Hey Clawson Family!

Song:

Scripture:

Matthew 6:25-33 New Living Translation

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God[a] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Devotional:

Right now it is election time. Social media, television, radio is bombarded with politics. Each party is making promises to provide everything we need. This is what a politician does! That will promise anything to ensure our votes, so that we will put faith in them.

The issue is that every time a politician makes promises to provide everything that you need, they know, their party knows, and by now you should know they have no intention of providing everything that you need. They are simply saying that to gain your vote.

How refreshing to know that the leadership of the Kingdom of heaven is not like the leadership of the Kingdoms of the earth?!

If God tells you He is going to provide what you need, you can have faith in Him! He is not just trying to get your vote! He is trying to make your life better.  

If you are ever wondering why God hasn’t given you something that you feel you need, there could be several reasons for that.

1. He doesn't feel like you need it, or maybe you don’t need it yet

2. He has provided for your needs, and you didn’t like how he provided it so now you are still needy.

There is a story about a man stuck on top of his house. A storm  came through and his whole neighborhood was under water. He was in a storm standing on top of his house praying for God to save him. 

Someone in a boat spots him and comes right up to his house to get him. He refuses and says no I am waiting on God to save me. Next a chopper flys down and drops him a rope, and he tells the chopper he is good, he is waiting on God.

He ends up dying on the roof of his house. He gets to heaven and asks God why in the world he didn't save him.  And he said to him, I sent a boat and you didn't get on it, So then I had a chopper come by and you turned that down to. I provided exactly what you needed it just didn’t look like you wanted it to.

In our lives I think we mix up needs and wants, and a lot of times God provides what we need in the season we are in, but we don’t like what he is providing. Then we are left wondering why He is not providing what we need. It is not God's fault. 

He promises to provide for our physical needs as we seek His kingdom and follow as He leads. He also provides for our spiritual needs. That is the kind of King that we serve!

Providing food, clothing, work, but also providing things like Salvation, healing, freedom.

Journal: 

In your journal today share how it feels to know that God will always keep His promises regardless of how many there are or how long it takes! What are some promises you are waiting for God to fulfill in your life?

Training:

Father 

I’ve struggled as I’ve waited for Your promises to be fulfilled in my life. And sometimes it’s hard to feel Your presence. Help me to remember that Your promises are sure and that You are here, working everything together for good. I trust You, Lord. 

 In Jesus’ name.  Amen.