Prayer, Week 3, Day 3

Book The Essentials of Effective Prayer

Week 3, Day 3, pages 40-41

Scripture: Philippians 3:20; Matthew 6:33

The Heavenly Citizen's Riches

My citizenship is in heaven; I am an ambassador here on earth representing my heavenly country. 

My heart is with the Leader of that country; my goal is to represent the riches of that country-- riches freely given to all who are citizens  (Ephesians 1:18)--  in a way that draws others to the Leader. 

Since I have all the riches associated with my heavenly citizenship available to me, I don't need to be seeking things that aren't necessary to live as a Christian.  That's part of what Matthew 6 is all about:  Don't seek things you don't need because you already have all you need in Christ.  The kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21).

The Heavenly Citizen's Heart

Matthew 6:33 is the conclusion to the teaching and questions Jesus began asking in verse 19.  The topic of this section of Scripture is summarized in verse 21:  "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."   A point to consider:

Some people find great comfort (if that's the right word) in being anxious about everything.  Somehow, to them, it seems that their worry about others and about circumstances shows they care.  If you've ever watched the TV show Everybody Loves Raymond, Raymond's mother Marie is like this.  Really she's quite self-centered but wants to appear caring so she worries needlessly, creating a lot of unnecessary burdens on people.

Here's what I hear Jesus speaking to me in Matthew 6:33:

"I know you have to eat, drink, and clothe yourself and your family.  Continue fulfilling your responsibilities in these areas but don't let these tasks distract you with anxiousness-- pulling you in so many directions that you become worried.  Take the time to affirm that all you need is already within your grasp because the kingdom of God is in you.  Pause.  Breathe.  I am near.  I am not far away.  As you set about your daily tasks, find Me first as you do them"…

The Heavenly Citizen's Rest

,,, because as verses 22- 23 say, whatever (or Whomever) you look at determines what you will become as you live out your daily life.

• If I look at my work as overwhelming, I will become overwhelmed and anxious. 
• If I look at Jesus' finished work, I will rest/anapauō (373)

From Vine's:

Rest:  Christ's rest is not a rest from work but in work, not the rest of inactivity but the harmonious working of all the faculties and affections--of will, heart, imagination, conscience--because each has found in God the ideal sphere for its satisfaction and development.

Application:

As a homeschooling mom, I experience seeking His kingdom and righteousness first...

when  I relate to  my children through our homeschooling studies.   Anxiousness can creep in easily.  When I feel pulled in so many directions, I must affirm that everything I need (to make it through a particular math or reading difficulty for my dyslexic ones, for example) is available to me because the kingdom of God is within me.  So I pause, breathe a prayer, affirm that Jesus is near and then respond by allowing the Holy Spirit to use me as His vessel for the outpouring of His wisdom and love.

As a homemaker, I experience seeking His kingdom and righteousness first... 

when I prepare an order to my day, like we discussed in last week's lesson about setting the table each morning with prayer.  Bills to pay, groceries to buy, library books to pick up, floors to mop, meals to prepare, clothes to wash-- instead of being anxious, I allow the Spirit to train me in orderliness.

As a wife of 32 years, I experience seeking His kingdom and righteousness first...

when I trust the Spirit to work in my husband's life and to use me, if necessary :-)  My prayers for my husband are directed for his benefit rather than mine.  Sometimes I need to wait on the Lord and allow things to fall apart; sometimes I need to speak up.  God uses all circumstances in this marriage relationship to teach me to walk in the Spirit by seeking His kingdom first.

I am responsible to carry out daily tasks as a vessel of His blessing to those in my sphere of influence, and I can only do that if I seek first His kingdom and righteousness by affirming His presence in me, with me, near me, around me.  I know that all I need (not what I want necessarily) will be added as I abide in this prayerful life of worship.

Do I need to pursue God's kingdom?  I don't think I do. ( I'm open to others' thoughts on this.)  Pursue is such a strong word of effort to find something that's not yours yet.  That would be my definition of pursue.

Instead, I believe I need to die to sin and self to magnify God's kingdom and Christ within me.  That's how I see "seeking."  The treasure is already mine; I simply need to see it, value it, magnify it, and let it shine.

Linda

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