“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33
Seek! That is the focus word in this verse. This word is a robust word, describing a passionate pursuit of something to make it our own. The Kingdom, and the righteousness of those in this Kingdom, is not our wish, our hope, our dream — it is our passion. We will pursue it at all costs. We will pursue it with passion. This will be our consuming effort until we make it our own, or better yet, find it our home!
Spirit-Inspired Joy
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. - Acts 13:52
The Holy Spirit's presence in God's people is accompanied by joy! Jesus was full of joy because of the Spirit (Luke 10:21), and the same is also true of his disciples (Romans 14:17; Galatians 5:22). What I find interesting about today's passage is that all the external reasons for the disciples of Jesus to rejoice were absent. Paul and Barnabas were persecuted and run out of the region of Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:49-52). But, the good news of Jesus had penetrated the hearts of people who believed and turned to him. Paul and Barnabas continued on their mission and left behind a group of people in whom the Holy Spirit of God lived. No matter the circumstances, the Holy Spirit is going to bring God's deep and abiding sense of joy. Before his death, Jesus had promised this joy to his followers (John 16:21-24). God lives in us through the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is our assurance that we belong to God and will ultimately share eternity with him (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13). While trials, persecutions, and hardships may come our way, the Holy Spirit within us is God's reminder that our ultimate victory is secure and that our Father's love is always present. It's no wonder we are filled with "an inexpressible and glorious joy"! (1 Peter 1:8-9)
Prayer
. Lord, I confess I can't do life on my own without You. And I admit that is what I've tried to do at times in my life. When I have plenty, Lord, I forget to pray or give You any credit — acting like I've done it on my own. And, when I'm in need, I've run to You with a list of what I expect You to do — kind of like You are my great Santa Clause in the sky. Forgive me for my self-centeredness. I now know that I can live in any circumstance You put me in — just not on my own. I can only accomplish this mastery of life's situations through the strength of Jesus and my relationship with Him. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
[Message No: 6555]
Seek! That is the focus word in this verse. This word is a robust word, describing a passionate pursuit of something to make it our own. The Kingdom, and the righteousness of those in this Kingdom, is not our wish, our hope, our dream — it is our passion. We will pursue it at all costs. We will pursue it with passion. This will be our consuming effort until we make it our own, or better yet, find it our home!
Spirit-Inspired Joy
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. - Acts 13:52
The Holy Spirit's presence in God's people is accompanied by joy! Jesus was full of joy because of the Spirit (Luke 10:21), and the same is also true of his disciples (Romans 14:17; Galatians 5:22). What I find interesting about today's passage is that all the external reasons for the disciples of Jesus to rejoice were absent. Paul and Barnabas were persecuted and run out of the region of Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:49-52). But, the good news of Jesus had penetrated the hearts of people who believed and turned to him. Paul and Barnabas continued on their mission and left behind a group of people in whom the Holy Spirit of God lived. No matter the circumstances, the Holy Spirit is going to bring God's deep and abiding sense of joy. Before his death, Jesus had promised this joy to his followers (John 16:21-24). God lives in us through the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is our assurance that we belong to God and will ultimately share eternity with him (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13). While trials, persecutions, and hardships may come our way, the Holy Spirit within us is God's reminder that our ultimate victory is secure and that our Father's love is always present. It's no wonder we are filled with "an inexpressible and glorious joy"! (1 Peter 1:8-9)
Prayer
. Lord, I confess I can't do life on my own without You. And I admit that is what I've tried to do at times in my life. When I have plenty, Lord, I forget to pray or give You any credit — acting like I've done it on my own. And, when I'm in need, I've run to You with a list of what I expect You to do — kind of like You are my great Santa Clause in the sky. Forgive me for my self-centeredness. I now know that I can live in any circumstance You put me in — just not on my own. I can only accomplish this mastery of life's situations through the strength of Jesus and my relationship with Him. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
[Message No: 6555]
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