O Merciful Lord, You have said in Your Word (through the Apostle Paul) that Your Kingdom is not made up of natural things like eating and drinking, but is found in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. In this description I understand that Your Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom with geographical boundaries. Instead, it is the result of the Holy Spirit working in my life and my relationships. To find the Kingdom, I must look for what You are doing in people’s hearts. As I begin to enter into right living, I am both building the Kingdom within myself and the community in which I live. As I experience Your peace, I can tell it by the way it exceeds anything I have experienced before and I have a burning desire to share it with others. Your joy fills me with an exuberance that makes me want to spread the Good News of Your coming. In Your Kingdom I have found forgiveness, freedom, love and belonging.
Your instruction advises me that I should seek first Your Kingdom and Your righteousness. The reward for my obedience is that all my needs will be met. Your words call me to turn to You first and fill my thoughts with Your desires, take on Your character as a pattern for my life and to always serve and obey You. People, possessions, job, and personal goals all compete for priority in my life. Any of these can quickly bump You out of first place. I must actively decide to give You first place in all aspects of my life. In so doing, my life will be successful and I will find contentment in all things. Planning for tomorrow is time well spent … worrying about it can be destructive. In seeking Your Kingdom as a priority in my life keeps all my priorities straight and in balance. Seeking first Your Kingdom involves giving You control of my work, play, plans and relationships.
Throughout Your Word, You have given insights into what Your Kingdom is like. In the parable of the mustard seed, it is the smallest of seeds that grows into a large tree … this illustrates how Your Kingdom starts out small and grows into something great. In the parable of the man who finds a treasure in a piece of land and the merchant who seeks a prized pearl, both men sell everything to acquire the land and the pearl. In this lesson, You show me that Your Kingdom is the most valuable thing I can possess, and I must be willing to sacrifice to attain it. In the parable of the homeowner who brought out both old and new treasures, You explain that the old treasure is the OT which foretold of Your coming while the new treasure is the NT which proclaimed Your arrival. From the encouragement found in Your Word, I am convinced that I want to be a citizen of Your Kingdom. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Luke 30-31 …Your Father knows your needs. But seek His Kingdom, and these things will be given to you.