Therefore I say unto 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 the life more than food, and the body than clothing? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? (Matt 6:25, 27)

Our lives are filled with decisions. Everyday we must decide on things that range along a pendulum of things. Things that at one moment may have little impact, yet things on the other hand are matters that may have lasting impact. Decisions are part of life and concern for our involvement in them is legitimate. While concern is a clear-headed response to a present need, worry is not. Our scripture passage today reminds us not to worry over the things that you have common need for. Four times in His discourse on Mt 6:25-34, Jesus declares “do not worry.” God knows your needs, so “do not worry.” Worry is concern on steroids. Worry is an attacking agent that disturbs, distorts, confuses, and creates emotional unrest. Worry is a weapon of the enemy to immobilize the child of God from their “walk by faith” (2 Cor 5:7) and from knowing the pleasure of God’s peace, rest, and joy. Worry distracts our focus toward the results we desire rather than looking to receive what God has prepared. At the core of all worry is fear. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear” (1 John 4:18). The weapon against worry is knowing God’s love. Worry is inconsistent faith because we focus on the lesser rather than the Greater. When we allow our focus to be on ourselves, it is in those moments that we miss out on God’s love and care for us. God is the Creator of all things, yet by faith, do we believe He is the Sustainer for all things. God cares for the lesser things like the birds of the air and the flowers in the field, how much more will He care for you? “Are you not of more value than they?” God cares for all His creation. By trusting in His care, we come to know the depth of His love and look to receive from Him in the daily decisions we make. My friend, God loves you and has prepare in this day to care for your every need according to His riches in glory. Father, thank You for Your tremendous love, care, and provisions for our every need. Thank You that our greatest need in life is provided through faith in Your Son, Jesus. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

Blessings are upon the head of the just…the memory of the just is blessed. (Prov 10:6-7)

I pray you had great worship on this past Lord’s Day in your local church! It was great to celebrate the achievement and success with our graduates this week. Their future success is yet to be determined in how well they will use their achievement to bless others or use it for personal gain. Our scripture passage today declares to us that “blessings are upon the head of the Just.” Blessings are bestowed upon the righteous like a crown. The blessing of a crown is in the weight it carries. It is a weight of responsibility that carries with it “the capacity to experience, enjoy and extend the goodness of God in your life” (Kingdom Man, p.105). The blessings of the child of God are eternal and are received in obedience to the word of God. The joy of God’s blessing in one’s life is experienced when His blessings are extended and share with others, so that they may know the goodness of God and His love for them. Blessings are not about one’s personal gain, but for God’s glory. As we grow to know God’s goodness in our life, the more meaningful and marvelous He becomes, and we share His goodness with others.  God’s goodness may be shared through words of encouragement, a visit with someone who is alone or withdrawn, selfless time devoted to the interest of another, or giving to a need. How we receive God’s blessings and the manner for which they are extended to others determines success in life. Success in life is not in the number of blessings gained, but in the blessings given to others for the glory of God. My friend, how will you be remembered? By what is gained or by how well you gave? “The memory of the just is blessed.” God wants to bless you that you may share in His blessing to others. Father, thank You for all your many blessings. They are more than can ever be contained. Lead us to place where Your blessing is most needed and open our eyes and our heart to bless according to Your goodness. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. (2 Cor 13:14)

This week and throughout this month, many students will close a chapter of their life as they mark a level of accomplishment and graduate to venture into another life journey. The time recognizes the graduate’s achievements and accomplishments, but also acknowledges those who shared and supported the graduate throughout the journey. The time refocuses for the opportunities that lie ahead that begin the next journey. The time also reminds them of the continued help they need for the journey ahead. Our scripture passage today provides to us the closing comments by the Apostle Paul written to the beloved church at Corinth. Paul’s letters to the church at Corinth were filled with instruction to teach them, guidance to direct them, and counsel to correct them. On occasion his words seem harsh but never hounding, chastening but never crushing, caring but never criticizing as he is “compelled by the love of Christ” and led by the Holy Spirit to guide this local church in their faith and destiny as believers in Jesus Christ. He recognizes to them, the journey that lay ahead and the resources they have available to endeavor in a manner that pleases God and glorifies Jesus as their Savior. Paul declares to them, and to us, the necessities for life. “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost.” What a marvelous declaration to give for anyone’s journey in life with the encouragement that God spoke to Joshua as he began a new chapter in the life of the children of Israel. “Be strong and of a good courage…only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law” (Josh 1:6-7) until the Lord gives you rest (Josh 1:14). My friend, our Lord desires to bless you in life. He has provided you salvation through his Son Jesus, the promise hope of eternal security in His word, the strength of the resurrection by the indwelling Holy Spirit that you have a new life with Him for eternity. This our hope and this is our success in life. Father, thank You for the blessed hope we have through Christ Jesus our Lord and all we ever need, or more than we can contain, is from You. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.