Nuggets 70: Treating God like God

  • B. Shelburne
  • May 21, 2007
  • Series: Nuggets

How do we put God first?   If God is really God to us, then by his grace our lives will more and more look like this:

We give him the best of our time, not the leavings.  We try to bring every part of our life under his teaching because his ways are right.  We understand God's discipline as a sign of his love.  We trust him to make all things work together for our good.  We make time for things that grow us toward God, even if it means cutting other things.  We do whatever it takes to have daily quiet time with God.  Relationship takes time.  Our lives revolve around worship, fellowship and using the ministry gifts God has given us.

We see our career as a way of serving God and people.  We put God's work first and liberally in our budget because his saving work matters most to us.  We are careful and wise in our spending so we have more left for helping people and doing good.  We avoid jobs, friends and activities that work against what God wants us to become.  If we marry, we choose someone who will help us put God’s kingdom first.  We operate our families by God’s principles, respecting one another's needs.

Is your life not going well?  It may be because you are neglecting this kind of God-honoring priorities.  Do know someone whose life you really look up to?  Chances are they are living by these priorities.  Ironically, giving up your life like this is how you really find and keep it.

Matthew 22:35-39;  6:33;  Ephesians chapters 4,5,6;  Hebrews 12:5-11;  Romans 8:28,35-39;  1 Peter 2:2,3;  2 Peter 1:3-11;  3:18a;  Mark 1:35;  Hebrews 10:24,25;  John 4:24;  Romans 12:6-8;  1 Corinthians 10:31;  2 Corinthians 8:3-5;  9:6,7;  Ephesians 5:21-6:4;  1 Corinthians 15:33;  2 Corinthians 6:14;  Matthew 16:24,25

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Copyright 2007 by G.B. Shelburne, III.  May be freely reproduced or forwarded for non-commercial purposes provided content is unchanged and this copyright notice is included.  These shepherding messages are sent to members and friends of New Beginnings Church (www.nbchurch.com), to students and alumni of South Houston Bible Institute (www.shbi.org), and to other interested persons.

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