King

I have been reading in Romans 9 that God chooses us, we do not choose Him. This has been heavy stuff for me, especially in the past. If I do not choose God and He chooses me, then what about all of those people who are going to hell? What does that mean about the kind of God I serve?
God has shed new light on this subject. In verse 16 of this chapter Paul says, "So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy." God has mercy on me? God has mercy on you? Wow, think about that...
Picture a king (you know, back in medieval times) who is all-powerful, who has reign over all the land and all the people. His servant comes before him with their head bowed, on one knee, with nervous anticipation, waiting to see whether or not the king will spare his life. The servant knows that he has done something worthy of death. The servant waits on their knee, in nervous silence, sweat dripping from their brow. The king, who has the power to send his servant to dungeon of death, gently speaks to his servant and says, "Do not be afraid. I have chosen you out of all the land to serve me. I have everything you need waiting outside the castle gates. Now go. There is work to be done in the land. The people need to know their king loves them. Tell them about me."
God is our King. He is all-powerful. He is the master of the universe.
If you are honest, and if I am honest, do you ever think more of yourself than you do of the Lord? I am guilty on a regular basis of not putting God in His rightful place in my heart. Why is it that we forget that we are His servants. Our lives are not our own! Are we afraid of God? Or do we not know Him? What is it?
If we study His word we learn that our God is full of grace, mercy, and endless love. At the same time, He is the Ruler, the King, our Shield, and Protector. He created me and He created you. Because of Him I have life, breath, existence. According to His word I have purpose and He has a good plan for my life. This life is not about me. This life is about Him and what He wants to do with me.
I am challenged today to remember and to learn more about God. Who does He say He is? I am challenged to break forth in joyous praise and say, "Thank you, my King, for choosing me! Thank you for Your mercy on me!"

Seek First...

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

I was struck by this verse the other day. It actually came to my mind in the form of a children's song I used to sing when I was a little girl..."Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness. And all these things will be added unto you. A---lle---lu--- A-lle-lu--ia."

I have been struck by the word "first" in this verse. Is there any question about what the word "first" means here? It is unmistakable that the Lord has commanded us to seek Him above all else. Simple, isn't it? Yet I get caught up in so many other things. Even when I think I am doing something really good, I put God in a corner and get to Him when I am done doing whatever it is I needed to do...kids, a shower, paying bills, grocery shopping, cleaning, the list goes on....These things are all important, so what is the "big deal"?

Do you get caught up in the thoughts and ideas of what you want your life to look like? Once you get your house the way you like it, as soon as the kids are in school, when the baby sleeps a little more through the night, or, are you in some difficult circumstances and waiting for the Lord to be done with you? As soon it is over and you have been "refined" you can move on and life will be back to normal, right?

However, if we are actively seeking the Kingdom and the righteousness of our Lord, isn't it dangerous to want to get back to the way things used to be or back to "normal"? If we are heeding the Word here in Matthew, our desire should be for God's kingdom and righteousness...WOAH...that's a lot more than my "normal" life! When I think about God kingdom, I know that there will need to be a lot of changes if I am going to somehow fit into His kingdom. Shouldn't I desire to be changed and made new, not "normal"?

I have tread on dangerous waters with thinking that "my" life is mine and craving normalcy. Somehow, I have deceived myself. My life is not mine. I gave it to the Lord years ago. God tells me to seek Him, actively pursue, look for Him, FIRST! Wow! The Lord wants me to want Him FIRST, before anything else and He takes care of the rest.

So, how would my life be different if I put the Lord first? How would your life be different if you sought the Lord first? Who or what do you put in front of Him, be honest with yourself!

He loves us so much that He desires a relationship that is deeper than any relationship we have ever had...He wants us to look to Him before anything or anyone else. Lord, will you help me seek You, Your kingdom, Your righteousness...