Society tends to do things backwards. We attempt to treat sickness instead of focusing on eating healthy to begin with. We wade through marital problems or even divorce instead prayerfully considering and choosing a spouse. We get ourselves into problems and then ask God to help us.
Let's focus in on that last one. We get ourselves into problems and then ask God to help us. What's wrong with that is that we are not putting God first. God must come first. No excuses of 'I don't have enough time.' God put you on this earth, make time, make time for Him first.
Let's take it a step further and look at the Holy Spirit.
As you walk through life, you may be trying to tackle this problem and that problem. You may feel defeated and wonder how you'll ever get through it. Perhaps you want to be a better person. You know you should do certain things and walk the Christian life, but yet you struggle. You want to make good decisions but temptation and evil gets the best of you.
"I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do- this I keep on doing." Romans 7:18-19
What we often fail to remember is that we don't have to do this alone. If you are a Christian, you have the power of the Holy Spirit within you. You don't have to rely merely on your own strength, but you can rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. You have been blessed with that gift to tap into.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
If you are not a Christian, you are invited to have this opportunity also. It is only be accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior that you will receive the gift of the Spirit to guide you and bless you through your struggles and trials in life. When you face hardships and don't know which way to turn, you can always turn to Jesus. The Holy Spirit will live within you.
This is why we must put God first. Perhaps start by praying first thing each morning, reading a devotion, reading the Bible, writing out what's on your heart- a letter to God. Get your mind on track to focus on God first, God always. As you go through your day and face hardships and decisions, prayerfully consider each one. When you get caught up in stress and lose focus, pause, and wait for the Spirit to guide you. He is there. Allow Him to lead. Ask Him to lead. When you get into an argument with someone or feel tempted or misled, stop, pray- not for your own desires but for God's will with words led by the Holy Spirit. He is there. When you close out your day, before you turn off your light and put your head down, thank God- thank Him for walking you through another day, praise Him for the blessings you encountered, ask Him to continue to lead you and make you a witness to others of His goodness.
Make God your number one priority, Jesus your most important relationship and the Holy Spirit your guide. Be transformed to become more like Christ and watch how your life changes.
Lord, I pray for everyone reading this today. I pray first that the words said here are from You. I pray that You speak those words into their lives as you so intend for each person individually. I pray that You guide us where You want us to go in life and transform us into whom You want us to be. I pray for all those who are sick that they may be healed, all those who are lost that they may turn to You. I pray that You fill this world with Your goodness and allow us to keep our focus on You through all things, through all struggles. I thank You for the ability to write this and for Your gift of the Holy Spirit within me. Please watch over us and keep us safe. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
God bless you.
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