"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT NOT HAVING TO WORRY"

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT NOT HAVING TO WORRY"

Matt 6:31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’”

Matt 6:32 “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”

Matt 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Matt 6:34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

1. Jesus plainly tells us not to worry about certain things and He tells us why not to worry.

Matt 6:31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’”

Matt 6:32 “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”

Jesus tells us not to worry.

Jesus tells us what not to worry about.

Jesus says, don't worry about having enough food, drink, or clothing.

Jesus explains that this is what pagans (unbelievers) do.

Jesus says that these are all the things that pagans are deeply concerned about.

Jesus tells us why we do not need to worry.

It's because our heavenly Father already knows all of our needs.

He knows what we need.

He will take care of providing what we need. 

He will take care of literally all of our needs.

2. Jesus tells us what to do with our lives, giving us a promise and another reminder not to worry.

Matt 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Matt 6:34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Jesus teaches us to live for Him. 

As we live for Him, He will take care of our needs from day to day. 

We are to make His kingdom (the reign and the rule of Christ) our primary concern.

Putting Jesus first in our lives day by day.

And the final reminder about not worrying. 

Here He specifies what not to worry about. 

It's called tomorrow.

He gives us a reason, if you will.

Tomorrow will have it's own worries. 

Today's trouble is enough for today.

So don't add to your problems today by worrying about tomorrow. 

Leave tomorrow alone. 

Leave it in God's hands.

Some Questions:

1. Don't you agree that some things are easier said then done?

2. Would you agree that worrying would fall into that category?

3. And would you agree that God can help us with what is difficult?

4. Hasn't God told us that Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth?

5. Doesn't that then make Him able to fulfill all His promises to us?

A Prayer:

Lord, Your Word is so encompassing. One day we read it, and it deals with one important area of our life. And the next day we read it, and it deals with another important area of our lives. Thank You so much. You are so gracious, loving, caring, and able to do all that You promise. We love You and want to stay close to You and have You in our minds through the day. Help us especially when surprising and difficult things come our way. They rock us and can knock us down. But, Lord, pick us up quickly, and help us to turn our minds and hearts to You quickly. And to believe You, and not look at or trust in our feelings or lean to our own understand. You cannot lie. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S BLESSING YOU WITH TWO BLESSINGS"

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S BLESSING YOU WITH TWO BLESSINGS"

Proverbs 2:1 “My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you,”

Proverbs 2:2 “So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding;”

Proverbs 2:3 “Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding,”

Proverbs 2:4 “If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;”

Proverbs 2:5 “Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God.”

Proverbs 2:6 “For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

1. God tells us how to regard His Word in order to receive His blessings.

Proverbs 2:1 “My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you,”

Proverbs 2:2 “So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding;”

Proverbs 2:3 “Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding,”

Proverbs 2:4 “If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;”

Please notice what God says about how we can relate to His Word.

We are to receive it.

We are to treasure it.

We are to incline our ear to His wisdom.

We are to apply our hearts to His understanding.

We can cry out for discernment

We can lift up our voice for understanding.

We can seek understanding as we would for silver.

We can search for understanding as we would for hidden treasures.

In other words. 

We can listen to God and treasure His instructions.

We can tune in our ears to His wisdom and concentrate on understanding.

We can ask for insight and search for it as we would for lost money or hidden treasure.

2. God tells us what blessings He will bring into our lives and why He will bless us.

Proverbs 2:5 “Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God.”

Proverbs 2:6 “For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

We are promised to understand the fear of the Lord.

We are promised to find the knowledge of God. 

Or to put it another way, we will understand what it means to fear the Lord.

And, we will assuredly gain the knowledge of God.

All of this will happen because God has promised that it will.

He grants wisdom, and from His mouth or His Word come knowledge and understanding.

Some Questions:

1. Aren't these verses encouraging?

2. Isn't God gracious to make this promise to us?

3. Can you see why it's important to be a person who is in the Word?

4. Are you someone who is moving in this direction?

5. How is your particular church body doing in regard to these verses?

6. Will you pray for yourself and your church to hunger for God's Word?

A Prayer:

Father, Your promises are so wonderful to read. And they are wonderful because they are true. 

You are so gracious and giving to us. Your Word is so important, and yet, Father, we often do not pay attention to it.

In fact, Lord, You know the condition of our hearts and our interest or lack for Your Word. We have to be honest and say that there is a great need today for the body of Christ to be revived and renewed in our hunger for You, and for Your Word. 

Would You please start with each of us who are reading this devotional and prayer this very day. Create a new hunger in our hearts, Lord, for what You want for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia.

“SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WISDOM FROM GOD CONCERNING TWO GROUPS OF PEOPLE”

“SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WISDOM FROM GOD CONCERNING TWO GROUPS OF PEOPLE”

Proverbs 1:29 “Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD,”

Proverbs 1:30 “They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke.”

Proverbs 1:31 “Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies.”

Proverbs 1:32 “For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them;”

Proverbs 1:33 “But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

1. God tells us about a certain group of people.

Proverbs 1:29 “Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD,”

Proverbs 1:30 “They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke.”

This group of people actually hate the knowledge of God.

And, they choose not to fear the Lord. 

They do not want God's counsel of advice.

And, they pay no attention to God when He tries to correct them. 

They reject God's advice. And go with their own wisdom.

2. God tells us what will happen to this group of people.

Proverbs 1:31 “Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies.”

Proverbs 1:32 “For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them;”

Because of their choices, they will eat the bitter fruit of living their own way. 

They will experience the full terror of the path they have chosen. 

