New & Old Treasure. Julie Teariki-Tautea
places. Otherwise, I would have told you for I am going my way to prepare a place for you.” John. 14. 1-2. Jesus' message and teaching were based on “trust in him” and “trust in God” against pain and suffering. In our life perspective, we must see ourselves in Jesus life, how do we exercise our faith in him? Helping and loving others and encouraging them with strength and support, Jesus focuses was not himself but towards his followers.
The psalmist encourages us to trust in God: “It is better to take refuge in Jehovah than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in Jehovah than to trust in princes. Psalm. 118. 8-9. Jesus gives an illustration of a young child as an example: that if we humble ourselves to our Father in Heaven as a young child we will inherit the kingdom. Humble means we bow our heads before our father in heaven, we bow our knees and hands with humbleness of our hearts in a manner and attitudes like a child with good manners asking and pledging our anxiety of life before his heavenly kingdom:
Why was Jesus given this illustration about a child? Because when a child comes and ask for something to a parent with good manners it humbling to your heart; you hear them and give them what they ask: “Jesus went on to say: “Truly I say to you unless you turn around and become as young children you will by no means enter into the Kingdom of the heavens.” Matthew. 18.3.
Bird and Lilies: Jesus Sermon on the Mount: Jesus was teaching a few principles to protect believers from much distress. A hectic schedule may make us lose sight of the truly important things.
Jesus seeing and knowing about our human emotion made mention that we stop being anxious about our lives: “On this account, I say to you: Stop being anxious about your lives as to what you will eat or what you will drink or about your bodies as to what you will wear. Does not life mean more than food and the body than clothing? Observe intently the birds of heaven; they do not sow seed or reap or gather into storehouses, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they are? Who of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his life span? Also, why are you anxious about clothing?
Take a lesson from the lilies of the field how they grow they do not toil nor do they spin; but I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed like one of these. Now if this is how God clothes the vegetation of the field that is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven will he not much rather clothe you, you’re with little faith? So never be anxious and say, “What are we to eat? Or what are we to drink? Or what are we to wear? For all these are the things the nations are eagerly pursuing. Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Keep on then seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness and all these other things will be added to you. Matthew. 6. 25-33.
Personal Experience:
Honestly looking back from the past; things happen around me, but I've grown from strength to strength from what I use to be to now who I am, I’ve changed the mindset to believe in the truth in the LORD and stop believing lies. I don’t even worry about being rich or famous or successful. I just go along and kept trying on anything along the journey. Going to church or giving things away like clothing and a bit of money or doing volunteering work and a bit of study here and there.
I'd joke to my children that I’ m going to apply and study at one of the universities here in Australia and if they can allow me, then maybe I must be clever. Not really! Twice I failed university English entry test at two different universities but I kept my faith that I am going to pass one glory day, so I never give up! Then I tried another university and without having to do the English entry test, I went straight and completed my advance diploma in business management and was supposed to attend the graduation in New South Wales, but could not make it there, before the graduation date, I had gone there for family holidays.
Currently, that same university is excerpting me to do Bachelor of Social Science and not one but excerpted with two bachelor programs that I've chosen, the only concern now for me is old age, it is going to be another three or so to finish my studies. You see what I'm trying to say is that don't let emotion take good control or rob you of your success, Now I’m writing not in my mother tongue but English that I’ve failed not once but twice. It’s all because I can do all things with the Lord's help and the power of a positive mindset. My mind was set on a positive side, perseverance, and persistence, back in my home country our people think that only clever people go to universities.
I don’t dream big! And besides all the unpredictability of life issues, I guess one of my greatest concerns and visions are for my children’s welfare and wellbeing. I know how much my husband and I have struggled through our past background and even throughout our relationship. Everything happens as we go along and I’ still amaze and surprised at how many victories, struggles, and failures we’ve endured along our journey. One day at a time: Jesus was teaching his apostles to seek first the Kingdom: Means we pray and commit our hearts in agreement with the LORD’s will for our plans into his plans, his wills are not too hard to bear. Just love the LORD our GOD with all our heart, soul, mind, and body and have his peace and love in our life. “So never be anxious about the next day for each day will have its anxieties.
Every day has enough of its troubles.” Matthew. 6. 34.
Read the following citation on how anxious individuals focus are based on:
1. Fifty percent of events that will never happen
2. Twenty-five percent of occurrences of the past cannot be changed.
3. Ten percent about unconfirmed criticism by others
4. Ten percent of health
5. Five percent of real problems that will be faced
One of the keys for a living should be one day at a time with contentment: Look to the future and plan but take one day at a time. We all make mistakes along the way making unwise decisions and choices, but we must learn that contentment is the key. Be content with the blessing that we already have with us and be thankful for other things that we did not ask for them in our prayers. God just provide us beyond our expectation.
We can gain inspiration words from Paul’s experiences: Not that I am saying this because I am in need for I have learned to be self-sufficient regardless of my circumstances. I know how to be low on provisions and how to have abundances. In everything and all circumstances, I have learned the secret of both how to be full and how to hunger both how to have an abundance and how to do without. Philippians. 4. 11-12.
Mind you’ Jesus has already reassured us with his peace of mind by saying: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John. 14. 27. Pray and ask the savior please I need your peace as you have said not as the world gives but as you give us help my heart not to be troubled or be afraid. It’s all about educating our hearts, action, mind, and devotion to the one whom we ask for help. It’s no use if we seek help from others and ask the LORD for his help and yet we do not obey the simple instruction of knowledge and wisdom.
CHAPTER THREE
Stress:
Stress is the pressure of strain, anxiety, and constant worry, nervous tension, trauma, and hassle. As stated: that stress touches everyone. Demands at work, family crises, guilt, uncertainty about the future, dissatisfaction with the past all this are hard enough to put people into pressure. Life events corresponding with stress values, concerning the death of spouse, love ones, and many other 100, reasons associate with it.
Now Elijah the Tishbite said to Ahab: “The word of Jehovah came to him saying: Leave here and turn eastward and hide at the Valley of Cherith east of the Jordan. You should drink from the stream and I will command the ravens to supply your food there. 1. Kings 17.2-4.
Following is an example of stress circumstance that may associates with fear or pressure of strain: Elijah the prophet was told to leave at ones and go hide somewhere. Even though, he has nothing with him to survive; but for the sake of his health and wellbeing. The LORD will provide him with food and water; The LORD knows that he needed time out to get away from stress and anxieties. “So, he did according to Jehovah’s’