The best life is a God First life

Category: Jesus (Page 1 of 8)

Making the right choices IS NOT Rocket Science!

We make it seem like rocket science to justify our decisions. We find ways to complicate the simple. Maybe it’s to give ourselves an excuse when repercussions occur, or perhaps we are using the wrong standards. God’s Word is fixed, it’s unchanging Truth. If God’s Word is our standard, rather than what is culturally or worldly accepted, the following is a simple question:

Is there more reason not to do it than to do it? The answers are straightforward!

Controlling our emotions can be difficult; resisting fleeting feelings and momentary selfish desires may seem unsatisfying. However, the more we train ourselves to seek righteousness by God’s standard, the less tempting those situations become and the more control we have. God’s Word is the ultimate standard for living, and we never need to regret making the right decision, as when we choose God’s ways over worldly ways or momentary desires.

  • 1 John 2:24-25
  • 2 Timothy 2:15
  • Romans 12:2
  • 1 John 2:15-17
  • James 4:4
  • Titus 2:11-12
  • Galatians 5:22-23
  • 2 Timothy 1:7
  • 2 Timothy 2:22
  • James 1:25

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!

Prayer and the hearts of children

The heart of a child is so pure, and hearing them pray is such a great blessing, as those little but enormous hearts shine with their words of love. Every parent who believes in Jesus should take time each day to teach, listen, and encourage their children to pray.

It’s a true gift to experience the thoughts and words of the pure heart as our children pray for people, topics, and concerns that come to those little minds. While they repeat what you taught about approaching God in Jesus’ name, encourage them to add their own thoughts rather than a cut-and-paste memorized prayer, and you will find these moments are both precious and informative. Just listen, learn, and absorb as they share their hearts with our Heavenly Father. Listening to them pray can easily become some of the best memories you ever experience as you share the love of Jesus with them; it is downright inspirational.

We can learn so much from the hearts of children. Make and prioritize this time, and you’ll never regret it!

  • Matthew 19:14
  • Matthew 18:3
  • Mark 10:15
  • Luke 18:17
  • Matthew 18:4

God First!

In Christ, we have access to the power of God

In Christ, we have access to the power of God

God: Unseen by the human eye, yet His power and love are evident in all of creation. Through Jesus, we are encouraged to tap into God’s power. Scripture tells us that if we draw closer to God, He draws closer to us, that we should work toward righteousness and demonstrate our love by keeping the commandments of Jesus. Although we live in the world, we should not be of the world, so far as it depends on us, we are to live peaceably with all.

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

IN Christ, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who intercedes with our prayers.
IN Christ and through Christ, we can petition God in faithful, fervent prayer.
IN Christ, we have God’s ear; we can turn those” out of our control” burdens over to Him and trust in Him.
IN Christ, the God of all comfort, helps us in times of suffering.
IN Christ, we can have peace that surpasses understanding.

Scripture tells us how to be” IN Christ,”

for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” (Galatians 3:26-29)

They were cut to the heart, and they asked, what do we do? (Acts 2:38-41)

  • Grace: – Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:24, Titus 2:11, Acts 15:11
  • Hear: – 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, Lu ke 13:3-5, Acts 17:30
  • Confess: – Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 10:32-33, Luke 12:8-9
  • Baptism by immersion for 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
  • Live peaceably – (Romans 12:18)

Other Referenced Scripture: Romans 8:26, James 5:16, James 4:8, John 14:15, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, John 17:14-23, Genesis 1:1, Acts 17:24

Study, Verify, and believe God’s Word!

God First!

Judgment Day

Hope Ends – Faith Ends – Belief Ends – All False teachings End

Our Eternal Reality Begins

Are you ready?

On Judgment Day, in a twinkling of an eye, all our Hope, faith, and belief disappear as we face the reality of the choices we face today.

Every Truth we shared that brought someone to Christ or every false teaching we adopted, repeated, or promoted leading us and others away from Christ will become part of our fate, part of our judgment. It is so important that we don’t accept others’ words but rather question and study God’s word. God gave us Truth, Example, Inferences, and References to follow in His Word. If we find a contradiction, it shows our understanding is wrong – seek the truth in God’s word, believing false teaching has serious consequences.

