Bible Study - Transformed (6) - Transformed by My Choices - Matthew 7:13-27 - July 10, 2016

Bible Study – Transformed (6) – Transformed by My Choices – July 10, 2016

This is lesson six (6) and the final lesson in our series entitled “Transformed: 

My Life in GOD’S Kingdom.”

Our focus scripture is Matthew 7:13-27.

Choose to follow JESUS.

All that we have studied in this series applies to every Christian. JESUS was teaching HIS followers and disciples how they were to live as Christians. Living as JESUS taught in HIS sermon on the Mount is mind-boggling and impossible without the indwelling Holy Spirit. Living the true Christian life is only accomplished by the empowering, teaching, enlightenment of the indwelling Holy Spirit through the process of sanctification. At the instant a person receives CHRIST as his or her Savior, he or she is set aside or sanctified to serve GOD. GOD never overrides the will of HIS child to choose. Christians still make choices; that is part of the Spiritual growth and sanctification process.

JESUS was still teaching about GOD’S Kingdom and what a Christian needs to do as a citizen of GOD’S Kingdom.

Let’s read Matthew 7:13-14:

Entering the Kingdom

Choose the path that leads to life in CHRIST.

13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it.

Life is all about choices; ideally making the right choices.

How often do we say, “If only?”

JESUS makes it clear that the world or flesh offers many no brainer choices that look very attractive until we see or discover the result of those choices. JESUS taught that these choices lead to destruction but there is another way. Both ways are choices but one way leads to eternal life and the other to destruction. The question is which way will you choose? JESUS continued HIS teaching. Keep in mind this is GOD’S Son Who is teaching.

Let’s read John 17:1-5: (JESUS was praying to GOD, HIS Father as HE approached HIS passion. HE knew that HIS death was eminent as the scriptures had revealed.)

1 Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said: Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son so that the Son may glorify You,

2 for You gave Him authority over all flesh; so He may give eternal life to all You have given Him.

3 This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent-Jesus Christ.

4 I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave Me to do.

5 Now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with that glory I had with You before the world existed.

Verse 5 reveals and confirms that JESUS left HIS Home in Heaven to come to earth to be born as a human, yet GOD. HE did this just for you and for me. All who choose HIM by placing their faith in JESUS go through the narrow gate that leads to life. Have you made that choice? If not, why not? Has Satan blinded you to think that you will never die physically yet somehow you will get to heaven? Why take that chance when GOD’S Word makes it clear that you can be eternally secure by placing your faith in JESUS and what HE did for just you on the cross at Calvary. The choice is yours to make. Choose wisely!

JESUS continued to teach as we read the next verse.

14 How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.

JESUS makes it clear that there is another way to eternal life but that path is narrow and the road is very difficult. This narrow gate and road leads to life eternal and few find it. Why do few find it?

Which is easier today to follow the crowd or take a stand as a Christian? You know the answer. It is harder to take a stand as a Christian.

JESUS warns all people to watch out because some will attempt to take advantage of the opportunity to offer an easy way to be secure in CHRIST. But are they offering truth?

We are living in a politically correct world. JESUS was teaching that being politically correct is not truth. Do we want truth or error? Many of us find tainted truth pleasing. We want to feel good and the world offers us tainted truth but JESUS reveals that tainted truth is false as we read our next scripture.

Let’s read Matthew 7:15-23:

Choose to live in obedience and bear fruit for CHRIST.

15 "Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves.

16 You'll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?

How do we judge success? Often, it is by the largeness. The largest churches must teach truth. Don’t they? After all they are successful by the world’s standard. They have big buildings and have lots of money. Many do teach the truth but size does not always mean that truth is being taught.

JESUS reveals a way to test truth as we read our next scripture.

17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit.

18 A good tree can't produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit.

19 Every tree that doesn't produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

20 So you'll recognize them by their fruit.

What fruit is being produced by you or the place where you worship? Christian or church is known by the fruit produced. Is it good fruit or bad fruit? Who judges? GOD judges and you judge as GOD gives you discernment.

21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord!' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but [only] the one who does the will of My Father in heaven.

22 On that day many will say to Me, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?'

23 Then I will announce to them, 'I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers! '

Satan can mislead people into thinking they are Christian by appearing as an angel of light. How can we know that we belong to GOD? Romans 8:16:

16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God's children,

GOD is not fickle and HIS judgment is based upon truth because HE knows the heart and the intent of the heart. We may fool some of the people but we will never fool GOD. That is why every person needs salvation. JESUS makes it clear there is but one way to GOD as written in John 14:6:

6 Jesus told him (Thomas), "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

To be a Christian we must have a personal relationship with JESUS.

