December 1, 2023

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING:

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1.27)

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6.33)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

First, let us remember in Jesus’ teaching on “not to worry,” all these things given to us are food, drink and clothing. Second, we must full well consider in light of Matthew 6.33 today, “Seek first God’s Kingdom and God’s righteousness and all these things will be given to you,” there may be a leaning more in the “spiritual direction” of understanding than in a literal manifestation of “food, drink and clothing.” It is far too easy for “prosperity gospel” pundits to put “seek first God’s righteousness” and “whatever you ask in Jesus’ name shall be given you” as eggs in their basket. Well, I don’t believe in Easter bunnies or Easter chickens but eggs in my basket do make for a good breakfast; especially with bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy. That is what leads me to consider that in the depth of Jesus’ teaching about “not to worry,” He is putting faith, trust and obedience as the eggs in His basket. What did He say to the disciples when they returned to find Him speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well? They sought to “change the subject” from spiritual and theological concerns to something lighter such as lunch. He responded, “I have bread to eat that you do not know of.” He was not speaking of a stash of food or a secret basket under His robe. He was speaking directly to “doing the will of My heavenly Father.” He had already spoken to the woman of “water He could give that would never expire nor evaporate.” And in the midst of His transformational ministering to her, she was wrapped in the spiritual clothing of forgiveness, restoration and commissioning.

When it comes to the call to righteousness the aligning of priorities for one’s life is always challenged. What is it we will believe in, believe on and believe for?

We believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, the once and for all sacrifice which takes away the sting of death and puts us in position to not only receive eternal life but flourish. If we truly do believe in this as the foundational truth of our forever identity (from a to z) then we see more the call to be resourceful in using what is given to accomplish what is expected. What is given is the blessing of God’s Holy Spirit. It is the purveyor of resources we have a difficult time seeing, words for effective prayer when our hearts and mind and tongue become heavy as well as the focused instruction of remembering the words (and words in action) which Jesus left for us “to be and to do.”

We believe on the name of Jesus who is the Christ, God’s ambassador and emissary of faith, hope and love. In His unity with the Father and the Spirit, His name is emblematic of His body given for us on Calvary as the sacrifice for authentic forgiveness. It is also emblematic of His Spirit given to God as His treasure laid up in Heaven which is then meted out to all believers. Like the fish and the loaves by the sea near Capernaum which multiplied as He blessed them so, too, is His Spirit dispersed among all those who are hungering and thirsting for righteousness. This is the power of His name by which we live, serve and pray.

We believe for the future that is promised to us and has already been secured for us through Jesus who is the Christ of God and our Messiah as Lord and Savior. He has promised never to leave us, abandon us nor forsake us. He has promised bread for our soul and wine for our anointing. He has promised a place to dwell with Him forever. He has promised His Holy Spirit. He has promised to return to take us to be with Him where He is now.

Mighty ones of God, these are the primary “food, drink and clothing” which are ours in Christ Jesus. By faith we believe in Him, on Him and for Him and through Him all these things are made available to us. They ease the greatest burden which is eternal life in the light or in the dark. That being resolved in Him, the natural course of life and living then allows the manifestation and provision of other things needed for our daily lives and service to God and to the world.

PRAYER IN LIGHT OF GOD’S WORD:

Father, You have revealed to us best in Jesus the Christ. By Him and Him alone shall we gain this eternal life and our place in eternal rest, living for You always. Show us more and by Your Holy Spirit instruct us in the way we should go, the truth we should reveal and the life we shall live with you forever. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.