Day 1: First Things First | In Jesus’ Name

First Things First | In Jesus’ Name.

I’ve started the new Gateway Devotional (a little later than most…) but thought I’d share the resource and walk through it with any of you who are looking for a great way to start the year.  It’s 28 days and includes original worship songs, content, and memory verses.

A few points that really hit home from today’s devo:

  • Before I do anything… ANYTHING (else), I need to pray.

How often do I just run off and do?  This would imply that I should never react to the world around me, but respond to it only after I pray.  Good advice, or would that be God advice?

  • Prayer forms the foundation of the Christian Life

If prayer is the foundation of the Christian life, how solid (or shaky) is my foundation?  Back to the first point – if I am to pray first, then respond – that would be the correct way to “build” my life.  If I’m not in lifestyle of praying first, then what kind of foundation am I “building” my life on?

Am I on a firm and strong foundation or a weak and shaky foundation?

  • I am to live a lifestyle of prayer

To me that means I’m to LIVE IN CONVERSATION with God.  It’s not a requirement or works-mandated, pray 10 times-a-day, some dry and rote performance oriented repeated prayer.  It’s exactly how I live life with my wife and children – I talk, listen, share, think and interact “…without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) with the LORD.

Jesus help me pray continually so that I respond to the world around me and not react to it.  Help me to stay in conversation with you that my life is built on a firm foundation of prayer and becomes a lifestyle and character trait of who I am.

In Jesus Name,

Running After Papa….