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Tip 2 - Who is Number One?
In our society today we have been taught to take care of Number One.
Number One being … well, ourselves.
No one should be allowed to say someone else is better than me … especially if they are better than me, because that would make me feel bad.
No one should be allowed to say that I’m not good enough just because … I’m not good enough. That would also make me feel bad.
No one should be allowed to stop following me on social media because … that really makes me feel bad.
Why?
Because I am Number One.
TIP FOR THIS WEEK
Which brings us to our Tip from God for this week.
God talks about His view of this “Number One” thing in a list that He gave to the people of Israel.
Yep.
A list.
God gave people a list on how to live life well.
Am I jogging your memory?
Okay, I’ll be a little more specific.
The list is called The Ten Commandments.
Even though the list is printed or carved on many of America’s historical buildings and monuments, it is against the law to teach about that list in our public schools today, because God doesn’t view this “Number One” thing in the same way our society does.
And we wouldn’t want to sully the minds of our children with God’s views … would we?
NO OTHER GODS
The very first item on that list says ..
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.”
Exodus 20:2-3 (ESV)
Seems a pretty straightforward statement.
No other gods.
God is number one!
Not you.
Not me.
God.
If you think you’re Number One, then you have made yourself a lower case “g” god.
If you want to live life well, you’ll make certain that God is Number One and no one else is even close.
But how do you apply a tip like that in your life?
Well, a man once asked Jesus what was the greatest commandment.
Jesus said …
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.”
Matthew 22:37 (ESV)
Think about that for a minute.
Love God with everything that is in you — your heart, soul, and mind.
If you don’t know God or don’t love Him, you won’t be able to do this tip.
However, if you do know God, then you should seek to make this tip a habit in your daily life.
STARTING THE DAY
Begin each day, considering how great God is. He created this universe! The stars, the planets, the mountains, the rivers, the trees, the oceans, the animals … and you.
And consider how much He loves you. He sent Jesus, His son, to earth to pay the price for your sins so that you can spend eternity with Him.
Thank Him and praise Him for who He is.
Then consider … Is there is anything in your life more important to you than God?
Anything?
You job? Your family? Yourself?
Be honest.
Can you honestly tell God that you love Him with all your heart, soul, and mind?
Good.
That’s how you should begin your day for the next week.
LIVING THE DAY
Now you’re ready to get going.
As you go through the day, facing tasks and challenges, interacting with people, rushing to appointments, trying to finish projects … stop occasionally and consider how amazing God is.
Thank Him for who He is.
Praise Him for who He is.
Pray that others will get a glimpse of who He is.
LOOKING BACK ON THE DAY
And at the end of the day, look back on your actions, words, and attitudes.
Were they a reflection of your love for God?
Remember, that is your goal for each day this week - to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
Nothing should be more important to you than God.
He is Number One.
I pray you will have a great week as you seek to live out that tip each day.
TIP 2 "Who is Number One?"