Monday, January 4, 2016

GOD FIRST

Have you thanked Him?
Have you praised Him?
Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?
Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?
1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)
1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.
 
Today many of us will “resume” life 'stuff'.
Work will need to start again.  
If you are like me and use a colored calendar app on your phone, it looks a little like a rainbow today. 
Lots to do. Lots to get going again.
Projects.
Old and new deadlines.
Resolutions.
GOALS to be set and jump started. 
 
Urgent things. Important things.
 
And while all are likely indeed important, and while we believe many of them will make a huge difference in the coming year, let’s pause for a second and instead of diving right in, let's start today in humble adoration of GOD.
 
GOD first friends.
 
Before anything else THANK GOD for giving you this morning and the hope of a bright 2016!  
The other stuff, regardless of how “mission critical”, will fall into line. 
I promise.
GOD promises.
 
For when we place God before all the “stuff” it positions us at a place of humility and worship and THAT WILL motivate us and HIM differently for this day!
 
Suddenly the goals don’t seem impossible. 
Because with Him nothing is!
 
The tasks won’t seem quite as daunting because HIS "all sufficient grace" and strength are supplying the energy.
…through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] – Philippians 4:12-13 (AMP)
 
STRENGTH for today and 2016!
EMPOWERMENT for today and 2016!
READINESS for today and 2016!
CONFIDENCE!
PEACE!
For today and 2016!
 
So why not take a "second" and PLACE GOD first. 
Let Him lead you!
 
(Don’t) forget that every achievement points to God’s awesome glory.
I (and you) could not achieve anything without the body that he has given (us), the gifts he has bestowed upon me (and you), the control he has over (us and (our) world, and the grace that daily rescues (us from us).
(Our) successes should and WILL always depend on Him…Adapted from Awe by Paul David Tripp…
 
So GIVE GOD the glory He deserves this morning.
 
Get yourself and your “to do’s” out of the way.
Instead, lay ALL of them and yourself at the FEET of Jesus.
GOD has GOT them and you.
 
Remind yourself that apart from Him, you don’t have much to really offer anyway.
(…apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:15 NIV)
And
give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to...one day at a time – Matthew 6:33,34 (LB)
 
 
Have a blessed start to 2016!
 
I love you ALL!
“Opportunities for Hope” (Champions Charge)

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