The best life is a God First life

Category: Love (Page 10 of 10)

If you love me, you will keep my commandments ~ Jesus

Our Hearts

So many of us try to protect our hearts by hiding them and shielding them behind tough exteriors. Yet, when we actually take the risk by extending our hearts and sharing them with others, we really make a difference, not just in the lives of others but in our own lives.

The risk is worth the effort.

God’s Word tells us to Love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Love our neighbor as ourselves and not hide the light of our hearts under a bushel; let it shine!

I am very grateful to those who take the risks. Your compassionate and giving attitude of love lights up the lives of others and makes the world a better place. You are a needed encouragement.

Thank you!

  • Mark 12:30–31
  • Mark 4:21-25

God First!

God draws closer as we draw closer

If you want to become close to someone, do you reach out by ignoring them?

Many people say they believe in Jesus. Some will shout it from the rooftops, yet few take time to get to know Him.

I’m not talking about feelings like when you listen to music and become emotional. No, I’m talking about getting to know Jesus through His Father, His life, His words, His example, and His message.

It’s when we study God’s Holy Word that we truly get to know and understand Jesus. Because when we study, we draw closer to God, closer to our creator.

The creator of the world and everything in it. In John 1:1-2 we find: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, He was in the beginning with God.”

What an opportunity we have!

We cheat ourselves immensely when we don’t spend time in God’s Word, when we don’t spend time getting to know our Heavenly Father or make an effort to draw closer to God so that God will draw closer to us.

If we are in God’s Word daily, it’s only natural that God will be part of our daily conversations. Is He?

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you…” James 4:8

  • John 1:1-17
  • 2 Timothy 2:15

God First!

Choosing Change

In biblical studies, I’ve noticed many names have unique meanings that identify personality traits and paths of individuals. Some were even given new names that identified new paths.

I’ve always been a little disappointed when I read (as a child) that the meaning of my name, “Wayne,” meant: “Old Covered Wagon.”

I’ve joked about this ever since.

In the last 12 years or so, this “old covered wagon” and his wife embarked on a new journey in life as we began trying to grow closer to God by pursuing a fuller understanding of God’s will, the message of Christ, and how to be disciples of Christ. So far, our journey has been exciting, challenging, and sobering; I repented and returned to the Church, and my wife was later baptized for the forgiveness of her sins and was added to the Church. (Acts 2:38-41) These changes have made the last few years much more meaningful than those before.

Following Christ introduced us to a new level of peace, contentment, and joy, even amidst growing health concerns. In fact, I can’t imagine facing any of the hardships we’ve had to face without our faith and trust in Jesus.

With a mutual love of God, open minds, open hearts, and a desire to do God’s Will, according to God, we all have what we need to build and strengthen our understanding of God’s will, our roles as disciples of Christ, and build friendships in Christ.

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God First!

Does God love some more than others?

As I contemplated this question, I believe God loves the “response” of some more than others.

As with parents and children, one child might do as directed most of the time, while the other doesn’t. Parents do not love the obedient child more than the other; however, they do love the obedient child’s response more than the disobedient response. The obedient response shows a desire to please the parents by doing as told. (love)

In Scripture, we learn Jesus died for everyone in the world and that God shows no partiality. Scripture also tells us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and Jesus said if we love Him, we will keep His commandments.

David was considered a man after God’s Own Heart; why? God tells us: “He will do my will.” Saul, on the other hand, lost his kingdom for doing “his own” will, not God’s.

King David made many huge mistakes and was far from perfect, yet he constantly turned to and relied on God; David pursued righteousness. (doing God’s will mattered to David)

We all have the same choice!

Follow God’s will to the best of our ability by studying and following the commands and examples of Scripture or following our feelings, our ideas, or those of others.

When we follow God according to His will, we spend our lives pursuing righteousness. In James chapter 5, we find the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. To have our prayers accomplish much, pursuing righteousness should be our goal so that our hearts may be where King David’s was in devotion to God.

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

“So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation, anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.” Act 10:34-35

“And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom He testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after My heart, who will do all My will.Acts 13:22 ESV

“But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought out a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be prince over His people because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.” Samuel 13:14

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” James 5:16 NASB

God First!

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