My prayer is that you will ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and ask HIM to come into your life.

If you make this decision, then go tell someone what you have done and get into a church that teaches truth. Ask JESUS to lead you to the place where you can grow Spiritually. If you do not have a Bible, get one and begin with the Gospel of John and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you as you study and get to know JESUS through the study of GOD’S Word and putting what the Holy Spirit reveals to you into action.

Build your life upon the solid foundation of JESUS. Yes, it will be difficult but look to JESUS and HIS strength. Allow the indwelling Holy Spirit to be your teacher and guide as you go through each day as you obediently serve HIM and grow Spiritually. Build upon the solid foundation of JESUS.

JESUS continued to teach and reveal the answer regarding the spiritual foundation upon which we build.

Let’s read Matthew 7:24-27:

Choose to build Your Life on CHRIST and HIS Teaching.

The Two Foundations

24 "Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock.

25 The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn't collapse, because its foundation was on the rock.

26 But everyone who hears these words of Mine and doesn't act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.

27 The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. And its collapse was great!"

What is the foundation upon which we build our Spiritual lives? Is it that which sounds good and feels good or that which is truth?

We can build upon what we think is truth but when tested, we discover that we have built upon false notions and politically correct ideology. These will not stand the test of truth. Study GOD’S Word, the Bible, to discover truth as the Holy Spirit reveals truth to you.

Are we building upon the solid foundation of CHRIST or upon a false foundation? When tough times come into our lives our faith will be tested. Have we sought truth from GOD or something we have dreamed up? As JESUS taught, when we build upon a false foundation there will be a great collapse but when we build upon the solid foundation of JESUS THE CHRIST, we will be standing when all else has collapsed.  

What a sad day should we, who thought we knew truth, find out that what we thought was truth was false! Do we embrace truth or do we choose to believe something false because embracing truth does not promote our social, political or social agenda.

In last week’s lesson JESUS taught:

7 "Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

Seek truth. Do not be misled by the gospel the world offers but as JESUS taught:

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Transformed (5) - Transformed in My Actions - Matthew 7:1-12 - July 3, 2016

Bible Study – Transformed (5) – Transformed in My Actions – July 3, 2016

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled “Transformed: My Life in GOD’S Kingdom.”

Our focus scripture is Matthew 7:1-12.

The way we treat others should reflect the way GOD treats us.

Our lesson this week focuses on judging and the scripture we refer to as the “Golden Rule.”

People make judgments every day as they journey through life. We judge what we purchase, what we wear, what we eat, where we live, where we work, those with whom we associate and the list goes on. Judgment is a part of our lives. In our focus scripture JESUS focuses upon judgment. The question is “Do we judge to help or judge to condemn?” Let’s explore!

Let’s read Matthew 7:1-6:

Do Not Judge

1 "Do not judge, so that you won't be judged.

People judge others based upon their actions, where as GOD judges their heart, therefore GOD is the only true judge of us all. But here JESUS was teaching that we, as human’s, judge based upon the things we see, hear and observe in others applied to our standard for living. But what is our standard of living based upon? Is itself or GOD’S standard?

JESUS was teaching HIS disciples to discern what they were hearing and observing based upon GOD’S standard of righteousness. A judgment is to be made by Christians based upon being in right relationship with GOD through faith in CHRIST. Christians are to judge or discern truth from error as led by the Holy Spirit to help and not to condemn. JESUS cautions us to be very careful when we judge others. Why?

2 For with the judgment you use, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Can we live up to our own standard all the time? We must be honest with ourselves. Do we measure up to our own expectations? Do we measure up to GOD’S expectations? Christians must first examine themselves. In Psalm 139:23:

23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns.

JESUS is the Master teacher. HE continued teaching using a humorous and exaggerated example to reveal truth.

3 Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye but don't notice the log in your own eye?

4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and look, there's a log in your eye?

5 Hypocrite! First take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Before judging others, JESUS admonishes Christians to critically examine their own lives or better, let GOD examine your life from HIS prospective. As each of us deal with our own problems in life, we discover that we are not perfect. When we are honest with ourselves and seek to serve our LORD, we ask the Holy Spirit to examine our lives to reveal our flaws. As we gain knowledge on how to deal with our own issues in life, we in turn know how to help others and have compassion for those who are struggling with various issues. But in helping others we must keep a close eye upon ourselves lest we fall back into sin.

The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4:

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.

