His Whisperings – Page 68 – Inspired by His Word

Luke 12:27-28 Clothed by God

Posted on January 23, 2008 by Janice D. GreenJanuary 23, 2008

27 ” Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! Luke 12:27-28 (NIV)

I have never been known for my great wardrobe. Even as a teenager, I found other things to spend my clothing budget on than clothes. Yet there are times when I’m envious and even covetous of the clothing I see others wear. On those occasions when I attempt to bolster my wardrobe, I’m often disappointed with the outcome.

For some reason, it so often isn’t the most expensive things I have purchased that have been my best outfits. Rather, it tends to be the items I have found on sale at the times I really needed them that have been my best purchases. And right in there with these purchases is clothing that has been given to me. It hasn’t been hard to recognize these as two of the ways God has been there for me.

I am also reminded of the passage in 1 Peter 3-5 in which women are encouraged to enhance their beauty with the “unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.” If we put our faith and trust in him, we open the door for him to clothe us with a beauty that money can’t buy.

Lord help me to draw closer to you day by day that I may be fully clothed in your righteousness.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Luke 12:22-24 Enjoy his love and care, don’t worry!

Posted on January 22, 2008 by Janice D. GreenJanuary 22, 2008

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Luke 12:22-24 (NIV)

This teaching begins with the word “Therefore” which means we need to look at the preceding verses. Jesus had just told the Diciples the parable of the rich man who planned to store up all his riches for himself, only to have his life come to an end that very night. So when Jesus tells his Disciples not to worry, he is telling them not to be overly concerned about saving and hoarding to meet our own needs.

God urges us to observe the birds of the air and consider how he cares for them. They only need to gather food every day. They neither plant nor store up food for tomorrow. God cares for the birds. But he values us much more than the birds. We can trust him to care for us.

I am reminded of how God provided manna for the Israelites in the desert. If the people tried to store up extra for the days ahead the manna spoiled. They were to only gather as much as they needed. God was teaching the Israelites to trust him to provide for them.

Likewise, we are to trust God with our tomorrows. God expects us to work and make a living, but we should not concern ourselves with storing up wealth so we can take life easy and indulge in our own pleasures. Neither should we worry that we might not be able to earn enough or save enough. If we are diligent and not lazy, we need not worry about our tomorrows.

Lord, help us to so abide in your love and care that we will naturally trust you to provide for all of our needs.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Luke 12:25-26 Do not worry!

Posted on January 22, 2008 by Janice D. GreenJanuary 22, 2008

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

Do not worry – this is so easy to say, but it can be harder to follow through on this command. I suppose every age has it’s own set of things we can allow ourselves to worry about. I’ve been through most of them by now, but still don’t seem to get it at times. I draw closer to retirement and wish and worry all in the same breath.

But when we fall into the worry trap we waste precious energy that could be channelled into more productive activity. But even more grievous is the fact that when we worry we are subconsciously expressing our lack of faith in God’s ability to take care of us.

When I read verse 24 I wonder where we draw the line between worry and personal responsibility. I don’t believe God means for us to throw all caution to the wind and live irresponsibly, expecting God and/or other people to pick up the slack. From the time Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden until now man has been under the curse of a fallen world. Each must labor and deal with the thorns in his/her field. Even the birds have to gather their own food.

But it is one thing to have to work and quite another to render ourselves unable to work because of undue fretting and worry. We can trust God to be faithful and to bless our efforts, so that we may eat the fruit of our hands.

Lord help us always to trust in your ability to provide and your eagerness to do so.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Psalm 31:1-5 Trusting in God

Posted on January 21, 2008 by Janice D. GreenJanuary 21, 2008

¹In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.
²Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.
³Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
⁴Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.
⁵Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth. Psalms 31:1-5 (NIV)

Have you ever been wrongfully accused or treated unfairly? David experienced this over and over in his life beginning with the persecution from King Saul and later by his own son Absalom. Yet David continually put his trust in the Lord and found him to be his strong fortress and salvation.

Notice in verse 3 how David boldly prayed that God would lead and guide him for the sake of God’s name. If we dare to live faithfully for Christ, we too can pray with this boldness for the sake of His name.

This is a great scripture to use as a prayer when you are feeling oppressed or persecuted by others, and know that if God was there to see David through, he will be there for you as well.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Psalm 138:1-3 Praise the Lord

Posted on January 21, 2008 by Janice D. GreenJanuary 21, 2008

¹I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
²I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
³When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted. Psalms 138:1-3(NIV)

On one occasion in my life when I struggled from oppression coupled with depression, I found myself unable to bring myself to attend Sunday morning worship service, because I knew how prone I would have been to sit and cry through the service. But my grief didn’t prevent me from worshiping my God, who I knew loved me. I armed myself with my Scripture song tapes, songbooks, and my Bible, and went to a quiet spot beside the lake in the state park near my home. I cried through one Scripture song after another, and looked up the Bible verses many of them represented. As I sang these songs, most of which sang God’s praises, God began to speak to my spirit, lifting me above my circumstances. I left the park with tear streaked cheeks, but with eyes that shone with the joy of the Lord.

As I read the third verse in the above passage, I was reminded of that morning so long ago, and of other similar times, when I called and He answered me. He made me bold and stouthearted.

Praise the Lord! It will do your heart good.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.