God FirstWritten by Joyce C. Lock
God first, others second, self last ... Most Christians believe that's how it should be, whether they practice it or not. Few have problems recognizing when "Me, Me, Me" gets in way, whether they care to admit it or not. But, putting others second can get very confusing in relationship to God being first. It is God who teaches us how to love others and, in so doing, we are loving Him. However, when we have a passion for caring for needs of others, you can bet Satan is looking for ways to trip us up and burn us out. Satan will use that passion against us (wherein we are being called upon, up to twenty-four hours per day, to help others in countless ways) until we find we no longer have time for God. Then, others get first place and God gets nothing. In addition, we run out of time for tending to our own spiritual needs and soon become drained, finding we no longer have anything left to give.
| | Come HomeWritten by Joyce C. Lock
Imagining a proud father holding a newborn in palm of his hand, I envision love beaming from God's eyes as He says, "Awe, Perfect! How beautiful!" You were exactly creation intended. (God didn't make a mistake. He never does.) Christians are royalty, joint heirs, children of KING! With access to everything God owns, we get best seats in house! Yet, knowing such is of little value until we access those privileges. Some struggle to become acceptable, thinking God won't otherwise receive them. Others hold people back, trying to make them white. Acceptance was ours moment we received God and acceptable time is when He calls you. Don't tell God's children they can't serve. And, don't you tell God you can't. As long as we bow to such defeating thoughts, we remain separate from truth and rightful inheritance. You know God is there. Sometimes you hear Him. But often, He seems so very far away. He isn't really. He's just patiently waiting for you to let go of your cross, get up, and walk. More than anything we could offer, God longs for a relationship with us. When we seek God more than life itself, He begins revealing Himself to us. There's such 'awe' in God's presence, as in each step we learn more about what He's really like. Try taking spiritual risks, you may never know what you're missing.
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