The Trust Factor
Ps 33:18-22 … But the LORD watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. 19 He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. We depend on the LORD alone to save us. Only he can help us, protecting us like a shield. In him, our hearts rejoice, for we are trusting in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone.NLT
Character of those who do not trust:
1. You cannot be worried about circumstances and trust God at the same time.
If you are fearful of the future your heart is not trusting God.
Jer 17:7-8…"But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit. NLT
Luke 12:22-26… Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 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?
2. You cannot be depressed, despondent or discouraged and trust God at the same time.
Def: Depression = the result of feeding yourself wrong information over a period of time and then believing that information.
Def: Despondency = is when you reach a place of futility where you do not think change is possible. At work, in health, in relationships.
Def: Discouragement= when you lose courage to live, when you no longer have a desire to get up ion the morning. When you cannot get excited about anything anymore.
Ps 40:4…Oh, the joys of those who trust the LORD
3. You can not be angry at people and trust in God at the same time.
Ephesians 4:30-31… And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
People are never your source
If the Lord is your source people can never destroy your destiny
Jesus demanded that our heart be free of anger:
Matt 5:23-24... "So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God NLT
Offenses must die at the cross and relationships are resurrected at the empty tomb!
Character of those who do trust:
1. Intelligence or full of wisdom
Proverbs 9:10… "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 9:8-9… Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you;
rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
2. Faithfulness
Ps 34:22… But the LORD will redeem those who serve him.
Everyone who trusts in him will be freely pardoned. NLT
Isa 30:15-16… The Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says, "Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it. You said, ’No, we will get our help from Egypt. They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.’ But the only swiftness you are going to see is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you!
3. Hope
Psalms 42:5-6… Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalms 146:3-5… Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God
Blessings of Trusting God
1. Full and flourishing life
2nd time fro this scripture: Jeremiah 17:8…He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.
• Influence in your company
• Respect during your life
• Satisfaction through your personal goals
• Powerful spiritual strength
2. Nourished and refreshed
Ps 84:12… O LORD Almighty, happy are those who trust in you
3. Secure against trouble
Jer 39:17-18…Because you trusted me, I will preserve your life and keep you safe. I, the LORD, have spoken!’ NLT
Ps 125:1…Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion;
they will not be defeated but will endure forever. NLT
4. Continual fruitfulness:
Jer 17:8… They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit.
Keep on Trusting:
1. Think Clearly:
Do not allow the enemy to cloud the Holy Spirits thoughts in your life. When you do fall into a trap think clearly. Remember it is your choice to make a decision to trust god
1 Corinthians 2:16…"For who has known the mind of the Lord
that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
2. Exercise self-control…
If your thoughts begin to move toward worry or offense crab that thought and make it come back in line.
Romans 12:2…Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. (from New International Version)
3. Look Forward
1 Corinthians 2:9-10… However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"
4. Don’t Slip Back
Old habits come easy
Galatians 5:1… It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
5. Be holy
Do not dishonor the body of the Lord by being angry or filled with wrath. Having revenge or hateful thoughts is a unholy attitude.
6. Focus on the cross
Jesus paid the price on the cross for you and I. He chose to bless and honor you by bringing you into his kingdom.
Galatians 6:14… May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (from New International Version)
7. Keep a fresh vision:
The more intimate you are with Jesus the more you will trust Him.
Philippians 3:8 & 10… What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
10… I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
8. Love others through Grace
1 Peter 1:22… Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. (from New International Version)
Closing:
How are you doing in trusting Jesus.
