Saturday, November 12, 2016

11-12-2016



Good Morning All,
            Matthew 6:25; “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
    We have been having one of the mildest fall seasons that I can remember.  We are past Veteran’s Day and it still barely gets below freezing at nights.  I talked to one man who told me he had to mow his lawn last week.  This is very rare for us.  There have been some years that were bears.  We have had blizzards and subzero temps by this time of the year but not this year.  This year has been very comfortable and yet; some worry and are dismayed.
    “We need moisture for next year.”  “I’m a little nervous about next spring.”  “I hope it isn’t this dry when it is time to plant.”  Some are anxious and you can hear it in their voices.  Some are not quite sure what to expect.  First they talk about El Nino or La Nina or the jet stream or any one of a half dozen things that make them sound like leftovers from The Weather Channel.  So, I told a couple of them what I thought they should do about this drier and warmer weather.  I told them to go outside and play with their kids or grandchildren.  It is a beautiful day; go and enjoy it.
    You wonder if God ever looks at us, shakes his head and asks, “Are you ever satisfied?”  For most of us, we have enough food, a home, a job and we have friends and family.  Now there are plenty of things to worry about; if you want to but God tells us in this verse and in the verses that follow this verse that we should not be anxious.  It doesn’t do us any good; it doesn’t add one day to the length of our life.  It only detracts from and destroys today.  The only thing that anxiety does is to drain us of our contentment and rob from us the blessings of the day that the Lord has given to us.
    God gives us the promise of taking care of us and in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, Jesus uses the examples of the flowers and the birds and how God takes care of them.  God values you over all the birds and flowers.  God loves you enough to die for your sins.  This kind of love will not leave you.  We have God’s Word to rely on to keep us comforted when we face challenges and worries.  God does not abandon his people but always provides and protects those whom he loves.
   So, enjoy the day.  Give thanks to God for his blessings.  Give thanks to God for his love and mercy.  Don’t be anxious or worried; God is in control.  He always has been and he always will be.  His love and mercy are always with you to keep us safe in his loving arms. 
Father of all mercies, you pour out your love upon and rain down grace on our lives.  Strengthen our hearts that we may not be anxious.  Strengthen our heart that we may always trust your word and cling to your promises.  Be with those who fear and are anxious.  Calm their hearts that they may always know your tender care.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Bret

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