In Luke 12, Jesus taught that we should not be overcome with worry over the basic needs of life. Yet isn’t that difficult to do when you’re not sure how to make ends meet because you’re laid off work in the midst of a pandemic? How do not be overcome with worry in the middle of a world-wide pandemic where so many are not just getting sick — but dying?
When we give in to worry, it divides our attention and distracts us from trusting God. When that happens we have a shift in focus. Instead of focusing on God, we focus on our health, finances, marriage, children, career and make these things our priority. However, we must remember that there is absolutely nothing in this world that can bring about stability, confidence or peace. If you strive after the things of this world so that they are what you live for, then your life will be filled with worry and anxiety. When our priorities and allegiances are founded in the things of this world and we place all our hope and confidence in them, we become unstable and obsessively worry about the things in life that are fleeting.
First, Paul tells us to pray:
“Do not be anxious [do not worry] about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)
For every need we experience, we should immediately bring them to God in prayer. In fact, James 4:2 says “You do not have because you do not ask.” In Isaiah 41:10, God says, “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” In Luke 12, Jesus taught that if God will make sure the birds of the air are fed, how much more would he ensure that His own children’s needs are met. God might not always meet our needs in a way that we imagine, but God does promise to meet them. So, whatever you are worried about right now, stop and pray. Prayer should always be a first point of attack against worry.
Second, Paul teaches us to ponder.
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8)
We need to ponder over things that are eternal, such as acknowledging the blessings that God has sent us before and remembering the times He met our needs in the past. Pondering on the things of God that have eternal value – things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable – will shift our focus back from a “worldliness” point of view to a “Godliness” point of view. Pondering is our second point of attack because it is just about near impossible to both ponder on the things of God and the things we worry about at the same time.
Our third point of attack is Praise.
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. (Hebrews 13:5) Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
God wants our praise no matter what our circumstances. –Click to tweet
King David puts it this way in Psalm 150:
Hallelujah! Praise God in His sanctuary. Praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise him for His powerful acts; praise Him for His abundant greatness. Praise Him with trumpet blast; praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with tambourine and dance; praise Him with flute and strings. Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with clashing cymbals. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Hallelujah!
Praise is a counter attack to worry because you can’t worry and genuinely praise at the same time. We can praise God for how he will answer our prayers and respond to our needs even before He does because we can trust Him to keep His promises.
Lastly, to counter attack worry, we need to prepare.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)
When you pray for God to meet a need, do you say the words but in your heart don’t really expect God to do anything? God said He will meet our every need. It doesn’t mean that we get everything we want, but He will meet our needs. 1 John 5:14-15 tells us: “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” One part of this verse to pay special attention to is the tiny word “if.” This verse tells that IF we ask according to His will, THEN wen can know that He hears us. In James 4:3, Paul wrote: “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” Remember that God’s promise is to meet our needs – not every single desire. God is not a genie in a bottle to grant our every wish. It is true that at times God also graciously gives us some of our wants, but “wants” are not part of His promise. So, if we know that what we are asking Him for is a need that lines up with His will, what are we doing to prepare for God to meet that need as we wait expectantly for Him?
Because we live in a broken and fallen world, there will be times that worry creeps in and tries to steal our focus away from God and the abundant joy that is ours as children of God. However, when we bring these concerns to God in prayer, ponder on things of eternal value as well as God’s grace and goodness in our lives, give Him the praise that is due Him and prepare to receive His divine answer to meeting our needs, then we can defeat worry and grow in our faith and trust of a loving, providing God.
God, when worry tries to steal our attention away from you, help us remember to pray, ponder, praise, and prepare for your very best that you already have in mind for us. Thank you for meeting our needs.
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Today, pray for North Carolina:
#Chronovirus #fastandpray #judgement #repentance #revivalin2020 #WCM
Don’t forget to learn this week’s memory verse:
Memorize and hide in your heart one memory verse each week in 2020. If you didn’t start the challenge at the beginning of the year, just jump in now and be sure to sign up to get our weekly Memory verse in your email so you don’t miss a week.
