Making Life A Priority

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show His servants what must soon take place.  He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw - that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.  Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Revelation 1:1-3

The day I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior was the first day of my eternal life.  Everything I had done before amounted to nothing.  It's sad to have let twenty two years of life, of precious time slip away like that.

But I'm encouraged because God tells us that we are blessed if:

1. we read His Scriptures and 
2. we hear it and take it to heart

I need to make Jesus and His Word a number one priority in my life.

If I fail to put things in their proper place, I may end up wasting precious time AGAIN, on things that amount to nothing in eternity.

Not only that, but we are much closer to the end of time as we know it.  John tells us that the time is "near."  And that was almost two thousand years ago.

Let's resolve to read His Word more and commit it to memory, so that when walking in a public place or driving in my car we can be thinking about it and preparing to talk to others when the time presents itself.  

Focus Your Eyes

My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only He will release my feet from the snare.  Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.  The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish.   Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.  See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.  May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in You.
Psalm 25:15-21

Financial pressure, unemployment, relationship breakdowns, divorce, separation from loved ones, illness, loneliness, depression and the list can go on seemingly without end.

Maybe you know what I'm talking about, and even say "Jeff, add this one...to the list"  This morning was one of those mornings that I needed to do like David and turn my eyes to the LORD.

David was a man of God.  He was God's chosen and anointed King of Israel.  David was a leader, warrior, giant slayer, hero, song writer, worship leader, husband and father.  He didn't always get it right.  In fact he can add to his list: murderer, adulterer, absentee father without reason, faithless etc.

But before we run another man too far down lets give him credit for always turning to his heavenly Father (or at least turning back to Him).

Look again at the Psalm.  David says he's caught in a snare, lonely, afflicted, in trouble, in anguish, he has affliction and distress, multiplied enemies and sins.

Now look at what he responds with: his eyes are ever on the LORD, he asks for God's grace, freedom, forgiveness, protection and finishes by putting his hope in God.

Without minimizing your pain or circumstances, isn't this the best place to start when dealing with such overwhelming circumstances?

Today ask God to forgive you and tell Him you are putting your trust in Him.  Then know that He will give you the strength to get through today and for the days ahead as well.