Some people have everything. But I don’t. I don’t have a care and I don’t want one!
In Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, the main definition for care is to be anxious and the variations of the definition all have to do with a degree of anxiety. But as Christians, we are told in Philippians 4:6 that we should be anxious for nothing.
We know there are certain things that are always sin. Pride, adultery, covetousness, and fornication are always sins. There is no such thing as good adultery and bad adultery. Adultery is always sin. There is no such thing as good pride and bad pride. Pride is always sin. I have heard it taught that care is always sin. But how can that be when 1 Peter 5:7 tells us God cares for us and God does not sin?
The reality is, the care we cast upon Him (Gr. merimna) is different from the care (Gr. melo) He has for us. The synonyms for the care we are to cast upon Him are: affliction, aggravation, alarm, anguish, anxiety, distress, encumbrance, fear, handicap, hindrance, hardship, oppression, pressure, sorrow, stew, strain, stress, sweat, tribulation, trouble, unhappiness, vexation, woe, and worry. As a Christian, you cannot walk in this type of care.
Every definition of this word (Gr. merimna), which is only used six times in the New Testament, is anti-faith. Three of the references (Matt. 13:22, Mark 4:19, Luke 8:14) talk about how this type of care will choke the Word and make the Word and the one who has it unfruitful. Walking in care can literally destroy your ministry, your health, and your family. On the other hand, the care that God has for us (Gr. melo) simply indicates that we matter to Him.
In the current economic crisis, we must take all of our anxieties, stress, and worry and cast that care upon Him. We must continue to live our lives from a position of faith and give no entrance to the cares of the world. Remember, the cares of the world choke the Word and we are Word people.
During the time of Isaac, the economy was in total devastation. There was a famine in the land. But Isaac sowed in this time of famine and became so prosperous that he was envied by the Philistines. The Bible tells us that he harvested a hundredfold even though his sowing was done during a time of economic crisis. (Gen. 26)
During the Great Depression of the 1930’s countless people lost their life savings. But what has often gone unreported is this. Many millionaires were made at the same time. There is no less or no more wealth in the earth today than there was before. It’s only in different places. The difference between Isaac and the others of his day is that he would not allow the conditions of the world to affect his determination to sow and even though there was poverty all around him, he became exceedingly wealthy because he did not abandon the principle of sowing and reaping.
As believers in these last days, we must be examples. Instead of drawing back because things look bad, we must continue in faith and cast all of our fear and anxiety upon Him. The result will be great victory and increase when it looks like failure.
When your back is against the wall and it looks like imminent defeat, God has a better plan. It’s called imminent victory.
Scripture References
Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. (Matt. 13:22)
And the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. (Mark 4:19)
Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. (Luke 8:14)
1 Peter 5:7 (in different versions):
Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you. (NCV)
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you. (NLT)
Casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. (NASB)
Copyright © Larry Ollison Ministries
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.