October 27, 2017 - - Matthew 6:33 Practice righteousness

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,

and all these things shall be added to you.

Matthew 6:33 NKJV

This week I have thoroughly enjoyed the Annual Training Seminar for Police Chaplains, which is being held in Saskatoon.

Here is a gem of a teaching:

At the moment of truth

you will not rise to the level of expectation,

but you will fall

to the level of training.

from - - Crisis Response Training

In light of that Crisis Response Training quotation, today's text is instructional for followers of Jesus Christ. We have had sin vanquished by the power of His cross. We are renewed in His grace so that we can run from sin and train in godliness. As my good friend Charles M.Swartwood says it: "Embrace the grace."

Seek--this first command of the text means: continually, diligently, through-out the day, seek the Kingdom of God. Pray. Read the word. See the goodness of God in the events of your day and of your life. Tell others of His goodness, as you rehearse the goodness of God in your life you are making Christ great in your heart and mind and inner thought life.

Practice righteousness. Whether or not you feel like it, do what you know is right so that in the day of trial, in the moment when your back is against the wall, your training in righteousness will shine through and God will be praised.

Grant to me, God of power and glory, the presence of mind to train in godliness. As I practice such godliness in prayer times, in worship, in attending worship, and in declaring Your goodness to others, prepare me for the times of trial and suffering--so when I am crushed--it will be the fragrance of Christ and His blessedness which is elicited from me. Amen.