Tag: god first bro

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What Is Your Top Priority?

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I love the way the NLT bible puts this verse. KEEP AWAY from ANYTHING that MIGHT take God’s place in your heart. This verse shows how important it is to keep God first above everything and to protect ourselves from the world’s distractions or maybe the distraction is even ourself! God’s proper place of order is ABOVE ALL, including our spouses, kids, jobs, or *place something or someone important to you here*. Has there been something you’ve been putting first before your relationship with God? What is your first priority? What way can things be put in proper order? Too much of a good thing can become idolatry. Start with a small amount of time and go to your quiet place and spend time with God. Get an accountability partner if this is something you struggle with. A little encouragement can go a long way!

Also, a really awesome book to go along with today’s devotion is- God’s At War by Kyle Idleman.

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Let’s Get Serious

One of the hardest things for us to do is really look at our hearts. The tendency of the human heart is to always see that what we are doing is right. What we are doing is always justified. The more I grow into a deeper intimacy with The Lord, the more I realize that I need to take this walk seriously.

I watched a Sermon given by Francis Chan that stirred up conviction, emotion, and a deep passion inside of me. A deeper passion then before…

He talked about the earth, how we are literally…right now…sitting in a ball of water, but the core is molten hot lava, moving at 1,000mph, revolving around the sun. & the sun being at the perfect distance, the earth being tilted at a perfect angle, just for us to live. Have you ever walked outside and been like “Wow, this is beautiful.”? When you walk outside, when you just look around, you can see his beauty all around you. God created beautiful views for us to view, for us to be in awe, for us to be memorized by. He also created us. He said, “I need one of you” & placed us here at the perfect timing to fulfill the purpose he has for our life.

Y’all God can do whatever he pleases, whenever he pleases…

If Jesus came back today, would you live differently?

Would you spend more time pursuing him?

Would you get up in the morning to read scripture even though you’re tired?

Would you stop watching that TV show because it’s profane and shows nudity?

Would you talk to him more?

Would you pray for someone when Holy Spirit told you to?

Would you give up your human flesh comfort just to be with him in eternity?

I feel, at times, I waste a lot of time on things that are useless to the Kingdom Of God…

I feel, at times, I live for myself instead of him.

I feel, as though, I could love deeper, forgive easier, and spread the truth of his word, more than I do.

We all have convictions that have stirred up in our heart. We are all working on things. We will never reach the depth of Abba’s love here on earth, so in turn our relationship with him should never stop growing either.

Since I’ve been walking this journey with God, I have been fed many lies. However, because I knew the truth of God’s word, I was able to speak that. I think what I enjoyed about Francis Chan’s sermon is how passionate he is in his relationship with God and how he repeated over and over, how he doesn’t want you to take him at face value. He wants you to read the truth of God’s word yourself.

I cannot stress how important it is to just be in his presence. How important is for the first thing for you to do in the morning is acknowledge who is breathing life into you this very moment. How important it is to talk to him, to read his word, and to praise him through every circumstance. Oh and don’t stop there, this is something you should do all day and all night long. How weird would it be if you had a friend, family member, child, spouse, someone whom you loved being with you all day, everyday, and not talking to them or hearing what they have to say? We get so caught up in the things of this world, that we do this!

God wants us, as brothers and sisters, to join together and hold one another accountable in our relationship with him. (James 5:16, Galatians 6:1-2, Matthew 18:15-17) This world tells you that we need to be independent and do it all on our own. Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15:5-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The best thing you can do for yourself is follow God. Pursue his heart. Stop caring what the world thinks and follow Him. It can be uncomfortable at times, it can be a struggle, but it is so much more rewarding. The love he has for us is so much greater than anything we can ever ask for. He is everywhere and in everything you do. The more you are aware of him in everything you’ve done or will do, life here on earth will change drastically for the good.

Be intentional in your walk! Spend time with him! He loves you so much! Take life seriously, you never know what tomorrow will bring. Let God take over ever part of your heart, evening it’s uncomfortable. He brings so much more than we could ever bring ourselves.

Below is the link to the video I watched by Francis Chan…the passion he has is beautiful….

https://youtu.be/GQYJXBXRpZQ

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Apps To Strengthen Your Walk

I have the app IDisciple, YouVersion, and ISword (sorry IPhone users), which are all applications that have strengthened my relationship with God. We are on our phone so often, why not use it productively?

