The Keep God First Schedule

The Keep God First Schedule

As Christians we often find it difficult to truly keep God first. We get wrapped up in our day to day schedules. We find ourselves busy or overwhelmed with work, school, families and other commitments we may have. A lot of us pray, attend church every Sunday and maybe even bible study each week. We often believe or are led to believe that this is sufficient; giving God only 2-3 hours once or twice a week.  As it is not, quite frankly if anything, it should be the other way around. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (KJV) says:  ^“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing.  In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

The below schedule, in my opinion, will help focus, encourage, and motivate those with a GENIUNE zeal and passion to serve God in a better way. This schedule is just to provide an example; you should do what you are led to do.

Time	Monday	Tuesday		Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Wake-up	Prayer	Prayer		Prayer	Prayer	Prayer	Prayer	Prayer
Mid/Eve	Dev/Pry	Dev/Pry		Dev/Pry	Dev/Pry	Dev/Pry		Church
Night	1 on 1	Friend		1 on 1	1 on 1	1 on 1	Family

The time column doesn’t have numeric values because this should be personal, and a time should be selected based off of what works best between you and God.

-        -  The morning wakeup prayer, held each day, will help you as you start your morning. (Instead of me quoting one verse, READ Matthew 6:1-34) This explains how to pray a genuine prayer, and for us to not worry, but “seek God and his kingdom first, and everything will be added to us.”

-         -  The Mid-day or evening devotion/meditation should also be daily, perhaps on lunch break, for some sort of reading. I.E daily bread, daily devotion, reflection. - 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (While reading your devotional, you never know who may be watching and may want to read along with or after you.)

-        -  I recommend a time be set at night, for just you and God;  quiet time, alone time – For whatever you want to bring to Him. Pray, read, meditate, relax and let go! 1 one 1 time. Matthew 6:6 “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”

-        -  Not only 1 on 1 time, but also take a day or two out of the week to study or pray with someone else. Friend, Co-worker, family worship night.

These are just minor examples of what can be done to give God the Glory He so much deserves. Remember to keep faith, and pray – in the name of Jesus!   John 3:16 – For God SO LOVED the world that He gave his only begotten Son, whosoever beleiveth in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

Lesson for 11/8

Hey all, the Sunday school lesson for tomorrow comes from Acts 15:1-12. Its titled "God Makes No Distinction" The lesson starts with "certain men" from Judea causing controversy in the church, saying "unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved" Verse 2 brings out how Paul and Barnabas disagreed with this notion and are sent to Jerusalem to talk to the apostles and elders concerning this. Along the way, Paul, Barnabas, and a few others stopped to visit believers in surrounding areas; they shared how Gentiles were being converted and saved. Verse 4 brings out, when they arrived in Jerusalem they were welcomed and reported everything God had done through them. To deviate from the lesson for a bit,  its good to share what God has done THROUGH you, not only what He's done FOR you. How did someone else see God's glory from the assistance you provided them or the positive news you shared? Back to verse 5, it states "Some of the believers that belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and insisted, "The Gentile converts must be circumcised and required to follow the law of Moses" As a background, the reason the few were so adamant on circumcision is because in the book of Genesis, ch. 17 verse 14 - God tells Abraham that "any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.” - but as we know from previous lessons and through faith, that we have been given grace, through God's Son, Jesus Christ. The final verses perfectly summarize this lesson. "God knows people's hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles (non Jews, that means us, our neighbors, co-workers, friends, - all believers) by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did us" Peter then continues by saying "He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts through faith." Verse 10, Peter asks the Pharisees, why are they challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers with a such an unbearable law, that even them nor their ancestors could keep. To God be the glory, for its by the grace of His Son Jesus, that we are saved. We are able to choose! We can repent and learn from our mistakes! May we not persecute each other with judgmental words, but rebuke in love, and continually encourage that we are saved by grace! God loves each and every one of us equally and wishes no one to perish.

Stay blessed and thanks for reading.

