Matthew 9:1

 Matthew 9:1 says, And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.  Jesus got on another ship and went back to his home town.  Verse two states, And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.  People brought a man lying in a bed sick with the palsy to Jesus, and we are told that Jesus saw their faith.  When we come to Jesus with problems today, He should be be to see that we come with faith in Him.  Jesus told the man to be of good cheer because his sins were forgiven.  The man was not brought to Jesus for a spiritual reason, but for a physical one, but he received an even greater blessing.  Jesus said that the man's sins were forgiven because of his faith in Jesus.  People may come to Jesus for the wrong reasons today, but if they truly put their faith in Him, then they have the best reward, in that their sins are forgiven.  Verse three says, And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.  Certain scribes, some of the religious leaders, accused Jesus of blasphemy.  We had best hope that the religious leaders of today do not begin to accuse Jesus or the word of God to be blasphemous.  When we begin to hear things such as the fact that Jesus is not the only way to salvation then whoever is proclaiming this is guilty of blasphemy.  Verse four declares, And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?  Jesus didn't have to hear their words, because He knew their thoughts.  Our words may not question God, but He knows our very thoughts, and if our words do not reflect our true thoughts, then God is going to judge our thoughts.  Verse five asks, For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?  Jesus asked which was easier, to say that the man's sins were forgiven or to tell him to rise up and walk.  If Jesus had simply said rise up and walk, it would be easily verified that Jesus had the power to heal if the man did so, but when He said for the man to be of good cheer that his sins were forgiven, then it required the man to act in faith that Jesus could forgive his sins.  The only way that we can have our sins forgiven is by putting our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse six adds, But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.  Jesus said He did this so that the people would know that He had the power to forgive sins.  He then told the man to rise up, take his bed and go to his house.  Verse seven continues, And he arose, and departed to his house.  The man did as Jesus told him to do.  After we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, then we must do what He tells us to do if we are to be successful in our spiritual life.  Verse eight declares, But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.  The scribes may have questioned God, but the people marveled and glorified God.  No matter how the rest of the world may react, even religious leaders, we must marvel and glorify God when Jesus forgives our sins.  Verse nine states, And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.  Then, as Jesus was passing by, He called Matthew to come and follow Him.  Jesus calls us wherever He finds us and invites us to come and follow Him.  All we can do is put our faith in Him and follow wherever He leads us if we are to be forgiven of our sins and successful in our spiritual journey.

Matthew 8:23

 Matthew 8:23 says, And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.  Jesus and his disciples got into a ship to get away from the crowds for awhile.  Verse twenty-four declares, And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.  While Jesus was asleep, a great storm arose covering the ship in the waves.  Sometimes in life we may feel that we are being swamped and wonder if God is asleep, but we can be certain that He never is and that He will be with us through the storms, though He may not immediately calm the storms.  Verse twenty-five adds, And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.  The disciples, some at of whom as fishermen should have been familiar with storms at sea went and awoke Jesus, saying if He didn't wake up that they would perish.  We may at times wonder if God is not aware of what is going on in our life, but as followers of Christ, we never should.  Verse twenty-six asks, And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.  Jesus asked the disciples why they had so little faith, then He rebuked the winds and there was a great calm.  If we find our self in a storm and begin to doubt, then Jesus may ask us why we are of so little faith.  Do we only trust in God when life is going smoothly?  Verse twenty-seven proclaims, But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!  The men on the ship marveled at what Jesus did and asked Who He was that even the wind and sea obeyed Him.  Who He was, and is, is the God of the universe, and as Christians we should always remember this and declare it to the world no matter what our situation may be.  Verse twenty-eight states, And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.  When Jesus got to the other side of the sea, He was met by two demon possessed men who lived in the tombs and blocked His way.  Verse twenty-nine adds, And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?  Even tough they were demon possessed, they recognized Jesus as the Son of God.  This was something that even His disciples had not acknowledged.  We can be certain that Satan and those that follow him know Who Jesus.  They asked if Jesus had come to destroy them, but we know that Jesus did not come to destroy, but that He came to seek and save those who are lost.  The first step to that salvation is to acknowledge Jesus for Who He is.  Verse thirty states, And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.  Verse thirty-one adds, So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.  The devils asked that they might go into a herd of swine when Jesus cast them out.  They did not question His ability to cast them out.  When we are acting under faith in God, there is no force that can stand up to His power, no matter what the outcome may be here in this lifetime.  Verse thirty-two declares, And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.  There was not a great battle to get the devils out of the two men.  Jesus just said, "Go," and the demons went into the herd of swine, which then ran down into the sea and perished.  Verse thirty-three adds, And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.  The ones who were keeping the herd of swine ran into the city and told everything that had happened to those two men possessed of the devils.  Nothing as dramatic may have happened at our conversion, but if we put our faith in God then He will cast out all the demons in our life, and then we should tell everyone what has happened.  Verse thirty-four concludes, And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.  The whole city came out to meet Jesus, and asked Him to leave their coasts.  The men who kept the swine had lost all their herd, and instead of rejoicing at the two men being freed from the demons evidently were more concerned with what it had cost them financially.  There are many people today who will not accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord because they are worried about what it will cost them financially, but no price is ever worth paying to not accept Him.

