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Matthew 6:33 - SEEKING GOD FIRST.

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) But seek first the 
kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these 
things shall be added to you. 

Matthew 6:33 (NLT) Seek the Kingdom of God 
above all else, and live righteously, and he will 
give you everything you need. 

COMMENTARY PEARLS

Putting God First
   It's always interesting to me how 
different people do things in different orders. Like 
when I'm finished showering, I like to dry off 
first, then get out. But some people get out of the 
shower first and dry off while dripping on the 
floor (at least that's what I've been told). When 
I get dressed, I put on deodorant first, then 
my shirt. But some put on their shirt, then 
somehow roll on their antiperspirant afterward. When 
I put on my shoes, I'm a sock-sock, shoe-shoe 
guy. But some people go sock-shoe, then 
sock-shoe. 
   When it comes to your daily routine, 
order matters. What do you do first each day? Do 
you check social media? Read your news apps? 
Listen to music while drinking coffee? Jesus told 
us to "seek first his kingdom. Not only did 
he teach us to seek God first, but he modeled 
it. Jesus would often rise early in the morning 
and leave the crowd in order to spend intimate 
time with his Father. 
   Whatever you do, seek God first. Open 
your heart to him. Lift your praises toward 
heaven. Absorb the truth of his Word. Let him purify 
your heart, cleanse your motives, and direct your 
actions. When you seek him first, he will add 
everything that matters into your life. [Daily Power by 
Craig Groeschel] 

Keeping God First
   Keeping God first in our lives is 
something we must make an effort to do, because there 
are many things that try to crowd Him out. They 
are not always bad things. Sometimes they are 
good things, but not the best things for us. I 
have had times when I have let the ministry that 
God has called me to do to get in front of my 
personal relationship with Him. I worked for God, but 
wasn't spending much time with Him! 
   The only way our lives work right is if 
we willingly give God the place that belongs to 
Him, which is first place in all things. Our 
time, talent, finances, thoughts, and conversation 
are just some of the areas we need to keep God 
first in. Don't make the mistake of asking God to 
give you something, and when He does, letting the 
gift take your attention away from the Giver. 
   People frequently ask me how I keep my 
priorities straight, since I am a very active and 
productive person. I tell them, "I am always 
straightening them out. Take a look quite often at what is 
first in your life. and if it isn't God, make an 
adjustment! 
   Father, anytime I let anything come 
before You in my life, please reveal it to me and 
help me make an adjustment! [My Time with God by 
Joyce Meyer] 

COMMENTARY

Giving Him Your Best
   I heard about an old farmer who was very 
stingy. One day he said to his pastor, You know, 
I just had two calves that were born, and 
Ive decided to give one of them to the Lord. 
   Oh? the pastor said, Which 
one? 
   I havent decided yet.
   A week passed, and one of the calves got 
very sick and died. The next day, the farmer came 
to the pastor with the dead calf draped over 
his arms and said, I have bad news. The 
Lords calf just died. 
   Thats what we often do. We give our 
leftovers to God. If Jesus Christ showed up at your 
house today for lunch, would you give Him 
leftovers? I think you would make a feast fit for a 
king, just like Martha did when Jesus arrived at 
her home. 
   We should give our very best to God, but 
often we give him second best. We know we should 
pray and read the Bible, but we think, Ill 
get to that eventually. We know we should 
give of our finances to the Lord, but we say, 
I dont have any money left. 
   The Bible says Honor the Lord with 
your possessions, and with the first fruits of 
all your increase (Proverbs 3:9 NKJV). Put 
God first, and He will bless you. 
   Jesus said, But seek first the kingdom 
of God and His righteousness, and all these 
things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33 
NKJV). What did Jesus mean by all these 
things? He was referring to what you will eat, what 
you will drink, and what you will wear.  Put God 
first in your marriage, and watch how it changes. 
Put God first in your finances, and watch how 
theyll change. Put God first. Give Him the best. He 
gave His best to you. [Greg Laurie from Harvest 
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

Getting Priorities in Order
   Making right decisions amidst dilemmas 
forces us to rethink our priorities. Choosing right 
priorities forces us to reconsider the importance of 
Christ in our lives. 
   There are many voices these days. Some 
are loud, many are persuasive, and a few are 
downright convincing. It can be confusing. If you 
listen long enough you will be tempted to throw 
your faith to the winds, look out for number one, 
let your glands be your guide, and choose what 
is best for you. Initially you will get a rush 
of pleasure and satisfaction, no question. But 
ultimately you will wind up disappointed and 
disillusioned. 
   I am going to challenge you to keep an 
eternal perspective even though you are surrounded 
by a host of success-oriented individuals who 
are urging you to ignore your conscience and 
grab all you can now. You want joy? You really 
want what is best? Simply consider yourself 
having different priorities than your associates 
and go God's way. His is the most reliable route 
to follow when life gets complicated. It will 
have its tough moments, but you will never regret 
it. 
   God will reward you for pressing on, for 
your faithfulness, and you will forget the pain, 
and, like never before, you will laugh! [Chuck 
Swindoll www.insight.org.] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE


http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150108-1645.html 

EXCELLENT VIDEO SERIES ON 28 REVELATIONS OF 
JESUS 

1st of 28: Divine Dining: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_7j1QIKqmY 
2nd of 28: Pictures of the Divine: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lNI-OQ7-eQ 
3rd of 28: A Dirty Bible: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMkPvBuuFd4 
4th of 28: Cared For: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztXyJVdcCds 
5th of 28: Saved: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX45kGRe1HI 
6th of 28: You Can Change: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd0gkvK18fo 
7th of 28: Reprogramming Our Brains: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov36f_RapXc 
8th of 28 Our Holy Father: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XabXLEXsxbY 
9th of 28 Gifts of Service: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtuGZviodkA 
10th of 28 The Holy Spirit: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in89XVs4cGo 
11th of 28 The Law of God: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_Q601HjogI 
12th of 28 The Sabbath: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sakgnKoTzZI 
13th of 28 The Church: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkFw2XsTW-w 
14th of 28 The Gift of Prophecy: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiO2VC09NPI 
Live ongoing series in progress.

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs