Worry "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.

Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27 "Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. " 1 Peter 5:7 "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me." John 14:1 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. " Colossians 3:15 "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? "And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! "Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'" "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:25-34 "For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace" Romans 8:6 "For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, 'AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST,' although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. . . . So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God." Hebrews 4:3, 9 "Those who love Your law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble." Psalm 119:165 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, 'My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!'" Psalm 91:1-2 "In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8 "When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet." Proverbs 3:24 "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. " Isaiah 26:3 Related Article Intimacy with God Do you feel close to the Lord? Lifes distractions and duties can compete with our desire to spend time with Godthen before we know it, weve drifted in our devotion to Him. But the Father desires to commune with us on a daily basis. 1. Every individual is important to the Lord. You might feel unworthy of the Fathers attention, but the truth is, you are a unique creation and beloved in His sight. Every one of us was created in Gods image (Gen. 1:26); He designed us with the emotional and spiritual capacity to have an intimate relationship with Him. According to Psalm 8:4-5, what special place does man hold in creation? Do you ever feel undeserving of Gods notice? Why or why not? Jesus called His disciples friends (John 15:15-16). In what way is your relationship with Him like a friendship? How does it differ? 2. No one is too sinful to have a close relationship with God. According to Romans 3:23, All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (emphasis added). In other words, no one is righteous enough on his own to fellowship with God, who is perfectly holy. Instead of friendship with our Creator, we deserve death and helleverlasting separation from Him. However, Jesus took the guilt of our sin on Himself and gave us the gift of eternal life (Rom. 6:22-23). We typically think of eternal life as the promise of heaven after death. How does John 17:3 define it? What is surprising about this definition? Read Romans 4:7-8. Reflect on the sins you committed and confessed this past week. How does it feel to know you are completely clean in Gods sight? 3. Cultivating an intimate relationship requires a commitment. Choose a special place where you can meet with God.Even if you dont have a large home, devote one section of it to your time with God. You might choose a chair, a small rug, or even a closet. Eventually, that place will take on a sacred quality. There, you will find it easy to focus on the Lord and His still, small voice. Read Luke 5:15-16. Where did Jesus go when He needed time alone? Why do you think He sought the Father after the events of verse 15? What prompted Jesus to seek solitude in Matthew 14:13? What types of life crises prompt you to seek a solitary place to pray? Invest a significant amount of time in getting to know your Maker. Just like a close friendship or good marriage, an intimate relationship with the Lord requires time. Biblical writers often referred to waiting on God. By this, they meant trusting in the Lord and giving Him time to speak to their hearts, encourage them, or answer their prayers. What benefits are associated with waiting on the Lord? Psalm 25:3 Psalm 27:14 Psalm 62:5 What do you enjoy most about sitting quietly before the Lord?

Include Bible reading. Reading and meditating on Scripture should be a regular part of your time with God. It will teach you how the Lord thinks, remind you of His promises, and reveal areas of your life that need His correction. Before you read from the Bible, ask God to speak to you. He will be faithful to reveal His truth and show you how to apply it to your life. List at least four benefits to making the Word of God a priority in your time alone with Him (Psalm 119). Humility and trust. As we approach God, we must come with an attitude of humility. Proud people dont see their need for the Lord and, consequently, resist His guidance and correction. Read James 4:6-7. What does God resists the proud mean to you? Describe what submitting to God would look like for you today. What analogy did David use to describe his humility before the Lord (Psalm 131:1-3)? How is this an accurate picture of the attitude we should have in approaching God? 4. If you are willing to invest in your relationship with God, you will reap a great reward. In Psalm 63:3-5, fat or marrow and fatness refers to rich, satisfying food. What comparison does David make between physical sustenance and his time alone with God? Read Psalm 16:11. Have you felt this kind of joy in the Lords presence? Prayer: We were designed to fellowship with God, and it is the greatest pleasure our souls will ever know on earth. Ask the Lord to draw you closer to Him in this new year. If you have been too busy or distracted to dedicate time on a daily basis, pray for the grace to make fellowship with Him a priority. Wait on the Lord, and He will fill you with incredible joy in His presence. How can I get to know God? Did you know that God wants to show you more of Himself every day? Are you seeking Him with