Category: Matthew

Posted on

Out of Balance

Do you remember those days in seventh grade Science class when your teacher brought in a set of scales and weights? I do!

Mr. Fox put the scales on the front lab table. There were a set of graduated weights and there were various other objects too; an apple, a brick, a coin, salt, and feathers. We then embarked on a series of trials. One of the objects was the exact same weight as one, or a combination of, the weights. It was up to us to determine which one.

Nine times out of ten we were out-of-balance!

Have you ever felt that way? That things in your life are out-of-balance. This morning I’m going to tell you why that’s a good thing.

When it comes to our walk with the Lord we need to be top heavy. Jesus disciples came to him and asked Him to increase their faith.

“The apostles said to the Lord, “Give us more faith!”6 The Lord said, “If your faith is as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Dig yourself up and plant yourself in the ocean!’ And the tree will obey you.” Luke 17:5-6 ERV

Notice Jesus didn’t tell them that they needed BIG faith. No, He told them that if they had little faith, faith as little as a mustard seed, that they would be able to accomplish big things. The question was how to use the faith they had. Look at the example he gave them.

“Suppose one of you has a servant who has been working in the field, plowing or caring for the sheep. When he comes in from work, what would you say to him? Would you say, ‘Come in, sit down and eat’? 8 Of course not! You would say to your servant, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. Then get ready and serve me. When I finish eating and drinking, then you can eat.’ 9 The servant should not get any special thanks for doing his job. He is only doing what his master told him to do. 10 It is the same with you. When you finish doing all that you are told to do, you should say, ‘We are not worthy of any special thanks. We have only done the work we should do.’” Luke 17:7-10 ERV

Here, Jesus is referring to faith as a servant. He told the disciples to put it to work. Faith is doing what the master has told you to do. Jesus had told them to go out and teach, preach, heal the sick, raise the dead and cast out devils. They did as he told them and they came back amazed at the results they had. But then there were other times when they let the circumstances stop them from doing what the Lord had said. He told them to get in the boat and go to the other side; they let the waves and the storm overwhelm them with fear and they almost capsized. Then there was the night that Jesus was arrested. He told them to pray with Him so they wouldn’t fall into temptation, instead they fell asleep and scattered in fear when the soldiers took Jesus away.

There are no great accolades for doing what you are told to do but there are great results. Faith is a tool that God wants us to use. Using our faith is as simple as obeying what God says. Just like a servant obeys his master.

If little faith can make great things happen then where’s the problem? It’s fear. Do you realize that fear is also a form of faith? Fear is a belief that the negative will happen. Instead of trusting God and putting faith in His word fear believes that circumstances will overwhelm and shatter God’s promises.

“In Christ we come before God with freedom and without fear. We can do this because of our faith in Christ.” Ephesians 3:12 ERV

“The followers went to him and woke him. They said, “Lord, save us! We will drown!”26 Jesus answered, “Why are you afraid? You don’t have enough faith.” Then he stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. The wind stopped, and the lake became very calm.27 The men were amazed. They said, “What kind of man is this? Even the wind and the water obey him!” Matthew 8:25-27 ERV

If we have little faith and great fear we will be out-of-balance and the results will be disastrous. But if we have little faith and no fear or doubt we can move mountains.

“Jesus answered, “Have faith in God. 23 The truth is, you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, mountain, fall into the sea.’ And if you have no doubts in your mind and believe that what you say will happen, then God will do it for you. 24 So I tell you to ask for what you want in prayer. And if you believe that you have received those things, then they will be yours.” Mark 11:22-24 ERV

Let me ask you this. What types of things cause fear in your life? It’s important to identify them. Is it cancer, bankruptcy, divorce, rebellious children, loss of employment, auto accidents? Find what God says about each and every one of these things and as you do you will begin to remove them from the fear side of the scale. The more items you remove, the greater the weight of your faith becomes. Soon, faith in what God says and will do will tip the scales and you will be out-of-balance in faith.

“We thank God for you always. And that’s what we should do, because you give us good reason to be thankful: Your faith is growing more and more. And the love that every one of you has for each other is also growing.” II Thessalonians 1:3 ERV

It’s time to tip the scales in the right direction!


