06/28/2020
We hope you had a great Sabbath! Here's something to think about and take with you through the week ahead.
Wake-Up Call - June 28, 2020
It’s not God’s desire that we live in fear–for fear is the opposite of “faith.” However, there are times when God uses fear to wake us up and face our own faults and failures. This was certainly the case for Jacob when he heard his brother Esau was coming to see him along with 400 men. Jacob was absolutely terrified and quickly put a plan into action. The Bible says in Genesis 32:6-8 that “Jacob was so frightened that he divided his people . . . into two groups,” thinking, “If Esau attacks one group, perhaps the other can escape.” God responded to Jacob’s passionate prayer for protection and touched the heart of not only Jacob, but his brother as well. Jacob was impressed to send his brother gifts and ask for forgiveness–and Esau’s heart was softened–forgiving the sin his brother committed so many years before. The fear that had been in Jacob’s heart actually helped him see his own faults and God gave him the strength and courage to make things right. Instead of allowing fear to destroy you, let it be a “wake up call” to examine your life, making the changes God wants you to make, and turning your fears over to God. Text: Philippians 4:16, Matthew 6:25-34, Proverbs 3:5-6, Luke 12:24-34
Philippians 4:16 NKJV - For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.
Matthew 6:25-34 NKJV - "Therefore I say to you, do not worry 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? "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; "and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV - Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Luke 12:24-34 NKJV - "Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? "And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? "If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? "Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. "If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? "And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. "For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. "But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. "Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.