November 3-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:25-26, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Observe what it is saying.
From last week, Jesus had just spoken that we cannot serve both God and money. Because so many make money their god, Jesus launched into a rather long section in His relatively short sermon on the futility of worry. One of the reasons we make money an idol is that we worry about our provisions. For that culture and for many today, food shortages and lack of clothing are a real concern. Jesus gives a couple of reasons for not worrying about these necessities. First, life is so much more than food and clothes. These things that we spend so much of our time thinking about and pursuing are not the core reason for living. A life in the kingdom of God is filled with abundantly more meaning and substance in living the Jesus’ way. The second reason Jesus offers is that the Heavenly Father feeds the birds each and every day. They do no work to harvest or store their food, and yet they are well fed. Jesus uses the argument from the least to the greatest that we are worth far more than any bird, so we should trust Him all the more to provide exactly what we need when we need it.
Relate it to your life.
The content of my worry tells me what I am focused on and how much trust I am putting in the Lord to provide what I need.
Do something.
Our Father, You have created me with great worth and have redeemed me because of how valuable I am in Your eyes. Give me such faith to believe that You love me and will provide exactly what I need in Your time. Amen.
November 4-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:27, Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Observe what it is saying.
Of course, the answer to this rhetorical question is absolutely not. However, the opposite may be true. There are several scientific studies that reveal chronic worry, anxiety, and related kinds of psychological stress are associated with worse physical health and higher mortality risk. Studies show that chronic stress (which often includes persistent worry) is linked to markers of accelerated biological aging. For example, in a study from Yale, people with chronic stress had older “biological age” (vs chronological age), which is tied to higher risks of morbidity and mortality. So, just as Jesus indicated, all the time we spend worrying is not helpful for us spiritually or physically. It reveals a lack of trust of God’s leadership and provision in our lives. It is not easy to turn off the anxiety factor until we regularly spend time in praise and prayer of our loving Savior where we enjoy a growing intimacy of the goodness of our God.
Relate it to your life.
I overcome worry by being overcome by the knowledge that I am deeply loved by God and trust Him to provide all that I need.
Do something.
Our Father, I give my worries to You: ________________. I know You already know about each one. I know You love me. Help me to trust You to provide and work Your eternal purposes in each one. Amen.
November 5-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:28-30, “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?
Observe what it is saying.
Jesus loved to teach using object lessons from His surroundings. We can imagine as He stood on the mountainside looking around at His Father’s creation, He saw birds flying nearby and looked around at the countryside seeing flowers so beautifully dressed. He emphasized the fact that this part of creation does absolutely nothing to take care of themselves. Then, Jesus drew from their history as He spoke of Solomon who was known throughout history to have had an opulent kingdom including ornate dress that stood above all other kingdoms of his day. Yet in all of his man-made regality, it pales to what God has done to dress His creation in His finest apparel. If God goes to such lengths to dress up the fast-fading grasses and flowers that don earth’s landscape, does it not make sense that He will do all the more to provide and care for His prized human creation? Instead of spending so much energy fretting about what they would wear, Jesus challenged them to show faith in God’s goodness and greatness to provide what they needed.
Relate it to your life.
I need to remind myself as I see the beauty and glory of creation that God provides for my every need.
Do something.
Loving Father, thank You for the beauty of Your creation that reminds me how good and great You are. May it inspire me to worry less and trust You for all things that I need. Praise be to Your name. Amen.
November 6-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:31-32, So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
Observe what it is saying.
Jesus commands us plainly not to worry about what we eat, drink, or wear. He gives us two reasons not to do so. First, this is what unbelievers do. Pagans, who are not centered in God, are consumed with these earthly matters. Eating and drinking and picking out clothes become an obsession because their inner life is not centered on the eternal plans and purposes of God. Of course, food and clothing are items by which we need to live. So, if we do not have the resources to purchase them, worry comes quite naturally. On the other hand, where we have plenty and still make these the object of our desire, then they become idolatrous. Both attitudes fail to display faith in God. The second reason Jesus gives not to worry is that God already knows that we need them. He is already aware of our needs. We do not have to convince Him of what we need to survive. As has already been revealed in this larger teaching on worry, not only does God know what we need, He also cares deeply about us as His children.
Relate it to your life.
If I am centered on Jesus and His promises, then I can trust that God will provide what I need when I need it.
Do something.
Father, may my heart be so focused on eternal matters that I don’t have time to think about temporal matters that You have already promised to provide. Thank You for your keen knowledge of my life and Your loving care for me. Amen.
November 7-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:33, But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Observe what it is saying.
Instead of worrying, disciples are to make the kingdom of God the center of their continual, daily focus. In view of the previous verses, this message makes it clear that Jesus' followers are not to simply refrain from pursuing earthly things as their primary goal in order to differentiate themselves from pagan unbelievers, but they are to replace such pursuits with what is of far greater significance. To "seek first God's kingdom" is to desire above everything else to enter into, submit to, and participate in spreading the news of the saving reign of Jesus, our King. It is to wholeheartedly pursue what we pray for in the Lord's Prayer which is our blueprint for seeking the kingdom of God. To seek God's righteousness is to pursue the holy life in full submission to the will of God, as described by Jesus throughout His sermon. For any other concern to dominate one's mind is to stoop to pagan disbelief and fretting. When we are so focused on the eternal matters of Christ’s kingdom, we can be assured that all the necessary things of this life will be given to us by our loving heavenly Father.
Relate it to your life.
I will do what Paul said, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:1-2)
Do something.
Our Father, remind me, prompt me, and direct me to keep looking up and living into Your eternal kingdom as I dwell each day in this earthly realm.
November 8-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:24, Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Observe what it is saying.
Like a typical sage, Jesus concludes that we have enough to worry about each day without adding tomorrow's worries. Employing the typical rhetorical technique of personification, Jesus further admonished His followers to let tomorrow worry about itself. Yet, when Jesus forbids us to worry about tomorrow, this does not mean that concerns will never press upon us. Worry over tomorrow's misfortunes is not necessary because today has enough to occupy our attention, and tomorrow's fears may never happen. Furthermore, today's grace is sufficient and can only be used today and should not be wasted thinking about tomorrow’s trouble. If trouble does come, God has abundant grace to meet us each day. So, we should take Paul’s well-known message and apply it each day, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7-8)
Relate it to your life.
I can spend all my energy worrying each day or I can take the same energy and win the day by praying with gratitude and presenting my concerns in faith to God who promises to stand guard over me. Why would I choose the way of worry?
Do something.
Our Father, give me such faith to trust You in everything and always to have a thankful heart even when the storms are blowing. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Amen.
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:25-26, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Observe what it is saying.
From last week, Jesus had just spoken that we cannot serve both God and money. Because so many make money their god, Jesus launched into a rather long section in His relatively short sermon on the futility of worry. One of the reasons we make money an idol is that we worry about our provisions. For that culture and for many today, food shortages and lack of clothing are a real concern. Jesus gives a couple of reasons for not worrying about these necessities. First, life is so much more than food and clothes. These things that we spend so much of our time thinking about and pursuing are not the core reason for living. A life in the kingdom of God is filled with abundantly more meaning and substance in living the Jesus’ way. The second reason Jesus offers is that the Heavenly Father feeds the birds each and every day. They do no work to harvest or store their food, and yet they are well fed. Jesus uses the argument from the least to the greatest that we are worth far more than any bird, so we should trust Him all the more to provide exactly what we need when we need it.
Relate it to your life.
The content of my worry tells me what I am focused on and how much trust I am putting in the Lord to provide what I need.
Do something.
Our Father, You have created me with great worth and have redeemed me because of how valuable I am in Your eyes. Give me such faith to believe that You love me and will provide exactly what I need in Your time. Amen.
November 4-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:27, Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Observe what it is saying.
Of course, the answer to this rhetorical question is absolutely not. However, the opposite may be true. There are several scientific studies that reveal chronic worry, anxiety, and related kinds of psychological stress are associated with worse physical health and higher mortality risk. Studies show that chronic stress (which often includes persistent worry) is linked to markers of accelerated biological aging. For example, in a study from Yale, people with chronic stress had older “biological age” (vs chronological age), which is tied to higher risks of morbidity and mortality. So, just as Jesus indicated, all the time we spend worrying is not helpful for us spiritually or physically. It reveals a lack of trust of God’s leadership and provision in our lives. It is not easy to turn off the anxiety factor until we regularly spend time in praise and prayer of our loving Savior where we enjoy a growing intimacy of the goodness of our God.
Relate it to your life.
I overcome worry by being overcome by the knowledge that I am deeply loved by God and trust Him to provide all that I need.
Do something.
Our Father, I give my worries to You: ________________. I know You already know about each one. I know You love me. Help me to trust You to provide and work Your eternal purposes in each one. Amen.
