Verse of the Day 1/31

 

Matthew 7:11  So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.  New Living Translation (NLT)

 

Last weekend my wife and I had the privilege to watch our 21 month old granddaughter Ava while her parents went out for the evening.  She is sweet, precious and already sharp as a tack.  I can't believe how quick she picks up on things.

 

As we were sitting down watching her play with various toys in our living room I went to get a nice big bowl of Moose Tracks ice cream.  As soon as I sat down, there was Ava, bumping her chest against my knees as should stood in front of me while I took the first spoonful.  She smiled and I didn't even have to ask what she wanted.  I offered her a spoonful (followed  by several more).  I still had plenty for myself, but it was a joy to see the look on her face, the sparkle in her eyes, smile on her face and her appreciation for "gramps" (and the ice cream).  There was no need for her to bargain with me.  She had won me over, the delight was mutual.

 

She came to me and I knew what she wanted.  I wouldn't have thought of giving her a brussel sprout or sawdust (The Message).  Why is it that we hesitate to ask God for things that will bring us joy and that he would be happy to give us?  Is it our pride and our "I can do it, or obtain it myself" attitude that wants to leave God out of the picture?

 

Is there something that you know that God would give you if you would only ask Him for it?  The delight would be mutual, He'd be glad to give it, and you'd gladly receive it with gratitude and praise.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Matthew 7:10-12

The Message (MSG)

^7-11 "Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn't a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing. You're at least decent to your own children. So don't you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?

¹² "Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God's Law and Prophets and this is what you get.

Verse of the Day 1/30

 

Psalm 91:1  He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

We've been considering God's shade, protection and leading through the desert.  Keeping these thoughts in mind and then reading Psalm 91 the words "dwell", "abide", and shadow jump out at me.  Elsewhere in the Bible when we read of abiding and dwelling another word is sometimes used, it is remain.  In John 15 we have the vine and the branches.  The thought can be applied here as well.  Those that remain in Him, in hope, faith and trust will feel at home, will feel His presence, will experience His shadow or shade in those desert times.

 

I read the following quote from "The Lord of the Rings" and it reminded me of this. The great stories of the Bible and many of the great works of fiction are loved and held dear because the speak of and remind us of those who have persevered in faith.  J.R.R. Tolkien writes, "The brave things in the old tales and songs, .... I used to think that they were things the wonderful folk of the stories went out and looked for, because they wanted them, because they were exciting and life was a bit dull, a kind of sport, as you might say.  But that's not the way of it with the tales that really mattered, or the ones that stay in the mind.  Folk seem to have been just landed in them, usually — their paths were laid that way, as you put it.  But I expect they had lots of chances, like us, of turning back, only they didn't.  And if they had, we shouldn't know, because they'd have been forgotten.  We hear about those as just went on — and not all to a good end, mind you; at least not to what folk inside a story and not outside it call a good end.  You know, coming home, and finding things all right, though not quite the same — like old Mr. Bilbo.  But those aren't always the best tales to hear, though they may be the best tales to get landed in!  I wonder what sort of a tale we've fallen into?'"     The Lord of the Rings (Boston, 1994), page 696.

 

Who knows what type of journey we may land in, find ourselves in?  It will be worth remembering, if we persevere through our deserts sheltered by the Almighty,  close enough to Him to remain and abide in His shade, His shadow.  After all, He is the author and finisher of our faith, of our story.

 

Hebrews 12:1-2  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,  (NKJV) 

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Psalm 91:1-13 (MSG) | Whole Chapter

91 ^1-13 You who sit down in the High God's presence,
    spend the night in Shaddai's shadow,
Say this: "God, you're my refuge.
    I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
    shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
    under them you're perfectly safe;
    his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
    not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
    not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
    drop like flies right and left,
    no harm will even graze you.
You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
    watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God's your refuge,
    the High God your very own home,
Evil can't get close to you,
    harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels
    to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you;
    their job is to keep you from falling.
You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
    and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

Verse of the Day 1/29

 

Psalm 121:3 He will not allow your foot to slip;
your Protector will not slumber.  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

When you hear the word desert may picture the rolling sand hills of the Sahara often seen in the movies.  The terrain in the deserts around Israel were quite different.  It was rocky terrain where every step was an opportunity to stumble, to sprain or possibly break your ankle.  Doing so would make your struggle worse, perhaps life threatening.  It was imperative that they keep their eyes open for the pitfalls along the path.

 

Going through this passage and this verse, I was reminded of Paul's words in Ephesians 5:15, especially in the NKJV  which tells us " See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,".  The idea is to be walking with your eyes "wide open" to all that is going on around you.  Being aware of your situation.  It also involves being aware, as we considered yesterday, of the opportunities for shade, not only for ourselves but to help provide shade for others that need it.

