“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” James 4:17
Category: God First (Page 4 of 18)
In 2013, someone I was trying to study with mentioned Ecclesiastes 7 and how they could not grasp how going to a funeral is better than going to a party, or that the day of death is better than the day of birth. At the time, I was unfamiliar with these verses, so I went home, researched, studied, and wrote a short synopsis, which we later reviewed together.
This effort was one of the best exercises I could’ve done. Why? Because this study helped us both understand the verses in chapter 7 more fully, and studying draws us closer to God.
Since this experience, I’ve studied Ecclesiastes several times and have found it to be full of good food for thought. Most scholars attribute the book of Ecclesiastes to Solomon’s wisdom. As noted in my synopsis, in these verses, Solomon seems focused on what is good for the soul.
“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.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 ESV
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8 ESV
God First!
Sometimes, when we try to do good and help others, people will take advantage of our kindness and abuse our love. As a result, we can become disappointed and discouraged; we can feel knocked down and ridiculed, and start questioning our efforts. Don’t. When this happens, shake the dust from your feet and move forward. Many appreciate and need your efforts. The best “Good” we can do is to represent and share Christ’s message through our words, example, and efforts, so that others may see Christ in us and want to know how they can obtain the peace and confidence of eternal salvation we have found through following Christ and keeping His commandments.
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” (Galatians 6:9-10)
- Colossians 1:27
- Hebrews 11:1
- James 5:20
- Matthew 10:14
- Matthew 5:16
- 1 Timothy 4:12
- 1 Corinthians 11:1
God First!
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, and our only pathway to eternal life with our creator; the Bible is our connection to God’s will for us, our strength for endurance, and our means for sharing the message of Christ with everyone.
The study of God’s Word is our preparation, sharing God’s Word is our exercise, and 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, let us take up the shield of faith. (Ephesians 6:16)
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. 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. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 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, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. “Put on the whole armor of God”
Ephesians 6:10-20
If God is with us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
1 Peter 3:15
God First!
One thing is certain: when you’re on the right side, you are simply on the Right side. No matter how long it takes, no matter how many lies are told, truth eventually shines through. Let the light in your heart shine, and it will overcome darkness.
“Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” John 14:5-7
- John 1:5
- John 8:12
- Psalm 18:28
God First!
“Without expectation of reciprocation,” for me, this is the best attitude we can have toward helping others; it’s also my definition of agape love. If we see an opportunity and jump into action and help, we should expect nothing, not even a thank you. Being able to help is reward enough.
Personally, I have found that NOT expecting any reciprocation helps me avoid the pitfalls of disappointment or frustration that Satan may stir in our minds in his efforts to encourage bitterness should I think someone owes me but is ghosting me.
Should my mind start down such a path, when I want help, and it’s not available, I remind myself, “I asked for nothing and am owed nothing,” which helps stop those thoughts from propagating. Instead, I trust God will provide if I truly need help and let those thoughts go, dismissing Satan’s attempts to inflame my mind in his efforts to jeopardize my soul..
Freely giving of myself or my means helps guard my heart against harboring any animosity if someone can’t or won’t reciprocate in kind. One thing is for sure: I have never regretted time spent helping others. It’s always a win for me; A blessing from God.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10 ESV
- Proverbs 4:23-27
- Hebrews 13:6
- Matthew 6:4
- Proverbs 28:27
- Ephesians 4:1-16
God First!
A question for thought: If someone were to offer you $100 for every individual who came to a worship service based on your invitation (with no limit), how many people would you invite? 1, 10, 100, more?
If your answer is more than you would invite with NO monetary incentive, then the real question to ponder is: Why would we not be this zealous for the Lord without immediate personal gain?
May the seeds of Truth that lead to eternal life in Heaven be planted and watered; God will provide the growth.
- Matthew 28:19–20
- Matthew 19:21
- 1st Corinthians 3:6-7
- Mark 16:15
To God be the glory!
God First!
God’s Standards are fixed. By what standard do we define good and evil, right and wrong? We live in a society where the majority of people adopt whatever standard is proclaimed at the moment. It’s a variable floating standard with no foundation, a foundation of sand that is ever shifting.
God’s standards are God-breathed, absolute, and unchanging. His Word tells us how we obtain eternal life in Heaven with our creator, the creator of everything we know and understand. His Word gives us the pathway to eternity with the Father, the Son, & The Holy Spirit by following Jesus and keeping His commandments.
“And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:7-12
Righteous understanding and discernment are found in God’s Word—the only true and absolute standard. IT’S GOD’S STANDARD
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- Isaiah 40:8
- Hebrews 13:8
- Psalm 119:160
- Judges 21:25
- Malachi 3:6
God First!
Though this knockout rose bush is gone now, it has a story. It was given to us several years ago by our neighbors. I set it on the back porch, intending to plant it, then forgot about it for almost two 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 with incredible growth, turning what was seemingly dead into a beautiful, thriving bush full of roses that we enjoyed for several years.
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 growth, and they blossom into beautiful, caring followers of Christ.
Our God is an Awesome God!
- Psalm 92:12-14
- Isaiah 55:10-11
- Ephesians 2:4-5
- 1 Corinthians 3:6-7
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
God First!
In Acts 20:35, Luke records the words of Paul to the Ephesian Elders, where he instructed them to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said,
“IT’S MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE”
Give What?
In part: • Time • Money • Food • Compassion • Love • Service
Give to whom?
• 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
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” Galatians 6:9
God First!
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