A Thousand Tongues

O’ for a thousand tongues to sing… remember the old song? I always loved it. Recently it’s been on my mind, and every time I hear it in my mind, I can’t help but think, “Lord, thank you that the reality is I only have one tongue.” It isn’t that I don’t appreciate the sentiment behind the words – how can I adequately sing the praises of God with only one tongue? A heart bursting forth with praise for our God and King, that’s a good thing.

However, I’ve always considered my tongue to be my worst fault. How many times in my life have I asked myself, “When are you going to learn to keep your big mouth shut?” Way more times than I can count. How many times have I had to ask for forgiveness almost as soon as words are out of my mouth. “I’m sorry for calling that other driver an idiot. Lord, please help them in their driving… Lord, I’m sorry I spoke rudely, I forgot to consider the feelings of that person… Lord, I know I shouldn’t have said anything about that situation, it’s not my business and I was gossiping… Lord, I’m sorry I spoke out in anger, I should have turned to You and kept my mouth shut… ” The list goes on and on.

Imagine on a daily basis trying to control not just one, but a thousand tongues! Oh my! So, today my prayer is, “Lord, thank you for one tongue! Help me to use it to praise You and bless others at all times! Amen!”

The book of James has a lot to say about the tongue - here are just a few of the verses:

James 1:26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.

James 3:8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.

9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;

10from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
***

God Had a Plan Thoughts on Being First In the First Place

Often people like to begin stating their stance on a given issue with the phrase, “In the first place…” as though they have the final say on the matter. However, the first word spoken on a given matter is not necessarily the final say. After all is said and done, it turns out the dragonfly is not a dragon, but merely a fly.

Proverbs 18:17 The first to plead his case seems right,
Until another comes and examines him.

Have you noticed that when Jesus was tempted by the devil, it was the devil who spoke first after the forty days and forty nights of fasting in the wilderness? He even used scripture itself – the absolute truth of God – to try to dissuade Jesus from God’s perfect plan.

Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.

3 And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."

4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"

5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,

6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,
'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU';
and
'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP,
SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'"

7 Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'"

8 Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory;

9 and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me."

10 Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'"

11 Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.

Well, Satan may have had the first word in this instance, but he certainly didn’t have the final say. In every instance Jesus, knowing full well the will of the Father and being fully committed to it, gave the final answer, and that with absolute authority.

Be blessed today as you keep the Lord first in everything!

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
***

God Had a Plan Thoughts on Being First The Beatitudes

On Being First, the Beatitudes

Have you ever read the beatitudes (which may be found in the fifth chapter of Matthew) with a “first… then…” perspective? What I mean by that, for example, is to read, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” like this, “First, be poor in spirit, then the kingdom of heaven will be yours.”

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted,” becomes something like, “First comes mourning, but then you shall be comforted.”

“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth,” becomes “First be gentle, then you shall inherit the earth.”

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied,” becomes “First hunger and thirst for righteousness, then you shall be satisfied.”

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy,” becomes, “First be merciful, then you shall receive mercy.”

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God,” becomes, “First be pure in heart, then you shall see God.”

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God,” becomes, “First be a peacemaker, then you shall be called a son of God.”

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” becomes, “First comes persecution, then the kingdom of heaven is yours.”

“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you,” becomes, “First comes persecution, then comes rejoicing because you have great reward in heaven.”

Be blessed today as you keep the Lord first in everything!

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
***

God had a Plan Thoughts on Being First Be Thankful

Lately I've realized that I've been forgetting something simple yet so important with the result that my attitude fails to reflect how very wonderful God is. Often I am distracted, busy and even annoyed. I can easily become resentful and self-pitying, and I really have forgotten to keep a thankful heart at all times. So, today, I'm asking Him to help me remember to thank Him FIRST and help me keep a thankful heart all throughout the day.

