Luke
I've read this passage so often, the one about not worrying, found in Luke 12:22-34. How do we revive the meaning in a passage that is already stuck in our heads, half-memorized, and losing meaning? We have the head knowledge, that Jesus told us not to worry, because God cares for us. But somehow we've got to translate those words into action. That's what the entire Christian life is about, isn't it? Translating what we know to be true into actual actions so that what we know changes our lives. A key part to that transformation is prayer, and then letting God just take over. We have to give up our will and desire to stress about things that are important to us, and simply (and not so simply) let God get involved.
I think a key verse here is verse 31 - "Seek first his kingdom, and then..." If we start getting worried about our lives, chances are our focus is not first on God, but rather on our circumstances. Take a step back and re-evaluate. Are you seeking first his kingdom?
Showing posts with label worry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label worry. Show all posts
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
God almost killed Moses
Key verses
Matthew 10:29-31 - Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Exodus
It's a good thing that God had a pharaoh come in that didn't know Joseph, or else the Israelites may have stayed there forever in peace with the Egyptians and not shone as a light to all nations.
Exodus 4:24 intrigued me because we just read about God being friendly to Moses, talking to him and giving him a mission to carry out, and then in verse 24, God is about to kill Moses, but Zipporah intervenes. I read a few commentaries online, and Wesley's notes interested me the most, largely because of the way he phrased his statement regarding the relationship between God and Moses [see bolded part below].
"It seems the sin of Moses, was neglecting to circumcise his son, which perhaps was the effect of his being unequally yoked with a Midianite, who was too indulgent of her child, and Moses so of her. The Lord met him, and, probably, by a sword in an angel's hand, sought to kill him - This was a great change. Very lately God was conversing with him as a friend, and now coming forth against him as an enemy. In this case of necessity Zipporah herself circumcised the child without delay; whether with passionate words, expressing the dislike of the ordinance itself, or at least the administration of it to so young a child."
Matthew 10:29-31 - Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Exodus
It's a good thing that God had a pharaoh come in that didn't know Joseph, or else the Israelites may have stayed there forever in peace with the Egyptians and not shone as a light to all nations.
Exodus 4:24 intrigued me because we just read about God being friendly to Moses, talking to him and giving him a mission to carry out, and then in verse 24, God is about to kill Moses, but Zipporah intervenes. I read a few commentaries online, and Wesley's notes interested me the most, largely because of the way he phrased his statement regarding the relationship between God and Moses [see bolded part below].
"It seems the sin of Moses, was neglecting to circumcise his son, which perhaps was the effect of his being unequally yoked with a Midianite, who was too indulgent of her child, and Moses so of her. The Lord met him, and, probably, by a sword in an angel's hand, sought to kill him - This was a great change. Very lately God was conversing with him as a friend, and now coming forth against him as an enemy. In this case of necessity Zipporah herself circumcised the child without delay; whether with passionate words, expressing the dislike of the ordinance itself, or at least the administration of it to so young a child."
Friday, December 31, 2010
Last Post of the Year
Thanks to everyone who has tracked with me through 2010. Here is the last post of the year, and I hope you'll come again in 2011.
Matthew
Worry. The passage in the Sermon on the Mount that addresses worrying is so straightforward and understandable, yet quite difficult (in my view) to put into practice. I understand and desire to live without worry, but somehow, I let it creep into my life. This is a great example of when we can use prayer! Whenever you worry, hopefully you will realize what you're doing, and when you do, bring that issue to God. Even if it's a "small" thing, mention it to God and lay it at his feet. And keep doing that as long as the issue comes to mind. We may worry about a lot of things, but when we let God into the picture, we can start letting go.
Matthew
Worry. The passage in the Sermon on the Mount that addresses worrying is so straightforward and understandable, yet quite difficult (in my view) to put into practice. I understand and desire to live without worry, but somehow, I let it creep into my life. This is a great example of when we can use prayer! Whenever you worry, hopefully you will realize what you're doing, and when you do, bring that issue to God. Even if it's a "small" thing, mention it to God and lay it at his feet. And keep doing that as long as the issue comes to mind. We may worry about a lot of things, but when we let God into the picture, we can start letting go.
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