Seek the Kingdom first is a very profound statement. The operative word in that phrase is first. But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33
Seeking the Kingdom of God isn’t only reading His Word and praying. It is keeping our actions and decisions in line with His Word and principles. Seeking the Kingdom is living a life that reflects the words of King Jesus. When faced with life decisions our first priority is that those decisions line up with His Word. We don’t put our wants and desires above His Word.
While the Lord Jesus was here on this earth, He was the most focused and single-minded person who has ever lived. His entire life here on earth was dedicated to teaching the government of the Kingdom of God and what life should look like in His Kingdom.
Focus Point: Even at the young age of twelve, He already knew His purpose and priority. When His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph were relieved to find Him in the temple in Jerusalem after losing him, He responded to them with this statement: So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:48-49
Keep in mind the Lord Jesus had one singular focus, His Father’s priority for sending Him. He never lost sight of it, even on the cross. King Jesus knew His purpose for being here. He was a “man on a mission” as they say and so should we all be! Not knowing your purpose and priority will cause you to drift through life with no focus or sense of the Lord God’s plan for your life. Days will just slip away without focus and purpose. In many cases, people who are unaware of their purpose, assignment and priorities in the Lord God’s plan for their lives latch on to other people’s ideas and wishes. In most cases it has nothing to do with the King’s plan for their life. Misplaced priorities result in wasting life pursuing the wrong things and carrying on the wrong assignment. That leads to feeling unfulfilled, as though something is “missing” from life.
Please note: An absence of priorities in this life accomplishes nothing in the end; while a life of misplaced priorities may bring successes but not in the way the Holy Spirit (the Governor) leads. As Jesus told His disciples, “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring Me glory by telling you whatever He receives from Me. John 16:12-14 NLT
There is nothing more disappointing and tragic than not knowing the Lord God’s purpose for your life. Purpose is the source of your priorities. Purpose is defined as the original cause, reason and intent for the creation of a thing. In essence, purpose is the meaning of why something or someone was created. Where purpose is not known, misuse or abuse is inevitable. When you know why the Lord God placed you here, have your priorities in order, and are focused on those priorities, no one will be able to distract you or take advantage of you!
Focus Point: Before all that can come to pass, He must get your attention because most of us are so preoccupied with other things, as it was with Saul (ambassador Paul): Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Acts 9:1-9
Once He has your attention (hopefully without blinding!) He will show you your purpose and assignment. Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”
And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. Acts 9:10-19
Please note: There are times when the Lord God has to allow things to happen to you so that He may get your attention. That is because most people are self-absorbed and focused on their own affairs. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, He called them to come to Him. And having called them, He gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, He gave them His glory. Romans 8:28-30 NLT
Remember, your faith in the Lord Jesus is your greatest asset in the Kingdom.
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
All scriptures are New King James except where noted.
These articles may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are sited at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
Seeking the Kingdom of God isn’t only reading His Word and praying. It is keeping our actions and decisions in line with His Word and principles. Seeking the Kingdom is living a life that reflects the words of King Jesus. When faced with life decisions our first priority is that those decisions line up with His Word. We don’t put our wants and desires above His Word.
While the Lord Jesus was here on this earth, He was the most focused and single-minded person who has ever lived. His entire life here on earth was dedicated to teaching the government of the Kingdom of God and what life should look like in His Kingdom.
Focus Point: Even at the young age of twelve, He already knew His purpose and priority. When His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph were relieved to find Him in the temple in Jerusalem after losing him, He responded to them with this statement: So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:48-49
Keep in mind the Lord Jesus had one singular focus, His Father’s priority for sending Him. He never lost sight of it, even on the cross. King Jesus knew His purpose for being here. He was a “man on a mission” as they say and so should we all be! Not knowing your purpose and priority will cause you to drift through life with no focus or sense of the Lord God’s plan for your life. Days will just slip away without focus and purpose. In many cases, people who are unaware of their purpose, assignment and priorities in the Lord God’s plan for their lives latch on to other people’s ideas and wishes. In most cases it has nothing to do with the King’s plan for their life. Misplaced priorities result in wasting life pursuing the wrong things and carrying on the wrong assignment. That leads to feeling unfulfilled, as though something is “missing” from life.
Please note: An absence of priorities in this life accomplishes nothing in the end; while a life of misplaced priorities may bring successes but not in the way the Holy Spirit (the Governor) leads. As Jesus told His disciples, “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring Me glory by telling you whatever He receives from Me. John 16:12-14 NLT
There is nothing more disappointing and tragic than not knowing the Lord God’s purpose for your life. Purpose is the source of your priorities. Purpose is defined as the original cause, reason and intent for the creation of a thing. In essence, purpose is the meaning of why something or someone was created. Where purpose is not known, misuse or abuse is inevitable. When you know why the Lord God placed you here, have your priorities in order, and are focused on those priorities, no one will be able to distract you or take advantage of you!
Focus Point: Before all that can come to pass, He must get your attention because most of us are so preoccupied with other things, as it was with Saul (ambassador Paul): Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Acts 9:1-9
Once He has your attention (hopefully without blinding!) He will show you your purpose and assignment. Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”
And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. Acts 9:10-19
Please note: There are times when the Lord God has to allow things to happen to you so that He may get your attention. That is because most people are self-absorbed and focused on their own affairs. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, He called them to come to Him. And having called them, He gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, He gave them His glory. Romans 8:28-30 NLT
Remember, your faith in the Lord Jesus is your greatest asset in the Kingdom.
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
All scriptures are New King James except where noted.
These articles may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are sited at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
