SPEAKER_02 0:23

Welcome to the Faith Builders Broadcast. I am Pastor Philip Steele. I'm so glad that you have chosen to join us for this edition of the Faith Builders Broadcast. I believe that you'll be encouraged and uplifted by what we have to share with you today. Before we get into the word, I want to remind you that I do pastor Life of Faith Church right here in the city of Little Rock, Arkansas. We are located at 11620 Rainwood Street, right here in Little Rock, Arkansas. And we have a variety of services that are available for your family. We have 10 a.m. services on Sunday morning and then 7 p.m. on Wednesday evening. We have our Hour of Power. And then obviously we have different services throughout the month on Sunday evenings. We have a variety of classes that are available for your family. We have discipleship classes. We have classes for your children all the way from nursery age up through teenage years. And beyond that, we are a bilingual ministry. And at the same time that we have English services going on at 10 a.m. on Sunday morning. In our other sanctuary here in our facility, we have our Hispanic church that's gathering. A vida de fe. Amen. And a wonderful congregation. And so if you know someone who is Hispanic speaking, you can tell them about our church, or if you're bilingual, or if you just want to be bilingual, you can come and be a part of what God is doing. And I believe that God will bless you for your time with us. So come see us. Maybe this is where God wants you to plant you and your family and get involved in God's plan for your life. We've been looking at over the last few weeks this subject of winning over worry. And I have recently come out with my newest book, which is Winning Over Worry. And it is chock full of what the Word of God has to say about you overcoming cares and anxieties and the worries of this world. And at the end of our broadcast, our announcer will be coming to give you information about how you can get your own copy. In Luke chapter 21 and verse 34, this has been our foundation scripture, if you will. Jesus was speaking here, and he said, Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. He said one of the things we would have to be on guard against in the last days was the cares of this life. The Weast Bible says the anxieties pertaining to the affairs of this life. All right. One of the main reasons, or the primary reason, that we should refuse worry is the fact that worry and care can choke the word in our life. All right. The word of God is your life source. The word of God is the energy of God released in your life. All right. The word of God is the creative power of God in your life. All right. The word of God can create for you those things that you see in it. All right. The word of God draws those things that God said in his word into your life as you use your faith to believe him for it. What short circuits faith is carrying care. All right? Carrying worry. And here's why. You can't carry both of them at the same time. All right? I have to be doing one or the other. I'm either in faith or in worry. I'm either exercising my faith or I'm exercising worry. All right. Now, most people that I know would not ever say they're exercising worry. But if I'm thinking about it, if I'm anxious about it, if I'm concerned over it continually, I am exercising worry about that situation. Right, on the other hand, if I'm thinking God's word over it, if I'm declaring God's word over it, if I'm thinking God's thoughts about it, then I'm exercising my faith. But I cannot do both of them at the same time. All right? Worry cancels out faith, and faith cancels out worry. And Jesus said, notice, he said, the anxieties pertaining to the affairs of this life. So the primary reason I am to refuse care is the fact that care can choke the word in my life. In Mark chapter 4 and verse 18. Now you should write these scriptures down and go back over them and uh and study them because we'll look at it as in-depth as we can in the time that we have, but you should make this a study. When the Lord began to talk to me about refusing worry and refusing care and winning over worry, I made it a point to get in the Word and study it out and see what the Bible says. You know, all of us have had people in our lives that, you know, if they saw that we were concerned about something, they'd come by and smack us on the shoulder or pat us on the back and say, hey, brother, don't worry. It's all gonna be all right. And my thought was always, based on what? You're telling me it's gonna be okay, based on what? If it's gonna be okay, tell me what that's based on so I can really believe it. Well, I'm telling you, as you're sitting in your home or wherever you're watching us on your device, everything's gonna be all right based on the word of God, based on what God's word has to say. All right, Mark 4, verse 18, and these are they which are sown among thorns. The word is sown into their hearts, sown among thorns. Such as hear the word, faith comes by hearing, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, the lust of other things, entering