Sufficient for the day is its own trouble

Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. These words, spoken by the Savior (Matthew 6:34), clearly indicate that He was well aware of the trials and issues of life that plague believer and unbeliever alike. There is no limit to the burdens that accompany a life lived in a sin cursed world. A pain free, hassle free, problem free life is impossible at this point in history. And it is these things coupled with the many uncertainties in life that can cause great anxiety.

But Christ wants to communicate some things to encourage the hearts of those whom He has saved by His grace. In this passage, beginning in verse 25, we are commanded not to worry three times.

Since "do not worry" is a command, what this means is that it is not in the will of God for you. We could even say that worry is a sin. There is a tendency to view worry or anxiety as allowable and yet, would we consider another sin, such as murder allowable?

Christ not only commanded His child not to worry, but gave some reasons why it is not necessary. He mentions that it doesn't help or fix anything (v 27). - and while we all will vouch for that on paper, rarely are we impacted by this truth. Paul was pretty emphatic with the Philippians: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (4:6-7).

Another reason we are not to worry is because of WHO is taking care of us. Our Savior referred to the all knowing, all powerful God of the universe as our "Heavenly Father" (v 32). There is not a more loving and caring Father in the universe than ours. Christ told us plainly that He KNOWS what we need (v 32). If our Heavenly Father is taking care of little sparrows that in the eyes of man have very little value, Can we not rest in the reality that "we are of much greater value than they". If He is in such control and cares when even a little bird falls to the ground, why would you even begin to doubt His care for you?

The cure for worry is given in verse 33: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Are you casting your burden upon the Lord for you know He cares for you? Are you seeking His face by faith and waiting patiently for Him? He will never leave us nor forsake us, His grace is sufficient for the trouble we will face today. So rest in Him.

This is Monday and Mondays certainly mean different things to different people. Some love Mondays as it gets them back into a routine in life that they appreciate and enjoy - but it seems that the prevailing view is the Mondays are unwelcomed, at least to some degree. Mondays indicate the start of a new work week or a new week of school or a new week of the same old - same old. Some know, to a degree, what is coming and have certian expectations, others do not know what to anticipate.

What I have found is that every Monday for me is different. Since I do not have a crystal ball, I do not give a tremendous thought to what "might" be. But I do recognize that every Monday begins a week in which my Heavenly Father has a number of things in store for me that are designed to remind me of His grace, His mercy, and His love as He seeks to work in and through me to accomplish His will for my life.

It is comforting to know that "my times are in His hands" (Psalm 31:15) and that "His compassions are new every morning, Great is His faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23). I know that what ever is in store, there are opportunities to see that "I am not sufficient of myself to think anything as of myself and that His grace is sufficient" (2 Cor 3:5-6, 12:9-10). I know that "all things are working together for good" and therefore can "rejoice evermore" (1 Thessalonians 5:6). This forms a backdrop for me to "strive according to His working" (Colossians 1:28-29), knowing that the believer's "labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Dear believer in Christ, My you be resting in His all sufficient grace as you labor in love for Him this week.

You cannot see me but I have a large grin on my face. Forgive my child like glee, but this is the first blog I have ever fiddled with. At times technology excites me and at times it scares me. The one thing that reassures me regardless of my emotional condition and current circumstance in life is the unfailing promises available to me in the Word of God that I can take comfort in because of my salvation in Christ. When I placed my complete trust in the finished work of Christ, who purchased my salvation with His once-and-for-all sacrifice for my sins, I received, along with eternal life, a position in Christ in which I received all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). Now personal comfort is mine for the taking by faith as I entrust my life moment by moment to my Savior's care. I wonder at times how many are longing for internal peace and yet will not come to the Prince of Peace to who said in Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." The Lord Jesus Christ will give His perfect peace abundantly to those whose mind is stayed upon Him (Isaiah 26:3). I sincerely hope that all who happen to read this post will know the truth of Philippians 4:6-7 which states "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Not only does God offer a full and free salvation to any and all who simply receive it by faith, He offers His perfect peace on the same basis - simple trust in Who He is and What He has accomplished for us on the cross in dying for all of our sins.

Upcoming Events

• April 18-19........................Young People Banquets @ DBC
• April 18..............................Church Work Day
• April 25.............................11 am - Ladies Tea for Marilyn
• May 15-16.........................Young People Saturation Weekend @ DBC
• June 4-6.............................Men's Camping Trip
• June 8-10...........................Silver Bay VBS
• June 22-24.........................Marcell VBS
• June 29-July 1...................Vacation Bible School
• July 6-8..............................Clarissa VBS
• July 5-7..............................Sr High Young People's Outdoor Thing @ DBC
• July 20-22..........................Milwaukee VBS
• July 26 or Aug 2.................Church Picnic & Baptism
• August 19-23......................Evangelistic Outreach at the Itasca County Fair
• August 8-23........................Bible Camps
  
• September 11.......................Young Peoples Annual Fall Kick-Off @ DBC
• September 18-20................College Age and Up Fall Retreat
• September 27....................10 Year Anniversary
• October 14-18....................Fall Bible Conference
• November 13-14................Young People's Saturation Weekend
• December 13......................Christmas Program
• December 31......................New Year's Service