Your Time with God (1)

'Seek first the Kingdom of God.' Matthew 6:33 NKJV

Many years ago I when I was a kid in Sunday school, I was bribed to memorize this verse. I say it that way because it was a method to get me to memorize something I didn't want too. But I'm thankful to Mr. & Mrs. Anderson who cared enough to know this verse would never leave me. A candy bar was all it took and this verse has stuck with me all these years.  Jesus said, ‘Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.’


What kind of ‘things’ was He talking about? Things like money, houses, relationships, health and jobs. What did He mean by ‘the Kingdom of God’? Living under the rule of Christ each moment and submitting to His will in all things. When Jesus used the word ‘seek’, He called for three things: (1) Intentionality. When something important is lost, you must put aside other things and seek until you find it. (2) Importance. Position, performance, prosperity, and popularity can be good things when properly used. But without the rule of Christ in your life, you’ll always be vulnerable to the devil. (3) Importunity. No matter how long it takes, how hard you must work, or what you must rearrange, restore your quiet time with God to its rightful place. The psalmist wrote, ‘When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”’ (Psalm 27:8 NKJV) ‘Quiet time’ has been called many things throughout the history of the Church: morning watch, daily devotions, appointment with God or personal devotional time. It really doesn’t matter what you call it, as long as you have it regularly. Your quiet time with God is just daily fellowship with Him through His Word and prayer. It’s a time you deliberately set aside to meet with Him. The goal is that you might grow in your personal relationship with God so that you can know Him, love Him, serve Him and become more like Him.