The Simple Life

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:5-7 (ESV) Paul, a man, used by God and abused by man, tells us that we should not be anxious about anything. Whenever someone gives us advice, we do a quick mental check to see if they are qualified to advise us in the area discussed. We dismiss their thoughts if they lack the sufficient life experience to speak authoritatively. Paul was a man who was once a Christian killer. He was often beaten, shipwrecked, and imprisoned. So when he tells us about anxiousness, we should pay attention. His cure is simple in that he implores us to take our concerns to God, our Father, and thankfully speak of our concerns, knowing He has a plan that includes us that will work o...

"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34 (ESV) God knows the future; we do not. God loves us and is preparing us for whatever the future will produce, yet the future still lies in the future, so as of today, we are not prepared. Anxiousness is often a byproduct of thinking about what lies ahead when we have not yet been prepared for those events. (Or, we have refused to walk with God, so we will not be ready.) Tomorrow will come with all the trials, heartaches, and blessings that generally come, and if I am walking with God today, I will be prepared, thankful, and at rest. https://www.podbean.com/relate365

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 (ESV) We have choices in life. I can seek riches, power, authority, fame, comfort, or God and His plan for man. As I seek God and His plan, there may be riches, power, authority, fame, and comfort, but they become byproducts that should never be mistaken for the cause. As I seek God, I head into the headwinds of turmoil and find peace in the eye of the storm. As I rest in the eye, I realize that the winds surrounding me contain a chaotic mess, so I rest in the eye. If I focus on calming the winds, I am frustrated and anxious, so I rest and pray that others join me in the eye. As I seek God and His ways, I find rest and peace amid this Godless chaos. Thank you, Lord! https://www.podbean.com/relate365

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” Matthew 6:31-32 (ESV) Those who do not know God act like they do not know God. Those who know God act like they know God. It always comes back to the simple. https://www.podbean.com/relate365

And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Matthew 6:28-30 (ESV) Perhaps our anxiousness or lack of it points to our focus. If I focus on my ability to meet all my needs, I will be anxious. Likewise, I will be anxious if I put my hope in my job, government, and charitable programs. All programs and people can fail, but God cannot. If I observe how God has cared for His creation, I will rest in the fact that I am the crowning joy of all His creation, and He will take care of me. If I am anxious about the future, I am focused on the wrong thing, ignorant of God and His love for me, or running from God. Those who know God rest in Him. It is time to make knowing Him your life...

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? Matthew 6:27 (ESV) What does anyone gain by being anxious? If being anxious is meaningless, why do so many suffer from its consequences? Most teachings in the Bible are obvious. Those who ignore the obvious suffer from their ignorance. There is a God, who created us, loves us, and gives us a planned purpose and hope. If I choose not to know Him and the apparent truths of Scripture, I choose to live an anxious life. https://www.podbean.com/relate365

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:5-6 (ESV) Being content with the position in life God gives you is key to being fulfilled in life. There is one God, and He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and the same to all His children. God acts out of love and acts in a way that reflects what is best for me and all His children. There is a delicate balance between setting goals and being content. God expects us to take the ten talents He gave us and do something with them; therefore, our contentment is not equated to laziness. Our contentment comes from Him giving us ten, five, or one talent. Our contentment is in who God is, not the fears, worries, or concerns for this life. Those who know God know contentment. Do you know God? https://www.podbean.com/relate365