Month: April 2020

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Dealing with Anxiety – Study 9 – Mary & Martha

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Our time line is different than God’s. We have all been in our houses longer than we want. We continue to pray and wait for God to act in supernatural ways. I fluctuate between contentment and restlessness. How can I learn to wait better?

Today we are looking at two sisters who asked in faith, but Jesus didn’t follow their timeline. Their names are Mary and Martha and their story is found in John 11:1-53.

Here is the template. anxiety template

What were the disciples struggling with. (vs. 8, 16) For a background on why they felt so strongly look at John 8:58-59 and John 10:24-31.

Notice the two different responses of the Jews in verses 45-46. Which group am I in?

How did the chief priests and Pharisees respond when they got the report. (vs. 47-48) What were they worried about? What was their ultimate goal? (vs. 53, 57)

Our hope is plainly laid out in verses 25-26. Take note of what it is. What have I been focused on these past weeks? What is my ultimate goal?

There are so many layers here. Take your time.

 

 

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Dealing with Anxiety – Study 8 – Mary

Two days ago Lake Michigan was dark and brooding.

Spring has been hard on the shoreline. Big sections of the beach are underwater. Crashing waves have taken bites out of the dunes, hungrily ripping some trees out by their roots.

The fallen trees emphasized the mood of the day. I was discouraged…tired…

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Two days later the lake’s mood had shifted.

The sun was warming our faces and there was no wind to speak of.

The lake was one with the sky. Only a sliver of white separated them.

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It was as if God had used a pallet knife to put the clouds in place, just so.

We found comfort in the stillness.

God uses every means available to Himself to reassure us of His presence and care.

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Today we will be looking at someone who was reassured by an angel. Her name is Mary and her story is found in Luke 1:26-51.

Here is the template if you need it. anxiety template

Her world was about to be turned upside down. Notice her response.

Notice what the angel says to her that calms her spirit.

Verses 47-56 give quite a description of God. Take comfort in who He is.

All for now.

 

 

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Dealing with Anxiety – Study 7 – Abigail

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This park is just a few miles from our house. When I stand and look at Lake Michigan it reminds me how small I am.

We can feel overwhelmed by all that is going on, but the lake reminds me that God is bigger than all of this.

Here are a couple of verses that put it in perspective.

“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heavens by the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance, and the hills in a pair of scales?” – Isaiah 40:12

“Or who enclosed the sea with doors, When bursting forth, it went out from the womb; When I made a cloud its garment, And thick darkness its swaddling band, And I placed boundaries on it, And I set a bolt and doors, And I said, ‘Thus far you shall come, but no farther; And here shall your proud waves stop’?” Job 38:8-11

Job was struggling with many calamities. God doesn’t answer his questions, but instead explains who He is. (See Job chapters 38-41)

Here is Job’s response to God.

“I know that Thou canst do all things, And that no purpose of Thine can be thwarted…I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees Thee; Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:2, 5-6

We don’t know how all of this will play out, but we know we serve a good God. He has a purpose and plan that is far beyond our imagination. No matter how difficult the circumstances; remember He has promised to be with us.

Believe it!

Today we are looking at someone who my friend, Kathy, suggested. Her name is Abigail and her story can be found in I Samuel 25:2-42.

Here is the template. anxiety template

Here are a few other questions.

What advice did Abigail give David? vs. 24-31 (It’s complicated, take your time.)

What happened to Nabal?

What was David’s response in verse 39?

Starting on Friday I’ll be shifting to the New Testament.