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Turn Off That TV
Have you posted on our Music Message Board for a chance to win a FREE CRS “No Holding Back” CD yet? If not, you have one more week to do so. The drawing will be August 16, so GO POST NOW!!! If you already have a CD, why not tell a friend. You must be a member here at PutHimFirst.com to post so sign up today and who knows, you might be the next contestant on the price of right…wait, I mean winner of a free CD.
I was looking back at a few of my old columns and I came across one that caught my attention. I had written about “The Little Things” in August of 2004 and rereading it kind of put me in check. I’m the kind of person that needs structure and order. I need a schedule or something/someone to remind me about what I need to do. I tend to get too busy or distracted very easily. I can spend hours doing pretty much nothing at times, when I could be praying or reading or doing something productive.
The Spirit and the flesh are in contradiction to each other. I want to spend time in prayer. I want to worship God and know Him more. I want to read the Bible and learn more about what God’s Word is saying to me. But, my flesh wants to sit around and be lazy. I always joke with my brother Gabe about not turning on the television. Once that TV goes on it seems like we don’t get anything accomplished. And that’s the truth a lot of the times. We’ll make plans to work on the website or do something for the record label, but then we’ll turn on the TV and before you know it, it’s time for me to go to work and time for Gabe to go to bed and nothing gets done. That’s happened on quite a few occasions. (Although, I must say, Gabe has done an excellent job of revamping our website.)
I was talking with a friend that I’m privileged to do ministry with and we were talking about accountability in everything we do. PUT HIM FIRST! Those three words hold me accountable. How can I write for a website called PutHimFirst.com if I don’t “Put Him First” in my own life? I have to always come back to just that, because I believe with all my heart that if God is the center of everything I do, then I’ll be right on track.
It sounds simple. Just “Put Him First” and everything will work out. But truthfully, it’s hard. I don’t know about you, but I don’t always wake up bright and chipper everyday with a big smile on my face and bluebirds chirping over my shoulder. It’s hard to get up and get on your knees to ask God for guidance. I’d rather hit the snooze button a couple times. I don’t always want to read my Bible either. I open it up and see all those pages and all those words and my eyes start getting tired. I’d rather read the comics or the sports page or get on the computer.
I’m just being honest. In the natural, our flesh doesn’t want to do the things necessary for us to live a productive Christian life. The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:27, “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
I don’t want to be disqualified. I know that God has given me this forum to impact lives. I know I need to pray more and read more and study more. I know I need to find myself in His presence more. I know I need to continue to keep Him as my main focus. So next time that alarm goes off, I’m going to try and get up and seek His face. I’m going to turn off the TV and try to read more. I’m going to keep on pressing towards that mark of the high calling. And I’m going to keep Him first in everything I do.
I pray you all have a great week. Don’t forget to sign up for the chance to win a free CD. Take care and remember to “Put Him First”.
w/muchluv,
geno
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