love

What’s Your First?

Copyright: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/profile_stuartphoto'>stuartphoto / 123RF Stock Photo</a>But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. – Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

As Christians, Matthew 6:33 is such a well-known verse to the point where we may often quote it but without recognizing its importance. You may tell yourself and others that God is first in your life and that living righteously is your priority. But let’s pause and think about that. Is God really first in your life?

The principle of first or giving God your ‘first’ and best is rather important matter to God. The Lord wants us to make Him the first priority in our everyday activities. There are several areas that you and I need to look at so that God is in FIRST place.

 

Your Thoughts – What are your first thoughts about when you wake up? Do you think about what you have to do today or do you have thoughts towards your heavenly Father? When I wake up in the morning I like to start thanking Him for life, strength, health, family, and whatever else my heart thinks about His goodness. Of course, you and I need to spend time in prayer and in reading the Word but just by our first thoughts we have shown our priority. When our first thought and constant thoughts are of the Lord, He provides us with perfect shalom (i.e. peace, completeness, prosperity, and welfare).

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. – Isaiah 26:3 (AMP)

 

Your Talk – What do you talk about the most? What kind of conversation excites you? If your friends were present would they say that you love God? Do you often share your “God & me” story (i.e. share the gospel of Christ) when the opportunity arises? What you talk about says a lot about where our priorities are also. Often times we think people don’t want to hear about Jesus, but when the good news is heard those who receive it gladly welcome those who share it.

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” – Romans 10:14-15 (NKJV)

 

Your Prayer – Are you so anxious about your problems that your conversations with God starts with what you need and want? Have you thought that your first should be to pour your love on God by honouring Him for who He is (God and God alone) and thanking Him for all the good He has already done and will do? If we practice the model of the Lord’s Prayer our first would be to hallow (bless, revere, respect) His holy name. This is the beginning of effective prayer.

In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. – Matthew 6:9 (NKJV)

 

Your Time – I once heard a preacher say that you should tithe your time. In other words, you should spend at least 2.4 hours of each day in prayer and study of the word of God. That may sound extreme to some but who is the One who give you the time you have here on earth? Who is first in your 24/7? Busyness has gotten the best of us. Taking time to attend a church service, cell group meeting, prayer or bible study meetings are sometimes considered an inconvenience for the modern-day Christian. We tell ourselves that our schedule does not allow for it.

We ought to review our time and redeem it well. Make appointments with God if you have to just like you do for other meetings you have. But the important thing is not to compromise on that time to honour God. I have found that when I give my service to God especially when I am pressed for time, whatever I have to do for myself gets done. God helps me do what I need to in the time I have available.

Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is. – Ephesians 5:15-17 (AMP)

 

Your Heart – Ask yourself this question, “What is my first? Who is my first love?” There is a first in loving and that starts with loving God. God wants you to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, strength. When you do, He is placed first in all your life. And as you love Him totally you will in turn love others freely (See Mark 12:29-31). Along with loving Him first is the promise that you will receive more of what you left to serve Him here on earth and inherit eternal life.

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.  – Matthew 19:29 (NKJV)

 

Your Money – God wants you put Him first in your money by giving to Him first. What are you first thoughts when you receive income or a gift? Do you think about how much of that amount belongs to the Lord (Malachi 3:8-9, Matthew 20:21)? Or are your first thoughts about what you can spend it on, or what bills you have to pay? God wants first place, even in your money. When He is first, He will give you abundant provision and protect your possessions and your income potential. You can even take it a step further in your money management and give Him complete control over 100% of whatever you receive. Just ask Him to guide you in what to give, save, invest, spend, lend and even how much to earn and how to earn it. Then follow through on what He tells you to do.

Honor the Lord with your capital and sufficiency [from righteous labors] and with the firstfruits of all your income; so shall your storage places be filled with plenty, and your vats will be overflowing with new wine. – Proverbs 3:9 (AMP)

 

This principle of placing God first is quite the challenge or even seem unfair but God does not ask us to do something that He does not give us the ability to do. Furthermore, His command to seek Him first is not empty. He promises to provide for us whatever we need. We don’t need to be preoccupied like the world about what we should eat or drink or wear or live in. He knows what you need even before you ask Him. Therefore, as you make Him your first priority, you will experience a worry-free and well-provided-for life.

It requires faith to give the first of your time, money, thoughts, words, and your whole life to God and His kingdom. However, as you do He will make you first by taking care of your every need and desire.

Today, and always, make God FIRST in your life.

What other areas in your life do you think you need to place God first?

