“ For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own”
In this world, there are so many things we can seek: Career, beauty, fame, money, marriage, love, achildren etc. These are all important, but since we cannot seek all at the same time, it becomes a matter of choice for a decision to be made based on what is important and sustainable. The interesting thing is that what may be important, and priority differ from person to person. Sometimes even as Christians, God is on the list, but hidden, or causal, because we are already Christians anyways, and have always been seeking God.
For this year 2023, God wants us TO SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH BEFORE ANYTHING ESLE. God knows all the things we strive to seek and would want to have. He wants us to focus on him first. He wants to be first on our list. He wants us to know that he knows and understands our desire for other things. He wants us to understand his principle of following or fellowship with him. This is heaven’s manner of doing kingdom business, and if we must get involved in God’s kingdom business, we must follow these rules. We seek God’s kingdom by inviting the guidance of the power of the Holy Spirit through his word, prayer, worship, and our way of life. Our continuous and deliberate dwelling in his word, presence, and prayers, is very critical and assists in shaping the kind of life he wants for us. He wants us to worship him in spirit and truth. John 4:23-24 “ Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
Jesus is the center of it all, he gave himself up as a sacrifice so that we may have a spiritual life that is filled with the heavenly taste. We must come to this point of understanding that Jesus meant giving himself for the whole world. We cannot be satisfied spiritually without Christ, the living bread who brings life. John 6:53-56 “Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.”
How will seeking God be accomplished given the fact that other things are aways in the way?
In 2023 this acronym will be our focus: R.E.S.P.O.N.D.
Remove the barrier-FLESH: Romans 7:18 “For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh [my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity]. For the willingness [to do good] is present in me, but the doing of good is not”.
Flesh is the worst obstacle in life. Flesh is the house for all things that lead to sin and disobedience of man. One may plan to do right, but so far as the flesh is there, it’s impossible. Even the mind is controlled by the flesh. For the mind will only go with what the flesh wants, and thus cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8 “.Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.” The flesh and the spirit walk in opposite directions and never meet. We can never do any kingdom business successfully by walking in the flesh. Galatians 5:17 “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” Man (Genesis 6:3) is referring again to the flesh, we cannot do any business with God in the flesh, we must get rid of it. Genesis 6:3 “So the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years." For according to I John 2:16 “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world”, this is a world perspective, has nothing to do with God. Even brotherly love is never possible when one operates in the flesh. 1 Corinthians 3:3 “For you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?”
THE ONLY WAY TO DEAL WITH THE FLESH IS DEATH-Galatians 2:20 “ I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Finally, remember that if your desire is to walk in and do the things of the flesh, that will also be your harvest. Galatians 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life”.
Exchange the old self with the new self: Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires”.
We have received Christ; therefore, we are called to walk in the new life in Christ by faith. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].” God has made everything new in us and has given us a new heart so that we can walk in righteousness. Ezekiel 36:26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
To walk in Christ, we must do so by faith, being fully conscious that our rights that have been given up and we have accepted to participate with him in his death and resurrection. This is our identity that we carry with us wherever we are or go in the new life. 2 Corinthians 4:10-11 “We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always consigned to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal body.”
We must have a clear understanding that when we died by faith with Christ, we (exchanged) the old man and everything it had, and at resurrection we also received a new man (new life-Christlike), therefore we must walk in the newness of the righteousness of God in Christ that was put on us. Romans 6:4-6 “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.”
