For those who have been following the bible studies that I posted while off on medical leave, I want to invite you to continue digging into the word with me every Wednesday for “Wednesdays in the Word”. Now that I’m back to work full time, Women’s ministry, school part time, I have not kept up with posting daily bible studies. But there was such a great response when I did, that I want to commit to a mid-week online bible study to encourage you between Sundays! (And obviously the goal would be to post on Wednesday morning. However, this morning I hit “off” instead of “Snooze” on my alarm and when I finally woke up the flight of the bumble bee ensued. After working, and helping prepare for a funeral tomorrow, I’ve got an hour and 15 minutes of Wednesday left, so here we go!)

Open your bibles with me to Matthew Chapter 6 vs. 25-34 as we listen to Jesus teach us about worry.

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and he body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows you need all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Lessons we learn from today’s scripture:

• Because of the ill effects of worry, Jesus tells us “do not worry” about those needs that God promises to supply. Worry may (1) damage your health (2) Disrupt your productivity (3) negatively affect the way you treat others (4) reduce your ability to trust in God. How many ill effects of worry are you experiencing? Here is the difference between worry and genuine concern – worry immobilizes, but concern moves you to action.*
• To “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” means to put God first in your life, to fill your thoughts with His desires, to take His character for your pattern, and to serve and obey Him in everything. What is really important to you? People, objects, goals and other desires compete for priority. Any of these can quickly become the most important to you if you don’t actively choose to give God first place in EVERY area of your life.*
• Planning for tomorrow is time well spent. Worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Sometimes its difficult to tell the difference. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps and schedules, and trusting in God’s guidance. When done well, planning can help alleviate worry. Worriers, by contrast, are consumed by fear and find it difficult to trust God. They let their plans interfere with their relationship with God. Don’t let worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with God today.*
• When I speak at Women’s events, I often ask my ladies this: “Raise your hand if worrying has ever changed anything for you.” No one ever raises their hands. Worrying never, ever changes anything. It just steals your peace in the process. Whatever you’re worried about, lay it at the foot of the cross, cover it in the blood, and move on knowing God’s got you!

*Taken from Life Application Study Bible

Seven Reasons Not to Worry

1. The same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life.
2. Worrying about the future hampers your efforts for today.
3. Worrying is more harmful than helpful.
4. God does not ignore those who depend upon Him.
5. Worrying shows lack of faith in and understanding of God.
6. Worrying keeps us from real challenges God wants us to pursue.
7. Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry.

Today’s bible study is dedicated to Eddy Fenner. Eddy and his precious wife Betty went to see Jesus recently. Betty went a couple of months ago and Eddy followed a few days ago. His funeral is tomorrow. I will miss hearing him pray, and his words of encouragement. Eddys favorite scripture was Matthew 6:33. Eddy knew that if we just put God first, everything else would fall into place.