We are all familiar with the story of God asking Abraham to sacrifice the very thing that he had waited most of his life for....a son. I remember entertaining a few guests over my house during the BIBLE television series and we entered into deep dialogue regarding what type of God would do such a thing, and how many people walked away that evening with a greater, more loving understanding of GOD, the ultimate Father.
But as as I sit in my office on a Friday night preparing to launch into our new series on Philippians and wondering is GOD, HE, JESUS really first in the lives of the people I will be before on Sunday, and that I pray I communicate it, or that the Holy Spirit communicates through all the pastors what it means to make God first.
While I can pose this in the form of a rhetorical question the answer is pretty evident in how you approach everyday life. For instance if God is first, prayer and praise is what you awake to doing daily, not just Sunday. If He is really first you consider Him, in many if not all of your decisions during the course of the day. Like should you continue flirting with her, him, sin, or doing things that send a different message about who it is you say you believe in. Should I cheat or steal from the company? They'll never know I stopped by the casino, or I'll have just one or two drinks. A little lie never hurt anyone, we tell ourselves....while God looks on, realizing you think you're your own God.
If He is first, you seek to please & honor him with even how you treat others. I understand that I am an extrovert, but if we are called to be salt and light, doesn't that mean you and I are supposed to add those very elements (salt/light) to any/every environment we get to be in? Shouldn't your response when asked "How are you doing," somehow point people to the center of your joy, if HE really is?
If HE is first...then you can replace Isaac on that altar with your money, your possessions, your children, your family, your job, etc. because you realize they are all blessings from Him, and that you are willing to offer any if not all of that to Him, just so those things don't get in the away of what's really FIRST....your relationship with Him. So I end, I close this blog with the very question I began it with....: IS HE REALLY FIRST or are you just lying to yourself? If HE IS FIRST you live to LOVE GOD & LOVE PEOPLE.......with all you have and are! LGLP
No comments:
Post a Comment