September 5, 2026

Shedding the World 

Do Not Be Anxious 

Anxiety is a daily issue that many have to deal with; it may not even be their own, but may come from those around them. Those of us who tend to have a calm demeanor often have friends and family around us who are anxious and overwhelmed by their negative anticipation of the future. Are we given those people to teach them how to stay calm? Is it a challenge from God to keep us on our toes? Maybe God wants us to learn to keep our peace when those around us fall apart, so we become the peace they need. One thing I do know is that it can cause unnecessary conflict in an otherwise peaceful existence. Rather than being a light, it casts a shadow on them and everyone around them. It is useless for any of us to anticipate what will happen tomorrow; don't we have enough to worry about today? Here is what Jesus says about this matter:

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:33-34

Jesus also says:

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

If you are not calm and carrying a peaceful demeanor, you are not living the way Jesus taught. Let's get it together and start living out Jesus' teachings.

September 4, 2026

Shedding the World 

Store Your Treasures in Heaven 

It's nice to be comfortable, have a great place to sleep, nice clothing, and an abundance of food. However, when we obsess over becoming wealthy or adding more to what we have, it becomes a burdensome problem. 

Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. James 5:1-2

A person who stores their treasures on earth tends to make everything in their life about gaining the next dollar, no matter who they hurt in the process.

Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. James 5:6

The Matthew Henry Commentary gives us some points to consider:

1. We must not count these things the best things, nor the most valuable in themselves.
2. We must not covet an abundance of these things, nor be still grasping at more and more of them… as never knowing when we have enough. 
3. We must not confide in them for our future, as our security.
4. We must not content ourselves with them, as all we need or desire.

For these reasons, Jesus tells us not to lay up treasures on earth, but to store our treasure in heaven, where it won't deteriorate. Unfortunately, our lives revolve around making the next buck, so much so that we've become slaves to the almighty dollar, and most of the time it leads to our unhappiness. When we get our minds right on this issue, as Jesus says, we will find our true happiness.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:21

September 3, 2026

Shedding the World

Fasting

If you want to hear from God, fasting will clear the brain fog so His voice becomes clear. It's your mind's power over your body. Remember, our body is just a vessel; we are spirit and soul, but we need our body to do the work God called us to do. When you fast, it triggers autophagy, which cleanses your body and brain of useless, dead cells. It's the perfect way to renew your mind. 

However, like praying in private, we should also fast in private. In Jesus's day, people wanted attention to show how religious they were and would act tired, walking around with a long, diminished-looking face so people would notice. Jesus says our appearance should look like any other day, and like what he said about praying in private, he also says fasting in private will be rewarded by God openly. 

Our food is laced with so many chemicals that fasting will give our bodies a break and help promote our healing. If you are struggling with health issues, it might be a good idea to include fasting and praying in your healing process. If you are facing issues or conflicts and need God's direction, fasting with prayer will show God how serious you are and may prompt Him to answer your prayer more decisively, essentially rewarding you openly.

But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:17-18

September 2, 2026

Shedding the World

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Matthew 6:7

I’m sure you’ve seen video clips of people arguing and they repeat their words incessantly thinking that they weren’t heard. It’s obnoxious. Jesus tells us not to talk to the Father like that; we are not in an argument with Him. It is unnecessary to draw out your prayer by repeating your words as if He cannot hear you. He knows what you need and even what you are about to ask for before the words part from your lips. Get to the point and leave it there. Don’t make a big show of praying, keep it simple if asked to pray in front of others. Back in Jesus’s day, the Pharisees and Sadducees would stand on a corner praying to be seen as holy. Jesus say that they receive their notoriety and reward right then and there. Listen to this: those who pray privately will receive their reward from God openly. I never realized that praying was rewarded. Here is the scripture: 

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:6

Prayer is nothing more than speaking to God. Don’t make it weird. Just because we’ve given our conversation with God the name “prayer,” doesn’t mean it needs to be eloquent or polished. And remember: you are never alone so you always have someone to talk to; talk to Him; He wants to hear from you whether it’s at a set time or throughout your day. By the way, your “closet” can be anywhere as long as it’s private; it’s a conversation between you and God. 

Side note: a conversation is where ideas are exchanged, so make sure you allow some quiet time so you can hear God respond to your questions; He will speak to you, but sometimes we are not quiet enough to hear Him.

