"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
For the past two Sundays we have been studying the positive side of "Control vs. Trusting in God" - Learning what we are supposed to control & who we are supposed to trust. So, today we will be studying the opposite - what we are NOT supposed to control & what/who we are NOT supposed to trust.
The following 7 areas are things/people that we cannot control and should not trust - Remember we learned that we should ONLY TRUST GOD and that we are only responsible for our own actions and ONLY through Jesus who strengthens us are we able to control our self.
Control vs. Trusting in God - Part 1
Control vs. Trusting in God - Part 2
For the past two Sundays we have been studying the positive side of "Control vs. Trusting in God" - Learning what we are supposed to control & who we are supposed to trust. So, today we will be studying the opposite - what we are NOT supposed to control & what/who we are NOT supposed to trust.
The following 7 areas are things/people that we cannot control and should not trust - Remember we learned that we should ONLY TRUST GOD and that we are only responsible for our own actions and ONLY through Jesus who strengthens us are we able to control our self.
1. RICHES (Money, Wealth, Property, Possessions) - Do NOT trust in riches - we CANNOT control them.
I'm sure that many of us have learned the hard way in this category. With the crash of Wall street and the "Housing Bubble" bursting - both Finance and Property ownership have been devastated. How many times a day do we hear/see in the media that we need to "take control" of our retirement with 401K's, property investment, purchasing gold and silver or reverse mortgages etc. All of these options are uncontrollable. Personally, gold and silver makes the most sense as far as value goes but then that can just as easily be lost or stolen - we should never put any trust in our riches because they cannot be controlled.
"Whoever trust in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." Proverbs 11:28
"Since you trust in your deeds and riches, you too will be taken captive" Jeremiah 48:7
2. BOW & SWORD (Weapons, Physical strength, Power) - Do NOT trust in power - it CANNOT be controlled.
Today's society is consumed with strength, body building, healthy living, stocking up on weapons & ammunition - power! Now, don't get me wrong - I believe in the second amendment (right to keep and bear arms) however, my point is that we cannot put our faith in weapons to save us. This "power" makes you feel safe but these (just like gold & silver) could just as easily be stolen some day - we cannot control our safety through "arms". It's the same with our health - I've seen many seemingly healthy & strong people fine one minute but then in the Cardiac operating room the next minute having bypass surgery. We cannot ultimately control our strength. God has ALL OF THE POWER.
I'm sure that many of us have learned the hard way in this category. With the crash of Wall street and the "Housing Bubble" bursting - both Finance and Property ownership have been devastated. How many times a day do we hear/see in the media that we need to "take control" of our retirement with 401K's, property investment, purchasing gold and silver or reverse mortgages etc. All of these options are uncontrollable. Personally, gold and silver makes the most sense as far as value goes but then that can just as easily be lost or stolen - we should never put any trust in our riches because they cannot be controlled.
"Whoever trust in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." Proverbs 11:28
"Since you trust in your deeds and riches, you too will be taken captive" Jeremiah 48:7
2. BOW & SWORD (Weapons, Physical strength, Power) - Do NOT trust in power - it CANNOT be controlled.
Today's society is consumed with strength, body building, healthy living, stocking up on weapons & ammunition - power! Now, don't get me wrong - I believe in the second amendment (right to keep and bear arms) however, my point is that we cannot put our faith in weapons to save us. This "power" makes you feel safe but these (just like gold & silver) could just as easily be stolen some day - we cannot control our safety through "arms". It's the same with our health - I've seen many seemingly healthy & strong people fine one minute but then in the Cardiac operating room the next minute having bypass surgery. We cannot ultimately control our strength. God has ALL OF THE POWER.
"I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever." Psalm 44: 6-8
3. MULTITUDE (Crowd, Fads, Trends, Peer Pressure) - Do NOT trust and follow the mainstream - one CANNOT control trends.
The first thing that pops into my mind is the saying "if they jumped off the empire state building would you?" Do you act one way, wear something or go somewhere just because it's popular and other people are doing it? Don't "go with the crowd" unless you've prayed about it and studied Gods Word and know that it is something that God wants you to do. Do NOT trust the multitude - it CANNOT be controlled.
"Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord." Isaiah 31:1
The first thing that pops into my mind is the saying "if they jumped off the empire state building would you?" Do you act one way, wear something or go somewhere just because it's popular and other people are doing it? Don't "go with the crowd" unless you've prayed about it and studied Gods Word and know that it is something that God wants you to do. Do NOT trust the multitude - it CANNOT be controlled.
"Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord." Isaiah 31:1
4. IDOLS (Anything or person that is worshipped instead of God - Actors, Musicians, Computer games, Athletes, Government Leaders) - Do not trust in idols - we cannot control them.
