We really don’t need help finding things that can distract us from putting God first, we are one of the busiest generations there has ever been. Our feelings can also be a big distraction, especially when you allow your feelings to control you. When we feel worried, fearful or bitter it can consume our thoughts. Leaving us to become unable to think of much else. But we do not have to live in this way. We can actively choose to go to God, turn over our feelings to Him and enjoy our lives in Christ! 


Questions for further thought:
1. Have you ever thought of your feelings as being one of your idols? 

2. How can you focus on God rather then your feelings?  


​Challenge: Try to observe this week if your feelings play a role in what place you put God during that day. 

Anything that we put an excessive amount of time into can become a god to us. The very first commandment tells us to never let anything come before God. In our verse today God lets us know right up front that He will not tolerate our affection for any other gods. It’s important for us to remember that things like our jobs, kids, spouses and hobbies can quickly turn into more of a priority then our relationship with God. Over this week we will be talking about ways and habits we can form in order to make sure God comes first in our lives. 

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Questions for further thought:
1. How many of the things that occupy our time have taken the place where God should be? 

2. What’s somethings you have already put in place to make God a priority?  


​Challenge: Think of one thing you could change in your daily schedule to make God a priority every day. 

We didn’t create ourselves.  Nor our parents and grandparents.  Nor the world or the universe we live in.  God did.  Therefore, since He did, it is incumbent upon us to RECOGNIZE that we really are not, and never have been, “in charge” of anything.  We need to strive to rely daily upon the one who actually IS in charge of everything.


Questions for further thought:
1. Do you recognize that there’s only one Lord of the universe, and it isn’t you?

2. Echoing numerous sermons of many years, “Do you want control, or do you want growth?”  You cannot have both.  


​Challenge: We never were “in control” of our universe (much less our lives).  It is ok.  It’s ok to admit that we aren’t and never were.  The LORD is with us, and He wants us to make this simple admission and give Him the control over our lives that He always has had.  Pray that we do that today, let go of “control,” and start GROWING in the love and understanding of He who loved us first and best.  Amen.

When kids (or anyone under authority) do something wrong, oftentimes they are punished.  That is natural and understandable.  This happens not because their parents don’t love them, but because we do.  How much more does our Heavenly Father love us, which is why sin has consequences.  Even when we experience correction, that’s not the end of our stories, as far as He is concerned. (Thank Him for that!)


Questions for further thought:
1. Do we, when we sin, think about the punishment that might go with that sin? Can understanding that there’s no avoiding consequences help you say no to sin?

2. Do we think on how much sin God is FORGIVING us on a minute-by-minute basis? How thankful are you for His divine forbearance because of Christ?  


​Challenge: Remember the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins.  Make no mistake, sin MUST be rooted out and punished.  But thankfully, Jesus covers us so that God’s full punishment doesn’t come down upon us!  Pray that others would know this covering as well.  Also, pray for His power to NOT sin anymore in your areas of struggle!

The Israelites of old (and Christians from Christ’s time onwards) did (and should) take comfort that God is always with us.  He is.  He always HAS been.  Some question this truth when bad things occur, but even when people do, as we noted yesterday – God didn’t change, and God didn’t move.  Particularly in tough times, He is with us.


Questions for further thought:
1. Do you sometimes subconsciously view God as the “cosmic vending machine?”

2. Do you actively seek Him out as a source of strength, especially during those tough times?  


​Challenge:  God is with us each and every day.  Scripture tells us this, and people’s experiences tell the same.  Embrace that divine truth today and embrace the most powerful being in the universe.  He TOLD us that we should!

“No Pain, no Gain!” is the catchphrase slogan.  We don’t often like it, but we do know it is true.  Not to make light of whatever trials you are going through, but how can we use this phrase, and the Scripture above, to understand WHY we are going through current pain for future joy and His glory? And is there a payoff at the end?

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Questions for further thought:
1. What are you being tested for in terms of His glory?

2. Is there a purpose for all of these beyond what you expect or can imagine?  If so, are you satisfied that it is all good?  


​Challenge: We truly cannot understand all of God’s ways (Isaiah 55:8) but challenge yourself to remember that God did not create you merely to suffer.  He wants you to know who He is and to love Him for it.  If you are going through testing right now, remember that God didn’t change, and God didn’t move.  He is with you through the storm!

In life, all of us will go through trials of some sort.  Many are the result of our own prior choices; many others brought onto us by others, or by events.  This is true even in our Christian walk.  How God helps us navigate through those trials is key.


Questions for further thought:
1. What trials are you going through right now, of any sort?

2. How can you allow God to have you view those trials in a different way – as a strength rather than pure sorrow and heartache?  


​Challenge: Allow God Himself to help you navigate through the trials you, or someone you know, are currently going through.  It’s a cliché but it happens to be true: nothing is too hard for God.  So, use that power for yourself, as He intended you to, and see if your mindset is changed by His holy power and love.

Christ’s superiority over the priests of Israel “makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant” (Heb. 7:22). There had to be many priests because they were prevented from continuing because of death. But the Son of God “holds the priesthood permanently because He continues forever” having been raised from the dead (v.24). This brings us great security in our salvation because Jesus “is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (v.25). The living Christ, our Great High Priest, appears in the presence of God on our behalf and presents His finished sacrifice on behalf of sinners “who draw near to God through Him” (v.25). The Father, therefore, will never reject us.


Questions for further thought:
1. How does this great truth revealed above affect you?

2. How will you respond to great and glorious truth? 


​Challenge:  Our God desires that no one will perish (2 Peter 3:9). However, He has set in motion a plan we must adhere to. Salvation is inclusive in the sense it is available to all, however, it is exclusive in the sense that it is only available through faith in Jesus Christ. So how will you respond today?

Jesus’ sheep hear His voice. They understand Him because they know Him. Not only do believers know Jesus, but He also knows them. To be known by Jesus is to be held securely not by our own power, but by the mighty power of God’s grace. No one can snatch believers from Jesus’ hand or from the Father’s hand as they are one. They are both divine, acting with power and purpose that human forces cannot emulate or overcome. It is God’s power that saves His sheep and it will be God’s power that will keep His sheep. 


Questions for further thought:
1. Do I truly know that I am one of His sheep? Why or why not?

2. To what can I refer to help me answer question #1?


​Challenge: Take some time to reflect on the time when you truly put your trust and faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone to save you. If you have not done that, what is stopping you from doing it today?

In Ephesians 2:1-3, we see that mankind was dead, disobedient, demonic, and destined for destruction. That’s the bad news. However, the good news is that God had a plan. Verse 4 utters some of the most important words in this chapter: “But God.” We were dead, but God made us alive in Christ. We were not merely in need of a helping hand; we were not sinking swimmers in need of a raft; we were stone cold dead - spiritually lifeless. If God could do the saving through making us alive in Christ through faith, He is most certainly powerful enough to keep us saved through His mighty power. We must only repent and believe as He provides for us the power to do so. It is settled and sure!! What an awesome God we serve!


Questions for further thought:
1. How often have I thought that somehow my salvation depended on me? Why do you think that is?

​2. In what ways today could I thank the God of the universe for His saving grace? 


​Challenge: There is nothing we can do to earn this salvation. We are saved by the grace (unmerited favor) of Christ through faith alone. Take time to reflect on the words “But God.”