Daily Encouragement (Archive Edition)

The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

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Thursday, November 12, 2020

Loaded wagons on Strasburg Pike.

"Vain Imaginations"

Message summary: What specific issue in your life are you anxious about today?

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"Casting down vain imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6,7).

Yesterday I had "blood work", the kind of testing the medical people periodically request, to see how their patient is doing. In our health system we have a "health patient portal" where we can log in and read the results. I'm pleased to report that everything I was tested for was found to be in normal range!

But this brings a memory of one of the first times in my life I ever had blood work.

In the mid-nineties I had a mini-medical exam with a nurse that included a blood test required for securing a life insurance policy. We were going on vacation in Maine and just before we left for vacation I got a note that there was a problem with the blood work and to contact my doctor ASAP.

Wow, what a start to a vacation! I was convinced that I must have some dreaded disease. As the trip progressed I fed the conjectures in my mind, although I didn't share my worries with Brooksyne. My stomach was a ball of knots. How had this happened I reasoned? I had been morally faithful and had never taken drugs. What would I tell my family and the church? How would it affect my ministry. It was a terrible time of inner turmoil.

When I got back home and called my doctor it turned out that my cholesterol count was high and I was ineligible for the premium discounted insurance rate. All that worry for nothing (relatively speaking).

I had been experiencing the consequences of vain imaginations. "Vain imaginations come through our minds and present all sorts of worst-case scenarios as well as fearful, worrisome and anxious pictures in our minds." (Stephanie Reck)

Here's a powerful verse in dealing with vain imaginations from the apostle Paul: "Casting down vain imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).

O, the power of vain imaginations! Have you ever done something like I did? You've made a determination about a matter, invested in it, developed it, nurtured it, and yes, perhaps even pondered it with others. Perhaps your experience caused a lot of worry, headache, heartache, and even a broken relationship(s). What a powerful principle is found in the second daily text.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6,7).

The command:

"Do not be anxious about anything". The word for "anxious" in the original Greek (merimnao) is very interesting. One descriptive definition is "to turn over and over in the mind."

"In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

The promise:

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Amen!

What specific issue in your life are you anxious about today? Is it the same thing you were anxious about a month ago, a year ago or even ten years ago? Probably not. I have written on this subject many times and have preached on it numerous times. I've read some good books based on Biblical teachings (The best I ever recall was a small book by Jay Adams titled "What to do about worry"*). But I just can't say I've completely overcome my tendency to worry and admit I am still overcoming, as there always seems to be something new to worry about!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, I choose to cast down vain imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ. I choose not to be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, to present my requests to You so that Your peace, which surpasses my understanding, will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Burdens Are Lifted At Calvary" Video The Collingsworth Family

"My Anchor" Video Christy Nockels

* "What To Do About Worry" by Dr. Jay E. Adams is available to read in its entirety online here

Overcoming Vain Imaginations

PS: We rejoice with anyone reading this who has completely overcome anxiety in his or her life by applying this truth consistently!

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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