What’s Your First? Read More »

7 Ways to Make the Most of Your Life

tomorrow starts now_22836421_sLook carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is. — Eph. 5:15-17 (AMP)

It has been a while since I have submitted a blog post. Even though I had many ideas about what I wanted to write and even jotted them down, the inclination to write wasn’t there.

For months my family and I have been dealing with the care of my mother who recently went to be with the Lord. As I dealt with the passing of my mother, the Lord impressed upon my heart the importance of making the most of the time we have. During this time, two truths have stood out for me all the more:

1. No one knows the day, hour, minute when they will say goodbye to time and hello to eternity
2. We often have no idea what an impact we have on others but the ‘little’ things we do or by what we say

As I reflected on the above scripture and others, my question was, “How can we who are still here on earth make the most of our time?” Here a few things I have learnt from God’s word and from reflecting on my mum’s life:

  1. Live intentionally.    Eph. 5:15-17

We have to live purposely and act wisely in all we do. This decision alone can bring us to success. Having no purpose, living aimlessly and witlessly, it not what God intended for us. My mum was always looking ahead. She set her goals and worked, saved and prayed towards them and thankfully accomplished them.

We must also know and do God’s will. We have to start with the basics: acknowledge our sin, ask Jesus to be Saviour and Lord over our lives. This is the beginning of living intentionally. Live as He instructs you to do in His word. As you continue seeking Him, He will direct you into your purpose. Just obey because whatever God plans for you is good.

  1. Prayer effectively, fervently and always.          Jam.5:16-18

Mum always liked writing. There was a note for everything. Her view was that if you forgot you could always refer to your notes. But recently I discovered that she did not just write notes but she wrote prayers too. One prayer note I found read something like this, “Lord I need Your ability today to do whatever You need me to do. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.”

Prayer is a constant effort – pray within your heart, write your prayers, verbalize your prayers. But whenever and wherever you are, PRAY. God will certainly answer.

  1. Work hard but in all of it honor God.        Col. 3:17

We should make to best of what we have and be a blessing to others in whatever way God has called us to do. Mum worked hard all her life. We heard the childhood stories of carrying water and helping her mum press clothes. She worked her way from being a maid to an Executive Housekeeper and even after taking early retirement, she kept herself busy. But in all of the hard work, she loved her work and was ever thankful to God.

We have to nature of God and should also like and enjoy work. Whatever you do, when you do it, do it well and God will be pleased with you and bless your work.

  1. Play too. Enjoy life. Enjoy what God has provided for you.    Eccl. 3:13-13

As much as Mum worked hard, she also enjoyed life. Every opportunity to celebrate particularly with her family, she did. It does not mean she did not face her challenges, she certainly did. But she recognized God’s blessings on her life and her family’s and saw it fitting to enjoy and appreciate them.

  1. Give much and you will be blessed with more.  Acts 20:35

Mum was a giver, a constant one at that but yet she never lacked anything. What the scripture said in Prov. 11:24-25, it was true of her. She generously gave but yet had all she needed and wanted.

Mum gave to those she knew and to those she didn’t. As her child, I have seen lives blessed by her giving and for myself have learnt well the joy of giving to others. When you give, you are God’s hand of blessing to someone else in need. And you are blessed all the more for it.

  1. Fulfil destiny. Serve God’s purpose in your life time or generation. Acts 13:36

David served the purpose of God in his generation. I think my mum did too. Personally, I think she made a decision to leave this earth when she did. She wasn’t a pastor and even heavily involved in regular church activity but she served others well. As I looked into the congregation who attended my mother’s Farewell, and I listened to the stories of those who knew my mother, I saw a woman who served and blessed others. She provided for their needs in some way or listened as they shared their troubles and offered sound advice to those willing to accept it. Oh, that we would follow such example. Serve God by serving others.

  1. Love a lot. It’s the best gift from God to you and the world.  1 Cor. 13

My mum made it a point of saying, “I love you” to me and my siblings whenever she ended a conversation with us. She showed her love by always remembering the special days in our lives or by doing unexpected things for us. But she just didn’t show love to us but to others – there was always some assignment she had for one of us to take something for someone or do something for them if she was unable to do it. During her sickness she thought of others and sought ways to help them even if it meant asking one of us to help because she couldn’t.

One more point I’d like to add is this:

Give thanks in every thing and in every day.    1 Thess. 5:18

Life does not always go the way we want it to but every day we arise from our sleep is a new day God has given to us. He is showing us His new mercies to us every morning and displaying His faithfulness. For that, we ought to give thanks and make the very most of every opportunity to do good in whatever way the Lord would want us to.

As we make the most of every opportunity we will have success; we will fulfill destiny.

Are you doing the best with each day God gives you?

7 Ways to Make the Most of Your Life Read More »