Tag Archive | God

Does love really mean not calling sin…sin?

Feb7

Question: Shouldn’t Christians just show love to others and stop trying to shame them about their sins?

Answer:  That depends on what you mean by “showing love.”  Consider this:  a good and loving parent teaches their child right from wrong and lets that child know that doing wrong (sinning) will lead to negative consequences.  For example, the loving parent will teach their child not to play with matches. They will tell him what could happen if he started a fire that caused himself or others to be seriously burned.  The parent would let the child know that his disobedience could even lead to the entire house burning to the ground.  If that child still goes and plays with the matches, the parent will tell the child, again, why this was wrong and punish the child to discourage him from doing it again.  Likely, that child will feel ashamed when being called out for doing wrong.

But, better that parent tell that child what he was doing was wrong than keeping the child ignorant of the dangers of his actions… actions that could possibly lead to catastrophic results!  That parent telling the child his behavior was wrong was actually showing love to that child. For it would not be very loving to let that child remain unaware of his dangerous behavior and the potentially deadly consequences.

Likewise, God wants Believers to tell  the world His Gospel. In fact, Jesus left us with the Great Commission to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” ( Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV)  Of utmost importance in what His Holy Word teaches is the deadly consequences of our sin.  Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Since Romans 3:23 says that we “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” we all need our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Therefore,  it would not be very loving to keep people ignorant of the dangers of their sinful behavior.  Letting people know what sin is and the consequences of their sin is actually a loving thing to do. Just always let them know in ways that are compassionate and caring – remembering that we were all lost in sin until we accepted Jesus as our Savior.  Thank God for His saving grace!

(Reposted from my February 2017 Blog Post)

God said it! Do you really believe it?

Jan11

Question: Should I believe everything in the Bible?

Answer: Yes! “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV)

And over and over again, Jesus Himself quoted from the Scriptures and cited them as the true words of God: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” (Matthew 4:4)

That’s why it’s so important that we all read the Bible and study His Holy Word regularly. It tells us how God wants us to live our lives. Plus, we can have confidence in knowing “…it is impossible for God to lie…” (Hebrews 6:18)

Here are some of the many truths we find in the Bible.

From the very beginning of God’s Word, we learn that it was God who created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). We also learn that God created all life: plants, animals, and humans, who were created male and female in His image (Genesis 1:26-28). God’s first humans, Adam and Eve, did not obey God’s instructions to them. They sinned against God and passed that original sin on to all mankind.

Our sins separate us from a Holy God. We can’t go to Heaven in our sin. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord,” (Romans 6:23). So indeed, God still made a way to heaven for us. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment we deserved for our sins. On the third day, God raised Him from the dead. Jesus now lives at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. Jesus intercedes with God on our behalf when we pray.

So what are some other important truths God wants us to know?

In John 14:6, Jesus is quoted as saying, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” God wants us to know that we must accept Jesus Christ as our one and only Lord and Savior. He wants us to ask forgiveness and repent of our sins. He wants us to live our lives to please Him.

God also wants us to know that we have an enemy who is Satan (also known as the devil and the thief). In John 10:10, Jesus says: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Unlike God, we learn that Satan does lie! In fact, Jesus called him “the father of lies” (John 8:44). God warns us against falling for Satan’s many lies. One of his biggest lies is that there are many ways to Heaven instead of the truth, being that Jesus is the only way. Remember Jesus’ own words: “No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Another of the devil’s lies is that people can decide for themselves what is right and wrong. The truth is, only God says what is right and wrong. Therefore, if God says something is sin, then it is sin no matter what the world says about it.

Yet another lie is making people think that what they desire or believe is more important than what God expects us to desire and believe. We should only want to do and support what is pleasing to God! Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word…” (John 15:23)

God wants us to read His Word and pray for His Holy Spirit to guide us (John 14:24-29). He wants us to know that one day Jesus will be coming back to take Believers with Him to Heaven and to condemn those who refused to accept Jesus as their Savior, which means eternal damnation in Hell:

“He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed.” (2nd Thessalonians 1:8-10 NIV. See also: John 14:1-4; Revelation 22:12-21)

God gave us all truth in His Holy Word – the Bible. Believe It!

