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FIRST & LAST

I have heard this verse many times and like many of you, understood it's meaning. Almost like another well know verse, "It is better to give than receive", the First and Last points out that is better to be humble, serve and put yourself last than it is to be first. Those who strive to be first have a good chance to wind up last in God's eyes.

It's not that God does not want successful people; He wants people worthy of success. What's the difference you say? Anyone can be successful at a variety of things. With hard work, dedication, some ingenuity, resources and opportunity, success is within reach. By that standard, a drug deal may be considered successful, and there are those who think they are. 

Being worthy of success is altogether another matter. God is more concerned with your attitude and ethics way more than your purse or wallet. A person worthy of success is one whom God blesses with all the things that brings success because your are trustworthy. When you do it God's way and not the world's way, you will go a lot farther, stay there a lot longer, enjoy it more and have more peace and contentment.

So what does this have to do with you? Or where does this fit in on a "Wait On Your Boaz" page? Simply put, get your eyes off yourself and onto what God cares about. Serve and step to the back of the line and let God take care of your wants and desire. Have you ever noticed that in many areas, the harder you try to achieve something, the more difficult it becomes? This is because you are using your 'own' muscle and not God's!

When God is let into the picture, it is He who does the heavy lifting. This is why Jesus said to "Take My yoke, for it is easy and my burned is light". This is why "The First will be last and the last will be first." It is God who exalts and open and closes doors. Even when looking for your 'Boaz', you will have trouble finding him because you are too busy 'TRYING' to find Him!

Being last is a position we all have been raised not to desire. Intentionally placing ourselves last seems contrary to every fiber of our being. We want success and an abundant life and know to get it, you must be number one! This is true and false. LOL 

Being number one is relative. What does being number one mean? It is the strongest? The smartest? The prettiest? The wealthiest? I guess it would depend on the measuring stick you use. Let's focus on the measuring stick God uses for a bit.

God says in His word, "The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." So if God is looking at your heart for greatness, make sure your heart is the best thing going for you! And a heart for God.....goes last!

It's not only God's test for future exhalation  It's also very practical from a human standpoint also. For example; if you put yourself last at the work place; you work hard, you strive to make your boss and company look and be the best it can be; you do everything without complaining, not worrying about fair treatment or recognition, I guarantee, somewhere along they way, the boss or others will see your example and gravitate towards it. You will become the 'go to' gal/guy and doors to success will open up.

Likewise, those who are searching for a mate need to stop searching. Let's say you concentrated on serving others and the community. You walk in and out with a smile on your face and a kind word to all. You are involved in the lives and problems of others. Never complaining about what you didn't get or don't have, but content. It will not be long when 'good' men start to become attracted to such inner strength, peace and joy!

If you still question if this really works in true life, I offer to you one last example; Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many."

What made Jesus life so extraordinary that even after 2000yrs, people, religious or not are mesmerized and attracted to Him? Savior of the world you say? Maybe, but that is only for the religious. It was His 'service'! He has such authority and a presence that we call today, charisma. Only difference is, Jesus didn't use this inner attraction for fame, fortune or power.

Jesus spent His life, giving Himself away to others. He was the Master at putting Himself last and in Heaven and on Earth gained a Name that is above every name! If you want to learn the secret of the 'First and Last', learn from the Master!

God Bless

http://waitonboaz.com

STAND!

You Have To Stand!
Stand in your commitment to God!
Stand in what God says you are!
Stand on God's promises for your life!
Stand on God giving you your hearts desires!
Stand on being the best God has created you to be!

"If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all."
-- Isaiah 7:9

DOORS

Doors

What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied My Name.

-- Revelation 3:7-13

This is part of Christ revelation to the churches. Notice that He opens and shuts door that will be irreversible for anyone to open or shut. He alone has the strength and power to accomplish this. Notice also, He is addressing those who are faithful to His word and honors His Name.

If you are walking faithful with Christ, He will do the same for you. He will open doors to you by His power. People, places and things you desire and need, will be brought into your life. He will also protect and guide you by closing doors that are hazardous to your life and your Christian walk.

This is God’s love and faithfulness in action. This is royal treatment! As you know, not everyone receives such favor; only those who have paid the price to be showered with such favor.

You may be wondering why you didn’t get that promotion or why it didn’t work out. Why did your Boaz turn out to be Mr. wrong? Why haven’t you accomplished your dreams you set out accomplish.