Psalm 95:2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving,
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
3For the LORD is a great God
And a great King above all gods,

Psalm 100:4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
5For the LORD is good;
His lovingkindness is everlasting
And His faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 50:23 "He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;
And to him who orders his way aright
I shall show the salvation of God."

Paul reminds us that we ought to be devoted to prayer with an attitude of thanksgiving...

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

And even when we are presenting requests to God, it ought to begin with thanksgiving – after all, has He not already given us so much to be thankful for?

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

This is an article I submitted to the weekly FW challenge way back in ’05:

Thanksgiving, Mighty Weapon of Warfare!

We cannot be thankful to God and despise a neighbor at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and wallow in self-pity at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and curse in anger at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and vent resentment at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and harbor bitterness at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and give in to temptation at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and display envy at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and gossip at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and ridicule others at the same time.

The list could go on, but the point is, what a powerful weapon against the enemy we have! Even negative feelings like fear, hopelessness and anxiety are hard to hold on to when we maintain an attitude of thanksgiving.

Judah used this mighty weapon of warfare. The sons of Moab, the sons of Ammon, and the Meunites had all come together to make war against Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast, and all Judah gathered together to seek the Lord. The Lord told them through a prophet that the battle was His, not theirs, and not to fear, but to trust Him.

2 Chronicles 20:18 – 24
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. 19 And the Levites, from the sons of the Kohathites and of the sons of the Korahites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
20 And they rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the Lord your God, and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” 22 And when they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed. 23 For the sons of Ammon and Moab rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir destroying them completely, and when they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another. 24 When Judah came to the lookout of the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and behold, they were corpses lying on the ground, and no one had escaped.

Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting, indeed!

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God Had a Plan Thoughts on Being First Family

Recent events in this journey of life have me reflecting on family a lot. Often, it seems, there are things I want to do – things I ought to do – things I could do – but all get pushed aside when family issues become critically important. It’s then that I realize it’s all about choices, and family comes first.

When our children were babies, my husband and I made the decision that I would be a “stay-at-home” mom, and we have valued that decision – even in financially stressful times when it might have seemed that the right thing for me to do was get a job. We got through those times, and our boys are all grown up. Now often we miss the little people they once were, but we have no regrets, and we are so proud of the wonderful young men they have become.

Recently I have so appreciated having the time and being able to do some things that I believe are within the range of talents the Lord has given me. Yet, even now, I find that I have to work at keeping the appropriate balance in the different areas of my life. I am still a homemaker, although I no longer have to change diapers or drive to sports practice. I find usually that with a bit of creative scheduling, I can fit in the things that I don’t have to do, but I truly want to do – such as blogging.

But then there are the times, such as now, when all such scheduling pretty much goes right out the window, and survival mode kicks in. Having the time to get the laundry done and the meals cooked feels like a luxury. Now, much of my time is spent just sitting, watching my own mother as she stares at pictures on the wall of her grandsons, and tries to remember who they are. Or, watching as she tries to follow along with the activity director who is helping her create a special craft. My simply being there, smiling and nodding at her, telling her the craft is pretty, holding her hand – seems to make her happy, even though at times she introduces me as her sister.

I confess, I sometimes worry that the time will never be there to do the things I want to do – even the very things I have come to believe the Lord wants me to do – because of the other things I also want to do and believe the Lord wants me to do. I am not only praying for patience, but thanking Him for the patience He has already given me, and putting it into practice in my obedience which is by faith. I can only do each day so much, and so I have to trust Him with all of this. So, once again, I am putting family first, and in so doing, I keep the Lord first in my life.

1 Timothy 5: 4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

… and verse 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
***

God had a Plan, First Covenant, Second Covenant - Which Came First?