Matthew mother=in-8:14

 Matthew 8:14 says, And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.  When Jesus came to Peter's house, He found Peter's wife's mother to be sick with a fever.  This tells us that Peter was married, so he had to put following Jesus ahead of his wife.  I don't believe that this means that he just abandoned his wife, but that following Jesus became his priority.  We cannot allow a spouse to keep us from following Jesus and doing what He calls us to do, nor can we use following Jesus as an excuse to abandon a spouse.  Verse fifteen adds, And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.  When Jesus touched her hand, her fever left.  She then got up and ministered to them.  I don't believe that Jesus healed Peter's  mother-in-law simply so she could minister to them, but that He did so out of love for her.  God does not save us simply so that we can do what He wants us to do, but because He loves us while we are still sinners.  Then, like Peter's wife's mother, we need to start ministering to the needs of others, starting with our family.  Verse sixteen declares, When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:  While Jesus was there, the people brought many to Him who were possessed with devils and He cast the devils out with His word.  There was no great battle, simply Jesus speaking to the devils.  Jesus also healed many sick people.  We need to realize the power of the word of Christ.  We do not have to go through any great ritual to be saved, but simply have to put our faith in His word that He will forgive us of all sin.  Verse seventeen adds, That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.  Jesus healing others was also the fulfillment of a prophesy of Isaiah.  We know that when we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord that He forgives our sins and takes the penalty for them on Himself.  Verse eighteen adds, Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.  When Jesus saw the great crowd, He gave the command for His disciples and Himself to depart to the other side.  This was not because of a lack of concern for the people on the part of Jesus, but because physical healing alone was not why He came.  Jesus was preparing His disciples to carry on His work after His death, and this was His priority.  We today need to make certain that we do not allow concerns for the physical well being of others to keep us from doing what God has called us to do to meet their spiritual needs.  Verse twenty states,  And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.   A certain scribe came to Jesus and said that he would follow Jesus wherever He went.  This is what we should declare today when we accept Jesus.  Verse twenty adds, And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.  Jesus basically told the scribe to count the cost and that following Him was not going to lead to material riches.  Before we accept the call to follow Jesus, we must acknowledge that it is not a call to material wealth, and that we come to Him because He calls us and not just because we decide to follow Him for our own reasons.  Verse twenty-one declares, And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.  One of Jesus' disciples asked Jesus to allow Him to first go and bury his father.  Verse twenty-two declares, But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.  Jesus said to the disciple to let the dead bury the dead.  This might seem calloused to us, but I believe that Jesus was saying that following Him must come above everything else.  We cannot allow anything or anyone in this world to come between God and us if we are to truly be obedient followers of Christ.

