{"id":47265,"title":"Seek First The Kingdom","description":"This is one of the most popular Bible verses.  It holds an entire message behind it that we often overlook.  You may be asking \u2018Why should we seek first the kingdom?\u2019 And don\u2019t worry because I questioned this as well; let\u2019s dive into it and find knowledge and wisdom from this verse","content":"<p>This is one of the most popular Bible verses. It holds an entire message behind it that we often overlook. You may be asking <em>\u2018Why should we seek first the kingdom?\u2019 <\/em>And don\u2019t worry because I questioned this as well; let\u2019s dive into it and find knowledge and wisdom from this verse. Matthew chapter six is where you\u2019ll find this verse, right in the middle of the sermon Jesus gave on a mountain. In the passage, Jesus talks about <em>\u2018Righteous Living\u2019.<\/em> There are a few key points that we can take away from the chapter as listed:<\/p><ul><li><p><strong>Charity.<\/strong> Jesus explains that acts of giving should be done in secret and not for public recognition. (Verse 3)<\/p><\/li><\/ul><ol><li><p><strong>Prayer. <\/strong>In verse 9, Jesus gives an example of how we should pray. This model includes Praise, Submission to do God\u2019s will, Daily Provision, Forgiveness, and Deliverance from evil.\u00a0<\/p><\/li><li><p><strong>Fasting. <\/strong>Jesus instructed us that fasting should be a private matter between each person and God. Not to receive admiration from others.<\/p><\/li><li><p><strong>Treasures. <\/strong>He advises storing treasures in heaven instead of on Earth where they will perish. In verse 21, He says <em>\u201cFor where your treasure is, there your heart will be also\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/li><li><p><strong>Eyes. <\/strong>Our eyes are the lamp of our body. This is why it is important to focus on things that bring spiritual light rather than darkness.\u00a0<\/p><\/li><li><p><strong>Masters. <\/strong>\u201cOne cannot serve God and wealth\u201d this emphasises the need for undivided attention to God. Submit your wealth to God.<\/p><\/li><li><p><strong>Worry. <\/strong>In this world, it is easy to create worries for ourselves with many distractions, but Jesus says to <em>\u201cseek first the kingdom of God\u201d<\/em>. Jesus states that this should be our only concern.\u00a0<\/p><\/li><\/ol><p>The end of the verse says \u201cAnd all these will be added to you\u201d if you are seeking the Kingdom. God will bless you; he will add to you. Following his word will put you where you need to be. Seeking the kingdom first will bring you closer to God. You will desire to be with him and even want to obey. All throughout the Bible, promises are made of blessings given because of obedience.<\/p><p>This chapter calls us to live in devotion to God, seeking his approval rather than human praise, and trusting in His provision for our needs.\u00a0<\/p><p>A few verses prior, Jesus explains that the lilies of the field and the birds of the air are provided for and says that we are worth more than they are, so will our Heavenly Father not provide for us much more than they? In Ephesians 3:20, it states, NKJV - <em>Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.<\/em><\/p><p>With this, we know that God can and wants to exceed our <strong>expectations.<\/strong>*<\/p><p>As Christians today, we are not required to keep the law to have eternal life with God because of what Jesus did on the cross; but in my walk with Him, I\u2019ve desired to keep more of His commandments, and I\u2019ve felt spiritual growth and a healthier life in general. By doing this, I will have a reward in Heaven. (This is not my goal, however. Heaven is a goal enough. This life on Earth is short, so people say enjoy it, but we overlook that life with God is eternal, so we should prepare for it.)<\/p><p>Here are some of the blessings we can <strong>expect*<\/strong> from obeying his commandments:<\/p><p>Solomon said in Proverbs 3 \u201cMy son, forget not my law; but let your heart keep my commandments for <em>length of days, and long life, and peace<\/em> shall they add to thee.\u201d\u00a0<\/p><p>Isaiah 26:3 \"You will keep him in<em> perfect peace<\/em>, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.\"\u00a0Mind fixed on Him = Perfect Peace.\u00a0<\/p><p>Psalm 111:10 \"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments.\" Obedience = Wisdom &amp; Understanding\u00a0<\/p><p><\/p><p>The first commandment recored with a blessing is found in Exodus 20:12 \u201cHonor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.