PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 12:22-31
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” (Luke 12:31)
In Matthew’s account, Jesus says to seek God’s kingdom AND righteousness.
These both go together, and can be summarized as God’s kingdom.
God’s kingdom is the world as God intended it to be.
God’s righteousness is the way God intended us to live.
If we pursue one, we pursue the other, for both reflect God’s character.
Jesus is urging us to make our top priority God’s dream for this world.
God’s dream includes: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.
This was Adam and Eve’s task from the beginning.
God provided their daily needs, what they needed to serve his kingdom.
We pursue God’s honour, kingdom and will, and God provides the rest.
This is also how we are to pray – seeking these things first.
This is what LIFE actually consists of – the God life!
Our mistake is to pursue the ‘everything else’, seeking life in them.
But the good life is not found in food, clothing, money, sex, fame, etc.
We will not find LIFE (contentment, joy) until we pursue the God life.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see that if I really want to be fulfilled – to live the full life – then pursuing your kingdom dream is the only way! Nothing else will satisfy or last.
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” I can easily get anxious – especially before I do something public/important. I know if I just lean on my own strength -I lack confidence. Best for me is to commit what I’m doing and ask the Lord to guide and bless me with the HS to work with me. Better yet, to seek what is God’s will first – even before planning an activity or taking on a commitment. I walk more confidently today as I’ve learned to walk in step with Jesus. Yet, I sometimes still worry – worry about the outside things – what’s happening in our world. Lord, help me to be content to do my part – to keep a Kingdom focus – to do what is under my purview! Give me the confidence to do it!
Anxiety robs us of the trust and loving mercy of the Lord. We/I pray – give us our daily bread – and anxiety robs me of that trust and faith in the Lord. God takes care of the birds of the air. He will take care of me if I but trust and obey His Word and cast all my anxieties upon Him and He will do as He has promised.
1 Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath his wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.
Refrain:
God will take care of you,
through ev’ry day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.
2 Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you. [Refrain]
3 No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon his breast,
God will take care of you. [Refrain]