in, notice, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. Now, entering in means to visit, to come to, or to be put into. What does that mean? Worry will visit everybody. Worry will come to everyone. Listen, I can speak from experience. I have five children. All right. I've uh four of them are grown and out of the house, and I have a nine-year-old still at home. And here's what I want you to understand. I want things to go good for them. I want their lives to be productive, I want their lives to be uh successful, but here's what I've had to learn. It becomes very easy to enter into worry about those situations. That is one of the affairs of your life. And if you're not careful, you can enter into worry about your family and enter into worry about your children. I've had people come and tell me, I'm just worried that my children aren't going to serve God. You have to stop that because if you're worrying that your children won't serve God, then all of the scriptures that you're quoting about them serving God, if you're worried, that worry is choking the potency out of the word. That worry is choking the potency out of the word. And so your declaration has to be, I will not worry about my children. The Bible says that all my children will be taught of the Lord, and great will be the peace of my children. The Bible says that God will contend with those that contend with me, and he will save my children. The Bible says in the book of Hosea that God will hedge up my children's way, and they'll not be able to find the paths of sin that they were walking in. The Bible says that my children will turn from the power of Satan to the power of God, from darkness to light, and they will be granted forgiveness. The Bible says that my children will recover themselves out of the snare and the trap of the enemy. See, now you're refusing the worry because you're declaring the word. Now, if a person is saying, I'm so worried about my family, I'm so worried about what's going to happen to them, I'm so worried about my children, then even if they're declaring the scriptures that I just quoted to you, the potency of the word is being choked. Because that's what worry does. Worry is a weed in the yard of the word. All right? Worry is a weed in the yard of the word. I was uh talking with a man one time, or excuse me, I was reading something about lawn care, and it said the greatest deterrent to weeds is a healthy lawn. If you're focused on feeding the grass and you're focused on feeding the good, it will choke out the bad. But if you just let the weeds go, it'll choke out a good, healthy lawn because that's what the weeds do. So what are the weeds doing? They are taking nutrients from the soil that the grass needs. What is worry doing? It is taking nutrients from your spiritual soil that your faith needs to see the answer come to you. Hallelujah. And so he said, it chokes the word, notice, and it becomes unfruitful. Chokes the word and it becomes unfruitful. So care then will visit everyone. The word care means to be distracted or drawn in two directions. So I can't be in faith and carrying care at the same time. Can't be distracted. Faith requires focus. The word requires focus. For the word to work correctly, you have to focus on it. For faith to work correctly, you have to focus on it. Now let me say it this way: for worry to work correctly, you have to focus on it. There can be things going on that you refuse to worry about, and here's why. Pressure is outside. Pressure. Alright? In in whatever area. You know, sitting here in this studio today, teaching you the word of God. There are certain areas that are pressure. All right, because we we we all have a certain amount of pressure, whether it's great pressure or little pressure, that we deal with. Pressure is outside. Care, worry is inside. Pressure's outside. Care, worry is inside. Pressure is an attempt to get you into worry so that you can be distracted. My wife wrote a book years ago, I believe, one of her best books. And it was simply called Pressure, no problem. All right? That was such a life-changing book that there are still people that we see today that will look at her and say, Pressure, no problem. All right? Now, what was she trying to deal with? What was she dealing with in that book? Basically, this concept. If the enemy gets you over into pressure, all right, he can get you over into worry. Once you're into worry, the door is open for everything else he wants to bring. And so our response to pressure is pressure is no problem. All right. I can handle the pressure. The Lord said to me, care is so deadly because it causes you to view the situation through the lens of what you're carrying. It causes you to view the situation through the lens of what you're carrying. If the circumstance seems to be unchangeable, all right, then you start worrying about that and you start thinking the situation's unchangeable. Because that's what I'm worried about. The care you carry will eventually color your situation. It will eventually, worry will eventually color your situation. What does that mean? Worry will eventually convince you there is no hope. Worry will eventually convince