Posted on

Pitch Black

Last night I learned what the saying actually means – “can’t see your hand in front of your face”.

Our power went out about 1:30 a.m. We were awaken by hearing all the little beeping alerts from the appliances and electronics throughout the house. That lasted about 2 seconds and then the power was out again and it was black.

Dave ventured out of bed to find a flashlight so he could see to turn off the heater, mission accomplished and then light was out again. Little Glory got very nervous after a few minutes of the darkness and began panting. I was really concerned for her but could see nothing. That’s when I decided to test the above cliché. I put my hand in front of my face and brought it closer. I could see nothing, I even had my hand touching my nose and couldn’t see it.

It was the strangest thing.

I had Dave give me the flashlight and I came out to the living room to find a candle. The strike of the first match lit up the room. The small candle gave off a glow that could be seen in the adjoining rooms. I lit two more – one I placed in the bathroom and the other on the kitchen bar.

Now we had light!

Glory relaxed and I read some on my phone but decided it would be best not to run the power down since I didn’t know how long it would be before we had electricity again. I did go outside to see if it was just us or the whole neighborhood was dark. Everyone was without power, there was a glow to the south from the lights in Nogales but that was it. The night was cloudy because we had rain about sunset. No moon or stars to be seen.

As I laid down on the couch these words came up in my heart.

“People don’t hide a lamp under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand. Then the light shines for everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:15-16 ERV

Let your light shine! Let the Father receive praise!

There are so many ways we can let our light shine. Friendship is one of the first things that come to mind – genuine friendship. Loving people who think that no one cares is like a beacon to that one. Kindness to a stranger; buying someone a tank of gas, a bag of groceries; giving them your coat or your parking space and doing it with a smile.

Jesus greeted a prostitute with forgiveness, a tax collector with acknowledgement of his value, a demoniac with peace and a divorcee with non-condemning words. He played with the children and wept with those who had lost loved ones.

He was love in action. His light was shining brightly.

There are so many around us who live in darkness. Theirs might not be a physical darkness but it’s darkness just the same. Depression. Low self-esteem. Heart ache. Financial destitution. Loneliness.

“It was God Who said, ‘The light will shine in darkness.’ He is the One Who made His light shine in our hearts. This brings us the light of knowing God’s shining-greatness which is seen in Christ’s face.” II Corinthians 4:6 NLV

We’ve had God place His light of love in our hearts. It’s up to us to set it on a lampstand for others to see. I know how important just a small light can be. Thankfully, the power came back on about an hour or so later.

Ask the Lord to show you how you can light up the darkness for those around you.

Posted on

Big Love

Happy Valentine’s Day! My goal this morning is to share the love.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Whoever puts his trust in God’s Son will not be lost but will have life that lasts forever.” John 3:16 NLV

God loved the world and He still does! His love has no end and as we saw yesterday that love never fails but it lasts forever.

When I was a little girl we sang a couple of songs in Sunday School, Jesus Loves Me and Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World. Those songs still have a profound effect on me. Each time I sing Jesus Loves Me my eyes filled up with tears, tears of joy and absolute gratitude.

Knowing that Jesus loves the children of the world confirms His commitment that He is no respecter of persons. God’s love isn’t based on education, financial status, social acceptance, geographical location or ethnicity. God’s love is based on one thing and one thing only – Him!

“Peter then said: Now I am certain that God treats all people alike. 35 God is pleased with everyone who worships him and does right, no matter what nation they come from. 36 This is the same message that God gave to the people of Israel, when he sent Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, to offer peace to them.” Acts 10:34-36 CEV

I know I told you yesterday that we may be the only Valentine that someone receives today. We may be the only expression of love that comes their way. It might be someone at the grocery store, in the airport, on a phone call or perhaps it will be the person who was recently divorced or widowed. The important thing is that we let them know that we find value in who they are. They are God’s creation.

Love deeply and without reservation. This is the way that we fulfill God’s plan for our lives.

“He said, “Teacher, which command in the law is the most important?”

