Luke 12 Selected Verses
22 Then 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. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes……..32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Worry is a waste of the imagination! Matthew 6:27 says 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So it is a complete waste of time as well.
Jesus was teaching His disciples not to worry. He tells them that God the Father will provide. They are to live life by living each moment and not worrying about what happens next. You can’t change the past. You can’t change the future. All you have is now. Today is a gift. That is why they call it the present.
In our daily lives, things are very scary. We face challenges that stretch us beyond our comfort zone. In my work, issues arise I have never faced. In my writing, I sit with no ideas and a blank page. I looked at my computer screen for hours tonight with no ideas. In my spiritual walk, I have doubts and questions. How can I continue? I don’t know what to do. I start to worry and then things spiral downward. I get to the “I’ll never be able to…..” statements. Hold the phone! I may never be able to, but He can. And He will!
You see, we were fearfully and wonderfully made. We are equipped, empowered, anointed and well able. We have been given the gifts we need to live the life for which we were destined. Worry gets in the way of using the gifts we have been given. Worry comes from the accuser. He says “ You can’t do that. You don’t have the talent.” That’s a lie! You have been given everything you need. He says “you’ll never be enough.” Not true! You are a masterpiece! You are already enough even if you never do another thing. And it is not what you do but whose you are that matters.
Here’s the thing. Whenever you think negative thoughts, they do not come from God. In fact they show a lack of faith and that is a sin. Now no one wants to hear the word sin these days but worry shows a lack of belief that God will do what He promised. He who promises is faithful.
There is a song by Mercyme called Greater and it goes like this:
Everyday I wrestle with the voices That keep telling me I’m not right But that’s alright
Cause I hear a voice and he calls me redeemed When others say I’ll never be enough
And greater is the One living inside of me Than he who is living in the world
Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXI0B4iMLuU
You see, you are holy, righteous and redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. The Spirit of the Lamb is within you. You are filled with power. You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. Therefore, why worry? Instead, trust God and let him lead you to your destiny. Your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom. Worry will just delay the process. Be bold and step out in faith. Accept the gifts offered and say amen!
Take this Refrain any time you feel a doubt:
There’ll be days I lose the battle Grace says that it doesn’t matter Cause the cross already won the war
He’s Greater He’s Greater
I am learning to run freely Understanding just how he sees me And it makes me love him more and more
He’s Greater He’s Greater
And greater is the One who is living inside of me than he who is living in the world.
Thank you Lord that you live inside me and guide me today! Amen!