Matthew 6:34 - Dealing With Worry.
Matthew 6:34 (NLT) Don't worry about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.
Todays trouble is enough for today.
COMMENTARY ILLUSTRATIONS
I hung up the phone with a realtor after
making an appointment to see a house. I leaned back
in my chair, took a deep breath, and wondered,
Where are we going to live? A few years ago, we
sold our home and gave away most of our
belongings, only keeping the items we loved. Our three
adult sons were living on their own, and we wanted
to simplify our life, experience more financial
freedom, and start our empty-nest life as an
adventure.
The past few years, not tethered to a
house, had been great. But now I longed for a home
again - my own nest. I thought this nesting
instinct usually affected younger women starting
their families, so I was surprised that I still
had this desire. Worrying about it was
definitely stealing my joy.
Then, I was reminded of Jesus's words
giving us an anecdote to worry. He said, "Look at
the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or
store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father
feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than
they?" (Matthew 6:26, N1V). The answer is yes. The
process of learning to trust God to take care of us
is a lifelong practice, not just with where we
live but in every area of life. Here I am again,
turning my worry into trust. I still don't know
where my next nest will be, but I'll take Jesus at
His words and remember how He provides for the
birds in the air and how much more He will provide
for me. Jeannie Blackmer.
Faith Step: Write down something you are
worried about. Take a walk outside and observe
birds. Remember how much God loves and provides for
them and all the more so for you. [Mornings With
Jesus 2021 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]
The back porch door was only open for a
few seconds, but that was time enough for a
half-grown robin to fly down the hail and into our
laundry room. The poor bird frantically circled the
room, wings beating hard. I knew it was scared,
but what to do? I tried capturing it in a large
towel, but couldn't get close. Trapping it in the
corner with my broom didn't work, either.
My husband, Don, squeezed through the
door. "Stop trying to catch it!" he said. "When
the bird tires it will land on a shelf and I'll
get it." A couple of minutes later, that's what
happened. Don picked the robin up, carried it outside,
and watched it fly to the nearest Bradford pear
tree.
I hate to admit it, but I'm a lot like
that bird. My initial reaction to unsettling news
or a troubling circumstance is panic. I rush
around and try to fix things that don't need fixing
or aren't my business. Often my hasty
"solutions" to problems often don't even make sense,
like the time my granddaughter Olivia was driving
alone and had a flat tire ninety miles away. My
plan was to go pick her up, but Don said, "Why
not call a garage to fix the tire?" I did, and
Olivia was back on the road in forty-five minutes.
These days I'm trying to remember that
robin when I receive bad news or encounter
stressful situations. With God's help, I'm learning to
take a deep breath, stay calm, wait awhile, and
trust that He will provide appropriate help in
every situation.
Lord, You have told us to learn from the
birds of the air (Matthew 6:26). Let it be so in
my life. Amen. Penney Schwab [Walking in Grace
2021 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan re
Matthew 10:29]
My husband, Kevin, and I exchanged heated
words twice this week. Wait, I may as well tell it
straight - we argued. Although we've enjoyed a happy
marriage for decades, our different outlooks on
everything from taking risks to treating a cold
sometimes get us in trouble. We haven't fought like
this in months, I thought. I wonder what's going
on. I don't function well when we argue - strife
smothers my joy.
I wept as I prayed this morning,
distracted by troubled thoughts. With His gentle voice
in my heart, Jesus reminded me of our schedule:
moving our daughter and her three teenagers to live
near us; Kevin starring in a drama on the west
coast; my teaching four workshops and sharing a
morning message at a writing conference three states
away; and caring for my ninety-two-year-old mom
who suffers from hearing loss, macular
degeneration, and dementia. No wonder we'd fought. We'd
let the pressures around us cause tension inside
us, upsetting our usual calm relationship.
But what can I do, Lord? We just don't
agree on how to manage everything.
Then I heard God's voice: Is your job to
manage everything or to trust Me for the help and
wisdom you need?
Aha. I realized Kevin and I were trying
too hard to make sure every detail of our lives
- and those we love - worked out perfectly.
I'd forgotten that Jesus gave us His Spirit to
show us how to live with joy and serenity one day
- sometimes one minute - at a time.
I dried my tears, told Jesus thanks, and
went to find Kevin. We both needed a hug.
Jeanette Levellie
Faith Step: Picture Jesus cradling you in
His enormous hands, pouring out His wisdom for
the day - or perhaps the season - ahead of you.
[Mornings With Jesus 2021 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
CLOSING COMMENTARY PEARL
Dont Worry - Worship!
How do you know youre not experiencing
the love of God?
Youre worried.
You cant simultaneously worry and
worship God. Every time you worry, youve
forgotten how much God loves you. Worry is really
acting like an atheist. Its pretending youre
an orphan rather than a child of God.
Jesus said, So dont worry about
these things, saying, What will we eat? What
will we drink? What will we wear? These things
dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your
heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek
the Kingdom of God above all else, and live
righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So
dont worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will
bring its own worries. Todays trouble is enough
for today (Matthew 6:31-34 NLT).
Jesus tells us theres a truth thats
much more important than anything were
worrying about: We have a heavenly Father who created
us, loves us, wants what is best for us, and is
watching over us. He is working for our good and has
given us hundreds of promises of his
faithfulness.
Worry is pretending you dont know any
of that.
My son Josh doesnt like to fly when
theres turbulence. A few years ago, he was on a
plane experiencing constant turbulence. He told me
later, I had to decide whether I would worry or
worship. So instead of worrying, I put in my ear buds
and put on a bunch of worship songs.
Youll either worry or worship for the
rest of your life. Youll either panic or pray.
Youll either look at your problems or look at
God.
Which will you choose? [Daily Devotional
by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
ONE LINERS
We are to make Him [Jesus] first and last
and best in everything. We are to engage in no
business, follow no pursuit, seek no pleasure, that
would hinder the outworking of His righteousness
in our character and life. Whatever we do is to
be done heartily, as unto the Lord If we
follow His example, His assurance to us is that all
things needful in this life "shall be added." {MB
99}
If you will seek the Lord and be converted
every day all your murmurings will be stilled,
all your difficulties will be removed, all the
perplexing problems that now confront you will be
solved. MB101
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Matthew 6:34 - Plan for Tomorrow but Live
for Today.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201123-1013.html
Matthew 6:33 - Put Jesus First and All These
Things Will Be Added.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201002-0935.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.revelationnow.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
