Today in the Word

Which fruit of the Spirit comes naturally to you? Which do you struggle with?

“Worry is a thief” wrote Phil Ryken in Kingdom, Come! “It steals our time. Our thoughts turn to our troubles, and then rather than praying about them or doing the things God is calling us to do, we waste time worrying about them. Worry steals our rest. We lie awake at night, anxious about tomorrow, and then we get up too tired to work hard, and this only adds to our anxiety…Worry shrivels the soul, robbing our joy.”

Jesus had a lot to say about worry. In Matthew 6:25–27, He stressed its uselessness. In verses 26 to 32, He turns our attention to God’s provision, giving two natural object lessons: God’s care for birds (v. 26) and for flowers (vv. 28–29). Wildflowers do not “labor or spin,” but their “clothes” are gorgeous. This amusing image makes a strong contrast with all the effort people make with clothing. Not even Solomon with all his riches could compare to wildflowers! Given his legendary wealth and power, he was probably the best-dressed person Jesus’ listeners could imagine.

📖 👉 Read today's devotional on todayintheword.org or anytime in the Today in the Word app.

Our eyes are fixed on You, Lord. When we are afraid, we put our trust in You. Remind us that we never need to worry, because You are always in control. Hallelujah!

📖 👉 Read today's devotional on todayintheword.org or anytime in the Today in the Word app.

What do you do out of habit? Maybe you always start the day with a cup of coffee or get in a walk around the block after dinner. Many of our habits are based on what we think is important. Habits can take us in surprising directions, either toward God or toward rival gods, priorities, or values.

In Matthew 6, Jesus asks us what we treasure. In other words, what do we truly love? The answer is revealed by our everyday actions. That’s where our heart truly is, no matter what we say on Sundays (vv. 19–21). Earthly treasures are temporary and vulnerable. By comparison, heavenly treasures are eternal and secure. Which of these would we prefer to be our “reward in full”? The second, of course.

📖 👉 Read today's devotional on todayintheword.org or anytime in the Today in the Word app.

Have you ever fasted? Choosing to go without food is sometimes required for lab tests. Or we might skip a few meals to lose a few pounds. But fasting is a spiritual practice, abstaining from food, or other things, to spend concentrated time in worship and prayer.

In Matthew 6, Jesus’ comments were aimed at the Pharisees and religious leaders who were known to practice spiritual disciplines such as giving and fasting in flashy and pretentious ways. They wanted people to notice how devout they were, to be seen, admired, and praised. In contrast, others practiced such actions “in secret,” looking only for God’s approval.

📖 👉 Read today's devotional on todayintheword.org or anytime in the Today in the Word app.

What does Jesus teach about forgiveness? And how do we follow His command?

📖 👉 Read today's devotional on todayintheword.org or anytime in the Today in the Word app to learn more about forgiveness

We praise You, Lord, for Your gift of forgiveness! Though we sin against You again and again, You forgive us completely when we repent. You are always good to us.

📖 👉 Read today's devotional on todayintheword.org or anytime in the Today in the Word app.

These days, whenever we want to learn how to do something, we look for a YouTube instructional video. How to jump a car battery? How to make a mushroom sauce from scratch? How to build your own computer? Easy-to-follow instructions are readily available for us to watch.

The most effective learning, though, usually happens in person, often over time through mentoring. That’s why Jesus chose a “class” of twelve “students” to follow Him for three years. Today, we get a glimpse inside this personal classroom as Jesus taught His followers how to pray.

📖 👉 Read today's devotional on todayintheword.org or anytime in the Today in the Word app.