Advocate for Christ

The best life is a God First life

Category: God First (Page 1 of 19)

Work out your own salvation

No Exceptions Needed: Following Scripture to Heaven

August 7, 2026 / / 0 Comments

I am certainly glad that our eternal salvation does not depend on others. Each individual chooses to live their lives in faith and obedience to God or not; the choices of others do not change my outcome. I heard the following story many years ago: A lady stated: “I don’t attend church services because there are hypocrites there.” Her friend then responded: “I would rather attend services with hypocrites than spend eternity with them.

According to Scripture, we are each responsible for working out our own salvation; no one can work it out for us. Others may share Christ with us, but it’s up to us to study and discern from Scripture if what they shared is truly by God’s authority; in other words, found in Scripture according to God’s word, because if we don’t, are we not putting our faith in that person’s teaching rather than God’s own Words?

We are all individuals, collectively seeking eternal life in heaven, and we need to pick up the Cross to follow Jesus as stated in Scripture. If we do so according to God’s Word, we don’t need to seek or hope for exceptions to His Word not found in Scripture to gain eternal life. Nope, we can know by simply doing His will; heaven is our home. Following the ideas of others over what is actually found in Scripture is dangerous, no matter how widely accepted.

“On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:22-24

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” Philippians 2:12

Acts 17:11, Luke 9:23, Matthew 16:24, Romans 14:12, Galatians 6:5, 2 Timothy 2:15, James 1:22, John 14:15

God First!

TURN IT OVER TO GOD; LET JESUS CARRY YOUR BURDENS Matthew 11:28–30 Psalm 55:22

We Control Nothing — God Controls Everything

August 3, 2026 / / 0 Comments

Dear Christians, there are times when we feel overwhelmed with concern for others or ourselves, when nothing seems within our control. Have you remembered to pray? Are you drawing closer to God (James 4:8), pleading, begging, and relentlessly asking our Heavenly Father for help? We need to go to Him in Fervent Prayer, and most of all, be willing to “Turn It Over”

These are such simple words, but for some reason they seem to be so hard to do, at least until we realize we control nothing and God controls everything.

We must understand that when we are no longer in this world, God still answers prayers within it. Trust in God and let Jesus carry the burden. It’s foolish not to rely on the greatest power we have as Christians. God is the God of all comfort, so let Jesus carry your burdens and lift the weights from our shoulders; don’t try carrying them alone. This does not mean we stop doing our part; it does mean we should not worry but rather trust. Could it be a test? If so, let’s do well and show our trust. (1 Peter 1:6–7, 1 Thessalonians 2:4)

God tells us in James 5:16: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” This verse tells us how our prayers can be powerful and effective by pursuing righteousness!

  • The Persistent Widow – Luke 18:1–8
  • The Friend at Midnight – Luke 11:5–8
  • Ask, Seek, Knock – Matthew 7:7–8
  • The Canaanite Woman – Matthew 15:22–28
  • Blind Bartimaeus – Mark 10:47–48
  • Paul’s Persistent Pleading – 2 Corinthians 12:8
  • Jesus Himself in Gethsemane – Matthew 26:39, 42, 44
  • Jesus’ Intense Prayers – Hebrews 5:7
  • Matthew 11:28–30
  • Psalm 55:22
  • 2nd Corinthians 1:3     
  • Philippians 4:6–7
  • 1 Peter 5:7
  • Proverbs 3:5–6
  • Matthew 6:31–34                     

God First!

No Excuses before Our Eternal Judge The Greatest Opportunity - Eternal Life

No Excuses Before the Eternal Judge

August 1, 2026 / / 0 Comments

We will all stand before God, and when we do, is there any excuse we can give to justify our rejection of God’s Grace and His Son’s Sacrifice? Is there any acceptable reason we can offer our eternal Judge as to why we followed our own ideas and desires rather than His intent for us?

—NOT, from anything I’ve read.

I once thought I could claim ignorance; however, God knows our hearts and would know if my actions were willful or truly ignorant. He knows if I study or just accept what I’ve been told. How stupid to think I could claim ignorance at judgment?

Knowing our Hearts means God knows the real reason behind every decision we make. Nothing is hidden from God! We will be judged according to God’s Word, so shouldn’t we get to know God through His Word? (John 12:48)

Every moment in this world, we choose to follow God or evil; there is no in-between. God wants us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and others as Christ loved us. (Mark 12:30, John 13:34-35) Why? Because this is not only our pathway to eternal life, it’s also how we obtain peace in our hearts that surpasses understanding in this life. Yes, God has extended His Grace to all who will take up the cross and follow Jesus. This means keeping His commandments, not our ideas, but what does His word say. (John 14:15, 1 John 2:3-5)

This is the Greatest Opportunity ever offered to mankind—“Eternal Life in Heaven.” Forever in God’s presence.

What an honor!