Don’t have a Jesus-free Christmas!

Dec12

Question:  In the hustle and bustle of the season, how can I make sure I’m keeping Christ in Christmas?

Answer:  Even dedicated Christians can sometimes find themselves consumed with every tradition of the holiday season except what’s most important.  They can forget that Jesus really is the reason for the season!  Christians know that this is the time of the year we choose to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Therefore, we should make the time and make the effort to keep Christ in our Christmas!  But, if we know this, then why don’t we do it?

Unfortunately, some Christians can get as consumed with creating the picture-perfect Christmas experience as the world does. They fill themselves with anxiety trying to get the best super sales on the most popular gifts.  Adults get worked up over seeing their peers gifting themselves with the latest “must-have” gadgets and new technology.  They wear themselves out trying to keep up with the trends of the crowd. They forget to  pause, reflect, and be thankful for the greatest gift – Jesus Christ.

Likewise, many Christian families find themselves in turmoil during this season.  Married couples fight over which in-laws they are going to spend Christmas Day with.  Parents argue over how much money they are going to spend to make sure their children have this year’s hottest toys. They fill the family calendar with so many seasonal activities that they find themselves exhausted.  Yet, they fail to make time for the most important things – reading, meditating on, and discussing God’s Word.

Most importantly, during this season of spending extra time with family and friends, too many Christians fail to include in their discussions talk of their walk with the Lord.  They tend not to share with their family and friends how God has brought them faithfully through this year.  They are willing to talk about everything else but Jesus.  It doesn’t have to be this way.

Don’t have a Jesus-free Christmas!  See that you and your family are keeping Christ in Christmas. There are many ways you can do this.  For example, plan to take your family to a church Christmas program that tells the story of Christ’s birth.  While decorating the tree, play or sing Christmas hymns that give praise to our Lord.  Make sure to share with your family and friends how God has blessed you this year.  And, always make sure your family knows the story of the birth of our Savior.  Luke 2: 1-20 spells out in detail how Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  This Bible passage may be one you’d even want to read aloud together.  Listen to a reading of this account by clicking here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCKpwaRxIww&feature=youtube_gdata .

And, have a very Merry CHRISTmas!

(Reposted from my December 2014 Blog Post.)

Helpful Links:

Focus on the Family    www.focusonthefamily.com

Crown Financial Ministries   www.crown.org

The Christian Broadcasting Network  www.cbn.com

World Magazine   www.wng.org

Are you living the “thankful” life?

Nov9

Question: How can I stop complaining so much and remember to be more thankful?

Answer: Start by taking a few moments right now to thank God for the many blessings in your life! Ask God to forgive you for all the times you’ve failed to give Him the glory for your life. Our Heavenly Father knows that none of our lives will be perfect, for only Jesus Christ lived a perfect life. God knows that we often have to deal with frustrations and disappointments. He knows that we can find these times hard to deal with. He has given Believers His Holy Spirit to live in us, and to guide and strengthen us as we deal with these challenges. It’s through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can learn to live the “thankful” life during both good times and hard times.

God commands us, as Believers, to be obedient to His Holy Word. He wants us to live our lives to please Him. Multiple times in His Word, He lets us know that part of being obedient is being thankful. For example:

-In Psalm 92:1, His Word tells us that “It is good to give thanks to the LORD…” (NKJV)

-Psalm 100:4-5 says, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.”

-Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

-First Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

So, we see in these scriptures and in many others why God wants us to be thankful. He wants us to value and appreciate all that He has done and continues to do for us because He loves us. Of course, we are to be most thankful for the ultimate way God showed His love for us: by giving us His Son, Jesus Christ! (Read John 3:16)

Believers are thankful that God gave us Jesus to die on the cross to take the punishment we deserve for our sins and that Jesus rose again on the third day to live with God forever in Heaven. We are thankful that we’ve accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior, have asked Him to forgive us of our sins, and have repented of our sins to also be able to live in Heaven one day.

