Worry Not!

Scriptures: Matthew 6:25-27, 1 John 5:14

Fear’s Ugly Cousin – Worry

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry 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? 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?” (Matthew 6:25-27 NKJV) 

Jesus’ point is that worrying is not productive. We cannot change anything just by worrying about it. 

Dr. David Jeremiah, speaking of worry says, “Worry is concerning yourself about things over which you have no control.” Dr. Jeremiah also suggests that we pull out a sheet of paper and title it “Worry List.” Then proceed to write down every worry you have, big and small, using as much paper as you need. When you feel your list is complete, mark through the word “worry” and write in the word “prayer.” Instead of a worry list, you now have a prayer list, and you can do something about that. 

No problem has ever been resolved by merely worrying about it. Worry, left unchecked, will turn into fear. Prayer, on the other hand, is a game changer and is how we are instructed to petition God. 1 John 5:14 NKJV tells us, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” Tell your concerns to God and let Him deal with it. He has unlimited resources at His disposal.

As you may recall, manna fell daily for the children of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness. They were instructed to only collect enough food for that day. If they collected extra, by the next day it would rot, smell and be infested with maggots. He provided for their needs daily, but not in excess. 

Is your refrigerator empty? Do you not have sufficient clothing to wear? In Jesus’ message about not worrying, He is not saying that food, drink and clothing are not important. He knows they are, but the point is that since your Heavenly Father provides for the birds daily, He will provide for you, as well. Turn the time you would waste worrying about a problem into productive time with God. Petition Him for your daily needs. Do not worry; your Heavenly Father loves you and desires to meet your needs!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for all the time I have wasted on worrying about things I should have taken to You. Help me to never forget You are my provider. 1 John 5:14 says “that if we ask anything according to (Your) will, (You) hear us.” Thank You for hearing my petition. In Jesus name, amen.

Scriptures: Matthew 6:34, Matthew 6:27, Psalms 118:24, Colossians 4:5

Don’t Worry About Tomorrow

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34 NKJV). 

Jesus is saying in this passage that the present day has enough challenges in and of itself without worrying about something in the future. Basically, live your life one day at a time; deal with the present. 

There is a famous quote that many people claim to have said, but it appears the quote originated from former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” You cannot undo anything that happened in your past. Tomorrow and all the other days in the future are unknown, so appreciate the moment. 

How many people do you know that live in the past, either with regrets, or perhaps, some great moment in life that they want to keep reliving? Then there are others that want to put off life until they have more money or a better job or whatever. 

Follow Jesus’ advice and do not worry about tomorrow. In the passage prior to this He tells us to not worry about today either. Matthew 6:27 says, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” None of us can change the past, present or future by worrying. 

In the financial world, compounding interest on top of your interest is a good thing. However, when it comes to worrying, compounding is a bad thing. Humorist Will Rogers once said, “Worrying is like paying a debt that may never come due.”

Life is too short to wait for tomorrow to start living. The Psalmist tells us, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). 

Do not let life pass you by either by continuing to worry about what has already happened or what might happen in the future. None of us are guaranteed a tomorrow. Colossians 4:5 tells us to “make the most of every opportunity.” Carpe diem; seize the day! 

Prayer: Lord, help me to carpe diem. I will focus on the day at hand and not worry about the past or the future. You are my all in all and You’re bigger than any problem I will ever encounter. I choose to put my trust and faith in You, my Heavenly Father. In Jesus name, amen.

Scriptures: Luke 12:29-31, Isaiah 41:17, Matthew 7:7-11, Jeremiah 29:11-14, Hebrews 11:6

Seek First His Kingdom

“And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well” (Luke 12:29-31).

These were Jesus’ words and He is telling the crowd not to worry about what they will eat or drink. You might be thinking that is easy to say when your pantry is full of food, but when it is empty and you have a family to feed that is another matter. 

God tells us through the prophet Isaiah, “The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them” (Isaiah 41:17). If you are physically, emotionally or spiritually thirsty, I want to assure you God knows it.

Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:7-11)

Are you asking Him? Are you seeking the Lord? Are you knocking on heaven’s door for your answers? Our God is not an enabler. He does not want people hooked on heavenly food stamps. You are going to have to ask, seek, and knock. And when you do, you will receive, find, and the door will be opened.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 29:11-14). He promises if you pursue Him with all your heart, you will find Him. Seek God’s kingdom first, and all the other stuff comes along as a bonus. 

Prayer: Forgive me God when I have put other things before You. Help me to get to that point in my relationship with You that whatever the question is, my response is ‘Yes Lord.’ You know my needs better than I do and I’m going to trust in You to meet them, but I will not do it complacently. I believe that You are “a rewarder of those that diligently seek (You)” (Hebrews 11:6). In Jesus name, amen.

Scriptures: Mark 13:11, John 14:16-17, John 16:13, John 14:26, Luke 11:13, Matthew 7:7

Do You Need a Counselor?

“Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit” (Mark 13:11).

Following Jesus was not without its risk. Jesus didn’t say “if you are arrested” but “whenever you are.” One of the names for the Holy Spirit is Counselor, and Jesus tells the disciples that He will send an excellent Counselor to defend you so you do not need to worry what you are to say when trouble comes.

The good news for us is the same Spirit that filled Jesus is the One that is available to us. When the Holy Spirit shows up and takes over, you need to just stand back and try not to get in the way. Jesus said, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:16-17).

The Holy Spirit is not a mysterious being who is going to possess you and take control of your tongue, but He will guide you. Jesus said, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). He is also known as the Helper. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26). 

