Past. Present. Future: Embracing the Moment

Hey there! 👋 Get ready for the next message in our "Past. Present. Future." series! This week, we're diving into "Embracing the Moment".

Last week was all about moving past the past, and this week, Pastor Chris is sharing a personal struggle that many of us can relate to: always feeling like we should be further along and how that keeps us from actually embracing where we are right now.

We're looking at some powerful words from Jesus himself in Matthew chapter 6. He tells us not to worry about tomorrow because each day has enough to deal with. (These words are even in red in the Bible, straight from Jesus!).

So, how do we actually stop worrying about tomorrow? Jesus tells us in the verse right before it: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you".

Jesus explains that if God takes care of things like lilies and sparrows, He will definitely take care of us. He's speaking to people stressed and anxious about provision and the future. This isn't just a nice verse; it's something we're meant to apply to our lives.

Seeking "first" means going after God's kingdom and righteousness with passionate urgency (zateo), like an exciting scavenger hunt with an awesome prize, not out of fear. It's a daily, weekly, monthly, yearly pursuit that should never be based in fear, but joy. Seeking other things first can lead to feeling paralyzed or discontent, stopping you from living fully today or preparing for tomorrow.

Seeking "his kingdom" (basilia) means seeking His rule (knowing how He wants us to live), His power (desiring to be submitted to what He says), and His pace (walking with Him over time, knowing you don't have to have it all figured out at once). Seeking His "righteousness" means seeking His character or nature, which is imparted by the Holy Spirit as you pursue Him. This changes you from the inside out.

The amazing result of seeking first His kingdom and righteousness? "All these things will be added to you" – the very things the world chases, but when you seek Jesus, He is the one who produces them. You also get grace to not worry about tomorrow.

Ultimately, learning His pace and seeking His kingdom and righteousness is how we learn to embrace the moment. It allows you to see God's plan for today and maximize what His kingdom has for you and everyone you meet today.

If you struggle with this, the secret isn't trying harder... it's getting more of Jesus. Just like the Apostle Paul learned to be content in any circumstance by having more of Jesus.

Want to discover how to truly embrace your moment today? Hit play and dive into the message! 👇

#EmbracingTheMoment #SeekFirstTheKingdom #TrustGod #PastPresentFuture