37 Jesus answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and most important command. 39 And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.’ 40 All of the law and the writings of the prophets take their meaning from these two commands.” Matthew 22:36-40 CEV

There is nothing bigger than God’s love – it encompasses the world and reaches out to all!

Posted on

Custom Built

The neighborhood Dave and I live in has quite of bit of building going on. In the last two years there have been approximately twelve new homes built. For those in more populated areas that doesn’t sound like much but up here on our mesa we had less than seventy houses when we moved in five years ago. Most are being built as small custom or semi-custom homes.

Solid built custom homes!

Have you ever read those on-line real estate listings? They focus on the upgrades and the custom features. Pictures are taken of the special features; the upgraded cabinets and counters, water features, outdoor living space and landscaping.

But without a solid foundation the “extras” don’t have much value. If the foundation cracks or shifts then the custom window treatment and high end wood casings around the doors will shift with it. Things will have to be torn out and redone to maintain the integrity of the home.

The same is true in life. We need to be built on a firm foundation – one that will never shift or give way.

“The people who come to me, who listen to my teachings and obey them—I will show you what they are like: 48 They are like a man building a house. He digs deep and builds his house on rock. The floods come, and the water crashes against the house. But the flood cannot move the house, because it was built well.” Luke 6:47-48 ERV

Building our lives on God’s word, listening and obeying, will keep us strong when the storms come. We won’t be moved by the circumstances because we are well built.

Loving the Lord and then loving others is the bedrock or the base for everything else that needs to be constructed in our lives.

“Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 38 This is the first and most important commandment. 39 The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” 40 All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40 CEV

Each one of us is a custom built home. After all, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. When we are born again He comes to live within us. We are His home. No two are alike but we all have the same foundation.

Some of us are tall skyscrapers, while others of us may be a single story rancher but we all come from the same design firm. Hebrews tells us that we are to look at Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 KJV

If He is the author, the one who wrote the plan, that makes him the architect, the designer, the developer. He’s also the contractor since He is the finisher as well as the author. He gave his all, his life, in the process. That’s how important we are to Him.

So, take a look at your home, your life. If there are things that don’t seem quite right or things that don’t looked finished it’s ok. He’s still working in you. Let Him finish. I guarantee you’ll like the finished project.

“God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6 CEV

Posted on

God Watches Over Me

Last night we were watching a movie called “All The Pretty Horses” with Matt Damon. It had beautiful scenery, amazing horses but it was sad. At the end of the movie Matt Damon’s character recalls a conversation he had with a young cowboy earlier in the movie. It went like this:

“You think God looks out for people? said Rawlins.

Yeah. I guess he does. You?

Yeah. I do. Way the world is…You dont know what’s goin to happen. I’d say He’s just about got to. I dont believe we’d make it a day otherwise.”

That’s the thought I went to sleep on. I wouldn’t want to go through a day if I didn’t know that the Father was looking out for me. I think that’s the same thing that was going through King David’s mind when he wrote this in the Psalms.

“You have looked deep into my heart, Lord, and you know all about me. 2 You know when I am resting or when I am working, and from heaven you discover my thoughts. 3 You notice everything I do and everywhere I go. 4 Before I even speak a word, you know what I will say, 5 and with your powerful arm  you protect me from every side.
6 I can’t understand all of this! Such wonderful knowledge is far above me. 7 Where could I go to escape from your Spirit or from your sight? 8 If I were to climb up to the highest heavens, you would be there. If I were to dig down to the world of the dead
you would also be there.” Psalm 139:1-8 CEV

Yesterday we played tourist with our friends – God was there. We had a wonderful lunch – God was there. We watched a movie and God was there! There is no where we can go that God won’t be there. That thought is overwhelmingly comforting to me!

Not sure where you’re headed today or if you just plan on staying around home but God will be there. Those of you who have been experiencing the bitter artic vortex, God has been there watching over you. When your kids head out for school or go away to college, God will be there. A trip to the grocery store, yes, God is there.

“Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground. 30 Even the hairs on your head are counted. 31 So don’t be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-32 CEV

Find comfort and strength in this – God is there!

