Seek First The Kingdom Of God Rather Over Things Of This World

Luke 12:22-34; 2 Thess 3:10-12; KJV; Worrying and wanting things of this world should never come before seeking the Kingdom of God.

The Lord Will Clothe You

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 

                                                                                        (Luke 12:27-28 KJV)

The wild roses in the photo were yellow last year. The bush has not bloomed yet; but, the buds are showing pink. I have no control over what color they will display each year. But, no matter the color, they are always beautiful.

Before I left for Florida last summer, I clipped away some of the dead branches. Other than that, I do nothing to help them grow. They are flowers so they can do nothing themselves to flourish. Likewise, there are things in this world that we do not have to interfere with in order for them to come to fruition.  There are many things that we worry about that we don't have to fret about. Our faith tells us that God will take care of them. 

God has called each of us to serve Him and our fellowmen. He has not called us to worry about things that are out of our control or things that are meant to only please our senses. There is no sense in worrying about the little things; like what we will wear. It's a lot of worry over nothing important. It's a lot of worry to satisfy our egos.

Flowers are beautiful to behold. Yet, they do nothing to add to their own beauty. God, Himself, clothes them. Trust Him to clothe you in the righteousness of Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Not Of This World

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

                                                                                     (Romans 12:2-3 KJV)

How to live in this world without being conformed to it is something to ponder! Where is the line between thinking more about ourselves and the world around us than the creator and Father of all things? These things can be difficult, if not impossible, given the fact that we are after all infallible human beings, to discern.

We were born into a world that is filled with temptations to indulge ourselves and others. If you want to have a career there is some adapting that might be necessary. Being a radical in any direction may very well limit your opportunities to support yourself and your families. Being a radical is going to mean that you may just not fit into society. 

There are a lot of radicals of every kind in the world. In the end, it is better to be a radical for Jesus because we know that we can trust him to be there for us. The Lord knows what's going on in our lives.  He will take care of you.

Jesus tells us:

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.

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? 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? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 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? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

                                                                                    (Matt 6:24-33)

Life's decisions can be tough. There are a lot of temptations to follow in the ways of the world rather than the way that Jesus sets before us. Sometimes, it's hard to even know what he would have us do. But, we do know what God which direction God would have us go in because we have the Holy Spirit as a counselor. We have the word given to us in the Holy Scriptures. We can know; but, the devil and the world would tell us that we are wrong. Don't believe them. Believe the Word, who is Jesus the Christ, the one who lived and died, yet lives for you.

We live in this world; but, we are not of it. We are children of our Father's Kingdom, a kingdom where there is no struggling to get ahead of ourselves or our neighbors. There is only peace.

And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. (2 Thess 3:5)

God's Peace - Pr. J

He Provides His Kingdom

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

                                                                                    (Luke 12:27-34 KJV)

Where is your heart? Where is your treasure? Is your every waking minute spent worrying about getting ahead in this world? Do you not know that even as God provides so that they flowers might grow; it is God who provides for your needs.

Yes, work; but, find pleasure in the work that God has provided you with. And; yes, enjoy all of the gifts that God has given you in this world. But, seek first the Kingdom of God. Seek His presence and you will know treasures beyond what can be found in this world. Seek His Kingdom and you will know the peace that surpasses all understanding. (Philippians 4:7)

God's Peace - Pr. J