"Seek First"January 8 Readings: Genesis 17-18, Matthew 6:16-34, Psalm 6:1-5, Proverbs 1:24-28

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Reading the Bible in 2025

Each day this year we will read a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a portion of the Psalms, and part of Proverbs. By the end of the year, you will have read the entire Bible. We read this way to give you a bit of variety. 

NOTE: If you get behind, do not give up. Read today's readings and try to catch up when you have a chance. The goal is not to "accomplish a task" but to meet God in his word. Read the word. Also, if you are short on time, READ GOD'S WORD and skip my devotional!

Bible Readings: Genesis 17-18, Matthew 6:16-34, Psalm 6:1-5, Proverbs 1:24-28

    Scriptures linked to Bible Gateway in ESV version 

Daily Devotional: Seek First

It is so easy to become sidetracked in the Christian life, to focus on the effects instead of the causes, the blessings instead of the Blesser.  In Matthew 6:33, Jesus gives us a command that we need to remember in every area of life.
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  
God will add to us the necessities of life if we will seek him first, above all things.

So often, we seek the things that do not really matter as much.  We seek riches in this world but are reminded that there are things more important than money.  We seek pleasure but are warned that worldly pleasures can only satisfy for a time.  We seek recognition and approval of man but need to be aware that ultimately it is the approval of God that matters. 

One of my biggest struggles has been with my weight, with maintaining self-control over my desire for food. But my struggle is often motivated by the wrong things. I want to lose weight because I look in the mirror and don’t like what I see.  I want to lose weight to change how others look at me and think of me. I hate that the first thing people think when they see me is, "Wow, that's a fat guy." I also want to lose weight so that I can enjoy life and be healthier. None of these is inherently wrong, but they all fall short of the real motive that ought to drive all I do. 

If my motives are selfish, I will not accomplish kingdom work. I will never be successful in weight loss or anything else as long as it is all about me, my needs, my good, and my wants. The goal of the Christian life is simple. 

Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. It's about God. It is about giving him glory. It is about honoring him in all I do and representing him well as an ambassador for Christ. My deepest desire must be to see Jesus enthroned in every area of my life, not just to look better in the mirror. Life is about the glory of God, not our own pleasure. 

The good news is the promise of God.  When I seek him and put him first, he will give me what I need every day.  “All these things” will be added to me – that which I need in this world to be what God wants me to be. God will be my supply when my life is devoted to him, to his kingdom, and to his righteousness.
God of Heaven, may I live for you and your glory.  May I seek first your kingdom and the righteousness that flows from it. May I do all I do be for your glory and your kingdom.  I trust that you will add to me what you want me to be. 

 

Consider God's Word:

Which of these four passages spoke most clearly to you today? 
Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed and dealt with that was revealed in one of these passages? 
Is there something in your life that needs to change?
Is there a struggle in your life that one of these passages spoke to? 

Are you living your life to seek the righteousness of God and to advance his kingdom, or for your own interests?

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