These days it seems that we’re busier than ever. Between our jobs, getting the kids to school and practice, making time for other personal obligations; its seems we barely have time to catch our breath. Add to the normal rigors of life all the little emergencies and dramas that come up, and it seems like we need 48 hours in a day just to accomplish the things on our plates. The fact that most households need two full-time workers just to survive doesn’t help matters either.
So, where does God fit into all this? What place does He have in our lives? What place should He have? We can see what The Bible says:
Matthew 4:10:
Then Jesus said to him, “Begone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’”
Matthew 6:33:
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.
Exodus 20:3:
You shall have no other gods before Me.
Are these verses talking about where God fits into our lives? Well, are we putting God first before all other things? Do we make sure we are serving Him and doing His will before we concern ourselves with our own desires?
In The Bible, people were instructed to give the first fruits of their labor to God. Farmers gave the best grain. Shepherds gave their best animals. God always received his offerings first. Then the people kept what was left over. Not only did God get the best of what people had, but He also was the first to receive, even before the workers of the field and the shepherds of the flock. This is a reminder that everything we have comes from God.
We also remember the story of Cain and Abel from Genesis 4:3-7:
So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground. And Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
Cain did not give God the best of what he had. He kept the best for himself and gave God what was left over. How often do we do this in our lives?
When it comes to the product of our labor, our money, do we set aside an amount for God first and then adjust our budgets to what is left over; or rather, do we buy what we want and give God what we can spare?
Rent, food, new clothes, electric bill, cell phone bill, car payment, credit card payment, spending money for dinners out and moves, ball game tickets, cable tv bill, other things we just have to have, savings, 401K, God.
Are we using the money, that God made us stewards over, to do His work?
John 6:19-21:
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
1 Timothy 6:17-19:
Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
Are we storing up treasures in heaven or on earth? Where is our heart? Are we using God’s money to fill our lives with things that are destine for corruption or is God’s money being used to help others hear about the amazing grace He has for us all? Is our storehouse in heaven full of saved souls or is it empty because we’ve invested God’s money in temporary pleasures that never find their way to the next life?
What about our time? Many people profess faith in God, yet how many thirst for the things of God?
Matthew 5:6:
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
God gives us six days a week to do as we please; to work, to play, to spend time with family and friends. He only asks of us one day to worship Him, to be refreshed and strengthened in His house with others that believe in Him; yet we find ways to avoid going to church. We’re tired from the busy Saturday that we had. We need a day to rest and do nothing. We have chores around the house to do. We’re going golfing with friends. We need to get an early start. We have other commitments. There are no good churches near me.
While it may be difficult to find a church these days that does preach the unedited, uncensored, sometimes politically incorrect Word of God; we must not stop looking. If we are not in a church we must find one. We must ask God to lead us to a congregation of believers. If we only go to Church on Easter and Christmas, we must go to church every week. But why? If we believe in God, isn’t that enough?
Hebrews 10:23-27:
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near. For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.
The Bible tells us that we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. It also tells us why we shouldn’t: we need to encourage each other to live the way God wants us to live. We can tell ourselves that “I don’t have to go to a building to worship God. God is everywhere.”. This sounds fine but when we don’t go to church on Sunday, are we staying at home and worshiping God there? Or are we instead watching sports on tv, going out with friends, doing chores? When we say we don’t need to go to a building to worship God, are we at least worshiping Him where we are? Do we give God the one day out of seven that he commands? Do we have other Christians over to worship with us and encourage our behavior? Or do we find that the warning The Bible gives us is warranted. Is our life full of willful sin? Look at the passages from Hebrews again and see the consequence of willful sin for those who have received the knowledge of the truth. We can see from these verses the dire consequences of a faith starved of encouragement and strengthening.
The world encourages us every day to live lives that are in direct opposition to God. Between co-workers, schoolmates, friends, and strangers; we have countless voices encouraging us to do things that violate God’s commandments. God knows we need strengthening and encouragement. He knows we need to worship to remind ourselves who is really important in our lives. We cannot forsake the assembling of ourselves together. We must ask God to give us the strength and the will to keep His commandment and keep the Sabbath Day holy.
How about during the rest of the week? Do we make time to pray to God every day; to ask Him to watch over us and keep us from temptation; to thank Him for the day He’s given us? Do we go through a day not even thinking about God? We have direct access to the Creator of the universe.
Imagine if you had the opportunity to meet with the President of the United States in the Oval Office at the White House. Would you risk missing that appointment? Would you tell the President you couldn’t make it because you were busy with other things? Of course not. Imagine if you could meet with the President any time you wanted and talk with him about anything that was on your mind. Imagine if you had a hotline directly to the President’s desk and he told you to call him anytime you wanted to tell him something. Would you turn down that offer? Surely not.
