Keeping God First Place!

I am still amazed at how "busyness" can sneak in and take over our lives when we think we have everything totally under control. "Control" is that crazy little word that means absolutely NOTHING when it comes down to it. The fact is, that in our own power, we don't have control over anything in our lives... EXCEPT our choices.
I DO realize that all of us are loaded down with responsibilities that keep us super busy and I have noticed in my own life, how that busyness can consume me and pretty soon I am completely overwhelmed and totally out of control. 
When this happens and I try to figure out why, all I need to do is take a look at things and the choices I have been making and I realize that at times I allow myself to get sucked in to a "WORLD VIEW" that says DO MORE, BE MORE, GET MORE...  THEN I SEE at times how much I have become like the world and I need to step back and look to God's Word to help me find answers. Here are some of the things I have noticed:

IN THIS WORLD, WE ARE...

1. Overworked  and  WE NEED REST!​
Do not feel bad when you need to take a rest, we are much more affective in our lives and as Christians when we take that time of refreshing that we ALL need . In  Mark 6:31 we see that even Jesus and the Disciples needed to take a break to renew themselves.  Do not allow yourself to get so tired that you cannot do anything well.

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31

 2. Overstressed  and  WE NEED PEACE!​
Sometimes we get so overloaded with projects, past times, appointments, work, commitments and well... LIFE, that we find ourselves spinning in circles but never really accomplishing anything.  This can leave us pulling our hair out and totally miserable. The Bible reminds us over and over again not to worry or be anxious. My favorite scripture is from Philippians and it not only tells us not to be anxious, but to give THANKSGIVING as we bring our requests to God... THEN the PEACE of God will be with us... I LOVE THIS and I WANT THAT PEACE!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

 3. Overburdened  and  WE NEED HELP!​
There are seasons in our lives that we feel as if we cannot take another negative thing happening in our lives. For me, When I was diagnosed with my 2nd brain tumor and was already struggling with a neuromuscular disorder, I just felt like I had a heavy weight on my back that kept getting heavier and heavier until I felt like I could not even move. I felt trapped in my own circumstance. I kept trying, unsuccessfully to get through it on my own. I had to realize that I COULD NOT deal with any of it myself. I needed HELP, and I am so thankful that the Lord was there. He is ALWAYS there to help us through whatever we are going through. It was hard for me to let go of everything because I thought I needed to stay in CONTROL (There's that crazy little word again).  I had to learn to TRUST in GOD and not myself. Maybe you are going through something right now... Call out to the Lord and TRUST Him to help you too!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

 3. Spiritually Undernourished  and  WE NEED JESUS!​
Busyness not only keeps us running in circles, it also steals our time for important things like family things, going to church or spending time with Jesus  in His Word. I know that I have been guilty of being so involved in "GOOD" things or causes, that I neglected to feed my soul. The devil loves to see that happen. He would love nothing better than to see us put anything other than our relationship with God in first place in our lives. We NEED to be sure to NOURISH OUR SOULS.
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35

I love this story that demonstrates the necessity of putting God first place in our lives... Author Unknown

The Mayonnaise Jar of Life
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “yes”. The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. “Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, ” I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things in life. GOD, your family, your children, your health and your friends – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else, the small stuff. “If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important. Take care of the golf balls first; the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.” One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”

Take some time today friends to identify the small things in life that are stealing you away from those things that really matter and remember how much better life can be when we keep God in first place! 
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO POST QUESTiONS OR PRAYER REQUESTS, OR SEND ME A MESSAGE! BUNCHES OF BLESSINGS FRIENDS... JEAUNETTA
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