horrible circumstances like this, but you cannot say, "Lord I guess you don't love me."
My Experience with God's Love - From Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby "Describe the experience that most dramatically and lastingly defined God's love for you. What questions did you ask during that experience? Did God provide answers for your questions? How/ or Why not? Did you ever doubt God's love during this experience? How can you be sure God loves you?"
God Bless You,
Martha