The best life is a God First life

Tag: God First (Page 1 of 10)

Let us not be cowards

Let us always thirst and seek to drink from the water of life, conquering temptation, speaking boldly yet lovingly, sharing and standing for Christ, and never being cowards, that our heritage is with God as our Father. May we always seek to show Jesus that we love Him by keeping his commandments.

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.John 14:15 ESV

“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of His heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this He said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7:37-39 (ESV)

“And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:6-8 ESV

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mindDo not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For

“Whoever desires to love life
    and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
    and his lips from speaking deceit;
11 let him turn away from evil and do good;
    let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
    and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.1 Peter 3:8-22

  • Acts 4:29
  • Acts 13:26
  • Proverbs 28:1
  • Matthew 10:28

God First!

Love of Sports, Love of God

A lot of people get very excited about sports. It’s a topic of numerous conversations. Seldom am I with a group of men where sports is not immediately part of the conversation or dominates it.

Many parents rightfully recognize the benefits of raising their children to embrace the positive principles of sports and starting them in sports at a very early age. Lifelong friendships form as parents help each other with rides and mutually encourage their children and one another. As a result, Money, Time, and Schedules are eagerly managed so that parents can support events, practice meets, or games by attending, and the value of teamwork is fortified.

Families unite over sports talk, laughs, and jokes, discuss sports greats, sportsmanship, and teamwork, and often spend countless hours watching professional sports together. These bonding moments are excellent training and help build solid friendships and good character in our young adults, helping them navigate life.

Isn’t this precisely how we should prioritize, teach, and share Christ in our lives?

Shouldn’t our conversations and social media presence include glorifying and sharing the blessings of Christ, and showing concern for others?

If we showed our love for God the way we show our love for sports, how would our lives change?

What would it look like if our interest in God took priority over our interest in sports?

  • Would we start our children attending bible classes early in life?
  • Would we prioritize our schedules to ensure committed involvement in Church activities?
  • Would we prioritize teaching our children the love of Christ?
  • Would we encourage their understanding and development of leadership skills?

Imagine how excellent this world would be if the same effort we put into sports were put into following and sharing Christ’s message with everyone we interact with?

  • We would excel at learning everything we could about our creator. Jesus would be prominent in daily conversations and taking His name in vain, absent.
  • We would seek to be as Christ-like as possible, making every effort to do God’s Will according to what God tells us in scripture, and we would arrange our time so that we could be involved in as many good works as possible.
  • If everyone embraced God the way many embrace sports, we would put our service to God above all else, and our children would take notice. Just as they will notice, if we make exceptions, making exceptions sends the message that we believe it’s ok to deprioritize God from Time to Time, and that’s never ok!

Sports may bring a lifetime of happy moments, but they should never take priority over God. With God, our blessings go far beyond this lifetime and lead us to our eternal home, a glorious place without tears, pain, or woes, forever Joy!

  • Acts 20:32
  • Jude 1:25
  • 2 Timothy 3:15-17
  • 1 Corinthians 14:26
  • Philippians 3:21
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:11
  • Romans 1:12
  • Ephesians 4:15-16
  • John 3:16-17
  • John 17:3
  • Matthew 6:23-24
  • 1 Timothy 1:17
  • 1 Corinthians 2:9
  • 1 Corinthians 8:6
  • Luke 15:7
  • Matthew 7:21-23
  • Matthew 25:46
  • Philippians 3:20-21
  • Revelation 21:9-12
  • Revelation 12:4

God First!

What can we give to God?

During the days of creation, we find the phrase, “And God saw that it was good,” repeated several times. However, it was not until God created man in His image that scripture tells us, “God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was VERY GOOD. (Genesis 1:31)

We are God’s creation!

“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 )

God is the creator of everything we see and comprehend; everything our minds think we know and understand; it’s all from God. So, what can we offer to God that He wants?

God wants us to recognize that He is the only God and that Jesus is His Son, who was with God at Creation. (John 1:1-5) He wants us to know that salvation comes only through the innocence of Jesus, who was sacrificed for our sins and then raised by God to sit at his right hand in heaven; King of Kings, Lord of Lords, only through Christ do we have hope of eternal life with God. He wants us to know that Jesus has prepared a heavenly home for us beyond this world if we choose to accept His grace and keep His commandments. God wants us to know that on the day of judgment, our souls will be given new heavenly bodies for our never-ending life, and He tells us so in His Word. ( See 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, Philippians 3:20-21, John 14:3-10)

So again, what can we offer God that God really wants?

God has given us every reason to love Him; He has given us the freedom to choose good over evil, and He wants us to love Him.

LOVE, love is the only thing we can give that God seeks from us, not by force but by choice.

