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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
We are reading and studying in Luke Chapter 12, where Jesus Christ has taught His disciples how they can avoid Hypocrisy, Greed and Fear. How many in our world today would like to be set free from one or two of these? But on He goes to deal with another equally serious matter that troubles so many – the corroding topic of worry.
In verse 22, Jesus says - "Do not worry about your life - what you will eat - or about your body and how you will clothe it." These words are being spoken to disciples - they are for us. Jesus is saying to us - Follow Me and I will help you avoid all worry.
Wealth can be as much a problem to those who have a lot of money as well as those who do not have much. Those who have plenty and those who have very little, tend to worry.
Jesus is saying "Don't worry - rather trust." Now, this is not always easy but it is the way Jesus Christ would have His followers live.
Jesus is warning disciples here about the futility of worrying. Can you do anything by worrying about it? Can you lengthen your life by worrying about it? No - rather the opposite - you will shorten your life by worrying about it.
Jesus is teaching us that worry is absurd - pointless - it will wear you down and achieve nothing. Jesus wants to deliver us - release us - save us - from worry.
On He goes to say to us - look at the flowers - they are beautifully clothed - and yet, they are so temporary. And it is GOD Who clothes them in all their splendour.
Do you think our Heavenly Father will take more care of His garden - His animals and pets - to the neglect of His children? No. No.
Remember for moment that there are people who say to us – “O if only the church would stick to the words and teaching of Jesus!” I tell you - people do not realise what Jesus is offering - freedom from play acting - kidding on - fear - greed – and worry.
Jesus teaches us that worry is simply the result of a lack of faith. Have faith in God - be dependent upon GOD - rely upon Him - trust Him to provide. We do the sowing - but it is HE Who does the increasing. Do not be over concerned about what you are going to eat and drink and wear. The pagan world runs after all these things - your FATHER knows that you need food and clothing! Wonderful!
Verse 31. Seek His Kingdom - and these things will be given to you as well. Seek His Government in your life - let Him reign and rule and control - and food and clothes and water and health and healing and wholeness and peace and love and joy will be yours too. Jesus Christ gives His disciples a new objective - a new goal - a fresh aim – an amazing way to live.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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