Matthew 6:25-34 NLT “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today".
I preached a sermon, “Live One Day At A Time”. In that sermon I said:
1) We Can’t Control Tomorrow
Proverbs 27:1 says,
Proverbs 27:1 NIV Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
Here's the way it's written in The Message paraphrase of the Bible;
Proverbs 27:1 MSG Don’t brashly announce what you’re going to do tomorrow; you don’t know the first thing about tomorrow.
No one is assured of a tomorrow because God holds the times and seasons in His hand.
Proverbs 16:9 in The Message says
Proverbs 16:9 MSG We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.
That is why we need to commit our today and all our future plans into God’s hands.
2) There Is Enough Trouble For Today
Not only can’t we control tomorrow, we don’t even know what may happen today. There are two possible ways people could wake up in the morning. One group cheerfully says, ‘Good morning, Lord”, while the other says, ‘Good Lord, it's morning’! Therefore, let’s place our todays in God’s hands for He is always in control.
Sadly, many people are either living with regret over the past or with anxiety over the future.
Here is something for those with regret over the past;
Philippians 3:12-14 NIV Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
This for those worrying about the future;
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Yes, each day has troubles of its own, but remember;
Psalm 68:19 NIV Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.
Jesus taught us to pray that God meet our needs daily;
Matthew 6:11 NIV Give us today our daily bread.
3) Once today is over its not coming back
A day that ends can never be reclaimed.
Let’s say someone deposits $86,400 a day to your bank account. The only catch is that you have to spend it all the same day. If you don't spend it they will take it back. Now most of us won't hesitate in spending the money every day. Well God blesses us with 86,400 seconds every day, which can never be re-claimed. So let's use the time wisely.
4) God Will Meet Tomorrow’s Needs
This is so true if we are willing to give Him the first place in our lives. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”.
Our future is totally secure in Jesus!
God usually doesn’t show us what tomorrow holds. Maybe it’s simply because He wants us to trust Him for tomorrow.
Let’s learn to live “one day at a time”, completely trusting our Lord Jesus Christ! Let's not miss the opportunities God gives us every day. Let us ask, “Lord, what will You have me do today”?
I preached a sermon, “Live One Day At A Time”. In that sermon I said:
1) We Can’t Control Tomorrow
Proverbs 27:1 says,
Proverbs 27:1 NIV Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
Here's the way it's written in The Message paraphrase of the Bible;
Proverbs 27:1 MSG Don’t brashly announce what you’re going to do tomorrow; you don’t know the first thing about tomorrow.
No one is assured of a tomorrow because God holds the times and seasons in His hand.
Proverbs 16:9 in The Message says
Proverbs 16:9 MSG We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.
That is why we need to commit our today and all our future plans into God’s hands.
2) There Is Enough Trouble For Today
Not only can’t we control tomorrow, we don’t even know what may happen today. There are two possible ways people could wake up in the morning. One group cheerfully says, ‘Good morning, Lord”, while the other says, ‘Good Lord, it's morning’! Therefore, let’s place our todays in God’s hands for He is always in control.
Sadly, many people are either living with regret over the past or with anxiety over the future.
Here is something for those with regret over the past;
Philippians 3:12-14 NIV Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
This for those worrying about the future;
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Yes, each day has troubles of its own, but remember;
Psalm 68:19 NIV Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.
Jesus taught us to pray that God meet our needs daily;
Matthew 6:11 NIV Give us today our daily bread.
3) Once today is over its not coming back
A day that ends can never be reclaimed.
Let’s say someone deposits $86,400 a day to your bank account. The only catch is that you have to spend it all the same day. If you don't spend it they will take it back. Now most of us won't hesitate in spending the money every day. Well God blesses us with 86,400 seconds every day, which can never be re-claimed. So let's use the time wisely.
4) God Will Meet Tomorrow’s Needs
This is so true if we are willing to give Him the first place in our lives. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”.
Our future is totally secure in Jesus!
God usually doesn’t show us what tomorrow holds. Maybe it’s simply because He wants us to trust Him for tomorrow.
Let’s learn to live “one day at a time”, completely trusting our Lord Jesus Christ! Let's not miss the opportunities God gives us every day. Let us ask, “Lord, what will You have me do today”?
Don’t Stress Out! Trust God to Provide for You
Since he did not spare even his own Son for us but gave him up for us all, won’t he also surely give us everything else?”(Romans 8:32 TLB).
The major cause of stress in your life is worry. You worry because you wonder if you will have what you need when you need it. But anytime you expect other people to meet your needs instead of God, you’re going to be frustrated and disappointed, because nobody on Earth can meet all your needs. Only God can do that.
If you want a cure for stress, learn to look to God to meet your needs.
Some people find their security in their job, and when they lose their job, they lose their peace of mind.
Others put their security in their marriage. Then their spouse dies or they go through a divorce, and they ask, “Who am I? What is my identity?”
Or maybe you put your security in your money. There are a lot of ways to lose your money.
I recommend that you never put your security in anything that can be taken away from you. You can lose your job, your health, your reputation, your spouse, and your mind. But you cannot lose your relationship with Christ.
When you put your security in that promise, you can trust God to meet all your needs.
Romans 8:32 says, “Since he did not spare even his own Son for us but gave him up for us all, won’t he also surely give us everything else?”(TLB).
If God loved you enough to send Jesus Christ to die on the cross, don’t you think he loves you enough to take care of every other need in your life? Yes! Of course he does.
Every time you start to get stressed out, pause and say, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want”(Psalm 23:1 ESV).
