First Action

First Action

James 5: ¹³ Are any among you in trouble? They should pray. Are any among you happy? They should sing praises. ¹⁴ Are any among you sick? They should send for the church elders, who will pray for them and rub olive oil on them in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ This prayer made in faith will heal the sick; the Lord will restore them to health, and the sins they have committed will be forgiven. 

 

============

 

Nervous about the bad news, I laid awake at night. I could not sleep for a week. We got together and discussed the impending doom. More conversations about what “could” happen were had than that of what good was going on in our lives.

 

• My first “reaction” was to start planning.
• My first “impulse” was to try to make sense out of a situation that was out of my hands.
• My first “assumption” was that everything bad was “definitely” going to happen.

 

James gives the answer to all problems, namely “pray.” He gives three ways to do this. He says people who are in trouble should talk to GOD directly about the trouble. He also says, if things are going well, people should “praise” GOD. He then says the sick may need more people to help so ask for other to “petition” to GOD in prayer.

 

Prayer seems like a last resort kind of thing. I mean, usually I try to “fix” the problem myself and when things get even worse, I panic and possible blame. BUT GOD has a different way.

 

HE wants me to come to HIM first with any problem, trouble or sickness. Asking GOD for HIS advice, direction and counsel, helps me think clearly and takes the ownership off of me and places it on HIM. This requires a vast amount of faith. Those who like to “control” situations will not like the answer of prayer. BUT GOD lives when I can praise HIM. I am glad GOD is willing to listen to me.,

 

Challenge

• What ways does the writer give in developing solutions?
• Have you ever developed a solution and things did not come out as expected?
• How did you react?
• Will you take your first action to GOD so HE can heal, fix and provide for you today?

First Things First

 

First Things First

1 Timothy 2: First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, requests, and thanksgivings be offered to God for all people; ² for kings and all others who are in authority, that we may live a quiet and peaceful life with all reverence toward God and with proper conduct. 

 

============

 

When the alarm sounded, I jumped out of bed with my mind racing! I calculated the time it would take to get to my destination so I showered, gathered my stuff and ran to the car. Unexpected traffic hit, so I listened to voicemail and responded to messages. Still stuck in traffic, I called into the meeting I was missing. Chaos and firefighting commenced throughout the day. I was exhausted that night.

 

• My mind was racing all day.
• I had not taken a moment to ease into the day.
• I placed the worries of the day over speaking to the LORD.

 

Paul turns from encouraging Timothy to providing him with valuable instructions on how to lead a group of people in a collected time of worship. “First of all” Paul says, probably meaning this is the most important thing you can do. Speak to the LORD.

 

My Observations

• Before I do anything, GOD wants me to speak to HIM.
• Before I begin my day, GOD wants me to ask HIM , pray to HIM, request from HIM and thank HIM.
• Before I start anything I do, GOD wants me to pray for those in authority, showing my willingness to agree with GOD’s appointment of authority so we can live in peace.

 

Prioritizing speaking to GOD is highly important. I mean, HE wants daily communication with me so I can be successful in all HE wants me to do. Unfortunately, I give in to the world’s pull and I focus on worry, or problems, or sickness or pain. My mind races without rest. BUT GOD gives me a way to have peace.

 

HE simply says “Give it to ME.” But how LORD? “Pray.” Prayer is the only thing that I can manufacture that can make it into heaven. My petition, prayer request and thanksgiving are heard and loved by the MOST HIGH! I am so glad GOD wants me to speak with HIM so HE can hear me and give us a “quiet and peaceful life.”

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer speaks about prayer first?
• Have you ever ignored GOD and had a bad day, month, year or decade?
• Will you place speaking to GOD first about your actions so HE will guide you and lead you to a quiet, peaceful life with all reverence toward HIM with proper conduct today?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, please bless this reader with full knowledge of YOUR plan today. Please guide those who YOU placed in authority to follow YOUR ways so we may have a quiet and peaceful life. We revere and honor you LORD to guide our conduct today. amen

Directed Actions

Directed Actions

1 Thessalonians 1: ² We always thank God for you all and always mention you in our prayers. ³ For we remember before our God and Father how you put your faith into practice, how your love made you work so hard, and how your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ is firm.

 

============

 

Fearing I would not get “respect” I lied about my age. I was in my low to mid-twenties and was tired of people not listening to anything I had to say in meetings. On another occasion, I was embarrassed that I could not go out on the town like “everyone” else, so I snuck out the house. Another time, I was angry at the slow driver ahead of me, so I darted into the next lane to pass, hit a pothole and bent my rim.