May we all seek God first in our lives, love each other as Christ has loved us, and show Jesus that we love Him by keeping His commandments. This is what God seeks, it’s what God wants, and what God wants to reward us for.

The Greatest Command:  ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-34

  • Genesis 1:1-31
  • John 3:16
  • John 14:15
  • John 13:34

God First!

Do you ever ask yourself why?

  • Why did I respond this way?
  • Why did I do that?  
  • Why did I say that?
  • Why did I get mad at them? It was my fault.

Many years ago, while in my mid-twenties, I rented a house. After being there for close to a year, I fell behind on my rent. The landlord, Mr. Blackwell, a very nice man whom I liked very much, sent me my first pay-or-get-out eviction letter. For some reason, rather than understanding that this letter was necessary and that it was my fault, I got embarrassed, upset, and angry with him, and moved out. During my anger, I retaliated by leaving the water running in every sink and at every outside spigot. My intent was not to destroy but to cost him money in wasted water.  

I was the one in the wrong, yet for some reason, I retaliated against the innocent, as we see many do today.

I got upset when I was told to pay or leave. I would later talk with Mr. Blackwell, who asked me, why did you leave the water running everywhere? I had no answer other than to apologize for my misplaced anger. I have remembered this bad decision many times over the years as I disrespected this good man with anger that should have been directed only at myself.

I certainly remembered this story when, many years later, as a landlord myself, a tenant fell far behind and skipped out, leaving our house in shambles and smelling of animal urine. I spent my recovery from a hip replacement tearing out carpet, removing and replacing pee-soaked subflooring, etc., so we could sell the house. I kept telling myself as I worked each day of those two months, I had this coming, although Virginia did not deserve the stress.  

Unfortunately, it seems this type of misdirected anger is all around us every day, where self-accountability and common sense are discarded, and those in the wrong become angry at those doing the right things.  When we can’t pay our rent or mortgage, it’s not our landlords’ fault. If we break a law and are held accountable, it’s not the fault of the police or our justice system.

In my scripture-based opinion, each person is responsible for their actions. I would much rather be held accountable here on earth than for eternity. I know that forgiveness for all things is possible if we will pick up the cross and follow Jesus by keeping His commandments, and that God is capable of mercy and of forgetting our sins. Still, I don’t believe Scripture teaches that forgiveness releases anyone from accountability.  

Matthew 6:12, Proverbs 28:13, Romans 8:1-3, Romans 14:12, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Matthew 12:36, Luke 12:48, Isaiah 43:25, Hebrews 5:12, Jeremiah 31:34

God First!

“Oops, I almost forgot to take my eyes out.” Or “Got to put my eyes in.”

This type of language is called “hyperbole.” It can engage the listener by bringing more attention to an otherwise dry statement. In today’s culture, especially in our news, hyperbolic language is often distorted and twisted to be” Literal Language,” no matter how obvious the exaggeration. By treating hyperbolic statements literally, one might call someone a liar or twist the intent of their statement to make it sound disrespectful when there was no such intent.

My point is: We would do well to pay more attention to the intent of messages rather than getting caught up and inflamed by spin. Generally, the intent of a hyperbolic statement is obvious; unless you’re looking to change the message to further a different agenda, you should get it.

In my example, which I often use, I’m referring to putting in or taking out my contact lenses. No thought of disrespect or inconsiderate intent is aimed at or considered toward anyone in such a situation where they have literally lost an eye, and it would be wrong to accuse me of such.

I have used hyperbolic language naturally for many, many years. Long before I learned, it had a name and definition.

Jesus taught with hyperbolic language:

“Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”

Jesus was not lying about a log; He used hyperbole to make a point, yet many in today’s media would call Jesus a liar if his teachings contradict their agenda.

We need to exercise much discernment in what we see and hear today, and then be slow to speak or judge, lest we join in spreading lies rather than be certain of spreading truth. It’s just way too easy to be gullible with all the untruth in media and Artificial Intelligence.

Definition: hy·per·bo·le [hīˈpərbəlē]

NOUN * Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

“being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips,” Romans 1:29

“He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip.” Proverbs 20:19

“If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.” James 1:26

“But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.” Matthew 12:36-37

God First!

Jesus is our Rock, our foundation.

  • Let us mimic Christ
  • Let us be the rocks of faith set firmly on the cornerstone of Christ!
  • Let us be the stability of Christlike love that others can count on
  • Let us not waver from righteousness when the winds of desire or difficulty blow.
  • Let us be the example of Christlike love in all that we do

Stand Firm!

Study and learn God’s word so you can know God’s will for yourself rather than relying on someone else.

Pursue God’s will, for if God is with you, who can be against you?

(see Romans 8:31)

Be the Rock of faith that inspires others to learn and become rocks of faith themselves, especially to our little ones who see you as their examples.

