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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What it means to Rise Up as a Christian

“Arise, (rise up) Jerusalem. Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you.”

Isaiah 59 describes a time of thick and desperate darkness for the Israelites. But, Isaiah 60 is about the future glory for Jerusalem - a future Kingdom. It’s the promise coming. It’s God’s redeeming message and rescue. He is calling the Israelites out of the darkness and to respond to His wondrous light. He not only is the light to the nation but he gives them this same light to reflect his glory.

In life we will have moments of darkness. But God in his perfect timing is in control weaving his perfect story. We will be called into the light and asked to Rise Up. Will we?

Be Reminded as we wear this sweatshirt that God gives us a call to action. He asks us to reflect his glory that he has placed within us and be a beacon to the nations. We are to shine his light wherever we go and dispel the darkness and chaos that controls this world. He is the only one who can bring true glory.

Rise up and shine for all to see his goodness.

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Isaiah 43:19 explained - I Will Make A Way

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert - Isaiah 43:19

Isaiah foreshadows that the Lord will judge Babylon and promises His exiled people new life. The Israelites are in desperate circumstances in Babylon. Life looks bleak and they are stuck in a pit of despair as they look back in life. But God is saying when you remember the past, look at the great work He has done for them not the discouragement and defeat. For He is a God if miracles and He will make a way just has He has done before for them before. He creates roads in the wilderness. He forms rivers in the desert. He will make a new way.

Staying stuck in the past can often keep is from the new God wants for our life or we worry about all the obstacles in the way. God continually reminds His people and us that it’s His will and way and He alone accomplishes it.

This verse reminds us of His provision and power. He is a God who cares. He will bring you home even when your wilderness is filled with discouragement and defeat he makes a road. Even when your desert dries up your will, His river replenishes your soul. Trust in Him and His way.

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