 

I don't think I've ever quoted a Johnny Cash song before in these devotionals, but the song "Walk the Line" came to mind, especially this stanza:

 

I keep a close watch on this heart of mine,
I keep my eyes wide open all the time,
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds,
Because you're mine, I walk the line.

 

Keeping our eyes wide open, in allowing God to lead and direct our steps around the pitfalls,  He will keep us from stumbling day by day, even, or perhaps especially through those desert places.

 

Psalm 116:8 -9 For you have delivered my soul from death,
    my eyes from tears,
    my feet from stumbling;
⁹ I will walk before the Lord
    in the land of the living.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Psalm 121:2-4

The Message (MSG)

A Pilgrim Song

121 ^1-2 I look up to the mountains;
    does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God,
    who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

^3-4 He won't let you stumble,
    your Guardian God won't fall asleep.
Not on your life! Israel's
    Guardian will never doze or sleep.

Verse of the Day 1/28

 Psalm 121:5   The Lord is your keeper;
    the Lord is your shade on your right hand. English Standard Version (ESV)

 

For years when I read verse one I had thought that the psalmist was looking to the hills for help to come.  But I've read commentaries and heard messages stating that the beginning of the verse is a question, one as of someone walking in the desert looking for help, for relief and seeing none anywhere, as far as the eye could see.

 

Our men's Bible study is going through a video series, "Walking With God in the Desert" filmed in the deserts of the Old Testament.  The shade provided as referenced in today's verse was often a broom tree, literally a bush growing along a dry wadi, or riverbed.  It was a bleak area and while the shade was not complete like you would experience under a large oak or even a rock, it was enough to offer "just enough" relief for you to regain your strength and then move on to the next broom tree or possible a desert oasis where your strength could be more fully restored.  It was the type of tree that would have provided shade for  Elijah, Hagar, David and others in the Old Testament.  It is the picture of what can be provided for us today.

 

The "shade at your right hand" provides an image that God is never out of reach, it is as He is as close as your outstretched hand, ready to help, ready to provide shade when you need it most.

 

The other thing that we took out of this is that everybody goes through desert patches, everyone needs shade.  We as believers need shade and we are also to be shade for those around us.  It may be offering hope, encouragement, a meal or transportation for someone in need, perhaps it will be just enough to get them through the day and onto the next shade or possibly oasis.

 

Blessings,

Mike

 

The Message (MSG)

A Pilgrim Song

121 ^1-2 I look up to the mountains;
    does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God,
    who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

^3-4 He won't let you stumble,
    your Guardian God won't fall asleep.
Not on your life! Israel's
    Guardian will never doze or sleep.

^5-6 God's your Guardian,
    right at your side to protect you—
Shielding you from sunstroke,
    sheltering you from moonstroke.

 

Verse of the Day 1/26

Hebrews 11:6. Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him. Holman Christian Standard Bible

 

Yesterday we considered what it is like to come to God in our prayers in childlike faith. While today's verse doesn't directly reference prayer, isn't t that part of drawing near to God? We come to Him believing, knowing from our own experience as well as all of those here in Hebrews 11, commonly referred to as the "Hall of Faith" in the Bible.

 

J R Miller writes, "Jesus teaches that we are to pray to God as our Father. We must come to Him, therefore, as His redeemed children--with the genuineness, the simplicity, the confidence of children. When we stand at God's throne of grace and speak the name "Father" and ask for a child's blessing--we are sure of instant welcome." His comments remind us that we can come it Him because we have been redeemed, bought with a precious price, and as a parent or a grandparent loves it when our little children come to us so it is with our Heavenly Father.

 

I had read this chapter (Hebrews 11)  on a morning that unknowingly to me, was to be one of the most challenging days of my life.  Through that time and through the rest of my life, it has been a passage that I have returned to, that has drawn me to Him in other tough times.

 

If you find youself there today, seek Him, draw near to Him today in faith.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Hebrews 11:5-7

The Message (MSG)

5-6 By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. "They looked all over and couldn't find him because God had taken him." We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was taken "he pleased God." It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

7 By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn't see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God.

Verse of the Day 1/25

 

Mark 11:24  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

 

My wife and I have the privilege this weekend to have my son's family visiting us.  It is fun to have our 21 month old granddaughter Ava running around the house.  One of the things that you enjoy as a grandparent or a parent for that matter is how a child will approach you with arms lifted up wanting to be picked up.  Sometimes they will almost crawl up your leg in order to be heard and then ask you for something, whether it be a toy, a brownie or a blueberry.

