Pastor Rick’s Corner

It seems that all the store’s are having what they call “Door Buster Sales” here during the Christmas season. I guess this is where large numbers of people bust through the doors of these merchants, and fight their way through the crowds to get the best sale prices in town. Some people live for that, however it doesn’t sound like much fun to me.

I believe that one of the greatest problems that we face today is the problem of STRESS. We seem to hear it all the time. People are always “stressed out”. Even in this season of good will & cheer many of God’s people find themselves either burned out or stressed out.

A holiday stress survey by NBC/Prevention magazine  revealed that:
• 57% felt that they couldn’t cope with all the things to do during the holidays.
• 30% felt that Christmas was the most stressful time of the year.
• 28% were stressed out over money issues during the holidays.
• 23% were so stressed that they couldn’t even enjoy the holidays.

For the Christian this should not be the case! We are “Too Blessed To Be Stressed!”

Jesus gave us some “Spiritual Stress Busters” in Matthew 6:25-34.

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? [26] Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [27] Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? [28] And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: [29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? [31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

There are three “Spiritual Stress Buster” given by the Lord that tell us how we can live a life that is stress free!

1. Trust the Father’s Care. “Take no thought…”

This means not to get worried or worked up about what is going on in life.  Jesus said the Heavenly Father takes care of the birds of the air. He feeds them every day and they live worry free & stress free. If He takes care of them He will also take care of you. Jesus said that you are of more value that a sparrow. Learn to Trust the Fathers Care!

2. Obey The Father’s Command. ”Seek ye first the Kingdom of God…”

Jesus is saying to make God and the things of God the absolute priority in your life. Put Him first in all you do. The order of priority must be: God/church; Family; Job; Money; Social Events. If this gets out of order you will probabally get stressed very quickly. When God is first everything else falls in place.

When God is our priority, then He promises Abundant Provision. Jesus said, “All these things will be added to you.”  Jesus is saying if we make the main thing the main thing, live for God & put Him first, everything else will be taken care of. God Will Provide!

Hudson Taylor, the great missionary to China said, “God’s work; done God’s way; will never lack God’s Supplies.”

3. Accept the Father’s Control.  “… The morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

Jesus is saying that today and tomorrow are in the Fathers control. I don’t have to be stressed and worked up about tomorrow… GOD IS ALREADY THERE. He will provide me with the Grace, wisdom, direction and power of the Holy Spirit to handle anything tomorrow throws at me! Praise God! That is Good News!

I love the words of the old hymn that says;

“Many things about tomorrow,
I don’t seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.”

Enjoy the Christmas Season and don’t forget: “YOU ARE TO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED.”

See You in Church Sunday!

Pastor Rick