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Answers For A Hurried Life

Sep 05, 2021

Hurried. Busy. Tired. Many of us are all too familiar with the frantic pace of modern living and its painful side effects of worry, anxiety, and stress-related issues. Beloved, God can give you success without costing you your health and relationships! In this practical message by Joseph Prince, discover God’s answers to enjoying His abundant life free of fatigue.

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Introduction: The way to multiply grace and peace

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MAIN IDEA

As you grow in your knowledge of Jesus more and more, grace and peace will be multiplied in your life.

key scriptures

2 Pet. 1:2

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“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.” —2 Peter 1:2 KJV
The Greek word for “knowledge” refers to “accurate and full knowledge,” not partial knowledge. As you increase in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and know Him more and more, God promises that grace (unmerited favor) and shalom peace (total wellbeing in every area) will be multiplied in your life.

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Why hurry is a problem

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MAIN IDEA

When you are living life hurriedly, you are living in unbelief (of God’s goodness and supply). As believers, we are meant to live a life of rest. Living restfully is how we take on a posture of faith.

key scriptures

Luke 10:38–42, Heb. 4:11, Heb, 4:2, John 15:5, Isa. 55:12, John 14:27

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As believers under the new covenant, our promised land is a place of rest (Heb. 4:11). God tells us to labor to enter this promised land of His rest (Heb. 4:2).
Rest is a posture of faith. When you are at rest, you are trusting God. That’s when you’ll see His promises manifest in your life.
This does not mean that God wants us to be lazy in our jobs. He wants us to produce fruits but do so without stress, anxiety, or hurriedness on the inside.
Jesus said that when you abide in Him, you will produce fruit, more fruit, and much fruit (John 15:5). If you want to see fruits in the various areas of your life, such as your Christian life, marriage, parenting, or career, you simply need to abide in Jesus. “Abiding” is the opposite of being hurried, running around, and trying to achieve things.
Lessons from the story of Mary and Martha: When Martha became angry that her sister, Mary, was not helping her with the preparations, she not only did not speak to Mary directly but even blamed the Lord. This happens to us too when we are stressed and hurried. When we feel like no one is helping us and we are doing the task all by ourselves, this is a sign that we are not functioning or doing things the way God wants us to. Martha was so concerned about feeding Jesus, the One who had fed more than 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish (John 6:1–14). She did not have to get flustered about bringing Him food. Jesus wanted her to be fed and served by Him first.
God always leads you with peace (Isa. 55:12a). Whenever you are stressed and anxious, this is an indicator that you are not being led by the Spirit on the paths of peace that God has for you.
Peace is something that Jesus has left or bequeathed to us (John 14:27). The world is waiting for the pandemic to be over so that they can have peace and enjoy life, but God is saying that He has given us peace to be enjoyed right now. His peace is not like the peace that the world gives, which is dependent on external circumstances. His peace is a peace you can enjoy even while you're going through the trials of life.
The Hebrew word for “peace” is “shalom,” and it does not only refer to peace of mind but also “wholeness, wellness, prosperity, and completeness.” Jesus gave His peace to us. The disciples never saw Jesus sick, anxious, or in a hurry. He always had time for everyone, and He moved in a rhythm of grace. No one has ever been more effective than Jesus was in His three years of earthly ministry, and no one has ever been more restful either. In the same way, the Lord wants us to live life unhurried and receive wholeness in every aspect.

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Are you living in the present?

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MAIN IDEA

Instead of worrying about the future or regretting the past, be present in the now. God gives you grace and provision one day at a time.

key scriptures

2 Cor. 6:2, John 14:27, Prov. 4:23

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The Bible tells us that “now is the accepted time” (2 Cor. 6:2). In Hebrew, “accepted” is the word “râtsôn,” while in Greek, it is the word “dektos” (as seen in Luke 4:19 KJV, “To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord”). This is a time when God's favor profusely abounds. This time is not a specific year or season in the future, but it is now. Instead of waiting for a future event or goal to be achieved to be happy, enjoy the journey!
The only thing Jesus tells us to do is “let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
He tells us to guard our hearts because out of our hearts flow the issues of life (Prov. 4:23). Instead of guarding the various areas of your life such as your health, family, or finances, the Lord says that the most important thing to guard is your heart. By guarding your heart, you are guarding every other aspect of your life.
One of the ways to guard your heart is to not let your heart be troubled (John 14:27). The two major things that trouble our hearts are usually the past and the future. People who are troubled by the past are always lamenting, “If only this or that had happened,” even though the past cannot be changed. People who are troubled by the future anxiously worry, “What if this or that happens?”
The Bible says, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11), which means that the provision, favor, and grace that God gives us is for one day at a time. This is because God wants us to live in the now with Him. “Now” is the favorable time to live in, instead of in the past or in the future where there is no favor as it is not the “acceptable time.” Now is the time of favor!

