March 24th, 2024
by Don Vess
by Don Vess
Relax, Don’t Worry!
by Don Vess
It is overwhelmingly evident that we are living in the days that Paul warned Timothy about in 2 Tim 3:1-7.
This is from the Passion Translation- But you need to be aware. (this is true, we do need to be aware, but not full of anxiety) that in the final days the culture of society will become extremely fierce and difficult for the people of God. 2 People will be self-centered lovers of themselves and obsessed with money. They will boast of great things as they strut around in their arrogant pride and mock all that is right. They will ignore their own families. They will be ungrateful and ungodly. 3 They will become addicted to hateful and malicious slander. Slaves to their desires, they will be ferocious, belligerent haters of what is good and right. 4. With brutal treachery, they will act without restraint, bigoted and wrapped in clouds of their conceit. They will find their delight in the pleasures of this world more than the pleasures of loving God. 5 They may pretend to have a respect for God, but in reality, they want nothing to do with God’s power. Stay away from people like these!
If we lose our focus on Christ and stay centered, we will become overwhelmed and anxious in our spirit. Jesus told us, John 16:33 KVJ- In this world you will have tribulation (thlipsis: Trouble, stress, tribulation), but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.
Isaiah was both a priest and a prophet. He prophesied to the nation of Judah during a time when there was prosperity under the reign of Uzziah and his son Jotham, both righteous kings for the most part, but the nations of Israel and Judah both were becoming more and more ungodly and deeper and deeper into idolatry. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? America is in the same situation. We, as a nation have abandoned God! Not all, but most of the nation no longer follows God, even in the ‘religious’ sense, meaning “being church goers, even hypocritical ones. Isaiah’s message was not appreciated nor accepted, to the degree that he was assassinated by Manasseh, the grandson of Uzziah. Isaiah was chased into a hollow log and that was then sawed in half with Isaiah inside of it.
Isaiah had accepted God’s call to speak to both the nations of Israel and Judah. He forewarned them about turning away from Jehovah. But he also spoke to the righteous remnant who had remained faithful to God. He said, Isa 26:3 Complete Jewish Bible- A person whose desire rest on You, You preserve in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.
You remember the quote I often use from J. Oswald Chambers- “Peace is NOT the absence of trouble, but the Presence of God.”
Ps. 46:10 NASB- “Cease striving (let go, relax) and know that I Am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Who said this? God Himself!
The Passion Translation explains this verse like this, “Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I Am God. I Am the God above the nations, and I will be exalted throughout the whole earth.
Ex. 14:5-12 NASB- When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharoah and his servants had a change of heart toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6 So, he made his chariot ready and took his people with him; 7 and he took six hundred select chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them! 8 And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he chased the sons of Israel as the sons of Israel were going out bodly. 9 Then the Egyptians chased after them with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen overtook them camping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-Zephon. 10 As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened, so the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord. 11 Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us this way, bringing us out of Egypt?” “Is this not the word we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, “Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians?’ For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in this wilderness.” 13 But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. 14 For the Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.”
Ex. 14:13-14 Complete Jewish Bible- Moshe said to the people, “Stop being so fearful! Remain steady, and you will see how Adonai is going to save you. He will do it today—today you have seen the Egyptians, but you will never see them again! 14 Adonai will do battle for you. Just calm yourselves down!”
And just as God promised, when the Egyptian Army closed in on them the Lord opened up the Red Sea and allowed His people to cross over while He also allowed the enemy to remain hot on their heels until they were safe on the other side. Then he caused the sea to close in on Pharaoh and his army destroying them all.
Our God will do the same for you! Just “calm yourself down!”
Jesus taught us about worry and anxiety in Matthew 6:25-34 NLT- “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life (how you’re going to pay the bills, etc., etc.)—whether you have enough food or drink, or clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barn, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add one single moment to your life? 28 And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the fields and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing. 29 Yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, HE WILL CERTAINLY CARE FOR YOU. Why do you have so little faith? 31 So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows your needs. 33 Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. 34 SO DON’T WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW, FOR TOMORROW WILL BRING ITS OWN WORRIES. TODAY’S TROUBLE IS ENOUGH FOR TODAY.”
