Number One

What are your priorities? What (or who) do you love? Do you know what (or who) you love? Do you know how you can determine what your top priority is? Who do you believe should be your top priority?

If you are like most people, your priorities change quite often. For some of us, our priorities change by the hour. We are not alone in changing our priorities. We all do it. Our priorities are situationally dependent. But should they be?

If you were to consult with an expert on setting priorities, even they would advise you to change your priorities as your life situation changes. That is good advice to an extent. We should change every priority except one. Our top priority should never change.

Why should our top priority never change? Our top priority should always be God. That doesn’t mean we don’t love our spouse, children, friends, extended family, pets, or job. We can love all of them. But Jesus clearly tells us in Matthew 10:37, “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Jesus makes it clear who number One should be.

It is also clear in today’s passage that we are not to love money. Being content with what we have is key. After all, if we make God our number one priority, and we know Him and His Word intimately, we know He has given us what we have. Trusting in Him in all things means we trust He has given us exactly what He wants us to have. So, not being content with what we have means we are not content with God.

As we grow in our faith, we grow more content with what God has blessed us with. When we make Him our top priority, we don’t need earthly rewards. We know we have a heavenly reward that is far greater than anything we can receive on earth.

I pray we all keep ourselves from the love of money. I pray we are content with what God has blessed us with. I pray each one of us know deep in our hearts that God will never leave us. Free yourself from the love of money. Be content. Grow in your faith. Trust God. Know that God is always with you.

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;

never will I forsake you.” 

Prayer and Fasting

How often do you pray? Do you pray at a specific time each day? How much time do you spend praying? How do you feel about fasting? Have you ever fasted for a specific purpose? Have you combined prayer and fasting?

Many of us know about prayer. We likely pray, minimally, when we are in need. Some of us may set aside time each day for prayer. I suspect there are not many of us who fast regularly. Some of us may have fasted on occasion.

Fasting and praying was a key part of the early Christian church. It was a key part of Jewish traditions. I’m sure many will ask what fasting really does for us. They are thinking of not eating. However, fasting can include ceasing from any number of things, not just food. Yet, it was most often food the Jews and early Christians fasted from.

Fasting has an effect on us physically, mentally, and spiritually. The physical effects of going without food are obvious. The mental effects are more obvious in some than others, especially if the person fasting gets hangry. The spiritual effects can be less obvious. The purpose of fasting is to give up something you depend on and, instead, depend on God. That means, if you are giving up food for a period of time, you rely on God to sustain you physically, mentally, and spiritually. Fasting is to be combined with prayer.

While fasting, the time you would normally spend eating should be spent praying. If you are giving up social media, spend the time in prayer rather than on your phone or tablet or computer. If you are giving up chocolate, each time you want chocolate, spend some time in prayer.

Fasting and praying was often a tactic of the early church to seek answers from God. As seen in today’s passage, God will speak to us when we truly seek Him, which means we must enter into the time of fasting and prayer with our mind set on focusing on God.

I pray we all spend time fasting and praying. I pray we commit to focusing on God. I pray each one of us use fasting and praying to seek guidance from God, especially when in need. Give fasting a try. Spend time in prayer. Depend on God. Seek His guidance. Focus on Him.

Acts 13:2-3 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Good Day or Bad Day

What is your attitude toward work? Do you put forth your best effort? Or do you only put forth the minimum effort to get by? Who are you working for? Are you working for your boss? Yourself? Or are you working for God?

We all have good days and bad days. To some degree, whether it is a good day, or a bad day is within our control. Not because we can control all the events that happen, but because we can control our attitude. A good attitude makes for a good day.

We may be facing daunting tasks on any given day. They can cause us to feel overwhelmed, to the point wanting to give up. We may have weeks or even months of facing an uphill battle. It can wear us down, causing us to grow weary, desiring relief. Yet, we can persevere and overcome those feelings. How?

We persevere and overcome through our faith. It is not always easy, but it is easier the stronger our faith is. When we look at everything we do as though we are doing it for God, it changes our attitude. Our faith tells us God will provide a way. But we must be careful not to be focusing on the task for our own reasons while telling ourselves it is for God.

