A Message from Pastor Mason

Dear Beloved Community,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As we navigate the journey of faith, it is my joy to reflect on the timeless wisdom found in God's Word. As my first submission to the Otterbein newsletter, I'd like to draw our attention to a verse that holds profound significance for me and our spiritual walk – Matthew 6:33.
 

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus imparts a powerful message to His disciples, a message that remains relevant for us today: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
 

In a world filled with distractions and demands, it's easy for our priorities to become skewed. We are often preoccupied with the concerns of daily life – our careers, our families, our needs and desires. Yet, Jesus' words serve as a gentle reminder to reset our focus, to realign our hearts with His divine purpose.

To "seek first His kingdom" means to place God at the forefront of our lives. It's a call to prioritize our relationship with Him above all else. It's an invitation to acknowledge His sovereignty, to yield to His will, and to allow His principles to guide our decisions. When God's kingdom is our primary pursuit, all other aspects of life find their proper place.
 

Jesus also instructs us to seek "his righteousness." This speaks of a life lived in accordance with God's principles – a life marked by integrity, compassion, and selflessness. It's a call to embrace His righteousness as our own, knowing that our salvation rests in His grace alone. As we strive for righteousness, we become vessels through which His love and light shine brightly in a world that desperately needs them.
 

The promise Jesus offers is both reassuring and transformative: "all these things will be given to you as well." When our hearts are aligned with God's kingdom and His righteousness, He takes care of our needs. We need not be consumed by worry or anxiety, for our heavenly Father knows what we require. When we seek His will, He provides abundantly – not just material blessings, but also the peace, joy, and fulfillment that can only come from Him.
 

Dear friends, let Matthew 6:33 be our guiding light, leading us closer to God's heart and His divine purpose. As we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, we will experience the abundant life He has promised – a life that radiates His glory and transforms the world around us.
 

I love you and there is nothing you can do about it,

Pastor Mason 
Otterbein United Methodist Church