God 1st, Others 2nd, Self last...

Most believe that's how it should be, whether they practice it or not.

Few have problems recognizing when "Me, Me, Me" gets in the way, whether they care to admit it or not.

But, putting others 2nd can get very confusing in relationship to God being 1st.

It is God who teaches us how to love others and, in so doing, we are loving Him. However, when we have a passion for caring for the needs of others, you can bet Satan is looking for ways to trip us up and burn us out.

Satan will use that passion against us (where we're being called upon, up to 24 hrs. per day, to help others in countless ways) until we find we no longer have time for God. Then, others get 1st place and God gets nothing.

In addition, we run out of time for tending our own spiritual needs and soon become drained, finding we no longer have anything left to give.

It would go a long way toward keeping Satan within tight reigns were we to:

1.) spend quality time with God, even if we have to schedule an appointment.

seek God's will, even above the feelings of others.

2.) learn to discern and detach a little from those who manipulate our time with no real intention of following God (while keeping an open door for the time when they don't just want attention, but a real help.)

3.) let go of responsibilities God didn't call us to; works that please man but not Him.

Only when God is 1st does everything else fall into place.

� by Joyce C. Lock

http://my.homewithgod.com/blessingsandlessons/

This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact,

for non-profit ministering purposes.

In addition to being a published author and poet, Joyce C. Lock created the religion column, "Christianity Made Simple" for Peru Daily Tribune, continues to write inspirational articles for area newspapers, and shares further in online and e-mail ministries.