Just remember this, “Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday!”
We are living in the ‘information age.” There are so many self-proclaimed prophets on You Tube who are constantly feeding our concerns with “biblical predictions” of certain pending doom. The Bible is clear about what will happen in the end of the age. Jesus spelled it out clearly and Paul elaborated on it as well as Peter and Jude. John wrote a whole book about it. But nowhere in any of their writings did I see the need for believers to be anxious about what is surely to come. But I did see the warning over and over again to BE READY!
Matt 24:44 TPT- So, always be ready, alert, and prepared…
Matt 25:13 TPT…always stay awake and be alert, because you don’t know the day or hour when the bridegroom will appear.
1 Cor 16:13 TPT Remember to STAY alert and hold firmly to all that you believe. Be mighty and full of courage.
Finally, here is the summation of all that has been said. Jesus has appeared to deal with sin. DONE! He died, rose again and ascended to the Father when His work was done. He effectively dealt with sin once and for all by giving his life for us to pay the price for the sins of all men. Now, He has clearly stated that He will come again when the Father determines the time (Acts 1:4). We know that we all have an appointed time to die, Heb. 9:27-28 NLT- …each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, 28 so also Christ died once for all time to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for Him.
It is a Very bad News, Fantastic News situation! If we hear the gospel and reject the truth of the gospel, we seal our doom and will face judgment and eternal death and destruction on the day of judgment. But, if we trust Christ and believe in His substitutionary work on the cross and follow Him in faith, we will stand righteous before the judgment seat of Christ, not be judged for our sins, but for our works we have done for Him. That is GREAT NEWS!
The question remains for us all. Are we ready? Are we looking for Him? If so, we have a peace that passes all understanding!
Phil 4:6-8 Passion Translation- Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer with overflowing gratitude. Tell Him every detail of your life, 7 then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ. 8 So keep you thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable, and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising Him always.
Amen!
by Don Vess
It is overwhelmingly evident that we are living in the days that Paul warned Timothy about in 2 Tim 3:1-7.
This is from the Passion Translation- But you need to be aware. (this is true, we do need to be aware, but not full of anxiety) that in the final days the culture of society will become extremely fierce and difficult for the people of God. 2 People will be self-centered lovers of themselves and obsessed with money. They will boast of great things as they strut around in their arrogant pride and mock all that is right. They will ignore their own families. They will be ungrateful and ungodly. 3 They will become addicted to hateful and malicious slander. Slaves to their desires, they will be ferocious, belligerent haters of what is good and right. 4. With brutal treachery, they will act without restraint, bigoted and wrapped in clouds of their conceit. They will find their delight in the pleasures of this world more than the pleasures of loving God. 5 They may pretend to have a respect for God, but in reality, they want nothing to do with God’s power. Stay away from people like these!
If we lose our focus on Christ and stay centered, we will become overwhelmed and anxious in our spirit. Jesus told us, John 16:33 KVJ- In this world you will have tribulation (thlipsis: Trouble, stress, tribulation), but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.
Isaiah was both a priest and a prophet. He prophesied to the nation of Judah during a time when there was prosperity under the reign of Uzziah and his son Jotham, both righteous kings for the most part, but the nations of Israel and Judah both were becoming more and more ungodly and deeper and deeper into idolatry. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? America is in the same situation. We, as a nation have abandoned God! Not all, but most of the nation no longer follows God, even in the ‘religious’ sense, meaning “being church goers, even hypocritical ones. Isaiah’s message was not appreciated nor accepted, to the degree that he was assassinated by Manasseh, the grandson of Uzziah. Isaiah was chased into a hollow log and that was then sawed in half with Isaiah inside of it.