all your strength? Does your time with the Lord revitalize you, or does it feel more like a ritualistic experience? InHosea 6:6, God is clear: I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. In order to deepen your relationship with the Father and remain devoted to Him: You must come to Him honestly. Confessing your sins and inviting Jesus Christ into your heart requires you to be vulnerable. Although such humility and repentance may be intimidating, accepting Christ is the best decision anyone can ever make. You must understand your reliance upon Him. Throughout the Bible, there are people who understood that their only hope was to trust the Lord to help them and deliver them from their troubles. One such biblical character, Hannah, saw God as her only source of comfort and power: She, greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord (1 Sam. 1:10). And because she did, He looked upon her with compassion and grace, answering her prayers (vv. 19, 20). You must become interested in what interests Him. Do you have a desire for spiritual insight and godly wisdom? If so, the Lord wants to satisfy that yearning within you. Ask Him to fulfill your longing to know Him better and to help you be interested in the things that concern Him. You must know His Word. By reading the Bible, you open your heart to Him. He has given you the Holy Spirit to help you understand His Word, and He wants you to meditate on it so you can apply it to your life. You must observe His characteristics and ways. Read the promises that God makes in His Word. Ask Him to remind you of how He has already worked in your lifewith all the wisdom, love, and power you will ever need for any challenge you will ever face. You must accept His invitation and follow His commands. God is constantly inviting you to walk with Him. Give the Lord total control of your decisions, time, talents, and possessionswalking in complete submission to Him. Your obedience will certainly bring great blessings. Your knowledge of the Father grows as you increasingly recognize His love for you. God delights in your joyful praise and worship of Him.Psalm 46:10 says, Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. As you get to know Him on deeper levels, your ability to trust and obey Him will increase. You will find your lifes fulfillment when you come to know and exalt the Lord of all creation. The Adventure of Obedience By Charles F. Stanley Isaiah 30:21 Christians sometimes approach obedience as a way of avoiding the negative consequences of disobedience. They see obedience as a burden, not as the road to blessing. But God intended our walk of faith to be a great adventure, motivated by our love for Jesus Christ. Obedience is about expressing our love for and trust in God, not about avoiding unpleasant consequences. That is why John can say, This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). When we place our trust in the omnipotence of the Lord and act on His prompting, life becomes worthwhile and purposeful. We need not be afraid of the future because God already knows the outcome of our obedienceand we can trust in His promise that He works everything out for our good (Rom. 8:28). Although we may not understand how, we are confident that the Lord is continuously moving us through a variety of circumstances toward His overriding purpose for our lives. However, if we fail to obey Him because of a mistaken desire for safety, we reject the opportunity for God to demonstrate His awesome power in us. Small choices to submit to Gods will may seem insignificant, but they lead toward a lifetime of walking with Him. And as His children, we should ask Him to lead us each day. What would You have me say here, Lord? or What is the best decision now? We must learn to listen to our heavenly Father and remain sensitive to the quiet voice that prompts us throughout the day. Isaiah says, Your ears will hear a word behind you, This is the way, walk in it, whenever you turn to the right or to the left (30:21). When we keep our minds focused on Him, we begin to understand the significance of our decisions and how He is guiding us along the adventurous path of His will. Ultimately this awareness will lead to a fulfilling, meaningful life of walking with the Lord and receiving His best for us. As you look at the day ahead of you, what is your next step of obedience? No matter how He directs you, trust Him and do exactly as He says. Youll be glad you did. How God Reveals His Will The Father always wants the best for His children. So when we begin to wander from the center of His will, He acts to recapture our attention and protect us from harm. If necessary, God will move heaven and earth to show us His will (Life Principle #10). He speaks directly to our hearts through the Holy Spirit, but also has other ways to get our attention: 1. A restless spirit Read Esther 6:1-10. How did God direct the king to honor Mordecai? If you experience inner restlessnessconnected to dissatisfaction with the status quofirst make sure you arent ignoring an area of sin. Then ask the Lord if Hes trying to say something to you. Think about the last time you experienced a major life changefor instance, changing jobs, moving to a new area of Christian service, or entering a season of rest. Did God speak to you through restlessness? 2. A spoken word God also gets our attention through the wisdom of others. From what two sources did Eli learn that his sons would die (1 Sam. 2:22-36; 3:1-18)? Why were they cut down in the prime of life? If several people in a short span of time tell you the same thing, ask the Lord if Hes speaking through them. For example, sometimes a message at church, a radio sermon, and a friends advice will be similar. Why do you think God often gives the same message in multiple ways? What has He been saying to you lately?

