Day 18: Do Not Worry

Day 18 – Luke 12, 13, 14

How many times have you worried about your means and your provisions? I know that I have.  We do things as a response to “I need to put food on the table, I need…I need…I need.”

We read, throughout the length of the Bible, to not worry – yet we do.  I just read an extremely powerful passage that eased my soul.

²²Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. ²³Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. ²⁴Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! ²⁵Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^[a]? ²⁶Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

²⁷“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ²⁸If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! ²⁹And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. ³⁰For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

³²“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. ³³Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. ³⁴For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:22-34

I pray every day to ease the worry my human soul bears.  I take comfort in the promise that God has made in that if I seek His kingdom, that all of these will be given to me.  I’ve slowly been rebuilding my faith and trying to humble myself to His teachings.

Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you find mercy on me.  I ask that as I delve further into your teachings, that I may truly take light of the promises written.  Allow me to read your words and understand what it is that you are asking of me.  Let me live and breathe your teachings so that I may one day be your light. Amen

Day 7: How to Get Eternal Life

Day 7: Matthew 19, 20, 21, 22, 23

The parable that struck me in the most magnificent way was that of the rich young man (Matthew 19:16-30).  Who, that walks in the light of God, doesn’t come across this struggle almost on a daily basis?  What do I need to give up for eternal life?

At first, Christ explained that “There is only One who is good.  if you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”  Matthew 19:17

What would those commandments be?   Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and moth and love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 19:18-19

Yet this was not enough – for those who do follow these commandments, they may find themselves asking, “what more can I do?”

“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21

Isn’t this what we all stumble?  Relinquishing all of our earthly possessions to follow God?  In a society, where we have been cultivated to rely on these earthly possessions as a means of survival have created that empty feeling of being both in the world and in Christ.

Who then can be saved?

With a simple answer, Jesus comforts all who are battling this question on a daily basis.  “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

Dear Father,

I pray that as I struggle daily on being given eternal life, that I may find comfort in your words.  That it truly isn’t by my own accord but by God that all things are possible.  Help me learn and understand to totally break down the earthly walls that confine me so that I may give my life completely to you.  In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.