Devo for 7/26/2026 - Message By Pastor Clint

Pastor Clint brought week 4 of the series “Citizens of Heaven”.  He pointed out that Jesus used the Sermon on the Mount to show us how to live as Citizens of Heaven.  Three points to the message spelled out characteristics needed to live as we should:

• Citizens of Heaven seek God’s Kingdom First

• Citizens of Heaven Steward Everything

• Citizens of Heaven Live Generously

In his message, Pastor Clint spoke about worrying.  He made the point that “You can’t worship and worry at the same time.”  Worrying happens when your focus is on negative thoughts or things that can go wrong.  It is intensified when we, in our minds, put together a string of negative or bad outcomes, and then focus just on the negative.

So it is easy to see how we can become so focused on worrying that we lose sight of God.  In other words, worry can become an idol in our lives, to the point it can become debilitating. Not only can it become the sin of idolatry, but it can reveal in us the sin of unbelief.  (In that we do not believe God will take care of us)

Jesus made it very  clear in Matthew that we are not to worry:

Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life… (Matthew 6:25a)

Now, I am not saying that every time you worry about something, you have sinned.  Worry can be productive and present an opportunity for us to let go of our desire to be in control and to turn to God.  A good rhythm to get into is that anytime worry creeps into our lives, we take it to God and let Him walk us through it.  Paul gives good advice for us in this regard in his letter to Phillipi:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

So, next time you find yourself turning to worry rather than to God, humble yourself with worthy praise for His grace and love, then lay the worry at the foot of the cross and allow God to refocus your heart.  It is in His character to do so!!

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matthew 6:27)

Don’t forget to invite God into your day!

Topic for Study

• Anxiety

  • Psalm 55:22

  • Matthew 6:34

  • John 14:27

July Memory Verse: 

John 15:12

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”