Isaiah had accepted God’s call to speak to both the nations of Israel and Judah. He forewarned them about turning away from Jehovah. But he also spoke to the righteous remnant who had remained faithful to God. He said, Isa 26:3 Complete Jewish Bible- A person whose desire rest on You, You preserve in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.
You remember the quote I often use from J. Oswald Chambers- “Peace is NOT the absence of trouble, but the Presence of God.”
Ps. 46:10 NASB- “Cease striving (let go, relax) and know that I Am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Who said this? God Himself!
The Passion Translation explains this verse like this, “Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I Am God. I Am the God above the nations, and I will be exalted throughout the whole earth.
Ex. 14:5-12 NASB- When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharoah and his servants had a change of heart toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6 So, he made his chariot ready and took his people with him; 7 and he took six hundred select chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them! 8 And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he chased the sons of Israel as the sons of Israel were going out bodly. 9 Then the Egyptians chased after them with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen overtook them camping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-Zephon. 10 As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened, so the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord. 11 Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us this way, bringing us out of Egypt?” “Is this not the word we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, “Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians?’ For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in this wilderness.” 13 But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. 14 For the Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.”
Ex. 14:13-14 Complete Jewish Bible- Moshe said to the people, “Stop being so fearful! Remain steady, and you will see how Adonai is going to save you. He will do it today—today you have seen the Egyptians, but you will never see them again! 14 Adonai will do battle for you. Just calm yourselves down!”
And just as God promised, when the Egyptian Army closed in on them the Lord opened up the Red Sea and allowed His people to cross over while He also allowed the enemy to remain hot on their heels until they were safe on the other side. Then he caused the sea to close in on Pharaoh and his army destroying them all.
Our God will do the same for you! Just “calm yourself down!”
Jesus taught us about worry and anxiety in Matthew 6:25-34 NLT- “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life (how you’re going to pay the bills, etc., etc.)—whether you have enough food or drink, or clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barn, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add one single moment to your life? 28 And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the fields and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing. 29 Yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, HE WILL CERTAINLY CARE FOR YOU. Why do you have so little faith? 31 So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows your needs. 33 Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. 34 SO DON’T WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW, FOR TOMORROW WILL BRING ITS OWN WORRIES. TODAY’S TROUBLE IS ENOUGH FOR TODAY.”
Just remember this, “Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday!”
We are living in the ‘information age.” There are so many self-proclaimed prophets on You Tube who are constantly feeding our concerns with “biblical predictions” of certain pending doom. The Bible is clear about what will happen in the end of the age. Jesus spelled it out clearly and Paul elaborated on it as well as Peter and Jude. John wrote a whole book about it. But nowhere in any of their writings did I see the need for believers to be anxious about what is surely to come. But I did see the warning over and over again to BE READY!
Matt 24:44 TPT- So, always be ready, alert, and prepared…
Matt 25:13 TPT…always stay awake and be alert, because you don’t know the day or hour when the bridegroom will appear.
1 Cor 16:13 TPT Remember to STAY alert and hold firmly to all that you believe. Be mighty and full of courage.
Finally, here is the summation of all that has been said. Jesus has appeared to deal with sin. DONE! He died, rose again and ascended to the Father when His work was done. He effectively dealt with sin once and for all by giving his life for us to pay the price for the sins of all men. Now, He has clearly stated that He will come again when the Father determines the time (Acts 1:4). We know that we all have an appointed time to die, Heb. 9:27-28 NLT- …each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, 28 so also Christ died once for all time to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for Him.
It is a Very bad News, Fantastic News situation! If we hear the gospel and reject the truth of the gospel, we seal our doom and will face judgment and eternal death and destruction on the day of judgment. But, if we trust Christ and believe in His substitutionary work on the cross and follow Him in faith, we will stand righteous before the judgment seat of Christ, not be judged for our sins, but for our works we have done for Him. That is GREAT NEWS!