Spend time with God in his Word, Prayer, and Worship: Hebrew 4:16 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Just like technology has designed the GPS that we use daily as a driving guide to most of our earthly destinations, the word of God is also a spiritual GPS for our heavenly destination. If we must make it to heaven, we must turn it on and follow it in detail and carefully. The only way to be a successful believer is to make the word of God the only reference in every step one must take. When we live by the word of God, it gives room to walk in the spirit and thus there will be no room for the flesh. Joshua 1:8 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” As we walk with God in his presence it gives the Holy Spirit the opportunity to play his ordained role in our lives. John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” Spending time in the word of God/presence allows the word of God to dwell in us and is helpful when we become channels of blessings to others. Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Who does not like to spend time with their loved ones? Spending time with God is an expectation of every child of God. We are to present ourselves before him as a sacrifice that is living, holy and acceptable, for this is the way of worship. When we come to him, the power of his presence assists us in the process that daily transforms and renews our minds into that of Christ and the spirit of God. That is what the new life is Christ entails. Romans 12:1-2 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” As we continue to dwell in his presence, we become more zealous and can say like the psalmist in Psalm 63:1 “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Spending time in God’s presence gives us the advantage of heavenly revelations. Mathew 16:17 “And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”
Spending time in God’s presence is like a farmer who takes time and goes to the farm, prepare his field, and sow his crops. At harvest time he goes back and harvests what he planted. If he planted beans, his expectation would be to harvest beans. He never expects a harvest of what he did not plant. If you give God your time, he knows how to give back to you, he sees and knows everything we do and rewards us accordingly. Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Additionally, it is in the presence of God that we can understand and build around us the armor of God. He gives us the revelation of what it means and how to apply it. Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”
Finally, remember that when we spend time in his presence our spiritual growth is assured. 2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity”
Prayers led by the Holy Spirit: Romans 8:26 “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words”.
Praying in the spirit is very critical in our daily walk with God as this builds our prayer life as we strive towards understanding spiritual things in our quest to seek his kingdom. 1 Corinthians 14:2 “For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.” We have been commanded to always pray in the Spirit for this helps us remain alert. Ephesians 6: 18 “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Also, praying in the spirit gives us the ability to hear God. Revelation 1:10 “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet”. We can pray in the spirit because our old man has been removed and we have received grace to walk in and worship God by the Spirit Holy. Philippians 3:3 “For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh”
Finally, remember that when we flow in the spirit, we will know it’s not lip service or any human design rule. Isaiah 29:13 “Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.”
Obey His Command: Jeremiah 7:23 “But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.”
Every human being who has some understanding of the bible knows that from the beginning man disobeyed God and their relationship was broken. Jesus came to restore the relationship that was broken from that disobedience. Romans 5:19 “For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.” It is therefore imperative that those who have come to know Christ must also desire to walk in obedience and truth. For Christ was obedient even unto the death for which he committed no crime. Philippians 2:8 “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
It is so interesting to imagine how in this world, man is quick to obey man but care less about God, yet everything that man has is from God. May God forgive us. In the bible there are so many examples of how people put their lives at risk to stand for God alone, just to list some examples: 1. Acts 5:29 “But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.” 2. Exodus 1:17 “The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live.” 3. Daniel 6:13 “Then they told the king, "Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, shows no regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed. He still makes his petition three times a day."
God measure our love for him in the way his commands are kept. 1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” So, when we hear his word and we follow through with what it says, we are blessed. Luke 11:28 “But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” The principle of abiding lies in our ability to keep his commands. If we keep his commands, then abiding becomes easy and God also returns the favor by abiding in us through his Spirit. 1 John 3:24 “Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.”
Never give up: Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Jesus did not give up why would you? Luke 22:44 “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” The spirit of God is there to strengthen us as we continue to seek God. Ephesians 3:16 “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man”. We cannot give up in our quest to love God and serve his purposes. When we walk with him, he encourages us with his word. Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” God knows you by name. Isaiah 43:1 “Now this is what the LORD says--He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine!” One must not give up to the flesh but must get up and run from any sign of what may bring one down. 2 Timothy 2:22 “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” There is a testimony at the end for those who will not give up. Genesis 32:28 “Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
Finally, remember that there is a grace that comes from holding on and not giving up. God sees and he knows our struggle. 2 Corinthians 12:9 “But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.”
Depend on God alone: Hebrews 13:21 “Equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Finally, in everything we must depend on God our shepherd. This is very important in our daily walk with him. He is the master in charge who knows where to lead us. If you just imagine physically a shepherd who looks after the sheep, he knows where there is green pasture. The sheep always lies in wait for wherever the shepherd takes them. Why can we not be same with our relationship with God? Psalm 23:1-4 “1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Finally, we should have confidence in seeking God, because it will never be in vain. Isaiah 45:19 “I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right.”