Daily Devotional: Monday, Dec 28

Speaker:Paul Diaz

Theme: First Things First

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Break My Heart by Mike Flathers; Hosanna by Paul Baloche; Sing to the King by Passion Worship Band; Came to my Rescue by Hillsong.

Read: Psalm 93; Philippians 3: 7-14; Colossians 1:18

Think: People can live their lives for all kinds of things, have you noticed? My brother for example loves to travel and he lives to plan his next trip. I read about a guy who crossed the Grand Canyon hiking rim to rim over 80 times in the sunset years of his life. There was a lady profiled on a TV show who had a collection of thousands of pairs of shoes.  All interesting, maybe even a little inspiring but not exactly things to dedicate a lifetime to doing.

Pastor Paul's weekend message helped remind us again to be mindful of our life and how we live. He encouraged us to reset our priorities as we look toward the start of a fresh, new year. What an important message! But where do we start?

When it comes to setting our priority it seems best to take a step back and start with the big picture... As people watch how we live, what would they say is the most important thing in life to us? It's pretty easy for them to guess simply by watching where we spend our time, our money, by listening to what we talk about and think about. (Or maybe just as easily by looking on our Facebook page and seeing what groups we belong to and what our latest status updates have been.) 

I'm sure the friends of the apostle Paul had no trouble identifying the passion of his life. The way he lived matched his goal and his priority which he clearly shares: "One thing I do . . . I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14). Serving Jesus Christ alone was at the top of his priority list. "...so He is first in everything" (Colossians 1:18 NLT). Did you catch that last word? Everything! Paul's single-minded devotion to Jesus inspires us to examine our own purpose and priorities as we live these short years we're given on this earth. What place will we give Jesus in our schedule and priority list today?

Do: Focus like a laser beam on following Jesus, every step, every breath, everyday. Make Him the top priority.

Pray: God so many things distract me and draw me off track from following you wholeheartedly. Help me to focus on you as I go through this day - show me how to put you first in my life and to keep you first! For that is your rightful place. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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