Yet we have direct access to the God of all creation, the One who has given us so much in this life, and even sacrificed His Son for us so that we could be with Him for all eternity. We can come to Him any time and talk to Him about anything. We can even ask Him to help us serve Him better and live the way he wants us to live. He is always there for us.
1 John 5:14-15:
And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
Do we take advantage of this incredible offer? Do we bring our petitions to God every day or do we pridefully try to do everything on our own, for our own glory? Do we come to God in prayer everyday to thank Him for the things He’s given us: our jobs, our health, our home, our clothes, our family?
Do we read God’s Word every day? God has given us an instruction manual for surviving the wicked world in which we find ourselves. God has shown us, not only how to survive this life, but to be at peace in troubled time; to be filled with joy when we have no earthly reason to be joyful. God has given us the amazing story of His grace and the unfathomable mercy He’s shown us through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. It’s like a peek into God’s diary.
2 Timothy 4:16-17:
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Often times people ask why God doesn’t speak to people the way He did in The Bible. First, let’s recall that it was a pretty select group of people who actually heard the voice of God. Second, He has given us His Word to access any time we want it. God uses His Word to teach us and strengthen our faith.
Reading The Bible is a life-long endeavor. Many people, when asked if they read their Bible every day, often respond, “I’ve already read it.”. The Bible isn’t a novel. You don’t get to the end, figure you know the story, and put it on a shelf somewhere. The Bible itself talks about how we receive God’s Word bit by bit, so that we can understand it and build on the knowledge God reveals to us each time we read His Word.
1 Corinthians 3:1-3:
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to babes in Christ. gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly.
When we read God’s Word and ask Him to help us understand it, He will show us what things mean. Often times, we will see, in our daily lives, the things we’ve recently read about in The Bible. This is a very standard way for God to teach us. Just think about all the parables and similes used in The Bible itself. When we see the things The Bible talks about playing out right in front of our eyes on a daily basis, our faith in God and His Word strengthens. This approach helps us learn and remember. As we continue reading God’s Word, He will build on the things He’s already shown us and reveal even more to us.
John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States once remarked:
“I have for many years made it a practice to read through the Bible once every year.”
Returning to The Bible again and again will strengthen us and guide us and help us remember God’s will.
Our familiarity with God’s Word will also help us when we are faced with temptation. If we know what God’s will is on a certain issue, because we have read it in The Bible, we will not be fooled by the world, the devil, or our own sinful flesh. Our familiarity with God’s Word will protect us from temptation. God does not tell us to do things for idle reasons. He commands us to do things because He wants to protect us from the sin that we’re surrounded by.
Unfortunately, with all the things in our lives, God tends to be just another of those things on our list. At best He becomes an ancillary part of our lives; and a low-priority one at that. We feel that we can address our relationship with God once all of these other things are taken care of; once I find a job, or get over this illness, once my schedule settles down, once the kids are back in school.
The real irony is that we tend to push God to the side just when we need Him most. If we really have faith in God, if we really believe all that The Bible says about Him, if we really trust Him; wouldn’t He be the one we turned to first when the pressures of life overwhelm us?
If God is at the center of our lives, how would we handle interpersonal problems? Would we have as much conflict in our lives if we didn’t give in to anger, grudges, or resentment? Would we have problems with our children if they understood the importance of obeying their parents and living in a God-pleasing way? Would we have the financial issues and requirements in our lives if we were not overwhelmed with materialism? Would we worry about our jobs if we remembered that God is in charge and He will be with us wherever we are? Would we be anxious for our survival if we were content with what God has given us? Have we complicated our lives with the desires of this world rather than seeking God first?
If God is at the center of our lives, then every action we take, every thought we have, is viewed through the prism of His will. If we live to serve God first, above all else, then we will keep His commandments. His commandments will be our desires. If we trust that everything God tells us to do is best for us, then we will delight in living the way God has instructed us to live. Our decisions will be God-directed. Our priorities will be God-based. Our desires will be for what God desires for us and from us. If God is at the center of our lives then everything we do will flow from that center.
The heart pumps blood to every part of our bodies. Even our brain cannot function with out the blood that the heart provides. Our heart is not an appendage that we can do without. It is central to our body’s survival. If God is our heart, if He is the center of our lives; then His will will flow through us and everything we do. The other things in our lives will be less overwhelming because they will no longer be the biggest things in our lives.
Instead of worldly things being at the center of our lives, The One who gave us life will be the reason we live our lives.
Matthew 6:25-34:
For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, [as to] what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life’s span? And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith? Do not be anxious then, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘With what shall we clothe ourselves?’ For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 3But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
