[00:00:00] We're the spray friends together on our knees, let us pray friends together on our knees. And I fall on my knees with my face to the rise in sun, all over the earth, you see on the knees.
[00:00:27] Welcome to the Bible Speaks with Elgin Carelock. The Bible Speaks is a weekly ministry of harvest international.
[00:00:33] Our prayer is that the Bible Speaks will encourage you in your study of God's Word. You will be able to contact Elgin at the address given at the end of this broadcast. And now, here's Elgin.
[00:00:46] Brothers and sisters, I welcome you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We do not take it lightly that you've taken this time to spin with us. And today we're going to have a discussion titled, Seek Eefers. Our inspirational scripture is Matthew, chapter 6, verses 31 through 33,
[00:01:13] and reading from the New International version, it reads, So do not worry saying, what shall we eat or what shall we drink or what shall we wear? For the pagans run after all of these things. And your Heavenly Father knows that you need them.
[00:01:33] But Seek Eefers, His Kingdom, and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Now that the day of Pinnacos has come, and we have been in due with the power of the Holy Spirit, I wanted to discuss the rest of this story.
[00:01:52] If we understand that the Holy Spirit was given to us, so that we are able to achieve greater things in our quest to fulfill God's purpose,
[00:02:02] then we understand that having the Holy Spirit within us allows us to have a direct line from the will of God to our personal missions. The Holy Spirit opens our spiritual ears in the hearts, making us receptive to God's communication.
[00:02:19] In John 16 verse 13, Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth, who will guide believers in all truth. The Spirit tunes our spiritual sensitivity and able to us to perceive and understand divine guidance, whether it comes through Scripture, prayer, circumstances or the church community.
[00:02:42] Seeking God first is a spiritual commitment that requires cultivating a deep and personal relationship with them. This involves regular prayer, worship, and a study of Scripture. It means actively engaging in spiritual discipline that foster a closer connection with God,
[00:03:03] allowing His voice and guidance to influence all area of our life. The Holy Spirit affirms God's presence within us, as Romans 8, after 16 says, the Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
[00:03:21] This ongoing assurance of our identity in Christ and God's and dwelling presence helps maintain an open ongoing conversation with God, where His voice becomes increasingly familiar and discernible over time. Matthew 6 is situated within the broader context of the Sermen on the Mount, which spans from chapter 5 through chapter 7.
[00:03:46] This sermon is one of Jesus' first and most significant public teachings, outlining the moral and ethical framework expected of His followers. At this time, Jesus was addressing a primarily Jewish audience, many of whom were curious followers, potential disciples or skeptics.
[00:04:07] The NIST chapter, Jesus emphasizes inter-spirituality over outward religiosity. He critiques the superficial piety of the Pharisees and instructs his listeners on the importance of sincerity in acts of charity, prayer, and fasting.
[00:04:27] He introduces the Lord's prayer, stresses the importance of heavenly over earthly treasures and warns against the anxiety over material needs, encouraging trust in God's provision. Jesus' followers at the time were not organized in a structured church, but were a growing group of disciples and intrigued onlookers.
[00:04:51] His teachings were revolutionary, challenging both the religious norms of Judaism and the moral ethos of the surrounding Hellenistic culture. Those who followed them were beginning to form the foundational community that would later be recognized as the early Christian church after panicost in Acts 2,
[00:05:11] when the Holy Spirit descended and empowered his disciples to spread the gospel. For some of us, this is representative of a new season in our lives.
[00:05:22] It can be a new job moving to a new location, a diagnosis from a doctor or any other scenario that puts us in a place where we are unclear of what to expect.
[00:05:34] In verse 31 through 32 of our spiritual texts, Jesus speaks about us worrying about provisions during the uncertain season. He's explained me that while it is natural for a person to wonder about having their needs met, it is unnecessary for believers in Jesus Christ.
[00:05:54] One stand out statement is, you're heavenly Father knows that you need them, which is an indication of two things. First, the Lord sees you. In Jeremiah 29 verse 11, God told Jeremiah that he knows the plan he has for us, plans to prosper you and not to harm you.
[00:06:15] But that doesn't mean there won't be times when it doesn't feel that way.
[00:06:20] As we move through our lives on planet earth, there are times when we go through challenges that seem as though God has forgotten us or doesn't hear our petitions for relief from whatever is plaguing our lives.
[00:06:32] God's sovereignty allows him to use or allow whatever is necessary to move us closer to him. It is this closeness and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that allows us to hear from God for either a solution or peace as we endure.
[00:06:51] First Corinthians 10, verse 13, reads, no temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
[00:07:12] This is why it's so important to seek God first. Seeking God first also involves trusting in God's provision and timing. It is a reassurance that by focusing on God's priorities, all necessary aspects of life such as food, clothing, shelter will be provided.
[00:07:33] It challenges believers to step away from the anxiety and worry about material needs and to trust that God knows and will care for their needs. The second is our faith. He rules it 11, verse 6, reading from the new King James Version reads,
[00:07:53] But without faith, it is impossible to police him. For he who comes to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewater of those who diligently seek him. To seek God first means to make him the highest priority in all areas of our life.
[00:08:11] It involves consistently choosing to learn our decisions, plans and action with God's will and commandments, rather than following personal desires or worldly standards. This prioritization affects how we spend time, money and resources, ensuring that choices aren't in God and advance His kingdom.
[00:08:35] Verse 33 speaks of the reward of taking on this prioritization of God over what life throws at us.
[00:08:45] We may have financial, physical or relational challenges but our steadfast faith in God and the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross gives us certainty that God will provide all of our needs according to His plan and not yours.
[00:09:02] Brothers and sisters to seek God first is to orient our entire existence around God and His kingdom values. It's a holistic approach that affects every aspect of life providing a guiding principle that ensures that our lives are not just about personal success or satisfaction,
[00:09:23] but about fulfilling God's purposes and manifesting His kingdom on Earth. Brothers, this is I thank you once again for spending this time with me and I look forward to spending time on tomorrow. Until then, God bless.
[00:09:48] This program is cared for by listeners who care, your prayers and financial investment in this ministry helps to keep the good news on the air. We look forward to hearing from you and invite you to write us at harvest international post office box 66690. Ocala Florida 3448.
[00:10:12] Again, that's harvest international post office box 66690. We look forward to hearing from you and invite you to write us at harvest international post office box 66690.