Look at the Birds

(The following sermon notes with adaptation is based on what Bishop Dale Bronner had shared on 24 June 2017 at City Harvest Church.) 

"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. 

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."  -- Matthew 6:25-34 (MSG)

God is for you. God is in you. God moves through you. Find supernatural help by knowing that God is with you. Don't lose you head over a piece of tail. A squirrel was crossing a rail track when its tail got ran over by a train. As it turned back to look, it lost its head, too. 

In Matthew 6:26, Jesus urges us to look at the birds. You don't have to be concerned with everything that is happening. God takes care of the birds. 

Photo: Pixabay

1. Birds don't stress. The same God who fed them yesterday will also feed them today. Every morning they break fast as they look forward to breakfast. They get food for their young. God has got their provisions under control. Stress is a call to prayer. You weren't design to do certain things on your own. Birds can fly but some choose to walk. They are not in a rush. 

2. Birds don't stress over time! Time is subjective. Time is slow when you are waiting. Time is very fast whenever you are late. Time is supposed to be consistent. 

Birds can only carry a little. Little begins the process. Are you paying attention to the lessons of nature? Consider the ants. The little ants are diligent. Be diligent in what you do.

Don't expect to possess the promise if you cannot embrace the process!

"Give me a clean heart to pursue the things of God."  A desire without discipline becomes a delusion.  There is a process involved; it happens and unfolds over time.

Whenever God has something installed for you to do there is distraction. The greatest enemy to your destiny is a clear path to a lesser goal. 

Everything happens in an atmosphere. When the atmosphere is conducive, a seed will germinate and sprout. A little prayer begins the process of prayer.

The greatest blessing comes from serving other people. Everybody, even a billionaire, still has a need to be met. If you can meet the need of others, it could open their hearts towards you to receive the Gospel or to bless you with their insights or expert advice. When you serve, God opens the door. 

Relationships account for 80% of our happiness. If relationships are what matters at the end of the day, shouldn’t it matter now? An African woman who has her own house and grow her own food supply was once asked, "What would you do with $50k? She replied, "I guess I would give the money to somebody who need it."

Wealth is measured by how little you need. Be rich in His Peace and contentment. Christianity is the only religion that replaces religion with relationships. Take care of your relationships with the people that matter. The church is a family of families. There is only one way to happiness. And that is to cease worrying about things that are beyond you. 

In Psalm 46:10, God reminds us to, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

When we put our cares in His hands He put his Peace on our heart. 

Take a leaf from the 72 Hour Rule. If it won't matter in 72 hours, it never did matter. If you won't feel the need to react in 72 hours, do not react at all. If someone hurt you, and hasn't checked on you in 72 hours, move on.

Go to the source not the symptoms. Our job is a resource. God is our Source. We suffer from destination syndrome. There is no finish line! Keep going. Birds never stop searching for food. 

Far be it from us to say "I have read the Bible" or "I have prayed" which sound like it is once and for all enough. Men ought always pray and not faint.

Circumstances don't determine your outlook. Manage your miracle! Whatever you pray and came about is a miracle. Now you have to manage the miracle. When you don't know how to manage the miracle, the solution is to simplify. 

Life is like a 4-act play. After the drama, the curtain closes for the setting of the next scene. Then comes the grand finale where every culminates. In every narrative God is writing an epic and would not leave Himself out. And we know that all things (good and bad) will "... work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28b; NKJV)

Every drama needs an antagonist ... this produces energy and makes you stronger on the inside as a believer as your faith is proven. There is glory in your story. The next chapter is a shift. The greater  the darkness the greater the glory. There is treasure hidden in darkness. Hidden for you and not from you.

The little begins the process. Birds are little but they have much to teach us. Look at the birds which are well taken of by God who is big enough to take care of us all. Let go, let God and let's get going to keep at doing our little things. Little becomes much over time and when placed in God's Hands.

Do not become weary in well doing. May God multiply the works of your hands!

Footnote from the writings of Charles F. Stanley:-

"What does living life to the fullest mean to you? Some may picture a lifelong dream being fulfilled. Others may think of a comfortable retirement, while many more envision what they can achieve if given enough time. But if you really want to start living life to the fullest, begin with Jesus. He is the fulfillment of all your dreams. In Him, you will find the things you need the most -- contentment, love, and friendship."