Psalm 16:8 “I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken”.

The courage of faith....

What does the Lord say..

A Christian...is not: common; or normal; or natural; in the sense of (self and mind)
A true Christian is different......radical.....opposite of the world...

Let’s increase the resolution of this thought.

This we believe to be true

Titus 2:14 “Jesus gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works”.

A Christian...is transforming the self into a being: not common; not natural; not normal
which means our work is against the fleshly nature; the natural inclination of the mind.

1 Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned”.

Paul tells us
Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”
It is the peculiarity in us; it is the operation of the will of God.

It is a deliberate cooperative work on our part
A deliberate action of the mind
(total self..commitment.) by accepting His will

We are about: self transformation into what He intends.
We are a spiritual being in His image.
We are actively participating in this transformation (or should be)

and that’s the point.

Transformation demands: believe; faith; trust; confidence; (anxiety is of the flesh).......
Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”.

believe.....faith ...trust ...confidence...
These words we use...are fundamental....essential....primary...critical...necessary.....principle..
axiomatic....for... transformation.
believe.....faith ...trust ..and....confidence…

Confidence in what?

The tools given us. 2 Peter 1:3 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue”:
the knowledge......which comes thru.....instructions... commands...examples....

We must have confidence.
We must believe that He is, and that. He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him

confidence....faith.... trust...belief:
based on learning having knowledge of evidence aligned with the heart
which is the seat of emotions

the emotional component of faith is a sense of stability; strength; and peace.
It is a calmness based on The Lords demonstration of Himself as trustworthy.

Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding”.

Romans 15:4 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope”

1 John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith”.

1 John 5:14 “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us”.

Let’s turn to the problem of anxiety for a moment......

doctors research today says
(that persons with anxiety disorders lacks control over their psyches)..

(Source) Biological Explanations of Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
Effects on Beliefs About Prognosis and Responsibility
Matthew S. Lebowitz, M.S., M.Phil., John J. Pyun, B.S., and Woo-kyoung Ahn, Ph.D.
science says this...

The problem is that people lack self control of their own mind.

For the Christian is to be in self control.

The scriptures teach fear; worry; anxiety comes from lack of self development and control.

A lack of faith....Proverbs 25:28 - “He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls”

A fundamental fact of faith is that faith is a protection against axniety and fear.

Faith has good purposes....and effects...

let’s look at anxiety for a moment

and its root(which is) doubt.

anxiety .....the mind in....doubt. and ...the what if...... question.....
the what if...A... happens.....fearful...reasoning....where anxiety seed grows...
.the .emotional indicator..of..belief of..being vulnerable . (when ..order..of mind...has been compromised.) ...anxiety grows.

Anxiety has. all sorts of destructive effects to the mind and body. It cannot be tolerated for long periods. It produces neurosis, deterioration of the mental processes; delusional thinking; stresses; hyper tension; weakens immune system; among other things anxiety alone has the ability to cause death.

Anxiety experienced an ambivielant emotion; an obstacle to a goal. (order being compromised).
It is preceeded by doubt in an unsettled circumstance; lack of trust; lack of knowledge; lack of control; all kinds of lack (results in) chaos.

As opposed to order; understanding; life is structured to maximize order predictability and stability. When things are not predictable (it gives cause to) anger; frustration; anxiety results...

Here’s a good rule:
Structure your life; have a routine for each day to minimize any chance of anxiety.
Create order in your personal life; understand that anxiety is a result of thought plus time.
Thought takes time and anxiety is built by thoughts of doubt when we have no solution or resolution to problems.

As our thought is processed in time(disorder is experienced as a threat (great or small)....

Now what does the Lord says about the disorder of anxiety and fear?

Revelation 21:8 - “But ( the fearful, and unbelieving,)... and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death”.

being fearful or anxious is of the flesh and all of theses sins are linked due to lack of faith; unbelief; no confidence of evidence God has provided of Himself in the scriptures.

Romans 1:20 “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”

Dealing with anxiety.
Our mind in reasoning focus on consequences.
No solution = no control; no order; uncharted territory; chaos; auto response kicks in thru thought; fight or flight (run).
Our thought plus time (the opportunity for thought to build greater instability).

People often do this for no reason (it can be a habit) and anxiety at its extreme is panic causing wildly irrational behaviour.

Christians and people of faith don’t do this.

Now, faith exercised comes in two forms:
1) we believe in something; we have faith in; confidence in something.
In our case God Himself; the Lord Himself.
2) we believe that something is or is not the case; a discerned judgment based on evidence; a reasoned conclusion.

Now, for the Christian, the process of faith includes prayer as we are told and learn....
1Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing”.

Pray in faith, nothing wavering, nothing doubting...

