Luke 12:29-30… “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. ³⁰ For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.”  (NKJV)

In scripture just before Jesus’ teaching in this opening scripture penned by Luke, Jesus reminds us that God provides food for the ravens; and the lilies are growing because God waters them and fertile ground feeds them to make them beautiful… Jesus then remarks that we as humans are much more valuable than animals or plants…so wouldn’t God provide for all of our needs as well…

Note that Jesus says those still living in the world, are the ones that are anxious about these material resources that are needed to survive, because they don’t rely on God… Christians have been taken out of this world, when they become God’s children… Christians are to set their minds on things above, because they become citizens of heaven after they are welcomed into God’s family… The Apostle Paul refers to this change of venue for the Christian, in…

Philippians 3:20… For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (NKJV)

The Book of Matthew records almost the exact same teaching by Jesus, as recorded by Luke in the opening scripture…in what is known as “The sermon on the Mount”, in…Matthew 5 to Matthew 7:27… This important sermon was the beginning of Jesus’ public teaching ministry… I like the way Jesus finishes His teaching about what our priorities should be, when it comes to our material needs, as recorded in…Matthew 6:33…But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  (NKJV)

When a sinner seeks Jesus Christ to become their Lord, their Master, and their personal Savior (by understanding and obeying the gospel of Christ)…and they are welcomed into God’s family as a Christian… Christians are to turn away from all the sins of the world that is ruled by Satan (John 12:31)… This can only be accomplished by allowing the Lord to take full control of their lives…  We see scripture written by the Apostle John, giving us the best instructions on turning from the world and Satan, in…

1 John 2:15-16… Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.  (NKJV)

This teaching by Jesus about what our priorities need to be focused on starts by becoming a Christian… God promises to provide for all of the needs of His children… And God promises that we can replace anxiety, fear, worries, hate, envy, selfishness, pride, outbursts of wrath, and all the other works of the flesh that the Apostle Paul lists in…Galatians 5:19-21…with all the spiritual fruit of the Holy Spirit given to the Christian by God at the time of salvation, as listed in…Galatians 5:22-23…  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.  (NKJV)

But the key for the Christian, as Jesus teaches us in…Matthew 6:33…is seeking “God and His righteousness”…  We as Christians can only remain righteous in God’s eyes, by confessing and repenting of any sins that cause unrighteousness in our hearts and lives…1 John 1:9… If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NKJV)  This cleansing of our sins will fill us with the Holy Spirit, and God’s supernatural power will have Satan fleeing from us…James 4:7… Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  (NKJV)

Heavenly Father, we as Christians are no match in our own mortal strength, when we are up against Satan and the tricks that he uses to try and drag us back into his web of sin and shame… Help us Lord, to combat Satan by equipping ourselves with Your whole set of spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-20)…  And then Lord, help keep Your children aligned with Your will and Your ways by remaining filled with the Holy Spirit…  I pray for this supernatural strength for all of Your children that only You can provide…in Jesus’ most precious name and for His sake…Amen…

written by bruce