Family Focused
Pembroke First Baptist’s mission is to minister to the whole family.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matt 6:33)
What do you desire first and foremost for your life? What is the thing that commands your attention above all things? For some it might be health, wealth, and prosperity. For others it may be the pursuit of happiness, the prospect of popularity, or the prize of political success. Jesus knows and understands the heart of man. He understands how sin creates void and emptiness in our life, and our efforts, desires, and dreams to be filled, secure and satisfied. In the scripture passage today, we have the foundation for all satisfaction in life. Jesus teaches us that all satisfaction in life begins with God. Nothing can give you satisfaction in life as He can. There are times when we struggle and become overwhelmed by feelings of doubt, anger, jealously, fear, despair, or bitterness, because our focus and pursuit is for some temporal thing of this world. To “seek…the kingdom of God” means you want the eternal things that God has for your life. Seeking the kingdom of God is to desire Christ’s rule in life. His Lordship. Seeking the kingdom of God is to manifest “His righteousness” which are made evident by the power of salvation and the peace of God in one’s life. Instead of worry, distress, and other emotion responses that govern your life, your life will display the fruit of the Spirit tempered by the peace of God. My friend, there is great, eternal benefit to “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” For God has promised us in His word, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isa 26:3). God knows the things that you have need of in life. Trust Him and pursue His righteousness and “all these things shall be added unto you.” Father, thank You that You supply my every need according to Your riches in glory. Thank You for the peace that surpasses all understanding that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. In the blessed and holy Name of Jesus. Amen.
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (John 14:13-14)
Do you desire God’s blessings in your life? If so, what is the number one thing that you desire of God today? Ask Him. Too often, the child of God discards thoughts and ideas because they are deemed too ridiculous and silly to ask God. But He says in His word “whatever.” God can use whatever you ask of Him to draw you into His presence and to know Him. His response may reveal a sin that is hiding us in fear, as it did for Adam and Eve in the garden (Gen 3:10). Or His response may reveal the true sincerity of our heart, as Jesus did for the young man who asked Jesus “what good thing must I do that I may have eternal life?” (Mt 19:16). Jesus gave him a sufficient response to that which the young man asked. However, the young man walked away from Jesus sorrowful and disappointed because of the perceived cost to himself. My friend, God truly wants to pour into your life His eternal blessing so much so that you will overflow with His goodness. Develop a kingdom mindset to ask and receive the things of God. “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Ps 37:4). In the word of God and time in His word, God reveals His heart, His desire, His activity, His character, the manner and method of His blessings, are just a few things that await you. God reveals Himself to us that we may know Him, delight in Him and join Him in His daily activities in and around our lives. God desires to bless you as His child that you may experience Him, enjoy Him, and extend His goodness to others. His blessings are far greater and grander than we could ever think or imagine. Today, your loving heavenly Father awaits to hear you ask. Come to Him and “let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6-7). Father, thank You for hearing our requests. Guide us to develop a kingdom mindset for the things of God “that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” In the blessed and holy Name of Jesus. Amen.