I’m excited you’ve joined our church family in the 2nd week of this exciting adventure as we experience The Power of Everyone coming together to thank and seek God. For 21 days leading up to Sunday, Nov. 23rd, we’ve committed to pray, fast and seek God’s direction personally and for our church. I hope you’ll pause at 10pm each night and pray for about 10 minutes; do this individually, as a couple, or as a family.
During the days leading up to Nov. 23 and our Celebration Offering and the Thanksgiving Family Festival, I’ll list a scripture for you to read and consider. I’ll also share a few thoughts of my own, but my primary desire is that you ask God to reveal to you what this passage means in your life and how you should apply it as you think about what God would have you do. I would also ask that you pray and ask God to speak to the hearts of all the people in our church about this particular passage concerning what they should do. It’s already been a great adventure. Can’t wait to see what this week brings.
Bless you – Pastor BJ
Nov. 14 Matthew 6:25-33
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
What does this passage promise when you put God’s Kingdom and righteousness first? Think about that for a moment – go back and read through the verses. The promises are incredible.
What’s a sure sign you are seeking God’s Kingdom first? Charles Ryrie, the noted theologian and author of the Ryrie Study Bible once said: “How we use our money demonstrates the reality of our love for God. In some ways it proves our love more conclusively than depth or knowledge, length of prayers or prominence of service. These things can be feigned, but the use of our possessions shows us up for what we actually are.”
BJ Rutledge 