GOD'S LOVE

So my topic for today's teaching is going to be titled God's love

 I know this seems like a very "redundant" topic and some might say, obviously everyone knows God loves them, but we move still because every now and then we need to be reminded of the magnitude of God's love for us, how encompassing God's love for us is. Basically, I don't think I'll be talking much or doing much explaining but rather highlighting scriptures that talk about God's love for you and me.

Basically we'll start from the very basic but important John 3:16 which says that God loves us so much that he gave his only begotten son for us so that we won't perish but we will have an everlasting life. I believe this transcends beyond the physical life but dwelling with him in heavenly places. When you truly believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and has come so that we might be saved, you have eternal life.

Now, let's talk about His love for us in difficult times. Sometimes, it might feel like God is hiding or He’s not listening, but He is in the midst of the storm with you and I. He has not left your side and neither has he forsaken us. He’s holding your hand, hold on to him to be your peace in the midst of the storm. He’s crying WITH YOU over the heartbreak and difficult time you’re facing. I think that it's important to make conscious efforts to remind ourselves that He’s with us in whatever it is and that can be what gets us through today and everyday after that.

 Also, God never promises a perfect life. He does promise that He will be there every step of the way. God loves us and he knows our story and his plans for us are of good and not evil to give us an expected end.


Don’t be obsessed with money but live content with what you have, for you always have God’s presence. For hasn’t he promised you, “I will never leave you alone, never! And I will not loosen my grip on your life!”
Hebrews 13:5 TPT

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

For hasn't he promised you that I will NEVER leave you and He won't loosen his grip on your life.

Just take note of this
Someone who does not love us will definitely not care so much about you to give you peace

A preacher said "God’s supply of grace will ALWAYS exceed our life’s demand for it.” His grace is enough for you and I and His power is made perfect in our weakness.

Matthew  11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

There is something about God’s power in the confession of our struggles. Vulnerability breeds honest community, and it is in that safe space that we receive healing. The secrets we keep create shame, we should  confess them to one another and to God and in that the power of shame is taken away and replaced with the power of our healing God.

Pastor Steven Furtick in one of his sermons explained that breakthrough comes at the point where everything seems darkest, when it seems like you're underground and you're covered. He used the illustration of a seed that has been planted by the farmer and stays underground for so long before it germinates and brings forth fruits. But the catch of this, is that the seed has everything it needs to survive underground. Everything, food, nutrition whatever it needs to bring forth fruit. And so do we, we have everything we need to survive at our darkest moments. Not only to survive but to thrive and grow and bring forth fruits. God loves us too much to leave us stranded.
 And on this note, I want to let us know that you are not an afterthought, you are part of a beautiful story, a part of His beautiful story. God knew you before you were born and has you in the palm of His hands and wants us to be happy and also grow too and know that growth is never easy or comfortable or what we want in some cases but it's what we need.

 Romans  8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.*

 For I am certain that not death, or life, or angels, or rulers, or things present, or things to come, or powers,

 39  Or things on high, or things under the earth, or anything which is made, will be able to come between us and the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

With this Bible passage, I end it, reminding us that nothing can separate us from God's love. This topic is always quite personal to me and I can go on and on talking about God's Love because I know how just reminding myself of His love has gotten me through so much and how amazing it feels to know He loves me that much and how I feel so powerful and confident knowing that His love is here to stay regardless of anything. I also think everyone should feel that type of love and know that it is available to them without conditions really and we as humans very often need to be reminded of this love that God has for us. He sees the depth of our hearts and loves us the same.

And songs does wonders to remind us of this love so please and please listen to music that just reminds you of his love or how amazing He is really. I could always help with that.

I want us to whisper a prayer for everyone with a hurting heart on this group and our loved ones not on this group. May God heal them and meet them at the point where they need Him most. May they understand the magnitude and depth of His love for us and may they always walk in that love too.

Thank you Lord for your word and we thank you that the entrance of your word brings light and understanding and we pray that may your word resonate deeply with us and transform our lives. Amen.

DEALING WITH ANXIETY

Text: Philippians 4:6-7

Philippians  4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  4:7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (kjv)

For better understanding we will look at what Amplified version says concerning our text later.

So what is Anxiety?

Anxiety can be defined as an uneasy or distressing desire (for something).Or  A state of restlessness and agitation, often accompanied by a distressing sense of oppression or tightness in the stomach

Agitation! Restlessness!  Those are another words for Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the biggest destructive force facing Christianity today. Especially we the youth.

We are anxious to make it, make money and more of it.

Because of anxiousness, many people have lose where they are supposed to be career wise, marital wise or concerning God's purpose for their lives.

Anxiety sometimes can be a product of fear and fear is from pit of hell.

Fear of maybe am lagging behind, fear of meeting up with our peers or something..

Anxiety frustrates effort, if care is not taken, it can move us from the original plan of God for our lives.....

Luke 12:22 He continued this subject with his disciples. "Don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion.
Luke 12:23 There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body.

A real, genuine faith requires us to actually believe that God will provide for us.

When we take the focus off of us and what we can do, it makes trusting in God and what He can do much easier.

Anxiety is all about you and nothing about God let's note that pls

 That is why we are commanded to stop being anxious. God has a plan for every step of your life. Anxiety is only a stumbling block*and a hindrance to walking the path that God has set for you

So What Harms does Anxiety does to Believer?

1) Anxiety stops you from enjoying what you have as a believer. We have a lot! Like He has overcome the world for us but Anxiety will stop us from enjoying this

2) Anxiety Saps us of our strength and derail our faith.

3) Anxiety makes us overlook God promises.

4) Anxiety is not productive (Matthew 6:27)

And who of you by worrying can add one hour to [the length of] his life?
MATTHEW 6:27 AMP

So after all the anxiety and worrying can we even do anything about it? No! so Anxiety is not productive at all.

Lets run from that unproductivity! Amen?

 How can we Deal with Anxiety as a believer ?

1)  Choose to Rejoice no matter the circumstances you are facing.

And how can you rejoice over your circumstances 

a) study the word at all time, there is word for every situation. Find it, sit down with your Bible and study it! Its there for us...

b) praise and worship, not church own o. From your own closet 😀

c) Nourish your mind- read  inspiration and motivation books, they Nourish the soul too. Teachings and all.

Those little can and will make you rejoice at all times.

2) Secure your foundation in christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:4!  Rejoice, Rejoice... Joy actually brings a lot more than we can think of. Through rejoicing, you can see solutions to that problem, through rejoicing, your heart will be open to ideas, opportunities.. So secure your foundation in christ Jesus by rejoicing

3) Develop the discipline to say no to anxiety! You know that saying like Get thee behind me devil  that's how we should develop discipline over anxiety!

Anything that might want to make you get anxious, discipline your mind especially because it all starts from the mind Train your mind

Finally, Seek the face at all times, concerning what you set to do.
As we round off can someone help with proverb 3:5-6

Proverbs 3:5 Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Proverbs 3:6 Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.

4) Seek the face of God at all times concerning what you set to do

So Conclusively, Rely on God, Trust in the lord completely, let Him Guide you, Become intimate with Him in *whatever you do and Dont try to figure out anything on your own!  Rather make all your requests known to Him, He will Direct your path!

God's Path doesnt bring Anxiety Trust in His promises, The vision is yet for an appointed time, wait for it!

As we end this let's pray this prayer in our closet: Father every weariness that is causing anxiety in my heart, soul and body, deal with it lord and help me rejoice at all times (Amen)