September 1, 2026

Shedding the World 

Giving to the Needy 

Shedding the world and its encumbrances is not only about letting go of worldly activities and sinfulness, but it’s also about doing things that are pleasing to God. Giving to the poor and needy is one of those things that God expects us to do. There is a caveat: if you want to reap godly benefits and please Him, it must be done in secret. To do otherwise is to receive your reward right then and there, as people of the world see you and commend you for it, closing the door on God’s generosity here on earth, and any heavenly reward that He might have bestowed on you. Here is what Jesus said:

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:3-4

Scripture after scripture gives you the keys to wealth, and they all read the same: give to people in need, and you will reap the benefits. 

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Proverbs 11:24-25

If you give generously, you will receive generously, but if you are stingy and don’t share with people in need, you will end up in poverty yourself. However, we must give secretly; otherwise, the accolades of others will be your reward, and that will be all you get. 

August 31, 2026

Shedding the World 

Love Your Enemies

Why do we hate others? They’ve either hurt us by mistreating us or disappointed us in some way. Other reasons may apply, depending on our situation. Some people also hate us for little or no reason; we probably don’t know them all. Some people hate Christ-followers because we love him. Others hate us because of our political stance, but whatever the reason, we don’t have to act as they do because we have an obligation to Jesus to show love to everyone. Don’t get me wrong, we don’t have to be buddy-buddy with people that hate us; it’s unlikely that we will invite them to dinner, unless God prompts us to. And in the unlikely situation that we see them in public, we should be courteous to them, because the Jesus in us is greater than the hurt that we’ve felt because of them. Anyone can love those who love them, but the true test of having Jesus in you is the ability to love those who hate you. If you truly want to let go of the world, allow the Holy Spirit to work in you so you let go of hatred and hostility for your enemies. Don’t drink the poison expecting it to kill your enemy because it won’t; it will only cause problems with your own mental health. Here is what Jesus says about this subject:

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Matthew 5:43-44

August 30, 2026

Shedding the World 

Retaliation 

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. Matthew 5:38-40

Are we supposed to be timid and passive? The same Jesus that said this also told his disciples to take a sword with them. 

Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. Luke 22:36

Jesus knew life would be hard for his disciples after he was gone, and that evil people would come against them, so they needed to be ready to defend themselves. We are there now. We live in such a vile world where people seem to have no conscience and will come after you for little or no reason, especially a Christ-follower. I think the verses in Matthew are for minor discretions; otherwise, why would he then later tell them to bring a sword? Something that takes away life, or devastates your family, deserves to be taken under the legal process to determine the guilt or innocence of the perpetrator.

There are things we can and should let go of, but other, more delicate issues need to be sorted out in a court of law. 

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16

August 29, 2026

Shedding the World

Oaths

We hear it said all the time, "I swear to God!" as a way to emphasize whatever comes next in that sentence. Liars say it so often that we need to be cautious about believing someone who uses such language. This is what Jesus says about such as this:

But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. Matthew 5:34-36

He also tells us to let our yes mean yes and our no mean no. 

But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. Matthew 5:37

The third commandment says not to take the Lord's name in vain, which is exactly what you do when you swear by it without keeping your promise to follow through on that oath. Perhaps you swear in the name of God, and what you swore about was a lie; that is taking an oath using the name of God. This is an easy command to avoid, but if you must, as when you are on the witness stand in front of a judge or jury, make sure to tell the whole truth because the end of that swearing-in is usually followed by the words "so help me God." So, in regular day-to-day conversations, use the words yes or no without invoking the name of God, thus avoiding making it an oath. 

August 28, 2026

Shedding the World

Divorce

People today don’t hesitate to get divorced for any reason; instead of working through their problems, they take the easy way out. Marriage is hard and can be complicated. Jesus takes a hard stand on this; here is what he says:

He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. Matthew 19:8-9

Jesus reminds us that it wasn’t always the way, but because of hard hearts, Moses allowed it. He also says that if you look at someone and lust after them, you’ve already committed adultery. Let’s say that a married man or woman was having conversations with another person but never crossed the line into sexual activity; maybe they’re just texting back and forth, and their spouse was somehow able to read those messages; it then becomes obvious that at some point, there was lust involved; otherwise, those conversations would have never happened. Jesus gives the exception for the case of divorce since they’ve lusted after the other person, so they’ve already committed adultery in their heart. 