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 ESV

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” 2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV

  • John 5:39
  • 1 Corinthians 15:52
  • 2 Corinthians 6:2
  • Acts 17:11
  • 2 Timothy 2:15
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:21
  • 1 John 4:1
  • Hebrews 5:14
  • 2 Timothy 3:16-17
  • 2 Peter 2:1-3
  • Galatians 1:8-9
  • Matthew 7:15-20
  • Jude 1:3-4
  • James 3:1
  • Matthew 18:6
  • Matthew 5:19
  • Revelation 20:12-13
  • Romans 2:6
  • Ecclesiastes 12:14
  • 1 Corinthians 3:11-15
  • 1 Corinthians 13:12
  • Hebrews 4:12-13

God First!

If our children see God as part-time in our lives, how will he become full-time in theirs?

According to God’s Word and stated by the Son of God, Jesus is the only way to eternal life: ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ – John 14:6

Many parents claim to believe in Jesus; they want their children to know Jesus, but their actions lack priority and commitment, making their words empty.

Our examples are so very important to our children, much more important than stating words. If we say, “Don’t smoke.” Don’t cuss, don’t cheat, don’t steal, don’t do drugs, don’t get drunk, don’t lie, etc., etc., etc., while puffing a cigarette and doing the very things we state are wrong, we contradict ourselves, making our words meaningless.

If we say we believe but don’t take time each week to come together with our fellow believers to sing praises, pray, worship, and remember the sacrifice of Jesus in communion and be involved, what priority are we presenting to our children? If we dismiss portions of Scripture as inconvenient, what example are we giving, and what are we saying to Jesus?

Jesus gave perfect examples in His life; they matched His words in every way. He told us, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” The apostles likewise set an example that matched their words, prioritizing worship, the breaking of bread weekly, and the sharing of God’s Word.

If our children see God as part-time in our lives, how will he become full-time in theirs?

  • Hebrews 10:24-25
  • Acts 2:42
  • 1 Corinthians 11:17-25
  • Colossians 3:16
  • John 14:15
  • Matthew 6:33
  • James 2:19
  • 1 Peter 2:21
  • Ephesians 5:1-2
  • 1 Corinthians 11:1
  • Philippians 2:5
  • John 13:15
  • Galatians 2:20
  • Acts 20:7 (The first day of the week comes every week)

God First!

IF – sets important conditions

This Verse in Colossians speaks of Jesus

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the Church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in His body of flesh by His death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him,

indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.”

(Colossians 1:15-23 ESV)

In thick or thin, Triumph or failure, on top of the mountains or in the depths of valleys, stay true to God, lean on Jesus, and He will carry you through.

  • James 1:12
  • James 1:2-4
  • Philippians 4:13
  • Isaiah 41:10
  • Psalm 23:4
  • Proverbs 3:5-6
  • Matthew 11:28-30
  • Deuteronomy 31:6

God First!

Knowing or hoping you are saved

Jesus walked this earth and walked the walk of doing God’s will.

  • Jesus: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” (in Matt. 26:39)
  • Jesus: “My Father, if this cup cannot pass away unless I drink from it, Your will be done.” (in Matt. 26:42)

In agony, Jesus prayed so fervently that His sweat became like blood, yet doing His Father’s will was more important to Jesus than his own wants. Jesus was determined to do God’s will above His own. (see Luke 22:39-46)

In these passages, we get to see into the heart of God. We get a glimpse of love beyond our imagination. We get to see Jesus’s incredible love for us and for God (His Father). Jesus, while on earth, demonstrated the love for God and mankind that we should all strive to mimic. To acquire the love of Jesus, we must fervently strive to do everything according to God’s will, not ours. We must seek never to add to or take away from God-Breathed Scripture. In (John 1:1-14) we find Jesus was with God from the beginning, from the creation… “all things were made through Him.”  Jesus’s life on earth, His death, and resurrection gives us every reason to believe, every reason to have hope, and every reason to follow Jesus in obedient faith. Doing God’s will according to God’s will is the difference between knowing you are saved and hoping you are saved.

Yep, it’s serious! We don’t want to be part of the many mentioned in Matthew 7:22 because we did things our way and decided it would be ok with God, that’s not what Jesus did:

” Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness. “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:22-24

  • 1 John 5:13
  • John 14:15
  • Romans 1:5
  • Hebrews 11:8
  • Luke 6:46

God First!

Overcoming Darkness

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!

Would $$$ Change our Motivation to share Christ?

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!

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