Christian Living

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Mark 9:35 - And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

Mark 10:31 - But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

First place and last place are just positions. The crux of the matter revolves around the object of our true loyalty and allegiance. Is it to a position or is it to Christ? What is expected and quite routine in the kingdom of men is in extreme contrast to the order in the “Kingdom of God”; basically a spiritual oxymoron!

This passage speaks to our desire and motives for rank and importance. In the earthly realm, men clamor, fight, steal and kill over position and prestige. The “me, myself and I”, and the look out for #1 logic is quite prevalent today. Sadly, that same mentality has permeated the modern day church. Since God holds the heart of the King in His hand, be assured that He also holds your destiny in His hand as well. Again, first and last are just positions and can be shifted by God's sovereignty at His discretion. Remember the Bible states that promotion cometh not from the east, west or south but, from God!

TO HIM IN FIRST PLACE

If you're in a high place, is the height of your worship parallel to the height of your promotion? You may be in high place, but do you have a high praise?
We see you're a big man, but are you ashamed to give God a big dance?
If you occupy a high place, have you forgotten about your days in the low place? Have you forgotten about the ones who are still caught up in a low place?
Remember no man is an island unto himself and no man lives forever. What are you're plans to impart/pass on to others that are under the sphere of your influence? Good leaders reach their destiny! Great leaders leave a legacy!

TO HIM IN LAST PLACE

Can you give Him a high praise in a low place or even an embarrassing place? I'm talking about a misunderstood place; a painful place my friend! In a place you thought you'd never be in? Can you magnify God while you're being beat down: Your money is funny; just lost your honey bunny; bills are overdue; in the midst of negative doctor reports, or while watching others enjoy their promotions? You see, most folks can surely praise God on the mountain top, but what about in the valley?

If you are seemingly in a last place now, will you give God an advance praise for the future season when He brings you into a higher place? Can you stand to see someone else blessed? Is it even in you to get “happy for somebody else”? That is really the key to you're breakthrough!! When you are raised, will you “raise your praise”?

In closing, we learned that in God’s Kingdom, the way up is down: Down in pride; down in arrogance; down in regard to what you may feel is owed to you; and mostly down on our knees! We can't circumvent the role that Christ displayed “making no reputation for Himself, yet cloaked Himself in the posture of a servant” for our sake! Glory to God! How about we try something that is a rarity in the Kingdom today: Strive to be Unrecognized and let God blow you up. Abase yourself under the mighty hand of God and in due season God will raise and exalt you. Give Him glory in the low place and watch Him switch the very ground beneath your feet!

Are you being "Conditioned for the Position"?

IN HIM!
Elder Reginald L. Turner

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