Seek First the Kingdom of God

A brief prayer is offered that you can add to your daily prayers. The scripture is from our Sunday Service Bulletin. Some of the devotion is inspired by a narrative in net.bible.org.

Matthew 6:26-33 (English Standard Version)

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? ²⁸ And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹ yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹ Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Devotion: “Material World”

If we fret constantly about having enough food and clothing, we show that we have not yet learned a very basic lesson that nature teaches us: God provides for His creatures’ needs. This does not mean we can disregard work, but it does mean we should disregard worry. Fretting cannot lengthen life any more than it can put food on the table or clothes on the back (v. 27). Worry really shortens life. Rather than refraining from the pursuit of material things the disciple should replace this with a pursuit having much greater significance. Seeking the kingdom involves pursuing the things about the kingdom for which Jesus taught His disciples to pray, namely, God’s honor, His reign, and His will (see vv. 9-10).  In this passage God is promising to meet the needs of those who commit themselves to seeking the furtherance of His kingdom and righteousness. Let us place our focus on our Heavenly Father and have faith that God will provide!

Pray: Lord, we pray for faith in Your providence. Amen

Blessings,

Joe

CHRIST LUTHERAN VAIL WOMEN IN MISSION

CHRIST LUTHERAN VAIL WOMEN IN MISSION will meet on February 3rd, 6:30pm, at the home of Polly Phillips, 13846 E. Placita Pezuna.  All women are invited to attend.

CHRIST LUTHERAN VAIL WOMEN IN MISSION

We will have a Christmas Brunch on Saturday, December 6th at 9:00am at the home of Lola Unger.   All CLV women are invited to share some fellowship during this hectic time of year.

LWML

The Lutheran Women in Mission is open to all ladies of Christ Lutheran Vail. This group sponsors mission work in Vail, Arizona and beyond. If you are interested in the activities of LWML, see the sign up sheet in the back of the church.