God First -- Inspiration 24

When God Comes First

You can tell the authentic Christians from the pretenders by how they live and in the choices they make. It is apparent when God comes first in their lives. They don't have to say a word, but you know.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul 

and with all your mind and with all your strength.'

Mark 12:30

LIFE CHANGES dramatically when God comes first. The only way God can be first is when He is on the throne in a person's life. The only way God can be on the throne of a life is if the person surrenders their all to Him. To surrender their all to Him requires giving up doing everything their own way to do it God's way. An act of the will takes mind, body, and soul awakened in living relationship with God. First, a person much be saved from their sins by salvation of their soul. Second, they must live in close relationship with God by active seeking God through prayer and reading of God's Word. Confession and repentance are components in prayer. Loving God helps make it possible to put God first in daily living. When God comes first the choices to the good are easy to figure out, but they don't come easily. God does not demand obedience of His followers, but it is the expectation. Holiness is God-inspired living. God is holy, just, and righteous. He is also loving. Christ lives in the heart of a true Christian. Christians will be a reflection of God to the world. They listen for the Holy Spirit's leading and are able thusly to discern of God's ways. 

Dear Father in heaven, We can be so small in how we think of You. We're sorry for when we fail You and are self-centered. Please help us to see Your way and know Your truth. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Your Spiritual Reality -- Inspiration 21

  Your Reality and God

Your reality is linked to your spiritual life. The influence of God in your life is commiserate with your view of belief, whether it is lifeless and dead or life-giving and real.

Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, 

for out of it flow the springs of life. 

Proverbs 4:23 NIV

REALITY of what matters in life is directly related to God. Life is a mystery. God is a mystery. People are a mystery. How it all works together is the quintessential mystery. God can be known in part but not in whole by finite creatures. Those who seek God to know Him will find riches, blessings, and truth. This takes active imploring, scripture knowledge, praying, asking, loving, and consecration plus a willingness to learn and apply, listen and meditate, contemplate and consider. Spiritual truth is a reality that spills over in all areas of existence. The physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual overlap and influence the whole. The person who believes God exists and has an individual plan for their life will seek to honor God with their attitudes, pleasures, and purpose. Rather than live to please self, they live to please God. Their reality is bound to the Source with eternity in view. Heavenly minded, their earthly concerns are of less importance. What a person values most is where their 'reality' lies. Pursue what matters most, Father, Son, and Spirit, and therein you will find living reality.

Dear Father in Heaven, Thank you for everlasting life. You give living truth to us in Your Word and in Your Holy Being. We are in awe of Your presence and appreciate the interest You place in Your spiritual children. We praise You, thank You, and adore You. Amen

For your listening pleasure: Holy, Holy, Holy  

To God be the Glory