Esteeming God

Esteeming God
by Taffi L. Dollar

By him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Col. 1:16-18 )

Do you believe what you just read? If you do, then your life should reflect "the preeminence" of Jesus Christ. He created you. He created the earth and every material thing you enjoy. He redeemed you from sin and gave you His righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. He is the head of the Church and His Body, of which you are a vital member. He holds the universe together, and He will hold your life together if you will let Him!

Colossians 1:16 also says that we were created for Him. We are here on Earth for His pleasure and for His purpose. This verse tells me that before I was born, even before He created the heavens and the Earth, Jesus mapped out a set course and plan for me to discover and walk in, which is far better than what I could ever desire for myself. What this means in everyday, practical terms is that I often have to lay aside my own opinions and plans to subject everything to His will and plan for my life. I must continually recognize that Jesus is the final authority.

I have learned that esteeming God is not going through a religious ritual a few times a week or saying long prayers before bedtime. We honor and esteem God when He is woven into everything we think, say, and do. He has first place and is the primary influence in our lives from the moment we awake in the morning, every hour of the day—and even while we are asleep. We are always conscious of and subject to His desires and His will. His Word and His Spirit are at the core of everything that concerns us or influences us.

If we don't keep God first and foremost in what we do, it is so easy to get off course by all kinds of distractions. We can avoid this by first setting aside time every day to spend with God and no one else and then stay in continuous communication with Him throughout the day. We cannot limit our time with Him to a two-hour church service on Sunday morning and an hour or two on Wednesday evening and then do anything we want to do the rest of the time. We may set priorities, but they will probably not be of God! We don't know His will if we don't talk with Him, and we won't stay in His will if we don't stay in communication with Him.

If we don't set the priorities in our lives, circumstances and people will. And setting priorities begins with esteeming God before anything or anyone else. The Bible talks about how the Macedonian Believers did this even as they were dealing with very hard times.
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
(2 Cor. 8:1-5)
The Macedonian Believers were going through a "great trial of affliction" and "deep poverty." Yet, they had an abundance of joy. How did they do that? The answer is found in verse 5, which says that they "first gave their own selves to the Lord." They esteemed Him above and through all they were experiencing in their lives. Isn't it amazing that, with everything they were going through and all that was going on around them, they remained devoted to and focused on the Lord?

Instead of getting entangled in all their problems and saying, "You know, it's hard to live right when you don't have money and you're being persecuted for your faith," they gave themselves to Jesus.

We are not supposed to give ourselves to situations, people, and material things. We are to give ourselves to the Lord. He doesn't tell us to do this to make our lives miserable. He tells us to do this so that we can have the abundance of joy the Macedonians had!

If we don't esteem God by giving ourselves fully to Him all day long, our lives can dry up and wither. We cannot bear fruit because we have stopped the daily flow of His love, life, power, and authority in our lives. But when we give ourselves to Him, all these things flow through us and we can be everything He's called us to be to everyone He wants us to touch.

God wants to bless you! He wants you to have abundance of joy even when you are facing terrific challenges in your life. And the sure way to get in the mighty outpouring of His blessings is to honor and esteem Him by putting Him first and consulting Him first at all times and in all situations.

Setting Your Priorities Today
Throughout your day today, keep track of what you think about. Are you giving the Lord your undivided attention whenever possible? Do you consult Him as you make all the little decisions as well as the big decisions? Whether you are a busy professional or a wife and mother going in five directions at the same time, you can train yourself to meditate on God's Word and commune with the Holy Spirit. This is esteeming God in your life.


Source: 21 Days To Your Spiritual Makeover by Taffi Dollar