Trinity 15 Seeking what lasts
It is appropriate that while writing this I am hearing about 9-11 . No one knew that this would happen as they went to work that day. Loss, grief and panic followed. I was thrilled to be honest to watch the video of the man who shot Osama Bin Laden as he hugged and talked with family members of those who lost family on 9-11. It helped him to acknowledge their loss , and they were able to thank him for being the one to kill the murderer who was responsible for so many deaths on that day. I confess I had to switch the channel as the Today show showed the original impact of the two planes in their broadcast. A little tear came down from my eye. It is important to remember September 11. We must not ever forget those who died and those who answered the call to service to our country that day , firefighters, police, the Soldiers who invaded Afghanistan and Iraq. Do you remember where you were on 9-11 and what you were doing?
This Sunday's Gospel is about living through difficulty and fear in our lives. We should never let fear control us to the point that we are powerless to make decisions and do things that God calls us to do in our own lives. The summary text of this message is in Matthew 6:33 " for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things....." Jesus has just listed food , vs 25 and drink and clothing. But then He asks, " Is not life more than what you eat, drink and clothing?" True life is not these things. Our real lives are our souls that God has His hand on, are they not?
" Therefore, do not be anxious." vs 31 The original word is merizo = to draw in different directions. We are not to be this way but to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to us. vs 33 Is it possible we can live without anxiety? Of course not, but we should live so that anxiety is not our main preoccupation, but God should be and His kingdom and righteousness. "When you worry, which do you worry about, what might happen or what might not happen? Whichever, turn it around, to relieve anxiety. That's common advice in Scotland. For worriers, the Scots have a proverb: "What may be, may not be." sermonillustrations.com
An Average Person's Anxiety Is Focused On. . .
Source unknown
40%;things that will never happen 30%;things about the past that can't be changed 12%;things about criticism by others, mostly untrue 10%;about health, which gets worse with stress 8%;about real problems that will be faced "
Why should we not be living with fear and anxious?
This passage lays it out for us.No one is able to serve two masters, God and mammon/riches. God is in charge . He feeds the birds of the air. By worrying we cannot add one cubit to our stature. Consider the lilies of the field, our wildflowers here in Tx...they do not toil or spin, but even Solomon in all his glory was not as beautiful, was he? in his kingly robes.
How You Can Tell When It's Going to Be a Rotten Day
Source unknown
You wake up face down on the pavement. You call Suicide Prevention and they put you on hold. You see a "60 Minutes" news team waiting in your office. Your birthday cake collapses from the weight of the candles. You turn on the news and they're showing emergency routes out of the city. Your twin sister forgot your birthday. Your car horn goes off accidentally and remains stuck as you follow a group of Hell's Angels on the freeway. Your boss tells you not to bother to take off your coat. The bird singing outside your window is a buzzard. You wake up and your braces are locked together. You call your answering service and they tell you it's none of your business. Your income tax check bounces. You put both contact lenses in the same eye. Your wife says, "Good morning, Bill," and your name is George.
Instead of worrying we are to serve God here by doing His will and acknowledging His love and His direction in our days, however long they may be here.
Fear is a terrible visitor and it is even more difficult if fear lives with you. We should be like step 1 of Lloyd Ogilive's book 12 Steps to Living without Fear: " My fear is really loneliness for God. Therefore, I will claim His promise to never leave or forsake me." Or my favorite one , the last one:
" I will give up the vague idea that given time, things work out. I will boldly face the future unafraid with the sure confidence that God will work all things together for my ultimate good and His glory."
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
It is appropriate that while writing this I am hearing about 9-11 . No one knew that this would happen as they went to work that day. Loss, grief and panic followed. I was thrilled to be honest to watch the video of the man who shot Osama Bin Laden as he hugged and talked with family members of those who lost family on 9-11. It helped him to acknowledge their loss , and they were able to thank him for being the one to kill the murderer who was responsible for so many deaths on that day. I confess I had to switch the channel as the Today show showed the original impact of the two planes in their broadcast. A little tear came down from my eye. It is important to remember September 11. We must not ever forget those who died and those who answered the call to service to our country that day , firefighters, police, the Soldiers who invaded Afghanistan and Iraq. Do you remember where you were on 9-11 and what you were doing?
This Sunday's Gospel is about living through difficulty and fear in our lives. We should never let fear control us to the point that we are powerless to make decisions and do things that God calls us to do in our own lives. The summary text of this message is in Matthew 6:33 " for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things....." Jesus has just listed food , vs 25 and drink and clothing. But then He asks, " Is not life more than what you eat, drink and clothing?" True life is not these things. Our real lives are our souls that God has His hand on, are they not?
" Therefore, do not be anxious." vs 31 The original word is merizo = to draw in different directions. We are not to be this way but to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to us. vs 33 Is it possible we can live without anxiety? Of course not, but we should live so that anxiety is not our main preoccupation, but God should be and His kingdom and righteousness. "When you worry, which do you worry about, what might happen or what might not happen? Whichever, turn it around, to relieve anxiety. That's common advice in Scotland. For worriers, the Scots have a proverb: "What may be, may not be." sermonillustrations.com
An Average Person's Anxiety Is Focused On. . .
Source unknown
40%;things that will never happen 30%;things about the past that can't be changed 12%;things about criticism by others, mostly untrue 10%;about health, which gets worse with stress 8%;about real problems that will be faced "
Why should we not be living with fear and anxious?
This passage lays it out for us.No one is able to serve two masters, God and mammon/riches. God is in charge . He feeds the birds of the air. By worrying we cannot add one cubit to our stature. Consider the lilies of the field, our wildflowers here in Tx...they do not toil or spin, but even Solomon in all his glory was not as beautiful, was he? in his kingly robes.
How You Can Tell When It's Going to Be a Rotten Day
Source unknown
You wake up face down on the pavement. You call Suicide Prevention and they put you on hold. You see a "60 Minutes" news team waiting in your office. Your birthday cake collapses from the weight of the candles. You turn on the news and they're showing emergency routes out of the city. Your twin sister forgot your birthday. Your car horn goes off accidentally and remains stuck as you follow a group of Hell's Angels on the freeway. Your boss tells you not to bother to take off your coat. The bird singing outside your window is a buzzard. You wake up and your braces are locked together. You call your answering service and they tell you it's none of your business. Your income tax check bounces. You put both contact lenses in the same eye. Your wife says, "Good morning, Bill," and your name is George.
Instead of worrying we are to serve God here by doing His will and acknowledging His love and His direction in our days, however long they may be here.
Fear is a terrible visitor and it is even more difficult if fear lives with you. We should be like step 1 of Lloyd Ogilive's book 12 Steps to Living without Fear: " My fear is really loneliness for God. Therefore, I will claim His promise to never leave or forsake me." Or my favorite one , the last one:
" I will give up the vague idea that given time, things work out. I will boldly face the future unafraid with the sure confidence that God will work all things together for my ultimate good and His glory."
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
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