Beyond the Weekend

January 3 | Status

January 3, 2018

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Matthew 6:30

Read: Matthew 6:28-34

Listen: Matthew 6

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Clothing is often a status symbol and tells us about a person. It is one of the reasons why lawyers wear suits and doctors wear lab coats over dress clothes. We would look on in stunned silence if our attorney appeared in court wearing a Skillet t-shirt and jogging pants or our doctor showed up for surgery in shorts and flip-flops. In both cases, the contrast is striking because the clothing wouldn’t match what we expect of their status.

Jesus makes the same point when he looks toward the countryside covered with beautiful flowers and contrasts the flowers with people. As spectacular as the flowers were, they were nothing in comparison to how God provides for those who are his children.

One of Jesus’ disciples, John wrote about our status in the opening words of his biography of the life of Jesus. “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

When we “receive” and “believe” in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin, our status is dramatically changed. We become a beloved son, or a cherished daughter, of God. There is no greater status than this!

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Today spend some time and honestly determine from where you get your status. Money? Experiences? Possessions? Social standing? Write them down and then pray a prayer similar to this one, “Father, I recognize I often get my status in ________________. I now know this is wrong and I am sorry. As this new year begins, may your Holy Spirit give me the power to find my status in Jesus alone.”


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

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