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Today’s devotion builds on the thoughts from Sunday’s Sermon – Week 6 of “Fan or Follower – Worry Less”  (LISTEN HERE).

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Matthew 13:22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.

Worry is worrisome.

Worry is the state of anxiety or uncertainty over actual or potential problems.

What makes worry worrisome is the effect it can have on one physically, emotionally, but most importantly spiritually.

Worry creates stress and can create physical problems like high blood pressure, heart issues, ulcers and more. Worry causes emotional anxiety that keeps us up at night or can even lead to one having depression.  All of these are serious and important to address medically if necessary.

However, the greatest danger of worry is that it chokes out our trust in the Lord.

In Matthew 13, Jesus tells the parable of the sower and the seed.  The farmer casts the seed of God’s word onto the soil of people’s hearts.  One of the soils on which the seed falls is full of thistles and thorns.  Jesus explains that what keeps the Word of God from being fruitful in that person’s life is the “worries of this life.” 

What are those for you?

Health worries?  Work worries? Family worries? Relationship worries? Financial worries?

What happens is that these very real, challenging situations can take our time, energy and effort away from time with the Lord.  However, perhaps the threat is that we turn inward to ourselves to figure out the outcome or try to determine what the potential issues may be and try to plan for each one or simply stress over potential outcomes.

The result?  We lose our focus and trust in the Lord and his promises.

So again, Jesus warns us so we are familiar with the dangers to our faith and our relationship to our Savior.

So Jesus says in his sermon, “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? 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? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  

The reason we can let go of worry is because of our relationship with our heavenly Father.  Jesus reminds us that he cares for the birds of the air, small creatures in all of his creation.  If he does this, he WILL take care of each of you.  

We will want to know the future.  We will want to know how a situation will turn out.  We will want to have the answers…but Jesus simply just says, “Your heavenly Father will care for you.”

Let the Father’s care and love for you calm your worries you carry today.

Apply: What worries are you carrying today.  What happens emotionally, physically and spiritually when you give those concerns to your Father in heaven to deal with?

Prayer: Father thank you for inviting us to cast our concerns and worries on you. Thank you for your care that reminds us that you care for us more than every other part of your creation.  AMEN

Today’s devotion builds on the thoughts from Sunday’s Sermon – Week 5 of “Fan or Follower – Invest Wisely”  (LISTEN HERE).

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“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.” (Matthew 6:25)

Easy for you to say.

I don’t know if I’ll have my job tomorrow.

I don’t know if my retirement income will be enough.

I don’t know how I am going to pay for college?

I don’t know how I am going to buy groceries.

What if inflation continues to rise?

What if the economy crashes?

And the list goes on.

What are your worries today?  Are they as Bobby McFerrin sang about in his 1988 hit, “Don’t worry. Be happy”?

Ain’t got no place to lay your head

Somebody came and took your bed

Don’t worry, be happy

The landlord say your rent is late

He may have to litigate

Don’t worry, be happy

(For a little fun for your morning – here’s the link to the music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU) 

Is the answer to worry simply to be happy?  Perhaps.

The answer to worry really starts with Jesus’ word, “Therefore…”  These verses in Matthew 6:25 and following come after Jesus teaching on storing up treasures in heaven and making the clear statement, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Worry comes when we are trusting and loving material things more than God…or trusting anything or anyone more than God.

Is worry a litmus test to where our heart is?  Probably.  It is a window to at least ask the question when I am worried about something to ask, “Am I trusting God? Or trusting myself? Or trusting the Government? Or what am I trusting?”

This week’s spiritual battle pits “Team Worry” against “Team Trust.” As with all the matchups in this series, the challenge comes when we are on the field and seeking to faithfully follow the Lord.  Jesus knows our hearts are vulnerable to worry.  He knows we live in a material world and there are situations beyond our control that lead us to worry about how to fix them, how to provide for them, or how to change them.

There may be something you can do.  There may be something you have to change.  There may be actions you have to take.

However, the premise is, “Don’t worry.”

What is it based on?

Matthew 6:25-26 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?

You are valuable to your heavenly Father.  Because he loves us and cares for us, we can trust him with each of our days…and don’t have to worry.

Apply: What worries are on your mind today?  Knowing your heavenly Father loves you, in prayer give them to your Father in heaven to deal with today.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for worrying today.  Lead me to remember that you find me more valuable than any part of your creation.  Because you love and value you, I know you will care for me and I don’t have to worry. AMEN.

Today’s devotion builds on the thoughts from Sunday’s Sermon – Week 5 of “Fan or Follower – Invest Wisely”  (LISTEN HERE).

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Matthew 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jesus’ encouragement is clear, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

This week we have reflected on what lasts and what doesn’t.  Yesterday’s devotion pointed out the eternal value of nurturing our relationship with the Lord Jesus and his word.  Today the third way to invest in that which will last is to live out the faith God has given to us.

Works of faith are recognized and rewarded by the Lord.

To be clear, the living of our faith is in RESPONSE to the faith and forgiveness we have been given and in no way is earning a spot in heaven.  Yet the Scriptures imply that works of faith are noticed and affirmed by our Father in heaven.

Matthew 19:28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

Yet, living out our faith isn’t a “God did you see that?” type of effort.  Because we are simply living our faith from a heart of faith and not a heart of obligation or earning a spot in heaven, we really aren’t keeping track or even noticing…but God does.

Matthew 25:34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

The righteous didn’t notice and weren’t keeping track…but the King was.  God noticed.  The reward? That’s up to the Lord.  Our life is investing in living out our faith because that is what life is all about.  

