Matthew 6:33-34 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
I just read an interesting article discussing how the current crisis is spawning worry and anxiety syndrome amongst many people. An emotional environment is sweeping the land. The effects may be subtle, but they’re serious. Do we want to contribute to this?
Now think back… 20, 10, 2 years ago, even last year at this time. What was it then that was shaking your tree? What was the threat producing visceral anxiety, heart racing, stomach cramps, overeating, irritability? Can you remember? Think hard….How was it resolved?
But this is different; this is unprecedented… Well, so was that trial last year, and the one before. If you think about it really, all of life is unprecedented. But after it happens, we come through, and even often forget the circumstances and threats which seemed so overwhelming at the time. Perhaps it’s the grace of God…
But what was important 20 years ago…10 years ago? What was essential, crucial, and of truly lasting significance? It’s what was prayed, thought, said or done with God as the source and object… exactly as it is, or should be, today in this fear-ridden atmosphere!
Yeshua (Jesus) made it simple. Live now, conscious of your fears and anxieties, without adding your speculations on the future. The hard fact is that you don’t know the future and will mostly get it wrong, giving yourself a headache you don’t need in addition to the present conundrum. And, you will cripple your ability to walk in communion with the Lord to do the works He has prepared for you. That’s a sad waste. Instead, practice casting your cares upon Him because He cares for you. He will give you the peace that passes understanding [Philippians 4:5-7], prevent you from adding to the negative atmosphere, and bear His fruit through your life.
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[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]Murmuring or complaining is one of those sins that are overlooked. Sometimes we get so focused on the “big sins” such as murder and adultery that we overlook this sin — but the Lord doesn’t give this sin a free pass — quite the opposite. It’s a hidden killer! This sin unleashed a plague that killed thousands of Israelites! [Numbers 16]
The city of Laodicea was founded nearly three centuries before the birth of Christ. Built on a trade route, Laodicea was quite prosperous. The wealth of the city was legendary, as Jews who lived there sent 9 kilograms (20 lbs) of gold to the Temple in Jerusalem on a yearly basis according to historical records.
Laodicea was an idyllic city except for its lack of a water supply. It depended on water from an external source, the city of Hierapolis was located six miles to the north, the site of mineral hot springs which were used for medicinal purposes. These steaming hot waters were piped to Laodicea, arriving there… lukewarm, hence the metaphor in Yeshua’s warning to the Laodicean church.
The church at Laodicea received a stern warning in chapter 3 of John’s Revelation. We would do well to reflect on it.
The word “Laodicea” is a compound in the Greek; “Laos” which principally means “people”, and “dike”, defined as “principle or decision”. One rendering might read, “rule of the people”, or, in modern terms, “Democracy”. In the western world, we have an affection and even a deep commitment to Democracy. Yet this form of government, “rule of the people” is fatally flawed… because we are fatally flawed by our sin nature…
As we continue to probe the lessons from the salt covenant, we now inquire into our part in the covenant.
Yeshua (Jesus) said He is the “bread of life”. It was His body that was broken on our behalf as the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins. Notice that He never once called us to be the “bread of life”! He is the ONLY “Bread of Life” – the true bread who came down from Heaven which anyone may eat and not die. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is His flesh, given for the life of the world.
For years, when I visited my father-in-law’s home in Jerusalem on the Sabbath, we would break bread and bless the bread with the traditional blessing – “Baruch Ata Adonai Eleheynu Melech HaOlam Ha-Motzi Lechem Min Ha’aretz” – which translated means,”Blessed are You Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has given us bread from the earth”. After the blessing, my father-in-law would take salt and sprinkle the challah bread as he broke and passed it to everyone at the table.