It Is Written

Worrywarts Under The Microscope

Three Angels Broadcasting Network

Program transcript

Participants: John Bradshaw

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Series Code: IIW

Program Code: IIW001214


00:06 It has stood the test of time.
00:09 God's book.
00:12 The Bible.
00:16 Still relevant in today's complex world.
00:21 It is written sharing hope
00:25 around the globe.
00:40 I'm John Bradshaw Thanks for joining me today
00:42 on It is Written.
00:43 In March of 2011, life in Japan came
00:47 to a standstill when the largest earthquake
00:50 ever recorded in that country rocketed seismographs
00:54 way up to 9.0.
00:56 However, most of the damage was caused by the tsunami
00:59 that occurred a short while later,
01:02 swallowing everything in it's path, including ships, cars,
01:04 buses, trains, buildings, even airplanes, but most
01:09 tragically, people.
01:11 People who got up in the morning never realizing that
01:14 it would be their last day alive.
01:16 The Associated Press stated that this event resembled
01:20 the scenes of a Hollywood disaster movie.
01:22 Imagine, if your survived, living through all the
01:25 aftershocks, many in the range of 6.0 or higher.
01:29 You never know when the next one is coming and you don't
01:33 know how severe it will be.
01:34 An American living in Japan said this: "The aftershocks
01:38 keep coming.
01:39 It's gotten to the point where I don't know whether it's ME
01:41 shaking or an earthquake."
01:44 Those who live through an event like this that no doubt
01:46 experience fear and worry.
01:48 What is it that causes you to worry?
01:51 What keeps you up at night?
01:53 As child I remember seeing a billboard painted on the
01:56 corner of a building that said: "Why pray
01:59 when you can worry?"
02:00 I thought to myself, that's odd, I'm sure they meant it
02:03 the other way-"Why worry when you can pray."
02:06 So I looked again, but sure enough, the billboard said,
02:08 "Why pray when you can worry."
02:11 Are you a worry wart?
02:13 Today we are going to look at what Jesus had to say
02:16 about worry.
02:18 I'll be right back in a moment.
02:21 Hello.
02:22 I'd like to tell you about an exciting new Internet ministry
02:24 that It Is Written has launched just for kids.
02:28 My Place with Jesus is a series of 14 fun, interactive
02:32 Bible studies.
02:34 At My Place with Jesus.com kids learn so much about the
02:38 Bible and have a lot of fun along the way.
02:41 The 14 lessons cover such topics as creation, how to
02:45 build a healthy devotional life and the soon
02:48 return of Jesus.
02:49 At My Place with Jesus the Bible is the guide.
02:52 The best part about this new ministry is that the 14 Bible
02:57 lessons are not the end.
02:59 There are also Bible games, puzzles and a weekly
03:03 devotional on this site.
03:04 Please visit www.MyplacewithJesus.com.
03:09 Today.
03:11 Tell your children and your grandchildren all about it.
03:14 Learning aboutl the Bible has never been as much fun as it
03:17 is on mpwj.com Recently I got
03:22 an email from a friend that showed a photo of the sign in
03:26 front of a church that read like this:
03:32 Worry is a common human experience.
03:35 Most of us worry about something everyday-small
03:38 things and big things, worries about today, worries about
03:42 tomorrow or the future, and worries about yesterday and
03:45 what is past, worries about the fact that we can't go back
03:48 and change what was said and done.
03:51 But I venture to say that much of what we worry about
03:54 may be unproductive.
03:56 One person said:
04:02 Some of our worries may be legitimate, but
04:06 a lot of our worries are no doubt an unnecessary
04:09 withdrawal from our EMOTIONAL bank account.
04:12 A psychologist friend once told me that we each have a
04:15 daily allotment of emotional energy.
04:18 And just like there are limits to our physical energy before
04:21 we become exhausted, there are limits to our
04:24 emotional energy as well.
04:25 He said, "Think of it this way, picture a glass, like a
04:29 glass full of water, and every day you have a glass
04:34 full of emotional energy.
04:35 Now stop and analyze, what is it that drains your emotional
04:38 energy every day?"
04:39 We each choose how to spend our emotional energy just like
04:44 we choose how to spend our money.
04:46 And like money, our emotional energy can only be spent on
04:49 one thing, meaning you can't get it back, once it's spent.
04:53 So how do you spend your emotional energy everyday?
