From Worldly Worries to Spiritual Anticipation
How much time do you spend thinking about what to eat or worrying about what to wear? Do you obsess over having—or being—enough?
While there’s nothing wrong with meal planning for the weeks ahead or creating an annual budget, Jesus explains that worrying doesn’t help:
“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?”
Matthew 6:25 NIV
Jesus never said not to think about your basic needs. He did say not to worry about them.
God knows what you need before you do. God knows your prayers before you pray them.
Recognizing your physical needs can remind you of your spiritual needs—an invitation to trust your ultimate Provider.
Later in the same chapter, Jesus reminds His disciples that if God provides for the birds and the flowers, He will provide for His people that much more. Then He adds, “but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
So, let’s seek Him first. During this season of Advent, reflect upon the work entrusted to us while trusting in Him for provision. And let’s not waste another second on worldly worries!
The Way You Live, The Way You Think
"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads."
Deuteronomy 11:18 NIV
When Moses speaks these words in Deuteronomy 11, he’s not talking about just any words—he’s talking about God’s commands, which he had just finished restating to the people of Israel. These were the foundational truths of how God called His people to live: to love Him, obey Him, and walk in His ways.
Earlier in the chapter, Moses reminds the people of God's power—the way He rescued them from Egypt, led them through the wilderness, and promised them a land of blessing. But along with the blessings came a choice: to remain faithful to God or to turn away. That’s why Moses urges them so passionately to “fix these words” in their hearts and minds.
Why the hands and the forehead? It’s a vivid picture. The hands represent what we do, and the forehead represents what we think. In other words, Moses is saying:...