Christ Above All

            Reread the title of this month’s article and form it into a question. Does it read, “Do I put Christ above all?” Do we live the Michael W. Smith song “Above All” or do we place Christ second, or third. Do we place Him in our life at all?

            I hear too many Christians today proclaiming what is important or first in their life. Many times it is the expression, “My Kids come first, or my family comes first”. I’ve been astonished to hear their job, mortgage or their security comes first. That is not biblical, nor can God bless that order. Christ makes it clear the order is to “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul and mind” and then “Love your neighbor as yourself”. (Matt. 22:36-40). Think about where are you in this order?

            There is a website that many Christians and non-Christians have made a video on that proclaim themselves second. It is iamsecond.com. Although I applaud the intent of those videos as good, I also caution Christians that intent does not trump biblical doctrine. The correct order would make the individual third in the scheme of things. I AM THIRD should be in every Christian’s mind.

            Here is the correct order for our lives, 1) God, 2) others (family, friends, neighbors, strangers), 3) you. Kind of puts one low on the totem pole doesn’t it.

            See, Christ didn’t put Himself first when he suffered horrible beatings for us. He didn’t put Himself first when they pounded nails into his hands. He put God first by obeying the Father’s will, that He (Christ) should become THE sacrifice for our sins. Then He put us second, because he was doing it for our salvation, to save us from the judgment of eternal damnation. That makes Him (at that moment in time) third in the order. He gave His life for us, by obeying God’s will. Reading it like that, it is still 3, 2, 1.

            If Christ now resides in us by the Person of the Holy Spirit, then we must, to be obedient, place Christ (God made flesh) first. The scriptures reveal Christ as the second person of the Trinity, one God in three persons. The scriptures also reveal all power in heaven and earth has been given to Him by the Father, and He now holds the keys to heaven and hell.

            Christ must be the center and head of our devotion. Anything else is idolatry. If you put Christ first in your life, then all else will fall into place. I have found myself free from doubt, and easier to make decisions when I keep the order correct. Decisions concerning family, jobs, finances and leisure time come easier when it is Christ centered.

            How could you ever go wrong with the One who loved you so much that he gave His only Son (John 3:16) leading your life. Even if it comes to the ultimate human sacrifice, giving one’s life for another’s, God has a great reward for you in heaven.

            How about trying to be third for once, I think you’ll see a difference in your life and your family’s life. Christ deserves the first and the best!

Season of Change

                As I noted last month, spring has finally arrived, now soon to become summer. As with all things, seasonal change is inevitable. Last Wednesday, Sis. Audrey gave a lesson on Ecclesiastes Chapter 3. If you are a child of the 70’s, then you know the first verses from a Simon and Garfunkel song “Turn, Turn. Turn”. You know, “a time to be born and a time to die, a time to sow and a time to reap,” etc. I encourage every one of you to get your bible and read this passage, it explains life in general.

                With this in mind, I strongly (and I mean strongly) feel the Lord telling me a time of change has once again entered my life. It is a time to step out of the boat of security and into the waters of faith, a time to “Peter-Up” so to speak.

                Remember the story of Peter and Christ walking on the water? Peter did pretty well until his faith began to waiver, then Christ took his hand and Peter was safe. I am at that point in life. Not so much wavering in my faith, but heeding the call to get out of the boat and trust Him with having shaky knees. Now is the time the Spirit is telling me to walk the walk in faith with my Lord Jesus, and I am compelled to follow, knocking knees and all.

                At the Pastor’s Fellowship the last two years, we have met and made friends with some very dear and faithful preachers and their spouses. From Illinois to Dry Ridge and beyond, I have found a Christian family that       offers love, support and advice, especially stories that show me I am not alone in uncertain decisions that require the faith in Christ to succeed.

               

                I also have a wonderful, supportive family here at the Custer Church of God. A family who believes in what the Lord has called me to do, preach the Gospel. My home church family is second to none in the love, guidance and support to Lisa and myself. Almost nine years since we entered the doors of our wonderful little church, and have felt at home every since. Words can never express the love and joy we share with you. We have also experienced the sense of loss as many members have passed on, each one still an influence in our hearts.

                But this Father’s Day Message has to do with my Heavenly Father, and my obedience to His call. Lisa and I will begin to back out of some of the things we do in our home congregation so we can travel and visit with other churches. I must begin my ministry; I must step out of the boat, my boat being the Custer Church of God. You, my beloved friends are the boat, and the unknown path God leads me are those raging waters I must walk upon, with the hand of Jesus. Pray that I do not sink, but remember to look to Him. You are our home church, a place of refuge and we will continue to attend when we are not away, but as John said, “I must decrease so He can increase” in my life.

                Seasons come and go, but the love of Christ is forever!