One Day at a Time

January 1, 2022

Bible Readings

Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.

Matthew 6:25-34

Memory Verse

Matthew 6:34

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.“ (NIV)

written by Ron VandenBurg
illustrated by Chad Thompson

Casey and Mom read the bible together. Mom’s phone is on the table.Mom says, “Matthew 6:33 says, “But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants.
Casey says, “How do we put God’s work first?”

Close up on mom’s fingers on her phone, her calendar app shows her week: hospital hours, Dad’s meeting days, Jack’s tutoring, Casey’s baseball tryouts, Tori’s music lessons, the vet appointment…
Mom continues, “God calls us to serve him in all the things we do!”

Casey and Mom look at the phone together, and Casey says, “I guess if we labeled it all 'God's work,' we wouldn't know where we need to be!”

Print Comic

A new year has begun. We should begin this year grateful to God for his blessings and look ahead trusting in God’s faithfulness. But some days, it’s hard not to worry or be afraid of what comes next. For example, for two years now, we have all been worried about Covid-19, and that hasn’t been easy. In this next year, how do we stop being anxious and scared and put God first like he wants us to?

God understands our fears. He understands that this year will have its challenges. In Matthew 6, Jesus says not to worry, “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” When we face each day without worrying about tomorrow, we can focus more on doing God’s will today.

God promises to give us the food, clothes, and love we need every day of our lives (Matthew 6:32). Jesus tells us, “But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants” (Matthew 6:33). Worrying distracts us from that goal.

How do we “put God’s work first”? What’s God calling you to do today? Serve others and help out at home. Work together with parents, teachers, and others around us and make the day great! Be grateful for this day that the Lord has made! By doing these things, we show our trust in God to take care of the rest!

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for today! Please help me not to worry. Thank you for taking care of my family and me. Please help me to trust in you more every day. Amen.

Related Resources

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God is Faithful Memory Jar

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The Story of Ruth

Kids In Action Episode

Kids in Action During COVID-19

Liz and Friends

Mud, Bath, and Beyond

Gwen Veltema Klemm

Since graduating from Calvin University, Gwen Veltema Klemm has traveled the US and worked as a newspaper reporter, a technical writer for manufacturing and IT, and won a creative writing contest in 2019. She currently lives in Holland, Michigan warming her bones because winter is coming.