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Matthew 6:33-34 – But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NIV)
Several years ago after shopping in a Christian book store, I returned home to find a holiday gift included in the bag with my purchase. The gift was an inspirational book entitled "101 Resolutions for the New Year". Although this little gift had a retail value of only ninety-nine cents, it is truly priceless in terms of its spiritual content, because it is based on the promises of God. For example, each page begins with a commitment such as "I won't worry about tomorrow", followed by a Scripture verse. To refresh my memory, I like to go back and reread all 101 resolutions, particularly at the start of each new year.
Today's passage in Matthew appears right underneath resolution 11, which says, "I won't worry about tomorrow." Personally, I think that this is one of the hardest changes for most people to make. Yet, as many times as I have read the same Scripture, this time I was struck by verse 33: the key to a worry-free life. Isn't it wonderful to know that before Jesus instructs us not to worry, He has already provided the solution to our troubles! While the key is to seek first His kingdom, have you ever thought about what this truly means?
Contemplating the answer, I am reminded that Jesus is not only our Saviour, but also our King. Thus, when we crown the Lord as King of our lives, we should have no worries, because His kingdom operates on the power and authority of His divine Word, a system far superior to that of this world. Hence, let us begin the new year by allowing Christ to reign in our hearts, trusting that He will always provide the best for us. Then we will experience kingdom living in the here and now.
Prayer: O Lord, eternal King, may our hearts be Your throne, and Your kingdom be the focus of our lives. Help us to begin the coming new year by exalting Your name above all else, as we seek to do Your will. In Jesus' holy name, we pray. Amen.
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Good reminder Lori. Have a happy New Year.
Thank you Lori, have a good new year. Blessings.
The book sounds great — 101 resolutions for the New year. Thanks.
Thank you Lori.
All the Best for 2014.
Once again the Lord has used your words to speak encouragement into my soul. Thank you for writing. Blessings.
Lori, This is one of my favorite verses and one that I have to keep reminding myself to follow. Thank you for reminding me and for our Great and Mighty King Jesus. God bless you.
Thank you for today’s meditation, it prompted me to open my Bible which I have been neglecting to do as of late. This was a great inspiration to me and I thank you.
(Nova Scotia)
Hi Lori – thanks for your Devotional of today which, as usual, was great. I always get a lot out of your Devotionals. I looked up the Resolutions book on Amazon, and there were two, but neither mention spirituality – at least as far as I could see.
Hi
Just love your devotions today as that is what I am trying so hard to do at this time in my life. Just live for today and not Worry.
Thanks.
Dear Lori – All of our striving and worrying is for naught when we seek His Kingdom, for we are promised that all we need will be added by Him. What reassurance that gives as we seek Him to guide us in the coming year. Thanks for pointing us in the right direction. God bless you and your family in the New Year.
Thank you for this devotional — not only does it redirect us as the new year approaches, but it also tells us how. When I think of your resolution book, I am reminded of a verse in the Word. It goes like,”Your promises enable me to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. Make every effort to respond to God’s promises.”
Thanks for a well-written, insightful and inspiring devotional. It is a wonderful reminder to me of how I need to trust in the Lord in the midst of life’s journey and how I need to replace worry with trust when the future looks uncertain. Your devotional encourages me to maintain my priority of focusing on God and His Word and Kingdom, not to neglect His Word, and to turn my worries over to Him.
Thank you. I needed this for the coming week. A tough situation to face and see people possibly hurt by words and actions of family. Please pray for me that I will trust The Lord completely — knowing that none of it is my responsibility to try to fix. May I just rest in HIS ARMS and let the chips fall where they may.
Thanks again.
Dear Lori,
Thanks for a most inspiring devotional. Your devotionals get better all the time. Today’s one deserves entries into the last few spaces in my “diary”. I had to resort to large diaries to accommodate entries from devotional such as this one.
Do have a wonderful next year of leaning on the everlasting arm, knowing that your faith is in Him who never fails.
God bless.
Dear Lori,
A great way to begin the new year!
All good, but I especially appreciate your summary:
Hence, let us begin the new year by allowing Christ to reign in our hearts, trusting that He will always provide the best for us. Then we will experience kingdom living in the here and now.
And your prayer.
Keep writing.
Thank you.
Dear Lori;
Wonderfully written, thank you. Happy New Year!