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Max Lucado Wisdom

8/9/2021

7 Comments

 
A few weeks ago, Pastor Sheryl Kinder-Pyle asked us if we were someone who worries about the past, the present or the future. She asked us to raise our hands to indicate which type of worrier we were; I didn’t raise my hand. I didn’t raise my hand because I’m a bit of all three, and who wants to admit that? I try not to dwell in any of those places but I surely visit all three.

Picture
Janet Starkey
So much has been said about worry that I decided to focus on the wisdom of Max Lucado:
​Worry is an option, not an assignment. God can lead you into a worry-free world. Be quick to pray. Focus less on the problems ahead and more on the victories behind. Do your part and God will do His. He will guard your heart with His peace … a peace that passes understanding.
​
Deep breath – yes!
​“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.” (Philippians 4:6) God offers you and me the possibility of a worry-free life.  Jesus said, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not.” (Matthew 6:27) Worry is irrelevant.  You don’t add one day to your life or one bit of life to your day by worrying.
​
If we can set worry aside and trust in God and His love for us perhaps we can focus on being contagiously calm.
How many disasters have been averted because one person refused to buckle under the strain? It’s this kind of composure Paul is summoning when he says: “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything.” (Philippians 4:5-6 NIV)

The Greek word translated here as “gentleness” describes a temperament that’s seasoned and mature. It envisions an attitude fitting to the occasion, levelheaded and tempered. This gentleness is “evident to all.” Family members take note. Your friends sense a difference. Coworkers benefit from it.
​
The gentle person is sober minded and clear thinking. The contagiously calm person is the one who reminds others God is in control. Pursue this gentleness. The Lord is near. You are not alone. You may feel alone, you may think you’re alone, but there is never a moment in which you face life without help.
God is near—be anxious for nothing!
​
Tender Jesus, teach us to be like You in all our ways. Teach us kindness, gentleness, generosity, and to be giving, forgiving, loving and caring. Guide us to the place You want us to be; take control. Mold and shape us into the brilliant beings we were always destined to become. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Be quick to pray and pray about everything!

In His Name, Janet
7 Comments
Matt Broadway
8/10/2021 06:42:58 pm

Thanks for this message, Janet. Great reminder to find peace in His presence, no matter what is "breaking" in this world.

Reply
Carolyn Keefer
8/10/2021 08:17:49 pm

Wow Janet! I felt like you were personally writing to me! Ron always told me he never needed to worry about anything because I worried enough for both of us!
Your words and the quotes and scripture were such great reminders! Thank you for sharing and reminding me to "give them all to Jesus"!

Reply
BevTurner
8/11/2021 09:02:21 am

Very good message, Janet. I am a worrier, big time, but I am also big at asking Christ to help me and thanking him for his love and nearness.
The scriptures are a big reminder. And I am a very big fan of Max Lucado.

Reply
Karen Huber
8/10/2021 10:25:26 pm

Ditto those above! Spoken eloquently!
Great message, Janet!

Reply
Linda Scheideler
8/11/2021 03:28:57 pm

Janet,
I too felt like I could be in all three of those categories. Thanks for sharing. I will probably still worry on occasion but also be assured that God is there and I should let it go.

Reply
Colleen Hunter
8/11/2021 04:09:53 pm

Thank you, Janet. Thank you.

Reply
Dan Lauer
8/18/2021 03:24:19 pm

Thanks Janet! I want to be "contagiously calm".

Reply



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  • Home
    • Connect With Us >
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      • eNews Archive >
        • 2020 eNews Archive
  • Who We Are
    • Our Mission
    • Leadership & Staff >
      • Job Opportunities
      • Blogs >
        • Blog Archive 2021
        • Blog Archive 2020
    • Elders, Deacons & Ministry Teams >
      • Christmas Families
      • Annual Clothing Givewaway
    • History >
      • Past Ministers
    • What Presbyterians Believe
    • Annual Reports
  • Ministries
    • Children & Families
    • Youth
    • Missions
    • Serve >
      • Choir
      • Church Ministry Teams
      • Ecumenical Kitchen
      • Family Promise
      • Handbell Choir
      • Knitting for Warmth
      • Praise Team
      • Reception Team
      • VBS Planning Team
    • Grow >
      • Book Studies
      • Men's Fellowship
      • Presbyterian Women
      • Sunday Bible Study
      • Women's Circles
    • Connect >
      • Dinners at 6-ish
      • Flying Solo
  • Sundays
    • Classic Worship
    • Contemplative Worship
    • Sermons
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