God is still in control!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?
(Luke 15:25 (NIV))

I realize that this doesn’t sound like a passage that has anything to do with the Christmas season, but I think that we all need to be reminded of this, especially with the events of this last year. In fact, I honestly believe that it fits in perfectly as a reminder of what God has done for us.

We have had a year like no other. Who knows what the future holds in store for us until Jesus returns? I don’t want to get into the theology of the Rapture and when it will happen. All I want to do is remind everyone of the promises that have been fulfilled by God when He sent His Son Jesus into the world. That arrival, that promise fulfilled is what we celebrate. It is what we hold fast to. It is a joyous occasion. It is a joyous reminder that if God promises, then He will keep His promises.

Are you worried about the world?

Leave at the feet of Jesus!

Are you worried about your job?

Leave it at the feet of Jesus!

If you are worried about anything, you can leave it at the feet of Jesus!

No matter what we may face, we must remember what God has done for us. We must remember that He is not finished yet. We must remember one very important thing!

God is still in control!

Copyright 1998 – 2020 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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Rejoice in what the Lord has given you today!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
(Psalms 118:24 (NIV))

Every day is a gift from God. We do not know when the day that we see will be our last. Our society has become so engrossed in planning for tomorrow, that we often overlook today. Today is a certainty. Tomorrow is only a possibility. It is wise to plan for tomorrow, but do not be so wrapped up in tomorrow that you neglect today.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
(Matthew 6:34 (NIV))

When Jesus came to earth, He did not spend His whole time with us worrying about the cross that was to come “tomorrow.” He knew that it would come, yet He did not worry about it. He embraced each day on this earth and did the Will of God the Father for the moment that He was in. Should we do any different than Jesus did? Another “tomorrow” that Jesus faced was sitting at the Right Hand of God the Father after His resurrection, yet Jesus did not skip today to get to tomorrow. He rejoiced in what was the moment and kept everything in it’s proper place and time.

Each day is a precious gift from God. Do not waste this gift worrying about what you will do with another gift!

Rejoice in what the Lord has given you today!

Copyright 1998 – 2018 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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Do not let your plans interfere with what God has in store for you

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, `What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

“Then he said, `This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ‘

“But God said to him, `You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest
(Luke 12:16-26 (NIV))

God has spoken similar words to many people throughout the Bible.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
(Matthew 6:19-21)

If you worry about this life, what will it gain you? If you worry, that means that your heart is focused on things of this world and not of the things of God. God will take care of your needs. He will provide what is needed. Do not focus on the worldly issues that occur all around you, but focus on God and His Will and all will be provided as He desires it to be. There is a saying about the best laid plans of mice and men. Do not let your plans interfere with what God has in store for you.

Copyright 1998 – 2013 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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