Don’t Worry – Life is More Than Food

Prayer – Lord God, open my eyes to see things as You do and who is in need today that I can help. You have taught us not to worry about food and clothes. You’ll take care of us providing everything we need. I trust in You—and I seek You and Your Kingdom. 

Heron at Magnolia Gardens, SC
You are more valuable than any birds.

Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things? ... Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. ... Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Luke 12:22-26, 31, 34

 

Meditate. Consider what you need…not what you want.

 

Do you know the song Seek Ye First? It is based on this verse in Luke 12:31 and Matthew 6:33. It’s a good song to sing around the campfire—and it can be sung in a round which makes it even more desirable for those who like to sing. Scripture put to music is always enduring—and easier to memorize.

 

The message that Jesus was teaching at this point…part of His Sermon on the Mount…is how valuable we are to God. We don’t need to worry about what we’ll wear or eat—although there are many people having a hard time making ends meet now with the rising prices in our stores. It’s easy to say don’t worry about food or clothes but in reality, there are some who do worry. Jesus emphasized that there is more to life that food and clothes for our bodies. I think He was referring to the spiritual food that we all need. We are to seek the Kingdom of God—and He will give you everything you need. Continue reading…wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. If you are treasuring that Kingdom, you won’t be worrying about lovely clothes or gourmet food…or even just a loaf of bread. Jesus reminds us that God takes care of the birds—so He will take care of us, too.

 

Are you trusting Him to do that—or maybe are you choosing to help others as God shows their needs? The choice is yours.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures (food). John 10:9

 

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Summer family feast! Hamburgers and hotdogs with potato salad and fresh cucumber pickles. Watermelon. Ice cream. What could be better?

 

Refrigerator Dill Pickles

5 small cucumbers (about a pound), unpeeled and quartered lengthwise

1 small sweet onion, sliced thinly

6 (4- to 6-in.) dill sprigs

6 small garlic cloves, smashed

 

1 cup white wine vinegar

1/4 cup kosher salt

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tsp. black peppercorns

2 tsp. mustard seeds

1 tsp. fennel seeds

1 tsp. crushed red pepper

1 1/4 cups cold water

Wash two pint jars. Cut cucumber in spears or if you prefer slice thinly in rounds. Add sliced onions. Fill jars.

Make pickle brine:

Cook vinegar, salt, sugar, peppercorns, mustard seeds, fennel seeds, and crushed red pepper in a small saucepan over medium, stirring often, until sugar is completely dissolved, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in cold water.

Cover cucumber and onions with brine. Cap. Allow to chill for 12 hours before serving.

 

Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

© 2024 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

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