God's Kingdom

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things will be added to you"

Mathew 6:33

My top priority must be my Father's kingdom. I must apply self-discipline and undergo training in order to better seek God's will and implement his ways in my life. His eternal kingdom, his children, and his ministry plans for me are to be the focus of my life.

The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word "crisis." One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger- but recognize the opportunity -Richard M. Nixon

In every crisis, I must seek the opportunity that God want me to pursue, and I must look for a way to advance his kingdom.

Very little is needed to make happy a life. -Marcus Aurelius

All I need is Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:18

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen.

For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

The trials of this life are temporary. There is a purpose to the troubles we face. God allows suffering and pain in his children’s' lives for different reasons.

• Troubles keep us from becoming prideful in our own strength. Facing difficulties teaches us to rely on God's strength and wisdom.
• Struggles pull our focus off of this earthly life. Obstacles we must overcome remind us to seek God's kingdom first, and to appreciate God's future home for us in heaven.
• Our weaknesses and our grief give God the opportunity to demonstrate his love and power to us and to the people around us.
• Trials are used by God to strengthen our faith and to help us grow in Him.
• Suffering gives us opportunities to reach out and minister to others in ways that would not be possible otherwise.
• The pain we endure reminds us of the suffering Christ experienced for our sake. The Student's A to Z Guide to Bible Application, Tyndale House Publishers Inc. (p. 220)

Never, in peace or war, commit your virtue or your happiness to the future. Happy work is best done by the man who takes his long-term plans somewhat lightly and works from moment to moment 'as to the Lord.' It is only our daily break that we are encouraged to ask for. The present is the only time in which any duty can be done or any grace recieved. -C.S. Lewis

In this moment, and in every moment, I will seek God’s kingdom and pursue his righteousness. When I fail, I will seek forgiveness and ask for his grace to continue my pursuit.

Enjoy!

1 Peter 3:10
For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile. 

Click here to view a youtube video of "Enjoy It!" 

I wanted to make a treat for our Sunday school class, but I was discouraged because I could not afford to purchase something to share and we did not have many ingredients in our kitchen.  But, just like in the youtube video I've linked to this post, I was able to create my own experimental snack with leftovers I had in the refrigerator.  In spite of having run out of flour, sugar, and not having  much in the way of spices, I made a successful lemon, raspberry, blueberry coffee cake.  And, most importantly, my experimental self made recipe actually tasted great and was enjoyed by my Sunday school class this morning! 

I find that the key to enjoying life's journey is to keep a positive mindset and to stop yourself from complaining.  When I am sad, I want to talk about it.  If I am discouraged and disappointed, I want to overflow with laments.  BUT, typically, venting about heartbreak changes nothing.  Getting up and doing something to change the situation, or making the best of what life gives you is a better choice.  If you can spread joy in the midst of most difficult circumstances, then you have accomplished something truly worthwhile. 

The next time your plate has more broccoli than apple pie, remember who prepared the meal.  And the next time your plate has a portion you find hard to swallow, talk to God about it.  Jesus did. 
-Max Lucado