Posted on

Identity Crisis

Good morning. I’m so glad to be back with you today. My recovery is just starting but now on morning three I am feeling better than I did on morning one. Thank you for your prayers and I appreciate you continuing to pray for me over the next few weeks as well.

This morning I was reading in Matthew 16 where Jesus asked His disciples who the people were saying Jesus was.

“Jesus went to the area of Caesarea Philippi. He said to his followers, “Who do people say I am[a?” 14 They answered, “Some people say you are John the Baptizer. Others say you are Elijah. And some say you are Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 Then Jesus said to his followers, “And who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:13-16 ERV

The crowds had been following Jesus for quite sometime and had seen many miracles. The Pharisees and religious leaders were very upset by the things Jesus was doing and they were doing all they could to get rid of Him. They knew the longer Jesus associated with the common people the harder it would be to remove Him from public life. They had to try and discredit him.

Jesus wanted to know who the disciples believed Him to be. They were the ones who had lived with Him and associated with Him on a daily basis. Did they believe that He was God’s Son? Were they willing to follow Him without hesitation? Jesus had a mission from the Father. He was sent to reconcile the relationship between God, the Father, and mankind.

He came to earth to be the Savior of all.

“God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them!” John 3:17 CEV

The last few days I have had a lot of time to sit and think about that truth, what it means to be reconciled with God. Some of the people of Jesus day were confused about who Jesus really was. Was He the Messiah or just a man? There are many of us now, after His death, burial and resurrection, who recognize Jesus as God’s Son. No confusion here.

However, there is still an identity crisis that needs to be addressed. Let me paraphrase Jesus words and ask “who do we say that we are”? Do we overestimate our own potential by thinking that it is our hard work and superior intelligence that has gotten us the good things in life? Or do we underestimate our value and see ourselves as unworthy of being loved and ill-equipped in life?

When we accept Christ as our Savior we become new; we take on a whole new identity, we become the children of God Almighty!

“The Word (Jesus) was already in the world. The world was made through him, but the world did not know him. 11 He came to the world that was his own. And his own people did not accept him. 12 But some people did accept him. They believed in him, and he gave them the right to become children of God. 13 They became God’s children, but not in the way babies are usually born. It was not because of any human desire or plan. They were born from God himself.” John 1:10-13 ERV

The Apostle Paul, who wrote a large portion of the New Testament, spent most of his time instructing us on who we are in Christ and how we should live to reflect our relationship with our Father.

“When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! 18 All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between himself and us. And God gave us the work of bringing people into peace with him. 19 I mean that God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold people guilty for their sins. And he gave us this message of peace to tell people. 20 So we have been sent to speak for Christ. It is like God is calling to people through us. We speak for Christ when we beg you to be at peace with God. 21 Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin[b] so that in Christ we could be right with God.” II Corinthians 5:17-21 ERV

We should be humbled by the fact that God has chosen us to be His children. He has made everything new. Jesus spoke boldly about His Father, we should too. How is it possible for us to be accepted by God as His children? It’s only possible through our relationship with Christ. This life we have been given isn’t mission impossible.

The mission, my friend, should you choose to accept it is entirely possible through Christ.

“When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:25-26 KJV


Posted on

Make A Request

I hope you don’t mind but we are going to spend some more time with Abram this morning. There’s so much that we can learn from his relationship with the Lord. Yesterday we focused on his obedience. Today we’ll look at the beginning stages of his friendship with God.

“It happened as the Holy Writings said it would happen. They say, “Abraham put his trust in God and he became right with God.” He was called the friend of God.” James 2:23 NLV

There are several mentions throughout the Bible where Abram is referred to as God’s friend. I love that! God wants us to have relationship with Him; not only is He our heavenly Father but He also desires that we become friends. Friendship takes time to develop, a true friendship is built on trust. God wanted Abram to trust Him and have confidence in what He said.

I would really like to encourage you to take time to read Genesis chapters twelve through twenty-five. This is the account of the one hundred year relationship between God and Abraham. In chapter 15 of Genesis, Abram has just returned from rescuing his nephew, Lot, who was captured in battle. Here is what the Lord says to Abram.