It’s hard to understand why so many of us trample on rather than respond with gratitude to all of God’s Love by giving God all of ours, but at one time, I was guilty of this very response. 🙁

God Breathed Scripture tells us exactly how to accept God’s Grace, how to follow Jesus and keep His commandments; it gives us our pathway to heaven, but none of it happens by osmosis; we must hear God’s Word, Believe, Repent (turn away), from our sins, Confess Jesus as God’s Son, and be Baptized (immersed in water), for the purpose of having our sins forgiven as stated in Scripture. (I provide these Scriptures in the hope that you will not just take my word but rather study for yourselves. Open your Bible and read the scriptures God gave us).

References

  • John 14:1-31 (the way, keep commands)
  • Philippians 4:7 (peace)
  • Revelation 3:16–17 (lukewarm)
  • Hebrews 4:13; 1 Samuel 16:7; Jeremiah 17:10, Matthew 6:24; Revelation 3:15-16

Hear the Gospel: Romans 10:17, John 8:32

Belief/Faith: Hebrews 11:1, John 8:24, Romans 10:17, Acts 3:19

Repentance: 2 Cor. 7:9-10, Luke 13:3-5, Acts 17:30

Confess Christ as God’s Son: Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 10:32-33, Luke 12:8-9

Baptism by immersion for the forgiveness of sin: Matthew 16:15-16, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, John 3:5, Matt 28:18-20, Ephesians 4:5, Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12, Acts 8:36-39, Mark 1:9-10, John 3:23

God’s Word has the answers!

God First!

"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

Tears at the Sound of His Voice

July 30, 2026 / / 0 Comments

With all the media today, we get to hear many beautiful singing voices, some of which are stunningly peaceful. Sometimes I will scroll through social media reels listening to the singing talent, yet I doubt the best voices on earth could compare to hearing the voices of heaven, to hear the angels sing. There are a few verses commonly linked to angels singing or praising God in song-like ways: Job 38:7, Luke 2:13-14, Revelation 5:8-12

How about God? How would we imagine experiencing the perfect sound of God singing or joining us in song?

One time, long before Virginia’s Alzheimer’s, I remember her becoming emotional, and when I asked why, she told me this verse had brought the tears to her eyes as she had been meditating and envisioning what the sound of God singing over her would be like. I am not sure how she imagined it, but it certainly touched her emotions deeply on that day. Can you imagine?

In Zephaniah 3:14, God’s people are called to “Sing aloud… shout… be glad and rejoice.” Then in verse 17, God Himself joins in the rejoicing with His own singing. Can you imagine the sound of pure love? God is love! (1 John 4:8)

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

“Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away the judgments against you;
He has cleared away your enemies.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
you shall never again fear evil.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Fear not, O Zion;
let not your hands grow weak.
The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness;
He will quiet you by his love;
He will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:14-17)

Old Testament scripture never ceases to teach me.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17

God First!

What does depression look like?

The Smile That Hides the Battle

July 29, 2026 / / 0 Comments

It’s not always the person who looks depressed that needs a listening ear; it could very well be the one with the biggest smile. Scripture tells us to carry each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), to encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11), and to love one another as Jesus loved us (John 15:12)

If you’re dealing with a difficult struggle, you don’t need to carry it alone; in fact, let God’s word encourage you to share it with a trusted brother or sister in Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:11,14) It’s Obvious: Jesus wants His servants to be there for one another, while Evil wants to separate us from each other, to bring us down so that we might feel lonely and search for answers in worldly things, far away from focusing on Jesus.

Jesus is the answer. He wants us to be prepared to defend ourselves from the spiritual darts of Satan’s worldly “solutions” with the whole armor of God that we may fight the internal spiritual fight against our unseen enemy and win.

Let’s lean on our brothers and sisters in Christ to help us don, mend, or replace our armor. This is a spiritual battle – Lean on Jesus and let his servants help.

“… If God is with us, who can be against us!“

“humble ourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you,”

” And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

James 4:10, Romans 8:31, Ecclesiastes 4:12
  • Galatians 6:2 (Share burdens)
  • Matthew 11:28-30 (Jesus’ invitation)
  • 1st Thessalonians 5:11 (encourage/build-up)
  • John 15:12 (Command to love)
  • 1st Peter 5:8 (satan)
  • Ephesians 6:10-20 (armor of God)
  • 1 Peter 5:7 (Cast your anxieties)
  • 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (God’s Comfort that we may Comfort)
  • Hebrews 10:24-25 (Spur one another)

God First!

AS CHRIST LOVED THE CHURCH “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,” ~ Ephesians‬ ‭5:25‬‬‬‬‬

The Ultimate Man Card: Love Her Like Christ Loved the Church

July 28, 2026 / / 0 Comments

Gentlemen, the words on this card should be our goal: “As Christ loved the Church”

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,” ~ Ephesians‬ ‭5:25‬‬‬‬‬

“That he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” ~ Ephesians 5:26-33

Ephesians 5:21, Genesis 2:24, Colossians 3:19, 1 Peter 3:7

God First!