James 1:6 “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed”.

James 1:7 “For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord”.
(if wavering faith.....then no answer..from the Lord...)

Philippians 4:6 “Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God”

Prayer......supplication.....with thanksgiving....make request....
Supplication: the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly.

We must pray. Doubt and anxiety should be a signal to pray, pray in faith...

1 John 5:14-15 “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us. And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him”.

Is it not the Lords will that we be free from anxiety and doubt?

Jesus said of his works: it’s a demonstration as proof for our confidence.

John 10:38 “But if I do, though ye believe not Me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in Me, and I in Him”.

We must believe that: He tells us truth; and helps us.
Because of authority based on demonstration of power; competence; awareness; communicaiton.
And when we follow, we understand His promise of outcome is true
He is the logos, the Word.
This produces Hope(Jesus said it; I believe it; that settles it.)

“faith comes by hearing...and hearing by the word of God...Romans 10.17 meaning...we hear..we understand..we believe....we confess..we recieve...we perform...we have confidence..we trust..the word..of God...and can boldly expect His promises...will be fulfilled and are fulfilled..

For our success the Lord Himself prayed for us even according to the humility that he expects of us.

Note:

John 17:19 "And for their sakes..(the apostles.) I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth".
John 17:20 "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word";(thats you and me).

that word..the truth.......teaches..us.....instructs ...us ...diciplines us....informs us......commands us...comforts us..protects......helps.......us......

and we learn:

Matthew 28:20 ... "to observe all things whatsoever ......I (the Lord) have commanded you: and, lo,I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen". Is there doubt about this?

Now, let us look at fear and anxiety in action; here is an example to consider:


Matthew 14:27-31 27...But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I Don't be afraid(a command.)
the scene:
28 "And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water". [TGC, TSK]
29 "And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus". [TGC, TSK]
30 "But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me".
31 "And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" [TGC, TSK]
32 "And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased".

We see Peters obstuction of faith called doubt; prodcucing fear, anxiety, and worry.

THE LORD POINTED TO IT!

The mechanics of the problem:

the map..of point a: from the boat (choice of behaviour). The object(positve tool of faith) the walk on the sea (negative; obstacle,doubt) I cant do this ( changed his choice of behaviour). He falls short of Jesus who is:point b: the goal.

Choice of thought...caused....behaviour change..from faith to doubt..
peter changed..focus of thought ...and made relevent ..what a moment ago was not..
(the sea and wind) ...that change of thougth caused ..anxiety..

We set goals by thought...
emotion..informs us of ..our progress to the goal....positive..continue behaviour...negatvie withdraw..behaviour....
anxiety.....(.undetermied behavour...dont know what to do..).it is at this point..
..faith ..has its challenge......(the seed of doubt..in regard to faith...is of satan..)
calling on God then doubting Him.............not good....

The situation of Peter.....it was a joint effort...Peters request in faith and Jesus agreement thru it.
How far was Peters walk on water?
there was no phycical object between him and Jesus.
Peter asked for the walk, Jesus said come. Jesus was on the water....the sea

If jesus allowed it,certainly Peter could be with Him.
Was Jesus doing everything for Peter? No!

Peter had responsiblity in this.
The tosing waves..the wind...the light the dark..the sky the clouds..
Peters has been on the sea many times as a fisherman.
Peter called; Jesus waited; but Peter had to act; and when he began to sink.... well,responsibility...
The point: Don't start what you can't finish.
Remember we are warned: count the cost; dont begin to build unless you have faith. to finish with Luke 14:28--30 unless ye be labeled a fool.

Jesus pointed out that Peter doubted. In this unique situation we can see lack of self control in Peter.

Now, concerning self control and responsibility:

Paul said....
Philippians 4:12 "I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need".

Hunger.and need are grounds for thoughts of self doubt and anxiety to take root Paul moved thru it by faith, by hope, by self dicipline, by obedience.
Paul suffered many instances of trials and tribulationsand was instructed to handle it,not in fear but faith and after experience Paul said:
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me".
Paul said that after experiencing trials we will never see doubting the Lord.

Doubt breeds anxiety which is in effect the obstacle between the self and the goal.
Where peter was and where he wanted to be...... doubt was the obstacle...(IN HIS MIND) on the sea.
The obstacle...(called..doubt)....causes...disorder..chaos...question.. fear... anxiety .

The Bible says...the effect of ...(.anxiety.. fear)......is torment...
fear hath torment. 1 John 4:18

we want faith.....faith breeds optismism..

Peter was optimistic at the begining..about being with Jesus on the sea and we want this same kind of faith.

1) Jesus...said........John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments".

john 14.27 "But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid".

