From: "Beverly French" <frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us>
To: "C & P Greene" <greenehouse72@juno.com>
Subject: Greetings and Blessing to All
Date: Sunday, July 02, 2000 7:30 AM

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do
I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."
John 14:27

We have been looking into the thieves that rob of us our peace.  Last week
we looked at the the thief that continually draws our attention to yesterday
(the past).  This week let's look at the thief that draws our attention to
tomorrow and tomorrow: fear and anxiety.

Fear and anxiety are vicious robbers that will enter and steal peace where
doubt or lack of trust (which is really unbelief) creates the slightest
opening.  In Matthew 6, Jesus strongly tells us "do not be anxious".  Read
vs. 25-34 where He tells us this and why we need not be.

In vs. 34 He ends with, "Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for
tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "And the Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He
will be with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you.  Do not fear, or be
dismayed."

Psalm 139 tells us that God is omniscient (all knowing) and omnipresent
(ever
present).  He knows what is happening to us at all times and He is ever
present with us.  He is our loving heavenly Father who has provided for all
our needs.
Vs. 3, "Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, and art intimately
acquainted with all my ways.
Vs. 5, "Thou hast enclosed me behind and before, and laid Thy hand upon me."
Vs. 7 Where can I go from Thy Spirit?  Or where can I flee from Thy
presence?"
Vs. 13, "For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my
mother's womb."
These are just a few verses of this wonderful reassuring Psalm of David.
Oh read it and let the reality of this intimate relationship between our
Heavenly Father and each child of His fill your whole being!

As with the Israelites God's manna is new and fresh every day.  Therefore,
only our needs for today are met today.  Our needs for tomorrow can not be
fitted into today's supply.  Our God knows exactly our needs and our faith
is in Him to provide out of the riches of His glory.
"And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need
according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:19
Amplified Bible

One of the names of God is Jehovah-Jireh and it means "The Lord will
Provide."  It is found in Genesis 22:14.  ( This is where Abraham took Isaac
to be sacrificed to God and God provided a ram as an offering in the place
of Isaac.)

"Let you character be free from the love of money, being content with what
you have; for He Himelf has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever
forsake you.'"  Hebrews 13:5

I repeat what was stated two weeks ago, God's "be anxious for nothings" and
"the fear nots" are not suggestions, they are commands.  To trust Him is
what we are to do!

The thief of anxiety and fear has no power to rob you of your peace when
your trust is firmly rooted in our Lord and Savior.  Why?  Because HE IS OUR
PEACE!!

All glory and honor belong to Christ Jesus. He is Lord!  He is Peace! With
grateful  hearts filled with joy, let us lift our voices as one in praise
and worship to our LORD and KING now and always.