Ever wonder what placing God first in your life looks like? Our Father says to seek His kingdom first, then He will bless you beyond your capacity to imagine.  His kingdom is everything that is golden on earth as it is in heaven. Everyone who contends for God’s will, early in the morning, goes into strict training. Consider those who pray short prayers with many words in public to receive praise, will they get a crown that does not last? Consider Jesus who isolated Himself, and greeted each day with a prayer for direction, strength, and wise words. Did Jesus end His day in prayers of Thanksgiving? Rising early to make God first like Jesus did, today’s praying saints are causing a revival. We know that John G Lake, John Wesley, CH Spurgeon, EM Bounds, John Hyde, Andrew Murray, Henry Scougal, George Whitefield, Charles Finney,

Rees Howells, Kathryn Kuhlman, Evan Roberts, Billy Graham, Jonathan Edwards, Watchman Nee, and Smith Wigglesworth all began and ended each day in prayer. They will get a crown that will last forever, will the preachers today, will you? Do you think Paul began his day early in prayer? “I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have prayed for others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:25-27

Daniel boldly told the king that if he and his friends were thrown into the blazing furnace, their God was able to deliver them from the flames. Today, our living God has the power to deliver us from harm, but do we believe like Daniel or John G Lake? Daniel was content when he told the king, “even if God lets us burn, we want the watching world delegation to know, that we will NOT serve any man-made gods or worship the image of gold that any administration may demand civilization to worship.” Daniel 3:17-18

Do we totally depend on God like Charles Finney ? One privileged boy that grew up living in a palace,  saw plenty of greed and young Solomon also witnessed much deceit. This youth was chosen to lead a fickle nation, and he knew he could ask God for anything.  How did God respond to this humble, innocent youth who admitted that he needed help to lead others? Our Father gave Solomon such wisdom that leaders sought his counsel.  Why did this rich, wise ruler end up going wild with his desires? “If anyone lacks wisdom, let them ask of God.” James 1:5 Our Father desires that we seek His kingdom above all else. The kingdom of God contains only goodness, but this Ruler was influenced to seek outside of what wisdom counts as good. God created all things, so His kingdom is deep and wide enough to include all we can possibly want. God can not be 2nd place in our hearts. Listen to what the Spirit of God speaks to your heart as you read Scripture. “And now Someone greater than Solomon is here — and you refuse to listen.” Matthew 12:42 — 1 Kings 3:14 — Matthew 6:33 “Seek first the kingdom, and all these other things will be added.” Do not worry, be still and KNOW that if you seek God’s wisdom, guidance, and counsel FIRST, expect His lavish provision to be way more.

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 The fact that we take time to ponder Scripture is evidence of the Holy Spirit working in us. The promise is that He will finish what He starts….and God is faithful. WHEW! As we live by faith and not by sight, even though we can’t figure it all out, we got the indwelt, all knowing Holy assistant revealing in us what we can fathom. We are His kids and until He brings us face to face, we must rest in the Truth. We have already been reconciled with the Father. Even Jesus took a nap in the midst of a storm as the disciples were freaking out. Rest is NOT rebellion! It is our glad remembrance. Our rest in the Father says, “God, I trust You!”  Jesus sits on the throne, and He is in control!  For sure and certain, God knows my heart, so I breathe in deep. Resting in the inhale of His holy Presence — Then I exhale all worries, fears, and doubts. In glad obedience, I surrender all of my cares to You! AMEN

Remain in Me

Edward M Bounds

Kathryn

Evan Roberts

The power of  Jesus speaking into the hearts of man still occurs as the Holy Bible is read. Heaven, Earth, and Hell were all affected by the eternal Words Jesus spoke. His pure, purposed, and prophesied teachings opened the mystery of God’s Kingdom. Our redeeming King walked among thousands and healed the lame, restored the spiritual sight to the blind and cast out demons. Even children can recite their personal encounters with the divine. The day that heaven sent hands of mercy into our lives will never be forgotten. We are more than overcomers, we are the containers, the yielded vessels God prepared by fire to speak hope into the lost.