Which came first – the “First Covenant” or the “Second Covenant”? Well, the answer seems obvious – the Old Covenant of righteousness by the keeping of the Law and the offering of animal sacrifices came first. That was followed by the New Covenant, that righteousness which comes, not by way of the keeping of laws and the offering of animal sacrifices, but through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. As the word says, according to 2 Corinthians 5:21, He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

The first covenant – the law contained in commandments and requiring the blood of animals to be shed – why not just keep it in place? Hebrews 8 is a good place to start to answer that question.

Hebrews 8:6-7 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.

Did you get that? If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second. The problem with the Old Covenant is that man was not truly able to keep the Law, try as he might. It has to do with the heart and nature of man – what man is on the inside, and his inability to be “good.” That’s why Jesus said we must be “born again.”

John 3:3 and 5-6 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." … Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Although as Christians we have been born again, and therefore have a new spiritual heart and a new spiritual nature, we know we still struggle in our efforts to obey the inclination of that new nature as opposed to obeying the inclination of the old nature that we are accustomed to. That’s why Paul told us to walk by the Spirit, not the flesh.

Galatians 5:16-17 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

3For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,

4so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

But let’s look back at our original question – which came first, the “First (Old) Covenant” or the “Second (New) Covenant”? In truth, God’s ultimate plan was always the New Covenant. Yes, the Old Covenant was a part of His plan, of course, but it was never the goal – that man would somehow survive through obedience to the Law. That was not God’s plan! Jesus was not the “afterthought” but the “forethought.” He is the Beginning and the End, and He was the foundation from the beginning.

Ephesians chapter one is excellent for studying God’s “purpose from the beginning” – here are a few verses from the chapter.

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

4just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love

5He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,

6to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

7In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

8which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight

9He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him

10with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him

11also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,

12to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.

13In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

14who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

And from Revelation chapter 22:

Revelation 22:12"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.

13"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."

14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.

15Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.

16"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."

17The Spirit and the bride say, "Come " And let the one who hears say, "Come " And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.

Why then the Law? If God knew it would be, in a sense, futile, why enact it at all? The Law was given so that we might know our sin. Romans chapters 3 and 5 have a lot to say about God’s purpose for the law in the first place.

Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;

20because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

21But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

22even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

24being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

25whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;

26for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

10For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

11And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

12Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned--

13for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

15But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.

16The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification.

17For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

18So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.

19For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.

20The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

21so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I know we all are so very thankful for the New Covenant – our reconciled relationship to our heavenly Father who loves us and gave His Son to save us, His plan from the very beginning!
***

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God had a Plan, There Really is No Time Like the Present

I’m so glad God’s plan includes me! Part of His plan for me is to train me in the use of my time. I have to admit to you that although as a Christian I have pretty much always had a “quiet time” with the Lord on a fairly daily basis, often it was almost like an item on my “to do list” – once I got it done and crossed off, the rest of the day belonged to ME! Oh, my! So, although I did not practice outright sinful behavior, I sure could fritter away a lot of time on fairly useless activity, such as playing games on the computer.

One day several years ago I was talking to God about the computer game I was playing, and He told me very simply, “I would not make that choice.” I am not being legalistic – if I had limited the time I spent playing computer games wisely, I doubt God would have had to speak to me about it to begin with. In other words, taking a break now and then is a good thing. Unending hours spent playing computer games, on the other hand, is not time well spent. Not only that, it can become depressing, and I believe that is largely because we sense, as moral individuals, the negative value of time itself slipping away.

I didn’t immediately change my behavior, but I did think about what I believe the Lord had spoken. As I continued to move prayerfully forward with Him, He said some other things such as, “Organize your time and talents,” and “Too many hobbies.”

I am still learning in these areas – but I can tell you for sure that writing would have forever remained a “something I want to do someday” if I had not listened. In the exploration of just how the Lord might want me to spend the time and talents He gave me, in addition to writing deliberately, I began to develop other computer talents, things I never would have even thought to attempt – but I now can create basic websites and fairly simple computer art. If I had not obeyed Him and begun to “organize my time and talents” none of these things would have come about.