4 He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Christians are to first seek GOD’S help in cleaning up their own lives. When we do, we realize that we are sinners saved by grace. But that does not mean that we do not help others until we are perfect but as GOD helps us, we in turn help others. Even here, we must be careful as JESUS taught in Matthew 15:14:

14 Leave them alone! They are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit."

The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 6:1-5:

1 Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you won't be tempted also.

2 Carry one another's burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

3 For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he is deceiving himself.

4 But each person should examine his own work, and then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in respect to someone else.

5 For each person will have to carry his own load.

Christians are to judge themselves first. We must be honest with ourselves first, and then we are in a position to help others. GOD is the only impartial judge. We have a tendency to be less critical of our own faults than the faults of others. This is especially true based upon our like or dislike of the other person.

Christians are generally eager to help others but those they would like to help may not want their help. Here Christians need discernment. Let the Holy Spirit lead you as you minister or else, as JESUS teaches in the next verse ---

6 Don't give what is holy to dogs or toss your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them with their feet, turn, and tear you to pieces.

Satan loves for those to whom you witness to rip you to shreds because you are likely to remain silent for the rest of your life. The Holy Spirit will give you the opening when the person is ready to receive truth.

Father, help us all to see the opening when you give it.

So, what are Christians to do as we seek to grow, mature and obediently serve? Salvation is just the beginning of a Christian’s Spiritual journey. We are the clay in the potters hand to be shaped into the image of CHRIST.

Let’s read Matthew 7:7-11:

Keep Asking, Searching, Knocking

7 "Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

JESUS taught that Christians are to pray and when we pray we are to ask, search and GOD will reveal. So what is happening when we ask and seek? GOD is revealing the areas in our lives that need to be brought into conformity with HIS will, plan and purpose for our lives according to HIS will, plan and purpose. GOD’S desire is for HIS children to have an intimate, loving relationship with HIM. As mentioned many times, salvation is just the starting point for a life-long journey of getting to know GOD. We have many rough edges that need to be smoothed by the potter, GOD.

The asking, searching and knocking is based upon our conversation with GOD or seeking to obediently serve HIM. Prayer is communication with GOD. Do we, as Christians, understand effective prayer?

    

    As we journey with HIM we discover some of the requirements for an effective prayer life: 

           James 5:16 - 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful. Ground zero is being righteous and that requires having JESUS as your Savior.

           Psalm 66:18 - 18 If I had been aware of malice in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. If we have sin in our lives it blocks our prayers. Christians are to confess their sins - 1 John 1:9 - 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

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           Hebrews 11:6 - 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. Do you believe that GOD is capable of responding to your prayers?

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           James 4:3 - 3 You ask and don't receive because you ask wrongly, so that you may spend it on your desires for pleasure.

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     1 John 5:14 - 14 Now this is the confidence we have before Him: whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

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          Matthew 5:23-24 - 23 So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you,

-         24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 

-         1 Peter 3:7 - 7 Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives with understanding of their weaker nature yet showing them honor as co-heirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

There seems to be a lot of conditions regarding an effective prayer life. So how can we live such that we, as Christians, are in step with GOD? It is by having the right relationship with HIM through faith in CHRIST. When Christians are in right relationship, they are in HIS will. Then when we ask, search and knock our next scripture reveals the result.

8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Truth is the end result. When we find truth nothing can shake us from that solid foundation which is in CHRIST.

Being in right relationship with GOD is an active relationship where we are constantly getting to know HIM and responding to HIS instructions. Can Christians trust GOD to guide them? We need to keep in mind that in JESUS’ day, those who worshiped gods knew that they were fickle and could not be trusted. JESUS taught that GOD could be trusted by again using a lighter to heavier example as we read the next verse.

9 What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?

Most every dad or mom wants to give his or her son or daughter the best. By the same token, dads and moms can be trusted. We question that sometimes today but for the most part dads and moms build trust and can be trusted. In JESUS’ day, I understand that there were stones that resembled bread. No loving and caring parent would give his or her child a stone when they asked for bread.

10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 

JESUS again used another example. If your child asked for fish would a loving parent give his child a snake? Of course not!

11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Then JESUS compared human nature with GOD’S. Again, this is a contrast. Human nature is evil, yet humans give good gifts to their children. I love the words “how much more will your Father give good things to those who ask HIM!” How much does GOD love you? John 3:16-18 tells us:

16 "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.

So what does all of this mean? JESUS tells us in the next verse.

Let’s read Matthew 7:12:

12 Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them-this is the Law and the Prophets.

