From the Pulpit: ‘When God is first, everything comes to order’
Rest is a critically important aspect of a healthy mind and body. Yet how many of us actually get proper rest? We convince ourselves that rest will come when a big project at work is complete, when I get the promotion, when the kids are older, when sports no longer demand my weekends, and the list go on. Not only do we excuse ourselves from rest, we reach for substitutes. Alcohol, cigarettes, energy drinks, greasy food, Facebook, and Netflix are often the first thing we run to in attempts to restore our body and mind.
Substitutes feel good in the moment but provide only a temporary illusion of repair. Substitutes cannot achieve the total system reboot that our bodies were designed for. A true reboot allows our system to rest, heal, defrag and update. Our Creator designed us this way and then authored the No. 1 health and wellness manual, the bible.
Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He made your body and designed it to heal itself. But not without Sabbath. The LORD worked for six days, and rested on the seventh. You have likely heard the old adage; when your output exceeds your input, your upkeep will be your downfall. A battery can’t put out what it doesn’t have.
As Pastor Robert Morris has said, “When GOD is first, everything comes into order. When GOD is not first, everything is out of order.” Each week, you have an opportunity to start your week by putting God first. My encouragement to you is to place a priority on corporate worship with a local church. No church is perfect. When we practice the ministry of presence in a local body of believers, we are reminded that the church is not a sanctuary for saints, rather it is a hospital for sinners.
Jesus may not be first in ‘your calendar’, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t first. The Bible tells us that “every KNEE will bow, and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD.”
As we move towards fall, take the opportunity to check out our 13th annual Prayer Breakfast held at Brandon Valley High School. Hills, Minn., native Trenton Bass will be our guest speaker. Trenton will be sharing his story as well as the ministry Game Plan for Hope with our community. Join us online on Friday, Aug. 20 beginning at 6:30 a.m. for breakfast. More information can be found at facebook.com/brandonsdprayerbreakfast, brandonvalley.org/YouTub we or Alliance Digital Cable – Channel 21.
