Saturday, April 27, 2013

Are you one of God’s Angels?

 

6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
6:26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
6:27 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?
6:28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin,
6:29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.
6:30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith?
6:31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?'
6:32 For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.


6:33 But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
6:34 "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.
  Matthew 6:25-34
 
 
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
- Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
 
My husband has been out of work this past year. And this was not the first time; over the last 20 years he has been laid off five times. Each time has become more difficult for us as husband and wife and as a family. Our three children have endured many hardships and fears related to this. We’ve experienced days with no oil for heat or propane for hot water.

We’ve had empty food shelves and no electricity. We even endured a three-week period without a car, making it difficult to get to school, stores, and church in our suburban area.

 Even though we’ve experienced hardships, we’ve also received care by unexpected means. People have given us food, cars, propane, money, and their prayers and support. These people served as God’s angels to us during these times, and we’ve learned to trust God to help us meet our needs. God has blessed us far more than the beautiful lilies Jesus described. When we know and accept God’s love, we can face tomorrow’s challenges with confidence that all will be well.
 
Prayer - Loving God, thank you for your love and care shown through your children around us. Teach us in return to be willing to help others in their need. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 
 
Prayer focus   Those in extended unemployment