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WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT
Updated: Tuesday, October 14, 2008
BUT FIRST..
"Sweetheart, I love you and I want to be with you but first, I have other things to do." How would you feel if your husband or sweetheart said this to you? If my husband said this to me, I would doubt the depth of his love and I am sure I would wonder what obviously was more important to him than I was.
This response is exactly what one man said to Jesus, when He told him to follow Him. "And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house." Luke 9:61. This response put Christ in second place. The very words "but first" show that following Jesus was not this man's first priority. Yet, that is exactly what He demands. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33
Recently I talked with a young believer, about 24 years of age at our church. He had been without a job for some time and had suffered some major discouragement and depression. Through getting back to reading the Bible and getting some things in order with the Lord his mental state had greatly improved. In recent months the Lord also gave him a good job. Needless to say, he was in good spirits and the world had become a friendlier place.
I asked how his devotion time with the Lord was doing and his answer was, "I just haven't had much time for that lately". I asked if he was giving to the Lord since getting his new job. His response was, "I have needed it all for me and my needs." Does this not sound a little like, "I will be thankful Lord and I will show you that I love you, but first ... comes me"?
I wonder how often we have heard our Lord speak to us about something specific and our response has been, "I will Lord, but first..." Are we guilty of putting off our obedience to His will? Are we putting off the service or ministry He has called us to?
I asked the young man if he loved the Lord and he answered emphatically, yes! I then asked him if his life and actions were showing that He loved the Lord more than he loved himself? He did not answer me.
Let us ask ourselves this same question. Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15, 21, 23 Here is a very interesting and thought provoking sentence from W. E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words: "When a man obeys God he gives the only possible evidence that in his heart he believes God." So if I do not obey God is the opposite true? Am I saying with my disobedience that I do not believe God?
I am convinced that when I choose to disobey my Lord in any area, I am at that point loving myself more than Him. How that must grieve the heart of my Lord and Savior. "Jesus said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." Matthew 22:37 Let me encourage you to check out your level of love for the Lord. "...that in all things he might have the preeminence." Colossians 1:18
THOUGHT TO PONDER:What is it that you are procrastinating in your relationship with Jesus Christ? Does your life show the Lord that you love Him FIRST?
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- Sandy Hastings |
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