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Matthew 6:33 - Jesus Is The Answer To Worry.

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. 

INTRODUCTION

   Worry has more questions than answers, 
more work than energy, and thinks often about 
giving up. Theres not enough time, luck, credit, 
wisdom, or intelligence. Were running out of 
everything it seems, and so we worry.  But worry 
doesnt work. You can dedicate a decade of anxious 
thoughts to the brevity of life, and not extend it by 
one minute. Worry accomplishes nothing. 
   God doesnt condemn legitimate concern 
for responsibilities but rather the continuous 
mind-set that dismisses Gods presence. Destructive 
anxiety subtracts God from the future and tallies up 
the challenges of the day without entering God 
into the equation. Jesus gives us this challenge: 
Your heavenly Father already knows all your 
needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and 
live righteously; and he will give you everything 
you need (Matthew 6:32-33). [Max Lucado Daily 
Devotional at maxlucado.com] 

COMMENTARY PEARLS

The Key to a Balanced Life: Jesus
   If you want to live a truly balanced 
life, you can only look at one person in all of 
history as your model: Jesus. If you put him at the 
center of your life, your life will be more 
balanced. 
   Think of your life like a wheel. The 
center of the wheel is a hub. All of the spokes of 
your life (which represent your relationships, 
your family, your career, your goals, and so on) 
come from that hub. We all build our lives around 
some sort of hub. The question is, what will be 
your hub? Will it be your family? Will it be your 
career? Will it be money? 
   Or will it be Jesus?
   How do you know what youre building 
your life around? Take a look at whatever you 
think about the most. Thats what is driving 
you. 
   The center of your life is critical to 
developing a balanced life. A solid center leads to a 
solid life. A weak, flimsy center leads to a weak 
life. When I hear people tell me their lives are 
coming unglued, it usually means one thing: They 
have a faulty center. Something other than God 
has taken priority in their lives. 
   Not only does the hub create stability, 
but it also controls and influences everything 
else about your life. Whatever you put at the 
center of your life will also be your source of 
power. The power of a wheel always emanates from 
the center outward - never the other way 
around. 
   Make Jesus the hub of your life, and 
hell provide the stability, control, and power 
you need. The Bible says, Seek first Gods 
kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other 
needs will be met as well (Matthew 6:33 NCV). 
   When you choose to put Jesus at the 
center, all the other areas of your life - from your 
family to your career to your goals - will find 
balance in him. He will direct your life, influence 
it, empower it, and give it stability. [Daily 
Devotional by Rick Warren: 
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/] 

From Worry to Worship
   Awhile back I was driving somewhere with 
my wife when we realized that I lost both my 
cell phone and wallet. We decided to try the 
phone using its find my phone feature. And 
sure enough, it showed up at a certain spot. 
There was my phone, with my wallet next to it. So 
we scooped them up and gave thanks to God. 
   We sought those items out. We were going 
to find them, no matter what. That is the idea 
of putting Gods kingdom first. Jesus said, 
But seek first the kingdom of God and His 
righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow 
will worry about its own things. Sufficient for 
the day is its own trouble (Matthew 6:33"34 
NKJV). 
   If you dont want to live in anxiety, 
fear, and worry, then put matters in Gods 
hands. Dont give up on this. Seek it above all 
things. 
   How do you do that? Make your faith 
stronger. Grow in faith by studying and believing the 
Word of God. Your faith grows by hearing Gods 
Word and acting on it. Romans 10:17 says, So 
then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the 
word of God (NKJV). 
   When we listen to Gods Word, it puts 
everything in perspective. We see God for who He is. 
And we see life with all of its challenges for 
what it is. We see everything as we ought to see 
it. 
   Instead of worrying, put God and His Word 
first in your life. Seek Him principally above 
everything else. Give Him priority. 
   All too often we turn to people for help 
and forget that we need to turn to the Lord. So 
place it in Gods hands, and trade your worry 
for worship. [Greg Laurie from Harvest 
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

COMMENTARY

   In Australia they use an expression that 
I love: No worries, mate! 
   I think that phrase nicely sums up the 
point Jesus was making in Matthew 6 when He said, 
That is why I tell you not to worry about 
everyday life - whether you have enough food and 
drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isnt life more 
than food, and your body more than clothing? 
(verse 25 NLT). 
   When we worry, essentially, were not 
trusting God. Worry is a lack of trust in Him. In 
fact, the word worry originates from a term that 
means to strangle. And thats exactly what 
worry does to us. It strangles us. It chokes us. 
Worry is interest that we pay on troubles before 
theyre due. 
   It comes down to this: We need to trust 
in the providence of God. The providence of 
God, or the sovereignty of God, simply means that 
God is in control of our lives as followers of 
Jesus. 
   You may not understand why youre 
dealing with a hardship right now. But God has 
allowed it for some reason. Nothing touches us that 
has not first passed through Gods loving 
hands. Hes in control. 
   So instead of worrying, lets put God 
first in our lives. Jesus said, Seek the 
Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, 
and he will give you everything you need 
(Matthew 6:33 NLT). 
   The word seek speaks of persistence. 
Lets say that you dropped a $100 bill on the 
ground, and a little breeze picked it up. Would you 
go looking for it? Of course you would. And 
what is the kingdom of God? Its the rule and 
reign of Jesus Christ in our lives. 
   Above everything else, we want to give 
God the number one position in our lives. And 
when we put God and his kingdom first, life will 
find its proper balance. [Greg Laurie from 
Harvest Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

