SCRIPTURE: Luke (NIV) 21:14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
OBSERVATION: Jesus was talking to the disciples about the end times. There will be trouble, so He gives instructions and a promise.
The instructions are not very easy. We are to determine beforehand not to allow negative thoughts into our thought process. As surely as we would work to keep germs out of an open wound, we need to work on keeping worries out of our mind. It is a tough assignment as our minds tend to focus on the bad things around us. If it can go wrong
But we are promised help. God is working inside. The Holy Spirit has taken up residence in the believer. Jesus promised to give us “words and wisdom.”
APPLICATION: I have discovered that I cannot keep thoughts of doubt out of my mind by trying not to think about them. When I think about not letting them in my mind, I am actually thinking about them! To overcome worry, I must fill my thoughts with thoughts of praise. I must fill my mind with the promises of God.
When things are going good, I can set a pattern of praise in my heart. Every day, I can set my mind on God’s Word. Doing that faithfully every day keeps those thoughts at the front of my mind.
PRAYER: Lord, you are worthy of all my praise. There is nothing I will face today that you cannot give me the wisdom I will need. Holy Spirit, your presence gives me the courage to face the unknown. Amen.
Pastor Leon
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