This it could simply be because you are not fully walking the in the way that you should, or it could be that God is protecting you from even yourself. Perhaps He has something greater down the road, so He must close all other doors to send you through that special door.

There are variables to be considered, but one thing remains true. It begins and ends with your walk with Christ. It is in direct correspondence with your praise, worship, integrity, obedience, humility, seeking God and everything else that is required of you and not doing things which are forbidden.

I’m not talking about salvation. God has grace enough to bring you into His kingdom. Jesus death, burial and resurrection accomplished this. No’ I’m talking Favor and Blessing. Open doors and closed ones for protection.

You have a choice. Jesus is waiting with His hands on the doorknobs that lead to abundance and keeps you from disaster. Or you settle for the third option, which is to remain in the hallway of mediocrity and mundane, never tasting the beautiful blessing that God has behind those doors for you.

In the words of Kevin O Leary from one of favorite shows, The Shark Tank, “What Are You Going To Do”?

God Bless

http://waitonboaz.com 

KEEPING UP WITH THE TRINITY

KEEPING UP WITH THE TRINITY

Since my eldest daughter has been home from college, my dvr television recording have become filled up with shows I've never watched before. On any given week, I've noticed at least 6 episodes of 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians'. There was a time when I didn't know what a Kardashian was! lol Sounded like some exotic animal! When I did find out that they were indeed human, the show still drew little interest for me.

Needless to saw, I in evidently caught an episode here and there by default. I'm still scratching my head at why they are so popular! A dysfunctional, spoiled rich family whose main concern is status and image. Ego trips, alcohol, babies born out of wedlock, over indulgence, lavish trips and of course, money. If this is what turns the viewers on.....that says alot about society.

The Kardashians to me are just another family...just with more money. Seems having money doesn't make one smarter or well behaved; probably the opposite. My grievance is not really with the Kardashians though; it's with those who would 'keep up' with such questionable individuals. Those who live, or wish to live like the Kardashians, I can understand the attraction, but for my brothers and sisters in Christ, I wonder if this is very revealing of the secret 'crush' it has on the world.

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them." and "He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money" ring a bell?

Most of what the Kardashians 'do' is not really a point of contention. Money is not evil, wine is not evil, trips are not evil, having babies is definitely not evil. It's 'how' they do it! This the issue. For God's people to want to 'keep up' with the Kardashians or anyone and anything else who is living opposite of God's instruction, is very telling of who they want to be.

I Corinthians says, "Bad company corrupts good character". This 'soooo' true! So why would anyone want to keep up with the Kardashians? Are they instructing people well? Are they uplifting and edifying one's soul? Are their examples things to be emulated? Do they bring us closer to God and growing up in the right ways?

How about we 'Keep Up With The Trinity', Father, Son and Holy Spirit? Do we even seek after God or are we too busy seeking after the Kardashians or something else? Do we even know where God is working or what He is up to around us and in the world? Or have be closed out hearts to the things God cares about? Why do we concern ourselves with the lives of Kim, Khloe and Kourtney, but ignore the plight of our neighbor in need?

Come on Church! Stand up and 'BE' the Church that we have been called to be! How can we expect anything from God when He cannot look to us to do His will here on earth? We bring our needs and desires before Him daily and prayer, neglecting to ask "What do You want of me O' Lord?".

God was here from eternity; long before the Kardashians and He will be so long after the Kardashians. They are living their life...even if it is they way 'they' see fit...who are ;you' living 'your' life for? The Kardashians will be rewarded in the next life that which they have labored for in this life. What will your reward be at your last breath? Maybe it's time to focus and 'keep up' with God more than you have.

I'm not here to judge the Kardashians or anyone else, but only to wake people up from their slumber; their complacency. We are called to be 'holy'. Holy does not mean perfect or righteous, but separate; other than the rest. The opposite of holy is not sinful, but 'common'. 

Some may think the Kardashian seem separate and other than the rest, but they are the same and common; they just do it up in a bigger way than most of us. To be separate and other is 'opposite' of what the world does. We are to be on God's page and in sync with His heart and desires. We are 'His' people; His children. Let us keep up with our God so that we may join in what He is trying to do.

How about it? I'd rather receive a good rating from God Almighty than to help the Kardashians get good ratings. God may not be showing off His wealth, power and influence, because He doesn't have to; He owns it all! I don't believe that is His concern anyway; 'You Are' His concern. Let's return the thought.

God Bless

http://waitonboaz.com