20150821 WORRY

WORRY

Matthew 6:25-34 "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?  (26)  Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to Him than they are?  (27)  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?  (28)  "And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, (29) yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  (30)  And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?  (31)  "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?'  (32)  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.  (33)  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.  (34)  "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.

Worry is the opposite of faith and when we worry we show that we do not know how much our Heavenly Father loves us. 1 John 4:18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love.

Romans 14:17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Life is so much more than the sum of our daily necessities. Science teaches us that worry does quite the opposite of adding to our lives. It shortens our lives. Worry causes us to lose sleep, drives up our blood pressure, causes strokes and heart disease. This is only the beginning of the physical problems it causes. Now, some of you reading this will begin to worry that worrying is going to kill you. Don’t do that. Stop right now and take a deep breath.

Your Heavenly Father already knows what you need. Change your focus. Think differently. Seek His Kingdom and His righteousness. In other words make your aim in life to live a Kingdom life right now. In this Sermon on the Mount we’ve been studying, Jesus is telling us how to live the Kingdom life and how to live in righteousness. So today, when you start worrying about the next bill that is due, stop, take a breath and start looking for ways to live the Kingdom life. Yes, you may ask God to meet that need. Jesus told us to pray for our daily bread. Then give thanks for what you have and begin looking for ways to bless others.

Father in Heaven, Thank You for the blessings of Your Word. Thank You for Your provision in our lives this day. Remind us how much You love us. Do not let us forget and help us as we walk out the Kingdom life today. May we be found faithful in trusting You, loving You and loving others. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

20150817 WHEN YOU FAST

WHEN YOU FAST

Matthew 6:16-18  "And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.  (17)  But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face.  (18)  Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Thayer Definition:

1) to abstain as a religious exercise from food and drink: either entirely, if the fast lasted but a single day, or from customary and choice nourishment, if it continued several days

Again we see the word, “when” instead of “if,” meaning God intends for us to fast. He also intends it to be done with the right attitude and for the right reasons. A detailed study of the subject, which I won’t go into here, seems to suggest that fasting makes the following statement; “God, I want You more than I want the food it takes to sustain my life. I need Your answers above my own reasoning.” Throughout the scripture people fasted for various reasons. David fasted hoping God would spare the life of Bathsheba’s first child. Esther and her friends fasted when she prepared to go in and approach the king to try to save her people. Jesus fasted before beginning His earthly ministry. There are many other examples for us throughout God’s Word.

The point that Jesus is making here is that we are to fast and we are to do it secretly. We are not to boast about it, nor make a show by refusing to bathe or by wearing a long mournful face. Nor are we to sit around the dinner table groaning as someone else takes each bite. While fasting it is a great idea to take meal times and pray. Use that time you normally use eating to spend time with your Heavenly Father.

It is interesting to note the word, “reward” is used twice in these three verses. Jesus puts emphasis on a reward for giving alms, praying and fasting. When these things are done for His glory as quietly and privately as possible the Father will reward you. When these things are done so that others will see and admire you that brief admiration is all you get.

Father in heaven, Thank You that You want to bless us with rewards. You have already given us so much in Jesus Christ. May our giving, our praying and our fasting be done in love for You, not out of fear of You, for Your love cast out our fear. In Jesus Holy Name, AMEN!!!