The best life is a God First life

Category: God’s Word (Page 1 of 2)

The Ultimate Man Card: Love Her Like 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!

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

  • 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.

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!

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

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!

Rather than break a habit, Change it!

It’s almost impossible to break a bad habit. However, it’s very possible to replace it! For example, when I was young, my dad suggested replacing any profanity that surfaced in my mind with his made-up word: Snackelfrackle.“

Admittedly, this has gotten some strange looks from people, some questions, and a few laughs, all of which are better than any profanity or using the Lord’s name in vain. However, it also sends the soft message that I don’t use that type of language.

In today’s world, a large percentage of people use, condone, and even defend their use of profane language and taking the Lord’s name in vain. However, so far, most are respectful of my stance when they realize that I do not appreciate its usage, and I very much appreciate their efforts to control their language at least when around me or children.

I personally don’t understand the need to use vulgar or profane language, and I know what God’s Word says about it. So, whether it’s one word that has become a bad habit or a slew of them, I know “if a person wants to,” they can replace these habits with good ones.

“But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator” (Colossians 3:8-10)

Ephesians 5:4
Matthew 12:36-37
James 1:26
Exodus 20:7
Romans 12:2
Romans 12:21

God First!

Be closed-minded to Mankind, not God

Are we willing to unlearn to learn more? Sometimes, this is precisely what we need to do because sometimes, we derive conclusions without realizing we don’t have all the facts. Those very conclusions can keep us from accepting and recognizing that there is more to consider. We may think of ourselves as open-minded, but are we really?

When it comes to God’s Word, we owe it to ourselves and those we influence to always seek the truth in our studies and be willing to unlearn and let go when we find evidence in scripture (not our feelings) that shows us there’s more.

Are we able to embrace and replace incomplete thinking at the expense of admitting we were wrong? We need to be.

Is it not crucial that we stand firm on the evidence of scripture, not be swayed by our own wisdom or the ideas of others, but instead rely on God’s Word as our standard for discernment? (Philip 1:9-11, Matt 10:22) God and” God’s Word” are unchanging. The destiny of souls is at stake, not to mention the power of our influence, which can lead others to truth or misinformed, dangerous ideas.

  • Romans 16:17-20
  • Isaiah 40:8
  • 2 Timothy 2:15
  • James 1
  • Psalms 119:89
  • Malachi 3:15
  • Genesis 13:15
  • Hebrews 12:7-8

God First!

SEE TO IT

Colossians 2:8 seems to stress we have a personal responsibility to study and know God’s Word so that we are not swayed.

It reads… “SEE TO IT that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8 ESV (Emphasis added)

In short, IT’S ON US! The only way to “SEE TO IT” is to read and study so we can know the words and intent of our Creator for ourselves, God’s Holy Word.

God gave us what He wanted us to know and follow in writing for a reason, didn’t He?

  • 2 Timothy 2:15
  • Philippians 2:12-30
  • Hebrews 5:14

God First!

Life can be tough; it’s why we need Christ as our foundation.

Sometimes life can be very tough, yet in Christ we will find ways to trudge forward. In Christ, we learn to lean on Christ by leaning on God’s Holy Word; to do so, we study and pray to know God’s Word, to know God.

In Christ, we pray with thanksgiving and hope, knowing God will provide. We cling to unwavering faith, knowing that tough times, like storms, eventually fade into sunshine and calm skies.

During seemingly long storms, our roots may be strained, but if we cling to the foundation of Christ, as the storm lifts, our roots will heal, and we will become stronger than ever. Our faith and foundation deepened, adding to our wisdom. Eventually, Good times will bless us again, and what we’ve gained will help us bless others, so that when we look back on our lives, we will find beauty growing along our paths and count it all Joy.

Remember, with God, all things are possible, and the storms will lift.

  • James 1:2-4
  • Matthew 7:24-25
  • Psalm 1:1-3
  • Jeremiah 17:7-8
  • Philippians 4:6
  • 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

God First!

GOD -FOR EMERGENCY USE ONLY?

As a young adult, I remember thinking and touting that no matter what my plight, I can make the best of any situation. Now, as an aged Adult, my thoughts and words have been severely tested. What I should have been thinking and saying is that with Christ, no matter what my plight, we can make the best of any situation.  Virginia and I lived many of our early years together, treating God as if He were in a drawer labeled ” FOR EMERGENCY USE ONLY.”  Looking back, I now recognize many lifelong repercussions from those years. Without Christ and His Church at the forefront and center of our lives, we were broken wrecks, unintentionally causing trickle-down harm through our choices by our examples.

Like us in these early days, many who are not baptized into Christ, who do not put God First in their lives, and who are not an active part of the Church Christ established, may not understand what I am saying here, but I can tell you our lives and relationship became significantly better after we chose to include and live for Christ daily.

Only through understanding, belief, and doing God’s will according to His will, in other words, through our faith in Christ, did we have the strength and comfort needed to endure some of the most difficult times—unexpected losses, financial struggles, and, currently, my wife’s Alzheimer’s. Without Jesus, we are broken; with Jesus, we are whole.

In the 1996 movie Jerry Maguire, a now-famous line is: “You complete me!”

This is what Jesus really does for those who pick up the cross and follow Him. Jesus completes us!

The Apostle Paul had it right…

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11)

We Can Do All Things Through Him who strengthens us.

Matthew 16:24-26, Luke 9:23-26, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, Philippians 4:7, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 2:38-41, James 1:2-4

God First!

Carried by the Angels

During COVID, I saw several posts and news stories of people separated from loved ones in care facilities because of quarantines; they were not allowed to be with loved ones during their final moments on earth. This saddened me, and I empathized with the pain in their hearts, knowing they wanted to be with their loved ones. So, I leave you this thought, which helped me when we lost my father.

Our family was not physically with Dad when his soul departed his failing mind and body for Paradise. Although we were not with him physically the morning of his passing, I’m confident Dad was not alone.

I believe that, just as in Jesus’s illustration of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16, the angels of God were with Dad and carried him to paradise. How awesome will that be?

I believe this because Dad was a Christian, a man who lived as a true disciple of Christ, diligently following Jesus and striving to keep His commandments in accordance with scripture. I also expect we will see each other again in new heavenly bodies as we spend eternity with our Lord and Savior.

God is good; God is Love!

  • Luke 16:19-31 (Rich Man and Lazarus)
  • Philippians 3:20-21, 1 John 3:2, 1 Corinthians 15:44-49 (new body)
  • 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
  • Revelation 21:1-27

God First!

Pray and do – Draw closer to God

  • Rather than worry, draw closer to God (Philippians 4:6-7)
  • Rather than whine, pray (James 4:8)
  • Rather than following your desires, follow God’s for you (Titus 2:11-14)
  • God is waiting for you to follow His Word as He intended. (John 6:40)

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16

“Then Jesus told His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24 ESV

  • Romans 10:17 – The Word of Christ
  • John 8:32 – know the Truth
  • Hebrews 11:6– He rewards those who seek Him
  • John 20:30-31 – Written that we may believe
  • Luke 13:3 – we must repent
  • Acts 17:30 – Ignorance is no excuse
  • Romans 10:10 – believe in the heart and confess
  • Matthew 10:32 – Tit for tat
  • Galatians 3:27 – Baptism is to put on Christ
  • Mark 16:16 – Believe and be baptized equals being saved.
  • Acts 2:38 – For the forgiveness of your sins
  • Revelation 2:10 – The Crown of Life
  • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is God’s word, Not Some of it!

God First!

« Older posts

© 2026 Advocate for Christ

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