Have you ever been in an environment where you worried about what to say? Perhaps the Lord placed someone in your path and you wanted to say something because you felt a prompting, but you couldn’t summon up the courage. There is an old saying, “Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the mastery of it.” With the help and counsel of the Holy Spirit, you can master your fears. 

The question becomes, why would you not want someone to help you, guide you, and counsel you on a daily basis? Jesus said, “how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13) Jesus also said, “Ask and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7).

Prayer: Lord, I need more of You today. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Guide me in all truth. With You as my Counselor and Helper, I will fear no evil for Thou art with me! In Jesus name, amen.

Scriptures: Luke 21:12-15, Ephesians 6:12, Acts 4:29, 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

The Final Victory Is Ours

“But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of My name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict” (Luke 21:12-15).

Jesus certainly didn’t sugarcoat the situation, did He? This is not exactly the line you would use on an ad trying to recruit people to help with your cause. Woodrow T. Wilson, the 28th President of the United States once said, “I would rather fail in a cause that will ultimately triumph than to triumph in a cause that will ultimately fail.” We have to realize in this life as a Christian, we may appear to lose some battles, but ultimately we will win the war. The cause for Christ does ultimately triumph!

Good will eventually triumph over evil, but it’s not going to happen without a fight. In any fight, you need to know who you are fighting against and Paul tells us who our enemy is. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). 

The good news is that we don’t have to worry how to defend ourselves because Jesus is sending the Holy Spirit, our Counselor, to defend us when we face persecution. If/when you find yourself in this situation, it only takes a two word prayer… “Jesus help!” “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word” (Acts 4:29). 

Fear not! Stand firm in your faith; the final victory is ours. “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:57-58).

Prayer: Help me Lord to never lose sight that the final victory is ours. May I also always keep in mind who the real enemy is we are fighting against…Satan. Grant Your servant boldness to carry out the plans You have for me. Today, I will be strong and courageous and fight to the best of my ability. In Jesus name, amen.

Scriptures: Luke 10:40-42, Luke 10:39, 1 Timothy 4:7-8, Colossians 4:5, Matthew 25:23

How Will Your Epitaph Read?

“But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.’ And Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her’” (Luke 10:40-42). 

Martha had the Son of God over for dinner and was caught up in the meal preparation, but missed the main point. She was so engrossed in doing things right that she missed doing the right thing. Mary, on the other hand, “sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word” (Luke 10:39). 

Have you ever gotten so wrapped up in the fulfillment of an event that you missed the joy of being able to participate in it? The Lord is more concerned with our presencethan our presents. The same thing holds true with our families. Truth be told, those closest to you (spouse, children or loved ones) would much prefer spending time with you than with your gifts. 

When you stand before the Lord at the end or your life, are you going to wish you had spent more time at the office? How do you live a life without regrets? Paul, in his first letter to Timothy, told him to “train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:7-8). We have to train ourselves to be godly; our inherent sin nature does not allow this to come naturally. 

Take time to smell the roses. Life is a journey so enjoy the little things along the pathway. Paul tells us to “make the most of every opportunity” (Colossians 4:5). Don’t let the little things in life, like serving a meal or worry, trouble you. Focus on the big picture. 

On November 17, 2011, Oklahoma State University suffered a second tragic plane crash, this time killing the women’s head basketball coach, Kurt Budke, and his assistant Miranda Serna. At the time of her death, Miranda had posted the following quote on Facebook from American humorist Erma Bombeck. “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I have not a single bit of talent left, and could say to Him, ‘Dear Lord, I used everything You gave me and thank You for all You entrusted in me.’” The subsequent stories that surfaced after her untimely death indicate that is exactly how she lived her life. So what about you… how will your epitaph read?

Prayer: Lord, help me to see the big picture and not worry about the small stuff anymore. I will make the most of every opportunity that comes my way today. Regret will no longer be a part of my vocabulary; I will start living like I was dying. May my epitaph read, “Well done good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:23) In Jesus name, amen.

Scriptures: Matthew 6:28-30, Matthew 6:27, Philippians 4:19, James 4:2, Matthew 7:7, Proverbs 30:8-9

My God Shall Supply All Your Need

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:28-30)

Jesus tells us that worrying is counterproductive. In the verse just prior to this passage, He poses the question, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:27) Worrying will truly get you nowhere. His other point is that there is no need to worry because your heavenly Father will see to your needs. The good news is that He backs that up with a promise in His word: “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). 

Are you in need today for something? Maybe it’s the basic necessities of life like food, shelter, or clothing. Or maybe it’s a job or healing or someone just to talk to about your struggles. Whatever it is you’re in need of today, please know there is a loving God who wants to help. One of the names of God is Jehovah Jireh, meaning “the Lord will provide.” 

James tells us, “You do not have, because you do not ask God” (James 4:2). Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). Be persistent; keep asking, seeking and knocking until the door is opened to you.

God does promise in Philippians 4:19 to meet your needs, but there is nothing there about meeting your greed. Imelda Marcos, former first lady of the Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos in the 1980s, was said to have anywhere between 1200 – 2700 pairs of shoes. How much is enough? There is an old saying, “Happiness is not having what you want; it’s wanting what you have.” 

Proverbs 30 gives us a great perspective on sufficiency. “Give me neither poverty nor riches — feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God” (Proverbs 30:8-9). 

Prayer: Lord, I cannot do life on my own and I’m tired of trying. You and You alone are my true Provider. Help me not to worry, but to turn everything over to You, Jehovah Jireh, in prayer. And may I always have an attitude of gratitude. In Jesus name, amen.