04:57 How much of your emotional energy is spent on worry?
05:02 I wonder if the person who wrote these words was writing
05:04 from experience:
05:11 Much of what we tend to worry about is
05:15 anticipating things that will never happen.
05:17 It's not the things that actually happen to us, but the
05:19 things we THINK will happen to us.
05:22 Here is how some famous people described it.
05:48 A study was done to discover what we tend to worry about.
05:52 Here are the results from a cross section of the
05:55 general public.
05:56 50% on events that will never happen
06:00 25% on things in the past that cannot be changed
06:04 10% about unconfirmed criticism by others
06:09 10% about health (much of it apprehensive)
06:12 and only 5% about the real problems that
06:15 will be faced Now I would hope that Christians have a more
06:20 positive outlook, because we have promises from Scripture
06:22 that should give us hope and security.
06:25 Like this one.
06:26 It's in 1 Peter 5:7.
06:30 1 Peter 5:7.
06:33 It's where the Bible says:
06:40 The Bible says God cares for YOU.
06:45 So, do you surrender all your cares to Jesus?
06:48 Do you BELIEVE God really cares for you?
06:52 God has promised to provide for all our needs, but we must
06:57 ask ourselves: Is what God provides for us, enough?
07:02 Or do we want more?
07:04 If we really believe that God cares for us-in everything and
07:08 all situations, then we really have no need to worry
07:11 about anything.
07:12 When our lives are in God's hands completely, we have
07:16 no reason to worry.
07:17 But there are conditions: (1) We must be completely
07:22 surrendered to God's will, and (2) We must accept
07:25 His plan for our lives.
07:28 Because we are selfish by nature, both of those choices
07:33 are not easy or natural for us and we must choose to do this
07:38 on an on-going basis.
07:40 Everyday we need to make a decision to turn our lives
07:44 over to God for that day.
07:45 Because every day comes with new challenges and
07:49 new opportunities to become anxious or go down
07:52 that road of worry.
07:53 The same person that wrote the Bible text we just looked at,
07:56 had a first hand experience of what it means to cast all our
08:01 care and worry on Jesus.
08:03 Do you remember the story of how Peter walked on water?
08:08 It happened right after the miracle of the feeding
08:10 of the 5,000.
08:12 Jesus had told the disciples to go ahead in their boat and
08:15 that he would follow later.
08:16 It was night time and the disciples were crossing
08:21 the sea Galilee.
08:22 We pick up the story in Matthew 14 and verse 26.
09:14 (You read that in Matthew 14:26-31)
09:16 Earlier in the experience of the disciples another
09:21 similar story had happened and we will look at
09:24 that just ahead.
09:29 Maybe something in today's program has sparked your
09:31 interest in greater Bible Study.
09:33 Why not visit our website itiswritten.com where you will
09:36 find a host of spiritual resources and free
09:40 Bible study guides.
09:47 You'll find a complete archive of past It Is Written programs
09:52 available in script form so you can read or download them.
09:57 Plus, you can watch a program you missed
09:59 via streaming video.
10:01 Why not pay a visit to ItIsWritten.com today.
10:14 Do you remember the Bible story about Jesus
10:16 and the storm?
10:18 The disciples were in their boat crossing the sea of
10:20 Galilee, and this time Jesus was with them.
10:23 In fact, he was in the back of the boat sleeping.
10:26 The story is found in Matthew 8:24-26.
10:57 The disciples were worried about losing their battle
10:59 with the storm, they were worried
11:01 about dying.
11:02 They were uncertain about their immediate future.
11:05 Would they drown right here and now?
11:07 They even forgot that Jesus was on board.
11:10 In the storms of YOUR life, do you ever forget
11:14 that Jesus is on board?
11:15 A lot of what we worry about is not what's happening to us
11:19 today, but what we fear will happen to us tomorrow.
11:23 And much of that fear stems from a lack of faith, do we
11:28 doubt or question whether God will really take care of us?
11:32 In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus gives us assurance
11:36 about a God who loves us.
11:38 In Matthew 6:25, he begins by telling us NOT to worry.
12:42 Could it be that Jesus is asking the same question
12:45 of us today that he asked the disciples during the
12:49 storms in their lives?
12:51 "O you of little faith, -- where is your faith, why do
12:55 you doubt my love for you?
