7 Reasons Not to Worry, Part 1-3

[ronscarpa]

7 Reasons Not to Worry, Part 1

Our WORD for Saturday, 9/12/2015 - John Piper

 

 

 “For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26) 

In Matthew 6 we have the example of anxiety about food and clothing.

Even in America, with its extensive welfare system, anxiety over finances and housing can be intense. But Jesus says in verse 30 that this stems from inadequate faith in our Father’s promise of future grace: “O men of little faith.” And so this paragraph has at least seven promises designed by Jesus to help us fight the good fight against unbelief and be free from anxiety. 

(In Part 1 we look at Promises 1 and 2; then the rest in Parts 2 and 3.)

PROMISE #1: "For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" (Matthew 6:25).

Since your body and your life are vastly more complex and difficult to provide than food and clothing are, and yet God has, in fact, created and provided you with both, then surely he will be able and willing to provide you with food and clothing.

Moreover, no matter what happens, God will raise your body some day and preserve your life for his eternal fellowship.

PROMISE #2: "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?" (Matthew 6:26).

If God is willing and able to feed such insignificant creatures as birds who cannot do anything to bring their food into being — as you can by farming — then he will certainly provide what you need, because you are worth a lot more than birds.

Edited September 12, 2015 by ronscarpa

[ronscarpa]

......Here Comes Part 2......

[ronscarpa]

7 Reasons Not to Worry, Part 2 

Our WORD For Sunday, 9/13/2015 - John Piper

 

 “And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life’s span? And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith?”(Matthew 6:27-30) 

 

Matthew 6 contains at least seven promises designed by Jesus to help us fight the good fight against unbelief and be free from anxiety. In Part 1 we saw Promises 1 and 2; today we look at 3 and 4.

PROMISE #3: "And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life’s span? And why are you anxious about clothing?" (Matthew 6:27–28).

This is a promise of sorts — the simple promise of reality: anxiety will not do you any good. It’s not the main argument, but sometimes we just have to get tough with ourselves and say, “Soul, this fretting is absolutely useless. You are not only messing up your own day, but a lot of other people’s as well. Leave it with God and get on with your work.”

Anxiety accomplishes nothing worthwhile.

PROMISE #4: "Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will he not much more do so for you, O men of little faith?" (Matthew 6:28–30).

Compared to the flowers of the field you are a much higher priority for God, because you will live forever, and can thus bring him eternal praise.

Nevertheless, God has such an overflow of creative energy and care, he lavishes it on flowers that last only a matter of days. So he will certainly take that same energy and creative skill and use it to care for his children who will live forever.

 

 

[ronscarpa]

7 Reasons Not to Worry, Part 3

Our WORD for Monday, 9/14/2015 - John Piper

 

 “Do not be anxious then, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘With what shall we clothe ourselves?’ For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:31–34) 

 

Matthew 6 contains at least seven promises designed by Jesus to help us fight the good fight against unbelief and be free from anxiety. In Parts 1 and 2 we saw Promises 1–4; now we look at 5–7.

PROMISE #5: Do not be anxious then, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “With what shall we clothe ourselves?” For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things (Matthew 6:31–32).

Do not think that God is ignorant of your needs. He knows all of them. And he is your “heavenly Father.” 

He does not look on, indifferently, from a distance. He cares. He will act to supply your need when the time is best.

PROMISE #6: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33).

If you will give yourself to his cause in the world, rather than fretting about your private material needs, he will make sure that you have all you need to do his will and give him glory.

This is similar to the promise of Romans 8:32, “Will [God] not also with [Christ] freely give us all things?”

PROMISE #7: Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34).

God will see to it that you are not tested in any given day more than you can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). He will work for you, so that “as [your] days, so shall [your] strength be” (Deuteronomy 33:25, KJV).

Every day will have no more trouble than you can bear; and every day will have mercies sufficient for that day’s stress (Lamentations 3:22–23).

 

[ronscarpa]

Here comes Part 3   

[new york kevin]

Word. Thanks.

[new york kevin]

Thanks again. God bless.

[funinsun]

Thanks Ron for taking the time to post these.