JESUS gives us a summary “therefore,” treat others like you want others to treat you. We refer to this verse as the Golden rule. Practicing the Golden rule is good for getting us through life but it will not get us to heaven.

There is but one way to heaven and that is by acknowledging that JESUS died just for you to pay your sin debt, in full, by the shedding of HIS blood. Ask HIM to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your life. When you do, you will be born-again in your spirit and into the family of GOD. 

GOD becomes your Father, you are HIS Son or Daughter through the miracle of rebirth and your citizenship is in heaven. You are the child of GOD. Rejoice! Blessings!!! 

     

Bible Study - Transformed (4) - Transformed in My Plans - Matthew 6:25-34 - June 26, 2016

Bible Study – Transformed (4) – Transformed in My Plans – June 26, 2016

This is lesson (4) in our series entitled “Transformed: My Life in GOD’S Kingdom.”

Our focus scripture is Matthew 6:25-34.

GOD is able to provide all I need.

What do people need? In general, we need food, water, clothing and shelter to sustain us physically but are these sufficient? GOD made mankind with a Spiritual void that needs to be filled. We, as humans, try to fill that void with religion, gathering things, careers and socializing. These are good things but what is GOD’S desire for the human race? What is JESUS’ purpose? ONLY JESUS can fill the Spiritual void in our lives. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Matthew 6:25-30:

The Cure for Anxiety – Trust in GOD’S Care

25 "This is why I tell you: Don't worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn't life more than food and the body more than clothing?

We studied verse 24 in our last week’s lesson, "No one can be a slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot be slaves of God and of money.” In whom do you place your trust and have become a slave, GOD or wealth and self-sufficiency? Having wealth is not the problem but the question becomes which controls your life. I have known very wealthy people who love the LORD with all their hearts and were obedient to HIS call.

JESUS continued HIS teaching. When you place your trust in GOD and  choose to be GOD’S slave or bond servant over self-sufficiency and the things the world has to offer, this leads us to beginning of verse 25, “This is why I tell you: Don’t worry –.”

The Greek verb translated “worry” can have positive or negative implications. It can mean “concern for” or to “care about.” Worry embraces “fear” which is the opposite of faith in GOD. “Faith expresses confidence in GOD’S care while worry expresses doubt about GOD’S care.”

Some of us think that worry expresses care. Worry is different from concern. Christians can be concerned and do what they are led to do as they trust in GOD to intervene according to HIS knowledge and power. Worry can be debilitating and result in creating anxiety and it distracts from the will of GOD. “Loving concern allows others to see our trust in GOD while worry causes others to doubt our trust in GOD.” [Pages 48, 49, 50 and 51, Advanced Bible Study, summer 2016, LifeWay, Nashville, TN, Rev. Lane, pastor, West Side Baptist Church, Greenwood S.C.]

The key words are “don’t worry.” JESUS was not saying “not to plan” but to keep your eyes focused upon what is important and critical in your life.

JESUS used the word “life” which is translated from the Greek word “psyche.” “Psyche” refers to the entire human being and its needs to sustain itself. JESUS focused on the human needs for food, drink and clothing. Physical needs are important but there is a much more important need and that is our Spiritual need. JESUS acknowledged the need for the physical but the human need for an intimate, loving relationship with GOD is greater. Can we trust GOD?

JESUS continued HIS teaching by using a form of instruction the rabbis used which was referred to as “light to heavy.” That is JESUS used an example that was true in a lesser degree which helps us to understand that which is true in a greater degree. We see this as we continue.

26 Look at the birds of the sky: they don't sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you worth more than they?

GOD cares for the helpless of HIS creation, the birds. That is, if HE cares for the birds, “How much more will HE care for you,” thus the lighter to heavier. JESUS was saying in essence, “Now think about what I am telling you, aren’t you worth more than the birds of the sky?” The response should be a resounding “YES!” Where is your faith in GOD, Who cares for the birds? 

Don’t you think you are of greater value to GOD? JESUS continued with another example.

27 Can any of you add a single cubit to his height by worrying?

Does worry get you anywhere? No! A cubic referred to the distance from the elbow to the middle finger or about 18 inches. Bottom line, worry cannot change that which is fixed. Only GOD can change that which is fixed and accomplish the impossible.

28 And why do you worry about clothes? Learn how the wildflowers of the field grow: they don't labor or spin thread.

If worry does not help, then why worry but take a lesson from nature.

29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these!

