“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
~ Matthew 6:25-34
When you turn the TV or radio on to listen to the news these days, all you hear being discussed are things like, how bad the economy is, how high the foreclosure rate is, how many people are expected to be without a job in the next few months, the continued debate over healthcare reform, grim details on the latest natural or man-made disaster and, of course, all the juicy gossip they can provide about the latest celebrity and/or political scandal going on. And, the list goes on and on.
Of course, most of us are worried about our own personal 'issues' which may or may not be related to those being discussed on the news. Things like, trying to pay all our bills, including attempting to also maintain the payments on our homes (which, for some, were affordable at first, but have now unexpectedly gone WAY up), our ever widening waistlines, our ever shrinking bank accounts, our increasing healthcare problems/expenses (this is especially difficult if you have a chronic illness) and/or our latest family members to announce they're getting divorced, which is more and more often because of infidelity.
For some, all these things just seem to keep stacking up and up and they wonder, 'What in the world am I gonna do? How can I keep living like this?' Some people get really discouraged and depressed. Some even consider ending it all because they can not see the light at the end of a very dark tunnel.
But that would be a VERY permanent solution to what are VERY temporary problems. What we must ALL remember is that ALL of these things are temporary, every single one of them. The ONLY thing that lasts forever is God's love for us. Hallelujah!!
Here is this complete Psalm about God's love. I recommend you read it out loud and more than once to let it sink in.
His love really does last FOREVER!
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
7 who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
8 the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.
11 and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.
12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.
13 to him who divided the Red Sea asunder
His love endures forever.
14 and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures forever.
16 to him who led his people through the desert,
His love endures forever.
17 who struck down great kings,
His love endures forever.
18 and killed mighty kings—
His love endures forever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorites
His love endures forever.
20 and Og king of Bashan—
His love endures forever.
21 and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.
22 an inheritance to his servant Israel;
His love endures forever.
23 to the One who remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
24 and freed us from our enemies,
His love endures forever.
25 and who gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.
Source
click on photo to enlarge
This verse really spoke to me today. It made me think about my family, especially my sister.
I have an AMAZING family! Every single member is someone I know I can depend on no matter what. However, like most families, we definitely have our moments when we don't see eye-to-eye. That is especially true when it comes to my sister and me. You might remember that I told you a little about that here on her birthday.
Since then, we've had a couple more disagreements that did not end very well. It makes me extremely sad when that happens. I never, ever intend to cause a fuss or hurt her feelings, but somehow that is what always seems to happen. :0(
Thankfully, though, LOVE does cover a multitude of sins, and in our family, we somehow always manage to come out on the other side of any disagreement with our relationships still intact. As for my sister and me, we definitely aren't as close as I would like for us to be, but I hope and pray that somehow, someway we can work together to change that. We're not getting any younger and we just never know when the day will come that one of us won't be here any longer.
Thanks for joining me for Word-Filled Wednesday! As always, the purpose of WFW is to share God's Word (no famous quotes or other literature, only the beautiful Word of our Heavenly Father) through scripture and pictures.
WFW is being hosted this week by Lori at All You Have To Give. Please take some time to visit her blog for even more encouragement or if you want to link up and join us. It is really awesome!Have a great week!
Blessings,
Teresa
WFW is being hosted this week by Penny at PennyRaine. Please take some time to visit her blog for even more encouragement or to link up and join us. It is amazing!
Have a great week!
Blessings,
Teresa
THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS CHRIST
When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified Him, along with the criminals—one on His right, the other on His left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up His clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at Him. They said, "He saved others; let Him save himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." The soldiers also came up and mocked Him. They offered Him wine vinegar and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." There was a written notice above Him, which read:
THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked Him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit." When He had said this, He breathed his last.
~ Luke 23: 33-46 ~
Thank you for joining me for Word-Filled Wednesday. I hope you'll take a couple minutes to listen to the video above by Sandi Patty. It is simply amazing and you will definitely need a Kleenex. :0)
WFW is being hosted this week by Amydeanne at The 160 Acre Woods. Please visit her blog for even more encouragement or to link up and join us.
Have a great day and a truly blessed Easter weekend!
In Christ Alone~
Teresa
Posts