“After all these things happened, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision. God said, “Abram, don’t be afraid. I will defend you and give you a great reward.”

2 But Abram said, “Lord God, there is nothing you can give me that will make me happy, because I have no son. My slave Eliezer from Damascus will get everything I own after I die.” 3 Abram said, “You have given me no son, so a slave born in my house will get everything I have.”

4 Then the Lord spoke to Abram and said, “That slave will not be the one to get what you have. You will have a son who will get everything you own.”

5 Then God led Abram outside and said, “Look at the sky. See the many stars. There are so many you cannot count them. Your family will be like that.”

6 Abram believed the Lord, and because of this faith the Lord accepted him as one who has done what is right.” Genesis 15:1-6 ERV

The Lord told Abram that He would protect him and give him a great reward. Many people would be very excited to hear the words “great reward”. It didn’t seem to faze Abram, he was already a very wealthy man. Abram told God that the thing he desired most was to have a son. God heard his friend’s heart and made him a promise that he and his wife would receive the thing they desired most.

King David had that same confidence in his relationship with the Lord.

“Trust in the Lord, and do good. So you will live in the land and will be fed. 4 Be happy in the Lord. And He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Give your way over to the Lord. Trust in Him also. And He will do it.” Psalm 37:3-5 NLV

This type of relationship with the Lord isn’t exclusive to people who lived long ago. Jesus was teaching to the people of His day and giving them instruction on trusting God and believing in His word. Here’s what He said.

“Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 Everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And the door will be opened for everyone who knocks. 9 Would any of you give your hungry child a stone, if the child asked for some bread? 10 Would you give your child a snake if the child asked for a fish? 11 As bad as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children. But your heavenly Father is even more ready to give good things to people who ask.” Matthew 7:7-11 CEV

Did you notice that Jesus points out the loving relationship that His Father wants to have with us, His children? He desires to give us good things just like He did with Abram. He wants us to trust Him and He wants us to ask.

Before I end today’s blog I’ll get you reacquainted with a man I’ve introduced you to before. This man was there that day when Jesus was teaching on the hillside. There was a multitude of people but this man stood out in the crowd. He was a leper. He had to be segregated from all the others. He was considered unclean and couldn’t have human contact. When Jesus came down the mountain, this man who heard Jesus say “ask and you will receive”, walked up to Jesus, risking all, and he asked.

“As Jesus came down the mountain, he was followed by large crowds. 2 Suddenly a man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus. He said, “Lord, you have the power to make me well, if only you wanted to.”

3 Jesus put his hand on the man and said, “I want to! Now you are well.” At once the man’s leprosy disappeared.” Matthew 8:1-3 CEV

Every time I read this it brings tears to my eyes. This man, who was an outcast, had probably gone years without anyone touching him. No hugs or handshakes, no pats on the back, no physical contact, no expressions of love and kindness UNTIL Jesus reached out and touched him and showed him the Father’s love.

The Bible doesn’t tell us of anyone else in that crowd asking Jesus for something but this man heard the Word of God and asked. Just like Abram, this leper believed that God would keep His word and so he asked for what his heart desired. He was healed and Abram received the promise of a son.

I’m not sure what you are needing but I do know that God’s Word is still true. He loves us as much as He loved Abram and the leper. He wants us to have the relationship of Father/child and the closeness of trusted friends.

“Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 CEV

Don’t be like the people in the crowd who walked away and didn’t act on what Jesus had said. Be like the leper and Abram and ask!

Posted on

Get Ready!

I’m doing something this year that I haven’t done in a number of years. I am using a Daily Bible Reading plan and when the year is complete I will have read through the Bible. Most of the time I pick a book in the Bible to read and study. Then I add to that a chapter from Proverbs and also from Psalms. This way I read through multiple books in the Bible each year but I don’t necessarily make it through the whole Bible. I’m excited about accomplishing this.

This morning I was reading about Abram. God asked Abram to go to a new land and then He promised to bless him there.

