The best life is a God First life

Category: Choosing (Page 10 of 11)

Why complicate the simple?

Making the right choices is not Rocket Science! Yet, we can make it seem that way in our efforts to justify bad decisions. As a result, we find ways to complicate the simple. Maybe, it’s to give ourselves an excuse when repercussions occur, or maybe, we are using the wrong standards.

By worldly standards, we are told, “if it feels good, do it” God’s Word tells us to love others as Christ loved us, to never give up on doing good. The Bible defines good; it lets us know what’s right and what’s wrong so we can choose to live a “good life,” a life where our repercussions bring love to others rather than pain.

Christ was all about doing God’s will and teaching us to do the same. Why? Because God’s will is what’s best for us. God knows that some choices will slowly lead us to self-consumption, where it’s all about us, our pleasures, and our desires. God knows that this mindset will harden our hearts and the turmoil that accompanies such selfishness.

God’s Word and following the teachings of Christ therein is the ultimate standard for living. Therefore, with God’s Word as our standard rather than worldly acceptance, the following is a simple question I have learned to ask myself when choosing to or not to do something. Is there more reason not to do it than to do it?

The answers are straightforward! Controlling our emotions and not giving in to momentary, fleeting feelings and selfish desires can be difficult. However, the more we train ourselves to seek righteousness by God’s standard, the less tempting those situations become.

We never need to regret making the right decision.

God First!

We really miss out when we predetermine not to listen!

When someone disagrees with me on important issues, especially scriptural issues where we have God’s own words as a standard, it can be aggravating, however; If I am not already familiar with their position, I will still listen and research their assertions to be certain I have not misunderstood something.

I will not take offense if they disagree. If anything, I am challenged. My first assumption is not anger towards them but rather that I need to understand better the facts and reasoning behind my own position to help us both gain a better understanding.

These days the word “Offended” is popular and seems to be used to dismiss reasoning and detour discussion in place of working together to find solutions via reason and research.

In the New Testament, we read that Paul went to synagogues to reason with leaders about fulfilled prophecies of Scripture and tell them of Christ, yet many did not listen. Most likely, some were predetermined not to listen and instead took offense to what Paul demonstrated to them from scripture and explained them from his personal experience.

To me, accepting God’s Grace through obedient faith and acting on that faith is important. We can’t have obedient faith, without understanding and that comes from study and reasoning, not feelings. As Jesus puts it… “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

God’s Word is important; Keeping God’s commands and precepts is important to our souls, our eternal life. For this reason, I persistently encourage everyone to study and reason with truth and love that we can learn together and mature in the body of Christ. We really miss out when we predetermine not to listen.

  • Acts 17 (Paul and Silas in the synagogues)
  • Acts 18 (Reasoning resisted and blasphemed)
  • John 14:15 (If you love Me…)
  • Ephesians 4:25 (We are to speak Truth with others, not avoid it)

God First!

Praying

According to Thessalonians 5:17, we are to “Pray Continually” If we think about it, praying continually would mean we always include God in our decisions. Praying “prior” to making decisions (big or small), seeking “God’s will” be done rather than just doing “our will” and then praying God’s ok with it.”

When we make decisions, Do we pray for wisdom, help, and discernment before we make them? or only after we made them when we realize we need help with the results of our decision.

Is God’s will, Our will? Or, do we treat our will as if it should be, God’s will, and pray that he will help us with the repercussions of our decision?

For example, we buy a new car without praying that God helps us find the best car for our needs, then, after the fact, we find ourselves going to God praying for help on payments or repair. Of course, this is hypothetical, but maybe including God beforehand would put us into a vehicle we could afford without repairs we can’t afford.

God wants to hear from us, Pray often and pray for those things that would align with the heart of God.

( James 4:15)

God First!

Choices -The Apostle Paul and Us

As I traveled down the road listening to the words of the apostle Paul, it dawned on me that just like all of us, Paul had a choice! Although Saul was spoken to directly by Jesus in a supernatural way and blinded for three days, he still had choices. Saul could have turned tail and tried to hide, maybe gotten angry about the blindness. He could have had a pity party, but instead, he listened and followed directions.

After three days of blindness, Saul’s vision was restored, and Ananias immediately asked him: “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” (Acts‬ ‭22:16‬) ‭Saul wanted his sins forgiven, so he chose to be baptized to have them washed away, calling on Jesus’ name.

If Saul had made any other choices, God’s will might have been done through someone else. Of course, God knew Saul’s heart, but it was still Saul/Paul’s choice to do the will of our God at all cost to himself.

We also make choices – we can read and follow directions according to God’s will, training ourselves to do so to the best of our ability, or choose not to follow God’s will or sort of do God’s Will. We should keep in mind; God knows our hearts; He knows our level of effort. Are we studying to “shew ourselves approved unto God” as it says we should in (2 Timothy 2:15)

I hope someday; we can all hear Jesus say: Well done, good and faithful servant.

I also thought of Esther‬ ‭4:14,‬ ‭where Mordecai said, “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

‭‭God First!

Doing without expectation of reciprocation

– At some point in life I decided that doing things for others should be done without expectation of any reciprocation. For me, this was the best attitude to have toward helping others.

In reflecting, I think in part it’s because I’m a little selfish. I don’t want to risk feeling that someone owes me something because I did something for them of my own accord. In other words, I don’t want to risk feeling angry or overly disappointed if, for some reason, they are unwilling or can’t help me at a later date.

Rather than calling it selfish, a better word might be “guarded” as in guarding my heart. By purposely deciding ahead of time that nothing is owed due to my effort, not even as much as a simple thank you, my heart is guarded against potential bitterness or disappointment.

