IS HE FIRST or IS HE JUST A BACK-UP?

  Think about the times you tend to feel closest to God. It is usually when things are uncertain or tough that we draw nearer to Him and seek His Word(Bible). If it were not for the trials and rough patches, would we feel like we never needed God? Think about this…let it sink in..

   James 4:8 (NIV) ~ Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

  Deuteronomy 7:9~ Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

  Just the thought of only seeking Him when there are tough times makes me sad. He wants to walk with us in the good AND the tough times. When we only seek Him when it is tough, we are only short-changing ourselves. God doesn’t need us.. but He does love us and desires a relationship with us. God is GOD..He can do anything..He chooses to allow us to be a part of doing His work. 

   Think about it like this: You have someone you know that doesn’t call you very often. That person may call you when they need something..you help them, and then you don’t hear from them again until the next time they need something. You help them anyways..because you care for them..but it still hurts you a little or even annoys you because you feel used. (You may even refuse to help because of your hurt feelings.)

   That is just an example of how God gets treated sometimes. The difference is that He isn’t like us..He is GOD. He loves us and shows us mercy time after time. Forgiving us when we leave Him out and not holding back his love and His help in times of trouble. He is steadfast. We don’t deserve it. If that doesn’t get you excited and all warm and fuzzy inside..well..you might need to re-evaluate some things.

    Nahum 1:7~ The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him

    Psalm 9:9 ~ The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

    Micah 7:18~ Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

   To truly love Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior, is to put Him first. In everything to put Him first. To not wait until we are desperate for help to talk to Him(pray). To thank Him in the good times and the tough times..remembering that we are made stronger through it all. To give God the glory..to seek Him in every single thing. Draw near to Him..and He will draw near to us…not just in the trials and hard times.

    Ecclesiastes 7:14~ When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other..

    Romans 5:3,4~ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know suffering produces perseverance; perseverance,character;and character, hope.

   We should ask ourselves: Have I thanked God for anything lately? Do I just constantly ask Him for things..treating Him like a vending machine? What does God want me to learn from the situation(s) I face? Who can I help because of what I have learned?  Do I put God first? Am I truly grateful for the mercy and grace that my Jesus so freely gives me? Do I really know Him?

   Ask yourselves those questions. Don’t beat yourself up for not being perfect..nobody is..only God is. The mercy and grace that I was talking about is real..God is so awesome and loving and forgiving. He is waiting with open arms. 🙂

   If you are an authentic Christian, God can’t be your back-up..He has to be first.

   UNTIL NEXT TIME! 🙂