I once heard Adrian Rogers (a preacher who passed away years ago) say this: When Jesus walked on water why did He do it? So that He could say “Look at me! I can walk on water”. NO! That’s not why He did it. It was not theatrics. It was like all of His miracles. When the discples saw Him walking on the water, what was their biggest problem? The water. What He was saying to them is this, “what looks like it will be over your head, is already under my feet”.

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I love this word picture. Jesus often told parables because we humans need things to relate to. I need a story to see how God’s helping me, saving me, protecting me. It’s a scary world out there and He tells us these things so that we may have peace.

Luke 12:25-26 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[a]? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

He goes on to say that the flowers are beautifully clothed even though they do not work because the Lord cares for them.

Luke 12:29-31 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Again, we are being told to seek the Kingdom FIRST. I used to have this verse on my fridge so that it would remind me every day to “seek the Kingdom” first before I did anything else. Read scripture, talk to God, even just a moment at the beginning of every day will make your day so much better.

A little secret : I still write these because I NEED IT! I need to be in the word, I need to pray! They are not for you, this is for ME!

Father God, forgive us when we forget to start our day with you! I KNOW that it helps my day and yet I let things get in my way. Help me to do better! Because I do love you. Amen

Shirlene Peterson