To ensure our focus is on God, we often must take a step back to review our motives. We must ask ourselves why a specific task is important. When at our workplace, the task may be important because our boss has told us it is. But when it is a task around our homes or for our family, the motives can quickly become selfish rather than for God. Here is the bonus we receive when we work as though we are working for God, He rewards us in unimaginable ways.

I pray we all check our attitudes throughout each day. I pray we do everything as if we are working for God. I pray each one of us give up our selfish desires for God’s desire for us. Keep a positive attitude. Focus on God. Pursue God’s desire for you. Know God will reward you. Trust His promises.

Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Communing with Jesus

What does partaking of communion mean to you? What thoughts run through your head? Do you imagine being in the upper room with Jesus and His disciples on the evening of His betrayal? Do you think about what the emblems represent?

Many thoughts can run through our heads. There are several points we can focus on during our time around the Lord’s table. We can go through a progression of thoughts beginning with that evening and progressing through the ascension.

We may feel regret and be penitent of our past sins as we come to the table. We have been told Jesus died for our sins, that we are to blame for Him going to the cross as much as the Jews who screamed for His death nearly two-thousand years ago. We may repent of our past sins prior to partaking of the bread and wine.

We may be thankful for Jesus offering Himself as the perfect Lamb of God. We may thank Him for being our Savior, for providing us with hope and salvation. Our thankfulness may include the blessings we have received from Him through our lives.

We may be joyful for our salvation that comes with Jesus’ resurrection. Our joy may include being jubilant, happy, or excited. After all, it is a wonderful thought knowing that Jesus rose from being dead and knowing we will be resurrected with Him.

We may celebrate His ascension. As we think of Him ascending to heaven, we remember His promise to return. We remember His promise that He is preparing a place for us. We look forward to being with Him for all eternity.

Many thoughts, emotions, and focus points can come to mind as we eat the bread and drink the wine. All of these are appropriate. We may have a different focus depending on our current life situation, and that is appropriate. The key to coming to the table is to be focused on Him and knowing He comes to the table with us.

I pray we all partake in communion when it is offered. I pray we focus on one or more aspects of Jesus. I pray each one of us experience the joy of knowing Jesus has fulfilled and continues to fulfill His promises. Remember Jesus. Experience communion with Him. Focus on different points. Trust Him in all things.

Mark 14:22-24 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them.

Traditions

Do you like tradition? How many traditions do you keep? How many of them are traditions passed on from generation to generation? Do you know why those traditions started? Are you curious about the reasons for the tradition?

We follow all kinds of traditions. Some are patriotic. Some are sports related. Some are family. Some are religious. Traditions can be very good for us. They can provide a framework for our lives. They can also be foolish.

We have many religious traditions within the various denominations. But do you know how they were started? Are they biblically based? Some are biblically based, and some are not. Knowing the reason behind the tradition and why it is followed is key to observing the tradition properly, meaning with the correct mindset.

Since Ash Wednesday is fast approaching, let’s take a look at the tradition of the imposition of ashes. The Jews of the Old Testament would put on sackcloth and ashes as a sign of repenting their sin or calling out to God to rescue them. Sackcloth is the poorest of cloths and ashes represent the frailness of human life.

As the Christian movement got started, the tradition continued in much the same way until it was formalized into the tradition we have now. Ashes are put on a person’s forehead in the form of a cross. It represents both the frailness of humanity and the saving grace through the cross of Christ.

But notice Jesus’ words of caution in today’s passage. Without truly seeing the miraculous power of Jesus, what He has done for us, and choosing to follow Him, we are as lost as the cities He calls out. Going through the motions does nothing for us. It is the attitude of the heart and mind while observing the traditions that make them meaningful.

I pray we all seek to understand our traditions. I pray we choose wisely which traditions are relevant. I pray each one of us approach traditions with the correct attitude of heart and mind. Know the reasons behind traditions. Choose traditions wisely. Have the correct attitude of heart and mind when observing traditions.

Matthew 11:21-22 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.”

Listen to Jesus

Have you been inside a cloud? Have you been on a mountain and a cloud envelopes it? Have you flown through a cloud on an airplane? Have been a dense fog? Did you notice it is a bit challenging to see? Did you notice sound can be disarming?

Flying through clouds seems like flying through cotton candy, until there is lighting. Then it can be both beautiful and frightening. Standing on a mountain as a cloud passes over it, encompassing the mountain in the cloud, can be surreal.