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Worry less, trust more

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MAIN IDEA

Instead of worrying, trust in the Lord and be at rest. When you do this, you will not be put to shame.

key scriptures

Luke 10:40-42, 1 Pet. 2:6, Isa. 28:16

KEY TAKEAWAYS

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Some people are afraid that if they don’t hurry or busy themselves, they will miss opportunities and success. On the contrary, many times it is precisely your hurriedness that is causing failure. Often, you will find that when God’s people abide and rest in Him, they become more fruitful.
Lessons from the story of Mary and Martha: The word “aorried” is the Greek word “merimnaó,” which comes from the word “meris,” which means “a part.” It means “to be divided into many parts, or to be drawn apart in many areas and distracted.” Worry occurs when you have been distracted and pulled in many different directions. It then leads to you feeling impatient. It is very difficult for us to be kind or patient when we are in a hurry.
Those who are believing on Jesus, who are not in haste, will not be put to shame (1 Pet. 2:6, Isa. 28:16)! They will not experience embarrassment or failure because they trust in the Lord and are at rest.

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Do the one thing needful

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MAIN IDEA

While you may feel like there are a million and one things to attend to, prioritize doing the one thing needful—sit at Jesus’ feet and receive His Word.

key scriptures

Luke 10:41–42, Luke 21:28

KEY TAKEAWAYS

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Lessons from the story of Mary and Martha: Martha was troubled about many things while Mary was focused on doing one thing—sitting at Jesus’ feet and hearing His word. The Greek word for “troubled” is “thorybazō,” which comes from the root word “throeó.” We find the word “throeó” used in another portion of Scripture, Matthew 24:6–7, which tells us: “See that you are not troubled (‘throeó’); for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.” In essence, the Lord is telling us not to be troubled by all the bad news around us because they are simply the signs of the end times. Instead, He says that when these things happen, we are to lift up our heads and look forward to our new bodies that will be forever young and healthy, for our bodily redemption draws near (Luke 21:28).
Jesus said that Martha was worried and troubled about many things because she did not do the one thing that was most important. Beyond physical rest, which is important for us, the one thing refers to having an inward posture of resting and receiving from the Lord.
Rest is not inactivity but an inward posture of receiving from Jesus.

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Start where Jesus has finished

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MAIN IDEA

What Jesus secured for us at the cross—every blessing, healing, and provision—has been finished. Because the Lord already finished everything, He made the finishing line our starting post. Now we are to rest in Him continually as we trust that we will walk in all that He has finished for us.

key scriptures

Heb. 4:3,11, Col. 2:6, Exod. 17:8, 2 Cor. 6:1–2

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FOLLOW PASTOR PRINCE AS HE EXPOUNDS ON THESE POINTS

In God’s perspective, all the works needed for our provision and our life have all been finished and secured by His Son at the cross (Heb. 4:3,11). Because the Lord already finished everything, He made the finishing line our starting post! We are complete in Christ Jesus, so now we are to rest in Him as we trust that we will walk in all that He finished for us (Col. 2:6 KJV).
When we fail to realize our completeness in Christ, we end up walking in the flesh instead of the Spirit. This is because we end up trying to become what God declares we already are. When you try to defeat an enemy who has already been defeated, this is an act of unbelief.
When it comes to your relationship with God, don’t feel like you have to earn closeness with Him. You don’t need to try to get near to God because you are already near Him, seated at His right hand in the heavenly places. That is why you don’t pray for victory but from victory! When it comes to healing, know that you are not trying to get the healing. God sees Jesus’ finished work and He is bringing the finished work to you and saying you are healed. As you thank God that you are healed, you can expect the manifestation to happen.
Lessons from the story of Israel’s battle with Amalek: This battle was the first battle that took place after Israel had come out of Egypt and crossed over the Red Sea, and it happened at a place called “Rephidim,” which means “resting places.” The devil cannot allow or afford for you to rest one moment longer because when you are in place of rest, you will produce abundant fruit (John 15:5). When you are living in the now, a place of faith and favor where you will not be put to shame, the devil will want to attack you.
2 Corinthians 6:1–2 tells us that “now is the accepted (favorable) time” and encourages us “not to receive the grace of God in vain,” implying that the result of not living in the now is that the grace of God does not take effect in your life.
Now is the God-appointed time where the profuse favor of God and good opportunities are abounding. Now is the acceptable time, the time of salvation. It is pointless to constantly worry about the past or future because that is not where God’s favor, help, or blessings are. If you’re living in the past, filled with regrets, there is no favor there. If you're worried about the future, there is no favor there either because you are squandering your “now” moments. Live in the present because this is where God’s favor abounds!
How can we enjoy the now? We can do it simply by being conscious of the present. As you relate or talk to people, be present in the moment instead of distracted by other thoughts. Let’s constantly remind ourselves to enjoy the now, the favorable moment.

