February 15 – Anxious or Worried?

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” – Matthew 6:25 (NASB)

“These are the days of worry and fretting.” Is this true? Perhaps for many it is days of anxiety. If attention is given to “news” there is little reason to have confidence that all is well in our lives. We can’t begin to list all the “warnings” and “breaking news” flooding our broadcasts, newspapers, and online sources. Some translations use “anxious” as an alternative for “worry.” Our verse is much better understood in its larger context. “For this reason” indicates the connection with the preceding verses (Matthew 6:16-24). The connection between the preceding and the following passages, likely has this meaning: Since earthly treasures fail to satisfy, and setting the heart on them indicates forfeiting the enduring pleasures of heaven, the yearning for such earthly riches distorts our mental and moral vision,  And, because a choice must be made between God and Worldly wealth, we are warned to not continue setting our hearts on mundane earthly things, such as food and drink to live, or on clothes to be dressed. Our promise is that life and the value of life in God is greater than what is needed to sustain our life which God provides.

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October 31 – No Benefit At All – Three of Seven

“And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?”  Matthew 6:27 (NASB)

This is a promise – a simple promise of reality –  that we discover through experience. Perhaps when we read this verse apart from  the larger context of verses 25-34 in Matthew chapter 6, we miss seeing the promise that is here.   God tells us through the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount that choosing to be anxious simply does not do us any good.  Taking up worry as a way to deal with challenges or life in general results in ZERO gain.  That is a promise.  How many time in the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, do we find the instruction to not fret.  What is fretting?  We don't use that word in our common speech so much anymore but it means to 'stew', 'sweat', 'agitate', 'lather' and 'worry.' None of these reaction are called for since we are trusting in God who provides all we need to eat, drink, and clothe ourselves.  If we choose to be anxious we are messing up our own day and life as well as a lot of other people's too.  Let's renounce it and leave it with God. 

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Some of this content has been drawn from a series of "Solid Joys" articles off the Internet.  Solid Joys are a daily devotional by John Piper.  Desiring God 

January 10 – Umpires and Referees

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 9 (NASB)

We find an interesting thought in our verse today. These words were written first to people who were familiar and acquainted with athletic contests in the Greek world.  In these sports and games of that day there would be someone appointed to make decisions when questions came up. In the same way, we have umpires, referees and judges today keeping order in athletic contests.  So, what we find our verse saying to us is that we should allow the peace of Christ to be our referee. We should use His peace to rule in our hearts and when there is a disturbing question about something, we should let God's peace make the decision. Instead of worrying about something we can not control, we can let God's peace control our thinking. That's what God called us to and it is our promise from Him that He will rule correctly on our behalf. 

June 14

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)

These are words Jesus spoke to Martha when she became irritated at her sister Mary for not helping her with household duties. Mary had been so attentive to what Jesus was teaching. She sat at His feet listening and was taking it in. Is this the way we react when we hear Jesus’ words? When we have an opportunity to read or hear His word taught, are we open to what He is telling us? We can miss it if we allow other things – even good things to distract us. Jesus said that Mary had chosen what is better and it will not be taken away.