"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.
That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?" These words were spoken by the Lord Jesus to His disciples and those around Him. The Lord Jesus was revealing a Kingdom perspective. A Kingdom perspective is one of total trust and confidence in the King and what He decrees. That total trust means that worry has no power or authority in getting your needs met. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Trusting in the King is our only solution. Then the Lord Jesus asked them another question: “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?"
As I have stated on many occasions, your greatest asset is your faith in the Lord God and specifically in His Son Jesus the Christ. He is the One who was obedient to His Father's command until the end of His time here on earth. As faith is your greatest asset, worry and fear are your greatest liability. You should never allow any situation, trial or problem to override your faith in Him or His Word. His Word is law and eternal life. Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life." His Word also cleanses us from all unrighteousness. How can a young person stay pure? By obeying Your Word. We must be aware of the power in obeying the King's Word. I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
The Lord Jesus gave us our first priority: Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Before we do anything else, we must first learn how to be obedient to His commands, submit to the guidance of the Governor (Holy Spirit) and learn our priorities. When you learn to trust in His Word, then and only then will you be free. Trusting in Him alleviates all fear. Death will have no consequence in your life. It will not cause you to fear anything. Death to the one who lives by the King's Word is a promotion to be where the King resides. The Lord Jesus made this statement. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. The ambassador Paul stated it this way: So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. For we live by believing and not by seeing. Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. Notice that he never said that heaven was His home.
In the United Sates, the focus is on entertainment. They spend billions to entertain others. They pay athletes millions every year to play sports. Actors and musicians are paid millions to perform for us and keep us entertained and occupied. And we pay billions to be entertained! Sadly, this entertainment mindset has spread to the church. Far too many churches today have become religious entertainment centers. Even smaller churches try to keep up with the "big guys" with wide screens, "mood" lighting and sound systems to draw in people and keep them entertained so they won't hop on to another church. All of that sensory-tickling input has nothing to do with the Lord Jesus' church. We are the church, not what goes on inside a building.
Misplaced priorities in the believer is when they claim to know the Lord yet refuse to obey and live according to what they have read in God's Word. God's grace is there when you fall short and are disobedient to His Word, but maturing and getting your priorities in line means you repent and turn away from the sin that so easily causes you to falter. Continuing in sin and disobedience, in essence, is failing to embrace the Kingdom and making it your first priority. When you live life choosing to sin, you are choosing not to embrace Kingdom living and the blessings that come with it. We do not need more preachers who can put out a great sermon and get lots of amens, but with misplaced priorities. We need walking, talking examples of Kingdom living. When people see you, they should want what you have so much that they ask you how to get it too. Then you teach them about the Kingdom of God!
I close with the words of instruction the Lord Jesus gave when He sent out the twelve: Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!
Don’t take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins. Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed.
Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town. When you enter the home, give it your blessing. If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing. If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave. I tell you the truth, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off than such a town on the judgment day.
Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."
Once again, your greatest asset and top priority is your faith in the Lord God's Word (Jesus the Christ).
Matthew 6:25-27, 28-30 John 6:68 Psalm 119:9, 11 Matthew 6:33-34 John 14:3 II Corinthians 5:6-8 Matthew 10:7-20 (all NLT)
~~W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?" These words were spoken by the Lord Jesus to His disciples and those around Him. The Lord Jesus was revealing a Kingdom perspective. A Kingdom perspective is one of total trust and confidence in the King and what He decrees. That total trust means that worry has no power or authority in getting your needs met. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Trusting in the King is our only solution. Then the Lord Jesus asked them another question: “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?"
As I have stated on many occasions, your greatest asset is your faith in the Lord God and specifically in His Son Jesus the Christ. He is the One who was obedient to His Father's command until the end of His time here on earth. As faith is your greatest asset, worry and fear are your greatest liability. You should never allow any situation, trial or problem to override your faith in Him or His Word. His Word is law and eternal life. Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life." His Word also cleanses us from all unrighteousness. How can a young person stay pure? By obeying Your Word. We must be aware of the power in obeying the King's Word. I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
The Lord Jesus gave us our first priority: Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Before we do anything else, we must first learn how to be obedient to His commands, submit to the guidance of the Governor (Holy Spirit) and learn our priorities. When you learn to trust in His Word, then and only then will you be free. Trusting in Him alleviates all fear. Death will have no consequence in your life. It will not cause you to fear anything. Death to the one who lives by the King's Word is a promotion to be where the King resides. The Lord Jesus made this statement. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. The ambassador Paul stated it this way: So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. For we live by believing and not by seeing. Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. Notice that he never said that heaven was His home.
In the United Sates, the focus is on entertainment. They spend billions to entertain others. They pay athletes millions every year to play sports. Actors and musicians are paid millions to perform for us and keep us entertained and occupied. And we pay billions to be entertained! Sadly, this entertainment mindset has spread to the church. Far too many churches today have become religious entertainment centers. Even smaller churches try to keep up with the "big guys" with wide screens, "mood" lighting and sound systems to draw in people and keep them entertained so they won't hop on to another church. All of that sensory-tickling input has nothing to do with the Lord Jesus' church. We are the church, not what goes on inside a building.
Misplaced priorities in the believer is when they claim to know the Lord yet refuse to obey and live according to what they have read in God's Word. God's grace is there when you fall short and are disobedient to His Word, but maturing and getting your priorities in line means you repent and turn away from the sin that so easily causes you to falter. Continuing in sin and disobedience, in essence, is failing to embrace the Kingdom and making it your first priority. When you live life choosing to sin, you are choosing not to embrace Kingdom living and the blessings that come with it. We do not need more preachers who can put out a great sermon and get lots of amens, but with misplaced priorities. We need walking, talking examples of Kingdom living. When people see you, they should want what you have so much that they ask you how to get it too. Then you teach them about the Kingdom of God!
I close with the words of instruction the Lord Jesus gave when He sent out the twelve: Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!
Don’t take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins. Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed.
Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town. When you enter the home, give it your blessing. If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing. If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave. I tell you the truth, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off than such a town on the judgment day.
Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."
Once again, your greatest asset and top priority is your faith in the Lord God's Word (Jesus the Christ).
Matthew 6:25-27, 28-30 John 6:68 Psalm 119:9, 11 Matthew 6:33-34 John 14:3 II Corinthians 5:6-8 Matthew 10:7-20 (all NLT)
~~W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
