“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” (Phil. 4:6)

This verse is a four step formula for success for any and every situation

No matter what you are dealing with at home, at work, or in every and any situation, apply these four steps.

Step one - “Don’tworry”. Worry is the opposite of faith and is a tool of the devil to stop you. But, don't let it! DECIDE NOT to worry! That’s right! It's a decision. Take control of it! Make it your conscious decision immediately at the very start of anything, no matter how it looks, not to worry! Use God’s Word as your weapon to fight it (it’s the sword of the spirit). "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.” (Phil. 4:6-7)

Step two -  “Pray about everything.” Most of the time we don't use the biggest resource we have in our hand, prayer! If you don't use it, you lose it! As a child of God you can come boldly to Him at any moment and instantly discuss anything with Him. And, you must do so immediately and boldly, in the time of need.  “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16)

Step three - “Tell God what you need.” Come right out with it! Be specific and tell God exactly what you need! He cares about you and wants to help you but you must ask! “You have not because you ask not.” (James 4:2). “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matt. 7:7)

Step four -  "Thank Him for all that He has done.” Thank Him for the many times He has helped you in the past. Thank Him, too, for the thousands of promises He has already provided for you in the Bible. They cover virtually every possible need you could ever encounter! God has already thought of everything and provided for it. Many times we ask God for things he’s already provided for us in the Bible. When problems or challenges come along, find specific promises in the Bible that already apply and then thank Him for them! “And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises.” (2 Peter 1:4). “All the promise of God are 'yes' through Jesus.” (2 Cor. 1:20). “And God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)

So do it!

“Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." - John R. Wooden

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no help at all." -Dale Carnegie

With our grandchildren  

“For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield.” (Psalm 5:12)

Susan and I recently had photos taken with our beautiful grandchildren. Their smiling faces reminded us of how blessed we are to have them in our lives and how much we do love and cherish each one of them. And, of course, we feel exactly the same way about their parents, our children.

Yes, we love them dearly and they all have favor with us!

And, how did they get our favor? Some of them were born into our family and some of them were adopted into it.  But, no matter which way they came, they are loved and favored!

It's exactly the same with God!

You were adopted into His family by being “born again,” according to John3:7. At some point in your life, you prayed and invited Jesus to forgive your sins and to be your savior. At that moment, you were made a part of God’s family and became a joint heir with Jesus.

With great pleasure, God adopted us into His family!

“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” (Eph. 1:5 NLT)

We became Jesus’s siblings

“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” (Rom. 8:28 NLT)

“As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12)

As a member of God’s family, you have His favor

“For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD.” (Pr. 8:35)

Favor means complete access to God

This unmerited favor includes not only being forgiven of sin but also receiving access to the very presence of God in the same way Jesus has access to Him.

Favor means that God withholds no good thing from you!

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk upright.” (Psalm 84:11)

God’s favor for you is for life!

“His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5b

Favor means that thousands of promises in the Word of God are yours!

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.” (2 Cor. 1:20)

"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.'” (Mark 10:27)

"Stay on the job until you succeed!"

In his book, Think and Grow Rich, 1960, Napoleon Hill tells the story of how Automobile genius Henry Ford once came up with a revolutionary plan for a new kind of engine which we know today as the V-8. Ford was eager to get his great new idea into production. He had some men draw up the plans, and presented them to the engineers. As the engineers studied the drawings, one by one they came to the same conclusion. Their visionary boss just didn't know much about the fundamental principles of engineering. He'd have to be told gently--his dream was impossible. Ford said, "Produce it anyway." They replied, "But it's impossible." "Go ahead," Ford commanded, "and stay on the job until you succeed, no matter how much time is required." For six months they struggled with drawing after drawing, design after design. Nothing. Another six months. Nothing. At the end of the year Ford checked with his engineers and they once again told him that what he wanted was impossible. Ford told them to keep going. They did. And they discovered how to build a V-8 engine.”

Has God given you a dream?

Throw off everything that hinders you, fix your eyes on Jesus, and proceed on the path God has created you for and has marked out for you!

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Heb. 12:1-3)

Do it God’s way!

