JESUS SPEAKING
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on […] Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you” (Luke 12: 22, 27-32.)
INSPIRED THOUGHTS
Fear causes people to become anxious and worried. Fear is produced when a person perceives that a present or future need may not be met. Through great effort, the fearful heart strives to meet those needs. Jesus pointed to the lily; one of the most beautiful flowers in all creation. God intricately forged its soft slender pedals and painted them in a variety of vibrant colors. He has clothed and provided for the needs of every lily. God also took great care in designing the human body; molding it in to His own fearful and glorious image (unlike the lily which blooms for an instant before withering away, God’s children live eternally (those who have faith in Christ.)) His sons and daughters are far more important than a perishing flower. God has always known and provided for the needs of humanity (He clothes the naked and feeds the hungry.) Still, many are filled with fear and lack faith in God’s provision. In the hopes of conquering their fears, many strive to possess large excesses; they become their own God’s, but the peace they had hoped to find in their possessions escapes them. Numerous people have spent whole lifetimes putting everything and everyone ahead of God; many have sought money, relationships, careers, and possessions, but have gained nothing, because they failed to seek God first. Had they looked to God, He would have given them all that their hearts desired.
Just recently I picked up my friend James for bible study. I could tell his heart was troubled; his phone had stopped working for some time, and he was unable to receive calls. We drove by the phone store to get it checked out; he was told that their network was down and it could be a while before the problem was fixed. We continued to the bible study, where it was obvious, he was still worried about his phone not operating correctly. Near the end of our study, we took prayer requests. James wanted us to pray for his phone situation. Knowing that God is concerned with even our smallest needs, I told him a story about a pastor whose car wouldn’t start and whose wife suggested they pray about it; the pastor replied, “Honey I don’t think it works like that.” Humoring his wife, they prayed for the car to start; sure enough, just after praying he turned the ignition over and the engine roared. I told James to go and try his phone after we were finished praying. Sure enough, immediately after praying his phone was working perfectly. He was overwhelmed and excited. His worries had slipped away. He spent much time worrying and trying to fix his phone, when all he needed to do was to turn to God for his solution. His anxieties and fears were the result of not seeking God’s provision first. [We see the same thing in a recorded healing in the gospels. A woman had a serious medical condition and had been hemorrhaging for nearly twelve years. Filled with fear and a longing to be cured, she sought physician after physician; she used up an entire fortune seeking help from those who could do nothing to help her. She needed a miracle, and after a lifetime of anxious fear and disappointment, she finally turned to God. One day as Jesus was walking down a road, the woman sought him. She thought, “If only I can touch the hem of his garment, I will be healed.” She pushed her way through the crowds that thronged Jesus, and was able to touch his cloak. Instantly her bleeding stopped, her fears were relieved, and her needs were met.
What fears and worries fill your heart? Do you turn to God for His provision, or do you seek to provide for yourself? Do you have peace today? Many do not, because they trust in themselves; they strive for gain, believing if they can amass enough wealth they no longer have to fear going without (in so doing God has no place in their lives.) To the faithless, fear is a constant companion and no amount of planning, saving, or striving will bring them peace. Do you believe that God is your provider? Do you have faith in His abilities? Turn to God, and rely on Him. Put your trust and faith in your Eternal Father; allow Him to be your provider; and fear will be a stranger to you, and you will know and understand true peace; unending peace; the peace of God “that surpasses all understanding.”
“Lord Heavenly Father we desire Your peace; we are tired of striving to provide for ourselves and we look to You now for Your provision. Remove our fears, our worries, and our anxiousness, and replace them with a faith and trust in You. May we seek You first in all matters, and may You grant us wisdom, guidance and direction. May we never lose hope and trust in You Father. Clothe us, feed us, provide for all of our needs. We love You Father, we praise You, we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.” God bless all of you.
Jesus Speaks 