If you have not ever been in a cloud, dense fog is very similar. The main difference between the fog and a cloud is a cloud often has pockets of clear space. As the cloud surrounds you, you can see for some distance at times and not see anything at others. The cloud continues to move on the wind, changing shapes, opening spaces, and closing them up again. It almost seems as though the cloud is alive.

I can imagine Peter, John, and James being encompassed by the cloud with Jesus. Perhaps they couldn’t see Him. Then they hear this booming voice coming from the cloud. Maybe there was also some lightning lighting up various parts of the cloud as the voice speaks. Imagine that! The cloud now seems to be even more alive than before.

God tells the apostles that Jesus is His Son, that God has chosen Him, and they are to listen to Him. That is quite a message in an amazing setting. The apostles thought they were going to the mountain to pray. They never thought God would speak to them directly while there.

The message God gave the apostles on the mountain is an important one for us today. It is one that gives us confidence that Jesus is who He says He is, and it gives us instruction. We are to listen to Jesus. God sent Him to be his spokesman, ambassador, and teacher. When we listen, we learn and become ambassador’s and teachers of God’s Word.

I pray we all choose to adhere to God’s instruction. I pray we listen to Jesus’ teaching. I pray each one of us choose to be an ambassador of God and a teacher of His Word. Be amazed by God. Hear God’s voice. Listen to His instruction. Listen to Jesus’ words. Be His ambassador.

Luke 9:34-35 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”

See Jesus Glory

Have you ever wondered what being in glorious splendor will be like? Would you like to know? How would you like to be in glory with Jesus, speaking with Him? Do you know you will get that opportunity one day?

Sharing in someone else’s glory can be wonderful. Here on this earth, that often means being partnered with someone who achieves or does something amazing. They receive the fame and we share in the limelight as an associate.

Unfortunately, when we are with someone who is basking in the spotlight, we find they have their faults. They may become prideful and cocky. They may leave their friends behind. They may get hooked on alcohol or drugs to deal with the overwhelming attention. Thankfully, there is One who has no faults at all and basks in the brightest glory.

As Jesus selected Peter, John, and James to go up on the mountain with Him to pray, I wonder if He didn’t have a bit of a knowing smile on His face. I’m sure He knew what was going to happen on top of the mountain.

The three apostles, however, had no idea. They did not know they would see Jesus change into His natural glorious being right in front of their eyes. They also had no idea they would come face-to-face with Moses and Elijah. Wow! What an experience that must have been!

It is no wonder Peter just blurted something out, not knowing what he was saying. He was overcome with awe and wonder. He had just met two of the most famous men of Jewish history and seen Jesus transformed in front of him.

I’m guessing our reaction will be much the same when we see Jesus face-to-face. Perhaps we won’t blurt out whatever pops in our minds, but I’m sure we will be in awe. Seeing the glory of God with our own eyes will be no small experience. It will far outdo what we have experienced on this earth.

I pray we all look forward to our face-to-face meeting with Jesus. I pray we desire to share in His glory now. I pray each one of us choose to follow Him so we will share in His glory. Look to Jesus’ glory. Look forward to sharing in His glory. Choose to follow Him. Jesus will share His glory with you.

Luke 9:29-30 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus.

The Chosen One

Have you ever been chosen to take on a difficult task? What does it mean to be chosen? Is it an honor to be chosen? Does it mean you are the only one who can accomplish the task? Would you prefer not to be chosen?

We know there are people the boss always turns to when there are tasks that MUST be done. The boss can count on them to do whatever it takes to complete them. They are dependable and resourceful. The boss has confidence in them.

Being the person the boss always chooses to take on the challenging tasks can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, being that reliable person can mean job security, a bonus, and perhaps some leniency. On the other hand, it can include long hours, stress, and negatively affect your family life.

Isaiah points forward to God’s chosen—Jesus. Notice it includes the delight God takes in His Son, and it includes the challenge of bringing justice this world. God is very pleased with His Son. Yet, God has also given Jesus the toughest task of all to accomplish. As we look at Scripture, we know Jesus is the Savior of the world. We know He accomplished this through His death, burial, and resurrection.

But as we look around this world, we may wonder where the justice is. It is coming. The framework is put in place. The final justice will come when God determines the time is right. Those who disobey God will be brought to final punishment. Those who obey Him will be rewarded for their faithfulness.

