The best life is a God First life

Tag: God First (Page 1 of 15)

The Best Thing We Can Pray for Anyone’s Well-Being

Do you pray for the well-being of others?

As I was praying I asked myself this question: What is the best thing we can ask of God for anybody’s well-being? There are many possible answers: One might think of health, happiness, peace, Joy or maybe something more specific that we know they need or want. But, what is the best thing we can ask of God for anybody’s well-being?

That they hear and follow the message of Christ!

Following Christ according to His commandments keeps us on a pathway towards eternal life with Christ, According to God’s word, to be “in Christ, ” we must hear the message of Christ, believe, repent, confess Jesus as the risen Son of God, and be baptized “into” Christ in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of our sins.

We need to realize that when we come out of that watery grave, we are doing God’s will and have ratified God’s Grace through Jesus. At this point, we are forgiven! We are free from our past sins, beginning a new life as a new creature, and ready to move forward as disciples of Christ, enjoying all the blessings that come with our obedient faith, like the knowledge that we now have never-ending life available to us in heaven, a spiritual world not made with human hands, where there is no more pain, tears, or death. That if we have put on Christ, we have God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit within us, helping us focus on righteousness and walk this world without being of this world. If we are IN Christ, we can take comfort in knowing the blood of Christ continues to wash us, even when we make mistakes.

So, what is the best thing for anybody’s well-being? – The message of Christ!

1 John 5:3; Romans 10:17; 2 Corinthians 5:17-18; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 2:37-47; Acts 16:30-33; Acts 8:30-38; Romans 6:23; Romans 5:15-18; Ephesians 2:1-10; Luke 17:10; James 2:17-18; 1 Peter 1:17-25; 1 John 1:7; Mark 16:16; Galatians 3:26-27; 1 Peter 3:21; Hebrews 5:9; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; John 3:5; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 1:5; Romans 16:26.

God First!

How We Become Friends of Jesus

God First!

Dear Youth: Guard Your Mind and Cling to Innocence

Dear youth, always strive to maintain the purity of your mind, refuse temptations, and cling to the innocence of your childhood. In years to come, you will be happy you did.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see GodMatthew 5:8

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

Youth, Regrets are “Unnecessary burdens on our lives” and very avoidable when we train ourselves to make the right choices. Remember, not everything that is ‘lawful’ is helpful or builds others up—so let us seek the good in others and be examples of righteousness for others.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8

” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:23

  • Psalm 119:9
  • Proverbs 4:23
  • 2 Timothy 2:22
  • 1 Corinthians 10:13
  • James 4:7
  • Galatians 5:16
  • Matthew 18:3
  • 1 Corinthians 14:20
  • Mark 10:15
  • Luke 18:17
  • Romans 12:2
  • Proverbs 3:5–6

God First!

We Control Nothing — God Controls Everything

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
  • JesusIntense 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!

If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments—Not Your Improvements

When we worship according to God’s word, we don’t offer strange fire. In other words, we don’t try to improve on the Lord’s commands, no matter how well-intended and innocent we believe our hearts and minds to be. Doing God’s will is what pleases God! Scripture is riddled with examples of this point. Jesus says, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” Jesus does NOT SAY If you love Me, you will show Me how you can improve on My commandments.

If we are truly honest with ourselves, we should realize that attempting to glorify God in any way other than what God laid out before us by command, approved example, and necessary inference in New Testament scripture is really an attempt to glorify ourselves—no matter how unwittingly.

Does anyone really believe their ideas are better than God’s?

To me, attempting to conform scripture to today’s culture is foolish and backward thinking. It’s dangerous thinking that puts souls at risk. We should instead be working to spread God’s Word according to God’s Word, in an effort to help our culture understand and want to conform to the will of God.

STRANGE FIRE (unauthorized)“Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Among those who are near Me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.'” And Aaron held his peace.” Leviticus 10:1-3 ESV

  • Deuteronomy 4:2 – “You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.”
  • Deuteronomy 12:32“Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.”
  • Proverbs 30:5-6“Every word of God proves true… Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.”
  • Matthew 15:8-9“This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”
  • Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (i.e., by His authority).
  • 1 Corinthians 4:6“…that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written…”
  • Revelation 22:18-19 – The solemn warning against adding to or taking away from the words of the prophecy.

God First!

No Excuses Before the Eternal Judge

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!

Fear Not: Be Prepared Instead – COVID-19


“I’ve been enjoying life for almost 62 years, and while this may seem long to a 20-year-old, It’s very short in my mind. From time to time, I’ve seen and experienced many different Illnesses. I’ve either suffered or seen others suffer from diseases like flu, pneumonia, colds, diabetes, mono, dementia, mobility loss, hearing, eye issues, etc. I’ve lost loved ones to accidents, cancer, heart failure, and liver problems. I’ve experienced a friend being murdered and know others who have lost loved ones to crime. Life is difficult at times.

Today we have the threat of Covid19, a manufactured virus that brings death and extreme anxiety as we fear the horrible pain, suffering, and loss it causes. COVID’s existence spurs division among family, friends, and countries. Many feel the need to isolate themselves and fear being around others. Hugs and closeness fade from reality into memories as fears of catching or spreading COVID reign and are adopted as the new norm.

Today, a scratchy throat, the slightest sniffle, sneeze, cough, or faintest fever instills worry and fear.

So, what do we do?

We take precautions, use hand sanitizers, wash hands, pay attention to distancing, some wear masks, and some fight over mask effectiveness. I think most who refuse mask mandates object most to the idea of governments’ abuse of power. (I’m not debating this here, just pointing it out)

All this said: I personally refuse to let fear control my life! Instead, I trust in God!

My Trust in God does not mean I will not die of this virus someday. It does not mean I will not lose loved ones to it.

One ICU nurse stated: “It takes who it takes.” Since this is true of every ailment, it adds perspective.

I contracted COVID a few months ago, and it hit me hard. In 2019, I found myself close to death with blood clots in my lungs, and I’ve had other close calls with accidents. The fact is, we are going to die of something someday, and none of us know when.

So, what actions should we be taking? And what do I mean by “Trust in God”?

Some dare blame God for this evil virus, but no evil comes from God; evil is Satan’s territory. Some blame God for the death of loved ones. However, death is certain, and as stated earlier, “none of us know when,” so rather than blame, why not prepare? How? By learning, sharing, and teaching others about Jesus. Jesus is the pathway to an eternal life where death, sickness, and pain have no existence. None!

This life is not the end; it’s the beginning!

When we are “In Christ,” We take advantage of the grace God has extended; our sins have been forgiven, and our forever home is with God. If we are in Christ and pursue a Christ-like life, we can live without fear of death. So why worry? In Christ, we can count it all joy; in James 5:16, God points out that the prayers of the righteous avail much, so let us live fully, using our time to pursue righteousness and have our prayers well heard. There is great comfort in the confidence that our loved ones went on to paradise from this earth.

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

Always be prepared

  • Matthew 24:36-51 (No one knows the Day or Hour)
  • 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (Fight the good fight)
  • 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 (God of all Comfort)
  • Philippians 4:4-7 (The Peace of God)

In Christ

  • Grace: – Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:24, Titus 2:11, Acts 15:11
  • 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: – 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

God First!

Tears at the Sound of His Voice

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!

The Smile That Hides the Battle

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!

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!

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