PRACTICING REST

Matthew 6:33 … seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.


God doesn’t want you to grab the newspaper or turning on CNN first thing in the morning to read/hear all the bad news in the world. He knows that if you do that, your heart will be full of cares, anxieties, and even fears.

This happened to an Australian mother who read in the newspaper that children from China studying in our local schools/universities were becoming the top students. She wrote to the press, voicing her concerns about the stiff competition her child would face from these students, even for the top jobs in Australia in the future.

When you are reading the newspapers, magazines, medical journals, economic reports, watching movies or surfing the Internet all the time, then you are getting your “nourishment” from these sources instead of God’s Word. Now, I am not against these things, but if you constantly feed only on earthly things that cannot satisfy, you will fill your heart and mind with cares and worries.

It doesn’t matter how much stiff competition there is or where it is coming from, Jesus can open all the doors that you need in your life to be opened. Jesus doesn’t want you to end up worrying about your life — what you will eat, drink or wear. He says your Heavenly Father knows very well that you need these things. (Matthew 6:31–32)

That is why He promises you that if you would seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, all these things that the world seeks after will be added to you.

If you are faced with lack, don’t pursue material goods. Pursue God your Provider. If you are sick, don’t pursue the “cure”. Pursue God your Healer.

Don’t grab the newspaper or watch TV first thing in the morning. Instead, grab your Bible and read all the good news God has for you for the day. And as you seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all the things that the world is running after will be added to you!

Pastor Wayne Simpson


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Pursue God and His righteousness, and all the things that the world seeks after will be added to you.