The question remains for us all. Are we ready? Are we looking for Him? If so, we have a peace that passes all understanding!
Phil 4:6-8 Passion Translation- Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer with overflowing gratitude. Tell Him every detail of your life, 7 then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ. 8 So keep you thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable, and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising Him always.
Amen!
Posted in Faithfulness, Sermon Notes
Posted in Relax, Don\\\\\\\'t Worry, Worry, fear, Dread, faith, focus, Jesus, Spirit Led
Posted in Relax, Don\\\\\\\'t Worry, Worry, fear, Dread, faith, focus, Jesus, Spirit Led
Recent
Archive
2024
January
Hungry For GODWhat Happens When A Christian Sins?Integrity of GOD'S WordGOD'S Not GuiltyThe Power of a Spirit-Filled LifeHow to Receive The Holy SpiritThe Benefits of Speaking in TonguesSelf-Centeredness: The Source of All GriefHow to Meditate on GOD's WordHumility and HonorRenewing The MindThe Importance of Christ's ChurchDon’t Give the Devil an Open DoorDeliveranceAuthority of The BelieverStanding FirmHealing is in the AtonementHindrances to HealingForgiving OthersMarriage Part OneGOD of the BreakthroughMarriage Part TwoGOD’S Kind of Love Part One
February
GOD’S Kind of Love Part TwoFinances Part OneSurely Good & MercyNever An UnderdogFinances Part TwoThe Four Stages of Ministry: Part One - FaithfulnessThe Four Stages of Ministry: Part Two - FocusThe Four Stages of Ministry: Part Three - FruitfulnessThe Four Stages of Ministry: Part Four - Finishing WellAbove All ElseWhat To Do When Your Prayers Seem UnansweredWind From HeavenThe Divine Flow
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
Categories
Tags
1 Cor 15:58
1 Corinthians 13
1 Corinthians 18
1 Corinthians 6:19
1 John 1:9
1 John 5:14
1 Peter 5:8
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
2 Corinthians 5
2 Kings 5:1-13
2 Peter 3:9
2 Samuel 5:17-25
Agape love
Aga
Andrew wommack
Angels
Ask
Attributes
Baptism of The Holy Spirit
Being Thankful
Benefits
Bible
Birth of Christ
Birth of Jesus
Blood of The Lamb
Body of Christ
Body
Boldness
Breathe
Breath
Caleb
Christ-Centered
Christian LIfe
Christmas Story
Christ
Church
Communion
Completion
Condemnation
DCC Family Connect
Daniel 10
Days of Noah
Deuteronomy
Do I Act Like A Christian
Don Krow
Don Vess
Don't Worry
Don\'t Worry
Don\\\'t Worry
Dread
End times
Ephesians 4
Ephesians 6:12
Evangelism
Exodus 20
Ezekiel 16:8
FAITHFULNESS
Faithful
Father's Love
Father\'s Love
Finances
Friendship
Friends
Fruit of Salvation
Fruit of The Spirit
Fruitful
Gen 3:1
Gerald Brooks
Glorify GOD
Glory
God is on your side
God's Grace
God's Law
God's Love
God's Word
God's kind of love
God\'s Law
God\'s Love
God\'s Word
God\\\'s Law
God\\\'s Love
God\\\\\\\'s Love
God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Love
Godly Friends
Godly
God
Goodness of GOD
Gospel
Go
Gratitude
Guilty
Guilt
Harvest
Heart
Heavenly Father
Hebrews 10:25
Hebrews 13:8
Holiness
Holy Living
Holy Spirit Power
Holy Spirit
How to use your testimony
I am a Christian
Importance
Isaiah 53:3-5
Isaiah 53
JUSTICE
Jade Leslie
James 4:1-7
James 4:4
Jentezen Franklin
Jeremy Vess
Jesus Birth
Jesus Christ
Jesus