Lesson for Nov 1

Hey all, the Sunday school lesson for tomorrow comes from Acts 12:1-11 verses. Its titled "Prayer works!" Each of us at some given point and time have witnessed the power of prayer. Whether praying for a healing in our body, or in school to pass an exam; a job that will provide, or the lost family member that has renewed their faith. We all can testify that prayer does indeed work! In the lesson we find the early church, still being persecuted, not only by the Jewish religious authorities, but now King Herod Agrippa. It starts of by noting King Herod laying violent hands upon some who belonged to the church.  Verse 2 "He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword." - Keep that verse in mind! As verse 3 brings out, King Herod was a people pleaser, to maintain his self image, he took note of how the Jewish majority reacted to James' beheading with excitement. He then proceeded to arrest Peter during the celebration of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. To quickly elaborate, this feast was where Jews were to eat unleavened bread for seven days in remembrance of how they left Egypt so quickly that the dough in their bread didn't have time to rise. (Exodus 34:18) - So, Peter is imprisoned and guarded by four squads of soldiers to be kept until after Passover. Verse 5 says "while Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently; without ceasing, to God for him." The night before Herod was planning to bring Peter out before the people, an Angel of the Lord appeared, tapped Peter on the shoulder and told him to wake up and get up quickly. Instantly, the chains that had him bounded, fell off his wrists.(6-7)    The Angel then in verse 8 instructs Peter to get dressed and to follow him. By this time, Peter thinks he is having a vision, or dreaming - (I probably would too) - but verse 10 brings out how they passed the guards, and the gate leading into the city opened on its own. As they were walking the Angel then departed from Peter. Verse 11 reveals how Peter finally comes to himself and is now sure that the Lord has sent His angel to rescue him! Prayer works! - Peter's church family prayed UNCEASINGLY. Could you image how they must've felt after what happened to James in verse 3. They surely prayed for the safety of Peter. God's act was sovereign when he delivered Peter from prison. The continuous prayers of the church were heard by God, and God performed a miracle in response to their prayers. What a lesson for all of us today! - No matter how things may look, keep faith, trust, and genuinely pray to God, in Jesus' name. God has his Angels of protection around each of us! Stay blessed all, and never forget the divine power of prayer!

Thanks for reading.

Lesson for 10/25

Hey all, the Sunday School lesson for tomorrow comes from Acts 11:1-18. Its titled "Trusting the Spirit. As you begin to read you will see how this lesson dips very much into the lesson from last week. Its starts off where Peter is returning to Jerusalem and is questioned why he went to visit non Jews. Peter then in verses 5-14 explains his vision, the same one we discussed in last weeks lesson. "What God has made clean, you must not call profane" If I may, often times as believers we either accuse or are continually being reminded of our pasts. We may find it hard to forgive and forget - but what God is telling Peter in his vision is a lesson for us. Those with a rocky past or who are in the process of getting their life on track have been restored and made clean - we should not judge or isolate our selves from them, but inspire, motivate and encourage them to keep pressing upward. Tonight lesson concludes with the Holy Spirit falling upon the Gentiles, just as it previously fell upon the disciples.They were baptized by the Holy Spirit, the comforter. Verse 17 wraps it up saying "If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?" 18 "When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, "Then God has given even the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life" - What this means friends, is not only the Jews of that time, but everyone from then to now that repents and believes that God raised Jesus from the dead, shall inherit everlasting life! His Spirit lives within us!

Trust the Spirit! Keep faith and praying.

Thanks.

