Tuesday February 27, 2024

Today is Tuesday, February 27 and we are learning what the Bible says about generosity.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and focus myself on God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, I long to experience your abiding presence. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, enable me to hear the message you have for me today. Speak to my heart and mind in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

I rejoice in God’s generous and abundant blessings. I praise him with the words of Psalm 36.

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Psalm 36:7-9

Pause and Pray

I am a seed sower. I take stock of what I have in my hands, what I have to give to the world – my time, money, material resources, my gifts, talents and abilities. I know that these are given to me by God for a reason. Kingdom reasons. I am to invest in the lives of others and the work of the church. There are many things to seek in life and I must decide what I am going to seek first. There is a window of opportunity and I must ensure my priorities are in the right order. God wants me to use my time wisely, understand what is of true value, seek his kingdom first and generously sow seeds. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said the following.

Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:25-31, 33

The Greek word translated in English as “seek” is zeteo. It means to strive after, aim for, try to obtain, crave or even demand to have. I consider what I am striving after. What am I aiming for? What am I trying to obtain? Have I set my mind on God and the things of God or have I set my mind on the things of this world? Jesus tells me to put God and the things of God as my first and foremost priority. Jesus promises me that if I do this, everything else will follow. That is an extraordinary promise.

Ask: Am I seeking the kingdom of God first in my life? When am I worrying about worldly things and when am I trusting God to provide?

Pause and Pray

Forgive me, Lord Jesus, for worrying about my life. I spend too much of my time thinking about the time I will spend, the food I will eat, the drinks I will drink and the clothes I will wear. Teach me what it means to seek God’s kingdom first, strive after righteousness, aim for holiness, and run after goodness. Help me learn to trust in God’s provision and rest in his abundant love. I read the words from Matthew again and listen for the message you have for me.

Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:25-31, 33

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

When I put Jesus Christ first in my life, I trust God to provide for me and supply my needs without concern over the future. I can rest confidently in God’s loving care for me. When I am about God’s business and operating out of God’s vision for me, I have no room for worry. I have placed myself in God’s hands and I am assured that God will not abandon me, leave me without resources or withdraw support. I begin to see God as an intimate, caring parent. Like a beloved child, I can trust him completely. He is my help in times of trouble, my comfort and strength, my shield and defense, my provider, protector, deliverer and uplifter.

Pause and Pray

Come Lord Jesus, shine your light upon my soul. Reveal my places of worry. Where there is fear, increase my faith. Where there is anxiety, help me trust in you. Where there is uncertainty, give me assurance. Where there is apprehension, bring peace. Where there is weariness, bring strength. I put you first in my life and seek your kingdom before anything else. Amen.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7

I leave this time of prayer to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness. I go to generously sow seeds of love and blessing into the lives of others.

Amen