I want to start off by saying that there is absolutely no way that we are able to manipulate God. It’s impossible. He is no respecter of persons and doesn’t play favorites. He loves all of his children equally even though we are all so vastly different. We are alike however in our likeness of him. The Bible says that we were all made in the image of the Lord, we were made in his likeness. But I digress, I just came up with the witty title in hopes that I would be seen as a creative.
(Is it working? lol)
Though we are not able to manipulate God, we are able to position ourselves through sacrifice, prayer, fasting and consecration to connect ourselves with him in a way that we wouldn’t be able to otherwise.
For instance say a person is drowning in sin, unable to stop what they’re doing, unrepentant and ashamed. It may be hard to spend time in Gods presence or to even think of spending time with God in general. There is a chasm between God and that person and we all know that God isn’t the one who enacted the silent treatment.
On the complete opposite side of the spectrum is someone who humbles themselves in prayer and fasting. Someone who is actively repentant and seeking the Lords advice to lead them through life.
I want to be clear that the difference between these two people is not that one is sinless, but repentant and making steps toward change, and by the power of the Holy Spirit is being sanctified.
Matthew 6:33 NLT says, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
This looks like a set of pretty clear cut instructions to get me on track to living in the perfect will that God has for my life. The first part of this verse is an active COMMAND. We are to desire God’s kingdom over everything else that we desire. What is the kingdom of God for those of us living on earth trying to pursue it? One thing that comes to mind is God’s dominion. We are to seek God’s dominion, his rule, his kingdom and kingship above all else in life. Basically we are to seek God’s leadership above all else. The word of God was divinely inspired by him and holds the information that we as Christian’s need to seek his Kingdom. I would consider this book to be the main avenue in which we are to learn about the Lord’s kingdom and how to actively pursue it.
We are living in a fallen world and the only reason that we would want to seek the kingdom of God above all else is so that we know that the Lord’s will and work are being done through us here on earth.
The second part of this command is to live RIGHTEOUSLY. This ties into being repentant and mature in your faith. Seeking help for struggles that seem unending and casting down wicked thoughts that say you will always commit the same sins, thoughts that say you’ll never change. We must die unto our flesh and live righteously. We must have some integrity about ourselves and continue to press towards the mark of a high calling.
The last part of this verse is the best part of this verse. It says that the Lord will give us everything that we NEED. I want to be clear that it says everything that we need, not everything that we want. Though I’ve known God to supply all of my needs and sometimes the things that I want, I want you to see that the promise lies therein the things that we need not the things that we want.
But if we really think about it, the things that we need should be the things that we want. We should desire the things of God and the more time that we spend with him and the more like him that we are, the more we will desire the things in life that he desires for us.
On top of that, the things that we need are what will get us walking in our purpose. The things that we need will get us accomplishing the will of God. The things that we need will get us in right standing with God.
So this week think of ways that you can start seeking the kingdom of God first. Maybe it means taking a break from social media or your Netflix and Amazon Prime accounts. Maybe it means prioritizing and making a conscious effort to show the Lord that you love him and care about his leadership through journaling, prayer or worship. However you decide to tackle this, stay focused and note how you see the Lord making changes in your life.
Love you,
Amber
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