“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:14 ESV)

Goal: the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim, ambition, aspiration, design, dream, plan, purpose, target.

Diligently plan

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” (Prov. 21:5 ESV)

Prepare your work

“Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.” (Prov. 24:27 ESV)

Finish it

“So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.” (2 Cor. 8:11 ESV)

Therefore…

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (Prov. 16:3 ESV)

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Prov. 16:9 ESV)

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11 ESV)

Quote:

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail” - Benjamin Franklin

“Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.” (Job 5:17 ESV)

God disciplines His children in love

“And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Heb. 12:5-11 ESV)

God’s Word is profitable for reproof and correction

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Cor. 3:16-17 ESV)

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Therefore…

“For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life…”(Prov. 6:23 ESV)

“Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.” (Prov. 8:33 ESV)

“Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.” (Prov. 15:32 ESV)

“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 100:5 ESV)

 God is good

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” (Nahum 1:7 ESV)

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8 ESV)

What God made is good

“And God looked upon all that He had made, and indeed, it was very good.” (Gen. 1:31)

“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.” (1 Tim. 4:4 NIV)

What God does is good

“Everything he does is good.” (Psalm 111:7 NCV)

“You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.” (Psalm 119:68 ESV)

God is good to everyone

“The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.” (Psalm 145:9 NLT)

“For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.” (Matt. 5:45 NLT)

Therefore…

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 107:1 ESV)

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8 ESV)

“But test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thess. 5:21 ESV)

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28 ESV)

Quote: 

“The goodness of God is infinitely more wonderful than we will ever be able to comprehend.” - Aiden Wilson Tozer

“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” (Matt. 7:3-5 ESV)

Blame: to find fault with; an expression of disapproval or reproach, censure, condemn, criticize, denounce, dis, dispraise, fault, knock, pan, reprehend.

Blaming others is not new

When caught in sin, Adam blamed God and Eve and Eve blamed the serpent. “The man said, ‘The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.’ Then the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this that you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.’” (Gen. 3:13-13 ESV)

Casting blame on others does not solve its root problem. It only shifts the focus away from you and onto someone else. Essentially, sweeping it under the rug. But, if not personally dealt with, it still exists. An old saying points out that when you point your finger at someone else, there are three of your fingers pointing back at you. To obtain mercy, the Bible instructs us to ad not and take responsibility for our own actions, to confess our sins, and to forsake them. Blaming others interrupts the process. 

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Prov. 28:13 ESV)

“Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.” (Rom. 2:1 ESV)

Therefore…

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph. 4:31-32 ESV)

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.” (Prov. 21:2 ESV)

Quote:

“Hell begins with a grumbling mood, always complaining, always blaming others.” - C. S. Lewis

“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)

I was a big worrier as a youth

As a child I worried 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 eventually found the answer to worrying in God’s promises!

No need to worry and lose sleep because…

•  God will take care of all your needs

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19 ESV)

•  You can boldly talk to God about anything and everything any hour of the day or night

“Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Heb. 4:16 NIV)

• God will generously give you wisdom to handle anything

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)

• You can give Him all your worries and cares

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” (Psalm 55:22 NIV)

• God will work all things out for your good

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Rom. 8:28 NLT)

• God will give you direction when you need guidance

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Prov. 3:5-6 NIV)

• God is your rock and fortress 

“For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me.” (Psalm 31:3 BASB)

• God’s Angels encamp around you 

“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” (Psalm 34:7 NIV)

• God will give you sleep 

“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-- for he grants sleep to those he loves.” (Psalm 127:2 NIV)

• Therefore...  

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

Quote:

“No one can pray and worry at the same time.” - Max Lucado

“For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” (Hab. 2:3 ESV)

Wait on the Lord to inherit the land

“For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.” (Psalm 37:9)

“Wait for the LORD and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off.” (Psalm 37:34)

Wait on the Lord to receive goodness

“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” (Lam. 3:25-26 ESV)

Wait on the Lord to renew strength

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isa. 49:31 ESV) 

Wait on the Lord to receive courage

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14 ESV)

 Therefore…

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

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

“But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” (Micah 7:7 ESV)

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28 ESV)

Quotes:

“To wait on God means to pause and soberly consider our own inadequacy and the Lord’s all-sufficiency, and to seek counsel and help from the Lord, and to hope in Him (Psm. 33:20-22; Isa. 8:17)… The folly of not waiting for God is that we forfeit the blessing of having God work for us. The evil of not waiting on God is that we oppose God’s will to exalt Himself in mercy.” - John Piper

“If the Lord Jehovah makes us wait, let us do so with our whole hearts; for blessed are all they that wait for Him. He is worth waiting for. The waiting itself is beneficial to us: it tries faith, exercises patience, trains submission, and endears the blessing when it comes. The Lord’s people have always been a waiting people.” - Charles Spurgeon

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6 ESV)

No matter which side wins

When national elections occur, many will become anxious at the results. Our country is divided right down the middle. I have brothers and sisters on each side of the political aisle and both sides don’t understand how the others could vote as they do. And, when the election is finally over, some are very disappointed, even anxious and depressed about it. But, God’s instructions in the above passage makes it absolutely clear that you must NOT allow yourself to anxious about “anything”, which does include elections, if your candidate doesn’t win! Why is doing what God says so important? Because it is the ultimate answer to anxiety in all situations and it works! Something miraculous happens when the simple instruction in this passage are followed; taking things to God by “prayer and supplication with thanksgiving,” instead of allowing yourself to be anxious, brings you “the peace of God, which “surpasses all understanding,” and “guards your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.” 

Rest assured that God is in charge of the future

He will make all things work out according His purpose, and that will end up okay! 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28 ESV)

God plans a positive future and a hope for you 

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11 ESV)

Therefore..

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27 ESV)

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 ESV)

Quotes:

“The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety." - George Mueller

“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength." - Charles Spurgeon

“I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize the Lord is able to carry out His will, and His will is mine. It makes no matter where He places me, or how. That is rather for Him to consider than for me; for in the easiest positions He must give me His grace, and in the most difficult, His grace is sufficient." - Hudson Taylor

“Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.” (Eccles.10:12 NIV)

A good man speaks from good things stored up in his heart 

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Luke 6:45 NIV)

Think before you speak 

“Intelligent people think before they speak; what they say is then more persuasive.” (Prov. 16:23 GNT)

“The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.” (Prov. 15:28 BSB)

Speak to benefit those who listen 

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Eph. 4:29 NIV)

Therefore…

“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.” (Prov. 13:3 NIV)

“A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! (Prov. 15:23 NIV)

 Quote:

“We have all felt the brazenness of words without emotion, the hollowness, the unaccountable unpersuasiveness of eloquence behind which lies no love.” - Henry Drummond

“The righteous cry, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalms 34:17-19)

Everyone experiences some kind of an emergency from time to time

Emergencies happen to everyone. Emergencies usually happen suddenly, when you least expect them. When they do arrive, know that God will take care of you. 

When an emergency happens 

• Seek God first about it –

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matt. 7:7-8 NIV)

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matt. 6:33 NLT). 

• Give thanks for it – 

 “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:18 NLT)

• Claim God’s promises about it – 

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:18)

• Watch for God’s provision for it – 

“…I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” (Matt. 7:11)

 Therefore…

“I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread.” (Psalm 37:25)

“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.” (Matt. 6:31-32)

“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:7)

Quote:

“God is able to accomplish, provide, help, save, keep, subdue… He is able to do what you can’t. He already has a plan. God’s not bewildered. Go to Him.” Max Lucado