Beatitudes Series Part 10: Lilies of the Field
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We are now continuing with Matthew 6:24-34, where Jesus teaches us to rely on Him, for He will supply our every need, to seek the Kingdom of God first so we are in His will for our life, that He may bless and guide us.
The Beatitude Series Part 10:
Lilies of the Field
Key Verses of Discussion
Matthew 6:24-34
In the last devotion, we discussed Treasures In Heaven. The things of this world will one day pass away, but the things that we set our focus on, to further the kingdom of God, will remain eternal treasures. If you missed it, I encourage you to check it out: Beatitudes Series Part 9
While we continue to study the Beatitudes, there’s so much to slow down and unpack as we read along, so this may seem like just a few short verses we are studying at a time, but there’s so much to discover, and studying God’s Word is a journey, not a race.
Grab a fresh, hot cup of tea or coffee, grab your Bible and even a notebook, and let’s continue learning what Jesus teaches us about Heavenly Treasures!
No Man Can Serve Two Masters
Matthew 6:24
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24
Two Masters
This portion could be tied to where we focus our treasures to be, where we focus who we serve. No man can serve two masters; there is a spiritual battle that we have been born into, one that seeks to get our attention for either good or evil, hint- the two masters: God vs Satan. When we are in our adolescence, we may be unaware of this spiritual war; we are innocent, and it’s a way for God to protect us when we are young. The day we become aware of sin, we are made aware of the spiritual battle that rages for our focus and attention.
There are things in our lives that may seem good, but the one question we need to ask is: Is this helping to be a witness of God’s kingdom, and will this draw me closer or farther away from God? When it comes to choosing a career path, a life-altering decision, or even moving to a new location, will this new direction lead us closer to God’s will for our lives?
Who Will You Serve?
We cannot be in the world and do the worldly things and serve God. God is never changing; He is the same as He always has been from the beginning of our recorded history. His expectations for our life have not changed; this is why He came to sacrifice Himself in human form, Jesus Christ, to make a way for us to have a direct relationship with Him. There is but one mediator between God and man, that is Jesus Christ. (1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 12:24, Hebrews 9:15)
The world changes over time; there’s always some new shiny thing that tries to grab our focus and attention, that if we aren’t careful, will start drifting us from God. It’s always in the form of entertainment, something that will divert our attention from the things that God would have us focus on. Some examples can be: social media, movies, music, relationships, and the list goes on. All these things can have positive effects, and I’m not saying all these things are labeled to be bad; all these things I listed have good as well. Social media can be used to reach others across a vast audience that would not otherwise be reached in a local community to spread the gospel. Movies can be educational or inspirational, the same with music; we have gospel and Christian music, and relationships can go either way as well.
Drawing Closer To God
There is good and evil in all aspects of our daily lives. When it comes to decisions, let’s ask ourselves more frequently, “Is this something that will draw me closer to God or drift me away from Him?” I’m not one to say what is good or evil; that is a discernment between you and God, and the more we grow in a relationship with Him, the faster we can recognize the good or the evil in a situation.
Let us be wise in our discernments and seek God in all things. May we serve the One True God- our Heavenly Father.
Lilies Of The Field
Matthew 6:25-34
“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? (26) Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? (27) Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? (28) And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies fo the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: (29) And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (30) Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O Ye of little faith? (31) Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (32) (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (34) Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:25-34
Take No Thought
How much time in a day, do we waste on the thoughts of what we will eat, drink or wear? Women often think of these things since it’s part of the motherly instinct to feed and clothe our family. But how much time do we put into such thoughts or worry if it will be enough? Jesus reminds us of the fowl of the air, where do they live? They don’t live in homes, although some do find a home in the trunk of a hollowed out tree, but even that was not built by the fowl, it was put in place by God.
Fowl Of The Air
They gather their daily portions of food, they don’t have store houses or barns to keep the food in, yet every day God feeds them, by the seed, grains and the insects that are supplied to them. Planning ahead is wise to do, to put up food for our family’s well being, but we should not spend our time worrying where the source of our food will come from, God will supply and make a way for us to be fed.
Lilies Of The Field
They grow, the don’t move, but yet God supplies their beauty and their means of nutrients. We are given the things that we are in need of, nothing surprises God! If you look back and reflect on your past, you may see very clear evidence of when God supplied your needs and you have no other explanation as to how it was done. Sometimes things may be removed from our life that we don’t want to lose but if that was not taken away, then God would not have been able to give us the blessing that He has prepared for us. When God closes a door, He already has another ready to be opened to you, at the right time.
