"Anxious Now, Xpect Immanuel's Emancipation Touch You!" (A.N.X.I.E.T.Y)/"How do you handle A.N.X.I.E.T.Y in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy

Posted on Sat, Sept 21, 2013 at 08:30 a.m. (EST) & 10:03 p.m. (IST), AUG-SEPT 2013 Edition

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“Anxious Now, Xpect Immanuel's Emancipation Touch You! (A.N.X.I.E.T.Y)”

Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher

SCRIPTURE:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV)

Observations:
I asked myself what commands does Paul give for the good of the Philippians as he is shackled in chains?
1. Do not be anxious about anything!
2. In everything by prayer present your requests to God.
3. In everything by petition present your requests to God.
4. In everything by thanksgiving present your requests to God.

Interpretations:
I asked myself why are Paul's actions so significant?
Paul's actions are so significant because it is just amazing to me that he is able to write the words of God down as he is in prison, especially, about anxiety! Being in prison can give people worries about what is happening in the outside world and what is going to happen to them. Not so with Paul, he tells the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord, let their gentleness be evident to all, and not be anxious about anything.

I asked myself what does it mean not to be anxious about anything?
For me it means not worrying about anything from small things to big things that people are faced in their life.

I asked myself how does Paul want the Philippians to combat anxiety?
‘In everything:
1. By prayer,
2. By petition,
3. By thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.

I decided to look at each one separately.

Point 1: I asked myself, what does Paul mean by prayer?
What came to my mind is talking to the Lord whatever they are faced with rather than subjecting each other to an anxiety attack. Whether it is a small thing or a big thing, the Lord is there to listen and that’s why they are told to turn to prayer foremost when they are about to worry. It is profound for me that they are told not to be anxious about anything but turning to the Lord in prayer one-one between themselves and the Lord. It turns into a PERSONAL PRAYER. Paul does not end it there but goes a step further which is evidenced by point 2.

Point 2: I asked myself what does Paul mean by petition?
What came to my mind is people having others sign petitions for a cause of theirs. Rather than focusing on the problem and be paralyzed in anxiety, they are moved to action to get others involved to help them resolve the problem. The same principles apply here indirectly.

When the Philippians are faced with anxiety, they can petition others too for help. But for me this is a different type of help. They should pray on their own but also now they should go a step further and share their request with other people for prayer. I believe the more prayer that is petitioned, the awesome it is. Now this turns into an INTERCESSORY PRAYER. There is nothing wrong asking others to intercede on your behalf before the God of Heaven rather than focusing on the worry. This is exciting that we are told to petition!

The other thing that came to my mind as I thought about petitioning is that making the requests as specific as possible giving the reasons behind why they want the Lord to answer that particular request. Paul does not end it there but goes a step further which is evidenced by point 3.

Point 3: I asked myself what does Paul mean by thanksgiving?
What came to my mind is thanking the Lord personally and corporately for the request to be taken care of even before the answer is seen. It is believing in the Lord to handle it and leaving the results in His Hands. It is an acknowledgement that the Lord is watching over us and knows everything that concerns us as He cares for us. This is awesome to know!

I asked what three promises from the Lord does Paul promise if 3 things are done?

1. Peace of God will be there which transcends all understanding!
2. Peace of God will guard your hearts in Christ Jesus!
3. Peace of God will guard your minds in Christ Jesus!

Interpretation:
I asked myself what does the promise of ‘Peace of God which transcends all understanding’ mean?
What came to my mind is whatever people’s understanding of the circumstances they are faced with cannot be compared to the peace they receive from God. It is not like the peace the world gives but an inner peace. For Jesus promises His disciples in John 14 that the peace He gives will not be like the peace the world gives, so they should not be troubled or afraid! That is awesome to know that they can experience that kind of peace in their lives.

I asked myself what does the ‘guarding of their heart’ mean?
What came to my mind is that the Lord will protect our heart from the deceit and lies of Satan. He will guard our heart from being spiritually down, physically down, etc. It can be easy to complain when we are anxious but the Lord wants us to turn that into prayer guarding our heart. Thank you Jesus!

