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Put God first.

10/3/2018

“God first, family second, work third.”

Knowing that Jesus’ life was perfect in regard to putting God first, we should look at the way He lived His life and imitate Him, attempting to “walk in the manner that He walked” (1 John 2:6). Jesus’ life was characterized by submission to the Father’s will, service to others, and prayer. It is interesting to note that Jesus never pursued worldly ambition in any way and never pursued the glory of this world. He had every gift, talent, and ability to make Him the most famous and wealthiest man who ever lived. But there was only one goal that He considered worthy of His talents—the glory of the Father. it seems that Jesus’ love for God was played out most often in hardship, tears, sorrows, trials, and ultimately a painful and horrific death.

It's not easy to put God first because He doesn't scream for our attention.

Loving God with all our heart, all our soul, and all our strength is not an easy path (Luke 13:24). Yes, the life of a Christian is a life of joy, despite trials, and a life that anticipates great joy (2 Corinthians 7:4; Revelation 22:16–17). But we should not expect our life in this world to be easy or successful or fulfilling in a worldly sense. The world is at enmity with Christ and is therefore also at enmity with His followers (John 15:18–19). The world will tell us to be someone, to achieve, to live the good life in this world. All that is a lie. It does not bring fulfillment but only pain and disappointment to those who give their lives to it (1 Timothy 6:9–10).

Conversely, the life of a Christian should be characterized by moment-by-moment selfless service to God that flows from love for Him and His people. That is what it means to put God first. Any wealth that comes our way should be used to generously give (Mark 10:21), any success or influence or talents that we have should be used to multiply Christ’s influence (Matthew 25:14–30), and any strength or health we enjoy should be spent in His service (Philippians 2:14–17; Mark 8:35).

ACTION STEP: Today let the loudest voice in your head be the voice of God. Ask yourself over and over is this what God would have me to do? Or is it my own selfish desires that are screaming at me? Silence them. Turn up the volume of the voice of God. He desires to bless you. He wants what is best for you.

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Taking things for granted.

10/2/2018

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Knees, whoever thinks about their knees? No one, unless they have had a knee injury or surgery. I never have had a leg issue of any kind. Then out of no where my right knee starts hurting to the point I can't even touch it much less walk on it. It is like I have a broken knee cap. I did not fall. I did not overdo anything. What's up with that? I still don't know. But I prayed over it. I went and bought a knee wrap and I took two Tylenol. My knee still hurts. So, I have thought about my knee now for two whole days. Like I said, who sits around and thinks about their knees?

God spoke to me and said, "Everyone takes what works for granted. It's only when it quits working do people realize how ungrateful they have become." We need to be grateful that things go right. I immediately began to thank God everything works right! Including my knee.

When you see how many parts there are to your knee, you can see that a lot of things need to be going right for your knee to work. The pain I am experiencing is on my Patella. Didn't even know I had one until it hurt. All the other parts were working fine. Only one part was hurting, but it caused my entire body to have to shift in the way it worked.

Is there something in your spiritual life not right? Have you been thrown off balance and noticed your walk is off? Just one thing. Maybe it's anger. Maybe it's not reading the Word. Perhaps, you are failing to tithe? Whatever is tripping you up may not be obvious at first, but it will cause you to have an issue.

I still don't know what I did to my knee. However, I find myself grateful for all the years my legs have worked great. I've asked God to show me the problem. I am seeing how one thing can really consume your thoughts. I am exercising my mind to stay on what I am to be doing, what I am to study, where I am to go. I refuse to listen to the voice of pain. Jesus took my pain. I thank Him for that.

I am praying for you, my readers today, that your walk is right. That there is no area that the devil can get into and bring pain. I pray that you are spiritually aware of any and all openings that may have occurred due to sin both known, and unknown. I am believing that when I wake up in the morning my pain is gone!

He said, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.”
~ Exodus 15:26

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Rest, Aim and Execute! Its takes a Team!

10/1/2018

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Hello friends, family, and followers. I am back and have hit the ground running. Just a day before we were to check out of our Condo I was headed to Jacksonville to catch a plane to Deborah's Voice. I was happy I did not over eat, or overly sun myself. Those of you that know me understand my inclination is to do both. It always pays to do right! So, I felt good and could walk miles effortlessly. I got off the plane and took the challenge of purchasing a ticket for the Metro instead of taking a Uber, Lyft, or cab. Was I nervous? Yes! Was I to take the Green line, Blue line, Red line, Yellow line? Sometimes the lines ran together. I talked to myself, and to God, and then the personnel that worked at the Metro helped me. Yellow line it was. I almost laughed to myself as I felt like Dorthy from the Wizard of Oz. If only I could click my heels together...

Here is the point. I was rested. My mind was clear. I could feel the patience in spite of the challenge. I refused to feel rushed or hurried. I was, after all simply learning something new. We don't have subways and trains back home we hop on everyday. I was in a new environment, but the greater one still lived inside of me. The comforter was still there, trying to lead me and guide me. The vacation had recalibrated me. I was ready for a new challenge and DC was giving me just that.

Philippians 2:1-4 “So if there is any encouragement in Christ,
any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit,
any affection and sympathy,
complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Just like it took me time to take care of myself, being patient, asking questions, requesting help from others, staying focused, that is what it takes to get anything done. There is no clicking your heels together! It takes you calling on God and getting yourself together so you can reach out and help others. That is what it took to rally the troops, get to DC, and bring the mandate given to Pastor Diane Mullins to pass. I am grateful for the rest and the team of helps that surround my life.

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Put God first.

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Rest, Aim and Execute! Its takes a Team!

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