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The best life is a God First life

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Our walk never logs off God First!

Every Moment of Every Day: The Christian Walk Never Logs Off

September 13, 2026 / / 0 Comments

The Christian’s walk is in every moment of every day, in every action and every word, in every emoji and every click, every comment on every post.

May the love of Christ show through us in everything we say and do, and may our lights shine in the darkness of evil even when temptations arise, so that our path is one others will want to follow as we follow Christ.

“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

“for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light… Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. ”One small nuance, not a correction of doctrine: our lights are to shine in every moment, not only “when temptations arise.” Temptation is when the darkness presses hardest, but the walk itself is constant. If you want that even tighter, change one word: Ephesians 5:8, 11

God First!

His purpose stands Trust and Obey the Gospel

HIS PURPOSE STANDS

September 5, 2026 / / 0 Comments

We are incredibly blessed to have the Bible!

When we study God’s Word, we find that those involved often know only what is right in front of them, but as readers we get to see God’s plans come together again and again.

We have 66 books of God-breathed evidence to help us understand that putting our faith, hope, and trust in God is the best commitment we can make and share with our friends and loved ones.

The evidence that God is in control abounds. His purpose does not change, and He works all things according to the counsel of His will. That same Word shows that by trusting and obeying the gospel of the New Covenant—hearing the word of Christ, dying to sin, and being raised to walk in newness of life—we can have eternal life in heaven.

This world is not our forever home.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (God-breathed Scripture)
2 Timothy 2:15 (handle the word accurately)
Romans 10:17 (faith comes by hearing)
Hebrews 6:17 (God’s purpose is unchangeable)
Ephesians 1:11 (God works all things according to His will)
Matthew 6:33 (seek first the kingdom of God)
Romans 6:1–4 (baptized into Christ’s death and raised to new life)
Hebrews 13:14 (we seek the city that is to come)

Romans 10:9–10; Hebrews 6:17–19; Ephesians 1:7–11; Matthew 6:19–21; Romans 6:1–4; Hebrews 8:6–13; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 11:13–16; Genesis 50:20; Isaiah 46:9–10; Psalm 33:11; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Colossians 2:12; Philippians 3:20–21; John 14:1–3; 2 Peter 1:20–21; 1 Timothy 5:18; 2 Peter 3:16

God First!

For Such a Time as This Esther 4:14

God’s purpose could be you

September 4, 2026 / / 0 Comments

Although God is never mentioned by name in the Book of Esther, we find a powerful example of how God works through people to accomplish His purposes. Unbeknownst to most involved at the time, it becomes very evident how several things came together to achieve God’s purposes.

In this story, Esther had to make a major decision: not to be silent. She simply had to do what was right, which would require her to risk her life. Mordecai pointed out that if Esther chose silence, the Jews’ deliverance would still come, but from another source.

“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 ESV

Through God’s Providence, we see evil and evil intent converted into justice for God’s people using Esther and Mordecai. (Read Esther; it’s an interesting story)

Who knows today how God is working through our lives to accomplish His purposes? In my mind, as long as we are pursuing good and willing to stand for righteousness, speak up for Christ, and show our love for Him by keeping His commands, we offer ourselves as servants—vessels to be used for God’s good purposes even when we never know it. We just can’t be afraid to take a stand and speak up!

God is Great, God is good, God is love – ALL THE TIME.

Esther 4:14; Esther 4:16; Romans 8:28; Genesis 50:20; Proverbs 16:9; Ephesians 2:10; Acts 17:27; John 14:15; Philippians 2:13; Isaiah 46:10; Psalm 37:23; 1 Peter 3:15; Matthew 5:16

God First!

It's not just your life Your Choices reach those who love you

“It’s My Life”? Think Again

September 1, 2026 / / 0 Comments

What teenager hasn’t made a similar statement? What adult has never said a similar statement? At Church services in our congregation, someone would hand out a list of prisoner prayer requests gathered by those working in prison ministry. Later, as I prayed and read the requests, I noticed a high percentage of requests from prisoners were for loved ones. Many were concerned about how their absence due to incarceration had caused hurt, physical stress, pain, and financial burdens to those who loved them—their parents, wives, children, grandparents, etc.

Behind bars, their concern for loved ones seems heightened and at the forefront of their minds. I don’t know what got these people behind bars, but I do know: OUR ACTIONS AFFECT THOSE WE LOVE, and we should consider this when we start thinking, “It’s my life; I’ll do what I want.”

