"Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there by any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" - Philippians 4:8
Motivation matters. Whatever action I take, I want to have the right motives. "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).
1. You have the capacity to choose your thoughts – Last week we talked about this aspect. Today we will learn something different whish is.
2. Attitudes can be changed and improved when you walk with Jesus
A. The Spiritual Mark
In Acts 3, we find Peter and John going to the temple to worship. Just outside the temple gate sat a beggar who had been crippled from birth. This man had never walked a step in his life. When he saw Peter and John, he asked them for alms. Peter answered him, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee" (Acts 3:6). Peter then prayed for the beggar, saying, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth., rise up and walk" (3:6). Instantly, the man was healed! In utter joy, he began running through the temple, jumping and shouting, "Jesus healed me!"
Everyone in the temple marveled at the sight because they recognized the man as the cripple. When Peter and John saw the crowds gathering, they began preaching Christ. Thousands were saved. Yet, while Peter and John were preaching, the synagogue rulers "came upon them, being grieved" (Acts 4:1–2). These high and mighty men asked the disciples, "By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?" (4:7). Peter was emboldened by the Holy Ghost. He answered the rulers, "His name is Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the man you crucified just three weeks ago. God raised him from the dead. And now he's the power that healed this man. No one can be saved by any other name. You'll be lost if you don't call on Christ's name" (see 4:10–12).
The rulers sat stunned. Scripture says, "They marvelled [admired them]; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus" (4:13). The phrase took knowledge comes from a root word meaning "known by some distinguishing mark."
What was this mark that distinguished Peter and John? It was the presence of Jesus. They had Christ's own likeness and Spirit.
"Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit..."Ephesians 1:13.
Believers have been marked. I have been marked by God! I belong to God's Brand...are you?
B. TEST YOUR ATTITUDES
Those who spend time with Jesus can't get enough of him. Their hearts continually cry out to know the Master better, to draw closer to him, to grow in the knowledge of his ways.
What is your passion? What really excites you? What provokes your interest, stimulates your thoughts, motivates your life? Is it your job? Could it be your boyfriend or girlfriend? Possibly it's your spouse or your grandchildren. Maybe it's your favorite sports team, your musical interests, your music, favorite food, or your hobby. Whatever it may be, this enthusiasm for something on earth really isn't worth living for!
Test yourself for a few moments. Suppose that you want to do something or go somewhere. It may not be clearly sinful—such as watching a compromising sinful TV program, buying a luxury vehicle, going to a pornographic movie, traveling to the casino in Las Vegas, open the wrong website, or going to a party to take drugs. No, it may be something less obvious. Yet you recognize that it is not pleasing to God or it violates the teachings of Jesus. What do you do? Do you go ahead and follow your own will—or do you surrender your will to the will of the Lord Jesus? What or who do you put first in your decisions of life?
Search your own heart. Consider all aspects of your life and ask whether your lifestyle demonstrates a heart of love and devotion to Jesus:
· How do you use your time?
· How do you spend your money?
· What do you read and watch?
· What do you listen to?
· What do you enjoy doing?
· Are you in interested about sharing Jesus with as many as you can?
These are a few of the questions that you can ask yourself to reveal something of your heart. If you truly love Jesus and put Him first in your life, your family and friends and fellow-workers will know it.
C. PUT GOD FIRST IN YOUR LIFE
How do we put God first?
"F" stands for Focus. Spend serious time reading Bible verses that talk about who He is and you will be filled with a sense of wonder and trust. Set your attention in the things that really matter
"I" stands for Identity. God's purpose for you is to bring you into His own family and His own house. You need to find out who you are in Christ.
"R" stands for respect. We should respect God's timetable. He is ultimately in control and He has a plan. As we pray and as we live we are to be mindful that our plans will always superseded by His plans.
"S" stands for serving. Jesus came to the earth to serve and not to be served. In serving others we are living the life he would live.
"T" stands for telling others. When we tell others about what happens when we put God first it encourages others to do the same.
People where asking Jesus questions like "What will I eat?" people today still question on, How will I pay the bills? How will I have a happy marriage? How will I have a successful career? Everyone seems to be preoccupied with these kinds of concerns, but Jesus calmed his disciples by giving them a higher purpose. He told them not to worry about their needs in this world, but to instead seek God's kingdom, having the promise that their heavenly Father would then also meet all those needs:
"...do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well" (Matthew 6:31-33)
D. SEEK HIS KINGDOM FIRST
These verses say that your needs can be met if you seek first the kingdom of God. What does this really mean? Many people put this into practice by reading the bible and praying first thing in the morning. Many even get up earlier so they have time to do this.
For many people, though, it ends there. They go about the rest of the day and do not even think about God. Also, with this schedule, what happens when they get up late? What usually gets cut? It's their bible reading and prayer time.
Instead of only doing morning devotions, you should seek God first in everything you do, all day long. How do you do that? Acknowledge Him, talk to Him, praise Him, and ask Him for help and guidance. As you are getting ready for work, thank God for all that He has given you. Thank Him for everything going smoothly and for good traffic so you make it to work on time and being calm and peaceful when you get there.
At work, thank Him for your job. It may not be the perfect job, but thank Him for it anyway and do your best job. If you run into a problem, instead of complaining and worrying, say "God, you have not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. Help me Lord to know what to do in this situation."
God is always talking to us, but we are not always listening. When we do listen, many times we do not do what He says. So, we need to listen and obey, all day long.
The key to put God first is to understand that we are called to live in His Kingdom. A Victorious Christian is the one who is able to live in two realities at the same time. We can be here on Earth and at the same time enjoy the privilege and the reality of having the Holy Spirit always present in our lives.
When we seek the Kingdom we have Jesus' promise that we shall find it. When we pray "Thy Kingdom come" we are telling God that we prefer the reality of His Kingdom to the illusion of life here on Earth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, do not make God part of a list that you do first thing in the morning and then check it off and then go about the rest of your day without Him. Include Him in everything you do. Put God first in everything you do!
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:6)
"...I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,' declares the LORD Almighty" (Haggai 2:23).
We don't often hear about signet rings anymore; but in Bible times, they were very significant. The signet ring was used to identify the message or messenger and the authority they had. In other words, you knew something was from the king because it was marked by His signet ring. It was representative of power and authority. This verse is saying that you are the mark of authority of Almighty God. You have been chosen and set apart to be identified with Him. When you have someone's power and authority, you have access to everything they have. It's like having power of attorney; you have the authority to act on behalf of that individual.
As a believer in Jesus, marked with His seal, think of all you have access to today. Think about the authority you have. Everything He has is available to you—healing, provision, strength, peace, joy. You have been given authority to "sign His name" in order to receive His blessings. You are God's seal, and you are marked to live the abundant life He has in store for you!
Decide today to change your attitudes by living a life where you put God first in everything you do, knowing that he already marked you as His own. You can become today a child of the living God and have the assurance that He will never leave you or forsake you.
