Greetings everyone and welcome to today's edition of ...
Learn and Grow with Jesus EVERYDAY .
Today's Topic is: Why Worry Part II
Date: Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Bible Reading: Luke 12:27-31NIV
“Consider how the wildflowers 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 12:27-31 NIV
Discussion Question: What does it mean to seek the kingdom first?
One of the most devastating tragedies one can face is putting in so much time, effort, resources, and energy toward the things that, in the end, won’t matter in the least. Just imagine how pathetic and sad you would look if that were you. There is one thing I learned first-hand in my early years of marriage - never ever assume you know exactly what your wife likes, needs, or prefers - always take the time to ask, because human needs, wants, desires, and inclinations are subject to change without notice. I say this because it would save you a lot of headache and disappointment only if you take the time to inquire and not work with assumptions.
Have you ever wondered why David always inquired of the Lord even when his new challenge is similar or identical to his last conquest? God's love, mercies, and instructions are NEW EVERY MORNING, and no one understood this better than David. He never applied God's previous instruction on a new challenge, he always inquired and sought fresh insight from God for every new matter. That was the strategy that ensured that David never ever lost a battle in his lifetime.
How often do we apply an old solution to a new problem and expect a positive outcome? Jesus taught that “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.” Mark 2:21-22 NIV.
Imagine all the effort, energy, resources, and time we would save if we knew what was truly necessary and required of us, and commit to that only. Having the right information is key.
Remember the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. Jesus was visiting with them and they both had the privilege of His presence and full attention. They both had to choose how they would make the most of the rare opportunity of having the Lord in their own house without the distractions of the multitudes outside. Mary chose to worship at the feet of the Master. Martha chose service to the Master and His delegation. Both exercised their discretionary right to choose and whatever they chose was theirs for the asking. Mary chose to seek first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness while Martha chose to worry about what to eat and what to drink. Nothing was inherently wrong with either of their choice, but one chose peace and rest at the foot of the Lord, and the other chose to worry and anxiety and reaped a lot of stress, bitterness, anger, and frustration.
When Martha complained to Jesus, she asked the Lord, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” And Jesus responded, “Martha, Martha, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42 NIV.
Martha wearied herself with "service" though important, but it was the least in the order of priority for Jesus. Think about this for a moment.
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness and everything else shall be added unto you. Even though Mary sat at the foot of Jesus and listened to His teachings while Martha did all the preparations and cooking, I am sure Mary still shared in the meals served and had her fill, but Martha on the other hand, missed out on everything Jesus taught while she cooked. I bet she did because what Jesus taught that day in their home while Martha prepared the meals isn't recorded anywhere in the bible.
Hard work on the wrong priority is vain work. Take the time to find out what's the utmost priority is and stay focused on that. If you waste your time, energy and resources on other priorities of the least importance, you will end up bitter, angry and sad because your effort will neither be recognized, appreciated nor celebrated.
Today, Jesus is teaching us that the best way to curb worry, anxiety, and sadness is by constantly accessing the most current or right information and doing the needful with it. All things are permissible but not all things are beneficial. Be wise.
Stay uplifted in Christ always and live cheerfully everyday
Leader Chinedu Nicholas Obodo for EXOLOM Fellowship. Find us at exolom.com
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