Jesus said dont be afraid.
Faith..is to be applied..in the face of doubt..anxiety...serious faith.
A serious relationship with God demands serious faith.
Is there any other kind?

Is your faith in question? Does it falter?

A spirit of faith:
Matthew 21:21 "Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done".

Scales of problems, kinds of problems is overcome by faith.

Romans 8:15 - "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father".
Hebrews 13:6 - "So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me".

ARE YOU FED UP WITH doubt.....HAVE YOU HAD ENOUGH of anxiety?

Jesus said.....the Lord said....
John 14:1 "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me".

The problem: (a heart troubled) because of doubt and ANXIETY.

HERE IS..the solution:
Pray remove thoughts of doubt.
(Let..NOT...the heart...be troubled).
DO NOT LET doubtful thoughts EXIST.
removing grounds for anxiety to take root.
DESPISE the sensation of anxiety.
HAVE RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION TOWARDIT.
DO NOT TOLERATE IT.
Over ride it.
Anxiety is the emotional component of doubt (doubt based on reason).
Jesus is saying do not doubt me which is a command.
DENYing doubt removes anxiety.
Revelation 2:10 "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life".

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN FED up emotionally?
Self control can direct forceful emotions toward unwanted behavour.
Choose faith confidence in the Lord with RATIONAL EMOTIONAL DETERMINATION AND PRACTICE THAT.

ALWAYS have courage to remove doubt and fear.
"Don't let it" is THE solution because the Lord says so.

Doubt breeds anxiety. Don't let it.
The Lord commands us.
Anxiety is because we allow it. Thats DEAD faith.
Serious faith is the only faith for a serious relationship with the Lord.
Anxiety has no place.

John 14:9 "Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?"

Who is Jesus?
Does one yet not know?

Substitute your name for Philip's. Check if doubt and anxiety is your problem.

2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind".
Itelligent ...rational...clear thinking ..calm...awake...confident...
stable..strong..SOBER..rationally and ..EMOTIONALLY UNDER CONTROL....
.......in the Lord.
Yes, a Christian is unique, peculiar.

Jesus said...
John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments".

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid".
It is a responsability we have. We have the ability to respond to doubtand fear and anxiety with faith.

IS A CHRISTIAN WHO suffers ANXIETY SAVED? TELL ME WHERE THE BIBLE teaches that.

1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love".

Worldly people fear, worry, are anxious.

We are told (commanded) to cast out fear to be complete. It is not a suggestion.

Matthew 5:48 "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (a command).

Anxiety has torment. IS THAT GODs WILL?
TORMENT FOR HIS CHILDREN?
Only those who doubt suffer fear.

Matthew 6:25-34 do not worry ...do not be anxious..
25 "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought ...be not anxious.....for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?"

Or in our case as of late the worry for tissue or toilet paper (what an indicator).

We are to be a peculiar people Titus2.14

the Holy Spirit..says.....
Philippians 4:6 "Be careful for nothing; (anxious for nothing) but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God".
7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus". He is our faith..our confidence.
8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things".

It's a matter of choice.

Jesus said:
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid".

Conclusion:
Anxiety has no place in a serious relationship with the Lord.
Anxiety worry fear grows from thoughts of doubt (is evil..destructive).

Pray...
Pray in, by serious faith we choose to allow the Lord to assist us this is necessary to the elimination of doubt, anxiety, thus freeing the mind to function effectivelyin the midst of problems.

Elimination of it (anxiety,fear)is needed for health.
Elimination of it is needed to demonstrate our Love of God.
Elimination of it is necessary to get to heaven (our goal).
So the Lord says "stop doubting"

Jesus commanded....
do not let your self be afraid..John 14.27

We decide not to fear.

(anxiety) ( is concerned)
1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you".

A new kind of strength perhaps you thought you did not have.

We have the ability to respond to doubt and anxiety, and the responsibility
to do so.

Jesus said...
"If you love me..keep my commandments".

the Holy Spirit says...
Philippians 4:6 "Be careful for nothing; be anxious for nothing"

1 John 4.18
perfect love .(complete. faith.)...cast out fear....

Faith says be optimistic, our optimism goes beyond the world. Live a life like Jesus.

Jesus..said...
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world".

If you haven’t challenged doubt, anxiety, do so.

Removing doubt and anxiety by faith is a serious choice for a serious relationship with the Lord.

Psalm 16:8 "I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken".

That’s the lesson... the invitation...is extended...

The door is open for anyone who wishes to obey the gospel
if ..you ..
hear Romans 10.17
believe. John 1.12
repent Acts 2.38
confess...Romans 10.9
be baptized...acts 2.38...begin..the walk with..eternal life..

or if there is any other reason ..prayers ..the invitation is extended now as we stand and sing..…
By Ray Torres

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