Christ-follower, Husband, Dad, Pastor

peace

April 22, 2013

5 Benefits of Putting the Lord First

Keep first things first; set kingdom priorities. Jesus teaches His followers, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33 NIV)

My wife and I have tried to live by that Matthew 6:33 principle – seeking Him first. At times, we have gotten fretful, but we remind one another that God is faithful. Our life together isn’t usually easy, but guess what? Over and over and over, Patti and I have experienced God’s blessing. Praise the Lord! Sometimes God uses people who love us. Just last week, I received an unexpected, anonymous gift to buy clothes for my upcoming trip to Tanzania. Whoever you are – THANK YOU VERY MUCH! A little over two years ago, Patti and I celebrated our wedding anniversary in Hawaii, because of the generosity of friends. The picture below was the sunrise view from our shoreside window.

I am not promising you a Hawaii vacation for putting the Lord first, but I am reminding you that God wants to bless you. Instead of centering your life around personal interests, base desires, family relationships, or take-home pay, arrange your priorities around God first!

#1  When you put Him first, THE LORD DIRECTS.

  • “In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” (Proverbs 3:6 LIVING)
  • “I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress.” (Psalm 32:8 LIVING)

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#2  When you put Him first, THE LORD PROVIDES.

“For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”  (2 Chron. 16:9a NASB)

#3  When you put Him first, THE LORD PROTECTS.

  • “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” (Psalm 34:7 NIV)
  •  “He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” (Psalm 91:4 NLT)
  • “God’s looking after me, keeping me safe in the kingdom of heaven. All praise to him, praise forever! Oh, yes!” (2 Tim. 4:18 MSG)

#4  When you put Him first, THE LORD CALMS.

“Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” (1 Peter 5:7 AMP)

#5  When you put Him first, THE LORD HELPS.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

No problem is too big for God’s power. Don’t underestimate the greatest of your Heavenly Father.

“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 NASB) What a picture of God’s sovereign authority and His great love for people! The needed supply is unleashed with your willing choice to seek Him. Stubborn refusal restricts you from the very resource you so desperately need.

Don’t push it off; put the Lord first.

April 19, 2013

Focus on Heaven

God’s Word calls us to focus on heaven, but focus does not come automatically. We must choose to seek heaven, think heaven, and live like a citizen of heaven – while we are still on earth. Look to the Lord; don’t become centered on your circumstances.

  • “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2 NIV).”
  • “Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ – that’s where the action is. See things from His perspective (Colossians 3:2 MSG).”
  • “Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth (Colossians 3:2 NLT).”

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Life on this sin-tarnished planet isn’t always easy, but God hasn’t stepped away from His throne.

Terrorist threats, acrid political quarrels, economic uncertainty, school assignments, lawn maintenance, health care anxiety and an endless list of distracts may be part of the chaos in which you are currently in the middle – BUT God is still on heaven’s throne. Focusing upon the Lord allows you to enjoy His supernatural presence right in the middle of the mess. God’s peace can be found right in the middle of tests, trials, and tribulations.

“We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith.”  (Hebrews 12:2a GW)

Follow the prophet Micah’s example: “But me, I’m not giving up. I’m sticking around to see what God will do. I’m waiting for God to make things right. I’m counting on God to listen to me.” (Micah 7:7 MSG)

When shaken by a mindboggling enemy, Jehoshaphat knew where to turn (2 Chronicles 20:3). He sought the Lord for help. Consider the words of his prayer, “For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but OUR EYES ARE ON YOU.” (2 Chronicles 20:12 NASB) God answered, giving a divine battle plan beyond comprehension. Following God’s instructions, worshipers led the people into the battle and victory was realized.

In what area do you need look to the Lord and get HIS strategy to overcome? Distraction is the enemy’s tool to keep you from receiving God’s direction.

Don’t focus on your circumstances – look to the Lord. Fix your eyes on Jesus!

April 10, 2013

Calm in Chaos or Freaking Out?

STAND OUT – don’t just fit in! Does your manner of life say to the world that you are different? You live in this world as a Christ-follower, but your relationship with heaven’s Lord should make you STAND OUT in this world – thinking differently, talking differently, acting differently, working differently.

A Bible-directed, Jesus-exalting, Spirit-empowered life is remarkably distinct in today’s spiritual wasteland. You will STAND OUT. Expect criticism as you live for Christ. I am not asking you to be obnoxious, but I am calling for you display Christ.

The world is watching. In today’s turbulent times, what is your life communicating to those around you?

“Stay calm; mind your own business; do your own job. You’ve heard all this from us before, but a reminder never hurts. We want you living in a way that will command the respect of outsiders, not lying around sponging off your friends.”  (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 MSG)

From Paul’s exhortation in 1 Thessalonians 4:11, I see three practical matters that will help you to live a life that draws the respectful attention of even people outside your faith community. This post spotlights the first. Poise, focus, and work will cause you to STAND OUT.

#1  POISE: Are You Calm in Chaos – or Freaking Out?

Check your life for evidence of quietness, tranquility, composure, peace. Restlessness or worry conveys that you cannot trust your connection with the Lord of the universe.

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God is never surprised by a sudden obstacle, and He is still on the throne. Remember Jesus’ words: “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33 AMP)

My beautiful wife Patti is a lady who exhibits great poise and I get to enjoy her company nearly EVERY day! Her confidence in God’s grace buoys my faith and I like being around her. I love my wife!

People around you will notice your peace in the midst of storms. You STAND OUT when you keep your poise. God is working; give Him time. Your poise in the face of perplexity will be recognized by those around you.

I think of the legend of a Chinese farmer who owned a horse. When the horse ran away, the neighbors lamented his loss, but his response was, “How do you know it’s so bad?” In a few days his horse returned, now accompanied by another one. The neighbors immediately cheered his good fortune, but his reaction was, “How do you know it’s good?” The next day, while riding the new horse, his son was thrown off and broke his leg. The neighbors were deeply saddened, but his attitude was, “How do you know it’s bad?” A few weeks later a war broke out, but because his son had a broken leg, he was allowed to stay home. But the neighbors said nothing because they had learned an important lesson: don’t judge life’s events too quickly (Gordan Kainer, Look Back Wisely, Look Ahead Decisively, 2011, p. 7)

“Lead a quiet life.” (1 Thess. 4:11 NASB) Contentment with God’s blessings is a foundation for calm poise. Charles Wesley expressed his ambition: “Keep me little and unknown, loved and prized by Christ alone”? (Look Back Wisely, p. 8) Are you content to be “loved and prized by Christ alone”?

Don’t freak out. God’s grace is sufficient. Live as if you really do have a Heavenly Father who loves and cares for you. Aspire to live as a STAND OUT!

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