Are You Concerned about Worrying?
Or, are you fretting because you're worrying? | Halloween Challenge 2024 | Jesus Christ | Christianity
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Halloween Challenge 2024: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4
Halloween Challenge 2024: Week 2
Hey, dear readers, welcome back.
The title of this post, “Are You Concerned about Worrying?” is my lame attempt at some silly humor. But, it also introduces the theme Jesus preached on during The Sermon on the Mount.
Jesus Said Do Not Worry
Matthew 6:25-34
In Matthew chapter six, Jesus discussed a clear distinction between genuine concern and life-sucking worry:
Concern focuses on present issues that we can probably solve
Worry focuses on the future and what we fear might happen—but probably won’t—and, worry drains our mental and emotional energy over things we cannot control
Let’s remind ourselves of what Jesus said:
Matthew 6:25-34 (BSB)
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 gather into 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?28 And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.
The Sermon on the Mount Series by BibleProject
This year, BibleProject published a series on The Sermon on the Mount. Their series is divided into topics, and each topic includes a blog post, a short video, and a short podcast [Read | Watch | Listen].
Worry is one of the topics and it covers Matthew chapter six. As a part of the Halloween Challenge 2024: Week 2, I invite you to take time this week and explore these two topics, which are:
Do not worry
Abundance and provision in the kingdom
Do Not Worry
Less than 10 minutes:
Read - 1 min. - Matt. 6:25-34
Watch - 2 min. - Insights: Do Not Worry (video)
Listen - 5 min. - The meaning of merimnao in the New Testament (podcast)
Link: Visit the “Do Not Worry” topic on Bible Project to access the resources.
Abundance and Provision in the Kingdom
Less than 20 minutes:
Read - 1 min. - Matt. 6:31-24
Watch - 1 min. - Insights: Basileia/Kingdom
Read - 10 min. - What “Seek First the Kingdom of God” Means
Listen - 5 min. - Our Needs Met in the Kingdom
Your Turn
This week, as you use the resources to meditate on Matthew 6:25-34, pray over the verses and pour out your heart to your heavenly Abba Father who loves you. Then, walk in faith and trust that He will give you wisdom and will meet your needs. He wants to lift your burdens of worry and fear off your shoulders.
But, you’ll need to hand them over to Him and not take them back.
Maranatha, come Lord Jesus.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Conversation & Community
What are your thoughts about Matthew 6:25-34?
Which are your favorite verses?
Which verses do you struggle with in your faith walk with Jesus?
Let us know in the Comments.
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"A FEW WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT even in the storm"
GOD bless, thank you, sister Jenise, and yours.
"A Loving Reminder, Yes, our GOD Loves us."
"Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]." 1 Peter 5:7 Amplified Bible
The LORD's timing is always perfect. Nothing is random or out of place. We are not reading this letter at this caring moment because we orchestrated all the events beyond our control to bring us here. We didn't, but our GOD did because He wants to remind us not to worry or be afraid.
Even if there was a time to worry, to be filled with anxiety, and be overwhelmingly concerned about everything happening in the world around us, now might be that time. Still, amid these storms, the LORD says, "Don't worry, don't be afraid, I AM here with you, trust Me, we are going through this together."
"Look at the birds!"
"Praise the LORD from the Earth,
all great sea creatures and ocean depths,
lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
powerful wind fulfilling His word,
mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
wild animals and all cattle,
crawling creatures and flying birds."
Psalm 148:7-10 BSB
"Look at the birds!"
Listen, don't worry, Jesus said, look at the Birds. Have you ever noticed how happy they are? They sing when it's sunny and also sing when it's raining. It is because all creation is praising the LORD, and we, as His people, must join in and worship Him, too. Let His birds teach us to sing always, honor, and glorify the LORD with our praise and adoration even amid the storm. Yes, even now, it will silence our fears, keep our focus on Jesus, and give us hope and courage to persevere. Remember, the LORD Loves us. He is with us now and will always be forever. Hallelujah!
Thank You, LORD!
"Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life" Matthew 6:26-27 BSB
GOD bless you all!
Matthew 6 - Look At the Birds || Bible in Song || Project of Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSxxvjcDxAI