Sweet golden nuggets (not talking about McDonald's) - Sunday Morning, Oct 9, 2011

Sunday morning was awesome with guest speaker Claudio Friedzon and man, Sunday morning with communion was SO SWEET! I loved taking communion with my roommate as we prayed together the Holy Spirit was so sweeeeeet!

I realize that writing about everything can take so much time, so here are some nuggets from my notes and thoughts:

HONOR & VALUE
Romans 16
Paul greets and notes by name so many in the family/joint cause of the gospel, from nobles, govt officials, to slaves (Teritus, the writer of the letter) who were not even addressed by their names at that time. He takes the time to spell out and honor each person in the little and great things...knowing that it all combines together in love and furthering the gospel.

Everyone is special to God because He paid a valuable price for everyone...
No one searches for things of no value. God considers each one valuable because of the high price he paid.

There's no need to come to God guilty when seeking Him or asking help. No need to for awkward barriers between you and Him. He invites you to ask Him!
If someone had lent you ten thousand dollars, would he not lend you five?

Matthew 7:11

^"11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

Romans 8:32

^"32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"

What will God not withhold any good small or great thing from us since He did not spare His own son, therefore why worry?

WORRY
These days, people live to worry. We meditate on worry on so many present and future situations...and the worry multiplies. People may not outright say they don't believe in God or who He says He is, but most people don't realize that they place their belief system on "worry" or "anxiety"...' I believe this horrible thing could be a possibility.... the more I think about it, it probably will happen... Actually, OMG, I bet its going to happen soon...I must DO something!...etc.'

Worrying is like using an engine that is placed outside of the car.
- It makes a lot of noise, a big commotion - gets your attention
- The more you worry, it exaggerates situations - veers further away from truth
- No matter how much time you spend with it, it doesn't take you anywhere

The origin of worry is Control (and fear). The person who worries does not know the outcome (we are human) and cannot stand to be out of control (God's job), therefore produces a thought of "need" in order to act out a solution. In that, the person feels like they can control/contribute to a solution.
(This may disguise itself as wisdom or problem solving, the root is very different and deceptive. God given gifts of wisdom and even problem solving come with the root of love and peace in surrender to the Lordship of Christ...all of God's gift are meant for love and building up.)


Solution: Place your trust in the only place where it makes a difference: God


1. Believe that God will take care of me

Considering Jesus' life, apostle Paul's life, (and insert whatever biblical hero of yours here) through it all the God of Jesus, Paul, (etc.)  is the very same God who lives in YOU. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. The bible also shows us that God is a personal God. "The Lord is MY Shepherd, I shall not be in want..." ~Psalm 23. The same God,  here and today...
Look at the flowers of the field, are they worrying saying to each other, "Oh, no what are we going to do about this global warming? We better store up for a disaster someday."

Matthew 6:25-34

"Do Not Worry

    ²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^[a]?    ²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them."

2. Live one day at a time.

Sometimes we open our umbrellas before it starts to rain and it blocks out the sun. There are times where planning to far in advance steals the joy of today.


3. Know that God gives everything you need for it with promises in store

Philippians 4:6-9

" ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
 ⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. "

"Matthew 6:33-34

³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Proverbs 3:5-6

 ^"5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
   and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways acknowledge him,
   and he will make your paths straight.^[a]"

***
Wow, that still took up some time... LOL that was just from Sunday morning! (I haven't even gotten to afternoon and evening!)