JESUS' TEACHING - PARABLES

 

                               

                                            12. DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY

                                                             Read Matthew 10:26-31

"Are two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside of the FATHER'S CARE. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So DON'T BE AFRAID; your are WORTH MORE THAN MANY SPARROWS."   Matthew 10:30&31  (NIV)

Jesus is not only in control of our lives,  He loves us deeply. HE CARES ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO US! 

1. Christians are not exempt from anxiety. We have  trials and fears, and we can feel worried and guilty; but we can also TRUST in the Lord, and know that when we live in HIS PRESENCE and this song can remind us: "Don't worry, Be Happy".  The Word of God also reminds us:

"Come to me all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you FIND REST for your souls. For MY YOKE IS EASY TO BEAR and the burden I give you IS LIGHT." 

Matthew 11:28-30 (NCV)

2. Are you being "pulled down" by problems , thinking that something bad is always going to happen. Are there days when you would rather stay in bed, and don't want to go to work, or anywhere in the world, or social gatherings, even Church. Here is a promise from God:

"Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS. Let your gentleness be evident to all. BE ANXIOUS ABOUT NOTHING, but in everything bY PRAYER - SUPPLICATION, WITH THANKSGIVING, make your requests make known to God; the PEACE OF GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your HEARTS and MINDS in CHRIST JESUS." Philippians 4:4-7 (NLT)

"Lord, thank you that you LOVE AND VALUE US so much. Help us to TRUST YOU and NOT BE AFRAID!" Nicky Gumbel

3. A number of years ago I faced my first flight on a plane, ALONE. well, I thought I was. I was ANXIOUS about flying and leaving my husband and son. When I got into the wrong seat I looked out the window at the wing - it seemed cracked? When I arrived at my destination, I discoved my luggage was lost. My ANXIETY LEVEL BEGAN TO RISE! 

I remembered the C.A.L.M Bible Study I had been reading from Max Lucado that morning. While the plane was in the sky I had looked over the cloud  and was reminded of GOD'S PROMISES. I don't believe that it is GOD'S WILL that we face a life of ANXIETY AND DREAD every day, but there are times we have to face some difficulties, and in these times we will always know that if we reach out to JESUS, HE WILL ALWAYS BE WITH US. 

"With God on your side you can face your FEARS. You can TRUST your Sovereign God. CELEBRATE God's goodness! ASK God for help! LEAVE your concerns with Him! MEDITATE on good things! With God as your helper, you can SLEEP better tonight and SMILE more tomorrow." Max Lucado

4. I often wake up in the morning with  "fear of the future". After my third stroke there are times  feel I have have let down my family  - especially my husband.  I used to cope well with change - moving around to different places, but now I often keep awake at night  wondering what each day will bring. I haven't got all the answers, but one thing I do know, GOD DOES! 

"CAST ALL YOUR ANXIETY ON HIM, because HE CARES FOR YOU." 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION", 2011, Biblica

"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW LIVING TRANSLATION" - 2015, Tyndale House Publishing

"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW CENTURY VERSION", 2005, Thomas Nelson

GUMBEL, Nicky  &  Pippa, "The Bible in One Year- Classic Version", 2009/2025, ALPHA International/You Version

LUCADO, Max, "Life Lessons from Matthew", 2018, Thomas Nelson

"Don't Worry, Be Happy", (2014), Bob McFerrin (Composer/Singer),  Playing for Change Foundation.