I asked myself what does the ‘guarding of their mind’ mean?
What came to my mind is that the Lord will protect our mind from Satan's deceptive ways that trap us into anxiety disorders such as panic-attacks, etc. Instead of allowing Satan to affect our brain signals causing anxiety problems, the Good News is that Jesus Christ will be the guard of our mind. Now that is exciting! He uses His precious Word applied to guard us because it becomes the Sword of the Spirit.

HOW GOSPEL GIVES ME TESTIMONY REGARDING A.N.X.I.E.T.Y:
Recently, I have been anxious about different leadership issues but instead of focusing on the problems at hand no matter how depressing a situation seems, I have turned it into prayer to the Lord. While praying, the Lord Jesus brought Philippians 4:6 to mind. I have done the personal prayer part but need to be more diligent in the intercessory prayer part where I include others to pray for the situation at hand. Our Lord and Savior will help. Thank you Jesus!

I need the Lord's help not to get worried because I worry easily. This passage reminds me to focus my thoughts on the Lord and others who can intercede regarding the problems instead of being trapped and anxious about the problem. Thank you so much Jesus, my Lord and Personal Savior! Reading Psalm 121 this morning and turning it into prayer was very helpful to me too. Thank you Jesus!

I ask you now dear friend, how do you handle A.N.X.I.E.T.Y in life?
Dear friend, anxiety can be handled in different ways but not all ways lead to peace. Some handle anxiety with the bottle, others with sleeping through it, others with pills, but all these are temporary solutions which will eventually hurt the heart and mind. I do not know how you handle anxiety but I have good news for you. There is the best medicine offered for free from the Great Physician Himself.

I am talking about Jesus Christ, my friend. Jesus loves you so much that He paid the ultimate price with His blood to redeem you and set you free, free from the bondage of sin, free from anxiety, etc and find your freedom in Christ from the peace, He alone gives. Yes, friend Jesus loves you as you are and He tells you:

"Let not your heart be troubled, you are trusting God, now trust in me!" (John 14:1)

"Peace, I leave to you! The peace I give you is not like the peace the world gives so don't be troubled or afraid!" (John 14:27)

"Let Him have all your worries and cares for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you!" (1 Peter 5:7)

I don’t know friend what you are facing right now that is causing anxiety. It could be that you just wrote an exam and feel like you did not do well and it may affect your Q.P.A, it could be that you just had a relational issue with someone close that has gotten out of hand, it could be that you are about to graduate and the job search is becoming a pain and a hassle, it could be other things that you are faced with that is eating at your heart, it could be your concern for your loved ones, etc. What happens now is anxiety waits to creep into your life and control you but the Lord Jesus does not want you to be controlled by the anxiety. No, he does not friend!

It is a bold command to say not to be anxious about anything but the Word of God says it for a reason. Jesus Christ wants to be there to intervene in your life. No matter what you are going through even when you sense things are just going to crumble, His peace will flow in your lives as you turn to Him. Yes, it will friend! His peace will surpass all understanding including all the ‘what ifs’ that come to our mind when we look at the circumstances. But that can change as we look to Jesus who has a handle on everything we face!

Recently, I found out that my job as a full time employee could be in jeopardy because of the Affordability Health Care Act but that same day the Lord Jesus gave me a promise from His Word that said, "He does not fear bad news or dread what may happen to him for he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him. That is why he can calmly face his foes!" (Psalm 112) It was such a blessing to get this Word from the Lord before I even knew what the meeting I was going to go was about. It is His Word that carries me as I turned the situation into PERSONAL PRAYER. Thank you Jesus. It is also a blessing that I have been able to share this situation for INTERCESSORY PRAYER with my loving wife Chandra, Johannes, Cecilia, Stacey, Calvin, and Byron during our prayer time of Transformers group.