Matthew 8:1

 Matthew 8:1 says When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.  When Jesus came down from where He had withdrawn to the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.  Most still were not following Him for the right reason though.  Verse two states, And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.  There was a leper who came to Jesus and stated that he knew Jesus could make him whole if He wanted to.  The leper had faith in Jesus' ability to heal him physically, and people too often still come to Jesus for physical or material reasons instead of coming to be healed spiritually.  Verse three declares, And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.  Jesus said that He would make the leper clean, touched him and he was immediately clean.  We are not told that the man had professed faith in Jesus to forgive his sins, so all that we can say for sure from what we are told here is that the leper was physically healed.  Verse four adds, And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.  Jesus told the man to tell no one what Jesus had done but to simply go to the priest and present himself in accordance with the command of Moses.  Verse five says, And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,  When Jesus came to Capernaum, He was approached by a centurion, a Roman solder.  Verse six adds, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.  The centurion came not for his own sake but for the sake of his servant who was tormented with palsy.  We should bring our concern for others to Jesus through prayer.  Verse seven says, And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.  Jesus was willing to go with the centurion and heal his servant.  Verse eight declares, The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.  The centurion stated his own unworthiness to have Jesus come with him, but he also expressed faith that Jesus could heal his servant simply by declaring him to be healed.  The centurion had a lot of faith in Jesus, at least in His ability to physically heal.  When we pray for someone to be healed today, we must likewise pray with faith that Jesus can heal if it is God's will for healing to occur.  Verse nine adds, For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.  The centurion related his own authority over his soldiers to Jesus' authority over the disease.  The centurion did not have to go everywhere that he ordered those under him to go to ensure that what he told them to do was actually done.  The centurion said that he believed that Jesus had that same authority.  Verse ten declares, When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.  Jesus told the crowds that He had not found so great a faith in all of Israel.  I wonder what Jesus would say of my faith today.  Verse eleven adds, And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.  Jesus said that people from all over the world would come to be a part of the heavenly kingdom of God, and not just those who were born as an Israelite.  Verse twelve continues, But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Jesus said while many Gentiles would be saved, likewise many Jews would not accept Him and would be sent away into everlasting punishment.  Verse thirteen concludes, And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.  Jesus told the centurion that he could go on his way and that his servant would be healed, and that very hour the servant was healed.  When we put our faith in Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we are immediately healed spiritually, and that is what really matters.