 

One of the ancients describes prayer in this way, "prayer is a climbing up of the heart to God, which cannot be done but by the power of faith".  What a picture of the child and of childlike faith.  Our granddaughter asks knowing that we can give her what she desires.  She trusts in her parents and grandparents to respond, especially when she is so eager to ask it as if to climb up your leg.

 

Somehow, as we grow older (not wiser) we lose that kind of feeling.  We may doubt or we may feel self sufficient but we rob ourselves of the joy in asking and rob God in the joy of responding and providing.  If you have something to pray for today, climb up to the heart of God in faith with the hope and expectation of a child knowing that our heavenly Father has the power to provide it.  He hears, He is still listening.  Read a couple of stanza's from Steven Curtis Chapman's "Still Listening".  May they and God's Word encourage you to climb up and touch His heart.

 

I will never understand
How the words of mortal man
Can reach the ears of One so pure
And touch His heart, but they do I'm sure
For God is great, and God is good
And He is love

[Chorus:]
God, our Father, once again
I bow my head to pray
You are my Father and my friend, and You hear every word I say
A prayer for forgiveness, a desperate cry for help
Or praise flowing from a thankful heart
Like each time before, I come knowing You're still listening
You're still listening

 

 

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Mark 11:22-25

The Message (MSG)

^22-25 Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, 'Go jump in the lake'—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it's as good as done. That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins."

Verse of the Day 1/24

 

Matthew 7:24-25  So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them [obeying them] will be like a ^[a]sensible (prudent, practical, wise) man who built his house upon the rock. ²⁵ And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

For years, the motto for Prudential Insurance and Investments was "own a piece of the rock".   Doesn't immediately bring to mind the picture of the rock of Gibraltar?  It is a majestic picture, you think of something, solid, secure, coupled with "prudent" at the beginning of the name,  they are counting on you to put it all together that it is the wise and prudent thing to do to think of your financial security and that you can have faith in them, they are rock solid.

 

As Jesus brings His "Sermon on the Mount" to a close, He tells His audience, He tells us that the prudent, practical and wise thing for His followers to do is to listen to Him, to follow and obey Him.  He will see to our eternal security.  He is much more majestic, solid and secure than any rock.  After all, the world and all that was created was brought forth by His words.  This Rock, will be able to withstand and endure the storms of life.

 

Through the years I've seen many people endure all kinds of hardship through faith built upon that Rock.  He saw them through where otherwise they would have crumbled.  Be prudent, be wise, be practical and put your faith, hope and trust in the Rock, Jesus Christ.  His words "are foundational words, words to build a life on" (The Message)  I'm reminded of the old hymn "Praise Him, Praise Him", especially the line He our Rock, our Hope of eternal salvation.

 

Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer,
  For our sins He suffered and bled and died;
He, our Rock, our Hope of eternal salvation
  Hail Him! hail Him! Jesus, the Crucified;
Loving Savior, meekly enduring sorrow,
  Crowned with thorns that cruelly pierced His brow;
Once for us rejected, despised, and forsaken,
  Prince of Glory, ever triumphant now.

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Matthew 7:25-27

The Message (MSG)

^24-25 "These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.

^26-27 "But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards."

Verse of the Day 1/23

 

Matthew 7:21  "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

As we come towards the end of the sermon on the mount in Matthew 7, Jesus has some sobering words for His hearers and for us.  He is not looking for casual acquaintances, those that would say "I know Him" but make no effort to follow or truly get to know Him.  He puts it right on the line. 

 

In politics today, you have probably heard reference to the term "RINO's" which stands for Republicans in name only.  It is given to politicians that are registered and claim to be republican but whose actions and voting record are far from the core of the party platform.  The casual acquaintances of Jesus that I mentioned above would be in a similar category, Christians in name only.  Jesus strongly speaks out against them saying that on that final day He will have a word for them "depart from me" or as The Message puts it "you missed the boat, you're out of here".

 

He's not interested in charisma, but character (The Message).  If we are to be true followers, we will want to get to know Him better day by day, accept His teachings, His calling in our lives, and follow in obedience.  I'm reminded of a John Denver song, "Follow Me".  I think it shows what Jesus is looking for. 

 

Follow me where I go what I do and who I know
Make it part of you to be a part of me
Follow me up and down all the way and all around
Take my hand and say you'll follow me

You see I'd like to share my life with you
And show you things I've seen
Places that I'm going to places where I've been
To have you there beside me and never be alone
And all the time that you're with me
We will be at home

 

We can feel at home with Him now, and be with Him at home for eternity.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Matthew 7:20-23

The Message (MSG)

^15-20 "Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don't be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.

