Prayer Service will be held in-person, but will be not streamed nor recorded.
Week 8: DO NOT WORRY
OVERVIEW & LESSON
SERIES OVERVIEW:
Though Zacchaeus had a bad reputation, he wanted to see Christ Jesus for Himself and took full opportunity to welcome the LORD into his life. As a result, the former shady tax collector changed his attitude and began to serve the LORD through the financial gain of his enterprise.
Likewise, we all should seek to serve God through our jobs, hobbies, careers, and philanthropy. This can include charitable giving, applying our talents to such service, or any host of endeavors inspired by the Holy Spirit.
This series explores Biblical texts that should motivate us to work for Christ (not for man) no matter our area of employment, entrepreneurship, public service, career, or philanthropy.
TODAY'S LESSON:
Meeting deadlines and financial objectives, along with mitigating co-worker, employee, and/or customer conflicts, or dealing with other circumstances hindering our ability to complete tasks and services well can lead one to feel stressed, distressed, and even depressed. For that reason, we must include God in our work, for the LORD will help us (Psalm 46:1-2, 1 Peter 5:6-7, & Psalm 121). Today we will examine Jesus’s teaching encouraging us to seek God and not worry.
MEDITATION
[Col 3:23-25 KJV] 23 And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
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[Col 3:23-25 NLT] 23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. 25 But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.
Holy Text
Matthew 6:24-34
[Mat 6:24-34 NLT] 24 "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 both God and money. 25 "That 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? 26 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? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 "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, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 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? 31 "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.
