First Place

Being part of a team is something I know. Basketball and slow-pitch softball were my sports; and, while second, third or fourth place may have been commendable, we wanted that first place trophy! Jesus wants first place, too ... that is, in your life. He said in Matthew 6:33a, "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness." Oh, the things that we chase after! The pursuit leaves us breathless and often wanting more. In the previous verses, Jesus lays out the beautiful case of how He sufficiently cares for the birds of the air and clothes the lilies of the field in majestic attire. "f God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!" (V.30 NASB). When God gets first place in our lives a life of righteousness follows, which includes trusting in Him for all our needs. "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (V.33). There's really nothing like resting in the All-Sufficiency of The Father. He has gathered us in from darkness into His glorious light through His Son, Jesus Christ. What a display of just how much God cares for me and for you. Will you trust Him with ... first place?

Right-Side Up

Have you ever got turned-around you weren't sure where you were? If so, you know you need to just stop, take a moment to think before going on. God gave very clear (undebatable) instructions to Jonah: "Go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim [judgment] against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me." (Jonah 1:1 AMP). Sixteen verses later, we Jonah in a bad place ... in the stomach of a big fish (Verse 17). How did Jonah get so turned around? It started with Jonah choosing to hop a ship in the opposite direction of Nineveh - he chose disobedience over obedience. Be sure there's nothing more certain to get you all twisted-up and upside-down spiritually than refusing to submit to God as sole authority in your life. Jesus said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" (Luke 1:28 ESV). To be blessed is to happy, fortunate and favored by God - a result of God's children choosing obedience. Let's not deceive ourselves: we are "doers of the word" (James 1:22) only when we are follow God's instructions - when we "do" the word. The joy and delight - not to mention the rewards - of trusting God enough to say "yes, Lord" in humble obedience is the way to keep ourselves in good standing with The Father and ... right-side up!

Consider Your Choices!

The word "habit" really isn't a negative word but the word brings our bad to mind. One source gives the definition as "a settled, automatic behavior pattern acquired through frequent repetition." That "frequent repetition forms a tendency to repeat the pattern almost subconsciously, i.e. turning off lights, locking doors, biting nails, etc. Research says it can take as few as 18 days for a new behavior to become automatic ... yes, a habit. Joshua said, "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15 ESV). Now, that is a bold declaration - one every Believer should nod to and agree! How does such resolve actually come to pass? Let me suggest, it begins with a habit of wise choices. Jesus said in Matthew 6, "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" (V.33). In other words, as the standard for every choice His children make, the standard should be His righteousness. The old line "what would Jesus do?" is actually a good question to ask. If Jesus would do it, it's a good choice; and, repeating that choice over and over again will lead to something spiritually beneficial ... a holy habit. Joshua's bold statement is a challenge to Believers today to determine by God's grace to choose daily - one choice at a time - to yield ourselves to the path of righteousness. Of all the choices you and I will make today and tomorrow and every day after, there is no more important a choice than to follow Jesus. Consider your choices!

Choose The Lord

In several conversations recently I've said these words, "life is about choices." Because choices are often systematic even unconscious, I doubt anyone can number the choices made in just a few hours of the day. Some choices we make bring great joy while others lead to heavy consequences; and, I propose this to be most evident in our spiritual lives. Jesus began His earthly ministry by repeating these words in Matthew 5, "Bless are the ..." - happy and spiritually prosperous are those who choose the ways of The Lord. The tone is set for the psalms with these words, "blessed is the man ..." - again, happy, fortunate and spiritually successful is the one who chooses wisely in spiritual matters. What sounds as such easy strategy, the application of it is actually arduous - difficult and tiring, requiring great strength. In spite of clever plans and most concerted efforts, options overwhelm us and lead us in a wrong direction. Words that help me personally, day by day to consider my choices are those of Joshua: "Fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth ... serve the Lord ... choose for yourselves today whom you will serve ... as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:14-15 NASB). I suggest we too quickly agree "yes, I serve the Lord" - but genuine service happens one choice at a time! Note Joshua said "choose today" - one day at a time, one choice at a time do we choose to "fear the Lord and serve Him." The number of our days belong to The Lord, and so should the choices [of those numbered days] belong to Him. A life of spiritual prosperity is absolutely possible when it is The Lord we continually ... choose the Lord.

Are You Listening?

Here on the compound, I suspect the other households hear me calling to Mister Bill at times. He doesn't hear well, which means I must call his name louder. My children have always laughed at my two-syllable call ... "Bee-ull." In the Book of John as Jesus began His ministry, one of the first things He did was "call" disciples - men who would walk with Him day-by-day. We read His call - it was simple and clear, "Come ... follow Me" (John 1:39, 43). The word "follow" is used frequently on social media - we follow news feeds, blogs, etc. What does it mean, however, to follow Jesus? The Greek word translates "to join or side with, to be united with," which sounds anything but casual. Based on my own walk with Jesus, I fear many followers of Jesus are far too casual about it. Yet we read in Scripture, those to whom Jesus said "come ... follow Me" left ceased all other things, leaving their family and their professions in order to be joined with The Christ. Yes, that may seem extreme but it represents the impact of His call and the depth of the response. While Jesus' call to His children may not include leaving home, friends, family, careers, it surely means a laying aside of other things that we are too closely knit (joined and united). Jesus still calls today: His voice is heard in His Word, through prayer and meditation and through The Holy Spirit. The big question and one only I can answer, only you can answer ... are you listening?