“The Lord said to Abram: Leave your country, your family, and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will bless you and make your descendants into a great nation. You will become famous and be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless anyone who blesses you, but I will put a curse on anyone who puts a curse on you. Everyone on earth will be blessed because of you.[a

4-5 Abram was seventy-five years old when the Lord told him to leave the city of Haran. He obeyed and left with his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions and slaves they had gotten while in Haran.” Genesis 12:1-5 CEV

Abram was an ordinary man. We aren’t told that he had any great talents or abilities. He was a descendant of Shem, one of Noah’s sons but other than that we don’t know much about him. We really have no insight as to why God chose him. What we do know is he was obedient when the Lord spoke to him.

That is my heart’s desire! Lord, when you speak I want to be quick to obey. I don’t want to try and force my own agenda. I don’t want to hold a committee meeting to see if this is the right time, place or financially feasible; I just want to willing obey.

“4 You bless all of those who trust you, Lord,  and refuse to worship idols or follow false gods. 5 You, Lord God, have done many wonderful things, and you have planned  marvelous things for us. No one is like you! I would never be able to tell all you have done.

6 Sacrifices and offerings are not what please you; gifts and payment for sin are not what you demand. But you made me willing to listen and obey. 7 And so, I said, “I am here to do what is written about me in the book, where it says, 8 ’I enjoy pleasing you.
Your Law is in my heart.’” Psalm 40:4-8 CEV

Abram was not a perfect man. He had his shortcomings and failures but God used him because He was obedient. All of the people that God used in the Bible were men and women just like us. They came up short in life; some had temper issues, some had problems with pride, others had moral failings and still others felt they were too insignificant to be used.

But what God saw was men and women who loved Him and were willing to be obedient. They had a desire to know God and make His word their first and final authority.

When Jesus came and started his preaching ministry He told the people the same thing. He gave them, and us, instruction on right living. He had a lawyer ask him what was the most important law that God wanted us to keep. I think he was startled by what Jesus said.

“One of them was an expert in the Jewish Law. So he tried to test Jesus by asking, 36 “Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 38 This is the first and most important commandment. 39 The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” 40 All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:35-40 CEV

When we love God with all our heart we want to obey Him. We want to please Him. We don’t do this to earn His love; we do it in response to His love, it’s unconditional. God desires to provide for us and to bless us.

“Be faithful in obeying the Lord your God. Be careful to keep all His Laws which I tell you today. And the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 All these good things will come upon you if you will obey the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 28:1-2 NLV

Our motive for obeying the Lord shouldn’t be to get His blessings. No, that motive is called greed. But when we obey with hearts filled with love, the Father’s blessings fall on us. As we live in willing obedience we are blessed.

Get Ready!

Posted on

The Worry Bird

Sometimes I just know what I’m supposed to share the minute I start my morning Bible reading. Today was one of those days. I was reading in three different places and in each of those I found God’s instruction on worry. To be more accurate, I found instruction on not worrying.

When I was a little girl we moved from Yuma; we left dear friends, our church family and our home and moved to a very, very small town in the middle of the desert, Gila Bend. If you pay attention to summer weather reports Gila Bend is often the hottest place in the nation. That’s where Dad had a job and so that’s where we went.

The people at church gave us a send off and someone gave my mother a worry bird. It looked just like the one I used here this morning. According to all rational thinking Mom had good reason to worry. She was moving with her family to a very small, hot and dusty town where she knew no one. There wasn’t even a real grocery store in the town. Maybe you can identify with what she was going through.

Our lives can be filled with so many worrisome thoughts. There are financial, health, home, children, grandchildren, career and even spiritual worries. Some of us don’t think we are being good parents or grandparents if we aren’t worrying. However, when we allow worry to permeate our thinking it keeps God’s word from working.

“Others are like the seed planted among the thorny weeds. They hear the teaching, 19 but their lives become full of other things: the worries of this life, the love of money, and everything else they want. This keeps the teaching from growing, and it does not produce a crop in their lives.” Mark 4:18-19 ERV

We don’t want to lose our confidence and trust in God’s promises. Worry is on the opposite end of the spectrum from faith. Worry is the belief that worse may happen and faith is trusting that God’s best will come to pass.

