One Year Bible Reading Plan and Devotional
Today’s Bible Reading: April 10
Download the full one-year Bible reading plan here:
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Clicking on the Scripture links above will open a new window where you can read the scripture from the Holman Christian Standard Bible at Biblegateway.com or choose the Bible version you prefer to read. Check back each day to get the Scripture to read in the One Year Bible Reading Plan.
The Pointlessness of Worry
In Luke 12, Jesus taught that we should not be overcome with worry over the basic needs of life. Yet isn’t that difficult to do when you’re not sure how to make ends meet because you’re laid off work in the midst of a pandemic? How do we not be overcome with worry in the middle of a world-wide pandemic where so many are not just getting sick — but dying?
Giving into worry divides our attention and keeps us from trusting God
When we give in to worry, it divides our attention and distracts us from trusting God. When that happens we have a shift in focus. Instead of focusing on God, we focus on our health, finances, marriage, children, career and make these things our priority. However, we must remember that there is absolutely nothing in this world that can bring about stability, confidence or peace. If you strive after the things of this world so that they are what you live for, then your life will be filled with worry and anxiety. When our priorities and allegiances are founded in the things of this world and we place all our hope and confidence in them, we become unstable and obsessively worry about the things in life that are fleeting.
Paul’s four counter-attacks to worry
Prayer is a counter-attack to worry
“Do not be anxious [do not worry] about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)
For every need we experience, we should immediately bring them to God in prayer. In fact, James 4:2 says “You do not have because you do not ask.” In Isaiah 41:10, God says, “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” In Luke 12, Jesus taught that if God will make sure the birds of the air are fed, how much more would he ensure that His own children’s needs are met. God might not always meet our needs in a way that we imagine, but God does promise to meet them. So, whatever you are worried about right now, stop and pray. Prayer should always be a first point of attack against worry.
Pondering on what is commendable is a counter-attack to worry.
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8)
We need to ponder over things that are eternal, such as acknowledging the blessings that God has sent us before and remembering the times He met our needs in the past. Pondering on the things of God that have eternal value – things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable – will shift our focus back from a “worldliness” point of view to a “Godliness” point of view. Pondering is our second point of attack because it is just about near impossible to both ponder on the things of God and the things we worry about at the same time.
Giving God praise is a counter-attack to worry.
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. (Hebrews 13:5) Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
God wants our praise no matter what our circumstances. –Click to tweet
King David puts it this way in Psalm 150:
Hallelujah! Praise God in His sanctuary. Praise Him in His mighty heavens. And Praise him for His powerful acts; praise Him for His abundant greatness. Praise Him with trumpet blast; and praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with tambourine and dance; praise Him with flute and strings. And Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with clashing cymbals. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Hallelujah!
Praise is a counter attack to worry because you can’t worry and genuinely praise at the same time. We can praise God for how he will answer our prayers and respond to our needs even before He does because we can trust Him to keep His promises.
Being prepared is a counter-attack to worry
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)
When you pray for God to meet a need, do you say the words but in your heart don’t really expect God to do anything? God said He will meet our every need. It doesn’t mean that we get everything we want, but He will meet our needs. 1 John 5:14-15 tells us: “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” One part of this verse to pay special attention to is the tiny word “if.” This verse tells that IF we ask according to His will, THEN wen can know that He hears us.
In James 4:3, Paul wrote: “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” Remember that God’s promise is to meet our needs – not every single desire. God is not a genie in a bottle to grant our every wish. It is true that at times God also graciously gives us some of our wants, but “wants” are not part of His promise. So, if we know that what we are asking Him for is a need that lines up with His will, what are we doing to prepare for God to meet that need as we wait expectantly for Him?
When worry does creep in, give it to God
Because we live in a broken and fallen world, there will be times that worry creeps in and tries to steal our focus away from God and the abundant joy that is ours as children of God. However, when we bring these concerns to God in prayer, ponder on things of eternal value as well as God’s grace and goodness in our lives, give Him the praise that is due Him and prepare to receive His divine answer to meeting our needs, then we can defeat worry and grow in our faith and trust of a loving, providing God.
God, when worry tries to steal our attention away from you, help us remember to pray, ponder, praise, and prepare for your very best that you already have in mind for us. Thank you for meeting our needs.
#ReadYourBible #1Samuel #Luke #worry
Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template
Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.
Week 15: April 11-17, 2022
Visit our three retail experiences:
Tee of the week: True Story John 3:16
Three nails that make a cross tells the true story of Jesus’ unfailing love for us and that true story is summed up in John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Visit our YouTube Channels for Christian playlists and our short animated devotionals.
Animated Devotionals
Contemporary Christian Music Playlist
Southern Gospel Playlist
Just Hymns
God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars
by Julia M. Bruce
What’s Inside God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars?
This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
- Scripture to memorize and meditate on
- Conversation Starters
- Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
- Romance Builders
- Relationship Builders
- Personal reflections
- Date ideas
- Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples
Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.
Join the community of couples on Facebook who are committed to intentionally growing their marriage and learning how to have a marriage that honors God. Here you can post photos of the different activities as you do them, ask questions of other couples, share how God is using this book to strengthen your marriage, and grow with other Christian couples. We’ll see you in the community.
Bible Studies, Bibles, Books & More
Looking for a Bible Study, Bible, book or Christian gift? We are an affiliate with Christianbook Distributors and receive an 8% commission on any item purchased through one of our links. However, the commission never increases your cost of any item. View some of our favorite items by clicking on the logo and thank you for supporting our ministry.
Wellspring Christian Ministries receives an 8% commission on any purchased made from Christian Book Distributors through any affiliate link on this site. Your price for any item is the same as purchasing from CBD directly.
See our other recent posts:
904.239.8937
A non-profit ministry located in Jacksonville, FL
Follow us on:
