Me First

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This crew will be heading back to school soon.
I love how they stand at the front of boat looking out and discovering God's creations.

Our sinful souls tend to have a "me first" mentality.  Even the disciples wanted to shoe the little children away and have some down time, but Jesus contradicted that decision and said, "Let the little children come to me."

Luke 19:10 reminds us that Jesus came to serve.  
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

There is a war going on though and the devil is behind the plotting.  He's been at it ever since the fall of man.

"And he said to him, 'All these I will give you if you will fall down and worship me.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Be gone, Satan!  For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.' Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.'"
Matthew 4:9-11

The things in life we place before God are called idols.  They can be the simplest things...TV, computer/phone time, exercise, work, socializing, hobbies.  When their importance in our lives usurps our time with the Lord they become idols!

"Those who are in the flesh cannot please God."  Romans 8:8

"You shall have no other gods before me."  Exodus 20:3

"For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 'Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious set itself.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.'"  Matthew 6:32-34

God created us for his pleasure.

"For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation." Psalm 149:4

There is something very refreshing about an honest conversation with a child.  While discussing praising God with a grandchild recently, the response was well it's okay to just do what you want if you do not feel like praising God.  It may have stemmed from a discussion on love languages and recognizing our God given differences and pursing the purposes He has created us for.  It's easy to accept the "all about me" ideas.  I'm so thankful for the honesty and the ability to address the "God first command".

"And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'"  Matthew 22:37

These thoughts remind me of the "I am Third" award given out at Kanakuk Kamps...God first, others second, me third!

J.O.Y.  Jesus  Others You




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