March 31, 2019
Morning Service

1.   When in doubt pause…  Doubt - a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction, fear (some  antonyms or opposites: would be faith, trust, assurance, reliance, certainty)                                            

The disciples were on the sea in a boat and the wind picked up and became very rough. They looked out and saw Jesus coming toward them walking on the water. They called out in fear thinking it was a spirit and Jesus told them to not be afraid it was him. Peter took courage and said “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.”

Matt. 14: 29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased..

Peter didn’t pause but with eagerness jumped out of the boat and into the water. Now it’s not the fact that he jumped headlong into the water so much as his momentary spurt of courage gave way to fear once he realized where he was in the midst of the angry sea and when he did realize fear set in and he began to sink. And then in Matt. 21 Jesus had rode into the town on the donkey, cast out the money changers from the temple and he healed many sick and lame. The next day Jesus hungered and they came upon a fig tree which was bare except for leaves, no fruit. Jesus “said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward forever. And presently the fig tree withered away.” The disciples marveled at how soon the fig tree withered away and Jesus said unto them…

Matt:21 21 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. 22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

Pause and pray and whatsoever ye ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

2.   When angry pause… Anger - having a strong displeasure, annoyance, irritated (antonyms: would be happy, joyous, peaceful, kind, understanding) Why is it human nature to seem to want to take the unacceptable road (emotion)? It’s the easy route to become angry at a person or situation because something is usually being done or simply going opposite of how we think it should go. Instead of being easy to take out the bolt breaks off and a simple job becomes a more complicated one. Someone cuts us off or hogs the road. Anger is many times the first response when nerves are irritated. And as we grow older those emotions are even harder to control.

Ephesians 4: 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil.

Anger in itself isn’t a sin but we are told to stop short of letting anger go that far and don’t hold malice in our hearts.

James 1: 19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

In a moment of anger…pause.

3.   When weary pause… Tired - Drained of strength and energy (antonyms: lively, fresh, and energetic) Not just physically weary but mentally, spiritually weary.

Matt. 11: 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

It is possible to become spiritually burned out, weary, feel like you are in a rut and going nowhere. For some this is worse than for others. We aren’t all the same, we don’t all handle situations the same way. But the answer is the same.

Psalm 55: 22 Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved..

When you feel weary, burdened, tired, overwhelmed…pause.

4.   When stressed pause…Stressed – (anxiety, worry) a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances (antonyms: relieve, take away, calm, bring peace, at ease). We are told that stress can bring on or worsen health problems, it affects not only our bodies but our thoughts, feelings and behavior. It damages our physical health, our mental health, emotional health and spiritual health. It basically destroys us. Again we can call on the scripture Psalm 55:22 from above. Whatever burdens us, causes us stress, we can cast those burdens on the Lord.

Psalm 46: God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

There is no stress that Jesus Christ cannot suppress in our lives if we let him.

1 Peter 5: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.

When you feel stress and anxiety closing in around you and starting to suck the life out of you… pause.

Finally when in the pause mode…pray!

Philippians 4: 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through  Christ Jesus.

Be anxious for nothing, don’t worry pray. We’ve already read in Matt. 21:22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”  It says whatever things we ask in prayer. No restrictions are given only that we pray believing. Do you have doubts? Are you angry about something? Are you weary? Are you stressed? Not a day goes by that we don’t feel at least some of these things, many times multiples. Rather than take matters into our own hands we should   pause, pray and believe. Doesn’t it make more sense to turn it over to God rather than to attempt it ourselves. I don’t know about you all but I generally make a mess of things.

1 John 5: 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

Are we all going to walk out today and when faced with some stress or concern of some kind instantly remember to pause and pray? Likely not right off, speaking for myself anyway. We’re human and it takes time to put ideas into play. But maybe each one of us as we are faced with more and more we will put into play the idea of pause and pray before reacting.

Our prayer: O Lord embed within our hearts and minds your words. With each situation we face quicken our hearts to pause and pray and allow you guide our thoughts and actions.   Amen