Gooooood Mooooorninnnnnng!
We are gonna start out today jumping right into God's word ....(let's read this...)
James 1:17-25
17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
19Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
As we come to the close of this First Month, in this First Year of this New Decade, we see a lot of "firsts" going on. It's mirrored throughout all our life, those firsts are idealized, celebrated, documented, extolled! First tooth, boo-boo, lock of hair, kiss, job, new car, child....the list is endless and we are always in pursuit of it (even after it's been experienced).
When we say Grace over a meal, thanking the Lord, we do so before we consume the meal. God has us do this for a reason. He must be first His blessing must be sought, first. He looks at our willingness to be obedient with more favor than the ritualistic act. Who doesn't have a picture in their mind of some delicious meal placed before a hungry child who is asked to stop and pray first? Does that child not develop amazingly fast speech, perhaps even forgetting to pause or breathe before words..."BlessUsOhLordAndThankYouForThisFoodAmen!~gulp"!
The word here is first; our first intention. Place your intentions upon God and being obedient. Our meekness should be experienced in action; meekness is in no way associated with weakness (they are worlds apart) it's a position of humility that places God before all. God wants our firsts, He is to be our First Love. He sacrificed His first born Son to save our eternal souls.
- the first moments upon waking dedicated to renew our resolve to follow Christ as His disciple. see ( Prov 3:6)
- the first hour, seeking the Lord, in scripture and through our inner conversations with Him. see (Isaiah 55:6)
- the first portion of monies received laid aside for tithing; sewing God's seed back to Him. see (Deut 14:23)
- the first conviction of heart upon hearing God's word chasten you, repent! see (Matthew 4:17)
- the first thing we should do is seek to be last; see (Matthew 6:33 & Matthew 20:16)
If we are being true disciples...we know that we have been grafted into God's first family, first fruits, first born. Humility and meekness reminds us to be doers, bringing the word of the Lord to all those who sleep walk. Worry not about being first, leaving that work for another to do. Put God before you and your way shall be secured!
Proverbs 3:6
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Isaiah 55:6
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Deuteronomy 14:23
And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.
Matthew 4:17
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matt 20:16
So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
So, put God before you...and He won't come after you! :)
Dear Lord, how merciful and kind you are to us; thank you Father that we may approach your throne with boldness! The greatest of acquisitions is that of eternal Life and intimate communion with you! No greater thing is there to obtain than your favor and forgiveness! We seek to do your will Father; suffer us not to get weary; convict our hearts in areas that might prevent us from being obedient to you. Father, help us to see your word with New eyes and New ears, receiving and giving in the First Fruits of all we have, be and do! AMEN!
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(¸.•´ (¸.•` ¤ Susan SMZ3D.com ت smz ™ © ®
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Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.
Abraham Lincoln
Any fool can count the seeds in an apple. Only God can count all the apples in one seed. (Author unknown)
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