3. An unusual blessing To get our attention, God may show His favor in unexpected ways. What prompted one Roman jailer to ask how he could be saved (Acts 16:16-34)? The jailer recognized that supernatural power was at work, and his experience prepared him to become a follower of Christ. God can also use things such as financial provision, the beauty of nature, or the birth of a child to awaken people spiritually. What types of blessings renew your desire to seek the Lord wholeheartedly? 4. Unanswered prayer Sometimes God will answer a prayer with No. He may want to deal with sin or misplaced priorities. Or He may have something more important in store for us. What did the Lord eventually reveal to Paul about why God did not remove his thorn (2 Cor. 12:9-10)? Think of an unanswered prayer from your lifeeither one that was eventually fulfilled or one that remains unanswered. What has the Father done in you as a result? 5. Disappointment When the nation of Israel refused Gods command to take possession of the Promised Land, they were judged for unbelief. Through disappointment, the Lord got their attention. How were they punished for failing to trust God (Num. 14:27-32)? Describe the peoples reaction when they heard what their punishment would be (Num. 14:39-40). In a similar way, God may use setbacks to keep us from charting our own course. Give an example of how the Father has used a disappointment to draw you closer to Himself. 6. Extraordinary circumstances The Creator can use unusual phenomena to get our attention. To attract Moses, God used a burning bush that was not consumed by fire (Ex. 3:1-22). Based on the future leaders reaction to the Lords command, why do you think God chose to get his attention this way instead of simply speaking to him (Ex. 4:1-16)? We must learn to look for the presence of God in our daily lives. He leaves his footprints and handiwork all around us. What types of extraordinary circumstances has the Lord used in your life? 7. Defeat God may use defeat to show us the truth. Why did the Israelite army lose the battle at Ai (Josh. 7:7-12)? Even defeat can be a steppingstone to success when we pray, Lord, what are You saying? Help me see where I have taken a wrong turn. (See Romans 8:28-29.) Choose a time when you failedlost a job, made a mistake, ruined a relationship, etc. How did the Father use that experience for your spiritual growth? 8. Tragedy, sickness, and financial troubles We should regard our afflictions as reasons to ask the Lord, What are You trying to tell me? What was Gods purpose in Hezekiahs illness (2 Chron. 32:24)? Why did the Father allow the Midianites to devastate His peoples land (Judg. 6:3-6)? God wants to speak to us in the midst of hardshipeven if our troubles have no connection to sin. He will impart new wisdom, show how to overcome despite suffering, or give fresh revelations about Himself. If you are facing adversity right now, ask the Lord what He wants you to learn in this season. Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You much for capturing my attention when my devotion wanders from You or when I need to change direction. Help me to be sensitive to the various ways You speak to meand obedient to follow what You reveal. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. Reading the Bible Scripture Passage: Psalm 1:1-3 It is surprising how many people simply do not know how to study Scripture. The truth is, genuine Bible study can take many forms, and it can be as uncomplicated as focusing on a single word or phrase in a passage. For example, if you are reading Psalm 1:3 and come upon the word "prosper," then you might ask yourself, What does it mean to prosper?How does God want me to be successful, bloom, and grow? These questions can lead you to examine the same word in other passages, or to trace the idea of bearing fruit throughout the entire Bible. For greater insight, incorporate other resources into your study. Consult a Bible dictionary, a concordance, and perhaps a topical Bible to clarify a particular issue. A standard dictionary can frequently be helpful, too, by shedding light on a word's various shades of meaning. Commentaries offer an explanation of a passage's historical and theological background. In addition, Bible software or online resources can open your eyes to the verses' fuller impact. When studying God's Word, we ought not settle for merely scratching the surface; rather, we should be motivated to dive in with excitement to discover exactly what God wants to teach us. We can achieve this by conducting word studies, by following certain themes or topics throughout the whole Bible, or by doing a book-by-book examination of Scripture. There are many ways to study God's Word, all of which offer a rich experience and the blessing of revealed truth. There is no other book in the world like the Bible. When we read, meditate, and study Scripture, and then believe, apply, and share its principles, something happens to us. We become living, walking treasure houses because we grow to be prosperous in the things that matter. Money cannot buy the wealth that we have; death can't take it away. Through God's Word, we possess eternal riches. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION Study the first three verses of Psalm 1. Then ask yourself the following questions: What man or woman is truly blessed? In what does such a person find his delight? What is the result of his delight and obedience? Verses "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe." Proverbs 18:10 "But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.'" Isaiah 43:1-2 "But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one." 2 Thessalonians 3:3 "Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?" 1 Peter 3:13 "The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever." Psalm 121:7-8

