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. 

 

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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

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. 

 

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“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?

Have a Response

 

Have a Response

1 Corinthians 9: ³ When people criticize me, this is how I defend myself: ⁴ Don't I have the right to be given food and drink for my work? ⁵ Don't I have the right to follow the example of the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Peter, by taking a Christian wife with me on my trips? ⁶ Or are Barnabas and I the only ones who have to work for our living? ⁷ What soldiers ever have to pay their own expenses in the army? What farmers do not eat the grapes from their own vineyard? What shepherds do not use the milk from their own sheep?

 

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When I got off the stage I felt debased. I was invited to speak on one subject, but was ambushed with other questions I was not expecting. Unfortunately for me, I had no response. An audience member pulled me to the side and said “You have the microphone. Speak from your platform.” “What did that mean?” ran through my mind.

 

• There have been times when I was unprepared with my response.
• There have been times when I have been criticized and I did not have a satisfactory reply.
• There have been times when I have faced combative people and had no “defense.”

 

Paul felt the need to teach people how to defend their service to the LORD. He talks about some controversial topics that remain to this day. “Should a person get paid for speaking about JESUS?” And “Should the spouse of the speaker be taken care of too?” were probably the questions he addressed. He provided a “platform.”

 

• GOD wants me to speak about HIM and have other people support HIS work through me.
• GOD wants me to know it is alright to be supported by others when I dedicate my life to speaking about HIM.
• GOD wants me to have a response to criticism ready that still points people to HIM.

 

Rather than arguing, GOD wants me to be ready for those who criticize me for speaking about HIM. HE knows some people will not agree that JESUS is the answer because he or she may be too blinded by the world to hear that JESUS “IS” the answer to any and all problems.

 

A life dedicated to speaking about JESUS deserves life sustaining conveniences. Luxury items complicate what is life sustaining these days. BUT GOD knows all of my needs, wants and desires. When I align those to HIM, I am always taken care of. My response to those who criticize me for serving the LORD is “HE loves you and me.”

 

• Are you getting into arguments about GOD’s calling on your life?
• Do you get frustrated because you have to defend what GOD told you to do?
• Will you relax the need to argue and be prepared to pray for those who may not understand and teach those who do to support GOD’s vision HE has on your life?

First Response

First Response

Acts 10: ³⁰ So Cornelius said,  “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, ³¹ and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. ³² Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ ³³ So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”

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“Gullible” was the label placed on me with laughter. Questions were hurled at me with answers I did not know. I would to proud to say “I don’t know” so I went along with what people said. When I heard the laughter, I decided no one would fool me again. I became suspicious of motive, listening intently for lies.

• When I was hurt by liars, I became suspicious.
• When I was embarrassed by pranksters I became jaded to simply listening to anyone.
• When I was told one thing and watched people do another, I became slow to respond until I found out the “truth.”

Cornelius quieted down, fasted and prayed to GOD. He heard from GOD that his prayers and alms were remembered. His first response was to obey what GOD told him without doubt. Peter did the same. He went to a group of people who did not look nor act like him. Peter was obedient to the point of bridging the gap between races.

• GOD wants my first response to be that of love.
• GOD wants my first response to also include seeking people for HIS kingdom.
• GOD wants my first response to also include faith, compassion, mercy and grace.

It is not easy to have my first response to be focused on GOD. I mean when “that” person says the right thing, my first response is to react, probably in a negative way. BUT GOD gives me a “second” chance. HE wants me to pause for a “second”, think about my response and use my “second” response as my first.

Obedience to GOD grows my faith. I am grateful GOD gives me a second chance.

• What is your first response when things go wrong or when someone wrongs you?
• Do you react to people quickly and respond negatively?
• Will you change your first response to include GOD so HE can use you for HIS amazing plans today?