Faithfully Yours Forever

¹² Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
¹³ From heaven the Lord looks down
and sees all mankind;
¹⁴ from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth—
¹⁵ he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.
Psalm 33:12-15 (NIV)

What good does it do to worry?  I do not know any benefits to worrying.  Scripture tells us not to do it.

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.  For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Luke 12:22-31 (NIV)

May the Lord, our God, help us to not worry.  Amen.

Yesterday, River Run began a four week study of the prayer of Jabez.  We are learning, even more, how powerful prayer is.  Today’s passage also encourages us to focus on prayer.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:2-6 New (NIV)

In addition, would you also join us in faithfully praying the prayer of Jabez.

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying,

“Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!”

So God granted him what he requested. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (NKJV)

May it be so, in Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.

I have heard it often stated that many people today no longer have a good work ethic.  But, what does it mean to have a good work ethic?  The Scriptures have something to say about that.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. Colossians 3:23-25 (NIV)

May we view our difficult circumstances as a place to testify to God’s faithfulness and provision.  He will carry us through difficult times.  He will sustain us.  May we learn to rely upon Him.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.

As Christians, may we focus on things above.  God is love, but God is also holy.  May we live a life that is acceptable to God and a witness to who we are in Christ.  Some practical advice, and eternal truth, is offered in today’s passage.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practicesand have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Colossians 3:1-10 (NIV)

From the word of the Lord, our God, may it be done as written.  Amen.