May 27, 2013 Still Worried?

Still Worried?

Matthew 6:27-30 “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies 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, O you of little faith?”

I’M worried you didn’t get enough on worry yesterday, so here’s some more. Actually I’m not worried, but Jesus’ words, “O you of little faith.” cause me great concern.

     Jesus’ words equating worry with “little faith” is truly a serious matter. Faith, after all, is the essence of our relationship with Jesus. The Apostle Paul writes in

2 Corinthians 5:7 We live by faith, not by sight.  And he says in Galatians 2:16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

     It is not our works but our God-empowered faith in Jesus that justifies us—makes us right before God just as if we have never sinned. Is Jesus saying that if you worry you are not saved?

     Not necessarily, but he is saying that you are missing out on a true and wonderful relationship with him. If worry is your habit, give each thought to Jesus. Pray to him to take it. Then let it go. It takes practice. That’s why it’s called “practicing your faith”. Be faithful to your Lord’s power to care for you.

LIFE Link: Remember the cross. 

May 26, 2014 Worried?

Worried?

Matthew 6:25 “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 important than food, and the body more important than clothes?”

DO you worry? Of all the ways I see people struggle emotionally, worry is the most common. But why would I call worry “struggle”? After all, as many people will say, “I have to do something! I can’t just let it go.”

     So if that’s true, has worry ever done any good thing for you? Has it had any power over any single circumstance? Oh, that’s right, worry does have power. I’ll bet it’s raised your blood pressure, caused you sleepless nights, given you headaches, caused a rash on your skin, and separated you from healing thoughts. Worry has stifled you and restricted your relationship with Jesus. After all, if you worry, you certainly are in control, aren’t you?

     But you know you’re not. The fact is, you’re out of control. Physically, emotionally and spiritually, worry is a black hole, sucking in all your faith. Worry shuts down your view of Jesus, the light of the world, and highlights, instead, your weaknesses.  

     Jesus commanded, “Do not worry.” because worry means you lack faith in God’s consummate love, authority and protection for you. Worry tells the Lord, “I want to be in control. I want to be you, God.” That’s the real tragedy of worry. As it dominates your mind, you have little room for receiving God’s Word. Anxiety, fear, doubt and worry will deprive you of the opportunity to truly understand Jesus’ grace, from trusting he will completely care for you.

     Yes, you do have to do something. You have to believe in Jesus.  

LIFE Link: Did Jesus save you because you worried about it?  

May 25, 2014 Mastering Life

Mastering Life

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” 

YOU know what serving two (or more) masters looks like, don’t you? The boss called…gotta go. The pastor wants a special meeting…gotta go. The kids said, “You never take us anywhere!”…gotta go. Jesus called…gotta… “Oh wait, I’ll get back to you, Jesus. I have things to do.”

     Really, that’s no exaggeration, is it? Our desires, our needs and our heart affect what masters us. We commit to so many masters we seldom understand which one takes first place on our daily list. We put out fires on Monday, so we can start new fires on Wednesday. How can we really make Jesus our only Master amid life?

     I almost hate to tell you this, but the way Jesus becomes your sole Master is for you to do some work. I know, you may think I’m telling you to start another fire, but I’m actually offering you a way to burn only the fire of love in your heart for Christ.

     The work I speak of is a process to spend time reflecting on your life and on God’s Word. Asking such questions as, “What are my core values?” and “What is my life’s vision?” helps you to determine God’s purpose for your life. With some work, you will learn to purposefully fan the flames of love for Jesus. The process does take work, but I have seen men labor in a sense of joy and even rest as they begin to douse the fires that don’t matter to embrace a flame of desire to serve their One Master. 

LIFE Link: Master your life through the Master of Life.

(If you’d like more information, please let me know.)

May 24, 2014 Light Look

Light Look

Matthew 6:22-23 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”

JESUS continues his sermon with an emphasis on your eyes. He has been speaking against the adulterous eye, the self-focused prayers and the covetous desires for more material wealth. His intention through this part of his Sermon on the Mount is to preach that he is only one worthy of your focus.  

     The metaphor here of the eye functioning as the lamp of the body relates to the single oil lamp of the typical Jewish household. One could only see what was in the room when he pointed the lamp in a particular direction. He could, for example, keep his lamp shining on a wooden idol in his home, or he could keep his lamp shining on the Word of God written on his doorposts. (Deuteronomy 6:9). A man of the household could point to Satan’s corruption, or he could point to God’s salvation. He couldn’t see both.

     Loving his own, Jesus preaches to his people to keep their eyes on him. When he said in another teaching, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) Jesus emphasized the great difference between himself and evil. Focusing your eyes, the body’s lamp, away from Jesus will fill your soul with darkness. Focusing your eyes to the Son of God will fill your soul with Jesus, the light of the world.

LIFE Link: Look at the morning light and see Jesus’ love rising over you.

May 23, 2014 Eternal Focus

Eternal Focus

Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  

I just came from hearing my wife read to me a news account of an acquaintance who is a gifted, talented woman. The article told how she had embezzled and stolen large sums of money. Apparently her focus was not on what God had given to her—her gifts and talents, her family, her husband and her business. It’s clear she was focused on what she didn’t have. Sadly, she was even willing to break the law to have her desires. Even worse, she was willing to break her bond with God to allow greed to rule over her life.

     Of course, this story is as old as mankind. The story of Eve’s sin in Genesis 3 is the same story. Our acquaintance who committed the crimes has inherited the crimes of Eve and Adam, who focused not on Paradise but on what they didn’t have—the full knowledge of good and evil. They risked and lost their perfect life, breaking God’s law and breaking their love bond with God.

     Listen to Jesus words. Most of us do not commit crimes to get what we don’t have, but we are willing to sacrifice our children, our spouse, our gifts and talents and even our love for God in order to strive after material desires. Your desire must be first and only for God. Live with your eyes on your eternal God, and you will live a rich life in him.

LIFE Link: Celebrate all God has given to you.