Why is there really no time like the present? At best, the past has been a great teacher and springboard for the present, and at worst, the past can only serve to haunt you, especially if you dwell on it. And no matter how bright the hope of tomorrow may be, every tomorrow, when it arrives, is really once again only today. The only moment we can exercise any control over is the present moment.

What do I mean by ‘exercising control over the present moment’? Exactly how to do that is certainly a bit different for each individual, especially considering our differing lives and circumstances. I am not suggesting leaving out the vital areas of our lives – the things we may not even have much choice about. Who gets up in the morning and says, “Shall I feed my children today, or let them go hungry because I have more important goals such as writing to attend to?” Nah, that would be really bad! Hah!

However, planning ahead is something ALL of us have to do if we hope to have any time for goals. One of the practical things I have begun to do once again lately is printing out a calendar and writing out my goals. It helps me stay focused – and it helps me divide my time wisely. If I continue to just let the days cruise along with me dangling in the wake, I will not be satisfied with the results. I will have managed to feed those poor children, no doubt, but the writing will remain a blank page.

So, organizing time – how relevant is that? Crucial, I believe. Otherwise goals are merely lies we tell ourselves as we fritter away the hours in pursuit of meeting immediate need or satisfaction. Long term consequences? All the tomorrows we dream of continue to turn into the todays we survive without ever realizing the accomplishment of God-given vision.

Psalm 90 contains some awesome words of wisdom concerning time. I especially like verse twelve.

So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

***

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God had a Plan, THOUGHTS ON BEING FIRST, part 2

Thoughts on Being First – The Foundation

Once I was listening to a woman talk about her frustration with a certain couple whom she and her husband were counseling as the marriage counselors for their church. After awhile I asked her a simple question, “Do you know for sure that they are Christians? Because if they are not, the problem could be that you are trying to help them build on a foundation that isn’t even there.” She decided that made sense, and determined to pursue the message of the gospel with the couple before continuing efforts to help them salvage their marriage.

1 Corinthians 15:3- 8 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.

I like these verses from 1 Corinthians because they remind me of that which is ‘of first importance’. I believe that means not only ‘most important’ but also the ‘beginning of what is important.’ In other words, without the gospel, all religious efforts are without meaning and futile.
Jesus spoke about being first through an angel to John in Revelation:

Revelation 22:13 and 16 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
16"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."

There are many people in many religions or philosophies in many nations all over the world that strive to build their lives into something good. The problem is that without salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ, there is no foundation that is recognized by God.

1 Corinthians 3:9-11 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Luke 6:47-49 "Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. "But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great."

God’s plan? Get that foundation in place FIRST, then build.

***

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God had a Plan, THOUGHTS ON BEING FIRST

Sometimes it is not easy to be first. For example, being first to be chosen for the team may seem great – until you look back and see one who hasn’t yet been chosen – perhaps a friend. Suddenly it may not feel so good to be first.

The apostle Paul received his salvation and calling before many of his countrymen, the Jews. It was a great thing for him to be called and used by God because many people believed in the Lord Jesus Christ because of his obedience to that call. And yet, in one way in particular Paul grieved – over the lost souls of his countrymen who did not yet believe. He was chosen, on the team, and yet he looked back with deep sadness at those he loved who did not also believe. Christians whose families have not also become united in belief can empathize with Paul. There’s a division and a sadness that doesn’t go away until loved ones come to faith in Christ.

Often, people want to be first out of selfish ambition and an exaggerated sense of self importance. That’s just human nature, but it’s not a godly attitude. Ambition, on the other hand, is a good thing when kept in balance. The opposite of ambition could be viewed as laziness, and that’s not a good thing. Prayerful ambition, keeping the needs of others in mind, even first, will help guard against failure in the very things we ought to be successful in.

3 John 1:9-10 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.

Ever noticed how people are often slow to line up at the buffet – because no one seems to want to be first in line? Then, when someone finally goes ahead, the line quickly forms because no one wants to be last in line, either.