God’s going to provide. He’s going to take care of you. Instead of stressing out, look to him to meet all your needs.
A Prayer To Stop Worrying
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT, second edition).
It takes more than willpower to stop worrying. You already know that, because you’ve already tried it. You’ve thought, “I shouldn’t worry about this,” and yet you just keep on worrying about it.
Jesus says in Matthew 6:32, “People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things” (MSG). If you don’t have a relationship with God, you have every reason to worry. You’ve got to get to know God! As a believer, you have a heavenly Father who has promised to take care of you. You are God’s child, and children get special privileges. When you worry, God says, “You’re my child. Why are you acting like an orphan?”
Matthew 6:31-33 says, “Don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing …. Your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to” (TLB). Any time you take God out of the center of your life and put anything else there — no matter how good it is — you’re going to worry.
The Bible says, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34 NCV). If you’re worrying about tomorrow, you can’t enjoy today. You miss today’s blessings. It’s OK to plan for tomorrow, but you have to live for today. Also, when you’re always worried about tomorrow, the future gets overwhelming. But God will give you the grace and strength you need when you get there. Right now, you only need enough power for today.
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT, second edition). How do you do that? One way is to memorize God’s promises in the Bible. They’re like an insurance policy for believers. When you know something’s covered, you don’t worry about it anymore. Another way is to pray. If you prayed as much as you worried, you’d have a lot less to worry about.
Pray this prayer today: “Dear Father, I Admit That I Often Forget That You Are With Me. I Often Forget What You’re Like. Would You Please Forgive Me For That? I Need To Get To Know You Better. I Need To Get To Know Your Word And Your Promises Better. Help Me To Put You First In Every Area Of My Life. Help Me To Live One Day At A Time. Help Me To Not Worry About Tomorrow But Instead Focus On What You’re Doing In My Life Right Now. I Want To Trust In Your Promise To Take Care Of Every One Of My Needs — Financial, Relational, Physical, Social, Spiritual, And Emotional. Help Me To Trust You More And Worry Less. I Pray In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
Editor’s Note: “Don’t Stress Out! Trust God to Provide for You” and “A Prayer to Stop Worrying” written by Rick Warren
Since he did not spare even his own Son for us but gave him up for us all, won’t he also surely give us everything else?”(Romans 8:32 TLB).
The major cause of stress in your life is worry. You worry because you wonder if you will have what you need when you need it. But anytime you expect other people to meet your needs instead of God, you’re going to be frustrated and disappointed, because nobody on Earth can meet all your needs. Only God can do that.
If you want a cure for stress, learn to look to God to meet your needs.
Some people find their security in their job, and when they lose their job, they lose their peace of mind.
Others put their security in their marriage. Then their spouse dies or they go through a divorce, and they ask, “Who am I? What is my identity?”
Or maybe you put your security in your money. There are a lot of ways to lose your money.
I recommend that you never put your security in anything that can be taken away from you. You can lose your job, your health, your reputation, your spouse, and your mind. But you cannot lose your relationship with Christ.
When you put your security in that promise, you can trust God to meet all your needs.
Romans 8:32 says, “Since he did not spare even his own Son for us but gave him up for us all, won’t he also surely give us everything else?”(TLB).
If God loved you enough to send Jesus Christ to die on the cross, don’t you think he loves you enough to take care of every other need in your life? Yes! Of course he does.
Every time you start to get stressed out, pause and say, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want”(Psalm 23:1 ESV).
God’s going to provide. He’s going to take care of you. Instead of stressing out, look to him to meet all your needs.
A Prayer To Stop Worrying
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT, second edition).
It takes more than willpower to stop worrying. You already know that, because you’ve already tried it. You’ve thought, “I shouldn’t worry about this,” and yet you just keep on worrying about it.
Jesus says in Matthew 6:32, “People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things” (MSG). If you don’t have a relationship with God, you have every reason to worry. You’ve got to get to know God! As a believer, you have a heavenly Father who has promised to take care of you. You are God’s child, and children get special privileges. When you worry, God says, “You’re my child. Why are you acting like an orphan?”
Matthew 6:31-33 says, “Don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing …. Your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to” (TLB). Any time you take God out of the center of your life and put anything else there — no matter how good it is — you’re going to worry.
The Bible says, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34 NCV). If you’re worrying about tomorrow, you can’t enjoy today. You miss today’s blessings. It’s OK to plan for tomorrow, but you have to live for today. Also, when you’re always worried about tomorrow, the future gets overwhelming. But God will give you the grace and strength you need when you get there. Right now, you only need enough power for today.
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT, second edition). How do you do that? One way is to memorize God’s promises in the Bible. They’re like an insurance policy for believers. When you know something’s covered, you don’t worry about it anymore. Another way is to pray. If you prayed as much as you worried, you’d have a lot less to worry about.
Pray this prayer today: “Dear Father, I Admit That I Often Forget That You Are With Me. I Often Forget What You’re Like. Would You Please Forgive Me For That? I Need To Get To Know You Better. I Need To Get To Know Your Word And Your Promises Better. Help Me To Put You First In Every Area Of My Life. Help Me To Live One Day At A Time. Help Me To Not Worry About Tomorrow But Instead Focus On What You’re Doing In My Life Right Now. I Want To Trust In Your Promise To Take Care Of Every One Of My Needs — Financial, Relational, Physical, Social, Spiritual, And Emotional. Help Me To Trust You More And Worry Less. I Pray In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
Editor’s Note: “Don’t Stress Out! Trust God to Provide for You” and “A Prayer to Stop Worrying” written by Rick Warren
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