Faith Overcomes Worry – Part One
Matthew 6: 25 – 34
Jesus is in love with you. Like all who love another He is concerned about your welfare. He is interested in your personal duress and mental stress. Your central nervous system and peace of mind are of concern to Him.
He, as our creator, knows that worry is to a human life what rust is to metal or decay is to wood.
Question: “Do your friends classify you as a worrier?”
Medical science has closely tied worry to heart trouble, blood pressure difficulties, ulcers, thyroid malfunction, migraine headaches, a host of stomach disorders, and numerous other difficulties. Worry is not a disease but it can contribute to many diseases. Though it is not a disease, it is more contagious than many diseases.
A leading physician has stated that 70% of all medical patients could cure themselves if only they got rid of their worries and fears.
The word Jesus used that is translated “worry” is often translated “take no thought” is “merimnao”. It comes from “merizo” meaning “to divide” and “nous” meaning “mind.” It means to have a divided mind. It is a mind divided between worldly attitudes and Biblical precepts.
Incidentally, the AKJ was written in 1611, and at that time the word “thought” meant anxiety, restlessness, or the penetration of fear which upset the balance of life and turned the entire mind into a mood of dejection and weary anxiety. The use of the word “thought” for anxiety is seen in the death notice of a queen of which it was written: “Queen Catherine died of thought.” She worried herself to death.
“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” James 1:8.
Worry divides our mind, our understanding, therefore we end up confused and wishy-washy.
Worry divides our discernment, therefore, our observations and conclusions are cloudy.
Worry divides our feelings and as a result our emotions are unstable.
These conditions can cause abulia, the loss of the will. A more common term for abulia is a nervous breakdown.
Trust is the antidote offered by Jesus. In reality every time a problem arises Jesus is standing by saying “Don’t worry. I’ve got this one.” Trust Him, He has.
God’s Phone Number
“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (Jeremiah 33: 3).
God’s best provisions often come to His people when they are in the worst of conditions. The assurance of God’s attention to his needs came to Jeremiah while he was unjustly imprisoned. If most of us would engage in introspection we would see this principle is true in our lives.
These provisions cascade down upon the faithful every time God is honored by the one praying. It is as though the “Lord of the Manner” opens the door to his treasure and welcomes the loyalist.
Not only does the devout heart yearn for God, God longs for the devout heart to call on Him.
You may not get the blessings for which you ask. Perhaps from God’s perspective He knows it would not really be blessings. We are not always good at translating our needs into words, and it is a mercy that God understands what we do want a great deal better than we do ourselves. Whether the specific petition is answered or not will matter comparatively little. In some instances the petitions are denied, but the purposes are fulfilled.
God does not always give the thing we ask. Lord Bolingbroke, a prominent British statesman, said to the Countess of Huntingdon, “I cannot understand, your ladyship, how you can make out earnest prayer to be consistent with submission to the Divine will.” “My lord,” she said, ‘That is a matter of no difficulty. If I were a courtier of some generous king, and he gave me permission to ask any favor I pleased of him, I should be sure to put it thus: ‘Will your majesty be graciously pleased to grant me such and such a favor; but at the same time, though I much desire it, if it would in any way detract from your majesty’s honor, or if in your majesty’s judgment it should seem better that I did not have this favour, I shall be quite as content to go without it as to receive it.’ So you see I might earnestly offer a petition, and yet might submissively leave it with the king.”
Such is the nature of the prayer offered with the spirit of “Thy will be done.” No prayer should be offered as an attempt to impose God’s will.
We realize what we consider a need and think we know what it would take to meet it may not find it fulfilling. God acknowledges the need, but often knows that what is requested won’t meet the need. Therefore, He often says “no” to our specific request, but wisely fulfills the need in a different more fulfilling way.
It has been suggested that Jeremiah 33:3 is God’s phone number. If so, call it now. He has invited you to do so. Don’t deny His appeal. He wants to hear from you. You will be amazed at what great and mighty things He can and will show you.
Motivation for Christian Living
Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, that you love one another” (John 13: 35).
This text brings to mind the thoughtful question, “If you were arrested on the charge of being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you?”
It is time for every Christian to get involved in a full-court press of love for Jesus Christ. It is such love as described by Tertullian, a pagan born in Rome, converted to Christianity who later had close ties to the church in North Africa in the Second Century (ca. AD 192), wrote of the Christians of his day, “The heathen are wont to exclaim with wonder, see how these Christians love one another! for they [the heathen] hate one another; and how they [the Christians] are ready to die for one another! for they [the heathen] are more ready to kill for one another.”
They did not simply articulate the gospel, they lived it as an example. We should exemplify the truth as defined in a poem by Edgar Guest entitled:
“I’d Rather See A Sermon.”
“I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.”
Jesus left us the challenge to love one’s “neighbor as yourself.” In Matthew 22: 35 – 39, He responded to a lawyer’s question about “Who is my neighbor?” by telling the story of the Good Samaritan, and asking which character was a neighbor. The answer, “The one who showed mercy.” Love depends on the subject, not the object. “I,” the subject, “love,” the active verb, “you,” the object.
There is much to be gained by giving love. God’s word is always right in telling us what to do and not to do. The world often fails to see the way clearly.
Man’s foresight is often wrong. In 1899, “Literary Digest” predicted the “horseless carriage would never come into a “common use as thy bicycle!”
In 1902, “Harper’s Weekly” said, “The actual building of roads devoted to motor cars is not for the near future.”
In 1948, “Science Digest” predicted, “Landing and moving around on the moon offers so many serious problems that it may take science another 200 years to lick them.”
