만화경

Psalm 91:10 - There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

befall[bɪˈfɔːl]
동사
1.닥치다
They were unaware of the fate that was to befall them.
그들은 자기들에게 닥쳐올 운명을 모르고 있었다.

nigh[naɪ]
부사
1.거의
They’ve lived in that house for nigh on 30 years.
그들은 (지금까지) 그 집에서 거의 30년을 계속 살았다.
2.가까이
Winter was drawing nigh.
겨울이 가까워지고 있었다.

Luke 12:22-34

22

Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.

23

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

24

Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!

25

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

26

Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27

"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

28

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!

29

And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.

30

For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.

31

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

32

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

33

Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

34

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

God Is Concerned about You (12:22–31)
For many of us, worrying has become such a normal part of our lives that we do not even realize we are doing it. We justify our chronic worrying by calling it other names, like “being realistic” or “preparing for the worst.” But Jesus gives us three compelling reasons we should not worry. First, observing wild creatures like ravens and flowers teaches us that if God takes good care of them, He will surely take care of us. Second, we cannot change anything by worrying—the truth is that worry actually drains the joy out of us. Third, anxiety reveals the true object of our faith. Rather than trust in the fickle things of this world, if we seek God and the priorities of His kingdom, He will take care of all of our needs.

How do you typically deal with the challenges you encounter in life? Do you worry, or do you take them to the Lord in prayer?

Treasure in Heaven (12:32–34)
Everyone has an attachment to treasures of one sort or another. Our hearts become closely tied to any project or possession we heavily invest in. If we invest a lot of money in a business, we will be concerned about its profitability. If we donate to a charity that helps needy children, we will be concerned about the success of the charity’s efforts and the welfare of the children it helps. Our hearts are closely tied to whatever we treasure. This is why heeding Jesus’ instruction to invest in heaven is so important. When we invest in heaven by using our money in wise and God-honoring ways, it shows that God, not money, is at the center of our lives.

What does it mean for you to invest in heaven? How have you been using your time, talents, and money to invest in God’s kingdom?

Jesus likens Christian discipleship to two builders. 

One meticulously lays the foundation of his house on solid rock, a difficult and costly process. The other builder does not bother with a foundation, which is easier and less expensive. 

The quality of their work is soon put to the test. The house built on the rock endures the harsh storms, but the house without a foundation is completely destroyed. 

Following Christ requires commitment and investment; it is a joyful but costly pursuit. Those who choose to follow Christ must be willing to lay down their lives, swim against the currents of this world, and pay the price of following Him.

Do you sometimes find yourself hearing God’s Word but not putting it into practice? What might be keeping you from obeying God’s Word?