What Jesus Did! - Tomorrow

So don't worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Tomorrow will have its own worries.
- Matthew 6:34 (ERV)

THOUGHT:

As we ponder these words of Jesus, we must recognize that worry and planning ahead are different things. Jesus said that is is unreasonable not to do some essential planning. (Luke 14:28-31) Still, most of us have battled worry at some point in our lives.

We go to bed with that nagging concern about what will happen "tomorrow." (Clearly Jesus is referring to worrying about what will happen in the future and not just literally tomorrow.) It may be a conflict that troubles us. It may be a mess at the office that must be confronted. It may be facing someone who has hurt us or that we have hurt. It may be that financial doubt about paying bills and having to face the note holders. Jesus wants us to let go of our anxiety.

We must live in the present moment. There are too many opportunities we could miss today by worrying about what might happen tomorrow. The Lord could come between now and tomorrow and all our worry would have been silliness.

The Lord may be at work in the situation during today, in ways we could not foresee, and our problems are not as insurmountable as they seem today. Or, even if the bad thing were to happen, our worry will have needlessly stolen the joy out of today. Let's make sure we fill up today with God's Kingdom priorities and then we can deal with tomorrow’s mess when, and if, it ever comes.

PRAYER:

Almighty and sustaining God, I believe tomorrow is in your hands, so I will rest myself in your grace today as I seek to live for you. Please open my eyes to see the opportunities you provide today so that I can serve you and do your Kingdom work with focus, courage, and clarity. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Related Scriptures:

I was very worried and upset. But Lord, you comforted me and made me happy! God, you don't help crooked judges. Those bad judges use the law to make life hard for the people. - Psalm 94:19-20

But the person that trusts in the Lord will be blessed. Why? Because the Lord will show him that the Lord can be trusted. That person will be strong like a tree planted near water. That tree has large roots that find the water. That tree is not afraid when the days are hot. Its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year when no rain comes. That tree always produces fruit. - Jeremiah 17:7-8

So, brothers and sisters, be careful that none of you is sinful, and refuses to believe, and stops following the living God. But encourage each other every day. Do this while it is "today. " Help each other so that none of you will become hardened because of sin and the way sin fools people. - Hebrews 3:12-13

What Jesus Did! - This First!

Don't worry and say, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' All the people that don't know God try to get these things.

Don't worry, because your Father in heaven knows that you need these things. The thing you should want most is God's kingdom and doing the good things God wants you to do. Then all these other things you need will be given to you.
- Matthew 6:31-33 (ERV)

THOUGHT:

What's most important to you? Why is it important? Jesus emphasizes all throughout his ministry that three things are of supreme importance: loving God with all our heart, loving our neighbor, and seeking after God's Kingdom. If we do those things, everything else will fall into place; the hand of the Creator will be there helping each thing find its proper place.

He knows what we need. He has a plan for our lives. He will meet our needs. Does this mean things will be easy or always go well for us? No. If our hero was crucified on a cross, do you think we're less vulnerable? But God does assure his Kingdom seekers that we will ultimately get what we seek; we will share with the King in his Kingdom in all of his glory. In addition, in seeking after Kingdom values, we will bless those we love, we will have a redemptive influence on those around us, and we will have all that we really need in life.

PRAYER:

O gracious Father, help me keep my eyes focused on your Kingdom, my heart centered on you, my mind illuminated by your Word, and my spirit empowered and cleansed by your Spirit. Father, please forgive me when I am distracted by things that don't really matter. Use your Word, your Spirit, and your people to help call me back to a proper set of priorities. Please bless me as I make your Kingdom and your righteousness my consuming passion. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Related Scriptures:

We know that in everything God works for the good of those people that love him. These are the people God called (chose), because that was his plan. God knew those people before he made the world. And God decided that those people would be like his Son (Jesus).

Then Jesus would be the firstborn of many brothers and sisters. God planned for those people to be like his Son. And he called (chose) those people. God called those people and made them right with him. And God gave his glory to those people that he made right. - Romans 8:28-30

Some of you say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to some city. We will stay there a year, do business, and make money." Listen! Think about this: You don't know what will happen tomorrow! Your life is like a fog. You can see it for a short time, but then it goes away. So you should say, "If the Lord wants, we will live and do this or that." - James 4:13-15

The thing I want and hope for is that I will not fail Christ in anything. I hope that I will have the courage now, like always, to show the greatness of Christ in my life here on earth. I want to do that if I die or if I live. I mean that to me the only important thing about living is Christ. And even death would be profit for me. - Philippians 1:20-21

What Jesus Did! - Ultimate Splendor

You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it. "And why do you worry about clothes? Look at the flowers in the field. See how they grow.

