1 Peter 3:11
I suggest reading the whole passage, especially verse 8-17. A simple instruction guide to life. But these two concepts right here can do a whole lot of good as we walk through life.
Do good
Pursue peace
Photo by Joanna Klapperick
What it means to Seek His Kingdom First
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well..” - Matthew 6:33
Our verse concludes Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount message about moral living and the unexpected ways of the Kingdom. He is speaking to his disciples and the large crowd that has begun to follow him. Jesus speaks to many things like the law, truth, giving, prayer, loving our enemies, and in our passage he is speaking about worry and anxiety. He references the flowers and the birds, does He not clothe and feed them? Does he not care for them? Have faith and trust. Are you not greater than the birds and flowers?
Many times the troubles of this world take over and distract us. Or our desires of earthly people, objects, or goals take priority. Jesus is telling us to not worry about these earthly things but to seek His kingdom first.
Seek is a strong action verb. It is to desire God above all else in our life. To submit our whole being to God. To make his will our greatest priority. To focus on life giving things that last into eternity. Jesus is asking us to set our thoughts, desires, and character on Him. To seek after where God is alive and active and join him there.
And when we seek after his kingdom and righteousness, all these things, the things like clothing and food, our basic necessities and provisions, will be given to us as well. We need not worry but to seek.
Our prayer as you wear this tee is to be reminded to seek after God above all and before all. He is the only “thing” worth truly seeking.
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What it means to Enter The Narrow Gate
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” - Matthew 7:13
You have the decision between two ways in life and one of two destinations in which you want to go. Heaven or Hell.
If you are in the broad, easy path. It will likely lead to destruction, your destination - Hell. But narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to eternal life with Christ.
There is only one way into Heaven and that is by believing in Jesus. Believing that he is the I Am. The Son of Man. The Messiah. We don’t enter heaven’s gates by being a good person or by giving of our time and money. We enter by believing. By putting down our own desires and taking up our cross and His desire for our life. By putting our faith and trust not in our abilities but in Him and his provisions. We acknowledge that we will never be enough and will always fall short but because of Christ’s work on the cross, we are made enough. We are made right.
The world’s ways look shiny and fun. They are the wide gate but they end up leading to emptiness. A full life is filled with turns, mountains to overcome, valleys to dredge through and wildernesses to persevere in. But it is the road that refines and shapes us to be more like Him, standing before Him.
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What it means to Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” - Micah 6:8
Quick context for Micah 6:8. Micah is picturing an imaginative court room. Israel is on trial before the Lord. God is bringing His case or complaint against His people, Israel. God asks them, “What have I done to you? “ I have done nothing but good for Israel (He shares examples) and I have been repaid with rejection and rebellion. And in this imaginative courtroom the Israelites call out “What do you want from me? We sacrifice like crazy and bring our precious offerings before you!”
Then we come to our verse in Micah 6:8… oh no, oh Israel, you have it all wrong. I have shown you want is good and required. It is not your deeds, your works, or your offerings. It is not complicated but actually quite simple. It is this: Justice, Mercy, and Humility.
Do justly: act fair in what you do. Be fair in your dealings with people. Treat others as you would want to be treated
Love mercy: Love to show mercy to those who wrong you. Give others the same measure of mercy and grace you have received from the Father.
Walk humbly: Learn humility. Remember who I am – your God. If you keep that in mind, you will walk humbly with me.
Israel responded to God’s request trying to appease Him with sacrifices and offering. But sacrifices and other religious rituals aren’t enough. God wants more than just works. He wants changed lives. He wants His people to be fair, just, merciful and humble. God wants us to become living sacrifices not just religious deeds. He wants transformed hearts full of love for Him and His people.
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