Sometimes it’s uncomfortable, or even scary to be first – but someone has to lead, or set a good example for others to follow, or be the first to stand up for what’s right in a difficult situation. Fear of what others may think – or even do – can be a huge hindrance to godly boldness. Paul asked others to pray for him, that he might be bold in the preaching of the gospel. And he later was able to say that he had not shrank back from declaring the whole purpose of God among them.

Acts 20:26-27 "Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.

I plan to write more on this theme because I find that the bible has a lot to say about ‘being first.’ Meantime, here’s a parting thought: Keeping Jesus ‘first’ will help keep all the other ‘firsts’ in my life in proper order and balance, and it will ensure I find the plan of God for my own life.

***

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God Had a Plan, The Edge of Danger

I live on the edge of danger, it seems. Who, me? Well, danger of a sort. It’s the danger of never finishing anything I start. I enjoy writing short fiction pieces for several reasons, but one of those reasons is simply that they are quick and relatively easy to concoct. Novels, on the other hand, take a whole lot of ingredients along with lots of measuring and stirring and long, slow simmering. Which is why mine seem to remain neglected, put off and forever unfinished.

Starting and stopping, putting off and procrastinating, losing interest, changing course and haphazardly dropping projects altogether – none of these things gets me to the finish line. Living like that is dangerous. The danger is that effectiveness is lost and change never comes about, not for me nor for those I could perhaps be ministering to.

‘Finish’ is a word I sense the Holy Spirit speaking to me often. He urges me toward discipline, and His Holy Fire never seems to let up. He is refining and purging, and always encouraging me not to give up. He is training me to submit to His leadership and training me to run with endurance.

The balance of this, of course, is to be careful that I am still following – that I haven’t charged ahead of Him by not waiting for His guidance, His plan and – as a writer and artist – His inspiration. Sometimes I need to advance and move forward aggressively. Sometimes I need to slow down and rest. At all times I need to listen for that still, small voice, the voice of the Holy Spirit. It is as though He is pacing me in my race.

Though I recognize the significance of not finishing specific tasks in my life, there is clearly a much greater danger faced by all Christians, and that is not finishing the overall, real race – the race all Christians are called to run. Nothing is more important than that race, because it represents our faith, our very life in Christ. And quite truthfully, we are not called to merely ‘run’ that race, but to ‘win’ that race.

1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

It’s easy to become complacent in our walk – our race - at times. We can think back on times of renewal and of feeling so close to God that He was everything that mattered. The danger is in losing the focus of our first love. Do you remember your first love? How close do you feel to Him now? Are you drifting in your relationship? If you are, don’t blame God, because He never drifts. You drift. I drift. He remains faithful.

Hebrews 2:1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.

I’m thankful for His love and patience. I’m thankful that He warns me when I begin to drift, paying less heed to Him. He warns me of the danger, reminding me to wake up and pay attention! I’m thankful for His very steady influence in my life – much like the rudder of a boat, guiding it to safety.

1 Timothy 1:18-19 This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.

Revelation 3:2 'Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.

What if God didn’t finish the things He started? Unthinkable, I know. That’s a relief! Because if He didn’t follow through on His plans, it would have been the doom of you, me and the entire human race – perhaps at the first crunch of that juicy apple in the hands of Adam and Eve. I’m glad His plan is something He never deviates from – the redemption of all mankind through the sacrifice of His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The happy news is that all of those projects we actually do finish – you know, the ones that are like assignments from Him, and done for His glory as acts of love and obedience – are not forgotten by Him. Rather, at the finish line they are, in a sense, stamped by His approval and come with His promise of reward. Even before we get to the finish line, if we are making the effort to run well, by faith in Him, then we have peace, and that alone makes it all worthwhile.

Galatians 6:9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.



Job 42:1-2Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.


[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]