Advocate for Christ

The best life is a God First life

Category: Doing God’s Will (Page 10 of 11)

Our Christian Duty

May 19, 2021 / / 0 Comments

The Bible is the Christian’s training ground, our means of staying the course. In it, we find the power of God, hope beyond measure, our “DAILY” armor. Our weapon of truth, our shield of faith, our protection from Satan, the Bible is our strength for endurance and our connection to Our Creator. The study of God’s Word is our preparation, the sharing of God’s word is our exercise, the ability to defend God’s word is our duty as soldiers of Christ.

The Marines’ motto is Semper Fidelis which means- “always faithful” or “always loyal.” Let’s be Marines for God; let us always be faithful and always be loyal.

In “ALL” circumstances take up the shield of faith… (Ephesians 6:16)

“10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.“

Ephesians 6:10-20

If God is with us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

God First!

Save yourself with honesty.

May 18, 2021 / / 0 Comments

When good minds and hearts succumb to telling lies and being deceitful, it produces guilt, and guilt is heavy on the heart. When we choose to hide the truth rather than correct the issue with honesty, we carry unnecessary burdens. These burdens of sin allow Satan to set up residence and dwell in our minds. For example, if we lie or deceive someone (like a spouse) regarding an important matter, we carry that unresolved lie with us daily?

Sometimes, rather than confess, we tell ourselves things like ”no real harm done,” it’s better if they don’t know.” ”Why hurt them with the truth?” however, by doing so, we seal that burden of guilt in our hearts and minds, maybe for years or till death when honesty sets us free.

Our cover-up then gives Satan permanent residence in that part of our mind, and guess what? It’s not hidden from God. God knows the truth and has told us to always speak with the truth.

God hates lies!

When we fess up, confess, ask forgiveness and repent, we simultaneously kick Satan to the curb, kicking him out of that permanent dwelling we’ve furnished him in our mind. Don’t let Satan settle in, save yourself with honesty, pray, tell the truth, face the consequence and stop Satan from building a mansion in your mind as one lie leads to two, then three, then four, and many more…

The above thoughts bring to my mind the parable of unclean spirits and following scriptures.

  • John 8:34 – slave to sin
  • James 5:16 – confess
  • Matthew 12:43-45 unclean spirits
  • Philippians 4:8-9 rethink
  • Romans 1:28-32
  • John 8:32 – truth
  • Matthew 5:23-24 – Reconcile

God First!

Recognize the lies: Get away from me, Satan

May 13, 2021 / / 0 Comments

Occasionally we can become disheartened and discouraged when things happen out of our control.

Satan will jump on these opportunities to tempt us; He wants us to; throw our hands up in the air, give up, stop trying, sulk, become apathetic, go back to old ways, or try unexplored ways, to live like the worldly.

Satan wants us to believe the LIE that a life with no time for God is a life of fun, happiness, prosperity, and we deserve this. That God, for some reason, does not mean what he says.

God wants us to lean on Him, to cast our burdens on Him, to trust in Him, in His Word and His promises of eternal life. He wants us to understand consequences and keep His Commandments. He wants us to choose to stay the course he laid out for us in His Holy Word.

God gave us the freedom to chose, follow Christ, or follow the world.

Sometimes, we have to trudge through difficult times, but in His wisdom, God gave us a way to call on him through prayer, to approach His spotless throne through the sacrifice of his only begotten son, Jesus Christ. To humble ourselves and ask for his help.

By staying the course, we become a light to those around us, Family, friends, children, grandchildren, and even strangers.

So, when we feel disheartened or discouraged, and those temptations try to settle in, recognize who they’re from, push them aside, and pray.

Remember, you are loved, and you are an example to someone who loves you!

1st Peter 5:7-8
Psalm 55:22
James 5:14–16
John 14:15
John 3:16
James 4:10

GodFirst!

 

Mistreating Jesus?

May 9, 2021 / / 0 Comments

Jesus is not our equal; He is God. Jesus’s love for us is not an issuance of permission slips to treat Him as an equal.

According to Scripture, Jesus is the Word…

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

John 1:1-5

Jesus is our Messiah, The Lord of Lords, King of Kings, and we should treat him with humble reverence. Jesus is Holy (John 25:26, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Revelation 19:16 )

When one uses terms like ”OMG,” JESUS CHRIST!” or derivatives of these terms, we are mistreating our savior; we are mistreating God, and doing so is not harmless; it’s disrespectful.