For these reasons and many others, we have so many blessings in our lives for which to be thankful. God wants Believers to be thankful at all times – when things are easy and even when things are difficult. He wants Believers to remember that He loves us and is always with us.

Through the power of His Holy Spirit in us, we can live the “thankful” life!

Updated and reposted from my November 12, 2022 blog post.

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One Nation Under God?

Oct5

Question:  What should Christians do to get our country out of its moral decline?

Answer:  Pray!  Christians know that prayers do, indeed, change things.  The Bible tells us in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If My people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (NKJV) As Christians, we must make sure that we are living our own lives to please God.  We need to repent from our own sins before we seek to witness to others about their need to turn from their sins.  Unbelievers can often spot a hypocrite, and they are understandably turned off by them.

Plus, as Christians, we need not despair as we see evil gaining ground by way of some of the new laws being made in this country which go against the Word of God.  Believers know that if God says something is sin, we know that it is sin no matter who says otherwise. Therefore, Believers should not give their support to any politician or group who supports such laws!

Also, Believers need not feel defeated as we witness polls that show the majority of people favoring what God’s Word clearly calls sin.  We need to heed the warning found in Isaiah 5: 20, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil…” The Bible also tells us that God will not be mocked (Galatians 6:7).  He is still in control.  When a nation continues to be disobedient to God, it invites the wrath of God upon it!

Additionally, America’s founding fathers were wise to include recognition of God in such places as the Declaration of Independence.  Dr. Harold Pease, an expert on the US Constitution, wrote about the five references to God found in the Declaration of Independence.  Most famous is the following reference about our Creator, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”  (See  http://www.libertyunderfire.org/2011/07/five-references-to-god-in-the-declaration-of-independence/). 

Also, in 1954, US President Dwight Eisenhower was wise to get Congress to add the words “under God” to the Pledge Of Allegiance. ( See http://www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm).  There are even carved images of the story of Moses in the building of the US Supreme Court.  Despite the many wrongs this country has contributed to like slavery and segregation, this country has done many other things right.  For example, this country remains one of the nation of Israel’s closest allies.  This country continues to be one that gives the most to address the world’s humanitarian needs.  This nation continues to be considered the most powerful in the world.  America has been blessed.  America has a history of acknowledging God in its historical documents, national buildings, and patriotic songs.  Most of its citizens call themselves Christian.

Therefore, America needs to remain a country which recognizes the existence of Almighty God.  America’s people would be wise to remember the part of the Pledge that says we are “one nation under God.” As Christians, we need to live out our beliefs and continue to pray for others to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. For the Bible tells us in Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD…”   We need to rely on the teachings of the Bible when making laws for our country and not govern in ways that go against God’s Word.

Amen!

(Reposted and updated from my July 2013 Blog)

Are you really putting God first?

Sep6

Question: How can I be sure my decisions put God first instead of just pleasing myself?

Answer: You can start by making sure your decisions don’t go against the word of God! The two ways you can be guided in this are by studying to know God’s word and by praying for the Holy Spirit to help you. In reading the Bible, we learn about the many promises Our Heavenly Father has made to us as Believers. Two of these promises are that He will always be there for us and that He will give us His Holy Spirit to guide us.

Jesus said, “…when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…” (John 16:13 NKJV)

Unfortunately, there are times when we talk ourselves into believing that what we want in a situation is the same as what God wants. But this may not always be the case. In fact, God’s Word warns us against believing we know better than God. As the Prophet Isaiah cautions, “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes…”(Isaiah 5:21)

Therefore, if God tells us not to commit or support sin, we should put Him first and not support sin. For example, we may want to support those who promote sinful behaviors – especially if they are people we like. We convince ourselves that it’s okay to support their sinful agendas as long as we’re not actually committing these sins ourselves and we like the good things these people may do.