No matter what time of life we’re in, young or old, we are examples to those around us, and when we make bad choices, those choices can easily create unnecessary burdens on our loved ones. Jesus knew what He was talking about when He commanded us to love others as He loved us. Jesus is the ultimate example for our lives, and when He walked this earth, He lived accordingly.

If we follow the command to “love others as Christ loved us,” then “living our life like we want to” means living with the understanding that what we do affects those we love.

  • John 13:34
  • Matthew 5:16, 22:39.
  • 1 Timothy 4:12
  • Ephesians 5:1-31
  • Romans 14:7-8, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Galatians 6:7-8, Philippians 2:3-4, Matthew 5:16, Matthew 22:37-39, Ephesians 5:1-2, 1 John 3:16-18, Proverbs 22:6, Deuteronomy 6:6-7, 1 Corinthians 8:9-13, Colossians 3:17, 2 Corinthians 5:15.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:18

God First!

Life's bombs fall... Refuge is in Christ

The Bombs Fall on Everyone—Hope Belongs to Those in Christ

August 29, 2026 / / 0 Comments

I’ve seen films of war where airplanes dropped bomb after bomb after bomb, maiming, destroying, and taking lives. It seems life hits our families or us much the same way now and then, only the bombs are labeled “health”, “financial”, “stress”, “betrayal”, “loss”, etc. These bombs are not precise; they may hit once in a while or come as a barrage, landing on both those close to God and those far away. One minute, life is excellent; then suddenly, it’s a roller coaster (John 16:33).

For those in Christ building a firm foundation (Galatians 3:26-27), there is hope and assurance that these heartaches and concerns will all pass away, as they are not carried into eternity (Revelation 21:4). For those in Christ, there is always a bright future, a light in our bomb shelter of faith, in Christ our Savior (Romans 6:3-4, Romans 13:14).

Those in Christ who keep Jesus’ commandments always have refuge in God’s promises (Psalm 46:1), knowing this world is only a temporary home.(Philippians 3:20-21; 2 Corinthians 5:1)

Whether our troubles are few or continually bombarding our lives, what really matters is Jesus’s promise of eternal life. In heaven, the challenges of this world will be gone forever. So, no matter what, we need to keep God First in our lives, follow Jesus ’ commands, follow the examples we find in God’s Word so that, as we trudge through the mud of life, we can be content in knowing we will eventually walk the streets of gold in new heavenly bodies for eternity. No tears in heaven, no sorrows given. All will be glory in that land.

Scripture tells us how one comes to be ‘in Christ’ and to ‘put on Christ’: we are sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, and as many as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27; see also Romans 6:3-4).

“In Christ” is where one finds peace beyond our understanding. (Philippians 4:7)

1 Corinthians 12:13, Colossians 2:12, Matthew 7:24-25, Psalm 16:1, Psalm 46:1-5, Mark 8:34, John 14:27, John 15:19, John 18:36, Romans 8:1, Romans 8:18, Romans 8:28, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 3:26-28, Hebrews 11:13-16, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-7, 1 John 2:15, 2 John 15:19

God First!

Praying for the ultimate well-being of others: That they hear and follow the message of Christ Romans 10:17 – directly links hearing the message of Christ to faith Mark 16:16 – shows the response of believing and obeying (following) that leads to salvation 2 Peter 3:9 – reveals God’s heart for the well-being of all people through repentance

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

August 22, 2026 / / 0 Comments

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!

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another.” ‭‭John‬ ‭15:12-17‬ ‭(NASB)‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

How We Become Friends of Jesus

August 18, 2026 / / 0 Comments

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another.” John 15:12-17 (NASB)

God First!

“‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.” Choosing purity and self-control is not merely personal; it builds others up and seeks their good rather than selfish indulgence

Dear Youth: Guard Your Mind and Cling to Innocence

August 6, 2026 / / 0 Comments

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 God “ Matthew 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!

TURN IT OVER TO GOD; LET JESUS CARRY YOUR BURDENS Matthew 11:28–30 Psalm 55:22

We Control Nothing — God Controls Everything

August 3, 2026 / / 0 Comments

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
  • Jesus’ Intense 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!

STRANGE FIRE - UNAUTHORIZED God never asked for our improvements Leviticus 10:1-3 If you love Me, Keep My commandments

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

August 2, 2026 / / 0 Comments

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!

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