you there is no hope. Because why? Worry drains. Where does the word of God, what does the word of God bring? Hope. Hope. It's it's the Bible says, Paul said that we have the hope and the comfort of the scriptures. All right? The word of God gives us hope. Charles Caps used to say, if it looks like there's no hope, go to the Word of God and get you some hope. Because He's the God of all hope. And every word that God speaks is infused and packed and filled with hope. With hope. And so worry will try to convince you, and will eventually convince you, if you allow it to remain unchecked, that there is no hope. I've dealt with people over my many years of pastoring that have come to me and said, I just feel hopeless. You may feel hopeless, but as a believer, you're never hopeless. See, worry is trying to make you feel hopeless. Well, I've got this that I've got to take care of, and I just don't know how, I don't see any hope of doing it. Why do they not see any hope of doing that? Worry has blinded them. They are seeing the circumstance through hopelessness because worry has convinced them that there's no hope. My brother or sister, there's always hope. The Bible, listen, the Bible says where there's breath, there's hope. If you're breathing, now here's an exercise. Breathe in, breathe out. You're alive, there's hope. If you're alive, there's hope. God can and will change your circumstance. Hallelujah. Philippians 4, 6 through 7. Let's read that. I think we quoted it on the last broadcast, but I think I've got time to read it because it's so important. Philippians 4, 6 and 7. Notice it says, be careful for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, present your request unto God. And the peace of God that passeth all understanding will keep your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus. The Weast Bible says, stop worrying about even one thing. Let that sink in. Stop worrying about even one thing. Even one thing. What is this? What am I saying? If you're worrying or carrying care, stop it. Stop carrying it. Stop worrying. Hallelujah. We are not to worry about even one thing. Now, what happens a lot of times is people will say, Well, but if you were going through what I'm going through, you would worry. That may or may not be true. I mean, you don't know that, but it may or may not be true. And even if it is true, it does not change what the Apostle Paul through the Holy Spirit said. He said, Stop worrying about even one thing. So, where is the power of the Word of God found? In the Word. So if the Word says, Stop worrying about even one thing, the power to stop worrying about even one thing is in that verse. So I take that verse and I put it in my heart, put it in my mouth, right? I put it in my mouth, and I say out loud, Father, I refuse to worry about even one thing. I will not worry in Jesus' name. Well, what happens if right away worry tries to come? I say it again, Father, I refuse to worry about even one thing in Jesus' name. I call heaven to record right now that I have found it in the Word of God, that I do not have to worry about even one thing. And so on the authority of God's word, I refuse to worry about even one thing. And then when worry tries to show up, you say, no, sir, I'm not worried. I refuse to worry about even one thing based on what the word of God has to say. Well, what if this doesn't happen? What if that doesn't happen? I refuse to worry about even one thing. Listen, I'm not gonna worry if it happens, and I'm not gonna worry if it doesn't happen, because my job is to be obedient to the word of God. That's my job as a believer. To be obedient to the word of God. Say it out loud. My job is to be obedient to the word of God. That's my job. I say that's my job. And what am I gonna do in the midst of that? I'm gonna praise him, I'm gonna thank him, I'm gonna give him glory. Listen, if if it looks like it's not going right, I'm gonna glorify God. If it looks like it's going perfect, I'm gonna glorify God. Because why am I glorifying him if things aren't going right? Because he's the one that can fix it. Why am I glorifying him if everything turns out perfect? Because he's the one that did it. I'm gonna refuse to worry about even one thing. My brother, sister, I can tell you beyond the shadow of a doubt. I sit here today looking at you through the lens of this camera, and I can tell you with with no trepidation, no concern, I have no worries. I will not worry about even one thing. Why? Because the word says that worry will choke the word, and then I'm told by the Apostle Paul, don't worry about even one thing. I wasn't even worried when all my papers fell out of my Bible right here on TV. Hallelujah. Glory to God. Do you see this? He says then, what will happen is that the peace of God that passes all understanding. The Weast Bible says the peace of God that surpasses all power of comprehension will mount guard. I like that because it means the peace of God, when you refuse to worry, when you will not worry about one thing, the peace of God shows up like an armed guard and mounts guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. So what does that