11.03.25 Luke 12:22-34

Prepare

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your presence today. We pray that here and now, we would behold your glory and by your spirit, be transformed into someone more and more like our risen King Jesus. Amen

Read

Do Not Worry

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

27 “Consider how the wild flowers 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—you of little faith! 29 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.

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Reflect

Life in 2025 makes sure that we’re never short of reasons to worry about. We have Jobs, families, mortgages, pensions, health scares that never quite feel stable. As a country, we sit in the middle of a world that is growing in tension and conflict. As christians, we can often end up taking on the worry and anxiety of those around us. Still, in the midst of all of this, Jesus says “Do not worry”.

Whatever our reasons are to worry today, Jesus gives us enough reason to believe that God is over and above such things. Whatever the size and scope of our worries, we can choose today to follow Jesus call, taking our focus away from our worries and look instead to  God’s Care, God’s provision and God’s Kingdom. We’ll consider each in turn.

Be

Never loose sight of God’s Care

If we are to learn to live without worry, we must first be reminded of God’s care & love for us. The same care that feeds every bird and clothes every flower.

Here these words from the book of Zephaniah and take a moment to let God’s love wash over you today. 

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” 

Become

Our worries are often find their root in an attitude of scarcity, we feel we lack something. Let’s pray now, using Jesus examples, and exchange what we think we lack with what we know God provides. 

• Father, I surrender all my worry about my appearance. May your spirit remind me that I am made in your image

• Father, I surrender all my worry about my work & my future. May your spirit remind me that my life is in your hands

• Father, I surrender all my worry about my money & the food. May your spirit remind me that you are my shepherd and in you, I lack nothing.

Do

Our passage instructs us to “Seek His kingdom first” and that “God is pleased to give us His Kingdom”

Worry can often be a distraction that prevents us from living with a kingdom mindset. Today, let’s be encouraged that God’s kingdom is one of abundance. By believing and trusting in God’s Care and provision, we are freed up to love others sacrificially and generously. 

Who in your life might God be calling you to meet the needs of? 

Who in your life might God be putting on your heart to pray for?

What has God blessed you with that might enable you to bless others?

Practice

There was a study that suggested that Anxiety and Gratitude cannot co-exist at the same time. With that mind, let’s cultivate gratitude this week. Every time a worry enters our mind and threatens our peace, let’s be quick to remind ourselves of what God has already given us. For example, Ephesians tells us that those who are in Jesus are “blessed with every spiritual blessing”

Be confident today that God will withhold no good thing from you and if that the case, you have no reason to worry.