God First = God's Peace

Jesus outlines a very crucial principle in His sermon on the mount in the book of Matthew. I'll get to that shortly. But first He says, "And who of you by being worried (anxious) can add a single hour to his life?" (Matthew 6:27) Jesus' point here is that worry and anxiety produce absolutely nothing beneficial for our lives. They do however produce fear, and fear motivates God's people to magnify the problem over the God who created not only this planet, but all the planets in every solar system in the entire universe. Fear paralyzes God's people, prohibiting them from applying His supernatural, powerful Word in prayer and in conversation. Fear nullifies faith; and faith is the very force that we are to walk by. Faith in Jesus and His Word is the very spiritual shield that quenches all the fiery darts of the enemy!

The very crucial principle that Jesus outlines in His sermon on the mount is this: "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33) This passage in Matthew is not as much about getting your basic needs met as it is to NOT worry. This principle of seeking first God and His kingdom is the key to warding off and eliminating worry and anxiety. Would you say that about now many followers of Jesus (right along with the world) are bound up in worry, anxiety, and fear? I would and I will. But listen to the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:6-7, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Do you live by the principle of "seeking God first"? If so, your heart and mind are ruled by the peace of God that exceeds all comprehension! It's that kind of peace one experiences when all the circumstances say that you should worry. But you don't because in everything you pray (and have prayed), and you supplicate your prayers with God's powerful life-changing, world-changing Word.

My friend, you can have peace, incomprehensible peace, in the midst of a deadly plague! Peace, because you magnify Jesus over the tragedy - by seeking Him first. Peace, because of the powerful protection His Word and His blood afford to those who understand and apply the principle of seeking Him first. How do you get that? You seek Him first. Turn off the mainstream news media. It only proclaims doom and gloom. Stop posting negative, fearful info that produces fear instead of faith. (Don't align yourself with the negative news media.) Stop reading negative, fearful posts that produce fear instead of faith. Start reading and meditating on God's positive Word. Start posting God's Word. Launch weapons of God's Word that produce faith and hope, but nullify the fear that so many need to be delivered from!

Never forget, God our very creator is more powerful that anything this fallen, sin-tainted world can manufacture and produce. Not only did He create our world, but over 2,000 years ago He came, as the spotless Lamb of God and broke the power of sin over you and me, and the entire world.

What a great time to commemorate the resurrection of the One who came to offer Himself for the entire world...especially in this current time when the whole world desperately needs Him!

Connie and I would love to pray for you. For prayer requests e-mail us at harvcel@gmail.com.