1st Place

1 Thessalonians 4:1,3 “Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. 3 God’s will is for you to be holy...” ~NLT 

Those of us that participated in sports know what it’s like to train to be the best. Best as a team in football, basketball, baseball, etc. And sometimes as an individual in track and field. But during these training sessions I have never met a coach that trained his athletes to come in second place. In fact, I don’t know any athletes I’ve trained with that wanted second place. 

Did you know that second place is what we claim almost every day as believers? We know what pleases God, yet when we purposely fall short, we say, “I’m just human.” That is ‘Second Place.’ Can we really live with being in ‘second place'?  

Well I’m here to tell you that I can’t. Not anymore and you shouldn’t either. In the text above Paul is pleading to the Thessalonians to, “...live in a way that pleases God.” Paul doesn’t have to guide them much because He continues, “...You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more.” Continue to work hard at being the best Christian you can be.

Listen, if we love God, then we know we owe God. So let us take the wisdom He has given us, take every day one day at a time and live our lives pleasing Him. Pick an issue we may have that is not of God and pray for His strength and wisdom to rebuke, and get rid of that issue. When we do this, we will find He will give us the strength, through the Holy Spirit, to come in first place in conquering that issue! 

Let us get rid of that “I’m only human” mentality and train to be a ‘Supernatural Servant’ of God. Let us all strive for that 1st place spot in that godly position. May God give you the strength, wisdom, and determination to achieve His will for your life in Jesus’ name. 

​Amen 

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