Jesus_is_LORD
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- Nov 10, 2015
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WORD OF THE DAY (— Matthew 8:21-22 )
"And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead."
MEDITATE ON THIS (What is your first priority? )
Patience is listed as one of the characteristics of God. This is mentioned in the fruit of the spirit. We learn that God is very
patient and is long-suffering. However, in our verse of the day we are met with what seems to be behavior contradictory to God's
divine character of patience. As Jesus was walking the earth He called many to follow Him. In Matthew chapter 8 verse 21 to 22
a man called by Jesus to follow Him responds, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father" but Jesus responded "Follow me; and let
the dead bury their dead". In a similar fashion of urgency, Jesus asked another man to follow Him and the man replied "Lord, I
will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house." Once again Jesus replied "No man, having
put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
Scripture tells us that in Jesus the fullness of God dwells. This mean that if we want to know the character of God, we
should look at Jesus. Jesus told Phillip, "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father". However, in both examples we see
that Jesus, who is the expression of the God of patience and long-suffering, seems to not give any opportunity for delay for
those whom He had called to follow Him. In reflecting upon this we should be reminded of the first commandment. In the first
commandment we are told that we should have no other gods except for God. Though we may not worship Baal or follow false
prophets, there are many things which may come first in our lives before God.
God is a God of patience, however this attribute of patience is secondary to his divine attribute of Holiness which
demands that God be first in your life. Looking at the verse it should be noted that these men called by Jesus were
identified as His disciples (see verse at top). This means that they had already made some type of commitment to God.
These persons have already committed themselves, and thus assumed certain obligations as disciples of Jesus.
Being Jesus' disciple is costly. For many being a Christians does not cost us--we are not willing to give up anything
for the cost of faithfulness to our Lord. Perhaps it can be said that God exhibits more patience with those who do not
know him; while for those claiming to be His disciples, God has a higher standard for us. A standard which demands that
God is our first priority. Salvation is free, but it is not cheap; it demands(the cost) that you put God first.
Beloved, before you start your day, put God first by making prayer your initial priority. Before you start a new relationship,
make God a priority by first seeking His counsel. Before you enter into a business venture, make it a priority to put God first
by inquiring of His divine plan for your life. God indeed has been patient with His children countless times in their lives, and
as a result, God deserves to be our first priority. God shouldn't have to wait.
Your brother in Christ, WNL
Thought for the week:
Why would you make God wait if He was your first priority?
Prayer for the week:
Dear God, please help me to show you the same type of love that you show to
me by making you a priority evidence by a response of urgency to your WORD.
May I never make you wait for me and put you first in all things. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
"And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead."
MEDITATE ON THIS (What is your first priority? )
Patience is listed as one of the characteristics of God. This is mentioned in the fruit of the spirit. We learn that God is very
patient and is long-suffering. However, in our verse of the day we are met with what seems to be behavior contradictory to God's
divine character of patience. As Jesus was walking the earth He called many to follow Him. In Matthew chapter 8 verse 21 to 22
a man called by Jesus to follow Him responds, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father" but Jesus responded "Follow me; and let
the dead bury their dead". In a similar fashion of urgency, Jesus asked another man to follow Him and the man replied "Lord, I
will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house." Once again Jesus replied "No man, having
put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
Scripture tells us that in Jesus the fullness of God dwells. This mean that if we want to know the character of God, we
should look at Jesus. Jesus told Phillip, "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father". However, in both examples we see
that Jesus, who is the expression of the God of patience and long-suffering, seems to not give any opportunity for delay for
those whom He had called to follow Him. In reflecting upon this we should be reminded of the first commandment. In the first
commandment we are told that we should have no other gods except for God. Though we may not worship Baal or follow false
prophets, there are many things which may come first in our lives before God.
God is a God of patience, however this attribute of patience is secondary to his divine attribute of Holiness which
demands that God be first in your life. Looking at the verse it should be noted that these men called by Jesus were
identified as His disciples (see verse at top). This means that they had already made some type of commitment to God.
These persons have already committed themselves, and thus assumed certain obligations as disciples of Jesus.
Being Jesus' disciple is costly. For many being a Christians does not cost us--we are not willing to give up anything
for the cost of faithfulness to our Lord. Perhaps it can be said that God exhibits more patience with those who do not
know him; while for those claiming to be His disciples, God has a higher standard for us. A standard which demands that
God is our first priority. Salvation is free, but it is not cheap; it demands(the cost) that you put God first.
Beloved, before you start your day, put God first by making prayer your initial priority. Before you start a new relationship,
make God a priority by first seeking His counsel. Before you enter into a business venture, make it a priority to put God first
by inquiring of His divine plan for your life. God indeed has been patient with His children countless times in their lives, and
as a result, God deserves to be our first priority. God shouldn't have to wait.
Your brother in Christ, WNL
Thought for the week:
Why would you make God wait if He was your first priority?
Prayer for the week:
Dear God, please help me to show you the same type of love that you show to
me by making you a priority evidence by a response of urgency to your WORD.
May I never make you wait for me and put you first in all things. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