 

• Fear made me inconsistent.
• Shame made me unstable.
• Impatience made me react too quickly.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy were excited about the people they wrote to. They were thankful to see examples of faith, love for all and hope in JESUS. These qualities, directed their actions to be consistent in front of everyone.

 

My Observations

• Faith is a quality GOD wants me to use to be consistent, even when I cannot see the finish line.
• Love is GOD, so HE wants me to act like HIM because HE made me in HIS image.
• Hope in JESUS should guide all my decisions, so I can have a firm foundation.

 

Actions driven out of fear, shame and impatience never seem to work out well. I mean, when I am fearful, I tend to make hasty decisions. Shame makes my actions hidden and impatience makes my actions not thought through well. In all cases listed, I find myself in trouble.

 

BUT GOD has a remedy. HE provides faith, shows me love and gives me hope when things look hopeless. HE gives me a new life to live, one with purpose. HE decided to live inside me so HE can guide me to actions that are pleasing to HIM. I am glad the HOLY SPIRIT can direct my steps.

 

Challenge

• Why are the writers thankful?
• Are there areas of your life that are not on a firm foundation, causing fear, shame and impatience?
• Will you place your faith, love and hope in CHRIST and decide whom you will serve, “you” or HIM, today?

First Response

First Response

Colossians 3: ¹² You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 

 

============

 

“Aw man! I forgot a bag at the grocery store!” I said to myself. Knowing the day was full, I dreaded the trip back to the store. Long lines ran through my mind because I did not want to face this and to top it off, I noticed I had been double charged!

 

When I got there, another customer, who was returning things, moved slowly to the counter and painstakingly returned everything in the world!

 

• I had things to do and places to be.
• My first thought was to approach this with anger and rage.
• GOD made me choose smiling instead and the ordeal went quite pleasantly as I got my item and a refund for the double charge.

 

Paul tells everyone “You are the people of GOD” as if to say “Act like it.” He implies “Since you are people of GOD, act like HIM.” He then gives examples like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. These sound familiar. Oh yeah, the fruit of the SPIRIT.

 

My Observations

• When difficult situations arise, GOD wants me to rely on the HOLY SPIRIT for the answer.
• I sometimes want to respond with my instinct, BUT GOD wants me to respond with HIS qualities.
• My first response needs to be tamed with GOD’s compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

 

Better things happen when I come into a difficult or combative situation wearing the right clothes. I mean, when I walk into a circumstance prepared to use the fruit of the SPIRIT, things always go well. Unfortunately, I choose the argument or dive into combat, never once thinking what the other person is going through.

 

GOD gives me an alternative to my first response in difficult situations. Act like I am HIS. HE loved me enough to choose me. I owe my life to HIM. I walk around naked because of sin. HE says “Here. Put these clothes on.” I am glad HE cares for me and is willing to change my first response.

 

Challenge

• Do you get a sense of family from the writer?
• What does it mean to be “chosen” and “loved” by GOD?
• Will you put on the clothes of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience as your first response today?

First Reaction Training

Mark 5: ²¹ Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. ²² And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet ²³ and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.” ²⁴ So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.

-------

³⁵ While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”

³⁶ As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” ³⁷ And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. ³⁸ Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. ³⁹ When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.”

⁴⁰ And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. ⁴¹ Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” ⁴² Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. ⁴³ But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.

============

As a friend told his story to me, I immediately applied skepticism to his words. I mean how can he say “GOD” spoke to him? What made HIM special? I didn’t believe his story and chalked it up to him wanting to be special.

• Sometimes I do not believe.
• Sometimes I do not think other people can have incredible supernatural stories.
• Sometimes I do not trust in other folks words, instead I am skeptical.

“Prove it to me” was my thought. Years later I had an amazing experience that GOD had taken me through. As I tried to explain to people, the situation I was met with skepticism. “Wait, it really did happen” I explained. I remembered my skepticism of my friend and I believed his story.

• GOD wants me to believe.
• GOD wants me to believe early.
• GOD wants me to believe early enough not only to be rescued, but others to be rescued as well.

JESUS was summoned by one of the church leaders who truly believed in HIM. “Please heal my daughter” was the request, having nowhere to turn. JESUS raised his daughter from the dead though people ridiculed HIS diagnosis. HE healed her so they would “only believe.” HE wants my “first” reaction to be that of belief.

• Are you Skeptical?
• Do you doubt GOD’s Power?
• Will you put your trust in GOD today and Believe?