This is one thing the Bible says about it:

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.”

Exodus 20:7

Besides, one would think that anyone who knows God understands what God did for us, what Christ did for us, and would “seek” to make every effort to avoid using God’s name lightly.

Instead, we should want to show our love, appreciation, and respect with every word and action.

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12:30-31

God First!

God Provides the Growth

May 5, 2021 / / 0 Comments

This knockout rose bush was given to us several years ago by our neighbors . I put it on the back porch intending to plant it, then forgot about it for almost 2 years. At that point it looked like sticks in a bucket, I almost threw it away. Instead, I made the effort and planted it. God provided it incredible growth and turned what was seemingly dead into this beautiful thriving bush full of roses.

I’ve seen and experienced God’s word provide the same incredible increase in people. It’s an amazing sight to see when someone once consumed by their own desires puts on Christ and puts God first in their lives. God, then provides the growth and they blossom into beautiful and caring followers of Christ. 

Our God is an Awesome God!

God First!

Go - Take Action

“Go” is an action word

May 4, 2021 / / 0 Comments

“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!

Life Coach Recommendations

May 3, 2021 / / 0 Comments

I would like to recommend my “Life-Coach highly.”

We were introduced when I was very young. Unfortunately, I moved far away and lost touch with him for a very long time. In those years, my life was chock-full of unnecessary and often self-inflicted, avoidable hurt and struggles. I came to realize I missed my Life-Coach and how much He could and would’ve helped me with my choices and understandings in those difficult times. If only I had not chosen to move so far away from him. Eventually, I did reconnect, and He greeted me with open arms, excited to see me return. My life Coach has worked side-by-side with me ever since, helping me stay on track and avoid many potentially harmful choices. 

He now sits with me, listens to me, puts his arms around me, walks with me, and has taught me how to be joyful in challenging and good times. He provides me comfort that surpasses any understanding. 

I highly recommend my “Life Coach” his name: “Jesus.”

He’s not the kind of coach you pay for, in fact; He loves all people so much he gave his life through in a horrible death so that we could all choose to embrace him as our Life-Coach and follow His teachings forever. He came down from heaven and conquered death, was raised from the dead that we might all have hope for eternal life in heaven.

Jesus lives! He is the King of all Kings, God’s only son who was with God from the beginning. The arms of Christ are outstretched to any who will choose to “put on” Christ and follow him. We find how to “put on” Christ in the God-breathed words of scripture, The Bible, our “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.”

Jesus is the Ultimate Life Coach!

  • (John 1:1-5) from the beginning
  • (2nd Timothy 3:16) God-breathed
  • (Galatians 3:27) put on Christ
  • (Romans 6) united in Christ

God First!

IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE

May 1, 2021 / / 0 Comments

Give What?

  • Time
  • Money
  • Food
  • Compassion
  • Love
  • Service

 Give To who?

  • Spouses
  • Children 
  • Family
  • Christians
  • Widows
  • Orphans
  • Elderly 
  • Strangers
  • Those in need 

All commandments are summed up in love.

“Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

Romans 13:10 Esv

‭‭God First!

Worldly means vs The good life!

April 27, 2021 / / 0 Comments

“Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

This verse really stands out to me; why? Because I spent years with my priorities skewed. I spent years doing what I wanted, seeking more fun, money, adventure, and things. I attempted to find and express my worth to self and others through what scripture refers to as “worldly means.”

At this time in my life, I found wisdom in my own eyes. It was self Indulging manipulating wisdom.  As a result, I spent those years treating Our Creator as if He only mattered when nothing else did.

The big issue here is I knew better! I had an understanding of “The Good Life,” The one that is given to us by God through scripture, and I knew much of what I was doing went against God’s will for us. As a result, I lived those years apart from God, not truly realizing the negative impact I could have on others.

To look back and pine for those old times and start longing for that old lifestyle indicates my love for Christ is neither hot nor cold but rather lukewarm, and by not looking toward Jesus, the path I plow would become crooked. I would effectively be longing for a time when I was ”apart from God.”

How then would I be fit for the Kingdom of heaven?

Jesus Tells Us:

“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.“

Revelation 3:16-17

“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,”

HEBREWS 10:26
  • Proverbs 3:7 (wise in our eyes)
  • Isaiah 59:2 (separation)

God First!

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

April 23, 2021 / / 0 Comments

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

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