Verse 33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
This is one of my favorite verses that I know I need to consistently repeat to myself. Seek the will of God first!! Not as a after thought, not second, not where it is convenient, not where it is only easy, but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. So simple, yet not easy.
It is easy to focus on the worry. It is easy to focus on "looking good" in everyone else's eyes. It's easy to get focused on all the wrong things. But it is when I go after God first that every thing else is taken care of. It may not be the way I thought it should be done, but I'm not God and I don't know all of the eternal implications of what is happening in me and around me.
With all of the uncertainty in today society and economy we should be making bumper stickers out of this verse. :-)
Ver 2-4 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
I have the priveledge of working with one of the best volunteer groups at COC. The folks involved with our Food Bank distribution are just the best. I thought of them, when reading these verses. Not once, have I ever heard one of them say, Look what we have done, we are so great" It is always what more can we do to help these folks. I know of and have seen our people step up and help in so many situations. I am really humbled by what they have done and are willing to do. I am thankful to them for what they do and to God for putting them in my life.
The NIV translation reads "EVIL ONE" and not the traditional way we say this prayer "evil".
I always say EVIL ONE, because for me - Satan is very real; and this prayer reminds me of that. As a side note, I like speaking this prayer much slower than churches traditionally recite. This prayer has some powerful words, and I like to digest them.
Charter Oak Church is a family of Jesus followers who want to reach out to those who are searching and equip believers to become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
Verse 33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite verses that I know I need to consistently repeat to myself. Seek the will of God first!! Not as a after thought, not second, not where it is convenient, not where it is only easy, but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. So simple, yet not easy.
It is easy to focus on the worry. It is easy to focus on "looking good" in everyone else's eyes. It's easy to get focused on all the wrong things. But it is when I go after God first that every thing else is taken care of. It may not be the way I thought it should be done, but I'm not God and I don't know all of the eternal implications of what is happening in me and around me.
With all of the uncertainty in today society and economy we should be making bumper stickers out of this verse. :-)
Ver 2-4 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
ReplyDeleteI have the priveledge of working with one of the best volunteer groups at COC. The folks involved with our Food Bank distribution are just the best. I thought of them, when reading these verses. Not once, have I ever heard one of them say, Look what we have done, we are so great" It is always what more can we do to help these folks. I know of and have seen our people step up and help in so many situations. I am really humbled by what they have done and are willing to do.
I am thankful to them for what they do and to God for putting them in my life.
v13. "...but deliver us from the evil one"
ReplyDeleteThe NIV translation reads "EVIL ONE" and not the traditional way we say this prayer "evil".
I always say EVIL ONE, because for me - Satan is very real; and this prayer reminds me of that. As a side note, I like speaking this prayer much slower than churches traditionally recite. This prayer has some powerful words, and I like to digest them.