\u201d\u00a0Honouring parents = Long Life<\/p><p>To name just a few. If we can <strong>expect*<\/strong> these blessings then how great is the verse mentioned earlier?!*<\/p><p>So we now know, seeking God first has merit to not only our short lives on Earth but blessings awaiting us in Heaven. But you may be wondering\u2026 \u201cHow can I seek first the Kingdom of God?\u201d<\/p><p>We know we can seek the kingdom by prayer and spending time in His Word. By this, we will expand our knowledge of His Word and our willingness to be devoted to Him instead of just blindly following words we don\u2019t fully understand. Surrendering our plans and desires to Him so He can guide us where He wants.\u00a0<\/p><p>Closing in prayer:<\/p><p>\u201cHeavenly Father, we humble ourselves before you and surrender all our plans. Help us to remember your commandments and keep our hearts and minds fixed on you. Help us to pray in not just times of need. We love you, Lord, show us daily how we can seek first your kingdom. May all the glory be given to you, in your Son\u2019s great name, AMEN\u201d<\/p><p>- Nathanael Shepherd Founder &amp; CEO<\/p><p><span style=\"font-family:'Times New Roman';\">This post was shaped with the help of AI tools to refine and organize my thoughts. <\/span>While I\u2019ve grown to dislike AI, I will keep these blogs public, as what it has said I believe to be correct. I can see now that it reads very much like AI, even though a lot of this is my thoughts.<\/p>","urlTitle":"seek-first-the-kingdom","url":"\/blog\/seek-first-the-kingdom\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/seek-first-the-kingdom\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/lifeonpause.store\/blog\/seek-first-the-kingdom\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1742216366,"updatedAt":1791219900,"publishedAt":1791219900,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":344950,"name":"Life on pause"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/nelljbc5lr0rkcxz49wqb3qokenwamsaliu49qcve4huefcn.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/nelljbc5lr0rkcxz49wqb3qokenwamsaliu49qcve4huefcn.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/nelljbc5lr0rkcxz49wqb3qokenwamsaliu49qcve4huefcn.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"Seek First the Kingdom | The Life On Pause Blog","metaDescription":"","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":51398,"title":"Stop Comparing, Start Trusting | The Life On Pause Blog","url":"\/blog\/stop-comparing-start-trusting\/","urlTitle":"stop-comparing-start-trusting","division":344950,"description":"In a world of constant comparison, learn how to find joy, peace, and purpose by focusing on God\u2019s unique calling for your life.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/8qrwozcjkbd3be5qhyqpofog3mouff5ajv76pylzozfmsa3o.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/8qrwozcjkbd3be5qhyqpofog3mouff5ajv76pylzozfmsa3o.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":48730,"title":"Love > Fear\u2014Part One","url":"\/blog\/love-fear\/","urlTitle":"love-fear","division":344950,"description":"Why God\u2019s Love Is Bigger Than Hell\nAfraid of hell? You\u2019re not alone\u2014but fear isn\u2019t the foundation of faith. Discover how God\u2019s love casts out fear and why salvation is simpler than you think.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/glkcfoq1dmsnttjb9iojjjnumjkz0tpjrik1hlzefc9e9psw.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/glkcfoq1dmsnttjb9iojjjnumjkz0tpjrik1hlzefc9e9psw.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":47867,"title":"Do Not Be Afraid","url":"\/blog\/do-not-be-afraid\/","urlTitle":"do-not-be-afraid","division":344950,"description":"The Bible frequently reassures believers not to be afraid, emphasising God\u2019s presence and protection. This message, appearing in both the Old and New Testaments, encourages trust in God\u2019s sovereignty and goodness, fostering a resilient faith. Ultimately, it invites believers to embrace faith over fear, finding comfort in God\u2019s promises.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ecfqol7lnzigdqoxkhozjdgh9fkgst5blxgtaum3nqn8mwff.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855&z=1.1&fx=0.5234478287724&fy=0.54010867159211","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ecfqol7lnzigdqoxkhozjdgh9fkgst5blxgtaum3nqn8mwff.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440&z=1.1&fx=0.5234478287724&fy=0.54010867159211"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}