mean? That this ability to not worry about even one thing is found in Christ. And in Christ Jesus, the peace of God, so that means this the peace of God is stronger than worry. The peace of God is stronger than concern. And it will mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Now, when does this peace show up? When I decide to stop worrying. Peace shows up when I decide to be in peace. Hallelujah. You can be under pressure and be in peace, but you cannot be worrying and be in peace. You cannot be carrying care and be in peace. Care attacks your heart, notice, and your mind. It hits the mind first and works its way to your heart. Hallelujah. If we continually carry care, it will affect the way we think and the way we see which will determine the outcome. The way you think is the way you'll see and that's how it will be. That never changes. That never changes. To refuse worry, I have to practice peace. I have to practice it. I will not allow my peace to be taken. Now my brother sister that means that there may be situations that you have to avoid. There may be conversations that you have to avoid. Anything that robs your peace you gotta stay away from it. And you got to practice peace. You gotta practice it. Why? Because that is the antidote of worry. Practicing peace means kicking every thought out of your mind that doesn't produce peace. That thought comes it's not a peace thought no I refuse to worry about even one thing. I cast that down, I remove it in the name of Jesus. Hallelujah. Practicing peace kicking every thought out of your mind my supply can be hindered by the level of worry and care I allow to be produced in my heart. My financial supply my health supply what I refuse to worry about will always show up. If I refuse to worry about it it will always show up if you're if you're dealing with a financial situation what do you need to do right now? Raise your hands and say all the money I need comes to me now in Jesus' name. All the money I need comes to me now in Jesus' name because here's what I've learned you are not good at any spiritual thing if you do not practice I gotta practice it practice casting your cares on him practice refusing to worry hallelujah why because then the peace of God can stand guard over your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus the peace of God the peace that not not just the peace that comes from God it's God's peace it's the peace of God all right the word of meaning the channel meaning uh the source the genesis of a thing hallelujah it's God's peace the peace of God will guard your heart and your mind through Christ Jesus. Hallelujah now I want to get you started on the foundation of this let's do something right now no matter what you're dealing with if uh if if you're thinking about it right now or if there's something that um you know comes up intermittently here's what I want you to do say Father in the name of Jesus I take the step today to stop worrying about this thing. Father I refuse to worry another time I desire the peace of God that passes all understanding to guard my heart and my mind. And today I stop worrying forever in Jesus' name. Now if you said that with me God heard you he's working on your behalf right now I'm so glad that you joined us today for this edition of the Faith Builders broadcast. I'm thankful for each viewer thank you for being a partner with us and if you're not a partner why don't you consider being a partner and helping us spread this this word of God throughout Arkansas and really by means of live stream around the world. I'm so glad that you chose to join us today. Thank you for what you mean to the kingdom of God. And until we see you again next time right here on the Faith Builders broadcast you remember to build your faith and frame your world by the word of God.

SPEAKER_00 26:22

God bless you can win over work. While the world says a life filled with stress and anxiety is normal the word of God says let not your heart be troubled be anxious for nothing. Jesus Christ gave you access to his victory and peace. He's equipped you to resist worry and cast your cares on God. In the book Winning Over Worry, a guide to continual peace, Pastor Philip Steele teaches you how to live carefree by putting God's word to work. This book will show you how to overcome anxiety and enforce God's peace in every area of your life. It's time for you to win over worry.

SPEAKER_01 27:15

Get your copy today by calling 501-4008797 or visit lifeoffaith.net winning over worry is also available on Kindle and Apple iBooks visit lifeoffaith.net or call 501008797 for more information you are invited to LifeofFaith Church in Little Rock where we are building people's faith producing life city state nation and world our address is 11620 Rainwood Road just one block off Rodney Park near Green Mountain Drive. Our Sunday service begins at 10 a.m and offers classes for children and youth in addition to the adult service in the main sanctuary on Wednesdays we have an hour of power as we dive into Bible study we have a place reserved for you and your family at Life of Faith Church. For more information visit lifefaith.net