Wisdom Prepares for the Future

Transcript

WISDOM PREPARES FOR THE FUTURE
TITUS TUESDAY JACKIE SOUTHWICK
APRIL 5, 2016

“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’  For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” ~Matthew 6:31-34

Because our future on earth is unpredictable, it causes us to worry and fear.
* Philippians 4:6-7
* Matthew 6:25-34
CHARLES SPURGEON ~ “Just as we feel a thousand deaths in fearing one (death), so do we feel a thousand afflictions in the fear of sorrows which will never come. Probably the major part of our griefs are born, nourished and perfected, entirely in an anxious, imaginative brain. Many of our sorrows are not woven in the loom of providence, but are purely homespun, and the pattern of our own invention. Some minds are specially fertile in self-torture; they have the creative faculty for all that is melancholy, desponding, and wretched.”
“Of all the self-torture, that of importing future trouble into present account is, perhaps, the most insane.”
Worry…
* can be devastating to our mental and physical health.
* says, “Lord, I don’t think I can trust you.”

Characteristics of a Worrier:
* They disbelieve Scripture.
o Romans 8:28-29

o Matthew 6:30 – “You of little faith”

* They desire something other than God’s will for their lives.
o The process of sanctification is sometimes difficult and painful.

* They distrust God.
o Study Scripture to learn about His faithfulness.

o Memorize and meditate on those passages.

o Remind yourself how He has faithfully kept you in the past.


* They are mastered by circumstances.
o Ephesians 1:18-20a

o 2 Peter 1:3




* They are unwise.
o Matthew 6:34

o Lamentations 3:22-23 — “The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”

o We need to learn to apply today’s resources to today’s needs so we don’t lose today’s joy.

o Psalm 118:24 — “This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

o “Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths.”
–Charles Spurgeon

o Hebrews 13:8

Wisdom prepares for the future:
* By learning to think Biblically
o Develop the ability to see all of life from God’s point of view so we will know how to respond accordingly.

o Develop Biblical priorities by being saturated by the Word of God.

o Psalm 119:18 Ask God to teach you His truth.

* By trusting God for the future:
o Pray about your fears.

o Trust that He has all things in His sovereign control.

o Philippians 4:6-7

o Proverbs 3:5-6


* By being obedient.
o Ecclesiastes 12:13

o Matthew 5:6 If our main pursuit is to live righteously, we will be satisfied in any kind of circumstances.

* By preparing spiritually.
o 1 Peter 1:6-9