Today’s reading is 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12.

“For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2).

I spend too many days worried about what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, next decade. A friend calls it crazy-making and that is an accurate description. I can make myself utterly crazy with fears and worries about what might happen in the future with my finances, my family, my work.

What helps the most is remembering that I might not even see tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, next decade. The Lord’s coming will be like a thief in the night. It might well be like a thief tonight. Why ruin today worrying about a tomorrow I may never even see?

I’m not saying I don’t give consideration and make plans for the potential future. It would be ungodly to spend all the money I have now and not save some to be able to eat tomorrow. However, there is no need to let tomorrow ruin today. Today I need to simply get closer to Jesus because by the end of today, that may well be all that matters.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Luke 9:1-10:42.

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary” (Luke 10:41-42).

I needed to be reminded of this today. While your reading this, I’m probably working on my Tennessee house because it still isn’t ready to sell. We have built retaining walls, worked on landscaping, rebuilt the deck, painted. Yesterday, I discovered that shampooing the carpet probably isn’t going to cut it. Looks like we’ll have to have new installed. Needless to say, right now, I’m easily distracted, troubled, and anxious.

Certainly, I’m allowed to work on my house today. However, I need to keep things in perspective. I can get my house in top notch shape but that won’t necessarily help me glorify God. Today, I need to remember that the most important thing is getting to know Jesus a little better. That will help me glorify God and help me find eternal life. In the midst of hammering, painting, planting grass, etc. I need to keep Jesus at the center.

Yes, it is easy to be anxious and troubled about all these things, but if I make sure to focus on the one necessary thing, God will provide the rest.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Luke 11:1-12:59.

Jesus said, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If they you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?” (Luke 12:25-26).

Man, I need to hear that today. It is amazing the number of things that can cause me to worry. Further, it is amazing the crazymaking that goes on in my head when I start to worry. If Marita is a few minutes late getting home, I suddenly picture her on the side of the road dead. I begin to get physically agitated wondering how I’ll raise the kids by myself. Ryan had a bike accident recently right after we had finally paid off all our medical debt and by the end of the emergency room visit, I was convinced that by the end of the year, our family would be homeless because of the pressing debts. An elder expresses frustration with me and suddenly I’m convinced my days as a preacher are numbered.

It is so easy for me to worry. But Jesus points out, my anxiety and worry won’t do me a bit of good. I can’t add any length to my life by worrying. In fact, I think there is probably good evidence that worry and anxiety will shorten my life. So, Jesus says, “Quit worrying.”

Of course, someone will point out that one day my wife really may get in a car wreck. I may really end up homeless one day. I may really have to quit preaching one day. All those things are true. But they aren’t true today. Why mess up today by worrying about some possible, yet unknown future. Today, I simply need to submit to Jesus and let Him lead me. Just do what He says. Seek His kingom, that is, his rule in my life. Instead of worrying what may happen somewhere down the road based on today’s decisions, I need to simply do what is right and what seeks God’s kingdom today. As some of my friends say, I just need to do the next right thing.

As Jesus says, “Don’t worry, be holy.”

***Question: What do you do to help overcome anxiety and worry?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC