Unleashed by Kingdom PowerNäide

Unleashed for Kingdom Pursuit

God wants His kingdom agenda, His rule, to affect and influence all of life. When that is accomplished, He gets the glory. People who align themselves under God’s kingdom agenda by promoting God’s glory according to His principles of rule are entitled to His benefits. Those who try to tap into God’s benefits and favor without an abiding, saving relationship with Jesus lack the spiritual authority to do so.

Abiding under God’s rule in the kingdom allows for a life of peace, rest and provision. God provides all of that we need without us having to beg, fret, borrow or steal (see Luke 12:22-30 and Matthew 6:33). The number one priority for every believer is to seek God’s kingdom. The word seek means to pursue something as a passionate priority. It means to actively and intentionally place God and His rule as first in your life. God will not accept second place. Anytime God is not first, He is eclipsed by an idol. He will not tolerate that, and the promises of God’s kingdom and His covenantal blessings will not flow to you when you fail to put Him first. His spiritual authority will not be unleashed in your life. God is not to be used like a spare tire—there if you need it in a desperate situation, but ignored and forgotten at all other times.

One of the premier benefits of seeking God and His kingdom involves freedom from worry, stress and fear. God has given us the formula for living a peace-filled, calm life based on confidence in Him. We can live a life of peace when we prioritize Christ. This doesn’t mean we won’t have concerns that require our attention, but worry is concern gone haywire. You can control your concern, but when you give in to worry, it controls you.

Once we recognize that God Himself holds our entire life in His hands, it puts our daily concerns in perspective. God is our source, provider and supplier of all we need. Knowing He is my provider and sustainer, I want to prioritize my relationship with Him. Jesus intentionally used the term Father when speaking about seeking God and His kingdom to help us identify God as a caring Father (see Luke 12:30-31). A good father would never leave his children in a situation where they would be left to fend for themselves. Good fathers will often prevent this even at great personal sacrifice.

Just like a good father would not enable his children to continue in drug abuse or supply his children’s addictive habits either financially or with the substance itself, God will not enable you in your pursuit of anything other than Him. He will allow you to live a life marked by idolatry. That’s what free will is. But He will not supernaturally supply you with all you need if you are making other things an idol over Him.

It’s God’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom when we pursue Him first. Putting God first means living according to His values. Seeking God’s kingdom first is the key to unleashing God’s kingdom in your life.

What idols, worries or behaviors inhibit you from putting God first?

How is pursuing the blessings of God different from seeking God first?

What can you do today to prioritize your relationship with God? What does God promise to provide for those who put Him first?

Prayer

Lord God, Your kingdom agenda for the sake of Your glory must be the focus of my life. Thank You that You will supernaturally supply me with all that I need to follow You and accomplish Your will in my life and in the world. Help me to seek You with all that I am. Unleash me from anything that holds me back from pursuing You first in my life. Amen.