First Things First

I have a question for you.  How do you start your day?  There are  people I know who claim that their day just doesn't go right if they don't have their morning coffee or soda.  They have to have a doughnut or a bowl of oatmeal.  They wake up in the morning wash their face, brush their teeth, take a shower, have breakfast and head off to work or to school never once acknowledging the creator of the universe, the Almighty God.  This morning I woke up a little behind schedule and didn't spend my normal quiet time with the Lord. To tell the truth I didn't sleep well and couldn't calm the million voices inside my head.  I went about my morning as if all was right with the world.  It wasn't until about 10:00 that morning when I was feeling a little strange did I realize what the problem was.  I had not taken the time to commune with my Heavenly Father.  Things could not have been more off with my day.  So what did I do?  I stopped right there and prayed.  Instantly I felt better. 

Once again I was reminded that another truth found in the gospel holds true."Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you".  (Matthew 6:33)  This same truth is pointed out in The Lord's Prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread". (Matthew 6:11)  God has something that He wants to share with You everyday.  This verse shows your need of God’s sustenance is daily as is also your need of prayer for God’s supply.  You don't have the opportunity to take a day off.  David said that "During the evening, morning, and noontime, I will lament and moan and he will hear me". (Psalm 55:17)  I can think of more times than that when I need to cry out to the Lord.  Yet and still I find myself still trying to go at it in my own strength.  Each time I fail.  When will I ever learn. 

Your body is built to need daily sustenance.  I don't know too many of us that will go without our daily meal. Now sometimes I forget to eat but it is not too long before my body reminds me that it needs a cracker or something.  How much of the stress in your life could be avoided if you took the time to start your day with God?  Your relationship with God is cultivated by frequent and regular times of devotion.  Who else can you tell all your deepest, darkest secrets?  Who else can you tell all your fears?  Even when you don't have the right words to say, you can cry out with groanings that the Savior can understand.  You can never go to Him too much.  He won't become annoyed like some of your friends or family members might.  You must remember that while may at times be good listeners, it is God who is able to do something about the problem.  Whatever it is that you may be going through, the only relief you have is to take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.  For the God I serve is truly a burden bearer.  He is a heavy load sharer.  There are times I feel like I can't catch a break but then I remember that this isn't about me.  You don't know how many times I tell myself this each day.  I am reminded of the story of Lazarus and how Jesus received word that he was ill.  Most people begin to shout at the the part of the scripture when Lazarus is raised from the dead.  My shouting begins a little earlier.  Take a minute and read John 11:4. When Jesus heard that, he said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby."  There is just something to be said when you know that God is in your corner.  Those that believe and trust Him know that the end result is "VICTORY".  What is important is that you trust Him.  That you prioritize your life in a way that puts God first.  I like the way Barnes' Commentary Notes paraphrased this verse. "His sickness is not fatal. It is not designed for his death, but to furnish an opportunity for a signal display of the glory of God, and to furnish a standing proof of the truth of religion. It is intended to exhibit the power of the Son of God, and to be a proof at once of the truth of his mission; of his friendship for this family; of his mild, tender, special love as a man; of his power and glory as the Messiah; and of the great doctrine that the dead will rise.  My paraphrase, " Your future is not fatal.  The test results are not final.  Those who are working overtime to see your demise will not win.  God loves you.  He cares about you.  He is not going to leave you out there on a limb by yourself.  What the devil meant for bad, God is going to turn it around for your good.  Only trust Him."  I always think about whose life I may be affecting.  I may be the only God people at my job may see.  For some of you reading this you are the only God your children will see, your spouse will see, that stranger at the grocery store.  You must stay prayed up.  God is the source of your strength.  Without Him you are nothing.  The next time your day seems a little off kilter, stop and ask yourself if you remembered to pray.

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

I come to You in the humblest way that I know how first thanking You and praising You for being who You are.  I thank You that because of Your grace and Your mercy I am still here today.  I ask for forgiveness, realizing that each day I fall short.  I say and do things I know that I shouldn't do and yet You continue to love me.  You continue to bless me with the breath of life.  Circumstances in my life may not be the most ideal right now but I am reminded that You are my Shepherd and that there is nothing of eternal value that I am lacking.  Help me to remember in every thing to look to You.  Help me to put you first in not just major decisions but in everything.  Let me remember that it is not about me but that You may be glorified.  I will forever give You all the glory, honor and the praise.  In Jesus' Most Precious Name I pray Amen. 

A Call To Prayer

'First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way'.  I Timothy 2:1-2


What is wrong with our world today?  With all the technological advances that we have in the world today and things that have been labeled as improvements to our society it just seems that our world isn't getting any better.  I believe that Paul had it right when he urged Timothy to make prayer a priority again for the Ephesian church.  And this is exactly what I believe needs to be done now.  God is the only one that can do something about all the turmoil going on in the world today.  Now I understand that we all have our own needs that we take to God, but that  shouldn't stop us from praying for our leaders.  Our President, Vice President, Congress.  Our Governors, Police Men and Women, Armed Forces.  Our Pastors, heads of universities, our teachers, our counselors.  All these individuals who have to make decisions concerning our lives and the lives of those we love.  As disciples of Christ we are called to be a praying people.  The forefathers of this nations were praying people.  They claimed this nation for God.  Yet we try so hard to keep God out of everything.  I know that I have mentioned this before but it is something that is pressing on my heart.  Every time I watch the news and I see husbands killing wives, mothers killing babies, children killing parents, it reminds me that I need to pray.  It should be our first impulse instead of our last resort. Too often we pray when circumstances have reached the point of no return. 

I like the way Paul begin.  It was as if to say, "First things first, PRAY."  Before you start to do anything else to solve the problems of the world, your home, your community....PRAY!  Start with requests or petitions.  Then just pray...talk to the Father.  Next make intercessions for others.  Prayer should be unselfish.  And lastly thanksgiving.  “Thanksgiving” is always involved because unless we are grateful we likely don’t understand whom we are talking to. The very fact that our God offers us an audience before his throne is reason enough for thanksgiving. Paul then goes on to remind us that our prayers should not be limited.  We are to pray for all people.  What has happened that prayer has become so ineffective and so unimportant?  I grew up during a time where there was daily prayer in homes, prayer meetings in houses.  I had a prayer partner that called me weekly most of my life. But now when something needs to be done we don't see prayer as action.  Prayer is the best thing anyone can do in any situation.  Taking your problem to an all-wise and all-powerful God.  I know you may have heard this time and time and again during your life.  I believe that you can never be reminded enough.  Prayer is something that is so very personal to me because when I was at my lowest I know that God answered the prayers of others to bring me back to a place to be of service to Him.  Some I knew about but I am sure that there were many prayers that I didn't know about.  Everyone is standing in the need of prayer.  I know that your NewYear's resolutions have been made...how about asking God to help you develop a better pray life, and not just for yourself but for others. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

I need Your help.  I want a better prayer life.  Open my eyes so that I might see the needs of others and then bring those needs to You, the only one that can bring about true change.  Forgive me for my selfishness.  Yes there are things that are going on in my life that need Your attention and touch but I need to remember that it is not always about me.  Thank you for the privilege of prayer.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.