It's quite easy to put someone up on a pedestal in today's society when we are bombarded with pictures and hype about these people on the computer, TV, radio etc. We start to think of these "idols" as superhuman when they are just a person. These "idols" can come in different forms like computer games or even social media - and it's more than an addiction. When these characters in a game almost become real - that's when it has turned into an idol. Have you ever put aside your Bible or decided to pray later because your show was coming on the tube or the game of the season was starting? - Maybe it's time to admit it and change your ways?
"But those who trust in idols, who say to images, 'You are our gods,' will be turned back in utter shame." Isaiah 42:17
It's quite easy to put someone up on a pedestal in today's society when we are bombarded with pictures and hype about these people on the computer, TV, radio etc. We start to think of these "idols" as superhuman when they are just a person. These "idols" can come in different forms like computer games or even social media - and it's more than an addiction. When these characters in a game almost become real - that's when it has turned into an idol. Have you ever put aside your Bible or decided to pray later because your show was coming on the tube or the game of the season was starting? - Maybe it's time to admit it and change your ways?
"But those who trust in idols, who say to images, 'You are our gods,' will be turned back in utter shame." Isaiah 42:17
5. OTHER PEOPLE (Family, Neighbor, Friend, Man, Princes) - do NOT trust people more than you trust God - we should NEVER control others.
This is a difficult topic to think about. Of course we should trust our spouse, children should trust their parents and we should trust our friends. The problem comes when we trust people more than we trust God. Perhaps the worse issue is that many of us try (and unfortunately some succeed) to control others. Trust does not cause one to be claustrophobic, depressed or anxious - that is how one feels when they are being controlled. God does not "control" us - He guides us - He's given us "free will" and we make our own decisions and when we make a decision that goes against God's Will, then there will be concequences but He will urge us back on track. Controlling others and situations that have to do with other people will always backfire on the "controller".
"It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes." Psalm 118: 8&9
"Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with her who lies in your embrace be careful of your words. For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law - a man's enemies are the members of his own household. But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me." Micah 7:5-7
This is a difficult topic to think about. Of course we should trust our spouse, children should trust their parents and we should trust our friends. The problem comes when we trust people more than we trust God. Perhaps the worse issue is that many of us try (and unfortunately some succeed) to control others. Trust does not cause one to be claustrophobic, depressed or anxious - that is how one feels when they are being controlled. God does not "control" us - He guides us - He's given us "free will" and we make our own decisions and when we make a decision that goes against God's Will, then there will be concequences but He will urge us back on track. Controlling others and situations that have to do with other people will always backfire on the "controller".
"It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes." Psalm 118: 8&9
"Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with her who lies in your embrace be careful of your words. For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law - a man's enemies are the members of his own household. But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me." Micah 7:5-7
6. EXTORTION (Scams, Lies, Tricks, Schemes) - Do not trust in Extortion - it can NEVER be controlled.
This category seems to have be written for modern day! Just think for a moment of how many "schemes" that we have been warned about on the news or internet just this past month!! People trying to steal social security numbers by impersonating the Electric Company or online identity theft or the most recent Target security breach where many credit card numbers were stolen. These "scammers" are obviously intelligent and I've often wondered why these people can't use these talents in positive ways rather than such negative and destructive lies. Even in the business world everyone is trying to "stretch the truth" or find a "loop hole" - these are lies!! It's impossible to keep track of all these lies - these scammers will slip and mix up their lies. Extortion will never pay in the end.
"Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them." Psalm 62:10
This category seems to have be written for modern day! Just think for a moment of how many "schemes" that we have been warned about on the news or internet just this past month!! People trying to steal social security numbers by impersonating the Electric Company or online identity theft or the most recent Target security breach where many credit card numbers were stolen. These "scammers" are obviously intelligent and I've often wondered why these people can't use these talents in positive ways rather than such negative and destructive lies. Even in the business world everyone is trying to "stretch the truth" or find a "loop hole" - these are lies!! It's impossible to keep track of all these lies - these scammers will slip and mix up their lies. Extortion will never pay in the end.
"Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them." Psalm 62:10
7. FUTURE & FEAR -
I included this topic just because it seems like many people today almost trust their fears and anxieties. Maybe it's a modern trend but for some of us it seems like the ritual or avoidance measures turn into a safety net and certain anxious people almost start to trust their fears. We will all be afraid at some point in our lives - it's inevitable but we need to learn to entrust our future to God - He will take care of us. Going through some ritual to avoid a situation that might make you afraid is turning that fear into a deity. Never trust fear and never try to control your future - it's all in God's hands.
"When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid." Psalm 56: 3&4
" 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' " Jeremiah 29:11
Control vs. Trusting in God - Part 1
Control vs. Trusting in God - Part 2
______________________________
"Prayer Warriors United" is a google+ Community where Christians come together in prayer. click HERE to view or join this community
If you need prayer please fill out this
Very important to remember these points. Thank you for sharing them. {{{hugz}}}
ReplyDelete