King Solomon could adorn himself in splendor and grandeur but human effort pales when compared to GOD’S adornment. Consider nature and its beauty which is a reflection of the love of GOD. When we, as humans, abide in CHRIST, GOD is making and molding us into the image of HIS only Son, JESUS. The great reveal will be the instant we step from our earth suits into the presence of JESUS, GOD and all who have gone before us. GOD does not make junk! That instant will be the great reveal for all in heaven to see what GOD has done in the life of every Christian.

30 If that's how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won't He do much more for you-you of little faith?

GOD provides for our needs. HE does not provide for our excesses or our desires but our needs. HE will not give us things that will harm us. We must keep in mind that JESUS is referring to those who have placed their faith in HIM.

Life offers many storms and angry waves but our focus must be upon the ONE Who can calm the storms and the angry waves. It does not mean that we test GOD and go head long into an obvious storm but to trust in the leadership of GOD as we journey through life, trusting HIM.

Let’s read Matthew 6:31-32:

Trust in GOD’S Knowledge

31 So don't worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?'

Those who have placed their faith in GOD through the example of JESUS are not to worry about their physical needs. GOD always provides. Worry does not provide but action as GOD leads does.

32 For the idolaters eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

The word “idolaters” means “nations” or “Gentiles.” The Jews used the term to refer to anyone not born in the ancestral line of Abraham. Does that leave us non-Jews out? No! What made Abraham acceptable to GOD? It was his faith. Romans 4:9:

9 Is this blessing only for the circumcised, then? Or is it also for the uncircumcised? For we say, Faith was credited to Abraham for righteousness.

It is our faith in JESUS that GOD makes us righteous. 2 Corinthians 5:21:

21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we (those who place their faith in JESUS) might become the righteousness of God in Him.

GOD made humans and HE knows what they need to sustain them physically and Spiritually.

Those who worship false gods seek the things of the flesh and the things the world has to offer.

The gods worshiped by non-Jews were fickle, capricious (given to sudden changes) and unpredictable but the One True GOD of the Israelite's is trustworthy. HE said what HE means and means what HE says.

In whom have you placed your trust? Have you placed your trust in The One True GOD and Father of the LORD JESUS or something else? JESUS said it best in John 14:6:

6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Place your faith in JESUS. Now is your opportunity for salvation. JESUS gave HIS sinless life just for you to have forgiveness for your sins and to have eternal life. It is a free gift to you but as with any gift you must reach out and accept it. Will you? The choice is yours to make.

Christians are not to worry but we do. What does that reveal about our core belief in GOD? It reveals our true relationship with GOD through CHRIST. There is still work that needs to be done in our lives. We must confess our lack of trust in HIS ability and capability. Something has blocked our trust in GOD’S ability to carry us through these times in our lives. The angry waves speak louder than the still small voice of GOD.

We studied in last week’s lesson about the “eyes of the heart” and the things that can either help us to see truth or rob us of seeing truth and responding to truth.

JESUS continued HIS teaching. What is HIS advice to Christians?

Let’s read Matthew 6:33-34:

Trust in GOD’S Provision

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

34 Therefore don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

It is all about setting priorities. Ground zero is choosing who we will serve. In last week’s lesson, JESUS told us that we cannot serve two masters. HIS desire is for those who chose to follow HIM to be hot and not lukewarm. Every Christian must make that choice of being either hot or cold because lukewarm makes GOD sick.

When Christians choose to seek the fullness of CHRIST in their lives and to obediently serve GOD ass guided by the indwelling Holy Spirit, you will encounter Satan. Satan does not want you to obediently serve GOD. But all Christians must keep in mind as recorded in 1 John 4:4 “Greater is HE that is in us than he that is in the world.”

JESUS makes it plain that when our priorities are right, all the things needed to sustain both our physical and Spiritual lives are provided.

How do we know that? Study GOD’S word and see the number of times GOD provided for HIS children. Consider the times that GOD provided for you and your family in the past. GOD’S desire is for Christians to walk with HIM daily. 

The past is just that and the future is yet to be.

So what do we have? We have the present and JESUS tells us that “Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Christians are to plan for tomorrow but act upon the present as GOD directs us by the indwelling Holy Spirit. When GOD created the world what HE created each day was created to support what HE planned to create the next day.

The key question is whose plan, whose life plan are we following - GOD’S or ours? JESUS gives us the answer, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.”

GOD’S desire is for every person to trust HIM by asking JESUS to forgive him or her for his or her sins and ask JESUS to come into his or her life. Salvation is the foundation upon which we partner with GOD to obediently serve HIM and build with HIM upon that foundation. What has happened in the past is gone. The future is yet to be. The present is now. Who will you serve? Who will you trust? What will you seek? What will you worry about? Blessings!!!