But God’s word says, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones” (Proverbs 3:7-8). If your support helps these people or others sin against God, then you are sharing in their sin by giving them your support! (See Romans 1:28-32) You are choosing to put their desires ahead of God’s commands. That’s not putting God first! As Believers, our first obedience must be to God. For to God, obedience is better than sacrifice. (See 1 Samuel 15:22)

A different example of not putting God first could happen in the way we respond to our achievements. When given the opportunity, we may enthusiastically give credit for our success to many people – our parents, teachers, mentors, and even ourselves. While acknowledging the help of all these people is fine, we must remember to give the main credit to God! He is the one who blessed us to be able to achieve that success by providing us with the various people, skills, wisdom, and opportunities that helped us to achieve. Therefore, make sure to give God the credit for His many blessings in your life.

Now, we are not perfect people. The only perfect one to walk this earth was our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! So, there are going to be times when we fail to put God first. When this happens, we need to ask Jesus to forgive us and repent of our sins. Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you make the right choices.

Just remember that God loves us even when we fail Him. Keep reading God’s word and pray for the Holy Spirit to help you keep God first in your life. He will guide you and keep you on the right track.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3: 5-7)

Amen!

(Reposted and updated from my September 2022 Blog)

God is speaking! Are you listening?

Aug10

Question: How do I make sure I’m listening to God?

Answer: You can know that you are listening to God. You can start by being faithful in praying for God to give you clear direction, and regularly reading God’s Word to see what He wants us to know! When Believers pray for direction, God will hear and answer our prayers according to His will for us. For example, in Psalm 32:8, God says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go…”(NKJV) So, as He instructs us, we need to listen.

Also, in Proverbs 3:5-6, God tells us to, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” By praying we show that we are listening to God. We can trust Him to do what He says He will do and to give us guidance.

We also show that we are listening to God when we regularly read and study the Bible and when we pray for understanding as we read. The following are just a few of the Scriptures that reveal why this is important. Listen to what God is saying to us.

“But He (Jesus Christ) answered (Satan) and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'” (Matthew 4:4)

“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

When we study God’s word and pray for understanding, we learn what God has to say to us. Once we listen to what God has say, we as Believers, need to do what He tells us to do. As we learn in James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only…”

So, for example, when you hear in God’s word that we all need to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior (John 14:6, Acts 16:30-31, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9), do you listen and accept Christ as your one and only Savior? Or, do you continue to reject God?

When you hear in God’s word that He has made promises to those who believe – to save them, forgive their sins when they ask, help them, and be with them always (John 3:16, Jeremiah 29:11, 2 Corinthians 2:19-20), do you listen and believe Him? Or, do you doubt Him?

When you hear in God’s word that He wants His believers to live their lives to please Him and to spread the good news of the Gospel to everyone in the world (Matthew 5:13-16, Matthew 28:18-20), do you listen? Or, do you choose not to prioritize living according to God’s instruction? Do you not tell others about Jesus?

Remember, God will speak to us when we are faithful to pray and study His word. So, make sure you’re listening!

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Be careful who you listen to for the truth!

Jul5

Question:  One of my college religion professors told us that we should not interpret the Bible as being literally given by God. Is he right?

Answer:  No. Your professor is wrong! That’s another reason why we should read God’s  Holy Word for ourselves, so we can learn the truth. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (NKJV)

Therefore, your professor can be added to a list of people you must be careful of, when you listen to them, if you are a Believer.  The Apostle John warns Christians not to believe everything they are told about matters pertaining to their faith. For there will be many claiming they are speaking moral truths, but in reality, they are lying!  (Read 1 John 4:1-6) If they are telling you things that agree with what the Bible says, they are speaking the truth.  But if they say other things that go against what the Bible says, they are not speaking God’s truth.

Sadly, instead of using this standard as their moral guide, too many people tend to blindly believe people simply based on the person’s likeability or popularity.  That’s why you can find even Believers turning their back on God’s teachings to support the sinful teachings of their favorite celebrities and politicians. These famous people may be intelligent, beautiful, talented, and rich.  So people admire and want to support them.  And, in the case of the politicians, people may like the promises they make to them and just ignore it when those same politicians are clearly supporting sin.  Jesus warns us about these “false teachers.”  (See Matthew 7:15-19) Don’t be fooled into listening to their sinful teachings.

