OUR DEVOTIONAL
Wow!! Did you get it? Good, then this devotion is done… But for the other 99.9% of us, let’s take another look at this. If you’re reading a paper Bible, you’ll probably see these words in red. We can thank Louis Klopsch, the owner of Christian Herald Magazine, who in 1899 thought, “Why not make Jesus words jump out at us?” He then published the first modern rubricated Bible. So now we have red letters to remind us Jesus is talking to us, and there are a lot of red letters on the pages around this text. So let’s break it down and see what Jesus is saying.

Don’t worry about my life? What I’ll do, where I’ll work or go to school, what I’ll wear, what I’ll eat or drink and what I look like. Those are probably the most stressful subjects for people. Maybe you’re not stressing on issues, but you have probably been around over-stressed people. It can stress you out just listening to someone stress out. Stress (worrying) is everywhere.

May I say let’s add the word “trust me” after those “worry” items. Because if we trust him, then those big issues seem a little smaller. Because to worry is to be anxious, and we have a lot that we can be anxious about. I am anxious about “___________” (write in your list), then ask God if He is worried about it, too. I’m pretty sure you know the answer, but sometimes we need to look at something to realize that a big problem needs a big answer.

How big is God in your life? Can he handle your issues? My red letters tell me yes! But sometimes I look at the mountains of issues to stress about, and then I hear His calm voice saying “WHY ARE YOU WORRYING, DON’T YOU TRUST ME?” I hate when that happens because it is Him reminding me (again) to look at Him not my problems. But I’m just a man; I believe, but I also get sidetracked and lose focus.

I also need others in my life to remind me. Joe, my mentor of over 30 years, recently passed away. But last summer I needed a lot of prayer, and I was texting Joe my daily prayer request. And at one point he said, “Remember what we taught you: even with piles of prayer request, our God is able.” I’ll miss Joe, but I’ll remember his calm demeanor as he spoke into my life to remind me of who I am in Christ.

So are you facing big problems? Don’t get a bigger hammer… Get a bigger God—and since you already have a bigger God, then trust in Him. He is always there for you. Verse 33 is the antidote to worry “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

If we continue to seek Him, then He will take care of our needs. So on your list you wrote of anxious things, write “but He will provide for me as I trust Him.” Now while we live day by day, trusting, waiting and watching for His promise, let’s relax a little and seek His righteousness in all of our lives.

FAMILY MOMENT

1. Tell the kids you’re going to Disneyland and watch them lose it! (Okay, don’t ACTUALLY do this.) What If God told you “yes” to something you want but you don’t see happening yet? Would you believe Him? Your kids will believe you for a few minutes about Disneyland because they trust you (again, don’t tell them about Disneyland). How about trying this with a more realistic treat and see their reactions, then actually give it to them. Then ask yourself, “What does God see me do when He tells me something?”
2. Ask everyone what are things they trust in, and then ask if God has something to do with it?