November 5-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:28-30, “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?
Observe what it is saying.
Jesus loved to teach using object lessons from His surroundings. We can imagine as He stood on the mountainside looking around at His Father’s creation, He saw birds flying nearby and looked around at the countryside seeing flowers so beautifully dressed. He emphasized the fact that this part of creation does absolutely nothing to take care of themselves. Then, Jesus drew from their history as He spoke of Solomon who was known throughout history to have had an opulent kingdom including ornate dress that stood above all other kingdoms of his day. Yet in all of his man-made regality, it pales to what God has done to dress His creation in His finest apparel. If God goes to such lengths to dress up the fast-fading grasses and flowers that don earth’s landscape, does it not make sense that He will do all the more to provide and care for His prized human creation? Instead of spending so much energy fretting about what they would wear, Jesus challenged them to show faith in God’s goodness and greatness to provide what they needed.
Relate it to your life.
I need to remind myself as I see the beauty and glory of creation that God provides for my every need.
Do something.
Loving Father, thank You for the beauty of Your creation that reminds me how good and great You are. May it inspire me to worry less and trust You for all things that I need. Praise be to Your name. Amen.
November 6-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:31-32, So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
Observe what it is saying.
Jesus commands us plainly not to worry about what we eat, drink, or wear. He gives us two reasons not to do so. First, this is what unbelievers do. Pagans, who are not centered in God, are consumed with these earthly matters. Eating and drinking and picking out clothes become an obsession because their inner life is not centered on the eternal plans and purposes of God. Of course, food and clothing are items by which we need to live. So, if we do not have the resources to purchase them, worry comes quite naturally. On the other hand, where we have plenty and still make these the object of our desire, then they become idolatrous. Both attitudes fail to display faith in God. The second reason Jesus gives not to worry is that God already knows that we need them. He is already aware of our needs. We do not have to convince Him of what we need to survive. As has already been revealed in this larger teaching on worry, not only does God know what we need, He also cares deeply about us as His children.
Relate it to your life.
If I am centered on Jesus and His promises, then I can trust that God will provide what I need when I need it.
Do something.
Father, may my heart be so focused on eternal matters that I don’t have time to think about temporal matters that You have already promised to provide. Thank You for your keen knowledge of my life and Your loving care for me. Amen.
November 7-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:33, But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Observe what it is saying.
Instead of worrying, disciples are to make the kingdom of God the center of their continual, daily focus. In view of the previous verses, this message makes it clear that Jesus' followers are not to simply refrain from pursuing earthly things as their primary goal in order to differentiate themselves from pagan unbelievers, but they are to replace such pursuits with what is of far greater significance. To "seek first God's kingdom" is to desire above everything else to enter into, submit to, and participate in spreading the news of the saving reign of Jesus, our King. It is to wholeheartedly pursue what we pray for in the Lord's Prayer which is our blueprint for seeking the kingdom of God. To seek God's righteousness is to pursue the holy life in full submission to the will of God, as described by Jesus throughout His sermon. For any other concern to dominate one's mind is to stoop to pagan disbelief and fretting. When we are so focused on the eternal matters of Christ’s kingdom, we can be assured that all the necessary things of this life will be given to us by our loving heavenly Father.
Relate it to your life.
I will do what Paul said, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:1-2)
Do something.
Our Father, remind me, prompt me, and direct me to keep looking up and living into Your eternal kingdom as I dwell each day in this earthly realm.
November 8-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:24, Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Observe what it is saying.
Like a typical sage, Jesus concludes that we have enough to worry about each day without adding tomorrow's worries. Employing the typical rhetorical technique of personification, Jesus further admonished His followers to let tomorrow worry about itself. Yet, when Jesus forbids us to worry about tomorrow, this does not mean that concerns will never press upon us. Worry over tomorrow's misfortunes is not necessary because today has enough to occupy our attention, and tomorrow's fears may never happen. Furthermore, today's grace is sufficient and can only be used today and should not be wasted thinking about tomorrow’s trouble. If trouble does come, God has abundant grace to meet us each day. So, we should take Paul’s well-known message and apply it each day, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7-8)
Relate it to your life.
I can spend all my energy worrying each day or I can take the same energy and win the day by praying with gratitude and presenting my concerns in faith to God who promises to stand guard over me. Why would I choose the way of worry?
Do something.
Our Father, give me such faith to trust You in everything and always to have a thankful heart even when the storms are blowing. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Amen.
Posted in Daily Devotionals