1 Thessalonians 2:12 (NIV)
12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives
worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
The Kingdom of God is a present reality. It’s what we’re to
be doing on the earth right now. The power of God is the present resource. It’s
the energy you get to do what God wants you to do once you’re surrendered and
submitted to his will.
God’s glory is the reason. It’s not the reality or the
resource. It is the present reason for everything. It’s all for God’s glory.
Romans 11:36 says, “Everything comes from him and
exists by his power and is intended for his glory” (NLT, second edition).
I talk to people all the time who say, “I have so much, and
yet I feel unfulfilled. I’ve got a good family. I’ve got a good job. I’ve got
great kids. I’ve got good friends. I’ve got a good congregation to be a part
of. Why am I so unfulfilled?” It’s because you were made for more than this!
You were made for more than survival. You will never find fulfillment in life
until you begin to live in God’s Kingdom, by God’s power, and for God’s glory.
How do you live a fulfilled life — the kind of life that you
were designed by God to live?
The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 2:12, “You should
live in a way that proves you belong to the God who calls you into his kingdom
and glory” (GW).
What does it mean to live in God’s Kingdom? It means you
make God’s agenda your agenda. You make God’s will your will. You care about
what God cares about. Whatever you want God to bless, put him first in that
area.
What does it mean to put God first in your life? I made up a
little acrostic, FIRST, to give you five things you need to put God first in.
Finances. If you
want God to bless your finances, even during a recession, you must tithe.
Sorry! There’s no other alternative.
Interests. Put
him first in your hobbies, your career, and your recreation. Give God first
consideration in every decision.
Relationships.
Put him first in your family, your marriage, and your friendships.
Schedule. That
means you give him the first part of every day. You get up and sit on the side
of your bed every morning and say, “God, if I don’t get anything else done
today, I just want to love you a little bit more and know you a little bit
better.”
Troubles. You
need to turn to God first when you have a problem. Prayer should never be your
last resort. It should be your first choice.
Thought for today:
Do I have a healthy prayer life?
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