Chandra and I ask you to intercede on our behalf so the Lord Jesus can send our path the right people to share the love of Christ with our South Asian friends especially during International Game Night. We are so thankful to the Lord for the amount of support we receive from Pastor Hugo for the International Game Night every time we have it. Specific outreach through the game nights has been worrisome at times because of all the preparation that needs to be done. But, thank the Lord for His Word! Amen!

I know it is not easy for me not to worry but what comforts me is when I focus on another promise of the Lord to "Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you", that helps me a lot! That is awesome to know. He is there to help you too friend! I know He is! Thank you Jesus!

Not worrying in life can be like not breathing. It is automatic but you can turn it into manual drive as you turn to prayer when worry comes. Rather than dwelling in the anxiety, turn that anxiety into PERSONAL, INTERCESSORY, and THANKSGIVING prayer. We will be amazed with the results! Yes, we will friend for the Lord’s promises are for us to claim and rejoice in.

May you know no matter what you are faced with, the Lord Jesus is looking after you and you can turn to Him. He loves you so much and wants to reign in your life. Oh, yes He does so much more than we can imagine. He is the Lord of all that we face! Amen!

Peace for Worry (Read Matthew 6:25-34)
By Ramesh C. Reddy

Please leave to the Lord your worry (1 Peter 5:7)
He is never busy nor in a hurry. (Psalm 34:4)
Your worry Jesus will bury. (Psalm 55:22)
Don't have to for yourself feel Sorry. (Matt 14:27)
Trust in Him (Prov 3:5-6)
Even when your chances are slim (Matt 19:26)
And the future looks dim (Psalm 43:5)
Cause Christ has the cure. (Isaiah 40:29)
That you can be very sure. (Psalm 34:4)
He loves you very much I can tell (Isaiah 43:1-3)
Cause he died to save you from Hell (Isaiah 53:4-5)
Hear Him ringing your Hearts bell (Rev 3:20)
To give Salvation freely not to sell (Ephesians 2:8)

"Anxious Now, Xpect Immanuel's Emancipation Touch You!" (A.N.X.I.E.T.Y)/"How do you handle A.N.X.I.E.T.Y in life?"

PRAYER:
Jesus, I thank you for wanting to have all my worries and cares for you are always thinking about me and watching everything that concerns me. Thank you that you do not want me to be anxious about anything but by prayer and petition with thanksgiving to let all my requests be known to you Lord and your peace which surpasses all understanding will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus! Lord that means a lot to me. Oh Lord, you know the worries we have and what it does to us. Please help us please to turn to thee with them always. Thank you for being there for us. I pray for the one that is faced with so much in their life that worry has become like breathing to them. Please Lord Jesus, intervene in their lives healing them in a mighty powerful way. May your peace rest in their lives whatever they are faced with. Each of us needs you Lord and the power of your love. Draw us close to you and never let us go but focus on you. Let us know that as we live our life here on earth letting you guide us and lead us, you will take care of us. We give our lives to you and ask you for your help in all that we need to do. I thank you Jesus for forgiving us, answering us, as we confess our sins and turn to you for a change in our lives. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

You are my all in all. You are my Prince of Peace, Rock, Savior, and Friend. You are my Holy Father guiding me through to live a life of righteousness, holy righteousness. Oh God, I need you more than ever. I need to feel your hands around me holding me tight. I need your love to surround me so that you can glow in my life. Help me please Jesus. I desire in your presence. Thank you for guiding me to live a life of righteousness. Oh God you love me more than ever. You hear my voice when I cry out to you. When I seek your face, you fill me up. You are my all in all. Thank you Jesus so much for your help no matter what I face, your grace is available and you take my case. Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN! (Most of the prayer is from a vineyard song called “All in All”)

May the Lord Jesus guide you in His love leading you! Amen!

No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help by His grace alone!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-641-9426

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Express Your View

2013 DEVOTIONALS:

Philippians 4:4: "When do you R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sat, Sept 14, 13, 12:36 p.m.)

Philippians 4:5: "What measure of G.E.N.T.L.E.N.E.S.S do you have?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, Sept 09, 13, 12:03 p.m.)