“God's work, done God’s way, will never lack God’s supply.” – Hudson Taylor

Lincoln persevered  

“So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.” (Gal. 6:9)

The value of courage, persistence, and perseverance has rarely been illustrated more convincingly than in the life story of Abraham Lincoln!

Abraham Lincoln’s story of persistence

• Failed in business – at age 22
• Ran for Legislature--defeated – at age 23
• Again failed in business – at age 24
• Elected to Legislature – at age 25
• sweetheart died – at age 26
• Had a nervous breakdown – at age 27
• Defeated for Speaker – at age 29
• Defeated for Elector – at age 31
• Defeated for Congress – at age 34
• Elected to Congress – at age 37
• Defeated for Congress – at age 39
• Defeated for Senate – at age 46
• Defeated for Vice President – at age 47
• Defeated for Senate – at age 49
• Elected President of the United States – at age 51

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” (2 Chron. 15:7)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Josh. 1:9)

Persistence!

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” – Calvin Coolidge

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Heb. 13:6)

Recently, while Susan and I were traveling, we were suddenly rerouted by police to back roads in order to avoid a riot in the city we were just about to pass through. We turned on our radio and heard about what was happening to innocent people on the very route we were on. Cars were being stopped on the freeway and terrified people were being pulled out of them and attacked by the angry mob. We were very glad to have been warned and directed to go a different way!

Scary things do happen!

It's impossible to pick up the newspaper, turn on the television or radio, or even look at social media, without being bombarded with all kinds of fearful news! And yes, it can be frightening. But, the good news is that we don't have to give in to fear because we have a constant helper! And, it's none other than God Himself! Check out the following promises!

God’s hand will help you!

“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

When you cry out to God, He will answer!

“In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.” (Psalm 137:3)

“For he will deliver the needy when he cries for help, The afflicted also, and him who has no helper. He will have compassion on the poor and needy, And the lives of the needy he will save. He will rescue their life from oppression and violence, And their blood will be precious in his sight.” (Psalm 72:12-14)

God is your strength in time of trouble!

“But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in time of trouble.” (Psalm 37:39)

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” (Matt. 18:19)

Over the years Susan and I have claimed this agreement promise in many situations.

Recently, we were considering a large purchase and had the amount we wanted to pay for it set aside in the bank. Then we found the item, but it was a couple of thousand dollars higher than what we had agreed together to pay for it. So, we prayed together once again and said, “God, we have agreed on the amount we want to pay for this item, and we have that money set aside. If this is the correct purchase for us, let us know by providing the extra money in unexpected ways. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

Then we waited

If this was the item for us, the money would come. If it wasn't for us, the money wouldn't come, and we'd keep looking for it elsewhere to become available at our agreed on price.

The answer came in two parts

First, we got a phone call from our insurance company saying they were returning to us $1,000 that we'd paid earlier to them as a deductible on a claim for damage which had occurred during a power surge. They said the power company had unexpectedly decided to take care of the deductible amount. So, they were returning it to us!

Second, we called to double check the price of the item we wanted and they told us they decided to reduce the price by $1,000!

So, we had our answer! We made the purchase with complete confidence.

“Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 15:5)

“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their habitations. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” (Acts 17:26-27)

Home and neighborhood one

When Susan and I were first married we lived in a new single-wide trailer in a beautiful tree-filled park next to a picturesque duck pond. It was perfect and we loved it. We were very happy and content there. Then Susan’s father saw a documentary on television about trailer fires. It scared him, so he presented us with a hand-full of papers to apply for a home loan. We loved where we lived and didn't think we needed to move, but we completed the paperwork anyway in order to please him.

Home and neighborhood two

In complete surprise we were approved for the loan and found ourselves in a brand new home in a new neighborhood. We lived there happily for several years.

Home and neighborhood three

When we had our fourth child, it became obvious to us that we needed a larger home. We looked for months and nothing seemed right, so we stopped looking. Then, a friend we knew casually mentioned that his family had just decided to sell their home. We went to see it and It was perfect for us. We bought it and still live there today!

We could tell that God had led us to each home and neighborhood location!

Each location brought us into new relationships with productive ministry. God put the right connections together so that the right things could happen at exactly the perfect times. We saw a number of our neighbors come to Christ, some into full time ministry,  and we could clearly see His hand in all of it.