Jesus is God’s Chosen One. He is God’s beloved Son. He has accomplished the impossible task of saving all in this world who choose to follow Him, while also setting up righteous judgment for those who choose to deny God.

I pray we all choose to follow Jesus. I pray we decide to tell others of God’s perfect plan. I pray each one of us allow God’s justice to reign, rather than taking it into our own hands. Follow Jesus. Obey God’s commands. Allow God to judge. Trust that justice is in motion.

Isaiah 42:1

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,

my chosen one in whom I delight;

I will put my Spirit on him,

and he will bring justice to the nations.”

Close Encounter

Do you ever falter in your faith? Do you sometimes wonder if the story of Jesus is true? Have you thought it sounds incredulous the Son of God would come to this earth in the form of a human being?

It can be difficult to believe the Son of God came to this earth, especially in our cynical society. We focus on our immediate pleasure rather than long-term joy. To believe in the appearance of the Son of God some two-thousand years ago sounds mystical and absurd.

Yet, we have eyewitness accounts of His life, particularly the three years of His ministry. We also have eyewitness accounts of His resurrection. Even the Jewish historian Josephus recorded some of Jesus’ life, even if he was skeptical himself.

We have heard Jesus is at the right hand of the throne of God. Perhaps we are unsure how that could be. Again, we have an eyewitness account. As Stephen was about to be stoned for testifying about Jesus, he had a vision of Jesus standing at God’s right hand. Once again, we may be skeptical. Yet, being filled with the Holy Spirit can bring about visions. Have you ever spoken with someone who has had an unexplainable experience with God? Some of us have. Some of us have been the person who had the experience.

We attempt to explain away these experiences with our modern science. Science is good and has many applications. However, God doesn’t obey man-made scientific rules. He works outside of those and has the ability to appear to us at any time.

Not all of us will have an in-person experience with God in a tangible way. Yet, we interact with His creation every day. We may not have a vision of Jesus, but it does not mean others haven’t. We may be one of those who have an up-close encounter with God one day.

I pray we all believe the eyewitness accounts of Jesus. I pray we trust God works outside of scientific rules. I pray each one of us believe Jesus is who He says He is. Trust eyewitness accounts. Trust God is at work. Believe in Jesus. Put your faith in Him.

Acts 7:55-56 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Focused Prayer

How do you go about praying? Do you have a routine you follow? Is there a specific location you prefer to go to pray? Is there a certain way you like to pray? Do you have a list you pray over?

I wonder how many of us set aside time to pray. After all, we live in a very busy world, and we fill our time with social media, streaming services, and games. Praying can quickly become a secondary option for us.

We may breathe short prayers in emergencies, and there is nothing wrong with that. We may be in conversation with God while commuting to work, which a good way to spend an otherwise monotonous time. But God also wants us to spend some dedicated time with Him in prayer, focusing on Him, focusing on our needs, even focusing on our desires, and asking for His guidance.

Jesus tells us in today’s passage to set aside time to pray. Not only are we to set aside time, but we are to set aside a place. Depending on the translation you use, it may say to go into your inner room or closet. The point is to be in a private place where you can spend quiet, focused time with God. When I see this passage, I am reminded of the movie War Room. A key character in the movie has set aside a room in her house for prayer. She teaches another lady to do the same, who clears out her walk-in closet and turns it into a prayer room.

Notice Jesus says not to simply babble along. In other words, we are to have a plan for our prayer. Having a list of topics to pray about is the idea here. Personally, I have book of prayer requests that have been given to me by others. I also keep a running list of things to pray over for my family and friends. This keeps us focused rather than babbling and not knowing what to pray about.

We also should allow some time in our prayer for God to answer. I doubt any of us will hear a booming voice, but we will hear the Spirit talking to us in a whisper. He will give us new thoughts we would not have thought of on our own. This requires us to learn to listen well. It also requires us to be in that quiet place, not being distracted by the noise of the world.

I pray we all set aside time to be in conversation with God. I pray we have a quiet place we go to focus on Him. I pray each one of us plan our time of prayer, keep a list of items to pray about. Spend focused time in prayer. Set aside a private place to pray. Listen for God to speak to you. Keep a list to pray over.

Matthew 6:6-7 “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.”