They will be filled with their own fancies. 

What a sad future awaits this group of people.

Their choice to turn away will slay them. 

They are turning from life to death. 

The Bible says they are fools and that their own complacency will destroy them.

3. God tells us about another group of people.

Proverbs 1:33 “But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.”

This is the group to be in right here.

These people listen to God.

These people are promised to dwell in safety. 

These are the people who hear and respond to God's Word.

They will live in peace and safety and be unafraid of harm.

Some Questions:

1. Isn't it startling to read about these two groups of people?

2. Do you see the two groups of people around you?

3. We who are in Christ were once in that first group.

4. Let's pray for those we know who are rejecting God that they will repent and turn to Christ. Will You pray for them?

A Prayer:

Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your Name. Your Word makes no bones about reality. You tell us plainly what's what, and who is who. We thank You for teaching us the truth. We also pray to be walking in the truth ourselves, and not just reading about it, or talking about it, or being self deceived. We pray for family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc, who are rejecting You at that this time. Lord, we were once rejectors, but Your grace made us receivers of Jesus Christ. 

Please make them receivers also. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT MEETING WITH GOD PERSONALLY"

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT MEETING WITH GOD PERSONALLY"

Genesis 12:3 “And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai,”

Genesis 12:4 “to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the LORD.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

1. As we journey through life, it's good to pause and call on the name of the Lord.

Genesis 12:3 “And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai,”

Abram was actually moving from one location to another. 

He would often return to places he had been before.

Our lives are not so transient, yet we have a new day, day by day.

What we see Abram doing is a good picture for us of what we can do.

He would pause or camp at the altar of worship he made, and worship God.

We can do the same thing morning by morning. Pause and worship our Savior.

2. We are on a journey, and God can be approached day by day.

Genesis 12:3 “And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai,”

We need to connect with God regularly.

Abram did this frequently.

He is again a good example of consistently worshipping and fellowshipping with God.

We can connect with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

He is the way the the truth and the life.

And no man comes to the Father but by Him.

Thank You, Jesus, for being our mediator to the Father.

3. We can call upon the name of the LORD.

Genesis 12:4 “to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the LORD.”

Abram had built an altar.

He did this to worship God. 

He came back to the altar he had built. 

And at the altar he would call upon the name of the LORD.

We can have our own altars, if you will.

Perhaps it's the chair in your living room where you sit in the mornings to read your Bible.

Or maybe it's some other location.

But, it's also an altar in your heart, as it were, where you day by day call upon the God who you need and who hears You.

Some Questions:

1. Do you know that like Abram we are on a journey that will take us to heaven one day?

2. Do you feel the need in your life for God today?

3. Why do you think Abram would regularly pause at the altar he built and call upon God?

4. Because he was a man just like you or me, and he knew he could not live his life without God at the center of his life.

5. May we all be encouraged to develop the practice of seeking the Lord day by day and calling upon Him. He listens.

A Prayer:

Father, some days are bright and some days are cloudy spiritually. It's easy to call upon you on a bright day, but a little more difficult, and in fact, often very very difficult to turn our minds away from what may be troubling us and turn them to You, and fix our thoughts and hearts upon You, and upon Your Word. Help us, Lord, to build an altar each morning, regardless of the color of our day, i.e our souls. Be they happy or troubled, we can build that altar and there meet with You, and You meet with us. You love us much more than we love You. But help us, Lord, to grow more and more in our love to You. It won't be long before we will be in heaven, and the troubles of this life will be over. Thank You that in the mean time we can pause and connect with You and find a little bit, or a lot of heavenly influence in our lives to help us on our journey. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE MAN NOAH"

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE MAN NOAH"

Genesis 6:8 “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”

Genesis 6:9 “This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.”

Genesis 6:22 “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

1. Noah, (even though all around him was corrupt) found grace or favor with the Lord.

Genesis 6:8 “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”

We are living in days very similar to Noah's day.

Everyone is pretty much doing what they want to, instead of seeking to do what God wants them to do.

Even though life is as it is, God is the grace or favor giver.

Grace is undeserved favor.

You can find grace from God.

You can ask God for grace.

You can be sure God will give you grace.

Because God is gracious and loves to give His grace.

2. God noted three things about Noah.

Genesis 6:9 “This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.”

Noah was a just man, or a righteous man, that is, he walked in the path God laid out for him.

Noah was perfect in his generation, or the only blameless man living on the earth at that time.

Noah walked with God. That is, he consistently followed God's will and enjoyed a close relationship with Him.

What Noah was, we can be.

Remember, Noah lived by grace.

Grace enables a man to live the way Noah lived.

3. Noah was obedient to God's will for him.

Genesis 6:22 “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.”

God has something for each of us to do also.

Noah did everything exactly as God commanded him.

Remember Noah did all this by grace.

What a man Noah was.

What an example Noah was.

What a pattern for us to follow.

Some Questions:

1. Do you know what grace means?

2. Do you know that God wants to give you grace today?

3. Do you know you cannot or need not try to earn grace?

4. Do you know that grace means unmerited favor, or undeserved favor?

5. Do you know what God wants you to do with your life right now?

6. Will you aspire to be like Noah and do exactly as God commands You?

A Prayer:

Father, thank You for being so full of grace and compassion, and love and mercy. We need all of these each day, and throughout each day. May we find what Noah did, Your grace and Your favor. Thank You for this example of what grace can do in a man's life. We pray that Your grace would show itself in our lives just as it did Noah's. Show us Your will, and give us grace and power to do it, Lord. That is our request and desire towards You this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia.