There are two Guest Bloggers for 9/29/11. Enjoy!
Guest Blogger Rhonda C. - September 29, 2011
Scripture:
Luke 12:25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
Observation:
I know I spend a lot of time worrying, and since everything I worry about is out of my control, every moment I spend dwelling on it is a wasted moment. But what strikes me about this scripture is the glimpse of how God views time. To Him, it’s a “very little thing” to add an hour to someone’s life. I have thrown away so many hours of my life, time that I can’t get back and use for something productive – I waste time on worry as if time means nothing to me. Worry and fear seem to go hand in hand, and 99% of what I worry about and fear has to do with the state of my “kingdom,” my little world. It’s impossible to enjoy the blessings God has already given me while I’m worrying about how to keep or control them. Our Father has been pleased to give me the kingdom. Controlling something that I didn’t create or obtain on my own seems ridiculous to me, but that doesn’t stop me from trying. It pleases God to give me Himself now, and not because I worried, whined, begged or made Him, but because He loves me and it makes Him happy.
Application:
God tells us in Philippians to think about what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. Taking my thoughts captive means catching myself when I begin to worry or fret about something that hasn’t happened yet, or when I think about my past as if I can change it and make it better than it was, and making a conscious decision to think about the things God wants me to think about. The change that comes over me always surprises me when I focus on praying for others or ask God to guide my thoughts – I instantly know that God is in control and that if it pleased Him to add an hour to my life He would do so.
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for giving Your kingdom to me here and now, in addition to the inexpressible gift of salvation and the opportunity to know Jesus before I meet Him face to face. I treasure the guidance You provide to me every day. Please forgive me for those times when I worry about what I don’t have, what I’ve done in the past, or who I might lose. I pray that You will always help me catch myself so I can turn my mind to You and the lovely things You’d have me think of. Amen
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