12:57 Why do you fail to trust me completely?"
13:00 When we worry, we are in essence telling God that we
13:05 don't believe the words we've just read.
13:07 When we worry, we are telling God we don't have
13:10 faith in him.
13:12 Now here is an interesting thing about faith found in
13:15 Romans 14:23.
13:26 Sin is the opposite of faith.
13:30 Sin in NOT trusting God.
13:32 Sin is saying, "God I can handle my own life and supply
13:37 my own needs."
13:39 Sin is living a life apart from God.
13:41 Do we really believe that we ourselves are better at
13:45 running our lives than God?
13:46 The difference between the word running and the word
13:51 ruining is only a single letter, and that letter is I.
13:56 For a lot of people "I" gets in the way, and instead of
14:00 running their lives, they end up ruining their lives.
14:05 The difference between going in our own direction and
14:08 having God in the pilot seat is that God already knows
14:11 where things are headed.
14:13 God knew the earthquake would hit Japan.
14:16 He also knows when and where the next "big one" will hit.
14:19 He knows the end from the beginning and he knows the
14:23 next storm you will be facing.
14:25 So would you rather worry about the road ahead of you,
14:29 or travel with someone in the driver's seat who
14:32 knows the road ahead?
14:33 Someone once commented that if God is your co-pilot,
14:36 you need to change seats!
14:38 So the question we all need to answer is, will I allow God
14:42 to pilot my life?
14:44 Will I quit worrying?
14:47 Jesus is saying here in Matthew 6 that it's not
14:50 necessary for Christians to spend time and emotional
14:53 energy worrying about the future or the things
14:57 of this world.
14:58 He goes on in Matthew 6 verse 31 with these words:
15:21 God knows exactly what we need and he has
15:26 promised to provide it.
15:28 The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:19.
15:39 If the Bible says it, all we need to do
15:42 is believe it.
15:44 God will supply all our needs.
15:45 But it's important to keep in mind that every Bible
15:49 promise has a condition.
15:50 So far, Jesus has been describing God's great love
15:55 and care for us, but he adds that in order for us to
15:58 receive that love and care, it's only possible when we
16:02 meet the condition he outlines in the next verse.
16:17 We can expect God to provide for us and to
16:20 care for us, but only if our lives are positioned to
16:24 allow him to do that.
16:26 If any part of us is hanging onto the world, or following
16:29 the devil, then God is prevented from doing for us
16:33 what Jesus describes here in the sermon on the mount.
16:37 Only when we give God permission to intervene in our
16:39 lives can he do so.
16:41 Remember the glass described by my psychologist friend, and
16:45 how we each have a limited daily supply of
16:48 emotional energy.
16:49 Well how does a glass of water get filled?
16:52 If you put the glass upside down, you can pour water
16:56 over it all day long, but it will stay empty.
16:59 Only when the glass is facing the source of water
17:04 will it begin to fill.
17:06 The same is true with our lives.
17:08 If we desire God to supply our needs and fill our lives with
17:12 his love, we must be sure that our glass is face UP
17:18 and not face down.
17:20 Our lives must be open to receiving the blessings of God.
17:24 And according to Jesus the way we position our lives for
17:28 receiving God's blessing is by seeking first the kingdom of
17:32 God and His righteousness.
17:35 If we do that, THEN all those things shall be added.
17:39 What does Jesus mean by "seek first his kingdom and his
17:44 righteousness."?
17:46 It's very simple.
17:47 Jesus is saying that you and I are caught in a cosmic
17:50 conflict between good and evil and we have to choose sides.
17:53 Who will we be loyal to?
17:55 God or the devil?
17:58 Jesus says in order for God to be able to bless us, we need
18:02 to choose to be loyal to the kingdom of heaven and live
18:05 according to the principles of heaven as outlined
18:08 in the law of love.
18:09 It's as simple as that.
18:10 You can choose every day to make the kingdom of God
18:14 first in your life.
18:15 We have each been given freedom of choice and no one
18:19 can violate what we think, or what we believe and what we
18:23 hold most dear in our heart and soul, not even
18:26 the devil himself.
18:28 You can choose right now to GIVE yourself to God and allow
18:32 him to pilot your life.
18:34 You can choose to consecrate yourself to God every morning,
