Great passages from the Bible (part 4)

Today we continue looking at some noteworthy Bible passages.  These verses are among the most important messages preserved in Holy Scripture.

In Matthew 6 verses 31-33 Jesus says, do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Each of us worries about finances. Regardless if you are rich or poor, there never seems to be enough money.  We worry about affording the kind of lifestyle that we hunger for.  At such times, it is important to hear what Jesus says about anxiety.  God is our provider; everything good in our lives comes from Him.  We have a tendency to focus on the gifts instead of the One who gives them.  When our priorities go astray, worry is the result.  The solution to financial anxiety is to keep our eyes fixed on God; He knows our every need, and He will take care of those who trust in His love.

Also important are the words of Paul written in 1st Corinthians 10 verse 13: God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. Life is full of temptations. Given a choice, fun wins out even when it’s harmful to yourself or to others. More often than not, your preference is for taking the easier path even if it’s not the right one; it’s hard to say no when going with yes would be so much easier.  But when temptation is pushing you in the wrong direction, God wants to help.  He is willing to show you better alternatives than giving in to harmful desires or simply taking the easy way out.  Just take a deep breath and pray for His help; you can avoid a lot of trouble by asking our Lord to get involved.

But when it comes to important things to know, Romans 10 verse 17 ranks near the top: faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Without faith, God only seems to be a spectator who watches your life from a distance; with faith, you realize how close the Lord truly is, how much He cares about every aspect of your life.  Faith in God provides the security and confidence that each of us craves.  But faith is a living thing; although God plants it in us, we can allow it to die through neglect.  Faith is kept strong by regular exposure to the Word of God.  Through the Bible, God speaks that Word to us; you can be blessed with contentment and inner peace, if you just make it a priority to read and listen.