Joel 2:25
John 3:16
John 5
John Bevere
Joshua
Joy
Kingdom
King
Law
Levitical Code
Leviticus 10:3
Leviticus
Life in Christ
Light
Looking At
Lordship
Lord
Luke 13:10
Luke 13:1
Luke 15:11
Luke 16:30
Luke 18
Luke 2:1:4
Luke 2:1
Luke 6:38
Luke 9:57
Matthew 12:33-37
Matthew 28:18
Matthew 5:25
Matthew 6
Matthew 9
Meeting Together
Meeting
Mercy
Message Notes
Noah
Nooma
Numbers 13
Obedience
Object
Offerings
Office
Pastor Don
Patience
Persecution
Potters Hands
Power of my testimony
Power
Praise
Prayer
Praying in The Spirit
Praying in tongues
Prosperity
Prosper
Proverbs 23:7
Proverbs 24:10
Proverbs 25:2
Proverbs 4:23
Psalm 23
Psalm 34:8
Psalm 34:9
Rapture
Reaping
Receive
Rejoice
Rejoicing
Relationships
Relax
Righteousness
Romans 2:14
Romans 4:3
Romans 5:17
Seed
Sermon Notes
Shepherds
Silence
Silent
Sin Consciouisness
Solid as a rock
Sovereignty
Sowing
Speaking in Tongues
Spirit Led Life
Spirit Led
Spirit-Filled
Spirit
Stand firm
Standing firm
Taste
Ten Commandments
Testimony
The Bible
The Church
The Great Exchange
The Law
The Uncomfortableness of Death
The Will of God
The Word of God
The Word
Tithe
Transformation
Transformative
Treasures
Treasure
Trials
Tribulations
Wednesday Nights
What is The Church
What is marriage
Wisdom
Wise
Word
Works
Worry
Worthy
abhor
above all else
anxiety
arrogance
atonement
authority
awe
baptism
believer's authority
believer\'s authority
breakthrough
called
christian
close the door
closer to God
commandment
commission
commitment
confidence
confident
courageous
courage
creation
crucify
dealing with criticism
death
decision
delegation
deliverance
demonic oppression
demonic
demons
devil
discipleship
disciple
discouragement
disease
distractions
divine flow
divine
eternal life
eternity
exchange
faith
fasting
fast
fear of God
fear of the Lord
fear
fellowship with God
fellowship
finish well
finishing
finish
firm foundation
flesh
flow
focus
forgiveness
forgivenss
forgive
forgiving others
frank dyson
freedom
free
fruit of The Holy Spirit
fruitfulness
fruit
gifts
giving
goodness
grace
great commission
grief
growing up
grudge
guard
hate
healed
healing
helper
help
hindrances
holy
honoring God
honor
humility
hunger
hungry for God
hurts
hurt
husband
identity in Christ
identity
ignorance
immovable
infirmities
intimacy
intimidation
intolerance
kindness
kingdom authority
kingdom builders
kingdom seekers
leadership
leading of the Holy Spirit
lies
love
marriage
meditate
meditation
mind of Christ
ministry
miracles
money
musing
oneness
open door
oppression
overcoming
pain
past
perseverance
pneuma
pondering
possession
pride
prodigal son
promise
psalm 139:14
psalm 93:1-4
purpose
relationship
renewed
renewing the mind
renewing your mind
renewing
renew
repentance
repentence
repent
resist the devil
resistance
resist
rest
resurrection
reverence
revival
rock solid
romans 12:9
salvation
satan
saved by grace
saved
see
self control
selfishness
self
sermons
service
shake it off
shine
sickness
sin
spiritual battle
spiritual gifts
spiritual maturity
spiritual warfare
spouse
stages of ministry
steadfast
step up
stewardship
steward
strength
strong
supernatural
thanksgiving
thinking
tolerance
tongues
trust
truth
turn
underdog
unfaithfulness
union
victory
water baptism
wife
wonder
workmanship
wounds
wrongs
No Comments