Matthew 6:25-27 - Trusting God

Matthew 6:25

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”

Jesus addresses one of our most common struggles: worry. His words remind us that God, the Creator of the universe, is also the sustainer of our lives. But — it is more than just a command to stop worrying — it is an invitation to trust. Worrying is not only unproductive, it is also unnecessary, and yet, how often do we let it rob us of our joy and peace?

Jesus addresses our daily concerns — what we will eat, drink, or wear. These are things we think about regularly. It’s easy to get caught up in the pressures of everyday life, but Jesus calls us to lift our eyes above these concerns and trust that God is in control of it all. We are not meant to figure everything out on our own or to spend our days in worry. We are called to trust.

Proverbs 3:5-6:  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Birds don’t plant crops, harvest fields, or store food in barns, yet they are fed. This isn’t to say that birds don’t work — they search for food and build nests — but they do so without anxiety because God provides for them. Jesus uses this simple example to show that if God takes care of the birds, how much more will He care for us, His children?

Jesus asks us a simple rhetorical question: “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” His point is clear: worrying doesn’t solve problems, extend life, or bring any real benefit. In fact, it does the opposite — it drains our energy, clouds our judgment, and diminishes our faith.

When we replace worry with prayer, God promises us His peace — a peace that may not always make sense in human terms, but is deeply felt by those who trust in Him.

Philippians 4:6-7:  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Jesus’ teaching doesn’t end with the command to stop worrying. He invites us to shift our focus. When we prioritize God’s kingdom and trust Him with our lives, He promises to take care of our needs. This doesn’t mean life will always be easy, or that we won’t face difficulties. But it does mean we can face those challenges with the confidence that God is with us, providing for us along the way.

Matthew 6:33:  "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

It’s easy to worry, thinking that our anxiety will somehow change the outcome of our circumstances. But Jesus invites us to lay down that burden and trust in His love and care. The next time worry begins to creep in, take a moment to look at the birds around you. Let them remind you of God’s faithfulness. If He cares for them, how much more does He care for you?

God knows our needs, so instead of trying to control the things we cannot, let’s rest in the truth that God — who is both our Creator and our Father — is more than able to take care of us. He asks us to trust Him, and when we do, we experience a peace and security that worry can never offer.

Psalm 55:22:  "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken."

Matthew 6:24 - Who Do You Serve?

 Matthew 6:24

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

In Matthew 6:24, Jesus lays out a very powerful truth. At its core, this verse challenges us to examine our priorities, but its relevance today is even sharper when we consider the messages we often hear from modern “Christian leaders”. Many promote what’s known as the “social gospel” or “prosperity gospel,” suggesting that faith in Jesus guarantees worldly success, happiness, and financial prosperity. It’s tempting to believe that following God will always lead to a life of comfort and abundance, but that’s not the message Jesus taught.

When Jesus says, “You cannot serve both God and money,” He is warning us against letting material wealth become the driving force in our lives. Now, there’s nothing wrong with being financially secure or successful, but the problem arises when money or comfort becomes our master — when the pursuit of these things takes priority over our devotion to God.

Messages from certain leaders, like those preaching the prosperity gospel, often highlight faith as a pathway to personal wealth and happiness. But that focus on material blessings can mislead us. The Gospel is not about accumulating treasures on earth; it’s about investing in what lasts for eternity. Jesus reminds us just a few verses earlier to "store up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:20). True discipleship isn’t about seeking wealth, but is about aligning our lives with God’s will, trusting Him even when life is hard, and serving Him above all else.

The danger of the “prosperity” message is that it subtly encourages us to view God as a means to an end — our personal success. But Jesus makes it clear that we cannot serve both God and money. Serving God requires full devotion. It means trusting Him to meet our needs, rather than chasing after material wealth, expecting God to bless us with prosperity in exchange for our faith.

Jesus never promised an easy, prosperous life for those who follow Him. In fact, He often spoke of self-denial, sacrifice, and suffering. The true riches of the Christian life are found in spiritual growth, in becoming more like Christ, and in experiencing the peace and joy that comes from knowing we are fully His.

This is where the choice comes in. Are we serving God for who He is, or for what we think He can give us? Are we more concerned with our comfort, wealth, and success, or with seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness? Jesus’ message in Matthew 6:24 is clear: you can’t have it both ways. Our devotion must be to God, not to money or worldly success.

Ultimately, the call of Matthew 6:24 is to shift our focus from the temporary to the eternal. God calls us to trust Him, not as a tool for our own prosperity, but as our loving Father who knows what we need and wants us to grow in faith. The wealth and success the world offers will fade, but the treasures of God’s kingdom are everlasting.

In the end, the question remains: Who — or what — do we serve? Let’s reject the idea that the Gospel is about material gain and instead focus on serving the One who offers eternal riches, love, and life beyond anything this world can offer

John 15:15 - Acquaintance or Friend?

John 15:15

"No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you."

If you’ve spent any time around Christians, you’ve probably heard them talk about their relationship with Jesus. It got me thinking: What’s the difference between just knowing about Him and really being close friends with Him?

I meet a lot of people, and it’s rare that a week goes by without running into someone I know just enough to exchange a quick hello with. We might chat a bit, but there’s no real connection. That’s what it’s like to be an acquaintance.

Now, imagine a real friend—the one you can call at 2 a.m. or share your deepest thoughts with. That’s the kind of relationship Jesus wants with us. In John 15:15, Jesus is inviting us into a deeper relationship—not just knowing about Him, but understanding His heart and sharing in His mission.

Being close to Jesus means you get His guidance more clearly. It’s like having a trusted mentor who helps you see the way forward. 

Proverbs 3:5-6:  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Friends are there for us, especially when life gets tough. Jesus offers His peace in troubled times. When you’re really close to Him, His peace becomes a comforting presence that helps you through life’s storms. Philippians 4:6-7 talks about bringing our worries to God and receiving His peace, deepening our relationship and helping us grow spiritually.

True friendship with Jesus changes us. As we grow closer, we start to reflect His love and character more. We will want to be more and more like Him . (We all tend to start looking more and more like our friends the more we are around them.)

2 Corinthians 3:18:  "We are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another."

So, how do you deepen your friendship with Jesus? Here are a few tips:

First, spend time in prayer and reading Scripture. It’s about keeping that communication open. 

James 4:8:  "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."

Next, follow His commands and trust Him. 

John 15:14:  "You are my friends if you do what I command you."

Finally, get involved in serving others and living out His values. Serving others is like serving Jesus Himself. 

Matthew 25:40b:  "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

So, moving from just knowing about Jesus to being His friend is a game-changer. It means more guidance, comfort, growth, and transformation. Embracing Jesus as a true friend allows you to experience His presence and promises in a way that being a casual acquaintance just can’t offer. It’s about deepening that connection and letting it shape your life in beautiful, meaningful ways.