   There are many things you can seek to 
live for in life. You can live for a lot of 
things. You can live for your physical appearance. 
You can live for a successful career. You can 
live for pleasure. But here is what Jesus said: 
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live 
righteously, and he will give you everything you need 
(Matthew 6:33 NLT). 
   With those words, Jesus gave us the 
secret to living a worry-free life: Instead of 
worry, put God and His will first in your life. 
Among a number of options, put God in the number 
one position.  
   Lets take your career for example. Is 
your career choice, your line of work, really for 
Gods glory? Are you seeking Him first in what 
youre doing? 
   You might say, Greg, youre a 
pastor. Its easy for you to seek God first. I 
work in the real world with real people. 
   I understand. But here is what your goal 
should be: to honor God in everything you do. Here 
is what you need to ask yourself: As Im 
doing this thing, what is my goal? If your goal 
is just to make money no matter what it takes, 
you have the wrong goal. Your goal should be to 
honor God, give honest work, and have personal 
integrity and a good testimony in the workplace. 
   When the day is done, you want to have a 
good name and a good reputation. Proverbs 22:1 
says, Choose a good reputation over great 
riches; being held in high esteem is better than 
silver or gold (NLT). 
   Seek first the kingdom of God. If you 
want a life free of worry, anxiety, and fear, 
then put Gods kingdom before everything else. 
Seek Him first, and He will take care of you. 
[Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; 
https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

CLOSING THOUGHT

Dont Worry - Worship!
   How do you know youre not experiencing 
the love of God? 
   Youre worried.
   You cant simultaneously worry and 
worship God. Every time you worry, youve 
forgotten how much God loves you. Worry is really 
acting like an atheist. Its pretending youre 
an orphan rather than a child of God. 
   Jesus said, So dont worry about 
these things, saying, What will we eat? What 
will we drink? What will we wear? These things 
dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your 
heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek 
the Kingdom of God above all else, and live 
righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So 
dont worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will 
bring its own worries. Todays trouble is enough 
for today (Matthew 6:31-34 NLT). 
   Jesus tells us theres a truth thats 
much more important than anything were 
worrying about: We have a heavenly Father who created 
us, loves us, wants what is best for us, and is 
watching over us. He is working for our good and has 
given us hundreds of promises of his 
faithfulness. 
   Worry is pretending you dont know any 
of that. 
   My son Josh doesnt like to fly when 
theres turbulence. A few years ago, he was on a 
plane experiencing constant turbulence. He told me 
later, I had to decide whether I would worry or 
worship. So instead of worrying, I put in my ear buds 
and put on a bunch of worship songs. 
   Youll either worry or worship for the 
rest of your life. Youll either panic or pray. 
Youll either look at your problems or look at 
God. 
   Which will you choose? [Daily Devotional 
by Rick Warren: 
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/] 

ONE LINERS

The only thing in all of creation that 
worries is a human being. Plants dont worry. 
Animals dont worry. Only human beings act as if 
we dont have a heavenly Father. [Daily 
Devotional by Rick Warren: 
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/] 

When we focus first on our worries, that's 
all we have room for. But when we focus first on 
God and His Kingdom, seeking it above all else 
as Jesus instructs, well find that our worries 
begin to fade. [Earth Psalms by Francine Rivers] 

If I allow my concern about the future to 
cripple me in the present, I am guilty of worry. by 
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones [Greg Laurie from Harvest 
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

Someone really wise once said, "Worrying is 
like praying for what you don't want to happen.' 
I don't know that my worried thoughts can 
actually influence reality, but they can definitely 
make me miserable. I've consumed lots of time by 
fretting about things that never came to pass, 
sometimes spending hours working on solving a problem 
that never occurred. Meanwhile, whatever was 
right in front of me, whether a trouble, task, or 
triumph, went unattended. Silly and sad. [Mornings 
With Jesus 2018 Devotional by Guideposts and 
Zondervan] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE

Matthew 6:33 - SEEKING GOD FIRST.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20191202-1036.html 

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  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides: 
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio: 
https://bible.awr.org/the-signs/ 

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657