Oh Ye Of Little Faith
God knows what we are in need of before we are aware of the need. Let us have faith that nothing gets past God, He is in control of all things in our lives. He should get praise from us in the storms of life and even more so in the times we enjoy His creation, soaking up the sun on a warm spring day.
Seek The Kingdom of God
When we have a fellowship with God, all things are to His glory. When we are in His will for our life, He will abundantly bless us.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” Matthew 6:33
This is a promise from God, that in HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, all these things SHALL be added unto you. When we are aligned with God’s will for our lives, He gives to us. The word SHALL means a promise, and God doesn’t say something He doesn’t mean. When God makes a promise, you can guarantee that it’s already been fulfilled.
Sufficient Unto The Day
Remember to reflect on the past so we know how God has transformed us into who we are today. Let us make plans for tomorrow, but not dwell so much that we forget about the blessing of the day, the present, a gift.
When we dwell on the past, we are unable to live in the current day or even look to the future. It’s good to remember the things of our past, but to know there is nothing that can be changed, we can only make wrongs right and do better for today. They are our life lessons; without them, we would not be the individuals that God has formed us to be today.
When we focus and put too much effort into our future, we forget to enjoy the gift of this day, and the things of today may change the outcome of what we plan for our future. God holds our future; we should plan, but know that those plans should only be flexible, everything changes, and when we put too much detail in our planning, we place expectations that are sometimes not practical. This may bring disappointment, frustration, anger, tension, or conflicts.
Let us remember to have faith like a child, a child doesn’t worry about what they will eat, wear, or the bills that need to be paid, they have parents that take care of those things. You and I are no different. Yes, we have responsibilities to tend to the things of our family, but when it comes to how those things will be supplied, let us release that worry or concern and know that God will take care of us.
This is not a one-way ticket to be lazy and just put all things on God. He supplies us with a job, a home, and the means to supply these daily life essentials. Jesus is telling us not to worry about things that are not in our control, as long as we are in fellowship with Him and seek the Kingdom of God first, all these things will be added unto us.
Journal Prompts
What is something from my past that I have a hard time letting go of? Is there something I can do to make this right? Find scripture to help release this bondage of a past thought that is holding me back from today.
What am I planning for the future? Have I sought God in prayer before setting these plans? Are they in line with drawing me closer to God, or is this something that will drift me further away from God?
What am I worried or concerned about today? What problem or challenge am I facing in making decisions on? Have I asked God for guidance before setting out on my own understanding of the situation?
Find a scripture that I can remind me to have faith in God more than myself or what I am capable to make happen. Remember God is my Heavenly Father, have child like faith.
Before you start your day, will you join me in prayer?
Father, we thank You for the gift of today. May we keep the things of our past as memory lessons that have molded us into the person we are today. Let us not be overwhelmed with the thought of the past or the future, the things that are out of our control. May we bring our focus onto today, the present, the gift of the current, so that it may not be robbed of past mistakes or future concerns that can change so quickly. Guide us to seek the kingdom of Heaven and what Your will is for our lives at this moment in time, right now. Help us to be wise in our discernment to follow after the goodness of Your will in our lives, and that we may be aware of the things that may distract or divert our attention away from You. Help us to draw closer to You each day, each decision we make, may You be who we run to first in asking for guidance and wisdom. We ask this in Your precious Holy Name, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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Sources: Fasting - https://www.themanual.com/fitness/benefits-of-fasting/
Fasting Benefits - https://foodrevolution.org/blog/what-is-fasting/
Quick Note:
Some Bible studies may take longer than others, as I am often led to explain certain verses in greater detail. I want you to know that these blog posts are written straight from my heart - they are not created by AI, so if you pay close attention, you may find my little nuggets of imperfections! What you read here are my own thoughts and reflections, guided by where God leads me.
I am not a professional; I’m simply a southern wife and mother of five with a deep desire to share the truth of our loving Heavenly Father. He loves you, and He longs to have a relationship with you. We are not called to be perfect, but we are called to be led by Him.
God has placed so much on my heart to share, and my prayer is that these words bless and encourage you. I’m not here for recognition or fame - only to spread the message of God’s love to you, my new friend, and to many others.
