February, 2009

First Means First

This will be like a puzzle to put together as I write this prayer letter. For
over a week Holy Spirit has been reminding me of scriptures and almost every
book I read adds to what I believe the Lord wants me to write. The first
scripture I heard was in Revelation and part of what Jesus spoke to the church
at Ephesus in Revelation.

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or
else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless
you repent. Revelation 2:4-5

I have been thinking of Jesus as my heavenly groom lately. I know He is coming
for His bride. As a soon to be bride we must be faithful to our groom. He is our
first love. One of my favorite scriptures speaks of us even as His virgin.

For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one
husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest
somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be
corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:2-3

We are to be eagerly waiting for our heavenly bridegroom.

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so
Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for
Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Hebrews 9:27-28

How often do even the most devoted Christians say yes to others and no to what
we know the Spirit of the Lord is prompting us to do. I want to be even more
devoted to Him and immediate to be obedient when I know He is speaking to my
heart to do something. Would a bride do anything less for her new earthly
husband?

I was then doing dishes and heard a preacher on TV talk about the economy and
how the Bible had the answer. He said something like we don't want to lose our
things - our houses, cars etc. He then told us to go to this scripture.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things
shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

I do get up and read the Word and pray first but I know I can put God first in
other ways too.

One morning recently I heard Holy Spirit speak to me about the commandments that
Jesus talked about. He then said what is the first commandment? I knew what it
was but then opened my Bible to the passage and meditated more on it.

Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: `Hear, O Israel, the
LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all
your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.'
This is the first commandment. Mark 12:29-30

I knew that honestly I didn't love Him as He was asking of me. He spoke to me
about having a divided heart and being double-minded all too often. I don't get
into condemnation when the Lord corrects me like I used to because I know His
correction is always what is best for me. I truly love His corrections now.
Can't we all improve on loving Him and by following whatever He is showing us in
the Word and by His Spirit?

My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
Nor detest His correction;
For whom the LORD loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:11-12

Yesterday I was working on the study that I have with my neighbor on Mondays and
there was another comment made on a first. The author was talking about who we
go to when we are in trouble and exhorted the reader to learn to go to God
first. Yes, He can use others and anoint them to help us but isn't it best to
head to the Secret place or to the Throne in time of need?

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him. Psalm 91:15

Notice this promise has conditions. Verse 14 says we must set our love upon Him
to be delivered and we must know His name. I will later touch on the names of
God and Jesus as Holy Spirit spoke to me this morning.

After reading the Word I was catching up on a book I had been reading that I
hadn't read for several days. In it I found more about God being first. I read
about how the enemy entraps believers and seduces them into having good things
take the place of God in our lives. The author even said God needs to be first
in our lives. Holy Spirit seemed to fill in the blanks as I read. He showed me
how idols can truly be good things like our families, our work, our home or even
a church or ministry. I saw how the enemy divides and then conquers. Yes, he
divides families, friends and those in the body of Christ but he divides our
heart and mind and we cooperate with him because we don't see what is truly
happening.

There is a question that Elijah asked that is very relevant today - "How long
will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if
Baal, follow him." (from 1 Kings 18:21).

We can replace our "pet" idol for the name Baal. Our little gods can maybe
satisfy for a little while but it is only God who hears our prayers and can
truly satisfy our lives long term actually eternally. It is time to become whole
and change our divided hearts and double mindedness.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners;
and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8

Then I heard Holy Spirit talk about hallowing the name of the Lord. There are
many names for God and Jesus. I will touch on just a few of them.

God is called Elohim our Creator, Adonai, our Master, El Shaddai, the all
sufficient one that is more than enough. He also has many names that go with
Jehovah meaning I AM.

So Jehovah Shalom (Isaiah 9:6) is the I AM who gives peace * Jehovah Rapha is
the Lord who heals (Exodus 15:26) * Jehovah Jireh - the Lord who provides
(Genesis 22:14) * Jehovah M'kaddesh - the Lord who sanctifies/makes holy (Lev.
20:8) * Jehovah Shammah - The Lord who is ever Present (Ezekiel 48:35) * Jehovah
Tsidkenu - The Lord our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6) * Jehovah Nissi - The Lord
who is our banner and victory (Exodus 17:15) * Jehovah Rohi - the Lord our
shepherd (Psalm 23:1) * Jehovah Sabaoth - The Lord of the hosts (1 Samuel 1:3) *
Jehovah Gmolah - the Lord who recompenses (Jeremiah 51:6)

There are other names for God. Jesus also said, I AM * the resurrection *the way
* the truth * the life * the light of the world * the bread of life * the door
of the sheep * the good shepherd * the true vine.

Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." John
8:58

I truly believe that whatever the need we have that God and Jesus' names will
meet that need. In the Lord's prayer we see that God's name is to be hallowed.
The Greek word is hagiazo which is used in other places in the New Testament to
mean to sanctify, set apart, make holy or honor as holy.

Though I just started studying this I know that when we put God first we will
give Him honor and hallow Him. As I study His names and their meaning I know He
will be to me even more than He is now. I know many of you reading this need Him
to be your Healer and others need Him to be their peace. As we put Him first and
hallow His name our Christian walk becomes stronger and we are more blessed so
we can in turn bless those He brings into our lives. Let's not keep Him waiting
and put Him first place in our hearts, in our minds, in our days and may He
truly be our First Love.

With love, blessings and prayers - Linda-Sue