1. Remember who is in Charge
- God is
- God watches over your life now and forever
- Hope gives the ability to withstand the weight
- What has been done and why
2. Mindful to Pray
- Basic and Vital
- Necessary but not Natural
- Talking to God
- Asking of God
- Aligning with God
3. Quick to Forgive
- Remember what has been done for You
- Do not keep Score
“Where were you when I created the earth? Tell me, since you know so much! Who decided on its size? Certainly you’ll know that! Who came up with the blueprints and measurements? How was its foundation poured, and who set the cornerstone, while the morning stars sang in chorus and all the angels shouted praise? And who took charge of the ocean when it gushed forth like a baby from the womb? That was me! I wrapped it in soft clouds, and tucked it in safely at night. Then I made a playpen for it, a strong playpen so it couldn’t run loose, and said, ‘Stay here, this is your place. Your wild tantrums are confined to this place.’ “And have you ever ordered Morning, ‘Get up!’ Told Dawn, ‘Get to work!’ So you could seize Earth like a blanket and shake out the wicked like cockroaches? “Have you ever gotten to the true bottom of things, explored the labyrinthine caves of deep ocean? Do you know the first thing about death? Do you have one clue regarding death’s dark mysteries? And do you have any idea how large this earth is? Speak up if you have even the beginning of an answer.”
Job 38:4-15, 17-18
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
Psalm 121
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”
1 Peter 1:3-5
“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
Philippians 4:6-7
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Matthew 6:12-15
“Christians are forgiven people – and should be thankful for it, that’s what makes them unique. But this unique factor carries a responsibility with it because they are forgiven, they must also become forgiving persons.”
Jay Adams
“The one who has relieved his own mind and heart of the burned of the offense in prayer growing out of a truly forgiving attitude, will have little difficulty granting forgiveness to his brother when it is sought.”
Jay Adams
Mental Worship:
- What is a way for you to remember who is in charge?
- When you realize God is in charge, what weight does that remove? Is there a “badge of honor” you need to let go of since God is in charge?
- Is your prayer life directly proportionate to your level of worry?
- Are you giving lip service to forgiveness and judging as if you had that authority?