By extending help without any expectation of reciprocation, I’m actually protecting my heart from becoming bitter should the situation arise when I could use some help and can’t seem to get it. I remind myself, “I am owed nothing,” which helps me stop my thoughts from going down that bitter path of anger and disappointment. Instead, I trust that God will provide for me if I need it, and then I let it go and dismiss it from my mind.

One thing for sure, whatever my real motivation, I’ve never regretted when I’ve had the opportunity and took the time to help others. That’s always a win for me.

God First!

“Go” is an action word

“GO” is something we just can’t do by being still. Jesus said,

GO into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

Mark 16:15

Jesus also said;

GO therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Matthew 28:19

God First!

“will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?”

Some spin God’s word to accommodate their desire rather than God’s plan, and others follow them. There are many reasons people do this, but I personally believe the main reason is not intentional but rather willful ignorance. Willful in the sense that one must have a willingness to study and accept scripture as a whole, and this takes effort and time. When we hear or read something different than what we actually practice, then why? For me, I want to know what Scriptures support that practice. Does it add or take away from God’s Word? Deuteronomy 12:32 and Revelation 22:18

The Lord’s path is straight and is available to us through God’s inspired word. We have no excuse for not exercising due diligence with self-study.

We are always learning, so; we can be mistaken; the real question is: Do we seek to correct ourselves when we realize we are wrong, or do we decide it’s a non-issue and do nothing? The bible is an accumulation of God’s Word and took thousands of years to come about. When we dismiss any of it as a non-issue, are we not effectively telling God His words are not important, we know better? (2 Timothy 3:16)

Paul is addressing the false prophet Bar-Jesus in Acts 13:9-10…

“But Saul (also known as Paul), filled with the Holy Spirit, stared straight at him and said, “You who are full of all deceit and all wrongdoing, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness – will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?”

God First! Every second of every day!

Written by: Wayne Johnson

I use to carry the equivalent of these 4 bowling balls everywhere I went

On January 6, 2019, blood clots were found in my lungs and legs, and my blood sugar was 465 with an A1C of 11.6, which crash-landed me in the ICU.
 
It feels more prolonged, but tomorrow is two years and three months since I experienced this life-changing moment. I was sent home taking 4 insulin shots and 2 blood thinner shots daily.  2 months later, I originally posted the following on FB…
 
”I have stopped joking around about my health and began working on it. I have begun replacing bad eating habits with new ones.
I gave myself goals for the year.
 
1. Be 25 again by year’s end (😉)
2. Lose weight
3. get off insulin
4. Get off the blood thinner
 
I had previously joked about my obesity. It was easier than serious effort. I enjoyed my gluttony of foods, and though I wanted to change, I wanted it without real effort. I actually think I had settled into and accepted the idea that losing 45 lbs would never happen, so why try?
 
However; As of 4/5/2019, I had lost 45 lbs, which put me at about the weight I was when I was 25 yrs of age.
 
I have been off the insulin since March of 2019, but they did put me on metformin. I have now cut that dosage of metformin in half. I feel great and have energy again.” It’s amazing what you can do with God’s help when you put both your mind and heart into it.
 
I am so thankful that I had this wake-up call two years ago tomorrow – It was a life-changing moment indeed!”
 

Update to this update:

I went on to lose a total of 60 lbs by June 2019 (4 bowling balls), putting me right at 200lbs. I am still on a blood thinner and 1/2 the metformin dosage.
 
At the start of my recent Covid19/pneumonia experience, which started 3/3/21, I had slacked up during the winter and gained about 12 lbs but recently saw 198lbs. (The only plus from covid)
 
As with most of my other shares, my intent for sharing this story is not to brag but somewhat out of hope. I hope to inspire those in similar situations. To help them realize they can also accomplish similar goals.
 
If doing it for yourself is not enough, think about how negatively the impact of your absence would affect those you love, Those who need you. Ask yourself a couple of questions.
 
Do you really want to take a chance of leaving them without you?
Would you be happy to take several shots a day or tons of meds when you can avoid it by changing habits instead?
 
I did not want my wife or family to have to live without me; We are all needed by those that love us, those whom we love. So, Wheresoever it’s within our power to do so, let’s do what we can by replacing bad habits with healthy habits.

If you were to die tomorrow, what would you wish you had gotten done today?

Several days each week, my sister-in-law Julie and her two teenage children meet to go on evening walks with some other brothers and sisters in Christ. Yesterday, on the ride there, in an attempt to spark conversation with her teenage son, she asked him this question: “If you were to die tomorrow, what would you wish you had gotten done today?”

She expected a secular answer, but his response: “Be Baptized.”

This lead to further discussion, and my nephew Michael Jr. Johnson (affectionately known as Mikey) made the absolute best decision any of us ever make in this life. Mikey decided he wanted to have eternal life in heaven by being baptized and following Christ for the rest of his life.

So, last night, Michael Jr. confessed Jesus as the Son of God and was baptized into Christ in the name of The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of his sins. Later, Mikey told me he had been thinking about it for a while. You just never know what’s on someone’s mind.

The timing of his mother’s question and a follow-up question of “why wait?” Seemingly perfect.

Welcome to the Lord’s Church, Michael Jr. Johnson

God First?

written by: Wayne Johnson

I love this Biblical story! What do you take from it?

“There was a little city with few men in it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great snares around it. Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man. Then I said: “Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, And his words are not heard. Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard Rather than the shout of a ruler of fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war; But one sinner destroys much good.” (Ecclesiastes‬ ‭9:14-18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

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