18:38 and surrender all your plans to him who already knows the
18:42 end from the beginning.
18:43 God already knows what your day will hold in store, he
18:48 already knows if it will be your last day, just like those
18:51 who were unexpectedly swept out to sea during
18:54 the tsunami in Japan.
18:56 You know, if you want to discover what's most important
18:59 to people, just can just take a look at what's stuck on the
19:02 front of their refrigerator.
19:03 That's where you find the grocery list, the drawings
19:07 done by children or grandchildren, the photos of
19:09 recent and past events, the love notes, the calendar of
19:13 important appointments and usually a newspaper clipping
19:17 or two or comment on how to lose weight.
19:19 But where is God on your refrigerator door?
19:22 Is God important enough in your life that you'd put him
19:25 in front of your refrigerator?
19:27 Let me suggest that you put a Bible text on your
19:31 refrigerator door, to help remind you to turn your life
19:33 over to God's control, daily.
19:35 Here's the text, we read it a moment ago.
19:49 Why do we visit our refrigerators
19:53 on a regular basis?
19:55 It's to seek physical sustenance.
19:58 But where do you go for spiritual sustenance?
20:02 Your soul needs spiritual food, just like your body
20:05 needs physical food.
20:07 If you're serious about wanting to experience the
20:10 goodness of God in your life as described in Matthew
20:13 chapter 6, then make God first in your life by making verse
20:17 33 a reality in your heart.
20:21 Finally, the last verse of Matthew chapter 6 brings us
20:24 back to where we began in verse 25.
20:26 Jesus again tells us not to worry.
20:41 Jesus says for us to live one day at a time,
20:44 and each day put the kingdom of heaven first by getting our
20:50 daily supply of spiritual nutrition.
20:53 If we do that, it will build our faith and trust in God and
20:59 therefore we will have no need to worry, no matter what
21:02 troubles the day my bring.
21:03 Someone once said:
21:10 Life is not about where I am, it's about where I'm going.
21:14 The pain of this life is nothing compared to the peace
21:18 and joy of eternity.
21:20 But we can experience the peace and joy of heaven
21:23 right here and now.
21:25 There is only one single requirement, --keep your eyes
21:29 on Jesus, make him first every day and surrender all of your
21:33 heart and life to him.
21:35 And you can do that right now, as we pray together.
21:39 Let's pray.
21:40 Our father in heaven we thank you that we can cast our cares
21:44 upon you knowing that you care for us.
21:48 I pray that you will give us peace in the place of our
21:52 worry and give us the joy of entering into that
21:56 relationship with you where we yield to you our hearts, where
22:00 we surrender fully and in trust completely and believe
22:04 in the promises of your word.
22:07 Lord please fill our hearts every day and be bigger, and
22:11 bigger and bigger in our lives so that before long, it's all
22:14 you and none of us.
22:16 We thank you today.
22:18 We give you our worries and concerns and we pray in Jesus'
22:21 name, Amen.
22:40 ♪ Amazing grace, oh how sweet ♪ ♪ the sound that saved ♪
22:57 ♪ a wretch like me. ♪ ♪ I once was lost, ♪
23:14 ♪ and now I am found. ♪ ♪ I was blind,♪
23:19 ♪oh but now I see. ♪ Violin Solo
24:27 ♪ Through many dangers, toils ♪ ♪ and snares ♪
24:36 ♪ I have already come. ♪ ♪Tis grace that brought♪
24:47 ♪me safe thus far♪ ♪ and gracewill lead ♪
24:57 me home. ♪ ♪ Amazing grace, ♪
25:14 ♪ how sweet the sound. ♪
25:38 Perhaps our program today has touched your heart and
25:41 impressed you with a personal need for deeper Bible Study.
25:44 Do you desire to listen to God and follow where he leads?
25:47 We've got a wonderful resource that can help you do that
25:50 in a systemic way.
25:52 The Discover Bible Guides.
25:53 These Study guides will take you through the essential
25:56 truths taught in scripture.
25:57 They give you the big picture showing how it
26:00 all fits together.
26:02 The Discover Bible Guides are a wonderful way for you to
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26:07 Christ relates to all the areas of our lives.
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27:30 Thanks for joining me today.
27:32 I'm looking forward to seeing you again next time.
27:34 Until then, remember - It Is Written:
27:36 man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word
27:42 that proceeds from the mouth of God.


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Revised 2015-02-05