The Sermon on the Mount is composed of the highlights of Jesus’ teachings as he “began to go all over Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people” (Matthew 4:23, CSB). He articulates carefully to the crowds a new way of living that is counter-cultural to their own understandings.  Embedded in Matthew 6 is the famous passage warning against simmering in anxiety, worrying about the cares of the world. It mentions God’s provision of food, shelter, and clothing – these tangible needs that all of creation can’t escape. But what if Jesus was getting at something more than these? What if spiritual maturity, emotional endurance, relational humility were all needs that our good Father in Heaven sees and provides for as well? Jesus begins this section by saying “Do not be anxious about your life.” We know that our lives do not only consist of physical needs. His sustaining power goes far beyond that – every little detail is seen and covered by God. He knows that the aches of our hearts are just as important as the pangs of our stomach or shivers felt by the cold. As Jesus draws our attention to all this, He distinguishes those living apart from God as those who worry (v. 32). Followers of Jesus are instead told to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” If we first follow the life laid out for believers right here in the sermon on the mount, if we listen and discern the Holy Spirit’s direction, if we are “kingdom minded” instead of “earthly minded,” then wedon’t have to worry. He has provided a cure. We are to be concerned about the state of faith, and He will sustain our being. Let us take just a moment to evaluate our own faith. Are the worries of this world paralyzing and distracting you from being fully invested in bringing the Kingdom down to earth? —to read the rest of this blog click the link below: https://www.ajesusmission.org/dowetakejesusseriously/ (fb)

When the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, they grumbled that the God who brought them out of Egypt – a place of enslavement and captivity – had brought them out to die of starvation. Out of God’s grace, He provided them with a daily sustenance. One that was to be gathered and eaten anew each day, otherwise it would rot. The exception revolved around their day of rest, the Sabbath. Altogether, when kept beyond their day of respite, the manna would decay. This illustration is a clear picture of the Father’s faithfulness, revealing that we weren’t meant to live only off the goodness of God from what He has done weeks, months, and years ago. Instead, the manna we have gathered in the past is meant to provide us with the faith to know that God will provide yet again. That remembering drives us to take the next step, believing that God will stay true to His character as we move into the next day. We were made to eat what was fresh, to experience God daily. And even in the rhythms of life that He has orchestrated – in the challenges of survival, rest, and pause – we see the Father sustains. As we breathe deep in this rhythm, we aren’t moved into action but instead moved to Sabbath. We trust that God never fails to provide exactly enough, that He Himself is enough for the time of rest before we go out to gather again. As we see God move, we testify to Jehovah Jireh, but we don’t linger because tomorrow His mercies will be renewed and there will be new manna waiting for us. https://www.ajesusmission.org/oldmanna-newrest/ (fb)