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The M&M
Connection
“Who’s first in your life?”
For years I have heard Christians asked what appears to be
a very important question relating to their Christianity. You know the
question. “What is the most important thing in your life?” There is a
pause to wait for the answer and what we want to hear is, “God.” Then
comes the next question, “What is second in your life?” Another pause
occurs to wait for your answer, “Family.” Then the last question,
“What’s next?” You’ve got it by now so you respond quickly, “Work.”
The person asking the question is now satisfied that you
have your life together and you are a good Christian.
One day I was driving along and I sensed the Spirit running
me through the above questions in my mind. I was answering them as I
normally do and then God burst in and said, “You’ve become legalistic
and I hate legalism.” “What was that God”, I asked. “You know you’re
first”, I continued. “Yes I am”, God replied but you have just demeaned
your wife and job and that is wrong.
“So, what are you saying,” I asked. He then gave me what
appeared to be a Venn diagram. That’s where three circles overlap and at
this small overlap is where God told me to place His name. He then
showed me that each circle was important to Him. The first circle was my
relationship with Him. The second was my relationship with my wife and
the third was with my job.
He told me He was in all three of these places at the same
time. Let’s look at each one over the next three days.
Circle One
Your Personal
Relationship with God
Since God is in the center of all the circles and the
center of each part of our lives He is interested in each area of our
life as much as the other ones. The first circle is our relationship
with Him. We need to understand that our role is to be with God on a
regular basis so we can get to know Him. He already knows everything
about us. He created us and watches over our comings and goings.
It is we who need to get to know God every day we can. He
can be found in everything and we should be looking for Him everywhere.
In order to do that we need to pray, meditate on His word and listen for
Him to speak to us. My first book, “Marketplace, Marriage & Revival: The
Spiritual Connection” wouldn’t exist if it hadn’t been for hearing from
Him.
We were having dinner with three other couples
and one told us there was an angel at the table and he was a messenger
and he had a message about the marketplace for us. One of us had to hear
his word. So, what did we all do? We all stopped talking and sat
perfectly still. Minutes passed that seemed like hours.
Then I heard something pass through my mind. I waited some
more and there it was again, so I asked if I could offer it to the
group. They agreed and this is what I said. “The businessman’s ministry
in the marketplace will only advance to the extent his marriage
permits.” That’s it said the man who had announced the presence of an
angel at the table.
I tell you this because my first book came out of this
quiet time and I tell you this because we can have quiet time in our
home or in a restaurant. God is ready to speak anywhere and we must be
prepared to hear Him. Our personal quiet time helps us do just that. But
God was saying this is only a part of my walk with Him.
Are you prepared to hear God at any time and anywhere?
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Jack
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