WORSHIP AND FAITH OVERCOMES FEAR
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don’t 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 don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Matthew 6:25-34 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
As we conclude one year and begin to think ahead to a new year it is easy to be overcome with worry. There seems to be so much going on in our world that we can’t control.There is war in Europe and the Middle East. It is an election year, so tension is high at home as people seem to be divided and the politicians try their best to divide us even more—they want us to be sure and know if we vote for the other party life is going to be miserable. Then we those saying another pandemic is coming. And who knows how interest rates and the stock market will impact our financial future.
I read some comments from Rick Warren about this passage. He gave reasons we should not worry. It is unnatural, unreasonable, and unnecessary. It's unnatural because only humans worry--all the rest of God's creation trust in His processes and plans. It's unreasonable because we can't change anything with our worry. It's unnecessary because God loves us and wants to provide for us.
Instead of worry let's choose worship. When we worship, we are seeking first the kingdom of God. We are putting ourselves in a place where we focus on the greatness of God. It is impossible to think about the awesomeness of God and be afraid. The more I focus on Who God is and what He has done and can do the more my faith grows. The more my faith grows the smaller my fear gets.
Worship releases faith!
Faith conquers fear!
Let’s decide today that we will enter the new year taking life one day at a time. We will do what we can do and trust God to do what we can’t do.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Father God, I give You praise because You are my Provider, Savior, Guide, Deliverer, Healer, Restorer, and my very life. You are everything I need. I trust in You. Thanks for guiding me into the new year in victory.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
Keep your faith strong. Trust that God will provide what we need.
Excellent post Pastor!
I choose faith over fear.
This has always been one of my dearest Bible verses . I can’t say even on my worse day I’ve been without. God has always made a way for me and I’m always in awe. I’m praying for the best year yet . But I know I have to do what I need to do for God to elevate me.