Balance # 1 “Keep the Main Thing, the Main Thing”
Saints of God, as we start out the month of September, which God has me focusing on Balance, the first place to begin is "KEEP THE MAIN THING, THE MAIN THING."
This of course is living a Christ centered life. It is the First Works, and our First Love. This is what Christ instructed the Church of Ephesus to do.
"4 But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love]. 5 Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent (change the inner man to meet God’s will) and do the works you did previously [when first you knew the Lord], or else I will visit you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent." Revelation 2:4-5 AMPC
The Church of Ephesus was a seasoned church, aiding those who needed help, exposing false doctrine, yet they'd been so busy advancing and maturing in what they thought was the way to grow strong in spirit, that they left their first works, revealing the fruit of their first Love, Christ.
In the beginning of our walk, we read the Bible and pray, seeking the Lord faithfully. However, if we're not watchful, other teachings can pull at our attention an become our major, where we're now giving those findings the majority of our time with God, instead of keeping it simple.
How would it look like, if when I woke up with my husband beside me, I looked at him and said, "I'll see you later, I have to get going, I need to get another book, to read about you." He would look at me like I was crazy and a fool, thinking I'm sure, "I'm right here woman."
That's how we are with Christ, when we go from seeking the Lord in the Word of Truth early in the morning, and praying, as He leads, to just getting out of bed, and going about our day, to the latest conference or grabbing the greatest and latest book.
Saints, keep the main thing, the main thing. Keep the habit of seeking God early in the morning in scripture and in prayer.
In the comments I will add C.S. Lewis' incredible teaching on prayer in the 4th watch for those who want to listen. For me, I do this; God wakes me all the time at the fourth watch in the night, and I do my prayers at that time. When I do, He then begins unfolding scripture, unpacking truths and their meaning, as Holy Spirit combines scriptures and interprets them, and God instructs.
God bless!
Robin Kirby-Gatto