December 17, 2022
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in our Advent readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 17 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Year of Popularity
Read Sections 3.29 through 3.32 (pages 48-49)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
If you observe our society, the obsession over food, drink, and clothes is pretty high. Even those of us that don’t have to worry financially about whether we have them at all, instead we spend a great deal of time wanting better or more. Want constituting “need” for us has gone far outside that scope and is more about “want”.
We judge each other based on these things and many are marching down that wide path only concerned about the fleeting things of this world. Our focus should be on God. Humble and repentant, we should not let earthly things distract us from our purpose of bringing glory to Him in all we do and say!
I’ve always enjoyed the ocean since I was 2 1/2 years old and in the water everyday in the summer hardly coming out to eat lunch. At 10. Had a boat at my disposal. Like a child on Christmas Eve. I wouldn’t sleep if I knew I was going out in that boat the next day. In potters pond. The rougher the better. I’ve never lost that love. Still love going to the ocean. Always loved corvettes since I was a kid. Loved camping. Loved sports. But nothing compares to my relationship with the only true holy God. Give it all up in a heartbeat if I had to lose my salvation. But that’s not possible. I’m so blessed I get teary eyed when I pray sometimes that I have a loving, healthy wife and family and a successful business. Because I am just a laborer, My Father in heaven is the owner. God being sovereign over all things takes away all worry. I’ve seen too many miracles to believe any other way
It has really struck me in reading these passages how Jesus is calling us to things that run contrary to how we would otherwise operate. It will take dependence on Him to get there, but how wise Jesus is to teach these things and lead us there. When we recognize the physical provisions we need for life, how easy it is to worry when those things feel threatened. And yet Jesus tells us we don’t need to. God will take care of us. The question is, will we believe and stop worrying and pursuing ungodly means to attain things? And how normal it is for us to compensate for what is lacking in us by judging others. But Jesus wisely says, don’t do it. We are far more aware of the issues in our souls, then being condescending towards the things going on in others lives. It is fine for us to confront, support and encourage, but we are not to judge.
And there are no better words than for the God of the universe to come to us and say keep asking, keep seeking and keep knocking, because I will meet you with what you need. And yet how little we do the small part Jesus is asking of us? How often we put more effort in developing and implementing our solutions than bringing our needs before God. God’s provisions will often times involve our participation, but how often we act without asking. Because Jesus is right, his way is narrow, it is hard to die to self and follow His way…and few there be that find it. And boy is the way wide leading people away from God…and many in our day are taking it hook, line and sinker! How important it to call from the narrow road and ask people on the broad way to join us….
Day 17
3.29 – 3.32
Here’s God’s message to me, yet again, “do not worry.” He keeps repeating Himself. 😀
When I start to worry it helps to shift my thinking about a verse in the Bible, an act of obedience to God or something good I can do for others. Then I can move beyond my worrisome thoughts and do something positive. When I am discouraged or angry at someone, it helps to understand that Jesus calls us to treat others the way we want to be treated. This is not easy, but it separates us from worldly people and keeps us from becoming bitter and resentful. And how often I try to solve my problems on my own without asking God for his help first. When I do this, I get out of his will and things don’t work out too well. So now I am trying to ask him for the solutions, trust him and wait patiently for the answers.