In 2020 our emphasis is on revival for America with three key words: revive, renew, and redeem. You will begin to see the elements of our website and posts reflect this emphasis. We hope you’ll join us in praying for God to pour out the Holy Spirit with a mighty rushing wind of revival for our nation and around the world.
Our key verse for revival is 2 Chronicles 7:14. “If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. For the past few weeks, we have been focusing on repentance. This week, we look at the spiritual transformation that takes place when we surrender our heart to God.
This week’s memory verse:
Judges 17:6
“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever he wanted.”
#Chronovirus #fastandpray #lostmoralcompass #revivalin2020 #WCM
This week’s featured design reminds that because Jesus is over everything we can have faith over our fear and peace over panic.
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 | By Ray Stedman / Discovery House Every day the headlines announce more violence and evil. Our hearts groan as we wonder what life will be like for the next generation. It all seems hopeless, which is probably how Jeremiah felt as he lived among the people of the nation of Judah. Jeremiah was a reluctant but faithful prophet who spent forty-two years serving God and warning the people to repent. His heart was saddened and angered by the people’s indifference to God and the moral decay that surrounded him. Everything was falling apart–yet Jeremiah continued to seek the Lord. As we face personal trauma and national crisis, we can learn from the prophet’s example. Ray Stedman walks us through the book of Jeremiah, revealing that repentance was the only answer then–and it’s the only answer today. When people repent, God is faithful to His Word, planting the seeds of new life and giving us hope. |
Awakening: How American Can Turn from Economic and Moral Destruction Back to Greatness
By Ralph Reed / Worthy Publishing
Are we watching our nation commit suicide? Is America, like a modern-day Roman Empire, doomed to moral decay and demise?In his new book, Awakening: How America Can Turn from Economic and Moral Destruction to God’s Blessing, Ralph Reed, reveals how the United States has abandoned its founding principles and spiritual heritage. Yet Reed, adviser to the Bush-Cheney campaigns and former executive director of the Christian Coalition, believes better days are ahead for our nation. This book, featuring practical action points and a bold pro-family plan, provides a road map we can follow to restore America back to God’s blessing.
Find out how to reenergize our call to effective citizenship and revive America’s core values of faith, personal responsibility, and liberty. As the 2014 election cycle approaches, Awakening, is a timely plea for people of faith to spark a spiritual and moral awakening that will reverse the cycle of destruction, renew our country, and see God heal our land.
 | Is This the End? Signs of God’s Providence in a Disturbing New World By Dr. David Jeremiah / Thomas Nelson Never have the headlines been this jarring, the cultural changes this rapid, or the moral decay this pronounced. What on earth is happening? After each new occurrence, the most oft-heard questions are, “Will the world ever be the same again?” and “Where is God in all of this?”Over the last few decades, Dr. David Jeremiah has become one of the world’s most sought-after Christian leaders on topics that deal with biblical application and modern culture. And few would dispute that the pace at which things are currently changing is unprecedented. The time has come to accept this new normal, Jeremiah says, and understand how God’s hand is still at work on His eternal plan for mankind. No one can afford to ignore these warnings, but all can better understand the greater story and the role we each play in this changing world. From prophetic clues in Scripture to an understanding of the power of Christ in all believers, this book directs us on a clear path forward. |
![12415: The Message of Joel, Micah, and Habakkuk: The Bible Speaks Today [BST]](https://i0.wp.com/ag.christianbook.com/dg/product/cbd/b108/12415.gif?resize=108%2C108&ssl=1) | The Message of Joel, Micah, and Habakkuk: The Bible Speaks Today [BST] By David Prior / InterVarsity Press Where is God in times of disaster? How can God allow suffering? What are God’s people to do about moral decay in society? While people throughout the ages have long pondered these questions, three of the Minor Prophets–Joel, Micah, and Habbakuk–provide insights to these perennial problems.The Bible Speaks Today is a series of both Old Testament and New Testament expositions, which are characterized by a threefold ideal: to expound the biblical text with accuracy, to relate it to contemporary life, and to be readable. David Prior has pastured churches in Cape Town, South Africa, and Oxford, England. He now travels widely, lecturing on the local church around the world. He is the author of The Message of 1 Corinthians in the Bible Speaks series. |
