“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

 

There are 2 different kinds of care.

 

 

Matthew 13:22 “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.”

 

The care of this world will consume you. If you are not careful it will consume your life and stop your spiritual progress. Matthew 6:25 tells us not to worry about clothes, food or our life. Let’s not forget why we’re here. There is more to living then the food you eat or the clothes you wear. Those are necessities, but the Lord said “we do not live by bread alone”. The Lord is not ignorant to the fact that we must eat and have shelter but we are to love him first and He will provide all the blessings we need.

 

In light of many things we care about today – many of them are not even important. We get so worked up about so many things BUT when it comes to eternity, how important are they really? We get so caught up on things that are trivial that we forget to keep our eyes on Jesus.

 

Tomorrow is unknown. Do not be fearful for what you do not know, the Lord knows.

 

1 Corinthians 12:25-26 “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” This is the kind of care we NEED to have. This is Spiritual unity. We should have a care for each other and the church as in 2 Corinthians 11:28 “Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” And 2 Corinthians 7:12 “Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, [I did it] not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.” If there is genuine care some things will be difficult to discuss. If someone needs to be rebuked do so in a way that is caring and not just for the sake of rebuking.

 

 

Rejoice in the Lord always (Phi. 4:4) If you rejoice in the Lord you will have less time to hold the cares of this world. He did not say “Rejoice in your circumstances” BUT “Rejoice in the LORD” *praise more and pout less*

 

Know that the Lord’s coming is near. The lord’s coming will fix all our care and concerns! Phl. 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Here the Lord gives us a command. We are to pray about it! 

 

The Lord’s peace will guard your heart and it will be delivered from sinful care.