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Fighting = feeding

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MAIN IDEA

Fight your battles by resting in the Lord and feeding on His Word.

key scriptures

Exod. 17:8–9, Ps. 23:5

KEY TAKEAWAYS

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Lessons from the story of Israel’s battle with Amalek: The name “Amalek” is from the Hebrew word “amal” which means “painful toil, wearisome labor.” As Israel fought the Amalekites in battle, Moses stood on top of a hill, raising his arms. The Bible says that as Moses became tired and his arms drooped, the enemies began to prevail over Israel. Hence, Aaron and Hur stood beside him to support his arms and made Moses sit down. Only when Moses sat down did Israel prevail in the battle. This is a picture of how we are seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:6). When you sit down (a picture of rest), victory will prevail in your life. Child of God, learn to rest instead of trying to fight all the time. Conventionally, nobody sits down in a battle. Yet God’s art of warfare is for us to sit down and rest in His finished work.
Psalm 23:5 tells us that God prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies. You don’t stand at a table but rather sit at it. Naturally, no one would feel like sitting down and eating in the midst of their enemies. These enemies are the things that are causing you stress, whether a sickness or a challenge faced at home or at work. In the midst of these enemies, God tells you to sit down and eat.
The Hebrew word for “bread” or “feed” is “lechem,” while the Hebrew word for “fight” is “lacham.” Both words are written using the same Hebrew letters. This tells us that we fight our battles by feeding. The more you sit down and feed on god's word, the more you are fighting your enemies.

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The secret to enjoying true quality of life

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MAIN IDEA

As you experience Jesus’ rest and abundant life, you will enjoy good health and quality of life.

key scriptures

Matt. 6:25–28, John 10:10

KEY TAKEAWAYS

FOLLOW PASTOR PRINCE AS HE EXPOUNDS ON THESE POINTS

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry (‘merimnaó’) about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” —Matthew 6:25 NKJV
Lessons from Matthew 6: There is no point in having food if you have a defeated or stressful life. There is also no point in having clothes if you have a sick body. What Jesus is saying here is, “Is not quality life more than food and quality body more than clothing?” In this passage, the Lord is giving us the secret to quality life and health.
The Greek word for “worry” is “merimnaó,” which means “pulled in different directions.” Here, Jesus is telling us not to be pulled in many different directions by our daily tasks or things fighting for our attention. The secret to enjoying quality life and health is to live life unworried!
Worry harms our health and negatively affects our families, relationships, and careers. When you let go of worry, you let go of failure, shame, sickness, and anxiety. When you let go of worry, you let go of anything that will hurt or destroy you and your loved ones.
Remember that the enemy comes to steal before he can kill and destroy (John 10:10a). What is he out to steal? He tries to steal away the Word that brings you peace.
“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? "So why do you worry (‘merimnaó’) about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil (‘kopiaó’) nor spin;” — Matthew 6:26–28 NKJV
Lessons from Matthew 6: The growth of lilies here speaks of beauty and health. When a flower grows, it blooms beautifully and that is a show of the health of the plant. How can we grow beautifully into greater health in every area of our life? The answer is to neither toil nor spin. The word “toil” here is the Hebrew word “amal” (seen in “Amalek”) and the Greek word “kopiaó,” which means “to grow weary or tired; wearisome effort.” While it is true that we need to work in life, we were not meant to toil painfully and grow weary through tiresome effort. Instead, we work with inward rest and trust in the Lord’s blessings and supply, and that is when we will see our work become more successful.

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Answers For A Hurried Life

ONE MONTH FREE ACCESS TO OVER 1,000 SERMONS

ONE MONTH FREE ACCESS TO OVER 1,000 SERMONS

Introduction: The way to multiply grace and peace

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Why hurry is a problem

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Are you living in the present?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Worry less, trust more

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Do the one thing needful

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Start where Jesus has finished

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Fighting = feeding

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The secret to enjoying true quality of life

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Join the conversation