Advocate for Christ God First God First The best life is a God First life

Putting God First: My Life as an Advocate for Christ

July 26, 2026 / / 1 Comment

To friends who read my posts (whether on my personal FB timeline, the FB Advocate for Christ group, or this website): Some have assumed I am a pulpit minister; I am not, and I am not affiliated with any denomination. I am solely a Christian who wants to Advocate for Christ, one who loves the Lord and wants to share God’s love and Word with others. I worship and study with my brothers and sisters in Christ at the Buford Church of Christ congregation in Buford, Ga.

I use the words “God First” as my profile picture and to end many of my writings because I want to emphasize that God should be first in all our lives.

When God is at the helm, those who are “in Christ” have His promise of eternity in heaven. The God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) gives real peace and joy in both good times and hard times. I have personally experienced that comfort in some of the most difficult seasons of life, and that thankfulness drives me to share Christ so others can know the same blessings.

Many use sportswear to depict their favorite teams, schools, sports, etc.

Instead of sportswear, I use “Spiritwear” to depict my favorite team – the team of God. When I say God, I am referring to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the Godhead).

You’ll often see the words “God First” on clothing or accessories I wear, carry, and share; these simple words have sparked conversations and help easily identify me as someone who believes in God. I also suspect these clothes and accessories have curtailed language I’d prefer not to hear. I started using the term “God First” as my faith deepened, and I experienced that choosing to pursue God First in our lives added significant joy and peace, sparking my desire to help others to share in the Peace that surpasses understanding that God offers.

Eternity is a serious matter; loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength is the natural response when we truly understand how much God loves us. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15), and “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

 As Don Blackwell has said:
“The Lord’s Church is not a country club for saints; it’s a hospital for sinners.”

  • 2 Corinthians 1:3-9
  • Mark 12:28-34
  • 2 Timothy 2:15
  • 1 John 4:19
  • John 14:6
  • John 14:15
  • Matthew 28:19
  • 2 Corinthians 13:14
  • John 10:30

God First!

Our Lives But a pencil dot on the timeline of Eternity

Life’s Pencil Dot: Our Choice to Follow Christ into Eternity

July 25, 2026 / / 0 Comments
  • – God is real
  • – Jesus is real
  • – The Holy Spirit is real
  • – Heaven is real
  • – Our souls are real
  • – Eternity is real
  • – Satan is real
  • – Hell is real
  • – Your Soul’s place for eternity is real.

Our lives are but a pencil dot on the timeline of eternity, yet a pencil dot so essential that God gave His only Son so that each of us might have eternal life in heaven. Many things are unseen by our eyes, yet real. The evidence surrounds us; hundreds of fulfilled prophecies over centuries appeal to our logical minds as proof. God-breathed Scripture shares all God wants us to know. It is written with God’s inspiration through the Holy Spirit by many authors and is uncontradictory because it is all from God.

“yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” James 4:14

Psalm 39:4-5, Psalm 90:4-10, John 3:16

  • “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” John 3:36
  • “So those who received His word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” Acts 2:41
  • …the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:10
  • “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
  • “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:15
  • “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6.

God First!

THE TRUTH SHOULD NEVER BE OFFENSIVE Why would it be? It's the truth God's Word is 100% Truth

God’s Word Is 100% Truth — Feelings Don’t Get a Vote

July 24, 2026 / / 0 Comments

The truth should never be offensive. Why would it be? It’s the truth!

God’s Word is 100% Truth, and knowing this, we should all agree that the Bible is our ultimate authority. It’s the words God gave us; it’s the message of Christ, our salvation, our promise. It tells us what’s expected of us by our Creator.

If we agree that the Bible is our ultimate authority, then we have unity. Although feelings have their place, God’s truth is not subject to our feelings but rather to the words of God. So, if we want to keep the precepts, examples, and commands of God, we go to God’s Word to find Biblical Authority for our actions.

Truth

  • Galatians 4:16 – “Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?”
  • John 8:32 – “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
  • John 17:17 – “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”
  • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
  • Psalm 119:160 – “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”
  • Matthew 24:35 – “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

Feelings

  • Jeremiah 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”
  • Proverbs 28:26 – “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.”
  • 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Unity

  • Ephesians 4:3-5 – “…eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”
  • 1 Corinthians 1:10 – “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”

God First!

SELFISH DESIRE BIRTHS EVERY SIN From Adam and Eve to you - God First!

Desire Conceived: The Selfish Root of Every Sin

July 23, 2026 / / 0 Comments

Is there a single sin that cannot be traced back to selfish desires (Lust)?

I can’t think of one; can you? Selfishness seems to be at the root of every sin from Adam and Eve forward.

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”   (1 John 2:15-17, emphasis added)

Giving Birth to Sin

 “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (James 1:13-15, emphasis added)

  • Genesis 3:6
  • Mark 7:21-23
  • Romans 1:24-25
  • Galatians 5:16-17, 19

God First!

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