 | By Ed Cole / Resolute Books Society’s widening gap between technological achievement and moral decay compels men of courage, integrity and true manhood to stand strong.In a quest for satisfaction, many men have lost the meaning of manhood, surrendering ideals to things immoral, illegal, unethical or irresponsible. Today’s tough times require men to overcome dangerous philosophies and bring hope, dignity and order back to a world in desperate need – men who are willing to be heroes.” Newly edited edition with foreward by Brian Houston. |
 | God, Help Me Rebuild My Broken World: Fortifying Your Faith in Difficult Times By Michael Youssef / Harvest House Publishers With Society Crumbling Around Us, It’s Time to Rebuild We live in a post-Christian age marked by moral and spiritual decay. We have watched our comfortable walls collapse as our faith has been attacked on every side. But take heart! God can raise up leaders dedicated to defending His truth and following His blueprints for holy living. One of those leaders might be you – because no matter where you live and what you do, you have a circle of influence. And your influence is desperately needed. How does a believer construct secure barriers to hold back the discouragement and moral danger of this world? Respected ministry leader Michael Youssef takes you through the book of Nehemiah to help you learn the keys to godly leadership and restoration. Discover what it takes to rebuild walls in this highly relevant study of a people who traded their rubble for rejoicing. |
 | By Ravi Zacharias / Ravi Zacharias International Ministries “Strangers are devouring you and you know it.” That is Hosea’s challenge to a nation in unconscious decay. The slide to spiritual self-destruction is studied with practical application on how to avoid those pitfalls. |
 | By Roger Ellsworth / Banner of Truth Come Down, Lord! is a succinct, readable and biblically-based treatment of the vital theme of revival. Its seven short chapters go directly to the heart of the matter, as their headings indicate: We miss You; We need you; We wait for You; We will meet You; We have wronged You; We belong to You; We beseech You.Taking as his starting place the widespread absence of the sense of God’s holy presence and our need of his grace, Roger Ellsworth traces the profound analysis of the church’s spiritual decay outlined in Isaiah 63:3-64:12, and applies its message to our times. |
 | The Spirit and Power of Elijah: God’s End-Time Solution for a Fatherless Generation By Luis R. Reyes / Creation House There is an answer to the cultural decay in our nation. The Spirit and Power of Elijah deals with the root cause of these issues and how to turn our nation back to God. In this volume, Pastor Reyes will share insights that challenge, encourage, convict and empower. God has equipped His people in the Spirit and Power of Elijah as an end-time solution to reach and restore a generation. |
 | Nothing Is Wasted: How God Redeems What is Broken By Joseph Bentz / Beacon Hill Press In a world that can feel overwhelming, it is easy to see loss as the overriding theme of our existence. From the stress of finances to the pain of aging, we see decay all around us. We see the corrupt nature of a fallen world. Despite the seeming chaos, God’s loving song of redemption echoes through every fiber of creation. Sometimes we hear the melody loud and clear, but more often it is like the refrain of a musical score that is background to a film-present but so subtle we may be unaware of it. In Nothing Is Wasted: How God Redeems What is Broken Joseph Bentz explores how God clues us in to the big picture of redemption and eternity amid the most difficult and unlovely things in our lives. He helps us remember how a faithful and all-powerful God desires to transform our pain into beauty. |
 | By Christian Art Gifts Decorator pillow 18″ x 18″
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 | Our Family Will Love Wall Art Sign By Lighthouse Christian Products Rustic look wall plaque 29″ x 15.25″, bestselling design in distressed finish wood look plaque, ready to hang. Family gift favorite features Family Scriptures. Our family will… love and accept one another, pray for one another, tell the truth to each other, be kind to one another, bring joy to each other, serve one another, be patient with each other, comfort one another, forgive one another, be generous with each other, honor each other. In a variety of artful typography styles, with Scripture references under each; mounted paper on laser cut MDF wood product. Faux distressed finish. |
 | Sturdy and lightweight fabric laundry hamper with two handles for carrying
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 | True, Noble, Right, Lath Wall Art By P Graham Dunn Inc.