I used this verse in my post from yesterday, and though Jesus points his statement at the man, it also holds for the woman: 

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:28

I don’t care what your backwoods preacher says about this; it is obvious that if a person is being abused by their spouse, either physically or psychologically, they shouldn’t feel obligated to stay with that person because of this teaching. This sullies the teachings of Jesus. Jesus doesn’t want anyone to be abused. Love is the greatest commandment, so love takes precedence; love and abuse cannot coexist. 

August 27, 2027

Shedding the World

Lust

Jesus clarifies the seventh commandment by explaining it further:

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28

The next two verses say to pluck out your eye or cut off your hand if it causes you to sin, so your whole body doesn't end up in the everlasting punishment of hell. Just because a person closes their eyes to this teaching doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I can see in my mind's eye people of that day getting up and leaving Jesus's sermon because they didn't like him expanding that commandment. Nevertheless, he said it and clarified the commandment, making it more of a heart issue. Just because this commandment seems only to be pointed at men, women also have some responsibility for a lustful reaction. Matthew Henry says it this way:

"And if looking be lust, they who dress and deck, and expose themselves, with design to be looked at and lusted after (like Jezebel, that painted her face and tired her head, and looked out at the window) are no less guilty. Men sin, but devils tempt to sin."

Again we have a very hard teaching, but also an issue of the heart. If your heart is bent towards Jesus, it's much easier to control your reactions because the Holy Spirit has slapped your hand enough times that you've stopped crossing into sinful behavior. Jesus said all of this to show us the need for him, and offered himself as a sacrifice for our sins so that we don't have to pay the price for our behavior if we trust in him. 

If this teaching strikes a nerve with you, and you haven't turned your life over to Jesus, today might be a good day to do that. 

August 26, 2026

Shedding the World

Anger

Did you know Jesus compares our anger toward others, without good reason, to murder? The ladies are not exempt. Here is what he says:

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Matthew 5:21-22

I don't know what a good reason is when he says "without cause," but people should look carefully at why they've become angry and make sure the reason is valid, or they will face judgment; but if they call them a fool or stupid, they could face hell. This is a very hard teaching coming from our Savior. He also says that if our righteousness doesn't exceed that of the scribes and prophets, we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. He doesn't seem to be pointing to our lives as being roses and butterflies. 

Here is the thing: we have no way of even coming close to adhering to this teaching; we cannot possibly overcome the sins of our heart on our own. That's why we must seek Jesus and be found hidden in him. We cannot shed our worldliness without him; we are only saved through our faith in him. However, we should strive to be like him; he is our goal, but we cannot do it without the Holy Spirit, whom he gives us at conversion. 

August 25, 2026

Shedding the World

Thriving in a World Bent on Evil

Let's face it, it's not easy being a Christ-follower in a world saturated with evil. One way to help is to read the Scriptures and strive to do what God says is right in His eyes. For example:

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32

Walking in that light, as He is in the light, puts us at a disadvantage with worldly participants, the ungodly, those who still walk according to the course of this world, but do we want to be associated with anything that is not of God? When we were drawn to Jesus and chosen as his follower, we left all fear of the repercussions behind and put our trust in him. Yes, we do face trials of many kinds, but the advantages of being a child of the Most High make it worth it because our Father loves us. Like a parent to a child who reaches for a hot stove, He protects our hearts from our most harmful decisions and will stop us from touching that hot stove, but will sometimes let us face the consequences of the less harmful, heart-related decisions as a way to strengthen our resolve and turn to Him with the faith that He will solve our problem. It is also helpful to set aside our anger and let kindness and forgiveness be what others see in us. We want to be known for our love, and not as participants in worldly affairs.

August 24, 2026

Shedding the World

Put On the New Life

We've all met them: people deeply involved in Christian activities who exude something entirely different. It makes you go "hmm" and question their character, or make you think that if they are doing things that you considered unbecoming of a Christ-follower, that maybe it's not wrong, especially if they are the leadership. Hopefully this isn't a description of your character, and you're not one of those who take advantage of God's grace but have changed your life after conversion to transform, as best you can, into the likeness of Jesus. A phrase fits this process: "putting on the new man." 

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

You've heard it said that "one bad apple can spoil the barrel." A so-called Christ-follower who continues in worldly activities can cause others to find Christianity a stench to their nostrils, and even turn them away from following Jesus. Those people will have to face him at the judgment and give an account for such vile activity. The point is that if you are truly saved, you will put on the new man, and that man, being the image of Jesus, will refrain from doing filthy things that are unbecoming of a Christ-follower and appear to others as righteous and holy.