Proverbs 01:33

But whoever listens to me will have security. He will be safe, with no reason to be afraid.

Proverbs 01:33 (GNT)

Comment: When we seek and follow the counsel of God we are assured of being safe from evil and have no reason to fear it.

Matthew 09:22

Jesus turned. He saw the woman and said, “Don’t worry! You are now well because of your faith.” At that moment she was healed.

Matthew 09:22 (CEV)

Comment: When we approach Christ in faith & love, with a firm hope in the promise, Christ is able to comfort us through even our most private fears.

Matthew 09:02

Some people soon brought to him a crippled man lying on a mat. When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the crippled man, “My friend, don’t worry! Your sins are forgiven.”

Matthew 09:02 (CEV)

Comment: Regardless of our difficulties we can be free from worry and free of criticism. We rejoice in Christ and the forgiveness of sin.

How To Be Happy

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

— Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)

On June 8th, 2010 I visited the Honey Run Waterfall in Knox County, Ohio. We just came off a week of rain so I figured the water would be flowing pretty good. It was a beautiful day with barely a breeze, perfect for leaving the shutter open a couple seconds to capture the water flowing. A couple of locals stopped by with some of their friends visiting from out of town. One said he grew up in the area and used to walk the nearby road with his brother every day for 15 years, never knowing the falls were here. They heard the sound of water but never thought to open their eyes to it. Kind of brings a couple of verses to mind…

Psalm 119:18 (NIV) – Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

Ephesians 1:18-23 (NIV) – I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Matthew 08:25-27

The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Matthew 08:25-27 (TNIV)

Comment: Christ answers the prayers of those that call Him Lord. He is able to calm our fear and strengthen our faith in the most turbulent circumstance.

Matthew 06:31-33

Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ The people who don’t know God keep trying to get these things, and your Father in heaven knows you need them. Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well.

Matthew 06:31-33 (NIRV)

Comment: Our Father knows our needs and is able to supply all, so trust in His wisdom and power to provide, and leave it to the unbeliever to be anxious about worldy things, for they do not know God.

Matthew 06:28-30

Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don’t work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn’t as well clothed as one of them. God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. He will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith?

Matthew 06:28-30 (CEV)

Comment: Cast your cares on God, trust in Him who is able to provide for all things, for things of this world fade and wither away.