Weekly Teaching
Trust in the Lord
What rules our life? In everything we do, we should seek first the kingdom of God. In crisis, circumstances, viruses, rumors of wars, earthquakes and instability. Matthew 6:33-34 (AMP) “But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. 34 So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries andanxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.” We need to place worry (fear) with a concern for the kingdom. Our first commitment should be to live according to God’s ways, methods and standards, to do His will. Seeking first the kingdom of God, means to turn to Him first for help, to fill our thoughts with His desires, to take His character for our pattern, and to serve and obey Him in everything.
Will worry, fear or anxiety change anything? Do we have control over what we are worrying about? When we worry or fear, we waste time and energy that could be spent doing something productive. Worry, fear or anxiety is harmful for our health and well-being. The Lord did not plan for us to live in worry and fear. We should trust the Lord for His grace (His enabling ability) to see us through. Trust in the Lord’s guidance. Trust that He is all-knowing, all-wise, ever-present and has our best interest at heart.
Copyright @April 2020 Carol Wright/Oasis Worship Center
The Lord is Our Shepherd
Psalm 23:1 (KJV) “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” A shepherd lives with his flock and is everything to the flock. The shepherd is the sheep’s guide, provider, protector, and physician (healer). A shepherd cares for the sheep, and watches over them. When David is stating that the Lord is my shepherd it is indicating personally knowing and intimacy. He did not doubt or wonder if the Lord was his shepherd, he knew. David found comfort and security in knowing the Lord was his shepherd. He knew He needed a shepherd. A sheep is dependent upon the shepherd. His saving work is for all but it is effective for those who believe on Him and make Him their shepherd. David was also confident that he would not want by stating, I shall not want, or I shall not lack. All his needs were supplied by the Lord. He had everything in the Lord.
If the Lord is truly our shepherd, we have everything we need from God, wanting nothing. Perhaps our desire is not a need. The Lord knows what we need and when we need it. When the Lord is watching over us ,I have need of nothing. We can rest when the Lord is our shepherd.
Copyright @April 2020 Carol Wright/Oasis Worship Center