Matthew 7:13

 Matthew 7:13 says, Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  Jesus tells us to enter the straight gate if we want to avoid destruction, and faith in Him for salvation is the only straight gate.  Verse fourteen adds, Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  Jesus said that the gate was straight and the way was narrow that leads to salvation and that few found it.  Again, faith in Jesus is the only way to salvation, but too many people look everywhere else for salvation.  Verse fifteen declares, Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  Jesus warns us that there will be false prophets who say what sounds good to us, but inwardly they do not care if we are destroyed or even if they destroy us.  They are only looking for what is best for them self underneath.  Verse sixteen adds, Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  Jesus warns us to look at their actions and not just listen to their words.  Just as grapes come from grape vines and not thorn bushes and figs come from fig trees and not thistles, so must the fruit of the Spirit come from someone who has put their faith in Jesus Christ.  Our actions should be consistent with our words.  Verse seventeen continues, Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  Christians are the good trees, and we should bring forth good fruit for the kingdom of God.  We are not the good trees because of some innate goodness, but because we have put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse eighteen states, A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  As long as we follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we cannot bear evil fruit, and if we do not follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit any fruit that we bear will likely be corrupt.  Verse nineteen declares, Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  Jesus warns us that trees that do not bear good fruit are cast into the fire.  Now, if we  have truly accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we will not be cast away into hell, but many of our works may be. Verse twenty adds, Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  Jesus tells us that we will be known by our fruit, so the question is are we bearing fruit for Him today or for the world?  Verse twenty-one warns, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Jesus warns us that just saying we are a follower of Christ is not enough, but it requires actually seeking to do God's will through faith in Christ, the narrow gate and straight way, in order to truly be saved.  Verse twenty-two declares, Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  On judgement day, Jesus tells us that many people will claim to have done great things for Him, but the question will be if they have a real relationship with Him as Savior or not.  Works will never save us.  Verse twenty-three proclaims, And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  Jesus tells us that many people who profess to know Him will be told the truth that He never knew them.  In other words, they never had a personal relationship with Him, no matter what they may claim to have done for Him.  The relationship must exist before works can be done for Christ.  Verse twenty-four states, Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  Then verse twenty-five adds, And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.  Wise men build their house, or lives, on the foundation of the rock of Christ, and when the storms of life come, they will still stand.  Verse twenty-six states, And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:  Then verse twenty-seven adds, And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.  Hearing the words of Christ and not believing them makes a person foolish, and whatever that person builds will ultimately be destroyed, since the works are built on a foundation other than Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-eight states, And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:  Verse twenty-nine concludes, For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. The people who heard Jesus speak were astounded by His doctrine because He taught as on having authority and not as one simply acting as a representative.  If we are to be saved today, we must acknowledge that Jesus is the only One Who has the authority to bring us salvation. 

Matthew 7:1

 Matthew 7:1 says, Judge not, that ye be not judged.  Jesus made a very clear statement that we are not to judge others.  I believe this means to not judge others morality from an attitude of moral superiority.  Verse two adds, For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.  Jesus tells us if we judge others harshly or unfairly then we should expect to be judged harshly and unfairly.  I don't believe that this means that we cannot tell someone that what they are doing is wrong under God's law, but instead means when we do that we are to do so out of love so that they can be restored to a right relationship with God, not so that we can condemn them.  Verse three asks, And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?   Jesus asked a question that would require reflection on the part of the one answering it.  He asked them why they saw a small sin in others but were not able to see a large sin in their own life.  Since we are all sinners, we are not called on to judge others, especially other Christians.  Verse four adds, Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?  Jesus continued by asking if they would offer to help the other person with the mote in their eye, or small sin, while ignoring the beam, or big sin, in their own life.  We need to be more concerned with our own relationship with God than we are with the relationship of others with God when it comes to judging actions.  Verse five declares, Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.  Jesus tells us that we must first examine our own relationship with Christ, and when it is right, then we can help others deal with sin in their life.  We still are not to sit in judgment, but I believe that when we have our relationship with Christ correct, then the Holy Spirit will guide us in our helping others.  Verse six states, Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.  Jesus tells us to not give things dedicated to God to the dogs and not to cast our pearls, or precious things, before swine.  I believe that as followers of Christ we are holy, or set aside for God, and since we are, we are not to put ourselves in a position where we are once again under the power of sin.  We are always to strive to maintain a relationship with God that guides our everyday life.  Verse seven proclaims, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:  I believe that too often people want to interpret this as meaning that if we want anything as Christians that we simply have to ask God for it, but I believe that this refers to asking God in faith for the things that we need and not just for the things that we want and desire.  Verse eight adds, For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  Again, I believe that this is referring to asking for spiritual things and material needs, and not for material things that we may just desire.  Verse nine asks, Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?  Again, Jesus asked a question, which requires a personal answer.  Who would give their son a stone if he asked for bread?  If we would not do this, then think of how much more our heavenly Father would not.  Verse ten adds, Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?  Fish and bread were not riches, but were things needed for everyday life  God does not promise us riches, but promises to meet our needs if we only ask Him.  Verse eleven continues, If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?  Jesus said that if we, being evil sinful people know how to give good gifts, then how much more does our heaveny Father.  This requires first that we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, and then that we ask God for what we need believing by faith that He will supply our needs.  Verse twelve concludes, Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.  This is another way of stating that we are to do unto others and we want them to do unto us.  This does not say that we are to treat others the way that they treat us, but that we are to treat others the way we want to be treated by them, even if they may mistreat us. 

