Here's the Keys

But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:31-32 NIV

When I was in my teens I had a bit of a dare-devil, Evel Kneivel, in me. So, by the time I was old enough to drive my dad (wisely) told me if I wanted to drive I could, I'd just have to pay for the car and insurance myself. Because I really was into sports I didn't have the time to work enough to pay for a car and insurance. 

Eventually, I got my drivers license but not a car. I actually was just graduated from high school and no longer living at home. I was working for  a construction company and driving the company truck. One day my day called me up and said I could use his truck. It was a very nice two-toned four wheel drive pick up truck with mag wheels. He said he noticed me driving the company truck and if I was responsible enough for that then I was responsible enough for him to let me use his. 

In the same way my father was pleased to let me use his truck, our Father in heaven is pleased to give us the kingdom. He will care for our needs. We just have to seek his kingdom, seek to be faithful, seek to lift up Jesus in our lives. 

I encourage you, seek first his kingdom. Let him be king in you today where ever you go and what ever you do. 

Being Sure of Yourself in Christ

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make you calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

II Peter 1:10-11

First of all I think that you only worry about your salvation if you  are saved. If you are not saved you don't care. Peter is talking to people of faith. Not just faith in general, but, faith in Christ. He's talking about knowing Christ. Peter is all about effective and productive knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Sometimes we don't see the work of Christ in our lives because we  sense the battle within ourselves. For example, I am a teacher and this year I am teaching sixth graders English and History. An aide who works with some special needs students I have in a few classes tells me she doesn't know how I stay so calm because there are several students who struggle with their behavior. I don't always feel so calm, but my reactions apparently reflect that I am continually trying to be patient and redirect students to be on task and help them understand the tasks at hand. 

My point is that sometimes while we are fighting the good fight we may only sense the tension of the battle, but, because we are seeking Christ our faith is becoming effective and productive, even if we don't notice it. Remember, Christ is faithful to complete the work he started in our lives (Philippians 1:6). 

Father, help us to keep sowing seeds of righteousness. Open our eyes to see the effective and productive fruit your Spirit is producing in our lives. Praise be to you in us today!