Good day dear friends.
We pray God's rich and wonderful blessings be yours as we celebrate the Feast of Easter! And with that in mind, today is our first celebration at Lowman Chapel at 12 noon, followed by a sandwich and salad luncheon. It's free, with donations graciously accepted. We'll be studying the first of Jesus' Next Seven Words: "Who are you looking for?"
We affirm again and again, that Jesus' Easter Message of Peace is ours with this study guide for today:
Thursday: Please read Luke 12:22-32. This is another version of the same passage from Matthew. What are the differences and the similarities? What can you claim for your life in reading this passage?
Here is that passage from the NRSV: 22 He 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. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. 30 For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Tuesday we talked about Matthew 6:25-34 and we made a list of what Jesus addressed in His Sermon on the Mount. This is Luke's account of that same sermon.
How about another list?
1. Do not worry about food, your health, your clothing.
2. You're blessed with life and with a body.
3. Compare yourself to ravens (birds).
4. God takes care of them.
5. You're worth more than birds.
6. God takes care of you!
7. Does worry add to your life? (HINT: NO!)
8. Compare yourself to the lilies.
9. They don't work or labor for their clothing
10. They were more "decked out" than Solomon.
11. Won't God much more clothe us?
12. Strive not for the things of this world.
13. Strive for the things of God.
14. Everything else will follow.
That's a pretty similar list to the one we made from Matthew's account. And number one is number one: Do not worry. If you worry, you lose out on peace and all that God offers to us through that peace.
What should you claim for your life? God's peace!
PRAYER: God of majesty and might, come and visit me with your peace. Let my heart, my mind, my soul seek You in all things. Let me have that peace that says You will provide all that I need. I praise You and love You! I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