We ask questions such as:

• Lord, this is the day you have made and given to me, how do you want me to invest if for you?
• Lord, the earth is yours and everything in it, how do you want me to invest the wealth you have entrusted to me?
• Lord, the people and relationships you have given me are for me to let my light of faith shine. Show me who needs your love and grace today.

As we ask questions like this, the Spirit of God orients our life to our heart which loves and treasures him.  As we treasure him, we spend our life storing up treasures in heaven.

Apply: What question is helpful to begin your day to orient your day to storing up treasures in heaven?

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for investing in us that we might be your own and live each day for you.  Guide us every day to invest wisely in those things that last forever.  AMEN.

Today’s devotion builds on the thoughts from Sunday’s Sermon – Week 5 of “Fan or Follower – Invest Wisely”  (LISTEN HERE).

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My wife and I were discussing recently our investments and the reality that they are not worth as much as they were just a year ago…significantly less.  We are not alone in this as inflation stifles economic growth in many sectors of our economy. 

It’s discouraging when you’ve worked hard to save and it is now devalued or simply gone.  Think of the many people in Florida who have lost much or all of their early possessions.

These are great reminders that nothing on this earth of material substance is going to last forever.

So Jesus, as he always does, wants to reorient our heart to that which matters most and that which lasts forever.

Store up treasures in heaven.

What are those treasures that will last?

Here’s the first two (tomorrow number three).

The primary treasure that will last is our Savior Jesus.

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Jesus gave up everything heavenly to come to this earth to enjoy a life of poverty.  Yet in giving up everything to come to this earth, he gives us everything that we need for eternal life.  Jesus gives what money can never buy.  We can’t buy our way into heaven.  We don’t own enough. The cost is too much.  Yet the cost that was needed AND was paid, was the life and death of Jesus Christ.  

Psalm 49:7-9 No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them—
the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough—
so that they should live on forever and not see decay.

1 Peter 1:18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Any time we give to investing in our relationship with Jesus, is a wise, lasting, eternal investment.

The second treasure to invest in is time with the Word of God.

Two friends of Jesus loved Jesus and wanted to make sure he was welcomed and cared for.  Martha was making sure the home was ready and food prepared.  Mary was sitting listening to Jesus.  Both important, but Jesus reminds Martha that time with Jesus and his Word are a better investment.

Luke 10:41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

God’s Word of truth is what strengthens faith, comforts our hearts, and guides our life.  When the power of God’s word is deposited in our hearts it builds and strengthens a faith that will last forever.  Earthly possessions will stay behind, but the words of God last forever.

Isaiah 40:7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”

Like any good financial advisor will steer you to investments that will protect your assets, so the Spirit of God directs us to invest our time and energy in that which will last…our relationship with Jesus and our time in the Word of God.

Apply: How do you have to adjust your investment of time to ensure you are investing in those things that last forever?

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for investing way too much of my life in things that will rust, fade or disappear.  Reorient my heart and mind to simplify life so I might invest more in my relationship with you and your words of truth.  AMEN.

Today’s devotion builds on the thoughts from Sunday’s Sermon – Week 5 of “Fan or Follower – Invest Wisely”  (LISTEN HERE).

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1 Timothy 6:9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 

Money is not the problem.

In fact money allows for many blessings.  We can give money to honor God by giving to our local church.  We can use money to buy food and clothes.  Money pays the rent or mortgage.  Yes, money pays for our local police, fire, EMS, schools, roads, governing officials, etc.  Money even allows us to enjoy God’s creation through travel to different parts of the country and world.  

God never commanded us to NOT have money.

He just commanded us to not LOVE money more than him.

Money turns from a blessing to a curse as soon as our heart turns from God to money.

The news often contains articles where crime was committed to gain some level of money.  Individuals orchestrate a “murder for hire” to collect a life insurance policy.  Investors develop a ponzi scheme to bilk millions from investors.  Pyramid schemes are set up to sell nothing, but make the organizers rich.  Insurance fraud gains payouts beyond the injury incurred.  Avoiding paying taxes.  Falsifying information to gain a government payout.  The list goes on.

When the heart is captivated by the love of money, the head and the hands will facilitate what the heart desires.

Are you one of those?

No, of course not, right?

Or are we?

Every word of Scripture is given because God loves us enough to expose the sin in our hearts to avoid greater and more prolonged sinning. 

So, of course we are in danger of falling for the tempation of wealth.  If we weren’t the Spirit of God wouldn’t have inspired the Apostle Paul to write this.  What maybe is our temptation?

We take a new position that pays more, but we are unable to come to church on a Sunday.

We are blessed with many recreational toys (boats, hunting leases, etc.), but the money to use them and sustain them keeps us from giving 10% to the Lord.

We find it important to “keep up with the Jones’” so we or our kids aren’t “embarrassed” by having the latest clothing or trendy attire, accumulating credit card debt beyond our means.

We work relentless hours only to have our marriage and family crumble.

We neglect time with the Lord in his Word claiming, “We just don’t have time.  I have to work these hours to get the promotion.”

The list goes on.

Money, wealth and all that goes with it can easily captivate our heart.

But is it worth it?  

There is no U-haul you can pull behind your hearse.

The investments that last to eternity are what you invest in your relationship with the Lord, the time you pour into the faith of your family, the generous offerings that you give that allow the Gospel to go around the community and the world.  

Money is a tool when we manage it as God intends it.  Money is a curse when our heart is captivated by it.

Money is not the problem.  Our sinful heart is.

Money is not the solution. Our perfect Savior is.

Apply:  How is your heart tempted to love money over loving God?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for warning me of how tempting it is to love money more than you.  Redirect my heart to always love you above any material thing.  AMEN.