“So I tell you, don’t worry about the things you need to live—what you will eat, drink, or wear. Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than what you put on it. 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Don’t you know you are worth much more than they are? 27 You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.” Matthew 6:25-27 ERV

It doesn’t get much plainer than that. Jesus was instructing his disciples and a multitude of people on how God wanted them to live. He knew they had a tendency to worry and so He addressed it. Don’t worry. We are more precious to God than the birds and He provides for them, so He will provide for us. He goes on to say:

“Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 That’s what those people who don’t know God are always thinking about. Don’t worry, because your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. 33 What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need.” Matthew 6:31-33 ERV

How do we displace worrisome thoughts when they come? We keep focused on God’s word and follow His instruction. Remember what I said a few days ago? God always keeps His promises. So, each time a menacing thought comes we give it to Him.

“God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:7 CEV

“Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful.” Proverbs 16:3 ERV

Each time we give an anxious thought over to the Lord and trust Him to handle it we gain spiritual strength. Its like exercising our faith muscle. Lift the worry, hand it off, lift the worry, hand it off. Repeat. Repetition builds muscle, spiritual repetition builds faith and trust.

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

Be conscience of the object lesson that Jesus gave us. Each time we see a bird it should make us happy. God’s love for us is so much greater than it is for them. Since He provides for their needs, He will provide for ours!

“And my God will give you everything you need because of His great riches in Christ Jesus. ” Philippians 4:19 NLV

Don’t be a worry bird!

Posted on

Using Your Talents

Starting this new year, I am taking inventory of what the Lord has given me; health, a wonderful family, dear friends, a strong mind, creative thoughts, a friendly smile, the ability to communicate through the written word, my home, organizational skills and I’m a good cook. I would consider these things my “talents”.

Jesus tells the story of a master who had three servants and the master left each of the servants some “talents”. He went on a journey and when he returned, the master called each of the servants in to give an accounting of what they had done with their talents.

“Some time later the master of those servants returned. He called them in and asked what they had done with his money. 20 The servant who had been given five thousand coins brought them in with the five thousand that he had earned. He said, “Sir, you gave me five thousand coins, and I have earned five thousand more.”

21 “Wonderful!” his master replied. “You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!”

22 Next, the servant who had been given two thousand coins came in and said, “Sir, you gave me two thousand coins, and I have earned two thousand more.”

23 “Wonderful!” his master replied. “You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!” Matthew 25:19-23 CEV

The first two servants had used their talents wisely and had brought an increase. The third servant, however, had buried his talent and all he had to give the master was the original amount with no increase. Jesus said the master called this servant wicked and slothful because he hadn’t used what he had been given.

The first two servants were called “good and faithful” and they were given more responsibility and authority from the master. So many times this story is taught in regard to money but to me it’s more than that.

In the book of James, we are told that every good and perfect gift we have comes from the Father. And in Ephesians we are told that whatever we do, if it’s a spoken word or physical action, we should do all to the glory of God.

These words of Jesus about giving are recorded in the book of Luke.

“If you love only those who love you, should you get any special praise for doing that? No, even sinners love those who love them! 33 If you do good only to those who do good to you, should you get any special praise for doing that? No, even sinners do that! 34 If you lend things to people, always expecting to get something back, should you get any special praise for that? No, even sinners lend to other sinners so that they can get back the same amount!
35 “I’m telling you to love your enemies and do good to them. Lend to people without expecting to get anything back. If you do this, you will have a great reward. You will be children of the Most High God. Yes, because God is good even to the people who are full of sin and not thankful. 36 Give love and mercy the same as your Father gives love and mercy.
37 “Don’t judge others, and God will not judge you. Don’t condemn others, and you will not be condemned. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give to others, and you will receive. You will be given much. It will be poured into your hands—more than you can hold. You will be given so much that it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you.” Luke 6:32-38 ERV

So I encourage you today to take those things that you have, your talents, and share them with others – a smile, a helping hand, a meal, your love and friendship – watch them multiply.

It will be such a joy to hear “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress