What Does God Say About Worrying?

Matthew 6:25-27 (ESV)

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? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

The New Testament tells us that after Jesus was baptized, He began traveling around a region called Galilee healing sick people and preaching. He gathered many followers, including the men He called disciples — His friends who followed Him most closely. The book of Matthew tells us that Jesus sat down on a mountainside to teach them wise lessons. One thing He told them was that they shouldn’t worry:

Jesus said that worrying is pointless because God has everything taken care of. But most of us still worry.

What are some things you worry about?

How has God helped you during your times of worry?

Jesus wants you to share your worries with Him so He can help you through them.

Next time you see a bird in the air, remember that God knows what you need and will take care of it — just like He takes care of the bird.

Dear Lord, thank You for being our comfort and strength. Calm our mind and help us to dwell in Your safety. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

What Does God Say About Art?

Isaiah 64:8 (ESV)

But now, O Lord, you are our Father;

    we are the clay, and you are our potter;

    we are all the work of your hand.

God gave Moses a detailed list of how to build the tabernacle and what items must go inside. After Moses passed along the instructions to the Israelites, they served God by giving whatever they had — metals, jewelry, fabric, lamp oil — to help make the tabernacle.

But building the tabernacle would require more than just stuff — it would also take artistic skills. So God gave wisdom and skills to a man named Bezalel “to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts” (Exodus 35:32-33). God called on another skilled man, Oholiab, to help and to teach others how to embroider, design and weave.

Exodus 35 describes how God’s people began building the tabernacle — a massive tent and courtyard where the Israelites could gather to worship the Lord.

This is good news for us today who don’t need to have a lot of money or possessions. We can serve God with our skills and talents.

Did you know that you are God’s artwork? Isaiah 64:8: “Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

What are some ways you can use your talents or skills to make God happy?

Dear Lord, Thank You for the creativity You give people like us. Please help us to use our gifts to serve others.  In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Air conditioning and neighbors

Romans 15:2 (ESV)

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Is it hot outside today where you live like it is here? If so, then let the sweat trickling across your forehead remind you to connect with your neighbors.

These days, Americans are so accustomed to air conditioning they rarely consider how different the world was before its invention. From the transport of fresh produce across the globe to the cool air blowing through your car vents, the benefits reach into nearly every area of life. And I must admit, I enjoy the creature comforts this technology provides as much as anyone.

Still, I feel something important has been lost. Before the introduction of home air conditioning units around the 1950s, it was often too hot to stay inside. As a result, the entire family would sit on the porch together and enjoy the evening breeze. Plus, with everyone outside, neighbors talked across porch railings and got to know one another.

But after air conditioning was made available, people retreated inside their homes, and the sense of community found in most neighborhoods began to fade. As one historian put it, walking down the street, you no longer heard the chatter “of people talking on the porch, but the whir of compressors.”

We are blessed with technology that allows us to be comfortable. But just because the summer heat forces you indoors, don’t let it make your neighborhood cold. Get to know the people around you. Say “hi” across the fence. Bring back that good ol’ fashion sense of community and show God’s love to those nearby.

Dear Lord, thank You for our neighbors. Help us to take the time to get to know them and spend time with them. Help us to be able to share Your love. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Common Courtesy

Philippians 2:4 (ESV)

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Rub shoulders in enough malls, sports arenas, and airports – anywhere there are people, really – and you’ll discover one thing: common courtesy isn’t so common anymore. But if more of us were like Christina and Michael, we could turn that around.

Have you ever had to board an airplane with a baby in tow? It can be an awkward and uncomfortable experience. Weary passengers are a notoriously impatient bunch, and the sight of a baby can sour their attitudes in a flash. No welcoming smiles here. Just icy glares … if they’re willing to make eye contact at all.

Lots of parents, sensing that condemnation, guard against it with a cynical attitude of their own. But one couple chose a refreshing approach. They launched what could only be called a “preemptive strike of courtesy.” After boarding, Christina and Michael handed out baggies of candy to the passengers around them. Attached to each was a note on behalf of their twin fourteen-week-old boys. In part, it read: “We’ll try to be on our best behavior, but we apologize in advance in case we get scared or our ears hurt.”

It was a simple gesture that diffused what is typically a tense situation. Fellow travelers who otherwise might have been easily irritated were suddenly understanding and friendly. And these thoughtful parents showed that when you extend consideration, you’ll often get it in return. So as you go about your day today, what can you do to look to the interests of others?

Dear Lord, we pray that we look out for the interest of others today. Help us to find small ways to reach out and show Your love to those around us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Simple Kindness

2 Peter 1:7 (ESV)

And godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

Something amazing happened at a Major League Baseball park not long ago. No, there weren’t any records broken. In fact, the extraordinary event didn’t even take place on the field. It happened in the stands.

The whole scene unfolded on camera. At the end of the third inning, a player from the Milwaukee Brewers threw a ball into the stands to a young fan wearing their jersey. Also standing at the railing hoping for a ball was twelve-year-old Arizona Diamondbacks fan, Ian McMillan. When the ball came down, Ian reached out and caught it in his hat. Excited, he headed back to his seat. But that’s when Ian looked back and noticed how sad the younger boy was about not getting the ball. Without prompting from adults, Ian immediately turned, walked back to the younger fan, and handed him the ball.

It was an unusual display of selflessness and maturity. In the days that followed, news stations illustrated that fact by contrasting Ian’s behavior with that of adults. One man literally wrestled a ball away from a woman a few seats away. And, in another video, two men nearly got into a fist fight.

Maybe it strikes you like it does me that selfish behavior is so common that a simple act of kindness by a youngster at a ball game is enough to capture our attention. That’s why we need more examples like Ian to remind us of what’s really important in life. May our love for Christ make an impression on everyone around us simply because we’re quick to do what’s right toward other people.

Dear Lord, help us to look for ways to show kindness today. Thank You for being a great example of on that shows love. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Are you attentive to people's needs around you?

Galatians 6:2 (ESV)

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Are the people around you happy, or are they struggling in some area of life? Maybe the real question is: Are you attentive enough that you would recognize the difference?

Let’s face it, we have pretty shallow relationships with most of the people we cross paths with every day. Sure, we’ll nod at co-workers in the hall and grunt a robotic “How’re you doing?” But our demeanor lets the person know we’re busy and would prefer a generic, “Fine, thank you,” rather than a genuine answer. It could be that someone near to us is having a rough go of it, but we’d never notice because we’re too wrapped up in our own world.

It reminds me of a poem I read from the 1950s, called “Not Waving, But Drowning.” It serves as a metaphor for people suffering alone in their pain. The stanzas describe a dying man, thrashing about in the surf, struggling to keep his head above water. But the people walking by on shore simply nod with a smile and continue on, confusing the man’s frantic struggle for survival with a friendly wave.

How many people do we run into each day who are fighting to keep their head above water in life? Are we simply nodding with a smile when what that person really needs is help carrying their burdens? Although we may not be able to solve all their problems, a simple word of encouragement is sometimes enough to lift the weight of the world off their shoulders. But to do that we have to be tuned in to the lives of the people around us and God’s leading. Be willing to stop, listen, and care.

Dear Lord, we ask that we would be sensitive to those around us. Help us to see those in need and help them and not just wave. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Happy birthday America 2018

John 8:36 (ESV)

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

We live in the United States. The United States of America was started over 225 years ago. That seems very old. But the ideas it was started with are still important. Americans are free to live where they want, and say what they believe, and to worship God where they would like to do so. These are BIG Freedoms. Some other countries don’t have those freedoms. Today we are celebrating Independence Day: the day our country declared its independence (or freedom) from rule by others. It takes hard work and sacrifice to keep our country safe and free. These may include: Veterans, persons in the armed forces, first responders, statesmen, citizens, etc.)

When our county started, the people then fought a great war for America. They were victorious in that fight! and they started a new country here, the United States of America. They had a new flag for their new country. Each thing in our flag means something special. The stars represent the number of states we have now. The stripes represent the number of states America started with (13, 7 red & 6 white). Even the colors of the flag mean special things.

 RED – COURAGE

 WHITE – PURITY

 BLUE – FAITHFULNESS

As we know there was a man named Jesus, who was and is the Son of God, who came to earth many years ago, way back before America was started. Jesus came to set us all free. He came to set us free from sin and death. He was COURAGEOUS because He stood up to evil and did what was right. He was PURE because He was the Son of God and because He never did anything wrong. He was FAITHFUL to do what He came to do, even though it was very hard. And in the end He was victorious and WON over sin and death.

HE came to set people FREE, not only in this country, but in every country all over the world. He came for all people who would believe in Him, no matter where they lived or when they lived. He came for all people everywhere!

Jesus came to save us! He came to set us free!

Dear Lord,  We come to You this July 4th, grateful for our country and grateful for the men and women who gave their lives so that we might be free. We proclaim our allegiance to our country and total dedication to You. May Your name be praised and celebrated throughout our country on this our joyous national holiday. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.