Our Thread

Pasa Graphe' Theopneustos Kai Ophelimos (Greek) is one of the most often-repeated passages from the Scriptures, ie, the Bible. The passage appears in the heading of our Facebook page. But what does it say to us in our various tongues? Well, for those of us who speak English, this passage is a bold testimony from the pen of one Paul, a first-century scholar from the Isrealite tribe of Benjamin. It is also a statement steeped in the thelogy of the Biblical narratives. So, Paul wrote to a young ethnic Jew named Timotheus: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable......"
At the time Paul wrote those words, there was not yet a codex known as the "New Testament." The scrolls of papyrus on which were written the Scriptures are what we call today the "Old Testament." In its immediate and limited interpretation, Paul is saying that the messages in the Old Testament are inspired by God. That being so, who is the man who would say that the record of the flood in Noah's day was simply an allegory, and not an historical account?

Worry

Worry doesn't accomplish anything. It's in the Bible, Psalm 37:8, NKJV. "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm"

There's no need to worry; God has everything under control. It's in the Bible, Matthew 6:31-33, NIV. "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

We cannot remove worry until we replace it with something better—prayer. It's in the Bible, Philippians 4:6-7, NKJV. "Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus."

Worrying is a waste of time. It's in the Bible, Luke 12:24-26, NIV. "Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?"

Rely on Christ, not yourself. By yourself you can do nothing. It's in the Bible, John 15:5, NKJV. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

You can give all your worries to the Lord. It's in the Bible, I Peter 5:7, NKJV. "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." It's in the Bible, Matthew 11:28, NKJV. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

We can trust God to give us what we need—after all, He gave His Son for us. It's in the Bible, Romans 8:32, NKJV. "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Avoid worry, even in difficult times, by trusting in God. It's in the Bible, Jeremiah 17:7-8, NIV. "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

Take one day at a time; don’t worry about what may happen tomorrow. It’s in the Bible, Matthew 6:34, NIV. “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”