But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:33 ESV

By Matthew F. Leighty
Executive Director

Are you a Matthew 6:33 kind of person? Are you always in God's Word, praying day and night, regularly attending worship at your church, and sharing about Christ at every opportunity you can? I sure hope that is the case, but we all have room to grow ever deeper in this area. That is why I love to keep the words of Matthew chapter 6 close to my heart. Verse 33 brings me so much comfort, especially when I remember the beautiful song by Karen Lafferty, “Seek Ye First.”

This uplifting passage has been a source of encouragement for me, and my young family. We even recorded and shared this hymn with our church community during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a reminder that as we call on the Lord, He provides for our every need.

The number one core value for the ministry team at Worship Anew is having Christ at the center. We believe that with God, in all and through all, He will prosper our efforts to share His love so that others may have an abundant life through Him. It is not about what we do but about what Christ has done and continues to do through us every day.

We recognize that God provides for our essential physical needs. But how much more important are our eternal needs?

I strive to be a good steward of what God gives me so, I work hard to make wise choices when making a significant purchase or an important decision. However, if I devoted as much time to being with God as I do to researching purchases for my family, I might have the entire Bible memorized by now.

I feel that as we age, our focus turns toward heaven. With age comes wisdom, and as we enter the later stages of our earthly life, we draw ever closer to what God instructs in Matthew 6:33—to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

The focus is not on what the world offers or finds important—money, power, material possessions, or even social status—but what God says is important through the great command He gave us, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37 ESV). Reaching up and then out should be our way of life.

Allelu, Alleluia! When I seek God first, a song of praise seems to always be on my mind or on my lips. I encourage you to open the beloved Lutheran Service Book to page 712 (or read below) where you can find Karen Lafferty’s hymn “Seek Ye First.” Reflect on how this verse is a guide for our lives.

At Worship Anew, Christ remains at the center of all that we do. We do not labor in isolation, but as vessels for His grace, remembering the eternal wellbeing of every life we touch.

As time unfolds, our gaze turns heavenward, aligning with the wisdom of age and the anticipation of eternity. Together, we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness—a path illuminated by His mercy and grace.

Seek Ye First
LSB 712

Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And His righteousness;
And all these things shall be added
unto you.
Allelu, Alleluia!

Ask, and it shall be given unto you;
Seek, and ye shall find.
Knock, and the door shall be opened unto you.
Allelu, Alleluia!

Man does not live by bread alone,
But by ev’ry word
That proceeds from the mouth of the
Lord.
Allelu, Alleluia!