Lesson for 10/18

Greetings all, I give honor to God, to Jesus, and to the Holy Spirit. Tomorrow's Sunday school lesson comes from Acts 10:24-38. "Peter Takes a Risk" Before beginning the scripture set for tonight - let us delve into a few prior verses to provide clarity and understanding. Acts 10:1-23 explain how Cornelius, an an officer in the army. 2"He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.^"  An Angel of God appears to him in a vision saying "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God." He is then instructed to send men to go find Peter. As you continue to read, you will see that, literally the next day Peter had a vision. Peter's vision ties deeply into tonight's scripture and reveals how God can bring two totally different people together, for His glory! The lesson begins at verse 24 - Peter and the group sent, were heading back to Cornelius' house. Once they arrive verse 25 says that Cornelius met Peter. and fell down at his feet. and worshiped him. But Peter took him up, saying Stand up; I myself also am a man. As they being to talk, Peter mentions, its against the law for a Jew to associate or visit a Gentile (non Jew). - Peter then says in the latter part of verse 28..;"but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean." This was Peter's vision! Going back to verse 14   “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
¹⁵ The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” Peter was unsure, why he was being told this at the time of his vision; but as they continued to talk, Peter uses this moment to share what God has done. Verse 34-35 ^"Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism ³⁵ but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right." Peter then began to preach the Good News of Jesus, and how God anointed his Son with the Holy Spirit and was always with Him. Just as God was with Jesus, He is also with us! Remember - No matter your race, gender, age, ethnicity, educational background, or Spiritual level. God wants, accepts and draws those who genuinely have a zeal and passion to serve Him!

Thanks for reading. God loves you, and I love you all too!

Lesson for 10/11

Hey all, the Sunday school lesson for tomorrow comes from Acts 9:19-31 its titled “Earning the right to be Heard” The lesson talks about Saul, who in verse 19 and 20 – had been with the disciples preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. In verse 21, the people that heard Saul preach were amazed and said “is this not the man who made havoc in Jerusalem amongst those who invoked this name?..” If you read a few verses prior to tomorrow's lesson you will see that Saul was persecuting Christians. But on his road to Damascus, the Lord revealed himself to Saul (Acts 9:3-6) and he changed! Today, some of us experience people that hold others past against them. They continuously remind them of how they use to be, or don't believe a change for God has been made. As you continue to read you will see in verse 23 that the Jews plotted to kill Saul; even some of the disciples were afraid when Saul attempted to join them. To God be the glory, because he always provides a way out! In verse 27 you will see a man, by the name of Barnabas “took Saul, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus” Sometimes, God puts people in our lives at the right time – to love and stand up for us. No one is perfect, and we fall short at times, but as Christians we are to encourage each other. God is in the business of transforming lives every day. We should seek to care and pray for each other regardless of the past. If God can forgive people for their sins, then so should we.

God bless and be heard!

Lesson for 10/4

Hey all, the Sunday school lesson for tomorrow comes from Acts 8:9-24. Its titled "The Source of True Power"

The SOURCE of TRUE power. Verses 9-11 begins with a man, Simon, who practiced magic, and was considered great among the people of Samaria. The people were being fooled by Simon's acts; As believer's today, the Holy Spirit enables us to distinguish what's of God, and whats false. If a individual professes to be a Christian but constantly magnifies him or herself, then that person is not a true servant of God. Our Heavenly Father deserves all the credit! Simon was stealing God's glory.
Then Philip, a deacon of the early church proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ, Son of God. Verses 12-14 bring out how the people began to believe what Philip was preaching, even Simon himself. We should strive for a spiritual influence as strong as Philips. God's word was made manifest through his preaching - and people became saved! Jumping to verse 17. Peter and John arrive and Simon witnesses the apostles performing miracles. The scripture says "Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit" Simon offers them money in exchange for the same power. But Peter sets him straight in verse 20. (Please read) - Fellow believers, we can't obtain God's gifts with money! I repeat - we cannot purchase God's favor. We are ALL commissioned to go out and spread the good news of Jesus Christ, to show Godly love and fellowship together. We are not to expect monetary items in exchange, we are not to go with the motion of religion. But we are to GIVE GOD ALL THE GLORY! We are doing it for Him! We are building our hopes on things eternal! We will fall short, but we are to repent, just as it states in verse 22.

Let us mature in faith. Draw closer to God, through His Son Jesus. Show genuine love. And may we recognize, acknowledge, praise, trust and glorify the TRUE SOURCE!

Thanks for reading.