^21-23 "Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance—isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.'

Verse of the Day 1/22

 

Ephesians 1:18  I pray that the eyes of your heart ^[a]may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the ^[b]saints,    New American Standard Bible (NASB)

 

Yesterday we considered the firmly planted tree in Psalm 1 and Jeremiah 17 and how it represented God's people drawing upon His power day by day in season and out of season.  This morning, before choosing Ephesians 1:18,  I considered Matthew 7:7-8 for today's verse  which reads:

⁷ "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.  Matthew 7:7-8  English Standard Version (ESV)

We've noted before that the verbs in these verses are all in the perfect tense, they are to be continual.  The person that keeps asking, that keeps seeking, that keeps knocking is that "tree" and today's verse from Ephesians 1 is a prayer of Paul, asked for his readers, for us, that the eye's of our hearts may be enlightened.  It is a prayer that we should ask continually of ourselves and of others.  When we sing the song "Open the Eyes of My Heart" it is in keeping with this.  Yes, we want to see His glory, but we also want to see what opportunities lie ahead, we want to have the hope, and we want His will to be done in our lives for His glory.

 

But we must call on, we must draw from Him.  John Piper writes, "without omnipotent help now, we cannot feel the wonder of what we are to become.  But if we are granted to feel is as it is, all our emotional reactions to this world will change for the better."  Be one of those trees, ask, seek, knock continually that they eyes of your heart may be enlightened to see what God has planned for you, for His glory.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Ephesians 1:15-19

The Message (MSG)

^15-19 That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!

Verse of the Day 1/21

 

Lamentations 3:21-22  But this I call to mind,
    and therefore I have hope:

²² 

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;  English Standard Version (ESV)

Today's verses come from one of my favorite passages in the Bible dealing with hope and in particular of God's mercies, helping me realize in verse 23 that they are "new every morning".  But what struck me this morning was earlier in the passage, in verse 21 the saying "this I call to mind".  It is a reminder that it is not automatic, it is something that is brought up from within us.

 

In our men's Bible study yesterday morning we were taking a look at the "tree planted by the stream" in Psalm 1 and Jeremiah 17.  As opposed to an oak tree near a running river we looked at an acacia tree, in the rocky desert, growing beside a wadi a dry riverbed that seasonally becomes filled with water and can be a raging torrent.  The tree sends down roots deep so that it can access the water even when it is not visible on the surface.  It draws from deep below the surface.  It is the picture that I had about this "calling to mind".  We may find ourselves in a desert place but we can call on, call up the promises of God in the Bible to give us hope.  Promises of joy, mercy, healing, forgiveness and on and on, whatever is needed for the situation.

 

John Piper writes, "If we don't call to mind what God has said about himself and about us, we languish.  O how I know this from painful experience!  Don't wallow in the mire of godless messages.  I mean messages in your own head.  "I can't".. "she won't", "they never", "it has never worked".  The point is that these are not true or false.  Your mind finds a way to make them true, unless you "call to mind" something greater.  God is the God of the impossible.  Reasoning your way out of an impossible situation is not as effective as reminding your way out of it."

 

What promises do you need to "call to mind this morning"?  May they bring you hope.  "Keep a grip on hope" (The Message), His love, His promises haven't dried up.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Lamentations 3:20-24

The Message (MSG)

It's a Good Thing to Hope for Help from God

^19-21 I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness,
    the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed.
I remember it all—oh, how well I remember—
    the feeling of hitting the bottom.
But there's one other thing I remember,
    and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:

^22-24 God's loyal love couldn't have run out,
    his merciful love couldn't have dried up.
They're created new every morning.
    How great your faithfulness!
I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over).
    He's all I've got left.

Verse of the Day 1/19

 

Matthew 6:33-34 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

34 So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.

Amplified Bible (AMP)

The preceding verses Jesus points out that people are always concerned with what shall we eat, drink or wear so much so that, according to the different translations, they seek (NKJV), run after (NIV), or allow them to dominate our thoughts (NLT).,

Taking a step back and taking a look at our own, sometimes frantic lives, what is it that we are seeking that dominates our thoughts and keeps us running after them?

You may have heard it said that as Christians, we are to "keep the main thing the main thing", to put first things first to aim at and strive after His way of living and doing things and that He will provide and see that everything will fall in line, come into place according to His purposes.

In doing so, we will face the day with less worries and more time to focus on the truly important things.

Matthew 6:34 "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (The Message).

 

In Christ,

Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Matthew 6:32-34

The Message (MSG)

30-33 "If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God'sgiving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

34 "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.