"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? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?
And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
Do not worry then, saying 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all of these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." -Matthew 6:25-34 (NASB)
And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?
And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
Do not worry then, saying 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all of these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." -Matthew 6:25-34 (NASB)
It is a January day. It is winter and it is cold...bone-chilling, on its way to record setting cold. A fresh blanket of snow covers the ground, the kind of snow that is so light, so fine that the slightest breeze picks it up and swirls it around before leaving it in ever-growing drifts. Other than clearing the sidewalks and driveway, I observe this day and its beauty from inside.
As I stand at the kitchen window, I can look out over the snow covered yard to the bird feeders at the edge of the yard. At the feeders, chickadees, tufted titmice, and various sparrows take turns eating seeds and pushing unwanted or overflow seeds to the ground. Below the feeders, juncos and mourning doves busily pick fallen seeds from the snow. Watching this peaceful scene reminds me of Jesus' words in the book of Matthew (6:25-34).
Too often worry creeps into our lives. Our fears and insecurities, big or small, fuel our worries. If we are not careful, these worries can overtake our lives, paralyzing us and keeping us from reaching our full potential as part of God's plan. Jesus reminded those that were listening to his "Sermon on the Mount" that worry is useless and his message is just as true for us today!
The birds that I watch out my window do not worry about food or clothing, yet they are fed and warm! God provides for the birds around us and He will provide for us. We only need to trust in Him. Even if the conditions surrounding us are not ideal or are, in fact, disastrous, with God there is no need for worry! His love for us is greater than His love for the birds, flowers, and grass, AND He will provide for each of those as well as for all of us!
As I watch the birds feeding in the snow without a flower or blade of grass in sight, I know that God is at work and in a few months winter will thaw and the re-birth of spring will emerge. Whether in the peacefulness of a fresh fallen snow or the vibrant re-birth of spring, we can experience God's glory. If we stop to listen, we can hear Him saying, "Do not worry. I love you. Just seek My kingdom and My righteousness. I will take care of all the other details of life for you, my child." God is awesome! Have faith in Him! Don't worry about it!
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me and caring for me and all of Your creation. I ask that You continue to provide for me. Help me to let go of my worries. Allow me to seek Your kingdom and Your righteousness so that I can fulfill the plan that You have for my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
As I stand at the kitchen window, I can look out over the snow covered yard to the bird feeders at the edge of the yard. At the feeders, chickadees, tufted titmice, and various sparrows take turns eating seeds and pushing unwanted or overflow seeds to the ground. Below the feeders, juncos and mourning doves busily pick fallen seeds from the snow. Watching this peaceful scene reminds me of Jesus' words in the book of Matthew (6:25-34).
Too often worry creeps into our lives. Our fears and insecurities, big or small, fuel our worries. If we are not careful, these worries can overtake our lives, paralyzing us and keeping us from reaching our full potential as part of God's plan. Jesus reminded those that were listening to his "Sermon on the Mount" that worry is useless and his message is just as true for us today!
The birds that I watch out my window do not worry about food or clothing, yet they are fed and warm! God provides for the birds around us and He will provide for us. We only need to trust in Him. Even if the conditions surrounding us are not ideal or are, in fact, disastrous, with God there is no need for worry! His love for us is greater than His love for the birds, flowers, and grass, AND He will provide for each of those as well as for all of us!
As I watch the birds feeding in the snow without a flower or blade of grass in sight, I know that God is at work and in a few months winter will thaw and the re-birth of spring will emerge. Whether in the peacefulness of a fresh fallen snow or the vibrant re-birth of spring, we can experience God's glory. If we stop to listen, we can hear Him saying, "Do not worry. I love you. Just seek My kingdom and My righteousness. I will take care of all the other details of life for you, my child." God is awesome! Have faith in Him! Don't worry about it!
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me and caring for me and all of Your creation. I ask that You continue to provide for me. Help me to let go of my worries. Allow me to seek Your kingdom and Your righteousness so that I can fulfill the plan that You have for my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
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