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 | Moments of Faith Praying Man Sculpture By Lighthouse Christian Products Moments of Faith sculpture of a man kneeling by a chair in prayer is an encouragement to pray and to rely on God’s help. In realistic detail, set on felt-lined black, rectangle base; it’s finished with bronzetone Scripture plaque of Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Approximately 7″ x 6″, for desktop or table display. A gift for the man of prayer in your life.Resin sculpture. |
 | Moments of Faith Praying Woman Sculpture By Lighthouse Christian Products Moments of Faith sculpture portrays a woman, seated on a chair with hands clasped in earnest prayer. Bronze tone finish on smooth black wooden base with felt lining; bronze tone plaque is inscribed with Scripture from Psalm 17:6 I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.” Approximately 7″ x 6″ resin sculpture. |
 | Large Eagle Sculpture, They Will Soar on Wings Like Eagles By Lighthouse Christian Products Majestic eagle figurine in lifelike detail is displayed on polished black satin base with felt lining. In bronze tone finish with round medallion engraved They shall soar on wings like eagles. Isaiah 40:31. Forming a border around the medallion: Those who hope in the Lord shall renew their strength…. They will not grow weary… 21.5″ x 15″ resin figurine. |
 | God Shed His Grace On Thee, Small Flag By Beth Albert / Carson Home Accents
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 | Blessed Is the Nation House with Picture Clip By Divinity Boutique Patriotic rustic appeal for shelf or desktop display; wooden house shaped photo clip with star trim and primitive accents. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Psalm 33:12Weathered clip is designed to hold your latest and most favorite snapshot or family photo. Picture clip house is 10″ x 6″ x 3″; red, white and blue. |
Wash Your Hands and Say Your Prayers Soap Dispenser
By Dexsa-the Giving Company
Trending words of inspiration on glass soap dispenser for kitchen, bath, or powder room; clear glass with typography design screened on; pump top. Fill with your favorite detergent, soap, or lotion. 8 ounce capacity.Wash your hands and say your prayers because Jesus and germs are everywhere.
 | God Bless You Tissue Basket with Black Lining By Lyons Baskets Handy tissue basket holds a box of boutique tissues, God bless you is embroidered on fabric liner, with wood lid. 6″ x 6″ x 6″; adds style to your room decor. Black with white lettering; button closure.Personalization is available! |
 | Faith Over Fear Stainless Steel Tumbler, Teal By Kerusso Activewear Steel tumbler with sipper lid, 10 ounce capacity for a generous cup of coffee plus your favorite add-ins
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 | Nope Not Today Satan Stainless Steel Tumbler, Pink By Kerusso Activewear Steel tumbler with sipper lid, 10 ounce capacity for a generous cup of coffee plus your favorite add-ins
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 | By Kerusso Activewear When God is for us, no person, and no challenge, can stop us in our tracks. Because of our faith, we don’t have to give in to fear — it’s that simple. Wear this stylish Christian cap from Kerusso’s grace & truth® collection to share this brave message with those who don’t yet know the Lord. Cool baseball cap in blue denim with embroidered Scripture reference from Psalm 56:4 in tan. Front: Faith Over Fear
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God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars: 365 Daily Challenges to Grow Your Marriage
By Julia M. Bruce / WestBow Press
There’s no doubt that marriage is hard work. Yet it can also be one of the most fulfilling relationships you can experience, outside of your relationship with God. However, many marriages leave God outside of the relationship. Godly marriages do not happen without cultivating it, investing in it, and putting God first in your individual lives and in your marriage.
This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
• Scripture to memorize and meditate on
• Conversation Starters
• Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
• Romance Builders
• Relationship Builders
• Personal reflections
• Date ideas
• Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples
