Sunday, October 8, 2017

The Most

“Life is short. Make the most of it. Put God first. Love deeply. Forgive quickly. Laugh a lot. Find and live out your purpose.” (Nicky Gumbel)

Every day, you have to decide whether you or God is going to be in control of your life. Stress relief begins with allowing your Heavenly Father to do His ministry in you. There is power when you surrender to God the very things you’ve been trying to take control of from Him. The more you’re trying to play God is exactly what places you in opposition to Him. Not only are you going to lose that conflict, but you’re also going to be tired.
Millions of people pray “The Serenity Prayer “(which is based on the Lord’s Prayer).Most individuals have never read the last eight lines to the prayer: “Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardship as a pathway to peace. Taking as Jesus did this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it. Trusting that you will make all things right if I surrender to Your will so that I may be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with you forever in the next. Amen.

Taking first place in your life doesn’t make you happy. Instead, it makes you worry (that you can’t keep it all under control). Below are two ways to give all of the stress over to your all-wise Father:

“But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33, AKJV)

“Your priorities must be God first, God second, and God third, until your life is continually face to face with God ...” (Oswald Chambers)

1.   Pursuing the Kingdom of God should be a primary goal in life.

“You will look for Me intently, and you will find Me.”  (Jeremiah 29:13, VOICE)

”Your story could be the key that unlocks someone else’s prison. Don’t be afraid to share it.” (TobyMac #Speaklife)

2.   Pursuing God’s righteousness should also be another primary goal in life

“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”  (2 Timothy 2:22, ESV)

“Those who leave everything in God’s hand will eventually see God’s hand in everything.” (Quotediary.me)

When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.” (Ezra Taft Benson)[i]



[i] Inspired by the sermon “Being Two” Sunday, October 1, 2017 Pastor Dave Jansen CenterPoint Gahanna Church Gahanna, OH. Also used: “Let Go, and Know God Is In Control” by Rick Warren (10/1/17 is our church's second anniversary.)
 

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