Anxiety.....really?

Did you know that anxiety is mentioned in the Bible? I sure didn't, not until I stumbled across it while studying the Bible. It's funny how God works things out for us to find exactly what we need to find - when we need to find it. I had no idea there was any mention of anxiety in the Bible - yet while I was just opening my Bible and looking around, it jumped out at me!

"Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,

but a good word makes it glad."

Proverbs 12:25 NKJV

 

In the KJV the word heaviness is used. But when I looked in my Bible commentary, when speaking of "heaviness" it says "Literally, "care," "anxiety." It continues "An anxious heart cannot be filled with the promised peace of Christ, and anxiety is a denial of the faithfulness of God."

 

 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.

Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Matthew 6:34

 

"Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

1 Peter 5:7

 

 

"Heaviness can be greatly lightened by a word of hope and encouragement, and an exhortation to faith in the promises of God."

 

 

"Strengthen the weak(sinking) hands

and make firm the feeble(tottering, stumbling) knees,

Say to those who are fearful hearted, "be strong, do not fear!"

Isaiah 35:3-4a

 

"Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and of good courage;

do not be afraid, nor be dismayed,

for the LORD your God is with you

wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

 

"Be strong and of a good courage,

fear not, nor be afraid of them:

for the LORD your God, he it is that does go with you;

 he will not fail you, nor forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6

God knew that we would experience fear and anxiety. And He lovingly placed many verses in the Bible to encourage us along our journey in life. And I am so very thankful that He did! Aren't You?
 

Beloved Names of God .....series

Vine

 

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

John 15:1

• Name of God the Son
•  
• Jesus refers to Himself as the "vine" twice in the KJV
•  
• Vines and vineyards would have been a common sight around Jerusalem in biblical times. In fact, some of the winepresses those vineyards supplied can still be visited.
•  
• The phrase "I am the true vine" comes as Jesus prepares for His death and seeks to prepare His disciples for what will come. He is declaring Himself the fulfillment of Israel's promise, while letting them know that His work will go on through them, the fruits of the Vine.

Grapes can be used to make wine, and wine can change how people see the world!

The grapes wouldn't exist if it wasn't for the vine. The vine would be useless without nutrition from the soil. Likewise, Jesus as the Vine is the direct link between the Father and the fruit of His work, the person of faith.

Drawing strength from the Creator and constantly supported by the Vine, we, too, can change how people see the world! 

A Blessing For You Today

Don't You Need More Cuteness in Your Life?

Well I have a lot of cuteness in my life. Last week I shared 3 of our new kittens to you here. I hadn't been able to get a good picture of the other two. Since then I have gotten some great photos of them and I wanted to share them with you all today.

Here is a good photo of Pepe 

And here is Spot - or as I like to call him - Spotty!  

They are getting close to 2 months old now.

 

They are so fun to watch. I love to watch them play. It is very entertaining!

 

Well I hope you have enjoyed more of the cuteness from our home! :O)

The Art of Sympathy

I may have shared this poem before - but it is well worth sharing again- if I have:

 

 

The Twenty-Third Psalm For Today...series...The Victorious Life

 

The Victorious Life

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies....

 

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:57

 

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:

 and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

1 John 5:4

 

Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear:

 though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

Psalm 27:3

 

And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

Psalms 27:6

 



Heart Gifts....series

The Way to God

 

If my days were untroubled

and my heart always light

Would I seek that fair land

where there is no night;

If I never grew weary

with the weight of my load

Would I search for God's Peace

at the end of the road

If I never knew sickness

and never felt pain

Would I reach for a hand

to help and sustain;

If I walked not with sorrow

and lived without loss

Would my soul seek sweet solace

at the foot of the cross;

IF all I desire was mine

day by day

Would I kneel before God

and earnestly pray;

If God sent no "Winter"

to freeze me with fear

Would I yearn for the warmth

of "Spring" every year;

I ask myself this

and the answer is plain-

If my life were all pleasure

and I never knew pain

I'd seek God less often

and need Him much less,

For God's sought more often

in times of distress,

And no one knows God

or sees Him as plain

As those who have met Him

on 'The Pathway of Pain."

~ Helen Steiner Rice