Matthew 6:16

 Matthew 6:16 says, Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  Jesus tells us that when we fast that we are not to make a display of it.  Verse seventeen adds,  But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;  Then verse eighteen concludes, 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.  Jesus tells us that when we fast that we are to appear as if everything is normal.  As with anything that we claim to be doing for God, except witnessing, it should be not be done just so the world will notice.  If we fast so people will notice us, then Jesus tells us that we already have our reward, which is earthly praise.  Verse nineteen declares, Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  Jesus warns us to not lay up our treasures in the world, because they will never last.  We leave it all when we die.  Verse twenty adds, But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  We should spend more time doing God's work than we do in simply trying to get rich in worldly goods.  The treasures that we lay up in heaven are everlasting, but I don't believe that they are what we would call treasures here on earth.  they are spiritual and not material treasures.  Verse twenty-one concludes, For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  Jesus tells us that what we value most determines where our heart, or thoughts and affections, will be focused.  As followers of Christ, our focus should be on the things of God and on His will for our lives.  Verse twenty-two says, The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.  Our eyes allow us to see the things of the world, and Jesus tells us that our focus should be on the Light, or the things of God.  Verse twenty-three adds, But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!  Jesus tells us that if we focus on the evil of the world instead of the light of God that the darkness for us is great indeed.  Jesus came to be a Light to all the world, but many people refuse to see that Light that leads us to salvation.  Verse twenty-four proclaims, No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.  No no can faithfully serve two masters, especially when the two masters are so much opposed to one another.  Jesus makes it very plain.  We cannot serve God and mammon, the things of this world, at the same time.  I believe that when we begin to make Christianity about how much we have materially as a sign of God's blessings that we are attempting to serve two masters.  Verse twenty-five adds, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?  Jesus tells us that we are not to be concerned about what we eat or what we wear, but how often is that our overlying concern?  How often do we spend more time worrying about what we will wear to church than we do about why we should really be going to church to start with?  Verse twenty-six continues, Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?  Jesus tells us to consider the birds.  They do not reap or sow, but God provides food for them, and then asks if we are not more important to God than the birds.  As God provides for the birds, He will also provide for us if we put our faith in Him.  Verse twenty-seven says, Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?  We cannot just decide how tall we want to be and make it happen.  God is in charge of that.  We might possibly stunt our growth by poor diet or other actions, but we will never increase our height.  Verse twenty-eight asks, And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:  Then verse twenty-nine adds, And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Jesus tells us to look at the beauty of the lily and the fact that God makes them so, and then declares that even Solomon with all his riches could not be made more beautiful than the lilies are.  Verse thirty continues, Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?  Jesus tells us that we are to rely on God to meet our daily needs, and the tells us if we don't that we have little faith.  Jesus tells us that we should never worry about the things of this world if we are truly living by faith in God.  Verse thirty-one declares, Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  I know some people would say that we cannot be expected to live without making sure that we have enough to get through tomorrow and the next few days at least, but Jesus tells us that we are to have no concern about these things but are to put our faith in God to provide for us today.  Verse thirty-two adds, (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  Jesus tells us that we are not to be like the lost people of the world, but that we as Christians are to acknowledge that God knows and will provide for our needs.  Verse thirty-three proclaims. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Jesus gives us the formula for living a successful life, and that is to simply put God first, and then He will provide for our daily needs.  Verse thirty-four adds, 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.  We are not worry about tomorrow, because we cannot control tomorrow.  We cannot even ensure that we will have a tomorrow, so why would we spend all our time today thinking or worrying about tomorrow/