We all worry at times. Jesus embodies faith yet talked about us overcoming our fear. Constantly Christ commanded: “FEAR NOT!” Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. When we worry we worship anxiety NOT the Almighty. The Bible notes: “Perfect PEACE whose mind is stayed on thee (God).” I have found that when we worship more we worry less. However, when we worry more we tend to worship less.

Question? Does God only get praise in your life when things are easy or do you find Him worthy of praise when the bottom falls out, the bills pile high and a relationship walks away? We need to dig deep and press in to God both in good times and bad. Gospel Legend Mike Speck sings “On Time God.” We serve an on-time God and friends God may not show up when you want Him but He’s always right on time – He’s an “on time” God – yes, He is!

It’s easy to sing our Savior’s praises or shout “Amen” when life is good but God deserves praise all the time because He is good when we are not and even when our circumstances are not. The Bible says: “We want the power of His resurrection but to KNOW HIM is the fellowship of His sufferings.” You want to know God? SUPER but are your willing to suffer in the process. This is not prosperity but a reality.

The last two weeks have been wonderful on the road preaching and at the last three services we witnessed 19 adults trust Christ as Lord and Savior. We witnessed crowds come forward for re-commitment and re-dedication both broken over sin and burdened for souls. We have seen revival, restoration and a renewed passion for God. That is great! In Calgary, Canada one man told me after my message that God convicted him for spending money on the lotto and he placed TWO one hundred dollars in my hand saying it was better to give it to the ministry than blow it on the lottery. Praise the Lord! Life also comes with its shares of bumps, bruises and bills. This is not so good.

My friend, Ken Miller is one of the men I admire most in life. He is worship leader for New Hope Community Church www.YourNewHope.org in Baltimore, MD and we have been buddies for 20 years. His pastor, Larry & Shannon Baker are the “salt of the earth” and we had a time this weekend. They ministered to me and it was a JOY to be with them.

Kenny always has a “nugget” to share and we literally feed off of each other with Truth from God. Who needs McDonald’s 20 piece McNuggets when Kenny has hundreds by God’s grace! Kool Ken reminded me this weekend of a story of the legendary missionary George Mueller who literally helped fed thousands of orphaned teens during his lifetime. He trusted God to supply their every need. Like today, the economy was tough, donors were tight and time was running out.

Mueller knew that the cabinets were bare and his heart was heavy. He knew they were in need of a miracle and yet when he sat down at the table with 60 starving teens with empty plates and empty stomachs said: “Let Us Pray & Give Thanks.” Picture that, sitting together with SIXTY hungry souls and still giving thanks. Some folks thought the gentle giant of the Gospel finally “lost his mind.” When they said ‘amen’ a knock pounded on their door. He arose to open it and it was a delivery truck that was en route to a grocery store but broke down. The driver said: “Sir, this food won’t last long and we are not going to make it to the store in time could you use this food?” Tears ran down his face and that truck fed them for nearly a month! God is never in a hurry but always ON TIME. George Mueller and his teens learned the act and art to WORSHIP in WARFARE.

Kenny also shared a poem with me that blessed me big time: “Faith is the sparrow that senses the Light and sings while the dawn is still dark.” He went on to note that the sparrow is the only bird that sings BEFORE the sunrise. The hawks, crows, falcons and other birds mock the sparrow for singing before “seeing” the sun but they all envy him when it appears. Are you a complacent Christian who shouts only on the mountain top or do you give God praise in the dark, before the break-through and/or BEFORE the SON APPEARS? Not everyone was born an eagle but God still has His eye on the sparrow.

In closing, a ship at sea nearly 75 years ago was being hit by monstrous waves. Water had overcome the walls of the boat and sailors began frantically trying to keep the vessel afloat. The young, inexperienced crew became consumed with fear and one of the officers ran to the top deck and wanted to see the Captain. He got a glimpse of their leader and ran back to the crew and said: “We are going to be alright – I just saw the Captain and he is smiling.” Friends, trust the One who has survived the storms. Even better, He created them and can calm them too! The Captain’s voice may be inaudible during the raging seas but rest assured, He’s in control, He is calm and He is Christ. I got GOOD NEWS, the Savior is smiling, the Lord is laughing and God guides through turbulent times. He has seen it all and knows it all and we can trust Him today because He sees tomorrow. Take comfort in that and I love that Elvis Presley Gospel classic: “Put your hand in the hand of the Man who stilled the water, put your hand in the Man whom calmed the sea.”

When we dwell on Jesus from Galilee we win the war against anxiety. Today, you can find peace when we picture the Prince of Peace. May we be focused on Him who is faithful. We must gaze towards God and set our sights on the Savior and always be looking to the Lord. We get off course when we take our eyes off Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). Man is impressed with fame and fortune. God is impressed with FAITH and FORTITUDE. Friends, don’t quit and like Casting Crowns song: “PRAISE YOU IN THE STORM.” Learn to think thanks, give thanks and live thanks so regardless, if you are in the valley or in victory you will WORSHIP (even if in) warfare.