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 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? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
Consider the lilies of the field… Matt 6:28
thedailylily.com 
Beautiful singing 🎼🎶🎵🎶🎵 and to think God cares for us like the Scriptures above speak about
I agree, Tammy. And I love how the scripture tells us to “Look at the birds of the air;” and Sara’s video directs us to do exactly that. Those birds sure are a blessing from the Lord!
Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
We are told to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things, ????will be added….?..Don’t worry???
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
Reading the 6th Chapter of Matthew which is live action regardless of year, month, day or time we interact with the action suggested. It seems to me it’s a garment with no seems. Why, I don’t want to worry. Do you? I want to have all my needs met? Don’t you? I want to see and live in the glory of God surrounding me on earth by Kingdom living. Do you think this to be a happy thing?
And, I get to take plenty of time and bird watch!
“Do you think this to be a happy thing?” 🤔 I wonder if some Scripture, in the Book of Psalms, supports the happiness we are discussing here?……”NLT:
Psalm 1
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.”
Tammy, I think you are totally right about the joys/happiness to be found in the Psalms. The portion you quoted I think is one of if not Gary’s favorite. When I find myself doing a little ditch riding he often quotes this passage. The excitement of, “and I will prosper in all I do,” is a perfect life line.
Now what I would term as ‘ditch riding’ would be, “standing around with sinners.” I take that to mean hanging out and enjoying the thrill of a sinner at play. Now imagine trading all our happiness for an opportunity to be accepted in a social circle instead of accepted in the beloved. Ephesians 1:6
“Now imagine trading all our happiness for an opportunity to be accepted in a social circle instead of accepted in the beloved. Ephesians 1:6 “ Sara, I would hate to see anyone miss what God has for each person, just to be accepted in a social circle. Look at what Mark chapter 8 says:….”Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life[b] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”🙏
Sara, you asked us several questions. My answer would be “yes” to all.
From the “garment” you have woven above with your words, it seems that we are being instructed to understand and then keep our priorities straight. Then we will experience the “will be added” things. The prayer, “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” helps us put this focus/thinking as priority #1. I think that helps us navigate “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness”.
I agree that “Reading the 6th Chapter of Matthew” and practicing what it says, is “live action”.
I am glad you have some time to bird watch. We got to benefit also by seeing the video!
Tammy says, “Look at what Mark chapter 8 says:….”Then he [Jesus]called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
She has a great point as she was responded to ones that find themselves thinking or acting on wanting to be accepted in a social circle instead of accepted in the beloved.
Are you able to pause and look deep into your own soul and ask have I ever done this? For the last few days the great state of Texas has been under great tragedy with cold temperatures like they never imagined. I’m sure we’ve heard and most probably have prayer for help for Texas as today we have hard cries for drinkable water as well as heat.
As this shocking news has been unraveling right before our eyes the junior Senator Ted Cruz of Texas goes to the airport with his wife and daughters and heads to Mexico to enjoy fun in the sun. Leaves in his freezing house their little poodle to freeze to death. When he was spotted leaving and news reported his leaving he started out by lying not knowing he was headline news with photos.
Then he tried to blame his daughters being so cold in their high dollar home where they only had a fireplace. (Texans were dying with no heat or fireplace) that he wanted to be a good father and take them to Mexico. Never mind we are advised by government not to go there because of Covid. Regardless his lies were excruciatingly painful to watch. He had planned to stay through the weekend. But, as the pressure mounted he returned the next day leaving his family to continue their vacating. We also find out his wife was the big planner of the vacation and had texted to gather friends to join etc etc
He has made great apologies to his state. The one thing that he said being true or not since he was caught in the act. But, he said something like as soon as I sat down on the plane I knew it I made mistake.
I had been reading about Cruz when Tammy posted this account of Jesus calling people together and giving them a stark warning to do if they wanted to be his disciples. And, the state of Texas was giving Cruz a warning about him being their senator. Some might say Cruz let family, friends and fun in the sun blur his vision.
Wonder if we have ever let social gatherings of family and friends entice us to leave wise thinking, and not making good decisions etc? Just something to think about? Maybe jump back up to Tammy’s scripture quote from Mark.
“Wonder if we have ever let social gatherings of family and friends entice us to leave wise thinking, and not making good decisions etc? Just something to think about?”
