Do you struggle with Fear and Worry?

Image courtesy of Tom Curtis at http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

What a blessing the body of Christ is!  This mornings message by Brother Lederman was very piercing and encouraging.  His main text was in Philippians 4:4-8.

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 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.
(Php 4:4-8)

Fear
- paralyses us spiritually, emotionally, physically
- God did not give us a spirit of fear
- If we are looking to anything other than Christ we should be afraid!
- Fear and worry are first cousins.

We need to rejoice. - This can only be done if we have a correct focus.
It is not about me! It is ALL about CHRIST!

Worry
- the things we think about tend to consume us
- God said not to worry; therefore worry is a sin.
- When we are anxious and worried be assured trouble is coming. 

We overcome fear and worry by . . .  PRAYER!
Not being anxious means that we have prayed and are praying. 
Courage is fear that has said it's prayers.
Prayer= addressing God
Focus on the truths of who God is and what He has said.

Replace worry with . . . CHRIST!
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
(Isa 26:3)

There once was a man who wanted to come to America.  He saved and saved until he had enough money to buy his ticket to board the ship.  Only problem was he had no money for food.  After three days someone said to him that he needed to go get something to eat or he would never make it to America.  The man then proceeded to say that he did not have money for food.  The person with whom he was talking then shared with him that the ticket he had bought included three meals a day. 

What do we have in Christ?

Has He not provided our meals too?!

So why is it that we are worrying?