by Patriot48

T-hink; A-ct; S-tand; K-eep – So what’s your task today?

Always be faithful, ~~~
To purple and white ~~~
Cheer on with Spirit, ~~~
And our team will fight ~~~

Oh excuse me, my bad! I just got caught up in our school fight song.

It’s that time of year again, school spirit at the peak. Each district geared up to win that proverbial crown of being # 1. To be the champions, win the district & take home the state title! The fever runs at an all time high. It’s a new season with everyone on a level playing field, same opportunity to take that crown.

The excitement is contagious and you can’t help but feel the anticipation.

Our school is rather a fanatical school, which is not bad, but these people bleed purple and white. With over 1500 in the high school, the football team and band are abundant with participation. On any given game night 20,000 or more fans will be there to support their kids. Rain or shine, win or lose it’s a BIG DEAL! I think it’s great, our kids know they are supported all the way.

You may be wondering where I’m going with this? To answer that;  Nope, I’m not blogging about the merits of our school.

 I do have this point I want to make.

 
How Fanatical Are You?
 
We all are fanatical about something? Wouldn’t you agree?
 
 
Let’s point out a few, OK?
 
1) Our Spouse 
 
2) Our Children
 
3)  Our Pets
 
4) House/ Possessions
 
5) Sports/ Recreation
 
6) Shopping
 
7) Reading
 
8) Hobbies
 
9) Friends
 
10) Online/Social Networking
 
11) Job/Income
 
12) God
 
I didn’t intentionally put them in any kind of order. I will let you do that, as it is a personal thing between you & God.
 
However, I must point out, with fingers pointing back at me that whatever I put before God is idolatry.
 
OUCH
 
That hurts my heart tremendously because it is so very true. Does God expect us to not have any of the things on the list?
 
NO
 
Does He expect to be first?
 
YES, YES, YES
 
I love going to the games, watching my daughter play in the band. I love the fever of excitement. Jumping up yelling and screaming like banshee wolf? It’s fun even if it leaves you hoarse the next day.
 
 
The question is; do I have the same fervor and excitement about God?
 
I don’t think God expects you to do rebel yells in church, although it does happen at times. I do however think He expects us to be as (actually more) worshipful to Him as we are to things we love to do. I think as a whole we see “Life” as one thing and God as another. Somehow we are content to separate the two. Thinking that it’s ok to have my flesh and my spirit separate. Trouble is, this is entirely wrong. So that being said let’s look at what the scripture says;
 
Colossians 3:17 KJV
 
And whatever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

 
 
If you look at this realistically, and I’m not pulling one verse out and trying to obscure the entire meaning. Realistically speaking, my spirit man is not capable of actually doing a word or deed. It is spirit, I am flesh. In order for my spirit to accomplish anything I must allow it to have control of my flesh.
 
Considering then, Paul is saying whatever you do, whether you are using words, or you are actually physically doing a deed. Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus!

Why?

So that God is glorified.
 
I challenge you to:
 
1) Catch the Zeal of The Lord
2) Put God over Everything
3) Honor Him in your Word
4) Honor Him with your deed
 
Living life is not a bad thing.
 
Living life without God first, is a tragedy!

You might wonder how that could be a tragedy, and it’s a good question to ponder. So I will give you a thought to ponder. Hopefully that will answer the question.
 
Whatever it is that you focus on, that is what you will grow!


So, doesn’t it make sense that if I focus on anything other than God it’s a tragedy for numerous reasons. So let’s name a few, OK?

Your enemy the devil:

1) James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. In this verse submitting first to God is key over your enemy. The tragedy of not doing this is that your enemy will try to take you out.

The love of money or possessions:

2) Proverbs 30:8-9  Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny Thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. In these verses the scriptures outlines what the outcome of depending on money would be. The tragedy is that you will either steal or you will deny God when you set your heart on riches.

Putting family first;

3) Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. I think this tragedy speaks for itself. I know that I am guilty of this at times. It’s probably the hardest one I have found not to do because it is so close to my heart.

These are just a few, I could write more but I’m not trying to preach a sermon, rather I am trying to stir your heart to focus on The Lord. He’s not trying to steal your fun or keep you in poverty, nor is He telling you not to love your families. What He is saying is this, put ME first in everything you do. Is He being egotistical? Nah! He just wants the same devotion you give to your families, your stuff and in general your life.

I can’t think of anyone else who is worthy of such an honor, can you?

Jesus left all that He was; Creator, The I AM, The Alpha, The Omega, to do what?

Be us, so HE would and could redeem us.

If you think about that, putting Him first seems like such a small thing to do, unless of course you think you can handle the Cross and the sins of the whole world, not to mention the wrath of God placed fully on you.

Just Saying…..

I hope you still love me or at least like me… I know this steps on toes, trust me mine are squashed up.

I leave you with this verse, to Think on, to Act on, to Stand on firmly, and above all to Keep on pressing for the mark!

 
 
Matthew 6:33
 
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you.
 
 
God Bless!
 
I’m hid with Christ!
 
Shawn
 
 

 
 
 
 



 




Advertisement