They don't work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that even Solomon, the great and rich king, was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers. God clothes the grass in the field like that.

That grass is living today, but tomorrow it is thrown into the fire to be burned. So you know that God will clothe you much more. Don't have so little faith! - Matthew 6:27-30 (ERV)






THOUGHT:
What's the most beautiful thing you've ever seen? While God made many wonderful and marvelous sights for us to see on our planet and in the universe, God still calls us his children, his most marvelous work. King Solomon was richest of the Israelite kings. He had clothing beyond compare in the ancient world, but the beauty of his garments couldn't rival that of the wildflowers on the hillside. God gives these flowers beauty and nourishment out of his grace.

Jesus reminds us that if God takes that much care with wildflowers, then won't he do even more to take care of us, his creations of splendor? So let's not worry. Worry is a bad habit. Worry is an undisciplined heart seeking after the wrong things. Instead, let’s pursue our Father. Let’s cast our anxieties at his feet and trust in his care. Yes, there may be some bumpy and heartbreaking times as we make our journey through life here on earth, but his grace will ultimately bring us to his glory and splendor.





















PRAYER:
Please give me patience, O Almighty God. I want to cast my cares and anxieties on you, but I'm not quite sure how to let them go. Through your Spirit, help me relinquish my search for significance in what I can acquire, possess, control, or invest. I want to trust you and rely on your gracious provision. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Related Scriptures:
Let all people see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything. But pray and ask God for everything you need. And when you pray, always give thanks. And God's peace will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. That peace which God gives is so great that we cannot understand it. - Philippians 4:5-7

So be humble under God's powerful hand. Then he will lift you up when the right time comes. Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:6-7

Keep your lives free from the love of money. And be satisfied with the things you have. God has said, "I will never leave you; I will never run away from you." So we can feel sure and say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. People can do nothing to me." - Hebrews 13:5-6

What Jesus Did! - Basic Value

"So I tell you, don't worry about the food you need to live. And don't worry about the clothes you need for your body. Life is more important than food. And the body is more important than clothes. Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or save food in barns. But your heavenly Father feeds those birds. And you know that you are worth much more than the birds. - Matthew 6:25-26 (ERV)

THOUGHT:

What does it take to make you content? What allows you to go to bed at night and not worry about tomorrow? Jesus does not want us overly concerned with things that are not of basic value to God. In fact, he wants us to know that we are of basic value to our Father, so we can trust him for the basics. We shouldn't be overly troubled with the basic needs of life.

This doesn't mean we're to be irresponsible or freeloaders, it does mean that we should develop our sense of values so that the focus of our life is not on material needs. As God has declared us of ultimate value by sending his Son to redeem us, we commit to pursue what is of ultimate value -- the Father and his Kingdom. When we do that, the necessities will fall into place. Want proof? Look at the birds which regularly receive God's care and we're worth a whole lot more to him than they are!

PRAYER:

Father, you have poured your blessings into my life so richly. Forgive me when I worry about things that are not important, especially the material things that distract me. I do believe you will provide all I need as I seek your will, your face, and your Kingdom. In the name of the King of Kings I pray. Amen.

Related Scriptures:

It is true that serving God makes a person very rich, if that person is satisfied with what he has. When we came into the world, we brought nothing. And when we die, we can take nothing out. So, if we have food and clothes, we will be satisfied with that. People who want to become rich bring temptations to themselves. They are caught in a trap. They begin to want many foolish things that will hurt them. Those things ruin and destroy people. - 1 Timothy 6:6-9

When birds are sold, two small birds cost only a penny. But not even one of those little birds can die without your Father knowing it. God even knows how many hairs are on your head. So don't be afraid. You are worth much more than many birds. - Matthew 10:29-31

I know how to live when I am poor. And I know how to live when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens. I have learned to be happy when I have enough to eat and when I don't have enough to eat. I have learned to be happy when I have all the things I need and when I don't have the things I need. I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength. - Philippians 4:12-13