The love of which God’s word speaks is ageless and advantageous. The Bible emphasizes that loving others is a core Christian principle, and the personal benefits of doing so include fulfilling God’s law, experiencing joy, and being seen as a disciple of Jesus. Pattern love even if it isn’t an instinct until it becomes your nature. Don’t just look for easy objects to love. Envision the difficult ones as having on a sign reading, “I am whosoever.”
Pope Leo XIV
There is a new Pope, (formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost), was elected on May 8, 2025. As the first American Pope the world is waiting to see how he leads the church. His voice is influential for Catholics and non-Catholics. After all, “Catholic” means “universal.”
In addressing the issue I resorted to my limited AI for insight which in this issue I trust is objective. In gaining his insight on the two following issues one might presume his leaning inclination on other issues.
In the Catholic Church, “ex cathedra” is a Latin phrase that means “from the chair” of Saint Peter, referring specifically to the Pope speaking officially in his role as the supreme teacher of the Church. When the Pope makes an ex cathedra declaration, he is considered to be speaking infallibly on matters of faith or morals. Not all of the statements of a Pope are considered to be ex cathedra. In either instance when he speaks millions listen.
He has previously taken a more conservative stance on LGBTQ+ issues compared to his predecessor, Pope Francis.
Francis was from Argentina, a socialist society and it appeared at times to have influenced some of his stances.
In 2012, then-Cardinal Prevost expressed concern that popular culture fostered “sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the Gospel,” citing the “homosexual lifestyle” and “alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children.”
While Pope Francis had allowed blessings for same-sex couples through the 2023 declaration Fiducia supplicans, which permitted priests to bless individuals in same-sex relationships without endorsing their unions, Pope Leo XIV has not publicly supported or expanded upon this approach. His views suggest a preference for traditional interpretations of Catholic doctrine concerning marriage and sexuality.
As Pope Leo XIV begins his papacy his positions on LGBTQ+ matters indicate a potential shift towards more conservative policies within the Catholic Church. Observers will be watching closely to see how his leadership influences the Church’s approach to these and other issues.
Pope Leo XIV chose the name of a previous Pope who was a bridge builder. The new Pope has some very significant social chasms to bridge.
Pope Leo XIII (reigned 1878–1903) is best known for his intellectual engagement with modernity and his influential positions on social and economic issues. He viewed socialism as a threat to family, religion, and social order. A similar stance by the new Pope is needed in America.
Leo XIII strongly supported the Christian model of the family as the cornerstone of society. He warned against secular ideologies that sought to undermine family life and religious values. May Leo XIV follow his example.
It will be interesting to see how having an American Pope affects the church in America. There has been a reluctance to elect an American as Pope, feeling America has enough world influence. May the new Pope bring constructive world wide spiritual influence.
Millions of Catholics will be praying for the Pope. Now, a word to non-Catholics. Let us pray for him also. I pray for a lot of my Catholic friends. You can do so without compromising your own faith. Leo XIV needs the prayers and we need the practice. The Lord can run the prayers of all, Catholics and non-Catholics through the final filter.
Aside from the Pope reenergize your prayer life regarding all things.
Traits of Christ Needed in Your Life – Part Three
Romans 15: 1 – 13
Jesus died for all, Jews and Gentiles.
The Savior Demonstrated It — (Vss. 8 – 13)
Christ died to unite Jews and Gentiles in one body.
It is said of Jesus’ last hours: “Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him…(John 12: 42). Then follows a sad commentary, “but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him…”
Reference is made of “the God of hope.” Notice, glaring in this reference the little word “the,” meaning there is no other one. Apart from Him there is no hope. He is the God who gives His people hope.
Hope is not a weak wish. It is justifiable expectation; the solid foundation for future blessings. It is the backbone of the believers stick-to-it-ive-ness.
Our English word hope comes from a combination of two old Anglo-Saxon word meanings: “desire plus expectation.”
Perhaps your perspective has become confused and you have lost hope. This may have even eroded to the point where despair and depression have set in. If so, reassess the important, invisible facts. Perhaps you have focused on observable negative reality to the point that you have become unaware you are the child of Almighty God who loves you. Presently He may be allowing you to walk by faith and not by sight. Your faithfulness in doing so will be greatly aided by keeping your mind fixed on the fact that even this is part of God’s loving plan to equip you for what blessings He has in store for you. Based on the fact He loved and saved you, predicated on the premise He has guided, guarded, and governed in your life previously you have reason for rejuvenating hope for the future regardless of the present.
It is easy to drift into cynical acceptance of a hopeless situation or a defeated resignation to the concept that you nor your world will ever be better. That is the world view. The Biblical worldview is there is no hopeless situation, there are only people who have grown hopeless in them.
The Lord will “Fill you with all joy and peace in believing…” Joy and peace are the product of believing. In most lives, when a situation develops, the person’s response is based on emotions. The response should be based on beliefs. The sequence should be: situation – beliefs – thoughts – emotions – actions. You can only have JOY and PEACE if you BELIEVE. Joy is not dependent upon what is happening. It is contingent upon what you know. If you know you are the object of the limitless love of an all knowing God, joy reigns. His long range goal for you is good even if it appears He is waiting too long to change the bad in your life. This deep joy is tied to hope.
By the power of the Holy joy and peace “abound.” The word for abound is “perisseuo,” meaning exceeding measure. It is the Holy Spirit that enables believers to experience in this life the blessings of the life to come. Till then live in such a way to daily experience joy and peace.