Luke 12:22-31

When was the last time you got away with a friend and the Father? We all need to get away now and again and retreat into the quietness and grace of God for our renewal.

"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....."

"Dear Precious One, Yesterday, I spoke to you about fear. Today I want to talk to you about worry and sins that lie behind so many of your worries:..."

"[Jesus continued his teaching about not worrying:] "Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all....."

"And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so...."

"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...."

So where are you investing your time, your moments, your days? Rubel Shelly reminds us to focus and live based on what lasts and is important and endures into eternity.

"Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes."

"But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well."

Inspirational illustration of Luke 12:28 NLT -- And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

Inspirational illustration of Luke 12:23 -- Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

Inspirational illustration of Luke 12:31 -- But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

What would you take if our house were burning down, and, if everyone were already out of the house? Melissa Troyer reminds us that things are just things, but if we have people we love then we have what matters most!

How in the world does having less mean having more? Rubel Shelly reminds us that even in a season when folks have less than they are used to having, if they look they will actually find that they have more.

Our prayers often treat God as if he is the free Amazon delivery service for our every whim and want. Phil Ware with Andy Johnson remind us that our prayer is for the bread we need today, not the extravagance we want for ourselves.

So how is your retirement plan? Russ Lawson reminds us that what we pursue for security and to help us live longer really determines the quality of our lives in our older years, and God must be the center of all of that.