Love others as Christ loves you.

Be mindful of this fact: The closer we draw to God, the closer he draws to us. (see James 4:8)

Trust in God!

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

John 13:34 ESV
  • Ephesians 2:20
  • Matthew 7:24-27
  • Proverbs 10:22
  • 2 Timothy 2:22
  • 1 Corinthians 10:1-6

God First!

The unexpected answer

In 2021, my sister-in-law and her two teenage children would meet with some brothers and sisters in Christ for evening walks. On one ride, she tried to spark a conversation with her son and asked him, “If you were to die tomorrow, what would you wish you had gotten done today?”

She expected a secular answer, but his response was: “Be Baptized.”

This question led to further discussion of God’s Word and what scripture tells us is necessary for eternal Salvation. That night, my nephew made the best decision we can ever make in life. He chose to be baptized into Christ and follow Christ for the rest of his life.

Michael believed, repented, confessed Jesus as the Son of God, and was baptized into Christ in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of his sins, and was added to the Lord’s Church, as we find in Scripture.

Later, Michael Jr. told me he had been thinking about it for a while. You never know what’s on someone’s mind.

The timing of his mother’s question and a follow-up question of “Why wait?” Seemingly perfect.

Self-Study Scriptures:

  • God’s Grace: Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:24, Titus 2:11, Acts 15:11
  • Hearing the Gospel: Romans 10:17, John 8:32
  • Belief/Faith: Hebrews 11:1, John 8:24, Romans 10:17, Acts 3:19
  • Repentance: 2 Corinthians 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 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 First!

Wow, if only the Apostle Peter knew

On the day of Pentecost, when Peter preached the first gospel sermon, do you wonder why? Why is it that when Peter and the other Apostles (in Acts 2) were asked by the crowd whose hearts had just been pierced by the message of Christ,” Brothers, what do we do?”

Why did Peter NOT answer the crowd’s question with: “Accept Jesus into your heart and recite with me these words in a prayer, and you will be forgiven, you will be saved.”

WOW, if only the Apostle Peter, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, had known what many people claim today. That they could “just” accept Jesus into their hearts and recite a prayer to be saved; however, that’s “NOT” how Peter answered.

Peter never said, “baptism is an outward sign of an inward decision.” In fact, no such prayer is found in God’s Word. INSTEAD, Peter (filled with the Holy Spirit) tells them exactly what God wanted them to do“And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 ESV)

None of Peter’s responses indicates that any of God’s instructions were mutually exclusive.

In verse 41, God’s Holy Word says: “So those who received His word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41 ESV)

So, right after they received the message of Christ, they immediately followed the Apostle’s instructions and were immersed in the waters of baptism. They could have set appointments; they could have done so in small groups over weeks, but instead, we find urgency is implied: “So those who received His word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41)

That day, about 3000 souls were added to the Church! (Don’t you know that took a while?)

These scriptures show us that hearing, believing, repenting, and being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ is how we obtain the Holy Spirit.

Who did the adding? Who was being saved? Verse 47 “praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47 ESV)

Please, don’t take my word for it. Take God’s word for it. “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)

“Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:20)

Below are several passages on Grace, belief, repentance, confessing Jesus’ name, and baptism for study.

• 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: – 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!

Phone calls of love

Being the recipient of brotherly or sisterly love reminds us we are loved, whether the love expressed is on a grand or minuscule scale, whether it’s a card, a visit, a gift, or simply a caring wave from across the way.

Showing our love for others can make a positive difference in someone’s life while also adding Joy to ours. Don’t discount the little stuff, like a simple phone call. It says we care enough to call.

Make time to reach out; don’t think of the call as obtrusive but rather inclusive.

You’re not making a sales call; you’re making an “I Care Call.

”Why wait for sickness or turmoil to make a call? If they can’t answer, leave a short message; if they are busy, simply let them know you are thinking of them. The call says: You care!

Phone calls are such simple, easy ways to do good and express Christ-like love for others; you never know how much your phone call could mean in someone’s day, or even how it could provide comfort precisely when someone needs it most.

Time is one of the most precious gifts we have to offer; Making an “I care call” reminds others they are loved; who wouldn’t want to do that?

  • Hebrews 13:16
  • Philippians 2:4
  • Galatians 6:2
  • John 15:12
  • Proverbs 3:27
  • Acts 20:35
  • Galatians 6:9-10
  • Matthew 5:161
  • Thessalonians 5:15
  • Hebrews 10:24
  • 1 Corinthians 11:1

God First!

“OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD”

This is not always our first reaction; however, if this were not possible by Christians, God would not have told us to do it.

God knows what’s best for us, and it behooves us to trust Him and keep His commandments.

“To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:20-21 ESV

In God we trust

God First!

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