We worry. I worry. About lack of money, not enough clothes to wear, etc etc. And the bible does have something to say to believers on what mindset we should carry regarding this.
I shared this before in offering, but each time i read these excerpt from the bible it seems that i get a deeper insight to God's fatherhood.
Matthew 6:33(NKJV) - "But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you."
In the NLT version, it says "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need."
Very clearly, the idea of this verse is usually used to tell us to put God first and our lives will fall into place.
NLT is very clear about us that we need to live in the righteous ways of God, then only will He give you the things you need.
But what is it that we need?
In the NKJV version, notice, "and all these things shall be added to you"
What does "these things" refer to? Let's look back at the other verses.
Matthew 6:31-32
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
"these things" actually refer to the things that we eat, drink, wear. our material needs! Or in another sense, it could even be success in life! Why?
Let's take a look at the old testament!
In Exodus, we see the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt. During the journey, they were in the wilderness for 40 years.
What was this wilderness experience for? Technically speaking, research had show that it should have only take 2 weeks for them to cross into their promised land. But instead, the children of Israel took 40 years.
Why did God make them go through that 40 years?
But do note, it was during this 40 years that they received the Ten Commandments (T.C). And the T.C, I'd say was kind of like another T.C, Terms and Conditions, for them to enter into the promised land.
And like how we remind children not to do this, not to do that, God does the same. He asked Moses to remind the Israelites not to go near the mountain twice.
And speaking again of Terms and Conditions, Moses came down with two tablets of stone, which i would say that are duplicates of each other, ten commandments on each tablet. Just like a contract with duplicates for both parties, God and the children of Israel.
So for them to enter into their promised land, they needed to keep God's commandments.
Matt 6:33, as we seek first the Kingdom and all His righteousness, or in other words, keep His commandments, we will enter into God's promises, a land of provision and success!
But i think, what hit me the most is really the fact that the commandments were written by God Himself.
You know we always say with the new covenant, the commandments of God are written in our hearts, we know it in our hearts and apply it. So who writes it there? God Himself.
For us to keep His commandments, we need to be touched by God, to experience His love with our hearts. And just like i mentioned, God wants to remind us and one of those ppl He uses to remind you is through His leaders that He has placed over your lives. As a leader, one must remind your people of God's commandments and love!
During worship, seek to encounter God, it is these God encounters that God begins to write His ways in your heart.
Only then, when you are able to keep your side of the contract, will you be able to enter into His blessings!
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