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~ God First ~
God 1st, Others 2nd, Self last...
Most Christians believe that's how it should be, whether
they practice it or not.
Few have problems recognizing when "Me, Me, Me" gets in the
way, whether they care to admit it or not.
But, putting others 2nd can get very confusing in
relationship to God being 1st.
It is God who teaches us how to love others and, in so
doing, we are loving Him. However, when we have a passion for
caring for the needs of others, you can bet Satan is looking for
ways to trip us up and burn us out.
Satan will use that passion against us (where we're being
called upon, up to 24 hrs. per day, to help others in countless
ways) until we find we no longer have time for God. Then, others
get 1st place and God gets nothing.
In addition, we run out of time for tending our own
spiritual needs and soon become drained, finding we no longer
have anything left to give.
It would go a long way toward keeping Satan within tight
reigns were we to:
1.) spend quality time with God, even if we have to schedule an
appointment, seek God's will, even above the feelings of others.
2.) learn to discern and detach a little from those who
manipulate our time with no real intention of following God
(while keeping an open door for the time when they don't just
want attention, but a real help.)
3.) let go of responsibilities God didn't call us to; works that
please man but not Him.
Only when God is 1st does everything else fall into place.
® by Joyce C. Lock
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About the Author:
Joyce C. Lock is a published author, poet, and columnist.
In addition, she founded and maintains the email ministries
"Heavenly Inspirations"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations/ and
"Share a Smile"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smilesharing/ .
Joyce's writings encourage us in our relationship with God and
each other.
