Dear family in Christ

During my teenage years as a young Christian, I was privileged to be taught the importance of memorising Scripture. One particular Bible memory verse has impacted my life deeply all these years. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

As I reflect upon my children’s lives in their respective life stages currently and consider what their future may hold, the Lord encouraged me with Matthew 6:33 as a guide for my reflection and as a significant focus and priority on how my wife and I should guide our children. Let me share three thoughts from the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 6:19-34.

Firstly, “do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… (6:19-20). Let us live our life with the focus on laying up treasures in heaven. We have only one Master to serve – Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Let us do the work which our Master has called us to do and live in obedience to the will of our heavenly Father.

Secondly, “therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (6:25). A recent poll revealed that many Singaporeans are highly stressed, with a rising trend of depression and mental illness amongst the young generation. Let us trust in the sovereign Father, who holds our life and future in His loving powerful hand.

Thirdly, “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (6:33). Let us seek God in close relationship and grow in Christlikeness, trusting God to provide for our needs. May our life priority be on matters that concern the kingdom of God in the proclamation of the gospel. May our life be lived to the glory of God in our family, workplace or school, and among our friends and neighbourhood.

 

Maranatha
Pastor John