Posted by
JTB on Thursday, July 12, 2007 8:12:55 AM
Do Not Worry (Luke 12:22-34)
Then
Jesus said to his disciples:
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about
your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider
the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn;
yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider
how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not
even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If
that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today,
and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you,
O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell
your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves
that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be
exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Where are our hearts? Who have we talked to, face-to-face, about Jesus? Do we make it a priority?
In Ephesians 6:10-20 Paul describes the "whole armor of God". Most, of course, is defensive; but there is a weapon mentioned in verse 17. Not a ballista or catapult for long range work against masses of foemen, not a bow or javelin for medium range, not even a spear to keep people away. Paul describes the "sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God". The word he used was <a href="">machaira</a> (mä'-khi-rä
) which is essentially a large knife for cutting up meat or a small sword for close, personal contact with the enemy.
We're supposed to get close to people to witness to them. We're supposed to be someone they trust. No "fishbowl evangelism". No "catch and release". No "long range snipers". We're to be up so close we can smell them--and they us!
When you're that close to someone, they know who you are, how you live your life, and whether you're telling them what you believe enough to live by (or not). It's "dangerous". They might reject you or the message or both. But that's why we're to "seek his kingdom" and not our own... We're soldiers. We're either in His army or in the enemies camp.
The time to choose is now.
May God richly bless you and give you peace as you do His will.