Philippians 4:3: "How have you C.A.M.P.A.I.G.N.E.D for Jesus Christ in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sat, Sept 06, 13, 07:17 a.m.)

Philippians 4:2: "How do you respond to a P.L.E.A.D in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Wed, Sept 04, 13, 12:00 p.m.)

Philippians 4:1: "Where do you S.T.A.N.D on love in your life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Tues, Sept 03, 13, 12:00 p.m.)

1 Thessalonians 1:3: "What does your L.A.B.O.R show in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, Sept 02, 13, 10:04 a.m.)

Philippians 3:18-19: "Why shed your T.E.A.R.S for others in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Wed, Aug 21, 13, 08:26 a.m.)

Philippians 3:15-17: "Who are what are you willing to P.A.T.T.E.R.N your life after?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, Aug 19, 13, 10:08 a.m.)

Philippians 3:12-14:"How can you deal with the P.A.S.T in your life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, Aug 15, 13, 04:21 a.m.)

Philippians 3:1-11: "Why for R.E.F.O.R.M.A.T.I.O.N you need the transaction of the cross?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Wed, Aug 14, 13, 05:55 p.m.)

Philippians 2:25-30:"When will your H.O.M.E.C.O.M.I.N.G begin?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Tues, Aug 13, 13, 10:39 a.m.)

Philiippians 2:20-24: "How can you Q.U.A.L.I.F.Y well in other people's lives?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Fri, Aug 09, 13, 08:38 a.m.)

Philippians 2:17-19: "When do you live out your F.A.I.T.H in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Thurs, Aug 08, 13, 03:19 a.m.)

Philippians 2:14-16: "What does your B.E.H.A.V.I.O.R do for others in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Wed, Aug 07, 13, 12:03 p.m.)

Philippians 2:13: "How do you W.O.R.K out your Salvation?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, Aug 05, 13, 01:33 p.m.)

Philippians 2:13: "What path have you taken for S.A.L.V.A.T.I.O.N in your life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, Aug 05, 13, 01:33 p.m.)

Philippians 2:12-13: "What is the point of O.B.E.D.I.E.N.C.E in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sat, Aug 03, 13, 01:28 p.m.)

Philippians 2:9-11: "How do you handle the N.A.M.E of Jesus in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Fri, Aug 02, 13, 07:58 a.m.)

Philippians 2:8: "What can the C.R.O.S.S do for you in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Thurs, Aug 01, 13, 08:03 a.m.)

Philippians 2:5-7:"How do you match Jesus' A.T.T.I.T.U.D.E in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (Wed, July 31, 13, 10:50 a.m.)

Mark 10:6-9: "What does Jesus want for your M.A.R.R.I.A.G.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Tues, July 30, 13, 11:24 a.m.)

Philippians 2:3-4: "How do you respond to God's C.O.M.M.A.N.D.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, July 29, 13, 09:53 a.m.)

Philiippians 2:1-2: "What C.O.N.D.I.T.I.O.N are you in?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sat, July 27, 13, 11:42 a.m.)

Philippians 1:29-30: "How do you handle S.U.F.F.E.R.I.N.G in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Fri, July 26, 13, 10:02 a.m.)

Philippians 1:27-28: "How do you C.O.N.D.U.C.T yourself in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Thurs, July 25, 13, 11:17 a.m.)

Philippians 1:22-26: "What are your C.H.O.I.C.E.S based on?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Wed, July 24, 13, 09:50 a.m.)

Philippians 1:21: "Why D.I.E for Christ?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, July 22, 13, 3:33 p.m.)

Philippians 1:21: "Why L.I.V.E your life to be appreciated by others?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Fri, July 19, 13, 10:20 a.m.)

Philippians 1:20: "Where do you need to have C.O.U.R.A.G.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Thurs, July 18, 13, 05:17 a.m.)

Philippians 1:19: "Who should you C.A.L.L often in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Wed, July 17, 13, 09:41 a.m.)

