Wednesday 1-16-08

Greetings Internet Campus,

Matthew 6:33 “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

Today we're going to look at yet another thing we don't have to fear as sheep following God, our Shepherd: famine....not having enough.

Let's take apart today's verse...it gives us two conditions:

1) Seek God's First - Every decision, every spoken word, every relationship, every reaction, every thought we have is supposed to be intentional. Have a purpose. What purpose? To bring us closer to God....closer to His character, His perfect will for our lives, and His protection...in other words...to live righteously. Pastor Troy once told me that if I want to be blessed...I have to live a life that is blessable. I believe that a blessable life seeks God's heart first over anything else. What would God want me to do, say, or buy? Did Jesus give His life for me to think those thoughts? Does this relationship that I'm in demonstrate that I sought God's approval first? When we make moves in any other direction, we put ourselves in a position to worry. If we, as sheep, don't want to be concerned that we won't make it or have enough....we need to shift our focus to the Shepherd's direction...and believe that God alone is the centerpiece of our lives.

2) God's Provision - If you are a Christ-follower, God will provide for your needs. He cares more about you than anything... He loves you. He made you. He cries with you. Just imagine with me today what life would be like if our every thought was angled in the direction of God. If we lived lives that were totally subjected to God's desires for us instead of our own...if we followed the Shepherd with a single purpose and determination...what then? I'll tell you. You will find your life's purpose...you will end up where God leads you...and you will receive all of the blessings that God has in store for your life...His provision.

Daily Challenge: In your journal, answer these questions:
1) Is there an area in your life that God is NOT providing for you (be honest!)

2) Is that the result of God's lack of provision or your lack of focus on His plan over yours.

I know this is tough...pray right now that the Holy Spirit will remind you that seeking the Shepherd's path always leads us to the greener fields.