Put God First

 

Life is a never-ending series of choices.

I remember listening to the echoes of the Holy Spirits and asking myself how do I 'know' it is the voice of GOD and thinking,“Have you Ron decided for Christ because of what you have in this world or is it that big decisions takes big prayers? Everyone talks about doing what the Holy Spirit says, many times the Lord will confirm His direction to us through three maybe four or more of these stuff buttons -- especially when we are in the process of making an important, life-changing decision like:

What am I going to do with the rest of my life? Where should I go to school? Should I take this job, or is there something better on the horizon? Who should I marry? Life is a never-ending series of choices. Can we know whether we are making the right decisions? Should we consult our horoscope? Maybe we should call the psychic hot-line?

"But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil"

Just as we let a bus driver drive the bus in which we ride, so we should let the Lord control our lives.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your^[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.Colossians 3:1-4

Paul’s point is, the best Christian living comes from minds that are fixed on heaven. Realizing that our lives are now hidden with Christ in God, and since Jesus is enthroned in heaven, our thoughts and hearts are connected to heaven also. He uses this to show that Baptism is a means to salvation and to the Christian life. We are not to despise the things of the earth (1 Tim 4:4). However, we are to realizes that this fallen world should not be our focus.

You ever heard people say, put “God first, focus on eternal life, family second, work or team third.” But what does it really mean to put God first? What does it mean to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5)? If we are to actually follow this command, what would our lives look like?

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, successful, or fulfilling in a worldly sense.

How many of you have ever taken flight in an airplane? It’s a lot of fun. Some of you who have flown may have glanced into the cockpit when you entered the plane and perhaps those of you who haven’t flown have seen a cockpit in photos or on the mug tube (TV). Does it have about the same number of instruments, dials, switches, and controls as a car has? No! It has many, many more. A cockpit is filled with controls.

When it’s time to take off, the pilot starts the engines by turning and flipping just the right switches. He checks out a great many dials as well. Finally, he moves the plane faster and faster along the runway and takes off and the plane soar’s HE then flies it until you reach your destination and then lands it safely once again.

“He Jesus became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” Heb. 5:9

I use to think it would be nice to learn how to fly a plane. What say you? Lots of excitement but if we never take the opportunity to learn or put in practice to be a pilot that would be dumb to try. 

The smart thing is to let Jesus be in charge of “piloting” our lives. Too many people try to run their lives their own way and they end up ruining them. God is the only one who has all that it takes to run life right, just as only the pilot can fly a plane. If you have never done it before, ask Jesus to be the one to run your life. Tell him you want to do everything his way, that he can be in charge, Just as it’s real smart to let a pilot fly the plane, so it is smart to let Jesus be the one to run and rule your life so that it turns out good.

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. The Bible presents a clear path to eternal life. First, we must recognize that we have sinned against God: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). We have all done things that are displeasing to God, which makes us deserving of punishment. Since all our sins are ultimately against an eternal God, only an eternal punishment is sufficient. "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

My Prayer, "God, I know that I have sinned against you and deserve punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. I place my trust in You for salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness - the gift of eternal life! Amen!"

God Bless You and This Ministry!