Help! I’m Being Strangled!

July 16, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

I’m kicking off a new series at Calvary Assembly of God on Sunday about breaking the stranglehold of worry. The origin of worry comes from a word that means choking, strangling, hard to breathe. And isn’t that exactly what worry feels like?

I’m sure that none of you ever struggle with worry (he wrote sarcastically!). But if you know any “friends” who may benefit from an honest look at both the origins of worry and how to gain freedom from worry, please send them our way over the next few Sundays.

They will be so glad that you did!

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The Immunization Of Tears

July 16, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

The Israelites had such a predictable pattern —

Loving God

↓

Slipping away from Him

↓

Sin

↓

Oppressed by an enemy

↓

Remorse & repentance

↓

God’s deliverance

↓

Return to loving God

↓

Repeat

 

In the book of Judges there is a repeated phrase: But when they cried out to the Lord, He raised up for them a deliverer.

Perhaps is they cried in God’s presence more often, they cycle could have been broken.

It’s the same for us — instead of using tears as a cure, how about using them as an immunization? How about crying in God’s presence before sin has cruelly oppressed us?

I think if I shed tears over my “little” sins more frequently, it would keep me from much deeper hurts.

The Bible says, “A broken and contrite heart, O Lord, You will not ignore.” Holy Spirit, break my heart over the smallest of sins so I may quickly repent and return before I am enslaved by my sins.

I believe tears call God to our help, but how much better if they are used to immunize us against sin!

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