It is no accident that we live when and where we do!

God has placed everyone in the world according to His perfect plan!

What we learn from acts 17:26-27 aboutWHEN, WHERE, and WHY we live on earth:

• God created all people from one man, Adam. “From one man he made all the nations.”
• To fill the earth. “That they should inhabit the whole earth.”
• He appointed when they should live. “He marked out their appointed times in history.”
• He appointed the exact places where they would live. “The boundaries of their habitations.”
• For His stated purpose of reaching them for Himself. “God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”

And, He even created us with certain abilities and talents to enable us to do His good work

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10)

“It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.” (Psalm 127:2)

When I was a young kid I heard someone ask my older brother, David, if he ever worried about things. He said, “No. I don’t have to, because Mike worries enough for both of us!”

He was right!

I was a big worrier! I would lay awake at night worrying about anything and everything! Maybe it was because I was in the foster care system and tossed around from pillar to post. I had so much uncertainty in those days and it probably contributed to my tendency to worry. As I grew up I continued my worry habit and had trouble sleeping because of it. I would often lay awake at night worrying about things.

Eventually, I realized it did absolutely no good to stay awake worrying. It wouldn't change anything. All it did was make me tired and grumpy the following day and affected my ability to concentrate and work.

I found the answer in God’s promises

No need to worry and lose sleep because…

• God will take care of all my needs. (Phil. 4:19)
• I can boldly talk to God about anything and everything at any hour of the day or night. (Heb. 4:16)
• God will generously give me wisdom to handle anything. (James 1:5)
• I can give Him all my worries and cares! (Psalm 55:22)
• God will work all things out for my good. (Rom. 8:28)
• God will give me direction when I need guidance. (Prov. 3:5-6)
• God is my rock and fortress. (Psalm 31:3)
• God’s Angels encamp around me. (Psalm 34:7)
• God will give me sleep. (Psalm 127:2)

Therefore...  

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1

When I was a teenager, I spent a couple of wonderful Alaskan summers commercial fishing and living with Joe Redington, Sr., and his family. Those summers were Alaska at its best!

A note on the door

It began when I came home from the last day of school and found a note on the door telling me my parents had moved to California! They told me to go to Emard Cannery in Anchorage to meet Joe Redington. Working with Joe was a great experience and a privilege! Joe is an Alaskan legend and the “father” of the Iditarod dogsled races. I helped him feed his dogs and loved watching him practice dog sledding even in the summertime with sleds equipped with wheels!

Joe was a great mentor to me and taught me a lot.

He and his family lived in a big house next to Flathorn Lake where they lived completely off the grid. No electricity, no running water, no indoor plumbing, but we didn't miss any of it! We collected seagull eggs, hunted and fished. I helped him deliver groceries and supplies to folks out in the wilderness. On long Alaskan summer days we commercial fished in Cook Inlet until we had a full load of salmon. Then we made the long twelve-hour trip to Emard Cannery in Anchorage to deliver our load.

I lost my footing

One day, when we had a big load of fish and were about halfway across Cook Inlet, we stopped for a rest and dropped anchor. Joe went below to take a nap and I was alone upside. Part of my job was to keep the fish from drying out. I hauled up sea water with a bucket on a rope. This time, as soon as I lowered the bucket over the edge into the water, it filled up, but I lost my footing and the weight of it pulled me overboard! My hip boots instantly filled with water and dragged me down even more. My boots stuck to my legs and I couldn’t get them off. I couldn't swim with them! I was quickly running out of air.

Then I felt something grab me by the top of my hood and pull me up to the surface, and then back onto the boat! It was Joe! Joe told me he had just awakened from his nap. He came onto the deck just in time to see me disappear under the water. He was able to grab the gaff-pole to reach for me. It was miraculous that he came on deck at exactly the moment he did and was able to snag the top of my hood. It was a miracle!

God is the God of perfect timing!

“God sends Angels to minister to them who will be heirs of salvation.” (Heb. 1:14)

“My times are in Your hands – deliver me . . .” (Ps. 31:15)

“You are my hiding place; you will preserve me from trouble.”(Ps. 32:7a)