{"id":34955,"date":"2023-02-01T03:30:30","date_gmt":"2023-02-01T11:30:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/?p=34955"},"modified":"2023-01-31T16:34:55","modified_gmt":"2023-02-01T00:34:55","slug":"february-1-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2023\/02\/01\/february-1-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"February 1, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Better is Better – Part 1<\/strong><\/h2>\n

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”<\/em> Matthew 6:33<\/p>\n

Some months back I traveled to a conference where I sat under solid authentic teaching and enjoyed inspiring worship together with other believers.\u00a0 I came away with the sense that I wanted to do better. I wanted to combat lethargy and complacency in my journey with Jesus. I wanted to do better<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The next question was, how do I do that? I have been considering that for some time now. I knew I spent too much time looking at a screen and entertaining myself with games and puzzles and sim aps.\u00a0Nothing was inherently wrong in what I was doing, but I was doing it to excess.\u00a0It wastes an enormous amount of time that I could be spending in more fruitful pursuits.<\/p>\n

That was only one area I considered. I examined my thought life, my flippant and insensitive speech, my indulgence of my fleshly comforts and desires.\u00a0 I found a variety of areas where I could do better! I needed a major tune-up.<\/p>\n

As I sat in women’s Bible study one Thursday evening, something the teacher said sparked in my spirit. I don’t even remember what it was, but in that moment the Holy Spirit began to download my “new and improved” spiritual quest. This is how it looks.<\/p>\n

God First.<\/strong>\u00a0This is a matter of priority, the keeping of the most important thing the most important thing. Now when I awaken, I spend a few moments before I even get up in connecting with the Lord in prayer or singing a song of praise. It sets my heart on God.\u00a0First thing. I do my Bible and prayer time before I pick up my phone or my iPad. I tithe with a God-first mindset.\u00a0It comes off the top before any bills are paid or any shopping done. God first means prayer before the first delicious bite is consumed. There are myriad examples. God first is acknowledging His preeminence in all I do.<\/p>\n

I will share the second item on my new and improved spiritual quest tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Lord, help us ponder the meaning of putting You first in our lives. We are all different, but You know us completely, and You know how each of us will best hear You. We long to be like Christ in every way. Thank You for being a God we can prioritize every day. Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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