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?" Psalm 27:1 "When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet." Proverbs 3:24 "For You have been a refuge for me, a tower of strength against the enemy." Psalm 61:3 "But he who listens to me shall live securely and shall be at ease from the dread of evil." Proverbs 1:33 "He will not fear evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord." Psalm 112:7 "For you have made the Lord, my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place. No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent." Psalm 91:9-10 "In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8 "You will laugh at violence and famine, neither will you be afraid of wild beasts." Job 5:22 "Then you would trust, because there is hope; and you would look around and rest securely. You would lie down and none would disturb you, and many would entreat your favor." Job 11:18-19 ". . . May the beloved of the Lord dwell in security by Him, Who shields him all the day, and he dwells between His shoulders." Deuteronomy 33:12 "They will no longer be a prey to the nations, and the beasts of the earth will not devour them; but they will live securely, and no one will make them afraid." Ezekiel 34:28 "But if you truly obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries." Exodus 23:22 "But You, O Lord, are on high forever. For, behold, Your enemies, O Lord, for, behold, Your enemies will perish; all who do iniquity will be scattered." Psalm 92:8-9 What does it mean to sit before the Lord in prayer? 2 Samuel 7:18-29 Perhaps the greatest key to spiritual growth is spending time alone with the Lord. This means taking the time to speak with God about whatever is on your heartand, even more importantly, allowing Him to speak to you. God called King David a man after My heart (Acts 13:22). To win that kind of reputation, David first needed to know the mind and heart of God so that he might be and do what the Lord desired of him. David sought to know God. He frequently inquired of the Lord. He spent time in the Lords presence, singing to the Lord from the depths of his heart. In 2 Samuel 7:18 we read, Then David the king went in and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? What did it mean for David to sit before the Lord in prayer? It means that he spent time alone in the presence of God, communicating with the Lord from the depths of his heart, asking Him questions, and listening quietly for the His answers. Jesus frequently sought time apart with His heavenly Father. Time with the Father provided the Savior with a never-ending source of comfort and strength. Jesus also sought time alone with His disciples so that He might teach them and they might find spiritual refreshment (Luke 9:1724). We are wise if we choose to spend time alone with God in prayerin a place without distractions or interruptions, for a period sufficient for us to relax completely and focus our attention fully upon the Father and His Word. We must be willing to wait in the Lords presence until we receive Gods directives or His words of comfort. Why dont many of us desire to spend time alone with God? The foremost reason is that we dont feel sure of our relationship with the Lord and, therefore, we feel afraid of Him. But those who are born again spiritually have a Father-child relationship with the Lord. Our heavenly Father loves us unconditionally and deals with us tenderly and patiently. The more we learn what Hes really likethe more we see Him as He truly isthe more we will long to spend time alone with Him . . . and the more we will know the fullness of His grace. Verses "In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8 "The LORD will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace." Psalm 29:11 "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this." Isaiah 9:6-7 "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3 "LORD, You will establish peace for us, since You have also performed for us all our works." Isaiah 26:12 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1 "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you." Romans 16:20 "But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall." Ephesians 2:13-14 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. . . . The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:6-7, 9