I’m coming to understand that in my fight to overcome, the ultimate goal and fight The Lord has with his people, with me, is our inability to give Him “First Place” in our existence, over every facet of our lives. It’s in my own fight to overcome my struggles, in my own rebellion or inability to control my flesh at times that I understand the areas of my life that I haven’t fully surrendered, the places where He doesn’t reign fully or take FIRST PLACE.
I was pricked in my heart when I read Colossians 1:15-20 (GNT) which says,
15 Christ is the visible likeness of the invisible God. He is the first-born Son, superior to all created things. 16 For through him God created everything in heaven and on earth, the seen and the unseen things, including spiritual powers, lords, rulers, and authorities. God created the whole universe through him and for him. 17 Christ existed before all things, and in union with him all things have their proper place. 18 He is the head of his body, the church; he is the source of the body’s life. He is the first-born Son, who was raised from death, in order that he alone might have the FIRST PLACE in all things. 19 For it was by God’s own decision that the Son has in himself the full nature of God. 20 Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son’s blood[a] on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven.
That word, “First Place…First Place…First Place” truly resonates with me.
After reading that, I just began to sob and repent, “Lord, truly forgive me for the areas I haven’t surrendered, the areas I withhold from you, my own selfishness that thinks more of myself, my own desires that crowd you out. Forgive me for choosing things over you, food, my own hunger, palate, taste-buds, my own selfish desires, my flesh, my agenda, every choice or habit I have that comes before you, have mercy, help and forgive me. I want to make YOU first IN ALL THINGS!”
One area I’m truly struggling in is consistency of crucifying my flesh daily especially regarding food. It’s my lack of restraint at times that makes my journey hard and grieves me so much. What causes my heart to break is my lack of discipline and self control at times. But my heart cries out to God, “I don’t want to live selfishly anymore…I want YOU to be first. Help me to remember you first before every choice and decision I make.”
This message is not just for me, I hear Him saying to His people,
“I want to be first, I want to be first, I want to be first! I died for the right to be first.”
Today, if we hear His voice, let’s not harden our hearts.
As I’ve been tempted to sin regarding food this week, I’ve been speaking to those desires within me and this week, I looked at whatever that temptation was and said, “No…I choose YOU first Jesus, I put you first above…!” When I remembered Christ when tempted to sin, I walked away victorious. I realize my love for Him must translate in what I do and give up for Him.
Your area of temptation may not be food, dieting, weight loss etc., but, there’s something you’re struggling to put down or pick up. Christ is calling us all to surrender our will to His and put Him first. He desires to reign SUPREME.
As we go about our day, our love for Him, our desire for Him, our allegiance to Him needs to translate over to the decisions and choices we’re afforded moment by moment, second by second in CHOOSING HIM FIRST ABOVE EVERYTHING. He was the first-born Son, Superior to ALL, Existed before all things, the Son that SACRIFICED His blood, Raised from death in order that He ALONE MIGHT HAVE FIRST PLACE IN ALL THINGS.
Col. 2:11 says “in union with Christ you were circumcised, not with the circumcision that is made by human beings, but with the circumcision made by Christ, which consists of being freed from the power of this sinful self.”
James 4:7 say’s “therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
We have to believe that when Christ died, we were freed from satan, sin, rebellion and selfishness to have the right, power and authority to resist ourselves and EVERYTHING THAT opposes Christ. We have power to Love Him More and Put Him First.
I hear Christ saying,
“PUT ME FIRST, LOVE ME MORE & PUT ME FIRST AGAIN that I may reign supreme that my ultimate purpose, will and the reason you were created might be fulfilled. I desire to free my people, but they must submit, love me more and I’ll give them the keys of the kingdom of Heaven. I long for my people, PUT ME FIRST AGAIN!”
Continue to join me as I share with you what Christ is sharing with me about overcoming. As always, Be Encouraged, Stay Connected, Fight and Let’s Become Free Together.
William McDowell (I Surrender All) featuring Pastor Jason Nelson, Gospel4U
In His Name,
Ke’Shawn Adamson
B.O.O.M!