Sobering question, Sara. Guess we can call this ‘enticement’ many things…bad decision, mistake, not thinking, but Tammy’s scripture let’s us know Jesus calls us to Himself… “…Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples”
So, it seems bottom line is, ‘self’ got in the way, stepped to the front of the line and wanted to be satisfied. That’s the opposite of another part of Tammy’s scripture, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves”.
I was reminded of Sara’s recent blog, Wisdom Tea Party”; its many guidelines there; and how a wise choice, guided by Wisdom, can help us follow the Lord and avoid enticements. Like Sara wrote there, “…for difficulties seem to be hedging us in on all sides. But, as the scripture divinely revealed ancient wisdom will tear walls down and we go free!”
There was also a lot about wisdom in Sara’s retreat book, “The Dance of Healing” and I wanted to go back a review a couple of wise reminders there. Here’s a couple I think personally valuable: 1) “Proverbs 4 Take my advice; it will add years to your life. I’m writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way, I’m drawing a map to Righteous Road…Tune your ears to My voice…”
2) Proverbs 19 “If you quit listening and strike off on your own, you’ll soon be out of your depth.”
Thanks, Debi for reminding and posting the wise words from one of Sara’s retreat books. 🙏
These stinging yet beautiful sounding words were part of a devotional for my morning. I try and first 🐝 sting my soul of excuses for neglect and then travel on out into the larger arena of God’s world. I wrote above about a US Senator wanting comfort for self before the state that elected him to high office. I’ve read opinions of approval and disapproval of his behavior. Seemly right down party lines were drawn in many cases.
Reading this devotional felt like a swarm of 🐝🐝🐝🐝after me. Hum helping people I don’t like with no pay. And, some on the wrong side of my political beliefs. And, missing a vacation in a fancy hotel while giving food out to the street suffering. As Debi seems to enjoy quoting from Proverbs above saying if I strike off on my own I will soon be out of my depth. This devotional words by Max Vincent sure 🐝🐝🐝 sting I think!
“Humility can come through mutual service that provides meals to those who are suffering, visits the sick and does
not neglect them, and provides food to the hungry. Humility offers such acts of kindness not just for those we like or who we feel deserve such acts but to anyone with whom we are connected in Christ. We do such humble acts for those with whom we disagree as well as for those who always seem to agree with us. Humility enables us to live together in such a way that others see our life as something different from what they have come to expect in the world and to do so fueled by joy.”
—Max O. Vincent, Because of This I Rejoice:
I love all the scriptures above. I find myself saying the Lord’s Prayer more and more often. I ask myself what is the difference between worry and concerned. In our BSF study for this next week which we are studying Genesis. Jacob after 20 years working foe Laban hears God say time to return home. “Home!” Esau his brother whom he had stolen Esau’s birthright would be there. His last words were, “I’m going to kill him.” frighten and worried he steps out towards home, one of our questions was, “What specific truth of God can give you needed perspective based in your challenges. -uncertainty with COVID, uncertainty with the way our country is headed, foe some concern their over the past years shut down of schools and the affect of school closures on the children’s education. God’s truth or scripture are the same as the above. I have a few more that I hang ontoPsalm 46:1-3God’s our refuge and strength an ever present help in trouble, so do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God and will help you.I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
A reading of which I teach me Sunday school children is from 2nd Kings
19 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Why do I love this. Because no matter what goes on in our lives, if we have a relationship with God things around us could be very frightening But God’s gentle whisper gives us perfect peace in the midst of all our storms.
Knowing God enables us to hear his gentle whisper – peace overflowing in our stormy lives or anytime we want to hear Him speak.
Sent from my iPad
Rena, Been thinking on God’s voice as you mentioned. A few thoughts… God’s Voice is all consuming to those He speaks with. A whisper, a trumpet, a fire or maybe a tweet! ( Deut 4:24) God is said to be a consuming fire. God consumes all things unto Himself in order to be all in all.
Not sure of wording. I do know God speaks in many types of ways. At the time of Elijah in his journey he needed the whisper from God. Sometimes we need a trumpet to stop us from doing something very detrimental to our lives. Regardless of what voice God uses He always knows which we need. When we need to be bold He knows the way to address each one to accomplish that.
This morning we were talking about the Holy Spirit and how He is our counselor, our helper.
God knows how to interact with each one to bring about good, to improve our relationship with Him and bring His children together.
Sorry this may or may not cover your comment. I certainly like any voice God uses to converse with me!
Yes, I agree Rena! Such love! Seems beyond my comprehension! But, that’s OK! So much love we can share!