What Jesus Did

[Jesus continued:] "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."

—Matthew 6:34 NLT

Key Thought​

As we ponder these words of Jesus, we must recognize that worry and planning ahead are different things. Jesus said that it is unreasonable not to do some essential planning (Luke 14:28-31). Still, most of us have battled worry at some point in our lives. We go to bed with that nagging concern about what will happen...

 

[Jesus continued:] "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."

—Matthew 6:31-33 NLT

Key Thought​

What's most important to you? Why is it important? Jesus emphasizes all throughout his ministry that three things...

 

[Jesus continued:] "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
"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, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 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?"


—Matthew 6:27-30 NLT

Key Thought​

...

 

[Jesus continued:] "That [you cannot serve both God and money] 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? 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?"

—Matthew 6:25-26 NLT

Key Thought​

What does it take to make you content...

 

[Jesus continued:] "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money."

—Matthew 6:24 NLT

Key Thought​

Who will I let rule my life? With whom will my ultimate allegiance lie? When an ultimate choice has to be made, on what basis will it be made? What am I pursuing most passionately with my use of time, talents, and treasure? There is only one correct answer...

 

[Jesus continued:] "Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!"

—Matthew 6:22-23 NLT

Key Thought​

In baseball, having a "good eye" means that the batter doesn't swing at bad pitches, only hittable strikes. In life, having a good eye means that...

 

[Jesus continued:] "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."

—Matthew 6:19-21 NLT

Key Thought​

Jesus wasn't very big on storing up things. The story of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk. 16:19-31) reminds us how easily we...

 

[Jesus continued:] "And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you."

—Matthew 6:16-18 NLT

Key...​

 

[Jesus continued:] "Pray like this:
"Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need,
and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don't let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one."


—Matthew 6:9-13 NLT

Key Thought​

Much has been written about Jesus' model prayer. Rather than something to be blindly recited, this is a...

 

[Jesus continued:] "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."

—Matthew 6:14-15 NLT

Key Thought​

How can we dare go before God and ask him to forgive us if we refuse to forgive others? God's grace is to be shared! If we do not share that grace, then it sours in us and we lose its blessing. We are forgiven to be agents of forgiveness. On a daily basis, our...