The Bible also tells us that people may prefer to listen to those who simply tell them what they want to hear.  For example, 2 Timothy 4: 3-4 says, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”  In other words, they don’t want to listen to God.

So, Believers, be careful who you listen to for the truth. Know whether or not you are hearing the truth according to God’s Holy Word. Study the Bible for yourself and pray that God’s Holy Spirit will help you discern the difference between when you are hearing the truth and when you are hearing a lie.  Only follow God’s truth!

(Reposted from my March 12, 2017 Blog Post.)

Is your home spiritually secured?

Jun8

Question: How do I “spiritually secure” my home?

Answer: You must make sure your household is standing on the word of God! Declare as Joshua did, “…But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15 NKJV)

Teach! Start by making sure the members of your household have heard the Gospel message! They need to hear that we are all sinners in need of a savior and that God gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, as our one and only Lord and Savior! Pray that God’s Holy Spirit will touch each one of their hearts, so they will accept Jesus as their Savior. Pray that they ask Him to forgive them of their sins, repent of their sins, and start living their lives to please God. (Read John 3:16, Romans 6:23, John 14:6, Acts 2:38, and other Salvation Scriptures)

Pray! Regularly pray for the spiritual growth, safety, good health, wisdom, and happiness of each member of your home including yourself. Not only should you pray for those in your household, you should often pray together with them. Also, stress the importance of prayer by showing them the many Scriptures where God tells us that we need to pray in both good times and hard times. For example, the Word says in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Model! Ask yourself if you are living your own life according to God’s Word. Are those in your home seeing you model the behavior of a faithful Believer? For example, do they see you treating others in the loving way God says we should? Do they see you reading and studying God’s Word? Do they see you going with them to church instead of sending them there while you stay home? Do they see you allowing unrepentant sinful living to take place in your home? Remember, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Now be warned! Our enemy Satan will not be happy that you are trying to “spiritually secure” your household! The Word reminds us that the devil is a thief. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I (Jesus Christ) have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Therefore, stay strong in the Lord! Each day you must pray for God’s Holy Spirit to provide those in your household with physical and spiritual protection. (Read Ephesians Ch. 6:10-20) Know that God loves us, and He has made many promises to those of us who are Believers. Among His promises is to be there with us always. (Matthew 28:18-20) That’s why we “…can say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God, in Him I will trust” (Psalm 91:2)

So, stand firm in the Lord! Continue to pray, serve, and trust God. Keep your home secured– the Lord’s way!

Do you have your priorities straight – Jesus first?

May4

Question: How do I know if I’m keeping Jesus first in my life?

Answer: It’s very important that Believers remember to put Jesus Christ first in their lives! Start by praying for God’s Holy Spirit to help you. Pray that as you go about your day you will be mindful of the things you do and say. Ask yourself if your words and actions are reflecting the love and teachings of God’s Word.

To know what God has to say to us, Believers should regularly read and study God’s Word — the Bible. It says we are to, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

In doing so, we learn so many important things. For example, we learn about how God wants us to live our lives to please Him. We learn about the gift of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Read John 3:16). Plus, we learn about the many wonderful promises God has made to us if we obey His Word (Read Jeremiah 29:11). We also learn of the deadly consequences we face if we are disobedient to Him and don’t turn from our sins and accept Jesus as our Savior.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (NKJV)

God also understands how difficult our enemy, Satan, tries to make our lives. Satan definitely does not want us to put Jesus first. In fact, he’s a thief who wants to rob us of our faith. One way he may try to do this is by making us doubt God loves us. Or he makes us think God is no longer around to help us. Satan makes us have these feelings when we have to deal with hard issues like sickness, money problems, relationship troubles, or crime.

But remember not to believe Satan’s lies! “The thief (Satan) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Also, remember that God said, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

So, know that there will be times when you find yourself facing difficult situations. You will face social pressures, rejection, or even retaliation for choosing to reject sin and instead follow the teachings of God. When this happens, don’t be afraid or discouraged — stand strong for the Lord! Pray for God’s Holy Spirit to help you through these challenging times. Live your life to please the Lord.

Keep Jesus first!