IDisciple-Google for Christians is what I would call it. I absolutely love this app. From music, sermons, audio bible, growth plans, to articles. It’s all there. You do have to pay for the app if you want to have unlimited access. (So worth the $5) You do get to share access to the app with 5 others using your email with your subscription.

YouVersion-So many plans, so many translations, so many ways to just dive into the word. I am on this app the most. I love highlighting, sharing word images and uploading them to social media to spread the word, and the fact that you can add friends and have a news feed. Sometimes seeing what others have highlighted helps me in my walk. I also love being able to encourage others when I see them spending time in his presence. Also, major plus, The River (the church I attend), puts an event every week with the scripture and notes using during the message. It’s awesome to be able to go back and look over past sermons.

ISword-Unfortunately,unless it has changed, only for android users. This app helps me study deeper meaning to the original context of what was written. I honestly haven’t figured it all out yet on this app.

Do you have any apps that help your walk? Feel free to share!

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You Say, God Says

Looking at the many posts of Irma and reflecting on just how powerful the words we speak are. & I am reminded how much greater our God is.

I began reflecting on how many times I’ve been in a circumstance and just settled and decided that this is how it’s supposed to be. That the situation I’m in isn’t going to change so I might as well not even bother praying about it.

I am reminded of how I lived with suicidal thoughts for 15 years of my life, held onto the hurt and pain of my past, and decided to live my identity in mental illness and not as a Child of God. I am reminded that I often settle for less than what Abba has promised me.

In order to know his promises, we need to read them, meditate on them, and declare them over our life.

Instead of dwelling in how terrible your current situation is, understand how great Abba is and how much he loves you.

When looking at a situation that seems impossible, know that ALL things are possible with God and he is the light to guide you. He will make your paths straight.

If you have an overwhelming anxiety and depression, fear, and hatred, know that it isn’t of God, he gives you a sound mind. He is love. He provides you with peace.

We are not called to be troubled or afraid we are called to be confident and courageous.

I often forget that I am walking in Victory not to victory. That the battle is already won. God spoke over my life before anyone could. Before the world or anyone of it decided to share their opinions of “who I am”, what I “should” be doing, and what the worlds definition of “success” is.

Don’t settle for less than what God’s promises have to offer. Don’t settle for less than peace. Don’t settle for the lost staying where they are. God wants ALL his children to come home to him. Don’t settle for mental illness. Don’t settle for sickness. Have faith in God. That he is a God of healing and miracles. Let his love to take over your life. God wants so much more for us, we just never ask.

That is what has been placed on my heart. That we have everything at our disposal, we just don’t realize it. God giving us Holy Spirit is one of the most memorizing things to me. It blows my mind that God would not only sacrifice his son for us but give us apart of him to always keep with us.

Open up your bible and speak God’s word over your life and watch the beauty of his love unfold.

Don’t settle for less.

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Road Rage VS Reckless Love

     “Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.”-‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:1-2‬ ‭MSG‬‬

“Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; and walk continually in love [that is, value one another–practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.”-‭‭EPHESIANS‬ ‭5:1-2‬ ‭AMP‬‬

As children of God we are called to love selflessly. We are called to put God first and others 2nd before the needs of ourself. When we look at the world, we see the opposite of what Christ has called us to be (Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.-Romans 12:2 NIV). 

Yesterday, when I was flipped off by the older lady, I could’ve gotten road rage instead of praying for them to have a better day and laughing it off. When I was being yelled at by people at my job, I could’ve gotten angry and yelled back, but I didn’t because that’s not what Christ has called us to do. He calls us to be patient and love. If evil messes with us we are supposed to let them slap the other cheek too (“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.-Matthew 5:38-41)

Was it easy? NO. Not at all. Following Christ’s example takes practice (lots of practice on this end, I am a redhead). If you created a bad habit of putting yourself first over years or even months, it will take time to put your priorities in order. Be led by The Spirit instead of your flesh. Put God first. Study who Jesus was. If you don’t understand the selfless, forgiving, extravagant loving man he was, how are you supposed to love others like him? 

Put away Netflix, social media, or whatever may be distracting you. Spend some time with God & learn to love & live like Jesus.

Thank-you God for giving me the patience and love to endure any situation I may encounter. May I learn to love as selflessly and recklessly as You. May I spread your love and word no matter where I go. May I speak life into darkness to show the goodness of your glory. Thank-you for being such a good father & providing me with such a beautiful example to follow. & Thank-you for placing those people in my life to speak your word & life into my darkest of situations. I would still be lost without you and your love. In Jesus name, Amen.