Philippians 1:19: "What reason do you have to R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Tues, July 16, 10:23 a.m.)

Philippians 1:15-18: "How are your M.O.T.I.V.E.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, July 15, 04:57 a.m.)

Philippians 1:12-14:"What have your C.H.A.I.N.S done to others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Thurs, July 11, 10:40 a.m.)

Philippians 1:12: How can you A.D.V.A.N.C.E the Gospel?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Wed, July 10, 11:46 a.m.)

Philippians 1:9-11: "What is your L.O.V.I.N.G response based on?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, July 07, 03:24 a.m.)

Philippians 1:7-8: "How can your A.F.F.E.C.T.I.O.N grow towards others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Thurs, June 27, 10:21 a.m.)

Philippians 1:7-8: "Why can you only be saved by G.R.A.C.E alone?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Wed, June 26, 10:42 a.m.)

Philippians 1:3-6: "Where are you C.O.N.F.I.D.E.N.T in?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Tues, June 25, 12:42 p.m.)

Philippians 1:3-6: "How can you attain a P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S.H.I.P in the Gospel?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Mon, June 24, 11:22 a.m.)

Philippians 1:1-3: "How will others R.E.A.C.T towards God when they remember you?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sat, June 22, 11:34 a.m.)

Philippians 1:1-2: "Why bother to let others T.R.A.I.N you when you are already a leader?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 21, 10:58 a.m.)

Philippians 1:1-2: "When do you B.L.E.S.S others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 20, 08:33 a.m.)

Philippians 1:1-2: "Who will you be a S.L.A.V.E to in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 19, 1:26 p.m.)

Philippians 1:1: "Why should you believe you are H.O.L.Y instead of a sinner?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 17, 11:38 p.m.)

Psalm 46:1: "Where do you need R.E.F.U.G.E from?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 14, 08:30 a.m.)

Proverbs 14:12: "Why seek God's R.I.G.H.T over our right?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 14, 08:30 a.m.)

Psalm 42:5: "Why H.O.P.E and praise the Lord in your distress?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 13, 01:36 p.m.)

Psalm 40:1-5: "Where do you need to be L.I.F.T.E.D up in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 13, 01:34 p.m.)

Mark 9:28-29: "What can P.R.A.Y.E.R to Jesus do in your friends lives?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 11, 07:53 a.m.)

Mark 2:2-5: "What kind of F.R.I.E.N.D will you be thought of as?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 10, 07:03 a.m.)

Mark 3:14-15: "Why S.P.E.N.D time with Jesus daily?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 08, 11:07 a.m.)

Psalm 34:4: "What can you do with your F.E.A.R.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 07, 2013, 8:43 a.m.)

Psalm 33:4: "What will you do with F.A.I.T.H in your classes?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 05, 2013, 9:31 a.m.)

Mark 1:43-44: "What does your disobedience C.A.U.S.E for others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 03, 2013, 2:57 a.m.)

Mark 1:41-42: "What past do you need to be C.L.E.A.N from?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 31, 2013, 10:54 a.m)

Proverbs 29:25: "Where will you take a S.T.A.N.D without wavering?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 30, 2013, 07:43 a.m)

Matthew 18:21-22:"Why F.O.R.G.I.V.E when it will happen again?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 29 2013, 09:35 a.m)

Psalm 27:14:"How do you C.O.P.E with your hurt?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 27, 2013, 11:13 a.m)

John 12:24:"Who do you remember physically and spiritually on this M.E.M.O.R.I.A.L day?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 27, 2013, 11:13 a.m)

"What has the law P.E.R.M.I.T.T.E.D you to do but it goes against the Lord?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 09, 2013, 6:57 a.m)

"Who do you become an A.T.T.R.A.C.T.I.O.N to and why?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 08, 2013, 6:58 a.m)

"What has A.N.G.E.R done to your relationships?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (April 29, 13, 1:28 p.m.)

"How can the L.I.G.H.T impact your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (April 06, 13, 11:48 a.m.)

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