"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
1 Peter 5:7 There isn't one of us who doesn't have worries, cares, anxiety or a fear about something. We like to mask it with words like "concern" and "apprehension" But Peter says something interesting here. God is concerned about YOU and not that fear or concern which occupies your life. In Matthew 6 Jesus said stop worrying about these things, I already know what you need. Seek first my kingdom and these things will come to pass. Why does He say this? Because He cares more about you and the relationship you have with Him than daily cares. This word "cast" is meant to throw something with effort. It says that this thing is so heavy and bulky that I need two hands and all my strength to throw it on Him. I like the way Charles Spurgeon put it. It's like we lay this blanket of problems before God, He looks at it, picks it up and wraps Himself in it. He wears your burdened blanket while He wraps His loving arms of love around you. God does really care for you! Every burden, anxiety, fear, hurt, despair, and broken heart. That word care is more than an interest, it's an expression of love. So, let's do a little exercise. Let's change “care” for love and put your name in the place of "you" Cast all your anxiety (fear, hurt, despair, oppression, burden, brokenness, hurt) on him because he cares (loves) for you (insert your name here)
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Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Mark 14-16 I find it interesting that Jesus rebuked the disciples for unbelief, tied it to a hardened heart, and then commanded them to Go and preach the gospel to all creatures. It's no different today. Unbelief and misunderstanding is not an excuse or an escape from our responsibility to tell the world of Him. Jesus didn't say wait until the time is right, or until you find a spouse, raise kids or have spare time. He didn't say it's only for missionaries, pastors or evangelists. This is a command not a suggestion. It's not an elective you take but something you major in. You see this world needs something you have. Humans are a spiritual being and we are made for eternity and what they decide about Jesus determines where they will spend it. There are people at your work, neighborhood, and businesses you frequent who are crying for help and you have the answer. Jesus didn't say Go only if they listen, Go only if they accept you or don't go if they reject you. He didn't say go only if the believe. Our job is to obey marching orders, take the hill, slay goliath. If you are a Star Trek fan it's to "Go where no man has gone before". If you are a Star Wars fan it's in the words of red leader to "stay on target, stay on target !" |
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Pastor Michael GarciaOverseer and Pastor at First Assembly HOEN Archives
October 2020
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